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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 
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 $? ; 
 
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 AND THE SAVED TRIBE : 
 
 AND OTHER POEMS, 
 
 REV. JAMES SHIELDS BOYD. 
 
 KIRKSVILLE, MO : 
 
 JOURNAL POINTING COMPANY, 
 
 1891
 
 TS 
 litf 
 
 JL 
 
 ft SOUVEXIR 
 
 FOR FRIENDS AND PARISHIONERS. 
 
 76-4032
 
 GOXTEXTS, 
 
 The Lost Ship. . . . 1 1 
 
 Signincancy of Names, . . .28 
 
 A Pearl Sought. ... 32 
 
 IN MEMOR1AS. 
 
 Aileen. . . . .71 
 
 Atha Loraine. ... 69 
 
 Death in Triumph. . . . 70 
 
 D wight. .... 82 
 
 Etta May. . . . .76 
 
 Father. . . . . 60 
 
 (jarneld. . . . .65 
 
 Harvey. .... 48 
 
 Irene. ... .68 
 
 Mabel. .... 80 
 
 Maud. . . .67 
 
 Matthew Hillis Boyd. ... 56 
 
 Morton and Roy, . . .78 
 
 Mother. .... 43 
 
 Robert. .... 38 
 
 Samuel. .... 35 
 
 Sorrow Assuaged. . . . 73 
 
 MISCELLANEA. 
 
 China Wedding. ... 92 
 
 Far away Friends. . . . 101 
 
 Firing Double Barrels. . . 95
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Friends Named Spencer, . . .96 
 
 Giggling Girls. . . . 106 
 
 Good Wishes. . . . .94 
 
 Happily Mated. . . . 121 
 
 Horacic. . . . .99 
 
 Jingle. . . . . in 
 
 Little Girl to her Canary, . . .116 
 
 Missouri Conference, . . . 104 
 
 On Wheels, . . . .108 
 
 Our Christmas Ship, ... 90 
 
 Sysiphus's Punishment, . . .87 
 
 That Bank Check, . . . 117 
 
 The Greeks. . . . .91 
 
 To Bell From Foster, . . . 100 
 
 Willie Bean, .... 98
 
 I cannot cease, it seems, to rhyme, 
 But often in the shreds of time,* 
 Spontaneous stanzas worth small praise 
 Will bubble up in measured phrase. 
 
 Though none of these the standard reach 
 Which my own mind demands of each, 
 Yet now in print I venture here 
 To let my jingling staves appear. 
 
 Not penned to fill a critic's eye, 
 Nor please advanced poetic taste ; 
 Will friends peruse in charity 
 The unpretending lines here traced. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 Lamoure, North Dakota, 1891. 
 
 ''During occasional wakeful moments at night, while walking the 
 street, waiting in depots, ridingon the cars, and especially while riding 
 in my buggy doing Home Missionary Work over the prairies of Missouri, 
 Minnesota, and North Dakota, these effusions, such as they are, were 
 thought out and jotted down, some of them with not a little labor and study.
 
 Lost -Sfsi aT2tl 
 
 OR 
 
 THE BOYDS AND THEIR KIN. 
 
 Being lines written for, and with sentiments of sincere esteem, respect 
 fully dedicated to the friends met in "The First Boyd Convention," 
 holding its sessions in Beaver, Pennsylvania, October 26 and 27, 1881, 
 and to the scores of other First, Second and Forty-second Cousins, 
 with which a Kind Father, in His merciful Providence, has dotted sev 
 eral states. 
 
 If lightnings flash 
 Without a cloud 
 Upon the sky, 
 Or torrents dash 
 And roar aloud 
 When streams are dry ; 
 If meteors blaze, 
 Or cyclones rush 
 With dreadful swirl : 
 It casts amaze 
 A startled hush 
 O'er boy and girl 
 And every one 
 Beneath the sun 
 Who may behold. 
 
 So, round my thought 
 Surprise untold 
 Encoiled its fold 
 - And trembling brought.
 
 14 THE LOST SHU'. 
 
 Ah ! how each joys to trace 
 His different winding way 
 Until he reach the spot 
 With such deep interest fraught, 
 Where all, (for this the plan,) 
 Shall greet the whole Boyd clan. 
 
 But others, too, would fain 
 
 This happy meeting gain. 
 
 Yea, with the Boyds, each Coe, 
 
 As all must know, 
 
 Desires to go 
 
 And meekly blow 
 
 His own small horn. 
 
 As so do all 
 
 Whose names adorn 
 
 The primal stock, 
 
 On this glad morn, 
 
 Have wish to flock 
 
 With all their will 
 
 To Beaverville, 
 
 Nor pause at all, 
 
 But boldly knock, 
 
 And, entering, walk 
 
 Where all the talk 
 
 Of friend with friend 
 
 Shall surely lend 
 
 A charming spell, 
 
 And shame the clock 
 
 Its time to tell. 
 
 Yes, Wilson, Shields, 
 
 Dinsmore and Jack, 
 
 Negley and Brown, 
 
 Each, if he could, 
 
 Most surely would
 
 THE LOST SHIP. 15 
 
 Employ his heels 
 In going back, 
 Each his own track, 
 To add renown, 
 (Perchance his pelf,) 
 To the old town 
 And meeting rare 
 Assembled there, 
 And each a share 
 Claim for himself. 
 
 But whence arose 
 These numerous friends 
 Whose number grows, 
 And more extends 
 As onward flows 
 The stream of time ? 
 But heed my rhyme 
 And you shall know 
 The origin 
 Of our dear kin 
 In this free land: 
 And how did grow 
 So very soon 
 So large a band, 
 As rills in June 
 When freshets flow 
 And flood the strand. 
 
 Within an Erin port there lay 
 A ship that thought to sail away 
 Across the sea a certain day 
 With cargo such as ships convey. 
 The trip proposed would hie it West 
 Across Atlantic's treach'rous breast.
 
 THE -LosT SHIP. 17 
 
 Both freight and passengers might ride 
 
 In hold or cabin o'er the tide. 
 
 The busy dock now busier teemed, 
 
 As faster traffic to it streamed. 
 
 The vessel's crew, jolly and brave 
 
 As ever wrought upon the wave, 
 
 More active grew as day by day, 
 
 The moment came when each should say 
 
 A long good bye, yea, as it proved, 
 
 A last farewell, to those he loved. 
 
 Some sturdy emigrants had paid 
 The charge for passage which was made, 
 And now aboard, with thought intense, 
 They bide the time for sailing hence. 
 
 Among this roaming company 
 There was an humble family 
 
 Of father, mother and two youth. 
 Of Presbyterian stock they came 
 A folk who first received their name 
 
 When Knox, the fearless, preaching truth 
 On Scotia's hills, so bold appeared 
 That even cruel Mary feared. 
 
 This father and his household dear, 
 Who wished across the Main to steer, 
 Had left their native Em 'raid home 
 Fair Columbia to roam. 
 
 How strong the ties that bind them still 
 To shamrock vale and heathered hill ! 
 Ho\v lingeringly their hearts reply 
 To every tearful friend's good bye !
 
 1 8 THE LOST SHIP. 
 
 And yet they leave their fatherland, 
 Entreating guidance from His hand 
 Who leads His people for the best 
 Until they reach their final rest. 
 
 But while they wait with mingled fears 
 And hopes that smile through starting tears, 
 A disappointment sad and grave 
 Delays their trip across the wave. 
 The ship's physician, on his round, 
 The dreaded, deadly small-pox found. 
 That fell disease, which oft destroys, 
 Had seized those parents' tender boys. 
 
 Hence, quickly they are put ashore : 
 The parents, too, must needs remain 
 
 Till seemed the risk completely o'er, 
 When all might venture forth again. 
 
 The boat, however sailed away 
 As bulletined and billed that day : 
 
 / O t\ q 
 
 But sad hearts.were draped in black, 
 For tidings of it ne'er came back.* 
 
 * After the Historical address of Rev. J. F. Boyd, made at "the 
 First Boyd Convention," was printed and came to hand, I learned 
 from it that this ship was not lost, as from childhood I had under 
 stood from others, but that it spent nineteen weeks on the ocean, 
 had been driven by storms south of the equator, many on board 
 had sickened and died, and the remaining passengers and crew 
 had almost famished for want of water. When the belated vessel 
 at length reached America, the Fultons on it who had survived the 
 long voyage, found that their friends. John and Mary Fulton Boyd 
 and their two boys, who had been sorrowfully left behind, had ar 
 rived in this country more than six weeks before them. 
 
