Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-15
PILGRIMAGE SHRINES.

FGESERImAGE SHR1NES.
Composed by Mrs. Archie Thomas, of Spring
field, Tenn, and read at the public entertain
ment given by the Tennessee Press AssOcia-
ton, at Pulaski, Tenn, Nov. 10, 1878.
As a short, sad pilgrimage of day
Is life, And time ceases with us for aye.
From the first moment we join earth's great
thTOng
Tolls beset us-we are hurried along
Each one working ont his way the world through,
Good or i'll daring to will and to do
Each bearing alone his own soul-burden
Fer pressing onward to the last guerdOn.
But enjoy all its pleasures as we may,
The journey of life is aweary way,
Fraught with trouble and cares intending,
All bitter and sweet, light and shade blending.
Oft ere has faded the Orient hues,
Or ever have vanished the morning dews,
Tired feet falter, and sweet heads lie low,
In the way that sin hath made mOrtals 90.
YOuwhO have safely passed infancy by,
Ere toll or sorrow eXtort heaTt-cry,
Pause and dedicate yourself to His will
Who by His word can bring good out of Ill.
A sanctuary for ages has stood
Ever ready and near-a dense old wood
Invites your devOtiOns, though it is rare,
That one will taTry or turn aside there.
The grand massive trunks point upward to
God.
Ana the nedQS OF the pure, Wllu mowers nOQ
To the forest grass that bows III the breeze
Floating freeley on and among the trees.
With hum cOntented pursuing their toll
From poisoning bOughs bees gather sweet
spoil.
The Squirrel barks gay from his green retreat,
And his mate replies with quick repeat.
From airy limb the mOcking birds throat,
Forth sweet and clear tTilling note after note,
Fills the atmosphere with gushes of sound
EChOing the songs of the birds around;
And your heart chimes in with willing accord,
While You bless the love revealed in His word
And His glorious works; and humbly you kneel,
And pray HIM to place on your heart His seal.
"
Though the morn is fresh time urges you on
And lingcringly you haste to be gone,
A happy will, and influences sweet,
Can Support your limbs and sandal your feet
AS you weHd your way from the may wood
The intricate paths OF plastic childhood.
Omnipotent care supplies every need;
But the was grows TOugh-your step loses speed.
New duties arise and ever increase,
From which, all in vain, you essay release.
A spot in the distance attracts your eye;
And leaving the road you quickly draw nigh
4 little spring yelling up i'll the ground,
It's tiny Till branching down the small mound
Making the yerdure rich, bright, deep green,
With the crystal clearnesS sparkling between.
Give thanks-bend low above the bubbling
brink; A..
And when from natures own pure cup you
drink,
Pray that the bright day-spring Of hope may be
Within your breast till dawns eternity.
VI
But tile increasing hours are climbing high
And rapidly toward the zenith sky;
Up and away! for vet Is scarce begun
The journey that, perchancc, you wish were
done.
Do cares perplex, difficulties involve?
foundations attack the frmest resolve?
Does the body faint, the spirit grow weak?
Thy sorrows bear heavy? Then new strength
seek
Withdraw from the crOwd-improvise a shrine:
Unbruden that poor feeble heart of thine.
VII
Flowing by is a river deep and large;
Approach and descend to its shady Lnarge,
And PROSTATE there meath low oerhanging
trees
Where none can know except the EYE that sees
Into the Utmost soul, unlade thy heart.