Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-01-18
REoobtEcrToHs OF HONE.
MrLn.t snnanr nt Ttam :.

MY last Sunday at TiSme.
The peaceful October Sabbath, the
Sabbath that had been filed with
peaceful glory, was drawing TO close.
The long shadows cast by the latest
rays of the declining sun crept down
through the ravine in the western
mountains, stole through the quiet
streets of the village at their base,
climbed the lofty church steeples,
darkened far out across the waters of
the lovely lake, and then hurried on
over the eastern ridge. As natures
lovely pictures were fast being envel-
oped in the shades OF the coming night
| stretched myself out in a comfort
able position on the grass, and betook
myself to thinking of the days that
were, with their dreams, their glad
ness and their sorrow; and of other
days that were to come, with their
hopes, their strangeness and their dis
appointments; thinking of friends
who had so often climbed this hill
with me, who we're now gone, and
would return no more. AS watched
the departure of this perfect day, as it
were from earth to heaven, the old ia
miliar bell began solemnly to toll the
hour for church.
"Ring on, ring on, sweet Sabbath bell,
Thy mellow tones | love to hear;
| was a boy when first they fell
! In melody upon my ear.
In those dear days long past and gone,
| When sporting here in boyish glee,
The magic of thy Sabbath tone
Awoke emotions deep in me-"
thought of him who would preach
that night in the old church, and as
looked back thro ugh the gathering
shadows upon the forest stretching far
away northward over Mount Bluff, l
called to mind the days when we had
tramped and tished together through
those venerable woods. As the lamps
We're lighted in the village along the
lake shore, and the light glistened on
the silver waters, thought how often
we had pulled our boat together over
its surface, in storm and in sunshine );
when the lake with sad and restless
sound dashed its rocky shores, or when
it was so calm and happy that the
maple leaf dropping upon its peaceful
bosom lay still and motionless and
then l knew how true and honorable
a friend he had proved himself to be
in the storms and sunshine of life, as
in those of nature. All, old church,
how many friendships have formed
within your walls Dear friendships;
not those of day, a month, year,
and dearer as the silent lapse of years
has called US one by one away from
thy protecting care. Yes, old bell, all
the days of my life | have come and
gone at thy summons, but tonight
you call me for the last time for many
weeks, perhaps forever. What is love
if it be not true in the troubles of life
as we'll us in its pleasures. | would
not own a friend that could not bear
with should he cause HE sorrow.
Such, old bell, IS my love for you.
How merrily, o how gladly and hap.
PLY you have rung to me! How
mournfully, o how sadly and strange
ly you have tolled to me! and how
wild, o how loud and full of terror you
have sounded to me at midnight's SOL
emn hour! Yes, dear church, once
more go in answer to your calling
bell, unworthy as l am, to enter your
sacred door, and as the swift years
roll by, though all my friends prove
faithless, you shall always remain one
of the fondest memories Of my "child-
hoods happy home"
''The bell has ceased tolling, the sounds
have fled,
And ere this Sabbath day hath sped
| shall be gone, and may no more
Give ear to thee, sweet Sabbath bell.
Dear church and BELL SO loved of yore
And childhood's happy home, farewell
z. D.