 Had the boys gone on that first vessel, under the disease that 
 prostrated them, it can hardly be supposed they would have sur 
 vived the voyage. Hence, I have chosen to let the remaining sup 
 positions and inferences of my lines remain as at first penned.
 
 THE LOST SHIP. 19 
 
 A generation passed away ; 
 
 What mighty change Old Time had wrought! 
 Within a newer country lay 
 
 The scene which now the vision caught. 
 
 A rustic church stood in its grove 
 
 Of maple, walnut, ash and oak ; 
 Where heathen red men once did rove, 
 
 But now assembled Christian folk. 
 How glad the Sabbath of the Lord, 
 
 When once a month, or twice, perchance, 
 The neighborhood with one accord, 
 As those who look, for faith's reward, 
 
 In scattered, strolling knots advance. 
 Concentring up each winding way. 
 
 At length all near the chapel's door. 
 Most come afoot : but now some stay 
 
 To doff the dusty shoes they wore, 
 
 And don the cleaner ones they bore ; 
 While those removed each safely stows 
 Among the leaves in winnowed rows 
 Collected by the Autumn breeze, 
 And roofed against the fallen trees. 
 There nestled close, as oft before, 
 The shoes may sleep till preaching o'er, 
 When new and old must swap once more. 
 
 Since but at times the people meet, 
 Their greetings are the greater treat. 
 Glad conversation hums around ; 
 
 And oft, as thoughts the more unhinge. 
 
 Their gossip takes a worldly tinge, 
 Forgetful of forbidden ground.
 
 THE LOST SHIP. 21 
 
 But here and there the pious spake 
 
 Of sacred things, and gladder grew, 
 As each to others brought to view 
 
 What God had wrought for Jesus, sake. 
 
 Four preachers came : each young and hale, 
 
 But each untaught at Harvard, Yale, 
 
 Or ajiy school of such renown ; 
 
 They studied in an humble town, 
 
 Yet read their Greek and Latin well, 
 
 And e'en in some lines did excel. 
 
 Possessed of excellencies rare, 
 
 Self-taught and practical they were, 
 
 And most of all were men of prayer. 
 
 In manner simple and direct, 
 
 They spake with unction and effect ; 
 
 And often did the Spirit bless, 
 
 And give their labors rich success. 
 
 Their friendliness was no surprise, 
 For they were bound with double ties. 
 Descended from one common stock, 
 As brothers in the flesh they walk. 
 And each again born from above, 
 As brothers in the Lord they love. 
 Thus joined by nature and by grace, 
 Each loving each and all the race, 
 They strive in faith, with one accord, 
 To bring the wayward to the Lord ; 
 And hope themselves to gain the prize 
 The Master gives beyond the skies. 
 
 This ministerial brother-band 
 That day together took the stand.
 
 THE LOST SHU'. 
 
 One lined a Psalm ; one read the Word 
 
 Assuring of a Father's care : 
 And then, with voice devout, a third 
 
 Address the Throne of Grace in prayer. 
 
 In gladly rev'rent, solemn strain, 
 The congregation sang again, 
 When James arose. His text he read: 
 "To him that overcomes, 1 ' it said, 
 "The hidden manna I will give, 1 ' 
 (Who eats by faith shall ever live,) 
 "And I will give him a white stone, 
 
 And on the stone a new name writ 
 Which no man knows save he alone- 
 Yea, he who now receiveth it. 11 
 The sermon prompted Christian hope : 
 It lifted drooping spirits up; 
 It called for full assurance here, 
 While waiting till the Lord appear. 
 
 But none shall know till Heaven's review 
 The fruit that from that service grew. 
 Nor is there language to declare 
 The good those pastors did elsewhere. 
 
 Three early closed their toil below : 
 
 One late in life was called to go ; 
 
 All left good works to follow on 
 
 And bless the world when they were gone. 
 
 But who can trace all God has planned? 
 Who praise enough His guiding hand? 
 Or hint the means He doth command? 
 This quartette, pastor, brother band
 
 THE LOST SHIP. 23 
 
 Had brothers in the flesh just three, 
 
 And sisters two, as all agree, 
 
 A clever family of nine, 
 
 Dear offshoots from the parent vine, 
 
 And each grew up to plant, in turn, 
 
 Another vine within the Urn 
 
 The family Urn, which overflows, 
 And wider, still much wider grows 
 With every generation's close ; 
 Which will expand without abate, 
 At more and more a rapid rate, 
 As generations cumulate. 
 
 How wisely kind and how immense 
 
 The mystery of Providence ! 
 
 It touches all life's hidden springs, 
 
 And weaves the whole mixed web of things ; 
 
 Controlling, guiding, ruling all, 
 
 If nations rise, or leaflets fall. 
 
 Of these four brothers, side by side, 
 Who with each other did divide 
 The parts of service on that day 
 When settlers met to praise and pray, 
 And hear the gospel from the Word 
 The sweetest message ever heard 
 Of these four brothers of one name, 
 Two were, in truth, the very same 
 
 Who, long before 
 
 Were put ashore 
 
 To convalesce 
 
 From their distress, 
 Or sink beneath the fell disease. 
 While sailed that ship with fated breeze,
 
 24 THE LOST SHIP. 
 
 Alas to roam, 
 
 And never come 
 
 To those bereft 
 
 When it had left. 
 
 The lads, however, wondrous ! true ! 
 Thus strangely spared their parents, too, 
 Another day did cross the "blue. 11 
 
 "God moves in a mysterious way 
 
 His wonders to perform ; 
 He plants His footsteps in the sea, 
 
 And rides upon the storm. 
 
 His purposes (e'er) ripen fast, 
 
 Unfolding every hour ; 
 The bud may have a bitter taste, 
 
 But sweet will be the flower. 1 ' 
 
 In love he willed those lads should live, 
 
 And preach the gospel of his grace ; 
 He purposed they and theirs should give 
 
 To earth and Heaven a numerous race. 
 So, in His wisdom's boundless reach, 
 
 With ease controlling mortal breath, 
 He sent a pestilence to each, 
 
 To save thus from untimely death. 
 
 Had that tried household sailed that day, 
 How changed the world no one can know 
 
 Amazed with awe, our hearts now say, 
 Behold what wonders God doth show! 
 
 This bright convention ne'er had been, 
 Nor one of all our kindred born ; 
 
 Yea, hundreds less would glad convene 
 To greet the Resurrection morn.
 
 THE LOST SHIP. 25 
 
 If John and Abram Boyd that day 
 Had not been forced behind to stay, 
 Through strange but kindest Providence, 
 While sailed that doomed vessel hence. 
 
 Then, rev'rently our hymn we sing: 
 Yes, thankfully our tribute bring 
 To Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, 
 
 Who guides us all our ways. 
 Our fathers and forefathers, too, 
 He led by love they never knew 
 Till homed in Heaven its springs they view, 
 
 And shout His worthy praise. 
 
 The glass of life so quickly runs, 
 That many of our sires and sons 
 And many happy little ones 
 
 Have passed beyond the flood ; 
 For mothers, too, and sisters dear 
 We drop the warm but trustful tear, 
 For faith assures they now appear 
 
 Around the throne of God. 
 
 When gathered at the Judgment Day ; 
 When, "Come, ye blessed,' 1 Christ shall say: 
 As rolls eternity away, 
 
 Shall we each other know ? 
 With kindred born before our birth, 
 Shall we then meet and talk of earth, 
 And loudly sound His praises forth, 
 
 \Vho died for us below ? 
 
 Ah ! surely we shall grasp the hand 
 Of loved ones in that happy Jand, 
 Around the throne together stand, 
 And tell our mercies o'er:
 
 The Praise and Hope of Kindred, 
 
 R.<v. J. S. BOYD. 
 
 REV. J. S. BOYD. 
 
