Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-01-15
gcetru.
Lines

Lines
Read at the fourth anniversary Of Vditsfel
Lodge, No. 90, l. o. Of g. 4.
BY LAURA BRIGHAM BoYCE.
Good friends. we've met within this hall
Again tonight to gather,
Needless alike of drifting snow,
Ga cold and wintry weather,
To celebrate in gladsomeness
Tonight the anniversary,
The birth night OF the 90,
This famous temperance nursery.
The Waiisfeld Lodge |. @. &. +,
Though rather cabalIstic
Those letters look, yet am sure
There's nothing very mystic,
About their meaning, for, of course,
You all have learn, your letters,
And so | will not now attempt
T'explain them to my betteTs.
Four years ago this winter night,
Our little band first started.
Strong for thor woI K this brave thir cen
Were true and noble hearted.
They knew it was no pastime gay,
But real and earnest labor
To first be temperate themselves,
Then tIV 20 win their neIghbJr.
And they have glined full many one
We count one hundred forty,
Where thirteen stood four years ago,
And We are hale and hearty.
In truth our four years cd has grown
A strong and trusty fellow,
And as an apple kindly kept,
But grows more ripe and mellow.
So may we gal in wisdom, strength
Abd power to help each other,-
Y ell lad indeed # we hut gain
One fallen, Maynard brother.
We met with many an earnest word,
And music's gentle flow,
To celebrate this iestal night,
Only year ago.
Each heart beat high with firm resolve,
And yet was glad and light,
The merry laugh and jest went round,
just as they do tonight.
We planned for many noble work,
Fur many harry Yeas.
To soothe the mother's broken heart,
And dry the mourncr's tears:
To guide the weak and erring ones
Into Il e better way,
And by our strength TO strengthen them,
Their burdens bear Away.
Oh, brothers. sisters, have we each.
To this r,solve beeu true?
And have we labored a. We ought.
This noble end in view?
Or have our earnest hearts grown cold?
Or is this cause les dear,
Than When but one short y ar ago,
We gladly gathered here?
Oh will we let one erring one
Fill a dIshouored grave,
When words OF hoIe and cheer from US,
MiGht Lave ayailed to save?
Shall not our tears still flow with those
Who mourn a loved Orc's tai?
Perchance our labors may save some-
Would We might save them all.
But we must work if we would win,
And L our God rely,
So shall we nobler, better grow,
So all the years 60 by.
Are we all gathered here tonight
no met year ago?
Or count We Leie some vacant seats.
That used not 10 be 50?
We miss some faces that of yore
We used to welcome here,
Though they are lar away light,
Ia heart We count them lear.
But there is one whose vacant seat,
Is empty cvermore
Tie feet that ust d to walk with US.
Pres the eternal sLolI!
He met with US year ago
HIS heart with gay delight
Was bealing high as ours arc now
lis strangely still tonight
The voice that we were wont to hear
Is pushed and silent now
We miss tie kindly neaming eye
We miss the friendly brow.
Who knoweth ere another year,
Our hearts may be as sill?
And when til, fcstal night comes round
Some other one may fill
Our vacant seat The dear Lord knows,
Who guideth all our ways,
WHO leadeth us by ways unknown,
And numbereth our days.
He gives US tender hearts to feel,
And strength to work for Hun
q let US WOO with loving words
The sinner from his sin.
And let US gui4e the cropping souls,
Who walk with blinded eyes,
Nor see the light that shines for ali
ho would but cannot rise.
For sol the labor Of our lives,
Snal not be spent 10 vain
Who sOws his S. 81 with carefulrpSs