Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-15
Mistellaneous.
For the Kennebec Journal.
SOUTH CHURCH AT HALLOWELL.
BY SAM. X. GILMAN of Newburyport, Mass.

SOUTH CHURCH AT HALLoWELL.
BY SAM. X. GILMAN of Newburyport Mass.
lurid flame shot upward, the morning air 20
With darkness eer the light shall herald the coming
day,
For wide radius round, was lit with myriad oftwink
Lights that flashed in brilliancy moment, then were
Not The City streets were crowded. The populaoe
Were all astir The changing bell which told the
Sleeping citizen of dire calamity had hushed
Its tones forever, and in seething flames like diving
Martyr when his tongue was dumb,) hung In the
fiery
Furnace, waiting for the wreck of matter all around
When 1t should fall, and those who knew IT ono.
should know II no more forever.
The aged citizen was forth that morn
And gazed with upturned face, all terror struck.
As he beheld the havoc. All classes mourneda
Shattered Idol. Brave men inspired with holy
Zeal fought manfhly the devastating foe,
And the loud din Of elemental battle,
with their efforts, which were futile,
| Filled the air.
But whence this clamor? Whence
This great outpOuring of the people?
An ancient landmark, one that for near
Century had been beacon in the path of age
As well as youth, was struggling with fearful ele-
The sacred shrine at which "the gray haired sire,
And the matron with the weight Of years.
Had bowed, and unto which In tender, true
Parental love, they'd led their children, with
Faith dev0ut as that which anmates the weary
Pilgrim on his toilsome journey toward his favorite
Mecca was wrtthing as 1t were In mortal agony.
Aye, each neeting moment was despoiling It Of
Its once fair proportions. and the huge timbers,
which mad stood the blasts Of many decades,
Were Yielding one BY one to the inexorable foe,
And soon would fall to make the inevitable crash
And leave but wreck behind II came; and
When the stiiled sighs Of all that crowd who
Csssishsd pleasing recollections Of the sacred
Hope lingering fled and pity sighed Farewell"
And from nv hearts deep memoried shrine
Comes yelling up the word, Farewell
Old Landmark of an ancient line
Oftemples. built Of Christ to tell.
Another landmark gone. on which. in youthful prime,
! used to gaze with reverence sublime,
For that old church to me In boyhood DAYS
Was like turnpike road to wisdoms ways.
There first heard the gospel precepts told
BY parson Gillett in the days Of old.
For blessings upon all who worshipped there.
Also on all Of every sect creed,
Who viewed salvation a. present need.
Time -honored fame I seem to see thee still,
Standing In pride at head of School House HILL
! see the dial as In days of yore,
But few have seen IL since II last told four.
That was the click of doom-the lurid glare
OF yengefnl fures lit the morning air.
Had "he slave that saved St. Michael's" been pres
The battle had been on too long for his heroic power
Thy fate was sealed, no power on earth could stay
The maddened demons of that fearful fray.
NY mind goes back to fifty years ago,
When l. a child, thought time moving slow,
And am istening-or l seem to be,
To the old organ, playedb Miss Z. c.
hear the click of ancient tuning fork,
And see the choir ready for their work,
And soon throughout the church their voices roll,
To the sweet music Of "Peace troubled Soul"
The scripture reading done then full and free
"Sound the loud timbrel DER Egypt's dark sea-"
"while shepherds watched their nocks by night,
But I'm lingering too long on that distant day,
Yet shall ever remember the church passed away.
How many have passed since my youthful feet trod
Those ancient old asles as the highway to God,
And how few there are living to tell what they know
About the Old SOuth--haf century ago.