 1. Now rev'rently our hymn we sing; Yes thauk-ful-ly our tribute bring; 
 
 2. The glass of life so quickly runs. That many of our sires and sons, 
 When gathered at the judgement day; When"Come ye blesseU"Christ shall say 
 
 3. Ah surely we shall grasp the hand Of loved ones in that happy land. 
 
 We all u-nile to praise our King. Who guides us all our ways, 
 And ma - ny hap - py lit - tie ones Have passed beyond the flood: 
 As rolls e-ter - ni - ty a - way, Shall we each oth - er know? 
 And 'round the throne togedi - er stand, And count our mercif.^ o'er; 
 
 Our fa - triers and fore-fathers too, He led by love they never knew, 
 For mothers, too, and sisters dear, We drop the warm but trustful tear, 
 With kindred gone before our birth Shall we then meet and talk of earth, 
 If each on earth did Christ profess, And trust alone His righteousness, 
 
 r* 2 -, 
 
 1 I N \ n1 m r\ ^> I 1 1 
 
 --|i -j U ^ *T T 
 
 1 
 
 Till home in heav'n its springs they view, And shout His worthy praise. 
 For faith assures they now ap-pear A-round the throne of God. 
 And loud - ly sound His praises forth Who died for us be - low? 
 Then, all a-bove in heav'nly dress Shall meet to part no more. 
 
 P| 
 
 ft f *_. i n
 
 THE LOST SHIP. 27 
 
 If each on earth did Christ profess, 
 And trust alone His righteousness, 
 Then, all above in heav'nly dress 
 Shall meet to part no more. 
 
 This truth the blessed hope inspires, 
 That we shall joyful strike our lyres, 
 Where harp nor harper ever tires, 
 
 With those ne'er seen on earth ; 
 That John and Abram, Margaret. James, 
 And Henry, Mary all the names - 
 Our grandsires loved and our granddames 
 
 We'll greet through Jesus 1 worth. 
 
 How glad the reunited throng, 
 And oh ! how jubilant the song 
 Which they forevermore prolong 
 
 For God's mysterious love ; 
 That love which first did condescend : 
 Which sought and made each one a friend, 
 And cheered and kept until the end, 
 
 Then took to Heaven above. 
 
 O Lord, may those now far away, 
 Whose hearts are with us here to day, 
 Clasp hands with us on high, we pray, 
 
 As near the throne we press ; 
 May every family of our kin, 
 Yea, every soul, a mansion win, 
 And all at last be gathered in 
 
 Through Christ our Righteousness. 
 
 Then, Lord, we'll lift our loftier praise, 
 
 Our hallelujahs higher raise, 
 
 Thy love proclaim through endless days 
 
 In one ecstatic song: 
 To God the Father, God the Son, 
 And Holy Spirit, Three in One, 
 Shall honors evermore be done 
 
 By all the white-robed throng.
 
 OR, 
 
 SOME BOYD-NAMES INDICATING CHARACTER. 
 
 (Lines read as part of an address made before the second Boyd-Conven- 
 
 tion, held in the parlors of the Presbyterian church, 
 
 Lima, Ohio, October 24th and 25th, 188}. 
 
 The reader will please bear in mind: John means, "The gracious 
 gift of God;" Abraham, "Father of a multitude;" James, the same as 
 Jacob, before he "wrestled" with the Angel, "Supplanter;" afterwards, 
 "Prevailer;" Benjamin, "Son of the right-hand;" Robert, "Bright in 
 fame;" Henry, "Head or Chief of a Household;" Margaret, "A Pearl;" 
 Mary, "Star of the Sea;" Joseph, "Adding," or "He shall add." 
 
 John, Abram, James and Benjamin were Ministers of the Gospel. 
 Robert, Henry and Joseph were Ruling Elders in the Presbyterian church, 
 and each was a teacher of music, Robert giving special attention to the 
 profession. 
 
 Margaret and Mary were wives of Ruling Elders in the Presbyterian 
 church. The father of all these, who, with his wife and two children, 
 came to the United States in 1872, and settled in Westmorland County, 
 Pennsylvania, was also a Ruling Elder in the church, and a musician. 
 
 From Erin's vales 
 In shamrock dressed, 
 Far to the West 
 By ocean gales 
 
 Safe wafted, ventured man and wife 
 To find a New-world home for life. 
 
 Two toddling boys 
 They brought along, 
 And as a throng 
 Of like-loaned joys 
 
 Filled, one by one, their fireside reach, 
 A meaning name they gave to each.
 
 SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMES. 
 
 They were so drawn 
 To their first boy 
 They leapt for joy, 
 And called him John, 
 In thanks to Him who from above 
 Bestows such 'Gracious Gifts' in love. 
 
 Their second born 
 They Abram named ; 
 He, not ashamed 
 At that great Morn, 
 
 Shall be to own, where palms are waved, 
 The 'multitude' his labors saved. 
 
 And then came James, 
 Whose soul "in pain'' 
 'Wrestled' to gain 
 Among the names 
 The Book of Life doth well record 
 A place for his through Christ, the Lord. 
 
 Next Benjamin. 
 
 A 'Right-hand Son', 
 His life begun. 
 To quickly win 
 
 From loving kin affection rare. 
 And long their ills to help them bear. 
 
 Robert, the 'Bright", 
 The cheery youth, 
 As true to truth 
 As firm in right, 
 
 Ere long the household light increased, 
 Won 'fame' in song till God released.
 
 30 SlGXIFICAXCY OF NAMES. 
 
 Then Henry came, 
 
 Through days not brief, 
 As 'Head, or Chief, 
 To give his name 
 To many a welcomed lass and lad 
 Till childrens' children children had. 
 
 The first fond girl 
 
 Their hearts embrace, 
 A plant of grace, 
 They well named 'Pearl' ; 
 Translated, this pet-name she heard, 
 But Margaret, with the word transferred. 
 
 And none can tell 
 With tongue or pen 
 How Mary then 
 The joy did swell 
 The family joy as 'Star like', there 
 Her radiance beamed, as everywhere. 
 
 A Rachel's boy, 
 His father's pride, 
 Of souls the guide, 
 Till with convoy 
 Of angel guards he sped above, 
 Was Joseph, 'Adding love to love'. 
 
 These worthy nine, 
 Long gone before, 
 Upon the shore 
 Beyond to shine. 
 We honor and revere to day, 
 Nor shall their memory fade a\vay.
 
 SiGXIKlCANCY OF NAMES. 3! 
 
 Significant 
 
 The names they bore. 
 And they, too, wore 
 A permanent 
 
 And faith-built character of worth, 
 Which Scripture styles 'the salt of earth'. 
 
 Our effort be 
 To imitate, 
 Nor e'er abate 
 The ex'lency 
 
 And good repute the tribe has won, 
 Till all the tribe's earth-work is done. 
 
 Then to the Lord, 
 Who is our God. 
 \Ve'll sound abroad 
 With one accord 
 
 His highest praise, for all the grace 
 His love has shown our favored race.
 
 My great grand-parents called their first daughter Margaret, which, 
 "being interpreted," is 'A Pearl.' Years afterward when he who WAS TO 
 BE" Uncle Joe ShieUs"took it in his head that he would go out, not to 
 any Black Hills of Modern wild-gooseism, which provide 'for certain' 
 many a 'sinking fund' from which but few are ever able very flushingly to 
 "raise the dust;" but with carefulness and judgment to seek "goodly 
 pearls" nearer home; and when, after a prudent venture, he had found 
 one "pearl" which he considered of "great price" indeed, then, like the 
 patient, plodding, persevering, proper man he was, 
 
 He did not, could not, would not rest, 
 
 Till to his breast 
 
 In love he pressed 
 
 This precious "Pearl," 
 
 No more a girl . 
 
 But now his wife, 
 
 Wedded for life, 
 
 To make him rich beyond compare : 
 One flesh with him earth-toil to share, 
 
 Till earth-toil o'er, 
 
 Of use no more, 
 Their fleshy tent is taken down, 
 
 And quick they fly 
 
 To gain on high 
 Within the 'pearly gates' a crown.
 
 (SAAIUKL WALLACE BOYD, BORN MARCH 25,1841. DIED AUGUST 
 
 4, 1842.) 
 
 Tall, giant oaks adjacent wave, 
 The springing grass greenswards the grave 
 Where, long ago, we sadly laid 
 Our first departed, while we prayed 
 Sustaining grace from God above, 
 Whose chastenings are all in love : 
 Whose help upholds when griefs assail ; 
 Yea, whose compassions never fail. 
 
 The one belov'd for whom our tears 
 Distilled that day like dripping rain, 
 
 Was but a child of infant years, 
 
 Loaned us by heaven for heaven to train. 
 
