Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-07-30
Poetry.
Bridal Greeting.

OF Rev. MIR. and Mrs. Amos Foster, j.
30, 1875.
THE GOLDEN WEDDING,
Steadily our Garth is swinging
Onward over wastes of blue;
Rushing through the star-lit heavens,
Faithful. ON her axis true.
Wheeling mid the lordly planets,
Eager in the heavenly strife,
Tireless ever, on her journey
Bearing freight of human life.
Strange. that midst this endless dashing
Round the mighty central light;
Countless worlds in glory flashing.
Beaming each with radiance bright;
There should be no wild confusion,
Blindness cropping into gloom,
Drowning all in fearful chaos.
Ending in oblivion's doom.
Not so strange, when we consider
One great mind controls it all;
Balancing. with matchless power,
Every restless, flaming ball.
Not SO strange. for through creation
Runs one wise. harmonious plan;
From the universe so awful,
To the destiny Of man.
But that He. the calm Eternal.
Should behold with plying eye,
Every sinful thought and action
OF our frail humanity;
That His love to US is changeless.
Fixed as His almighty will
That His watchfulness protects US,
These are mysteries deeper still.
Hears He not, the voiceless whispers
OF each beating heart tonight?
Adding by smile paternal
To their breathings. purer light.
Feel we not His sacred presence2
Tinging, with richer glow,
Interests of the living present,
Mem'ries of the Long ago."
Where is now the bright eyed maiden
Who in dreamy, absent way
stood in Summers fading twilight,
Fifty years ago to- day?
Life, and health, with dewy freshness,
Rested on her brow so fair;
And a thousand benedictions,
Fell around her everywhere.
All! she checked the timid shrinking,
Brayely banished doubts, and fears;
And looked forth with roseate visions,
To the coming tide of years.
Gave her hand to one she trusted
Thus to form nobler life;
Bearing through the eventiul future
The endearing name of Wife"
Could that spell remain unbroken,
Could they, by their will. recall
Halcyon days. when in life's beauty,
They to each, were all in all;
Would they choose to roll the seasons,
Summers heat. and Winters snow,
Back to all their olden gladness.
Half a century sgo2
Surely not for through the circing
Of the years. in rounds sublime
Love has ever stood triumphant
BraVing all the tests of time.
Surely notl for life wastrifing.
Til others came that life to share
Blending in the SOULS communion.
Filial love, parental care.
Oh the days when merry childhood
Clustered round the hearthstone bright.
Opening with fond . good Morning.
Ending with a tired good night"
Purest souls, through young eyes gIaneing
Joyous laughter, lispings sweet
Tender arms. and lips caressing;
Wayward. wandering little feet.
Time few on, almost unheeded
Childhood changed to thoughtful youth
Anxious parents watched. and cherished
Every germ of love. and truth.
Nightly kneeling at the altar,
Seeking strength. and heavenly light,
From the great. and tender Father,
Who alone can guide Alright.
But they left the dear old homestead,
With its wealth of mem 'ries bright;
Sought new fields of broader action;
Armed with love of God, and right.
Bravely in the worlds arena.
Each went forth to earnest strife,
From the midst of times allurements.
Lifting souls to purer life
There were those, of rarest promise.
Who, just treading manhood's prime,
Left their life-work all unfinished.
Stricken by the hand of time.
Who can sound the depths of anguish2
Who the heavy shades dispel?
But the loving, wise Creator;
He, who ever doeth well.
Yes, in all, a Father's kindness
Cheered the vale bedewed with tears;
Gentle was that Fathers leading.
Onward. through the course of years.
And even now. in life's decadenoe.
Points that Fathers hand above.
Where, their mortal life-work ended,
Blest immortals dwell in love.