The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-07-07
Golden Memories
187l-June 20-1921


Memories pages; turn them over
Angel of the Backward Look.
Bring again with clearer vision
IA Records written in thy Book
Youth and maiden, hands united
Two score years and ten ago,
"a With Gods blessing face the future
II joys and trials, all must know.
d She, from shores of rock-bound Plym
n outh
4 Centuries back her forbears sought
u AS their goal, larger life, with
Freedom of religious thought.
He, from westward pressing parents,
Steadily they push their way.
Hardships, trials, joys and pleasures
Cannot long their progress stay.
4 Now on shores of blue Pacific
Hear again this solemn VOW;
Where thou goest, will follow,
But one God and people now. :"
Ten years gone, for Time is fleeting.
Visions fade; in place appear
Winding pathways, varied landscapes
lnterspersed with children dear.
Children four remain to bless them,
Two to God have led the way.
Teaching, preaching, working, striv-
ing,
In far paths their footsteps stray.
Indian wars, deep SHOWS of winter.
Stalking death in varied form,
Lean of purse, but strong of spirit
Came they through these-free from
harm.
Decade two, unfolds before them.
Rugged mountains steep and high.
Darksome glens with childhood terrors,
Block the way their will to try.
Crossed in safety, Eden greets them,
Winding roads where pine trees
shade,
Trickling streams and fragrant bios
SONS,
Wild fruits carpeting the glade.
Here they hew from out the wildness,
Home, which still remains today.
Here the place where all may gather
From far paths. where Youth will
stray.
Close the decade. Children seven
Gather now on every hand.
Early flight two more have taken
To the bounds of Heavens land.
Thirty years. How runs the record?
Failed they? No, sosnobly, through
Many trials and dangers, came they.
Fledglings eight are now in view.
Nest unbroken. flock unscattered.
Mouths are filled and precepts
taught.
Ne ,er dispairing, ever striving,
Higher levels daily sought.
Not of profit rocked they ever,
Strove to serve their fellow man.
Sought to show such firm foundation
AS butsGod's 's.approved can.
Two score years the nest oer flowing
Gladly would they hover all, {
Butsthe flock is scattered, scattered. !
Many now. have heard the call {
To be fruitful and replenish;
Earth subdue dominion hold
First instruction, oft neglected, T
by God given to Adam of old. |
Gone are they. Yet oft they gather,
Daughters, sons. grandchildren dear. a
'ast.tales told, new hopes unfolded a
AND the old home rings with cheer. ]
Blessed days! We now recall them.
All thingsspass and memories fade r
still we can forget-ah, never!
Joyous hearthstone that they made.
n
softly, softly. has she left US?
Gonesthe smile that welcomed all, G
let we know that she is standing W
Still in sound of spirit call. m
pl
lfty years the sands are running w
Swiftly down Lies western slope. III
,mpty then the hour glass? Never! sa
Eternity and God and Hope. pr
'ait the future and the present? &c &c
Circle round them one and all: q,
. your lives their lives continued -.
Here on Earth; and when The Call ~
hich soon must come, is by them tn
answered sa
They, from Heavens nearer shore. pr
nEellguard will then be keeping col
With the loved ones gone before. Sta
Ralph Seymour Shelley. otI tI