 Scarce seventeen months of our home life 
 Had he with coo and laugh and love 
 Cheered as a gift from heaven above, 
 When, shrinking from the din and strife 
 And sin and woe that madly jars 
 All things below, and sadly mars 
 Much human joy, his spirit fled 
 To join the glory overhead, 
 And swell the anthem round the throne, 
 Where none have ever sung alone, 
 Since Abel first appeared in white 
 With angels wondering at the sight.
 
 36 SAMUEL. 
 
 No dear one had we ever wept : 
 So now this sudden sorrow swept 
 And swayed our being. But there crept, 
 Ere long, as days and weeks went bye, 
 Such tender chastenings o'er our hearts 
 As mellowness to life imparts, 
 And sends the thoughts, oftimes, on high, 
 Where, as the Holy Scriptures say, 
 Bright boys and girls enraptured play 
 Upon the streets prepared for them 
 Within the new Jerusalem. 
 
 He was our youngest, fondest pet : 
 Sweet smiles his face in memory yet. 
 Yes, oft at eve, in fancy's ear, 
 With almost startled throb I hear 
 The echo of his quick foot-falls 
 Resounding from our log-house walls : 
 His prattling innocence of talk, 
 While toddling down the garden walk ; 
 To spring-house, barn, or meadow-lawn, 
 Where first some older friend had gone : 
 Or, scattering o'er the bare oak floor 
 Of playthings all his little store : 
 Exhibiting from day to day 
 His mirthful innocence of play. 
 I see as in a waking trance. 
 His spirit-beaming countenance, 
 And almost feel his warm embrace, 
 As, pressing to my cheek his face, 
 He fondled with his sweet caress, 
 Until, with glad emotion rilled, 
 My inmost, better being thrilled 
 All through and through with tender love- 
 Sweet inspiration from above
 
 SAMUEL. 37 
 
 As to my heart his form I press, 
 Imprinting kisses on his brow, 
 Ah! this but fond remembrance now. 
 
 But faith beholds him near the throne, 
 Where darlings, saved from every zone 
 And clime and kindred, land and tongue, 
 Redeemed by Christ, though yet so young, 
 Enrobed in white, forever raise 
 Ecstatic notes of lofty praise, 
 And ceaseless will to endless days. 
 
 O, often I can scarce repress 
 
 What some may deem irreverent guess, 
 
 Or speculation's rash surmise. 
 
 Does his "large, sweet and asking eyes, 
 
 Down-looking from some heavenly hill. 
 
 Or from the shade of saintly palms ; 
 
 Or silver reach of river calms," 1 
 Through ether vast "behold me still?" 1 
 Such query none can answer now ; 
 Let trusting hearts in meekness bow. 
 But why not feel he is not far, 
 Since near at need the angels are?" 
 And when to me Heav'ns gates unbar, 
 
 Shall I not see him waiting stand? 
 
 And welcome give with beckoning hand 
 To joys nought evermore shall mar? 
 
 Dark things shall some day be revealed ; 
 Then bruised hearts shall all be healed, 
 Each tongue and voice in rapture tell 
 The Father hath clone all things well.
 
 Rofiert. 
 
 (ROBERT REDICK BOYD. BORN FEBRUARY 4, 1839. DECEASED AUGUST 
 
 9, 1842.) 
 
 The next we wept and carried there, 
 A brother's crumbling dust to share, 
 Had also drawn love-tendrils strong 
 About our hearts, till, as a song 
 
 jtolian-breathed, oft thrilling, cheers. 
 Vibrating joys our bosoms throng, 
 
 Though he was but of tender years. 
 Four flowering summers scarce had come 
 
 Since first he nestled like a dove 
 On the fond bosom of our home, 
 
 When, from celestial heights above, 
 His guardian angel, stealthily, 
 With startling suddenness did fly, 
 Descending where our darling lay, 
 Upward, again, through parted sky- 
 Where saints and seraphs sing on high, 
 With glad convoy back to convey 
 His soul released from mortal clay. 
 
 Slept now two brothers side by side ; 
 But one short week did them divide. 
 The younger scarce had disappeared. 
 And left our next pet more endeared 
 To all our hearts than e'er before. 
 
 When, paling as a cloud from view. 
 
 Or like the softly melting dew. 
 He also quit forevermore 
 This world's inhospitable shore,
 
 ROBERT. 39 
 
 To gambol in the upper fold 
 About the streets enpaved with gold, 
 Where all in holy, glad employ 
 Eternal blessedness enjoy. 
 
 Though almost fifty years have rled 
 
 -Since unrestrained, warm tears we shed 
 
 In this bereavement, we, with all 
 
 The vividness of yesterday, recall 
 
 Of him the many pleasant ways ; 
 
 His antique words and antic plays: 
 
 How, courting shade on sunny days, 
 
 He strolled the neighboring pin-oak grove : 
 
 How'he through meadow's length would rove; 
 
 Or, mimicking fast racers, drove 
 
 His kittens in a chariot course : 
 
 Or rode the broom-stick for a horse, 
 
 Which, whipped behind, fast o'er the floor 
 
 Paced prancingly from door to door. 
 
 Prowled he through mows with boyish zest 
 
 And grass and weeds for each hen's nest: 
 
 Triumphant brought in loaded cap 
 
 The fresh laid eggs to mother's lap. 
 
 To be by her laid up for use. 
 
 And next, perhaps, he played at "goose "- 
 
 At "goose, a goose, a gander:' 1 or 
 
 "Poor pussey wants a corner;" for 
 
 Such games were common then, betimes. 
 
 When neighboring children, visiting, 
 
 All voices would hilarious ring 
 
 As joyously as wedding chimes. 
 
 Oft quick he gambolled round the house : 
 Fast hied from field the pastured cows, 
 Then sued for milk, fresh, warm and sweet : 
 Froth -freighted high a special treat:
 
 40 ROBERT. 
 
 Or rode old '"Fly" most gentle nag 
 To watering place: or played at "tag." 
 Or, if there were young friends enough, 
 Perhaps the sport was"blindman's b\an : 
 Or ''Hide and Seek; 11 or with mock sword 
 At mimic war: or "King's Cupboard" 
 When ears were boxed soon as he heard 
 The first transgressor' speak a word' 
 For, sure, as "Keeper of the Keys" 
 He might exact, like Shylock Jew, 
 The punishment mock-claimed as due. 
 And gabble what and -when he please.' 
 
 Some days he zigzagged round the farm. 
 And that he might be safe from harm 
 Old Rover sauntered by his side 
 Most noble mastiff, taking pride, 
 From stock oft ranging far and wide 
 With bark or bite so to defend, 
 He scarcely needed other friend. 
 
 With his alternate dark and light 
 
 Tn spreading blotches black and white 
 
 And sober face, the dog was quite 
 
 Demure and homely, as one's eyes 
 
 At first might view him : but a prize 
 
 To any owner. He was wise, 
 
 Affectionate, alert and large. 
 
 And faithful to his little charge : 
 
 E'en keenest thought shrunk to decide 
 
 Which loved the most, guided or guide. 
 
 Nor beast nor stranger dare retard 
 
 A boy with such a dog as guard. 
 
 He safe o'er field and grove might steer. 
 
 Our parents had no anxious fear 
 
 If sure good Rover followed near.
 
 ROBERT. 41 
 
 Since father then no wagon owned 
 
 Because the purchase he postponed 
 
 Till means in hand made duty plain, 
 
 He hauled his fire-wood, rails and grain 
 
 On wooden sled with hickory soles 
 
 And "rack" for hay rough-rigged with poles. 
 
 On this, when empty, out for its load 
 
 Our spry wee laddie often rode 
 
 From house to "clearing, 11 and then trode 
 
 With dallying step or sportive stride 
 
 Back home to gain another ride. 
 
 Alternate thus he rode or walked, 
 
 Meandered, loitered, laughed or talked ; 
 
 Did plays and pastimes oft repeat, 
 
 Absorbing joy as England Crete. 
 
 Till Summer, sunny days would go, 
 
 And Winter come with frost and snow. 
 
 Yea, thus he spent his little life 
 
 In innocence no care, no strife. 
 
 But suddenly one day he paled ; 
 
 His strength grew weak, his heart-beats failed, 
 
 For fell disease, simoom-like, swooped 
 Out of the air with deadly aim- 
 In dysenteric form it came 
 
 And soon our darling, dying, drooped. 
 
