Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-08
the kindness OF the author It appears In
connection. with tho church history.
THE BELL AND THE rowER.

connections with the church history.
THE BELL AND THE TOWER.
BY Anna Sargent Hunt.
think today of other days
An hundred years agOne-
walk apart In quiet ways.
In summers dewy morn
l watch the Wild birds trackless fight
Above the whispering trees,
And little songster now aAfg41t
Makes music to the breeze
And softest airs blow Ger the hills,
And sweep across the plains
And silv'ry lights atop the rills.
Call out their sweetest strains,
For birds and winds and ripplihg brooks
One hundred years ago,
Sang low in quiet country hooks
The songs that charm US so.
And lives ram on in daily round
AS lives go on today,
In paths. close joined were always found,
The gravest and the CAV.
And eyes shone bright with loves own
That tale that ne'er grows old.
From heart to heart In pure delight
Has Ger and DER been told.
For Gods great love broods over all
That dwell on land or sea-
Sure, II he notes the sparrow's fall,
He cares for thee and me-
HIS love beams out through twinkling
And perfumed blossom too,
And praising Him all creatures are,
An anthem ever new.
So twas not strange that lessons sweet,
Were learned from Natures page.
| And human loves made young hearts
Ard Frightened hoary age.
| And then as now the heartilstones glowed
With light and warmth and cheer,
And then. as now. life's records showed
Full many a smile and tear.
And one by one the chapters done.
The books were laid away,
Though soon or late life's setting sun.
The same dark shadows lay,
Across the path Of mortal man.
And life and death hold sway.
1t is our Fathers ail-wise plan.
Till dawns tn eternal day.
/ wander through the crrurchyard still,
And stand by mounds grass grown.
The winds sigh through the trees at will
Their secrets are their own.
For faithful sentinels are they,
Ger loved and sacred dust.
Grown dim the names. but bright as day
The mem'ry of the just.
We meet this day dear friends to tell,
How. nerved by faith and prayer.
The fathers tailored long and well,
With faith to do and dare.
The word of God. their daily guide,
Unmoved by doubter's strife,
With jealous care. the church. His bride
| lmey cnerlSn as their HE.
that purpose strong. what trustfui
thought
What love SO true and broad
Was slowly in that structure wrought,
Where they might worship God.
| To win lost souls their earnest aim
| The fainting heart to cheer.
| To preach the Christ for aye the same,
| Their mission year by year.
No soaring speech was heard therein
Enough the simple truth,
| The only remedy for sin,
| Was made the guide of youth.
And age from meath its silver crown.
| Saw how beyond HfeS whirl.
| 1t soon would lay its burdens down
| Outside the gates of pearl.
How sweet the Sabbath morning calm
When natures touch of peace.
Had brought Il hush like healing balm.
| To bid all troubles cease.
| No bell rang out upon the air.
| The little church seemed dumb.
| There sounded forth no call to prayer
| To bid the people come.
The pendulums in grim old clocks,
| Swung out the time to meet.
| And SO the Shepherds knew their fiocks
| Would haste to pasture sweet.
| But not inside the house of God,
| Did silence long prevail
The choirs sang praises TO their Lord,
| To Jesus name all hail.
And so hundred years passed by
| A voice was heard to say
From hill to hill the call must fly.
| Come worship God today
| A sweet toned bell will sound the cry
NV offering this shall Zoe,
| To Him who left His home. on high
Ard gave His life for me-
Some little bird upon the wing
Bro't back this message clear.
| THE bell must have place to swing
| My hand a tower shall rear
| Far from his native hills and dales
| On sea-girt isle his home,
| Perchance he'll hear on summer gales,
| I'VE think of those who roam"
Large place have ye in loving hearts,
0 friends, whose gifts we sing.
| And may his peace that joy imparts
! To you rich blessings bring.
The ''inasmuch" of WHICH He spake
| Gives you the knowledge blest.
| He counts your efforts for His sake
In this assurance rest.
Then swing and ring oh bell sweet bell
| From out your cleaning tower.
| And long to men the message tell
| Christ saves this very. hour.
| Far Ger the hills your voice shall sound
| Ard down the sunlit plains
In echoes clear there shall resound
| Your happy Joyous strains.
The following is the order of exercises:
EXERCISES AT THE CHURCH.
1000 A. NJ Praise Service. Rev. Robert
| SCOlt, MOuIIlOulii.
| 10. 80 \. NJ Address of Welcome. Rev. ].
T. Glow.
So,o-The New Jerusalem, Geibel
| HOO A. NJ. Response and Greeting OF
| Bowdoinham Association.
Rev. w. c. Wescott. Greene.
| 11.30 A. NJ. Greeting from the kennebec
Association, Rev. j. T..
cochrane.
l2.GU A. NJ Adjournment to SchOOlhouSe
s for Dinner
| AFTERNOON.
| ORGAN VOLUNTARY.
200 L. NJ. Greeting from Neighbortng
Churches
Congregational Church, Rev.
J.. Richmond.
Solo-"Consider the Lilies, Top11H
| go +. NJ. Church History, Chas. A. Met
| calf.
| Solo--"God is Love-" Taylor
| 500 F.. NJ. Centennial Sermon Rev. Rob
ert Scott.
| 345 p. NJ Poem, 1.-The Bell and Tower.
Mrs. Anna Sargent Hunt.
| EVENING.
Organ Voluntary.
| Cornet Solo.
L