Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-07-06
Anniversary Poem.
fRead at a gathering held at Rev Austin Scrib-
ners in Burke.

Years ago student reading
In the Heavenly Masters word.
Came upon this little passage,
ga prudent wife is from the Lord.'
He sat musing on its import,
And he read it Ger again,
When there came a revelation,
Surging through his heart and brain.
A revealing to his vision,
Hopes and aspirations new,
Always foremost in the showing
One fair maiden came in view.
And home loomed up before him,
Type of that sweet home above,
Where his soul might safely anchor,
And the strongest tie be love.
Youthful heartssto kindred natures
With affection will incline,
And each true heart seeks another
Where its tendrils may entwine.
So with you, each chose the other,
Heart for heart, and hand in hand,
Thus to journey on together,
Towards the other, better land.
Henceforth one in heart and purpose,
Whether shade or shine to meet,
Burdens lightened in the sharing,
While the joys are made more sweet.
Little ones have brought you sunshine,
Little fingers clasped your own,
And their happy childish prattle
Made sweet music in your home.
Once your heads were bowed in anguish,
Sunshine with the music flown,
Cherished hopes were crushed and blighted
When the Lord recalled his own.
With his heavenly benediction
Resting on each youthful heart,
To His work the Master called you,
And with all things else to part.
Hence to tell the wondrous story
Of "a Saviour's dying love,
How he purchased our redemption
And prepared a rest above.
Yours to lave the brow of childhood
When the lambs are gathered in,
Yours to drop word of counsel,
Lest they wander into sin.
Hope to whisper to the dying,
And when farewell tears are She'd
Yours to stand with words of comfort
Tween the living and the dead.
Urging Temperance in its season,
Warning of the power of rum,
And of righteousness to reason,
And a judgment yet to come.
1t may be you sometimes weary,
And perhaps your faith is small
When your message meets with scorning
And none seem to heed your call.
Yet the battle is the Masters,
He all needed help will send,
And this promise He has left you.
81 am with you to the end"
God knows 'tis hallowed mission,
And its burden, who could face,
Were it not that He upholdeth
By His all-sufficient grace?
Should another reap and garner
In the fields where you have sown,
Still our Heavenly Father knoweth
And the fields are all his own.
Anxious thoughts perhaps may clog YOU,
Questions of the wherewithal
May intrude, while you are preaching
Mans redemption from the fall.
All the Lords, the gold and silver,
And the cattle on the hill,
Surely He who notes the sparrow,
Cares for those who do His will.
Should your tired hearts ever falter,
Think of those sweet words of old,
That from those who walk uprightly,
He will no good thing withhold.
For way mark on your journey,
We have gathered here to-day,
And with kindest wishes bid you
"Godspeed" henceforth on your way.
May rich blessings rest upon you,
Till your wants no more require,
And the Master of the vineyard,
Give you many souls for hire.
Ever drinking fIom the fountain,
With heaven ON earth begun,
May you reach the shining portals,
There to hear the sweet "Well done.'