 But ere his spirit went on high, 
 
 In whispered tones he bade good bye 
 
 To mother; and when questioned said: 
 
 "I'm going to Jesus overhead, 11 
 
 And "I love Jesus, 1 ' that was all. 
 
 Then soon he heard the last sure call, 
 
 And left us thrilled with tearful joy, 
 
 Treas'ring the words of our dear boy, 
 
 Assured the Lord has a bright home 
 
 To which he gathers all his own.
 
 42 ROBERT. 
 
 That was in August, forty-two, 
 Yet even now we seem to view 
 His cherub form, and hear his voice 
 In tones that make our hearts rejoice. 
 And so, in faith and lively hope 
 Of happy meeting, we look up, 
 Waiting our summons to arise, 
 And love with him above the skies.
 
 (NANCY MORRISON BOYD, BORN APRIL 21, 1811. DEPARTED THIS LIFE 
 OCTOBER 26,1862.) 
 
 A score of changeful, rapid years 
 
 Had whirled aspeed through mirth and tears : 
 
 Had seen the family tree enlarge ; 
 
 Its branches more : yet less a charge ; 
 
 The parents' forms begin to bend, 
 
 As toward age their life-steps trend : 
 
 When, gliding from the near unseen, 
 
 A mystic gleaner bent to glean 
 
 The Lethe angel, skilled in stealth 
 
 (Who from his silent-flapping wings 
 
 The poisoned exhalations flings. 
 
 Which quickly pales the glow of health 
 
 That paints the cheek of youthful bloom, 
 
 Or wilts the aged to the tomb,) 
 
 Swept softly by the homestead door, 
 
 And, ah! our mother breathed no more. 
 
 No more, no more, her voice we hear 
 In love becalming anxious fear, 
 When troubled souls are sore oppressed. 
 And doubt, betimes, begets unrest. 
 No more we see her eyes mild beam, 
 No more her kindling hopes which seem 
 The sure foretokeners of joy 
 W^here 'saints at rest' find sweet employ : 
 Where rude alarms and anxious care 
 Shall nevermore the bliss impair.
 
 44 AlOTHKK. 
 
 The household tie is broken now: 
 In sorrow hearts once happy bow. 
 But though, deep-stricken, they allow 
 No foolish or untimely mirth ; 
 No sprightly sport or repartee, 
 Like rising tide that laves the lea, 
 Yet, looking far beyond the earth, 
 A brightening faith that had its birth 
 . ' In God's rich gift of loving grace, 
 Begins, ere long, from off the face 
 The dark'ning clouds of grief to chase ; 
 Ah ! this the balm for sorrow's wound 
 The sweetest consolation found 
 She whom we loved has gone to rest : 
 No more can aught her peace molest ; 
 The joy of Heaven now fills her breast ; 
 H er troubles are forever ceased ; 
 From suffering and sin released 
 Her happy spirit basks in love 
 With all God's ransomed ones above. 
 
 Once here below through fitful years, 
 
 With alternating hopes and fears, 
 
 In weariness, heart-ache and pain. 
 
 She sought, as for a prized reward, 
 
 A simple competence to gam, 
 
 And train her children for the Lord. 
 
 She helped our father as in toil 
 
 Industriously he tilled the soil, 
 
 While she, with kettles, pots, dough tray, 
 
 Wheel, needle, garden-rake, or churn. 
 
 Milk-pail, or baby-crib in turn, 
 
 Spent well her powers from day to day. 
 
 She frequent sat with manner mild 
 
 Beside the crib that held her child,
 
 MOTHKK. 45 
 
 Her last born babe a precious boon, 
 And plaintive hummed her low sweet tune, 
 Till stealthy drowsiness would creep, 
 And close her darling's eyes to sleep. 
 Then oft her peering thought began 
 With pulsing anxiousness to scan 
 That book to mortal vision sealed, 
 Whose pages only are revealed, 
 As one by one the years that fly 
 Unfold their chapters to the eye. 
 
 What shall my darling be at length 
 When babyhood has slipped away, 
 And mind and body both display 
 
 Mature intelligence and strength ? 
 
 W 7 ill it be honest, honored wise? 
 
 Press toward the mark to gain the prize 
 
 Of God's high call in Christ the Lord, 
 
 Where faith secures her best reward? 
 
 Will it be prudent, patient, kind? 
 
 Be cultured both in heart and mind ? 
 
 Or will it wayward, reckless grow, 
 
 With instincts and ambitions low ; 
 
 Seek all its goods in earthly things, 
 And never lay up treasure where 
 The "undented" their white robes wear, 
 
 And all the glad choir, harping, sings ? 
 
 Will it be generous, gentle, mild, 
 
 Or boisterous, quarrelsome and wild ? 
 
 Be one who loves the good and pure, 
 
 Who, adding faith to virtue, takes 
 
 All careful diligence, and makes 
 
 His ; 'calling and election sure?' 1 
 
 Be one whose wish and constant thought. 
 
 With holy emulations fraught,
 
 MOTHER. 
 
 Have all their inspiration caught 
 From Him who once from Heaven brought 
 Salvation wondrous, full and free, 
 Devised from all eternity- 
 Beneficent and gracious plan 
 To save rebellious, fallen man? 
 
 Her heart petition this, which oft 
 
 With earnest cry she sighed aloft. 
 
 Her faithful efforts, too, were given 
 
 To answer the prayers she breathed to Heaven. 
 
 From infancy through youthful years, 
 
 And even till they passed full age, 
 
 Her children's good, just as it should, 
 
 "Mid joys and tears and hopes and fears 
 Did her best energies engage. 
 To keep their feet from paths of sin : 
 To wisdom's ways their hearts to win, 
 In love she wrought in full accord 
 
 With father, heeding the command 
 
 To train them "in the nature and 
 The admonition of the Lord." 
 
 And God, 'whose mercies still endure, 
 
 Yea, ever faithful, ever sure ;' 
 
 Who is by all in Heaven adored ; 
 Who bows his ear to early hear 
 The cry of suppliant drawing near, 
 
 Rich blessings on her offspring poured. 
 
 In early years each, one by one, 
 
 Accepted Jesus, and begun 
 
 The Christian race, took up the cross 
 
 And vowed, let come earth-gain or loss,
 
 MOTHER. 47 
 
 Health, pleasure, or affliction's rod, 
 With help Divine, they would not swerve 
 From paths of righteousness, but serve 
 Their mother's and their father's God. 
 And all her children saving one 
 Her youngest, cherished, sixth-born son ; 
 All they but he, who her demise, 
 With broken sighs and streaming eyes, 
 Wept long ago, yet wait below. 
 And more and more still daily grow 
 Assured, since Who bereaves is just, 
 
 And through Atonement reconciled, 
 That by His grace our mother must 
 
 Of glory now be long a child : 
 And that through grace, too, we shall meet 
 With her at length, and praise repeat 
 While casting crowns at Jesus' feet: 
 Since age alike, and pious youth. 
 If found in Christ, may hold this truth 
 A 'truth to flesh and sense unknown 
 That Love will never lose its own.'
 
 (HARVEY CRAIG BOYD, BORN MAY 18, 1845. PASSED AWAY, KIRKS- 
 
 VILLE, MlSSOU Rl, JULY 31, 1872.) 
 
 "The substance of things hoped for, 
 
 The evidence of things not seen 
 
 Is faith." The invalid, between 
 Quick breathings spake iu snatches ; nor 
 Did failing strength allow much more. 
 His spirit to the Heavenly shore, 
 Released from earth, must quickly soar 
 
 "Is that the Shorter Catechism, 
 Or is it Scripture?"' said a friend 
 Who hourly did his couch attend. 
 "That is the Scripture and no ism," 
 Said he with emphasis. And then 
 His kind attendant said again : 
 "And is it faith in general, 
 Or your own faith you mean we shall 
 Now understand by what you say?" 
 
 "O I have very little faith. 
 
 What Romans seven, fifteen saith 
 Applies to me exactly. Yea, 
 'That which I do I don't allow, 
 For what I would, I do not now ; 
 But what I hate that same I do ; ' 
 With shame I must confess this true." 
 
 "But what is faith, if not belief 
 And trust in Christ?" 
 
 His answer brief 
 Was "Yes."
 
