, 1877-01-21

IN hiEMORIAM TO P. P. BLISS.

[The following poem on the lamented P P. Bill
respectfully inscribed to his friend In Racine.
!. Dnrand, ESQ. whose guest he waa duriuy b
tay In that city year ago,Lb! ]. T. Bruse, Coz
regutional minister, Aliwaukee:1
hare waited for tue magic
OF some bard Of powerful song,
Who has genius and affection
To pour mnsic On the throug,
Kin to those sweet strains that touched ~ =
From the harpwc c'er shall miss,
That went down tn Ashtabnla
So touch the harp so tender,
Seeking melody from love
TO the gifted soul that left Us
For those realms OF light above.
Cruel was the fate that struck Thea
And thT partner to the deep
: OF lh' abys% of Ashtubula,
That moved million eyes to weep.
We have shed onr tears Of sorrow
0'et the sud catastrophe;
But no hand has touched thy genius;
II it left alone for ME:
Natures hand had gently nodded
All the elements so nnt
That in tentcr, sweetest music
Flowed in thu deep heart Of thine.
Climbed 70 gentle to thY xenith,-
Then ut noon 0f lfc took light
Der thy cold brow, Ashtabula,
'Mid the iesrors OF that night
Shall we never hear the thfobbtngs
or that mighty soul again.
Ay! seem to hear thee puuEing
Music on my sluggish pen, -
ssGospel- ~ dipped in the savtoFa
Dying love on Calvary,
As lie poured His life Of beauty
There in agony for me.
Con1d our Tears but quench those fsea,
Rivers OF them suon woRid flow
To deter the harp that charmed us
With fts heavenly music so!
Art thou. loved one. like some Noses,
Buried ont OF sight by God.
That no human eye could find thee.
I" wet With Tears the sacred sod.
. Would We, like the Jewish milton,
Raise our Moscs from the grave,
Make ourselves to thiuE Thy music
Did the sinners conscience sarer
Art thou like the noble Ridley.
Scattered to four winds OF Heaven,
That no nation now may claim thee
To ithelf alone thus given!
AL the world have gentle known :hea,
All have felt thy deepest love
Beat In stEains Of holy music.
Kin to songs from heaven shove.
Did thou 90 so young, like Jesus.
= In the bloom Of manhoo1's power,
Ready when the Maeter called thee,
At Hia bidding in that hou.!
Grundlr did ye die together
In terrific tames Of ire:
But then entered brighter chAsiots
70 conduct t. fegions higher.
Did tho holy angels mcet you
Al the Jordnu, us OF yorc,
When Elijah took his exit
With them to tn eternal shoret
Were they ready to receive you
To those ranka Of holy song
That do touch the harp that reyee
Loiters with it, music lonxr
Did they bid you lead their choir
In the munic-world Of light!
Could you, mid the thrilling millions
That snrzuund you all 80 bdKhE:
Wus the contrast " your spr71
Wonderful! indeed to thee,
That you could forget uG szrly
In that bright etex1ityt
Nay! Methinks l saw you win:inE
latter The tsst aonxJ your dight
Down to kiss your orphan children
In the depths Of tho same night,
F0lding wings Of snowy whtteucsB
l!ounA your dariiug little boys,
kissing them. though no one heard 3oa
Making o'er thc12 any noise.
ie are ministeEi1. spirits -.
Sent In every darkest hour
TO throw round their gentle natures
AL your blisafcl. loTing power.
Oh: ye were 20 lovely living
In that purity Ut light,
SAinIns In world Of d2rkneas
Beautiful like stars In night!
What must be the Joys that thrill youl =
What the noudtc OF the Throne!
uoes 1t mar your peace that loved ones
Are left in this world .Iouo.
We will love them tender. tender
Hear them On our prayers Of faith
Till on snowy wings re Fetch them
u7cF the durk shades Of Death.
VIC will sing your Songs, and tell tAeR ,
How you touch keys or the heart,
TO unlock it's hidden myst'ries, -
Az those son9s did through 1t dart.
P'rhaps In embryotic fo!dings -:
There may be within their soul =
Nore than Moody's powers, or Sapksy's,
That may Jet On millions rol1i
Hush, my harp, lest all thy sor7uus
Fetch them from the other shore:
String It now to join the anthem
With them both for cvcrmose:
-- - 1T. B1usk
Rome Seatina:: Business seems TO be gen
ally reVivtng. 4 man went around At tha
looms one day last week. trying to trade three
1m-leaf fans fox ten ceuts' worth a. h9(