Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-15
For the Standard.
The Templar's Work.

We meet to-day as oft before,
To grasp the friendly hand
And listen TO the sound once more
That echoes Ger the land.
The song Of Temperance; let it ring
From shore to shore again.
And myriad tongues unite TO sing
And swen the stirring strain.
As once again we scan the past
And trace the record there,
What can we boast of conquest vast?
What laurels do We bear?
Again We meet to hear and tell
How fares the cause we love;
From one, the cheering words ''all 5 we'll"
Our doubts and fears remove.
Another speaks of conflicts sore,
Of hopes long, long deferred;
Brother, give not the battle DER.
Thy prayer shall yet be heard.
Thou 'rt all dismayed when DER thy path
The stOrm-clouds darkly lower,
Would'st thou be brave to meet their wrath?
Wouldst thou defy their power?
Then for one moment look with me
Up to the sky oer-cast;
Can'st scarce gleam of sunshine see
SO dark? 'tis but the past.
Look once again; DER yOnder hills
Sunbeams like living rhyme
Flow down, and all the valleys fill,
FOreteling coming time
Thou art a Tcmplar, and thy name
Shall stand in coming years
Upon the Templar's roll of fame,
Which to faiths eye appears.
Strong is thy faith, thy courage strong,
The future bright and fair,
CLEANS out to thee. amid the thrOng
OF years, with visions rare.
Thou Sc est the drunkard leave his emp,
Forsake the haunts Of woe,
And lift his fallen manhood up
From depths Of crime below.
Thou 'rt sure an influence thou wilt gain
Der hearts that widely ter,
Recall the wauderer not in yain
His downward course deter.
And Vet the pledgc--it brings q smile
Thou feelest not its need,
To guard thee from the tempters vile.
To which thou ne'er gave heed.
Thy lips may need no watchful guard
To shield them from the foe,
The wine-cup thou did'st e'er discard,
Its Charmes cared not 10 know.
Is it virtue then for thee
That temperance Is the creed:
The pledge brings no restraint to thee
Then dUst thou stand in need?
Touch not, taste not; and is this all
Thy sacred vow contains?
Art thou not bound to break the thrall
OF sins encirCling chain?
4 Templar's vow is not alone,
In words the lips may part,
Our thoughts and purposes are known,
God judges by the heart.
Reclaim the fallen Is our aim,
Others from falling save
Keep for each one a spOtless name,
And bid the week be brave.
There many a careless one whose feet
viii oft-times turn away,
When a. a loving band We meet,
To watch, and toll, and pray.
Judge not too quickly; has thy heart
Gone forth 10 him in love?
Hast thou fulfilled a brothers part
Earnest thy zeal TO prove?
Hast thou been faithful. just and true
Sustaining well thy part"
Keeping thy brothers veal In view
His welfare next thy heart'
There's many a one who wanlcrs far
Counting his word but vain;
Yet do not suoh from aid debar,
But seek him once again.
Turn not away in selfish pride,
Deeming him idly weak,
But walk in Kindness by his side
And words Of counsel speak.
\ cheering word if spoke Alright
4 strong cement may he.
The broken chain to reunite
And bring sweet harmony.
So if thy faith and works unite,
And charity adon
Thy life, thou holdest up a light
To nations yet unborn
{ we strive not with heart and hand
To influence, bless and save
The millions suffering in our land.
Waiting but for grave:
Have We the less made void our faith
The less betrayed our trust?
Than he who treads the druukard's path.
His honor in the dust@
An angels pen that VOW records.
Thy lips have lightly given.
As listening angels caught the words
And bore them up to heaven.
Lifelong that obligation stands
We may not rest nor stay,
Till temperance reigns in every land
With undisputed sway.
Then rouse thee. brothers. TO the fight
The victory must he 1r0H;
What thy hands ind, do with thy might
NOT count the warfare done.
There is no nobler strife than this,
No pr0UdcT palm 90 win,
Angels will shout in realms Of bliss,
The victory over sin. CLARA JOsLNH
}T8lrViu gtgU n