The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-08-31
By Albert T. Nlckerson.

to those whose memory we cherish
IN MEMORIAM.
| By Albert T. Nickerson
| Once again that season has arrived
when duty seems to cause US to pause
amid the activities of life and pay brief
tribute to our departed friends and asso-
cates.
The occasion brings back to us all the
memory of our dear friends, who have
finished life S work and have gone on to
dwell in that heavenly home, where the
cares and anxieties are borne away by the
| peacefulness of the Masters love and
| care.
To-day, in the spirit of tenderest
| brotherhood, and with subdued strains
OF music, we go forth to the cities of the
dead to deck the graves OF our dear ones
with flowers of regard and memory.
How solemn seems the occasion as we
march along the streets; but with the
bright smile of His infinite compassion
the clouds of midnight are turned into a
morning sunshine.
| The lesson which comes to us is, that
we receive upon ourselves their mantle of
obligation. AS we separate to-day our
thoughts will echo and re- echo through
the halls of memory. While we think of
all those that have advanced to that ex-
allied station, let us turn our thoughts to
those who have left us during the year
that has passed.
| The first to receive the call was Harriet
j. Stevens, who died on the 18th of JAN
| uary, aged 4S years, 6 months and IS days
| To the members of this school it is
hardly necessary for me to speak of her
| busy useful, Christian life.
| For many years her health had been
delicate, yet, the summons came without
warning. Her presence in our Sunday
school, and in the community, is sadly
| missed; but the influence of true Chris
tian life is left us. For her:
| The day had come, not gone,
| The sun had risen not set.
Her life is now beyond
The reach of DEATH or change;
| Not ended, but begun"
| Another to pass away was Fannie F. !,
wife of Frank B. Cunningham, who died
on the 14th of Feb, aged 2S years, 8
| months.
She was a constant member of our
school when in health, and bore the last
days of her life patiently. When a
winters storm, prevalent in our northern
cline was raging she was carried peace
fully away to that dwelling prepared by
the loving Master.
| Our hearts 90 out to those so near and
dear to he who has gone the bereaved
husband and motherless children. While
her memory will be cherished as the
years come and go, the absence Of a low
ing mothers voice will keep brightly
burning through the lamp of memory in
| the hearts of those for whom she loved
to live and labor.
| s. Not changed, but gloritied! Oh, beautiful
| language for those who weep
| Mourning the loss of some dear face depart
| ed, fallen asleep.
| flushed into silence ne'er more to comfort
the hearts of men,
| Gone like the sunshine of another country
beyond our ken"
| THOUGHTS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORIAL.
| By Mrs. Martha M. Nckerson.
| Scatter flowers DER the graves
Mid the grass that mods and waves,
| Where orr loved ones forms We're lain,
| When our earthly hopes We're slain,
| Crushed and hidden from our gaze.
| 0, how bitter seemed Gods ways
Murmured we in wild dlstruSt,
Yielded only when must,
Flowers so beautiful and sweet,
| Your rare fragrance 80 repete,
Through silent, subtitle spell.
| Heart and soul emotions tell
| Speak when joy our lives enthral,
| Speak above the bier, the pail,
Join with wedding bells accord,
Soouh W hen souls ascent to God,
Mingle III our every lot,
| Say our dead are not forgot.
Go We forth with reverent tread.
Lay these t1owereJs Ger our dead
If perchance there's tear or sigh,
Jesus wept,' and why not |?
| Yet recall, It's but the form
| Meath the azure and the storm
! Moldering mid its mother sod.
/ Onward to our Father, God,
Winged the spirit, safe, secure,
To that higher life 80 pure,
Kuoweth more than you or me
OF heavens bounteors mystery.
Memory's tribute thus We lay
Ger each form of crumbling clay.
Knowing in that mystic CLINE
Dwelleth yours, and liveth mine
And in that beyond of bliss
We shall meet dear ones we miss;
Clasp their hands and hear their voice
If we make Gods ways our choice.
Help US, Father" is our prayer,
| Angel robes to win and wear"