Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-08-23
NEARER. MY con, TO rnEEi.
BY Emma Viola Harry. of the "Harry
Sisters"

"
Sisters"
Among the many thrilling scenes en-
acted during the catastrophe at Johns
town, the following is to me one of the
most solemn aud Impressive. When mid
night had dropped her lack pull over the
fated city, a number of people who were
gathered together on roof, were hurled
past the watchers on the shore by the ter
rife violence OF the torrent. Above the
roar of the maddcued waters came the
chorus of that mighty hymn, (led by a
sweet female voice. Nearer, My God,
To Thee I" II rose With rich and swelling
cadences upon the breeze and even the
waters seemed to flow more gently. Sud-
denly, upon therushing breeze, there came
a crash, wild cry, and then all was still.
They had indeed passed over the River
of Death, nearer, Our Father, To
Thee W
The blackness OF night fell o'er mountain and
dale
And the roar OF the waters filed wildwood and
vale,
For torrent came down in the valley so fair
And its foam, White and AMY, rose high on the
air
And it brought in It's wake, men, all broken with
age,
Youths whom life lay before, like an unwrltten
page;
Maidens fair, children loving. and innocent
babes,
Came down in the course OF the swift, rushing
waves,
When high DER the sound OF the catarnct's roar
Came the voice of the hymn We have heard oel
and o'er.
Twas hymn OF thanksgiving, both Joyous and
sweet,
That tells of a home where the lost loved ones
The voice or the father in deea tones was heard
And the carol ofchildren like some sweet-toned
bird
The lips OF the maid who had never known
care.
And the feeble old grandame Joined, too, in the
prayer
The mother who clasped in one long, last EN-.
brace,
The innocent babe, with its fair infant face,
Sang above the wild roar OF the wind and the
wave,
The hymn that Will echo beyond the cold grave
"Nearer, my God, to Thcc,
Nearer to Thee,
E'en though it be a eros.
That iaiseth me-
Then the chorus swclled grandly o'cr valley and
lea
"stin all my song shall be, near r, my God, tc
Thee!"
Then soft, as the night winds DER sweet flower:
blow,
Nearer to Thee" they sang, tender and low
The listeners on shore hushed the sound OF theiI
tears,
And waited-their hearts filled with grief and
wild fears
Again came the voices from over the pillows,
Which soon will roll over their cold earthly pill
lows.
Though, like the wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me.
My rest a stone"
1uSUeu WAS lllt UlllUNS Tbdf, us lilt! sang len-
derly,
Yet in my dreams I'd be, Nearer, my God, to
Theel"
A wave higher rose. and their irail bark sped on,
Little knew they or feared. as they sang on
and on.
They seemed to see heaven, that 'home OF the
SOUL"
Beyond the wild tempess ana rough waves that
roll
'Twixt the valley OF rest. and this dark vale OF
care.
And their song was as sweet as an angels
prayer.
"Ihere let the way appear,
steps unto heaven"
4 crash broke upon the ear,
Their raft was rven!
Oh, DER the rolling wave, bounding and free,
NEARER, our Father, they're nearer " 10 Thee ?,
Yes, they have crossed the dark, rolling River
Their boat returns-never, ah, neyer
But past all mortal cares, in love and gladness,
Rest they in sweetest peace, beyond all sadnes,
To that bright, happy land where none can
sever
Loved ones have passed away, oer the dark
River!
Carlisle pa.