The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-31
I Would Not Live Alwav.

DR.. W. A. Muhlenburg, whose name has
been rendered immortal by his writing the
hymn, II Would Not Live Away" was born
in Philadelphia in 1886 He graduated at
Columbia College, New York City, and was
trained for the Lutheran ministry, but prefer
ring that of the Episcopal Church, was Or
dained in 1919 or 1890.
| There is striking romance in his life. 1t
is preluded also with one equally striking Ill
the life of one of the Presidents of the United
States
The engagement of marriage between the
late President James Buchanan-then young
lawyer of Lancaster, Pa.-and the beautiful
Miss Anna Coleman, of that place, was ter
minated by the suicide of that hapless young
lady, because, it is said, her parents objected
to the marriage. Mr. Buchanan never mar
ried, and never paid any but dignifed cour-
tesy to woman afterward A similar attach
ment existed between her sister, Miss Sarah
H. Coleman. and Mr. Muhenberg, at that time
sixty years ago-rector of St. james Church,
in Lancaster. Her father, Robert Coleman, a
proud and wealthy citizen of the town, also
objected to this marriage, although he had
been mainly instrumental in calling the young
rector to his charge.
Miss Coleman died-of consumption, as her
parents said, but of a broken heart, as believed
by most people of the town. Dr. Mullen
berg, like the President, never married, and
gave only thereafter formal courtesy to wo-
men.
1t is believed that this event was, in large
measure, the cause of the plant which has
made the hymn immortal
Il Would Not Live Away" was not, origi-
nally. hymn at all, but poem of some six
stanzas of eight lines each, and first appeared
in the ElascopM Recorder, of Philadelphia, in
1924
The following is the poem as first written:
would not live alway-live alway below;
On, no. I'll not finger when bidden TO go;
The days or our pilgrimage granted us here
Are enough for fes woes, full enough for its cheer
Would shrink from the paths which the prophets
of God,
Apostles, and martyrs, so joyfully trod?
Like spirit unbiest Ger the earlh would roam,
While brethren friends are ali Fastening home?
1 would not live alway-I ask not to stay
Where storm after storm rises dark or The way;
Where, seeking for rest, but hover around,
Like the patriarch bird, and no resting is found,
Where nope, when she paints her gay bow In the air.
Leaves It's radiance to fade in the night of despair,
And joys fleeing angel ne'er sheds glad ray,
save the CLEAN OF the plumage that bears him away
l would not live alway-thus fettered by sin,
Temptation without and corruption within;
In a moment of strength II ever the chain,
Scarce the victory is mine I'm captive again.
E en- the rapture OF pardon is mingled with tears
And the cup OF thanksgiving with penitent tears,
The feSt1va-trump calls for jubilant songs,
But my spirit her own nltSsrere prolongs.
| would not live alway-no, welcome the tomb;
Since Jesus hath lain there dread not its gloom;
Where he deigned to sleep, I'll too bow my head,
All peaceful to slumber on that hallowed bed
Then the glorious daybreak to follow that night,
The orient CLEAN Of the angels of light,
With their clarion call for the seepers to rise
ana chant forth their mathis, away to the skies.
Who would live always away from his God,
Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
Where the rivers of pleasure flow DER the bright |
palms.
And the noontide of glory eternally reigns;
Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet
Their Savior and brethren, transported, to greet,
While the songs OF salvation exultingly roll,
Ana the smile OF the Lord Is the feast the soul?
That heavenly music What is it 1 hear?
The notes of the harper ring sweet in mine earl
And see soft unfolding those portals of gold,
The King all arrayed in his beauty behold
Oh, give me- oh, give me the wings of a dove,
10 adore him, be near him, enrapt i'll his love;
l but wait the summons, list for the word |
ALelu1a-Amen-e yermore with the Lord.