Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-07-19
From the Columbia spy.l
THE FAMILY BIBLE.

NH. following lines, which have been for some years
vorItsa with the public were originally published
a. charleston u c. paper. The author was an English
.n,lamau Of the finest talents, who had been In very
s,vv mercantile buaipess With his father aud brolheis
in Liverpool and frequently had occasion to visit this
.onn,v The most romantic vlclssitudes overlook him
and Mia nearest relatives, such AZ the most vivid fancy
ua eeAtcay conceive ires lfe in part the cause Of
h immediate rsverses much impaired his health
a, IN compel his departure to Southern climate, where
nnv though late In life, the effects Of early Religious
mprsasons and the remembrance Of the peceps Of hls
.no,, ttber produced radical change in bis heart,
I'd s.vs new impulse to the muse which yeArs before
b,a osp delighted aud astonshed the lovers OF song
b,sut,fal pAthos Of the following efusion will he
.onhiv ,sllshsd after knowledge Of the foregoing cir
,,mstAnesa We here prete, the poem In Its entire
farm and not abridged IS II has frequently appeared
How painfully pleading the fond recollection
OF youthful connexions Rni innocent Joy,
Whsn blessed with parental advice ard affection
surrounded with msruiss- with peace from on high
l still view the chairs OF my sire aud my mother,
rho seat Of the Offspring ranged on eseh handi
And that richest OF books which exceed every other
That Family Bible that lay on the stand
Ths old.asbioped Bible, the dear blessed Bible,
The Family Bible that lay on tho stand.
That Bible the volume OF GODS inHpirAuuni
At morn aud at evening souli yield us delights
And the prayer of our sire was sweet invocation,
For mercy by day, and for safety through night
Our hymns of Thanksgiving with harmony swelling
All warm from the heart Of family bind,
Half rai.sl Us from earth to that Tapurous dwelling
Described 10 the Bible that lay On the stand;
That riches. Of books which excelsd eTery other,
That Family Dble tbAt Jay on the stsndi
w scenes Of tranquility, long have We parted
Ny hopes almost gone, and my parents no mofsi
10 sorrow and sadness live broken'heArted,
And wander unknown on u far distant shorei
Yet how oan doubt dear sAviour's protection,
Forgo.ful Of gifts nom His bountiui hand,
oh let me With patience receive Ills corrssiion
And think Of the Bible that lay on the stand
That richest Of books which sxcelled every other,
That Family Bible that lay on the stand.
Bsst Bible the light and tue guide Of the stranger
With thee seem encirolea with parents and friends
Thy kind admonltion shall guard me from danger,
On thee my lat lingering hope then depends
Hope uAkens to vgor, and rises TO glory
IllkAsisD aud Zoe TO the promised land,
For refuge lay hold on the hops set before me,
Revealed In the Bible that lay on the stand
The old.haihionad Bible, the dear blessed bible,
The Family BiLls that lay on the stand.
Hail. rising the btightOat and best Of The morning,
The star which has guided my parents safe home,
beam Of thy glory my pathway adjoining,
Shall scatter the darkness, and brighten my gloom,
As the eastern sAges, to worship the stranger,
In ssataoy haaiened to Canaan's land
lll bow to adore him, but not In mtngOr,
He's in the Bible that lay on the stand:
The Old.faahioned Bible, the dear blessed Bible,
The Family Bible that lay GU the stand.
"a.