 HARVEY., 
 
 "And you with all your heart 
 Believe our God is infinite 
 In mercy, honor, power and might, 
 
 Ar\d will salvation full impart 
 To all who wholly trust his Son?' 1 
 
 "Yes, I believe all that. And none 
 Can ever pluck out of His hand ; 
 But they at last will surely stand 
 Before His face, and by His grace 
 Receive a welcome to the place 
 Prepared for them before the earth, 
 Or any earthly things had birth." 
 
 "O then, in this respect, your faith 
 Is not like 'smoking flax, 1 as saith 
 The Holy word: nor small, nor weak. 
 And then, besides, like all the meek, 
 Are you not trusting Christ alone 
 For your salvation? yes, your own?' 1 
 
 "I feel I am. My only trust 
 
 Is in the Savior; and I must. 
 
 And do not, rest on my good deeds, 
 
 Church membership, nor prayers, nor tears, 
 
 But all on Christ who surely leads 
 
 His own through all their snares and fears, 
 Till He, at length, for them appears. 11 
 
 "All this is well,' 1 his friend replied; 
 
 "Yes, well you thus in Christ confide. 
 You may, beside, have blessed peace, 
 And from all fears a sweet release. 
 Nor need your text disturb your mind, 
 Since you, in heart, are so inclined
 
 50 HAKVKV. 
 
 To' Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord, 
 His peace will He erelong afford. 
 Looking to him through faith by grace, 
 You soon may see His smiling face ; 
 Most joyful read your 'title clear,' 
 And rest in hope till he appear.' 1 
 
 "Then as to 'things hoped for,' you know 
 Faith as a grace doth ever grow 
 In hope of glory, more and more, 
 With Christ and saints when life is o'er. 
 Don't you have rip'ning hope like this 
 Sweet hope of Heaven's eternal bliss?" 
 
 "Yes, humbly, yes. But I do not 
 Expect to die and leave you now ; 
 But rather does it seem, somehow. 
 
 That back to me health will be brought. 
 
 I think 1 will get well, and go 
 To California for my health 
 A boon above its golden wealth 
 
 A boon which multitudes are slow 
 
 To prize and cherish as they ought." 
 
 "But, Harvey, life you know is fraught 
 With much uncertainty, and none, 
 
 However much they wish us well. 
 
 Can, guessing or divining, tell 
 How soon its sands will all be run. 
 The wisest, studying, cannot learn 
 Which way the scale of life may turn, 
 Or up, or down, next week, next day. 
 It then becomes to watch and pray 
 In readiness at every hour, 
 Since withers man as wilts the flower."
 
 HAKYIiY. 51 
 
 "Yes, that I try to do," he said. 
 "And when I talk of getting well, 
 You must not think I am afraid 
 Should Jordan's waves around me swell. 
 I think I am prepared to die, 
 But feel I will not feebly lie 
 Much longer on this couch, but grow 
 Soon strong and well as years ago.'' 
 
 "But if you were informed you could 
 Live but a few days more, how would 
 You feel?" 
 
 His voice and look replied, 
 "I think I would be satisfied. 
 To me a strong, sure hope is given 
 That God through Christ in love begat 
 My soul to Him in youth, and that 
 I will be saved by Him in Heaven." 
 
 "Not little, then, your faith, nor weak 
 Here either, since you thus can speak." 
 "At any rate, I'm glad," he said, 
 "That I in years gone by was led 
 In seriousnes to turn my thought 
 To things with such high interest fraught. 
 When strong and well the Lord I sought, 
 And felt that He n accepted me ; 
 So now I hope His face to see. 
 Christ will not change, or let me go ; 
 No one can snatch from Him, I know ; 
 His righteousness alone I trust. 
 
 Another thing : I can and must 
 Against death-bed repentance preach. 
 Why? why when I, beyond the reach
 
 52 HARVEY. 
 
 Of help or hope as seemed, did lie, 
 My health was at so low a stage 
 Of feebleness from hemmorrhage 
 I could not think, when I would try, 
 Long at a time, nor strong, nor clear. 
 If I had not repented ere 
 Such low estate as that, I fear 
 It would have been a poor time then 
 To reason, feel, repent. For when 
 Exertion was put forth, it seemed, 
 Somehow, as if I only dreamed. 
 A kind of comfortable mood 
 Absorbed my sense. My thoughts pursued 
 No train, but whirled swift o'er and o t er. 
 If I had not had hope before, 
 I would have then been satisfied 
 With any thing, and not have tried 
 To have my soul in Christ abide ; 
 For I was then too weak to learn, 
 Or feel about it much concern. 
 
 Urge earnestly, therefore, on all 
 To heed at once the Savior's call. 
 Let no one think a dying day 
 Will help believe, repent and pray. 
 'Tis rash to wait till feebleness 
 To look for grace, and sin confess. 
 Yea, no time then to seek the Lord, 
 And grow assured of His reward. 
 'Remember thy Creator now ; 
 In days of youth' pay Him thy vow, 
 Ere comes a swift, benumbing stage 
 Of prostrate health, or tired old age, 
 When you may have concern, nor care 
 Nor strength nor heart for faith or prayer,
 
 But friends may lay you in your shroud, 
 Your life gone out beneath a cloud/ 1 
 
 "Ah, true! But sleep, you're weary. When 
 The morrow comes we'll talk again." 
 
 "Yes." And he slept. 
 
 The morning came, 
 
 The next, and next. And when his name 
 Was spoken by his friend he turned, 
 
 But now more feebly than before ; 
 
 His countenance such pallor wore, 
 As showed his fever that had burned 
 Had spent its force. His vitals were 
 
 Clearly consumed beyond repair 
 
 By dread Consumption's march so dire. 
 
 Fast his demise grew nigher and nigher. 
 As was apparent to the friend 
 Who mourned his case to comprehend. 
 
 "Good morning, Harvey. Did your sleep 
 Refresh you?'' 
 
 "No, it was too deep 
 At times, or else 'twas half awake." 
 In whispers now he softly spake. 
 "I'm sorry. But, here, take this draught. 
 Of strengthening cordial, which when quaffed 
 May stimulate you, as alway. 
 There ! Now what of your faith to-day?" 
 "Oh! all my doubts have gone away." 
 "Ah, then," his kindly questioner said, 
 "Of death's dark vale you have no dread 
 Or shrinking, have you. Harvey?"
 
 54 HAKVKV. 
 
 He, 
 
 In substance, promptly made reply : 
 "No, not since I on Christ rely, 
 
 And hope through grace to see His face, 
 And in His presence ever be. 
 Such hope as this I fully trace, 
 
 'Henceforth there is laid up for me 
 A crown of righteousness, the Lord, 
 The Righteous Judge, will soon accord 
 To me, and also to all those 
 
 Who look for His appearing.' So, 
 As I am now about to close 
 
 My earth-life, quickly spent below, 
 
 I only wait the call to go 
 Where mother and our brothers sing, 
 And Jesus reigns of saints the King. 
 My brothers, gone so long ago, 
 I never saw, but then, I know 
 It will be GLORIOUS to be there, 
 With them and mother HEAVEN to share; 
 Yea, bask in bliss beyond compare. 
 O 'Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
 Now let me hide myself in Thee/ v 
 The friend who watched beside his bed, 
 Assisting memory, slowly said: 
 "Yea, 'Let the water and the blood, 
 From Thy wounded side which flowed, 
 
 Be of sin' " 
 
 " 'the double cure ; ? 
 
 O 'cleanse me from its guilt and power.' ' 
 He finished thus the lines alone 
 In satisfied and hopeful tone.
 
 HARVEY. 55 
 
 His voice grew still, his eye-lids close, 
 And soon from earth his spirit goes. 
 We view his form, but look above, 
 Assured by faith in Jesus 1 love, 
 Though his remains before us lie, 
 His soul has gone to joys on high. 
 
 How long was his decline? you say. 
 
 Alternately he sat or lay 
 
 Four months, or more, beyond the day 
 
 Wh en loss of blood first laid him low ; 
 
 Which time his strength would come and go, 
 
 Congestion grow and then abate. 
 
 Though health had seemed, before that date, 
 
 (Or up until within a year,) 
 
 Established more than just of late. 
 
 True, when a soldier, front and rear, 
 
 Nine years before, he did, at times, 
 
 Of wholly breaking down give signs. 
 
 And afterwards, his school-room work, 
 
 Which, burdensome, he did not shirk, 
 
 By its confinement helped along ; 
 
 Made weaker what was never strong. 
 
