The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1921-04-15
IN MEMORY.

Poem, dedicated to the life and
leath of Vernon Holmes. Written by
her father:
On one bright Summer morn
To US baby girl was born.
She was bright and very fair
With rosy lips and silken hair.
A sweet little smile was on her face
And in our hearts she had a place.
Soon she began to crawl and walk,
Stammer and sing and try to talk.
And she with her little toys
Filed our hearts with sweetest joys,
And as she older and stronger grew
Many things she tried to do.
She would get upon my knee
And try to learn her A B. c..
A smile and sweet little word
Could always be seen and heard.
How she filed my heart with charm
When around my neck she put her
arms.
She went to school day by day
And early learned to try
To read and write and spell
And learn her lessons we'll
And in her little girlish mind
She early learned to be kind
And sought with all her might
To do the things that were right.
Even in her early days of youth,
She loved and honored the truth.
She loved her home and mother;
She loved her father and brother
And teachers, schoolmate friends
On her love could depend.
She made obedience her first duty,
And this added to her beauty.
At the early age of eleven
She had a vision of Heaven,
And in her own sweet way
To the church alter she went to
pray.
Jesus filled her heart with glad.
ness.
And she never again showed sad
ness.
For her heart was so full of joy,
That sunshine seemed to her a toy.
1t made no difference where she
went,
1t seemed as though she was sent.
A message of love to bear.
Whether in song or in prayer,
This message Of sunshine and love
Was born to her from above.
That unseen guest was by her side,
For in His love she did abide.
This message she did always sing.
"My life belongs to the King"
At church, at home and Sunday
School.
She sat and played and sang
And made the music ring.
Souls of men were made to rejoice
At the melody of her sweet voice.
Hearts were melted and made anew
Listening to her songe so beautiful
and true
Her loving and sympathetic heart
OF joy has done its part
Towards carrying the message Of
joy
To the erring fri or the careless
boy.
Oh, l know my dear little girl
Has made better a part of the
world.
The sweet influence of her life,
Free from every hatred and strife
Will continue to live on and on
While she sings around Gods
throne;
Holding on to that unseen hand
She moved at his command.
That is why she could always smile
And be as innocent as child.
The time came when she had to go,
But just why, cannot know.
While she was sick l was so dis
tressed
That | went to God with this re-
uest:
l come, Oh God, with no selfish
plea,
My life, my all belongs to Thee,
But whatever for her is best,
This | make as my request.
While she was sick there was not
heard
One expression or a single word
To indicate or to complain
Of her suffering or her pain
For days and nights she could not
sleep,
often sought a place to weep,
For it broke my heart to see
Her submission and humility.
That Christ was in her possession
Was shown by her very expression.
Even death could not Grace
The beaming smile upon her face.
When death came and she was dy-
ing
We all stood around her bed cry
ing.
True she laughed and moved her
hand
On her way to the Heavenly land;
With heart full of joy and love
She passed on to her home above.