Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-15
A NEW POEM BY WHITTIER.
Read at a Reception to Mrs. John A.
Logan in Concord, Mass.

A charming reception was given yesterday
afternoon at Hawthorne's old home in Con
cord, the Wayside, now the home of Mr. and
Mrs. D. Lothrop. The reception was in honor
Of Mrs. John A. Logan. There was an absence
OF special decoration, but in the hall the most
conspicuous object was large portrait of Gen.
Logan, decorated with laurel and draped with
the flag which he loved. The reception took
place on the lawn, Mrs. Logan standing at the
base of the hill, which makes the lawn seem like
little amphitheater. Here, under the grateful
shade OF the noble pines, Mrs. Lothrop re-
ceived her guests and introduced them to Mrs.
Logan, who had a friendly word and smile for
each. John A. Logan, jr., and his wife and
Mrs. Russell A. Alger and her daughter also
shared the honors Of the occasion Ex-Gov.
John d. Long, who presided. opened the e1-
erclses with brief and felicitous address. An
address was delivered also by DIR. S. F. Smith,
the author of America" One verse OF the
national anthem was then sung, all present
standing uncovered. Mr.. Long then read the
the poet, John G. Whittier. and the accom-
panying poem, specially written for the occa-
sion:
ELIOT, Me-, Aug. /, 1890.
DEAR Mr.. LoTHRoP: 1t would give me great
pleasure to accept the kind invitation to meet
at your .'Wayside" Mrs. Logan, a lady for
whom have the greatest respect not only as
to regard for herself personally, but as the
life companion of brave and noble man,
whose memory will be kept green forever in
the American heart. Icannot be with you on
the l4th, owing to my state of health, but
send some lines which l hope may not seem
inappropriate. l am, very truly thy friend,
JOHN g. WHITTIER.
OUR COUNTRY.
Our thought Of thee il glad with hone
Dear country OF our love and prayers;
Thy way is down no fatal slope,
but up to lreer sun and airs.
Tried as by furnace fires and vet
By Gods grace only stronger made:
In future tasks before thee set
Thou shalt not lack the old -tims cid.
The fathers sleep, but men remain
Astrue and wise and brave they;
Why count the loss without the gain7
The best Is that We have today.
No lack was in thy primal stock,
No weakling founders builded here;
There were the men of Plymouth Rock,
The Puritan and Cavalier;
And they whose firm endurance gained
The freedom of the souls of men,
Whose hands unstained in peace maintained
The swordless commonwealth of Penn.
And time shall be the power of all
TO do the work that duty bids;
And make the peoples Council Hall
AS lasting as the Pyramids.
Thy lesson all the world shall learn
The nations at thy feet shall sit;
Earth's furthest mountain top shall burn
With watchtres from thine own uplit.
Great, without seeking TO be great
BY fraud or conquest-rich in gold,
But richer in the large estate
OF virtue which thy children hold.
With peace that comes of purity,
And strength to simple justice due,
So owns our loyal dream Of thee.
God of our fathers, make 1t true.
Oh. land Of lands to thee we give
Our love- our trust, our service free:
For thee thy sons shall nobly live,
And at thy need shall die for thee.
The Rev. A. E. Winship next read Mrs.
Elizabeth Stuart Phelps poem. The Unseen
Comrades" and then. after patriotic selection
by the band, the venerable DIR. Andrew p.
Peabody of Cambridge was introduced. He
spoke chiefly Of DR.. Smiths hymn. America"
The remainder of the program included the
reading of Harriet Prescott Spofford's Deco
Ration Day" and Altar Fires,' Mrs. Cheney's
Traditions of Old Times" and DR.. Holmes