Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-10

: ture room Of the First Baptist church Of Ar
ista. Oct. Sd, on the occasion Of the welcom
tended the pastor. Rev. Mr.. Tilden, on his r,
rn from his European voyage.
have heard a pleasant story,
How, to add unto their store,
Fishers, seeking ocean treasures,
Sail from out distant shore.
But, anon, the msts fall thickly.
Like a mantle, damp. aud dark,
Yelling headland. cliff. and beacon
From the outward gliding bark.
Like the sailors. day grows weary,
Fades its light With in the west.
Shadows bring the thoughts of loved one,
Visions too. Of ming rest.
But no mark is left to tell them
Whittier lies their island home,
Drifting In the trackless waters,
Graded in their dashing foam.
flushed their voices now in silence.
And they list, that they NAV hear.
Gently borne through twilight stiffness,
Music, rising sweet and clear.
And they HE them on in safety, sai
Guided BY the floating song,
To the mothers, wives, and daughters,
Through the sea-fogs calling long.
From our harbor in the sprine.ti,c
Sailed our Pastor. and our friend,
While, in faith we asked the Father
All bis footsteps to attend. Hwy
Leading safe, whateer should dsrkep
Seas Of life. or ocean wave,
showing through the way uncertain,
Mighty power to cheer and save.
Then, as those on distant island
Who have dear ones out at sea,
Watch and wait in expectation
OF the meeting that shall be,
SO, when summer sunshine fingered,
Shedding glory everywhere,
Gave we him, till our reunion,
To our. Heavily Shepherds care.
Autumn came, and chilly breezes
Floating landward from the sea. Y,s.
Brought the words, "oh. home believed,
am coming back to theev'
And we whispered, winds 20 swiftly
From this hallowed room Of prayer
lake our songs upon your pini0ns,
To his ear their music bear.
They may guide, and speed him onward,
Through the filful mists of life,
Where. with us, is fondly watching
One. who bears the name of wife.
Guard his bark, for 10, he bringeth t
Precious treasures, sought with care,
Health, and goldec grains Of knowledge
Cleaning IN their beauty rare.
Ever watcbful was our Father.
Bilowy waves were Gained to peace,
10 their trust the winds were faithful
Till his wanderings should cease.
Friends, tonight, our prayers are answered
Greetings glad are uttered here, se'
Hands are clasped in joyful meeting
Filled the air with words Of cheer.
Pastor, now we bid you welcome
To our hearts and homes once more,
In tharN hal E.,l
Desrer far than foreign shore.
There, with her who walks beside YOU,
Shall you feel . conscious rest,
There, if earthly love can comfort,
Will your life be truly blest.
There Is more in this reunion
Than the pleasure of the hour, f.~.,
For we build to- night our castles
That into the future tower. fn-
And our fancies see bright pictures
Fashioned by the coming wears,
God forbid that they be hidden
In food of bitter tears. .,.......
None can tell how long the sunshine
MAY across our pathway fall.
None NAV know how soon the shadows
Shall enshroud us like pail.
You will with us meet the changes,
In our happy hours rejoice,
And when hearts with grief are breaking,
Speak with sympathizing voice.
Here, where we have held communion
With the God that answers PRAYER,
Will we still in earnest plesding
To His ear our longings bear,
Craving that q closer likeness
10 His image we may show,
Growing purer by our labors,
In His service here below.
This, we ask,-aud hushed before him.
Let our hearts submissive yield,-
That He count US as His servants
In the harvest whit ming field.
That our faith may never fslter
Till we meet at eventide,
Pointing sinner friends to Jesus,
To their Saviour crucified.
Master, safely guide our shepherd
Towards the fields of fadeless greeu,
Lead him through those richer pastares,
That his eye hath never seen;
Where Thou call'st him zee shall follow,
Where he beckons, ue will 20,
In thy fold at last receive us,
Where the living waters flow.