The Newtown bee., 1905-08-11
THE OLD HOME COMING.
I7O5-I0o5.
BY OTIS OLNEY WRIGHT.

All hail, ye sons and daughters; welcome
We greet your coming with our songs Of cheer!
We wish you joy beneath these blissful skies.
Welcome to yerdent fields, and woodlands
With joyful songs OF. bids, and purling
The beauty. and the fragrance of the aow'rs.
To make us love the dear old countryside.
Lay down the implements OF labor, now;
FOrsake the marts OF trade, and common gain;
Tbrow Of the 6urden enc Of consSming cares;
Come back again, and breathe the Newtowp
air.
Va gladly bid you welcome. one and all:
The native born and childrens children dear
And you who httha r come but to sojourn.:,;,
Return, once more. to rest yourselves awhile.
Ana feel the home love In your hearts re-
newed.
Back through the records of two hundred
We trace y sse presence here of those who
Tho daring; strong, and brave,-from STRAIT
Throush winding valleys up. to Pootatuck:-
Bush. Junos. Hawley, sturdy pioneers
d list
chased lands
Or graceful Housat. MICS swirling stream
Twas ' handr % i've, in QUEEN AIMS
The red m 81 b''sA''sh' to the white man
By Mauquash, Nunnaway. and Massumpas.
III.
In vision still, we see those stalwart sires
Beers, Curtis. Judson. Hawiey. Nichols,
Johnson and Eairchtl names abiding here,
such were indeed, the builders Of the State.
Made first nft the Town'-the germ OF social
The town is always father to the State.
And Sss's "s Of the lie they gave
Andwe now read the roll of honored names
In later generations known and loved
Our preachers advocates, masters Of crafts.
And leaders true and great In all good
Men born and nurtured here, in humble life,
With those adopted sons who came to bide..,
Who struggled on. and climbed the rugged
That leads to usefu' ness, and wealth. and
Those who have served to make our nation
Like Edmonds, patriot: and soldier brave.
A statesman worthy of his stirring times,
The parson Beach. and all his honored line;
The Reverend Judson, loved and long revered
Ills 1ss Of
Then in the highest councils OF the land,
Was Toucey, Ch1ef OF state, and Senator;-
Exalted to supreme Judicial bench.
And likewise Uhief Executive Of state;-
Was dignifed as Judge, and GOVERNOR
And one We claim bX birth and heritage.
The poet-artist Of the fields and woods.
These we revere and honor. here to-day,
With others also worthy to be praised,
And laud them for their faith and large sue
As for their thrift, and homely virtues pure
The richest fruitage cleaned from age tc
The truest glory OF the Nations fame
This is the land of light, and hope and peace:
The zeal OF the oppressed the poor, and lost;
the North;
And from the South the Latin races come,
du 81 5hf aces e
That swarm like bees, and seek the richer
fields;
And men Of ev'ry cline find here home,
For this is GODS own land and kingdom true,
And we are stewards of His gracious love.
vi.
We live for others.-others lived for u.s.
For on the stream Of time men come and co.
And life is one. past present and to come;
The true, the beautiful; the good, and great
Shall we not heed the lessons OF the past!
To guard the treasures which our fathers won
And cherish we'll the wisdom Of their
And emulate the virtues Of their lives!-
Most precious lessons in the schools of earth!
Let us be true and faithful to their trust;
And venerate the freedom OF their souls: =
And keep the law of liberty secure
For all who come to share these blessed gifts
VII.
Not in ourselves alone We live and thrive,
Nor for our own we strive to win, alone;
For we are links In moving endless chafns
OF passing generations ''quick and Dead
Not what we have, but what we are, is ours;
Not what we gain. but what we give. abides
And so we build the palace of the soul,
By common. daily duties nobly,done;-
In thought, and word, and humble loving
The light eternal shines in mortal lives.
The treasure-houses OF the world we own.
If in our hearts and minds we find the keys;
And in our good desires, and hopes, and
droams,
The frstfruits of the holy life Divine,--
We have foretaste of the world unseen;
And as we celebrate the times long past,
And venerate the noble dead We sing.
We feast our souls on Aacred memories,
And thus renew the joyful days of youth,
Mid scenes immortal, in tho OLE, old home.