 Then, too, hereditary taint, 
 
 Imparting bent to his physique, 
 
 As Macedon to ancient Greek, 
 Gave impetus to his complaint, 
 No doubt, and downward turned the scale. 
 Hence his demise we must bewail 
 So early. 
 
 Would you inquire his age? 
 This answer take from memory's page : 
 He was two months past twenty-seven, 
 When his freed spirit went to Heaven.
 
 .Matt-he \i fliffi* 
 
 BY REV. D. H. SLOAN, D. D., LEECHBUKG, PKNN'A. 
 
 (The following s!ijf!Hly changed, is die obituary notice kindly writ 
 ten by Dr. Sloan.) 
 
 The subject of this notice departed this life at his 
 residence near Freeport,' Pennsylvania. July 10, 1890, 
 aged 48 years, 3 months and 26 days. 
 
 It was through his agency, after diligent inquiry and 
 extensive correspondence conducted about a dozen years 
 ago, that the "Boyd Association,'" now including or rep 
 resenting 1 200 or more names, was formed, and of which 
 a number of re-unions have been held. 
 
 He was the son of Abraham Boyd and the grandson 
 of Rev. Abram Boyd, the latter being one of four brothers 
 of the name who entered the ministry of the Presbyterian 
 church almost a century ago, and whose names and work 
 in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio are so well known. 
 
 "Cousin Hillis" was a faithful soldier in the Union 
 army from November 14. 1862, to May 30, 1865, in Com 
 pany L, 1 4th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Sev 
 eral times he was elected to the office of Justice of the 
 Peace, and filled the position with great credit and satis 
 faction. In 1875 he represented the Presbytery of Kittan- 
 ning in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, 
 meeting that year in Cleveland, Ohio. For many years, 
 first in Slate Lick church in which he was reared, and then 
 in Srader's Grove, he served as leader of the choir and 
 Sabbath School Superintendent. He took great interest 
 in the work, and in both places served with much accept 
 ance. In the last named church he was a Ruling Elder 
 56
 
 MATTHEW HILLIS BOYD. 57 
 
 from its organization in 1871 until the time of his death, 
 being Clerk of Session, and keeping the records with rare 
 taste and care. 
 
 He was married September 4, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth 
 F. Dunaway, of Fayette county, who with six children 
 survive to mourn their great loss, one child having been 
 transferred in infancy from the care of the parents to rest 
 in the arms of Him who said, "Suffer the children." 
 
 He was a kind husband and father, a good neighbor, 
 a lover and promoter of peace in the church and commun 
 ity, a warm-hearted, genial and faithful friend. Perhaps 
 his most marked characteristic was his fervent and active 
 piety. Religion with him was not the mere by-play of life, 
 but rather the "chief concern." He seemed never so 
 much in his favorite element as when engaged in some 
 form of religious service. He had power in prayer, and 
 often, as occasion offered, spoke on religious themes with 
 force and propriety, His loss is specially felt in the 
 church of which he was so active a member. 
 
 For two or three years his health had been broken at 
 intervals. His last illness was of several months' dura 
 tion. He bore his trials with Christian fortitude and 
 patience, and was ever ready to testify to the precious 
 grace of Christ manifested in and to him. He clearly rec 
 ognized his approaching end of life, but his faith was firm, 
 his hope was bright, his end was peace, and beyond all 
 doubt his is now the palm of victory and the crown of 
 everlasting life. 
 
 "Servant of God, well done; 
 
 Rest from thy loved employ ; 
 Thy battle fought, thy victory won, 
 
 Enter thy Master's joy."
 
 58 MATTHEW HILLIS BOYD. 
 
 In memory of the same departed friend, and soon after his decease, 
 the following lines, in substance, were composed and sent to the mourn 
 ing wife and children, by Rev. John Fulton Boyd, Steubenville, Ohio. 
 
 Ah! soon the dear, loved friend has gone, 
 And joined the throng around the throne, 
 Where saints with angels, vicing sing, 
 And cast their crowns before their King. 
 
 How friends and neighbors every day 
 Do sadly miss him none can say ; 
 Nor can, to church and family dear, 
 His loss be fully reckoned here. 
 
 But his demise to him is gain ; 
 Released from sorrow, toil and pain. 
 We're sure he shines in mansions bright, 
 Arrayed in spotless robes of white. 
 
 With crown of gold upon his brow, 
 He bears the palm of victory now ; 
 Triumphant over earth and hell, 
 His joys surpass what tongue can tell. 
 
 He all the dear ones gone before 
 Has joined, the Saviour to adore : 
 His golden harp now swells the praise 
 Of Christ the Lord in sweetest lays. 
 
 Who would not gladly with that throng 
 Unite in highest, sweetest song 
 To Him who saves us by His blood, 
 And makes us Kings and Priests to God ?
 
 MATTHEW HILLIS BOYD. 59 
 
 Be yours that Friend of Friends, and mine, 
 With all his gracious gifts divine. 
 To serve with all our powers in love 
 Till we his glory share above. 
 
 O blest re-union that will be, 
 Beyond what mortal eye can see ! 
 Whene'er shall Christ our Life appear, 
 May we and all our kindred dear 
 That last and blest re-union share.
 
 FextBer. 
 
 (JOHN BOYD, BORN APRIL 28, 1808. LEANING HIS ARMS ON THE SHOW 
 
 CASE IN HIS STORE, SLATE LlCK, PENN'A, AND SINKING WHERE HE 
 
 STOOD, HE EXPIRED NOVEMBER 15, 1880, AGED 72 
 
 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AND 17 DAYS.) 
 
 He has gone, he has gone, to h'is Heavenly home, 
 No more amid perils and labors to roam. 
 How like a translation his sudden demise, 
 As escaping his body his soul did arise, 
 Up-speeding as lightning, and cleaving the skies. 
 Performing his work at his house and his store 
 Till almost the moment he sank to the floor 
 Unable to speak or to signal his thought ; 
 And those bending over him no whisper caught' 
 Of request, or expression of hope, or of prayer : 
 But a breath or two drawn, and his spirit went where 
 They die nevermore, nor feel sickness or pain, 
 But as kings and as priests through eternity reign. 
 
 He has gone, he has gone, and wherever we turn, 
 
 For something we know not our spirits now yearn. 
 
 We brightness and buoyancy scarcely allow, 
 
 For a frame all inexplicable broods o'er us now. 
 
 What is it we feel? Is the world changed to us? 
 
 Or we to the world, that we view it now thus? 
 
 Oh ! is this stormy chastening dealt out in love 
 
 To ripen the wheat for the garner above? 
 
 Are we of his wheat! Is he sifting us now? 
 
 May He, then, as we to His winnowing bow, 
 
 All our chaff drive away ; from all earthly things wean
 
 FATHER. 61 
 
 Well our hearts, 'while we look, not at things which are 
 
 seen. 
 
 But at things which are not seen eternal.' Behold! 
 Then affliction will work for us glory untold. 
 
 He has gone, but we mourn not as those without hope ; 
 
 For we know, like the fair, fragrant helitrope 
 
 Ever turneth its face in its humble-like grace 
 
 Toward the life-giving sun in his circling race, 
 
 So his heart, Spirit-drawn, gravitated above 
 
 To the Saviour his Sun and the Source of his love 
 
 As well as its Object, with pulsing desire, 
 
 Ever since in true faith, he first came to admire 
 
 The blessed attractions that shine in his Lord, 
 
 And to long, with all saints, for the glorious reward 
 
 That doth surely accrue unto all who pursue 
 
 The high-way of holiness, Heaven in view. 
 
 He has gone, but his influence widely still grows ; 
 
 And wider will reach till earth's history's close. 
 
 Since he "died in the Lord," his good works follow on, 
 
 And will, we believe, till eternity's dawn, 
 
 Yea. even through cycles of ages beyond. 
 
 Ah ! how in our loneliness, still are we fond 
 
 Of recalling to mind, as a rich heritage, 
 
 Which experts in appraisals not fully can gauge, 
 
 The unstained and esteemed reputation he left 
 
 As a legacy priceless to friends so bereft. 
 
 We remember him prudent, well-balanced and wise ; 
 A promoter of peace when contentions would arise. 
 With a keen sense of right and a character strong, 
 He could brook no indulgence in falsehood or wrong.
 
