Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-04-22
A Tribute to the Late Daniel
c. Hudson.
BY REV. l.. p. BOWEN.

Blessed are they which are called
unto the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. +"
Rev. xix: 8.
Twas Sabbath afternoon. meath Texan skies.
The tidings came. Exiles from the Eastern Shore.
We'd sat and filled the hours with Maryland.
And talked of Berlin friends and Berlin loves.
That morn about the table of our Lord
We'd gathered mid sweet solemn memories
And thought of this memorial earthly feast
As close of kin To that spread feast above.
The guests on earth and guests on high the same
Then bursts the startling news that Dan was gonei
The hand that held the Letter
Was shaken for awhile:
The heart fiuttering backward
Ger many weary mile:
new mound in the graveyard.
The mourners and the tears
My Dan of early childhood.
My Dan of all the years
Yes. he the nearest friend ever had
Twin-hrothers from the first and all the way.
Parental friendships. pure. inherited.
His home forever mine and my home his.
Same studies in the good old Sunday School.
Same studies in the old Academy,
Two opposites converging and converged.
Playmates. schoOlmates. classmates welded mates.
And now he's gone on up and joined the feast
Above the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
There never was better
Upon the old school-grounds:
I've never met nobler
In all my pilgrim rounds:
And when my rasher nature
Would some sad bent reveal,
My Dan was then my conscience.
And Dan my balancc-w
Trap Greek. the shimmerings of thy waves return
And ripple through the mazes of the past.
hear the sea-birds as they come and go.
kingfshers cry and osprcys on their perch.
The bass of ocean over to the East
And there we sat IN revery. Dan and |.
Beneath the shade of my widcherry tree.
And taikd of books and swecthearts and the birds
And plans for life and lilies there ailoat
Ourselves ailoat upon the outbound tides
And all was bright and dreamy.
And Nature was ut rest.
And boys imaginations
Careering at their best:
And life was full of promise.
And treasures on ahead.
And we the two kight-errants
Went forth by fairies led.
And Dan and together bcau'd the girls.
In dear old counting days. romantic days.
When in loves Paradise between those seas.
Fair faces sweeter blushed. tones riches thrilled.
Than ever in the broad wide world beside.
We knew each others secret. shared the dreams.
And learnd to scribble verses by the foot.
And then the day came. the day of days.
When he was by my side and hclp'd me win
The model preachers wife of all the world
That blessed Tuesday morning
We knew full well that he
Would make II better husband
Than poor old could be-:
That somewhere in the future
His heart would reach its bloom.
And then the happy groomsman
Turn to a happy groom.
My bridal day found Dan Ruling Elder.
And me a Teaching Elder. knew the hour.
Our souls a-touch when he had come to Christ.
The day we joined the Church spent alone
In prayer among the graves where he sleeps.
Beside our first Communion. heart to heart.
We sat and took the hallowed bread and wine:
Presented. blest by good Alonson Haincs.
Santliest of men. Now they have shaken hands
Around the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
An surely il was glorious
When those two holy men.
Up there amid the splendors
Had met in love again.
Perhaps twas this old Pastor
Who welcomed this new guest
And led his old friend Daniel
To that Eternal Feast
never thought of Dan as going first
fail to think it yet. can't recall
That town. that church. that home. and Dan not
there
The streets which hear his well-known steps no
more
But il is well Why should promotion lag?
Approach the Throne. o Daniel. we-belovcd
And take thy crown ! The years would soon have
bent
Thy FORM and wintry storms grow chill and harsh.
The springtime's come The Bridal of the Lamb
You've left spotlcss character
To gladden. and abide:
We catch the sheen of haos
Upon the other side.
The name of Daniel Hudson
Not will dim and die:
And we will love each other still
My good old Dan and