The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-10-18

A CHAPTER OF METHODIST HISTORY
To lrasburg. of Allan fame,
Long years ago, a farmer came.
In house of logs he had to live
Till he the time and strength could give
To making one of nice. red brick
But then the folks began to kick.
They heard he was Il temperance man
And said. You never, never can
Get men to come and raise the frame
Without the groK they'll scorn the game.
Said he. Then it will not be raised.
! would not have my ncighbors crazed
BY poison alcohol.
I'll give good food and drink for all
The frame was raised. II stands today,
Though all his kin is far away.
A village perched on sunlit hill.
Needed a church. then all who will
May hear the glorious Gospel news,
Sitting sedately in their pews
The farmer said. Come let us build,
And pray the house may be well filled.
Tis said he gave more than his share.
And the church was buided large and fair
While other families filled a pew,
| think his must have takenstwo.
But some were needed in the choir.
Whose members had to mount up higher
For them the Gospel must arise
To singers seats nearer the skies,
The while it fell with kindly art.
And strengthened many a noble heart
Some of the choir would weary grow
or looking at the folks below,
Or at the top of parsons head
With hair of black. or brown or red
And on the stairs they'd sit and talk
But one bright day they had a shock,
For all at once there was a hush
And they were brought back with rush.
The sermon stopped when half way
through
The choir will sing hymn ffty-two"
The choir oheyed with faces red
Which seemed to say. Enough is said.
The minister shall have the floor:
Our whispers shall disturb no more"
To church the JameSons always went.
On privilege and duty bent.
My father trod the treacherous snow
To make safe path for horse TO 20.
'Tis said. when sickness kept him home,
One horse, quite sure Sunday had come,
Went quietly to church mile,
Waited for service long while
And when he thought "Nef sed," went
back
Along the we'll known meeting" track
Sometimes DER fences we would 90
When deeply laid the crusted snow:
And when it softened OH twas then
The going tried the souls of men.
Ny father always thought was fair
Each one in church collections share:
And have heard II said that nc
Sometimes half paid the domino
The Sabbath was a holy day
Church services, three or four. Away
But visiting wa, not allowed,
Church must have satisfied that crowd
Fathers and mothers prayers were heard.
And reading from Gods blessed word,
The richest legacy Ger given
Is that which points child to Heaven.
\ patient man my memory paints.
Taking lifes cares without complaints.
Profanity was never heard.
No low" nor an impatient word.
No call of work, or press OF care
Could crowd the daily Word and prayer.
The family scattered far and wide.
And all except the last have died:
But children's children live to see
The value of good ancestry.
| little knew Of later year.
Yet never have had doubts or fears
But | In Paradise shall see
Dear ones who did so much for me,
My father said twhen health had failed
And for my eyes no helped avaicd
Oh! let me pass his words 10 yoh
For | have always proved them true.D
To all Gods own his grace is free,
AS thy days are thy strength shall be-"