 62 FATHER. 
 
 The plain path of duty as soon as he viewed, 
 
 And the dictates of conscience, he promptly pursued, 
 
 Till we saw as his years ever steadily grew, 
 
 How his power for good gathered constantly, too, 
 
 Even now, as fresh memory-pages we read, 
 
 We behold him both busy and faithful, indeed, 
 
 As all his life through he kept sowing good seed, 
 
 Till bright to his faith Heaven's harvest day dawned, 
 
 And his locks blossomed white for the fruitage beyond. 
 
 A farm in the woods he quite early commenced ; 
 Cleared a field every season, and plowed it when fenced ; 
 Wrought Summer and Winter, providing supplies 
 Of clothing, provisions and schooling likewise, 
 For the family, growing in number and size, 
 That gathered about him increasing his charge. 
 Ah ! faster than funds must his heart's love enlarge. 
 
 A poor man, he toiled for his household for years, 
 
 With his finances often in vexing arrears ; 
 
 For op'ning a farm is no work of a day ; 
 
 Before it is done slow decades creep away. 
 
 But faltered he never, nor shrank from his toil ; 
 
 In Summer he wrought, cultivating the soil. 
 
 In Winter threshed grain with a flail, chopped fuel, 
 
 Or helped his exchequer by teaching a school. 
 
 For years in succession, the half of three score, 
 (Though an accurate statement would give it still more,) 
 The ermine of justice with honor he bore. 
 Unfolding the law in the "causes'" he heard, 
 His decisions were made in the light of its word. 
 In the settling estates and the writing of deeds, 
 His success and experience equaled the needs
 
 FATHER. 63 
 
 And demands of the people from near and from far, 
 Who resort to him often, and satisfied are 
 With his honest intention, his skill and dispatch, 
 To all of which patrons importance attach. 
 
 Of the County Commissioners twice he was one ; 
 
 Once as Deputy Sheriff served under his son ; 
 
 For thirty-six years as an Elder he ruled 
 
 In the Church of his choice, in which he was schooled 
 
 From his earliest youth to his life's final close 
 
 For Heaven, where faith now beholds him repose. 
 
 The son of a minister, nephew of three ; 
 
 With a mother like Hannah, oft bending the knee 
 
 In prayer that he such as Samuel might be 
 
 In serving the Lord with most hearty accord, 
 
 Till in glory enriched with his fadeless reward. 
 
 Thus trained up and favored, in wisdom and grace 
 He, ripening, grew till he finished his race ; 
 Yea, honored he lived, lamented he died, 
 And forever went hence with his Lord to abide. 
 
 He has gone, he has gone, but shall we repine? 
 Nay, rather, but joining the ransomed who shine 
 Bedecked in their robes of resplendent attire, 
 In praise we will vie with their Heave'nly choir; 
 With the four living creatures, supports of God's throne ; 
 With the twenty-four elders from every zone 
 The type of those purchased to God from among 
 Every kindred and people and nation and tongue ; 
 With the host of bright angels, admiring, that stands; 
 With the great multitude harping harps with glad 
 hands
 
 64 FATHER. 
 
 With all these celestials, unfallen and saved, 
 
 White-robed and rejoicing, their palms ever waved, 
 
 Who gathered before the bright throne of the lamb, 
 
 Unite their triumphant and glorious psalm 
 
 With these we will join, in submissive delight, 
 
 Loud hymning the anthem they chant with their might ; 
 
 'Thanksgiving and honor and glory be given 
 
 To Him who redeemed, and has brought unto Heaven 
 
 All the saints who admiringly praise Him above, 
 
 And will save all below, who in penitent love 
 
 Seek His face, trust His grace, and submit to His will, 
 
 Since in mercy He doth all His counsels fulfill. 1 
 
 Allelujah to Him and salvation and song, 
 
 Unto whom blessing, riches and power belong. 
 
 What is dark in His workings at present he seals, 
 
 But in wisdom and love in His own time reveals, 
 
 And thus with His children in tenderness deals. 
 
 So, against the Divine procedure we bring 
 
 Not a murmur, but ever rejoicingly sing : 
 
 Allelujah, that father was with us so long, 
 
 And that faith views him now one of Heaven's bright 
 
 throng. 
 
 To his Saviour and ours, allelujah again ; 
 On earth and in Heaven, allelujah, amen.
 
 in 
 
 The land is now weeping its tears like a flood, 
 And the hopes of the people lie crushed in the bud ; 
 Through the South and the North and the East and the 
 
 West, 
 
 Is ensurging a'sorrow that laves every breast: 
 For the star of our promise, still kindling to view, 
 Has in suddenness paled from its radiant hue, 
 And the hope that increased with the star's brighfning 
 
 glow 
 Is enshrouded in mourning with head bowing low. 
 
 Ah ! no wonder that now fifty million hearts bleed, 
 For the red hand of murder has done its worst deed ; 
 And no wonder the clouds, as the sun disappears, 
 Threaten darker and darker to new-rising fears, 
 For our brave, noble President, pride of the land, 
 Has been stricken to earth by a dastardly hand ; 
 And the helm that he held, as so trusted a guide, 
 Must be grasped by another when out on the tide. 
 
 On his couch calmly patient yet hopeful he lay 
 During four-score of days, slowly fading away. 
 Oh ! how grandly heroic his struggle for life ; 
 And how touching the loyal demean of his wife, 
 As together they prayed and still hoped to the end, 
 When the kind Angel Reaper did swiftly descend. 
 And his spirit, most gently released from its clay, 
 To the mansions of glory passed quickly away. 
 6
 
 (1(1 JA.MKS A. (;AKKIKU>. 
 
 Not his vigor of body, or power of will : 
 Nor devotion of surgeons surpassing in skill : 
 Not the faith of fond mother in hope-tear impearled : 
 Nor desires of the nation, nor yet of the world : 
 Nor the tender affection of children and wife, 
 Were sufficient to save, or long lengthen his life. 
 
 All, all were too weak : and though earnest their quest. 
 
 it*u 
 A mysterjv Providence thought it not best. 
 
 The Creator endowed him with qualities rare ; 
 His as wide range of talents as shine anywhere ; 
 He was scholarly, cultured, yet modest and kind : 
 As enlarged in his heart as ennobled in mind : 
 He was teacher and lawyer and statesman beside : 
 Oft his golden-mouthed eloquence flowed as a tide : 
 At the couch of the sick he could comfort afford : 
 By the bier of the dead quote the word of the Lord : 
 In the pulpit with unction could preach living truth : 
 Ever happily join in the prattle of youth. 
 Alas ! that the tomb, with such greed of its trust. 
 So untimely should garner his consecrate dust. 
 
 But repining becomes not the hope of true faith ; 
 'Put your trust in Jehovah,' the holy Word saith : 
 So if sad the bereavement and pressing the loss, 
 Yet in humblest submission we bow to the cross. 
 Looking ever to Him who directs from on high : 
 'Whose pavilion is dark and thick clouds of the skv : 
 Who has justice and judgment the base of his throne : 
 While he yet reigns in mercy.' May His will be done.
 
 Darfmgf 
 
 To MR. HARRY TUMMOND, FEBRUARY, 1870. IN SYMPATHY. 
 
 My God, I would not dare repine, 
 Though sore thy chastening rod ; 
 
 Thou hast but taken what is thine 
 My precious little Maud. 
 
 She is not there, I know she's not, 
 
 Beneath the tear-wet sod ; 
 With joy to Heaven has Jesus brought 
 
 My darling little Maud. 
 
 She'll not return, but I will go, 
 
 And in the home of God, 
 Clasp to my heart, and ever know 
 
 My cherub-angel Maud.
 
 DEPARTED THIS LIFE, DECEMBER, 1874, MINNIE IRENE, DARLING 
 
 CHILD OF REV. G. W. AND MRS. SHARP, THE YOUNGEST OF 
 
 FOUR DAUGHTERS. THEY SUNG TOGETHER HERE 
 
 ON EARTH, NOW ONE OF THE QUARTETTE 
 
 SINGS IN HEAVEN 
 
 With the eye of faith on things above, 
 
 And not on things now seen, 
 Our loss is light, and worketh love, 
 
 The loss of dear Irene. 
 
 "Not lost, but gone before." This wheat 
 
 The Angel came to glean : 
 hi God's great garner I shall meet 
 My treasured-up Irene. 
 
 "Pis but a little while we part ; 
 
 Few days shall intervene ; 
 Then, her dear form clasped to my heart, 
 
 I'll sing with sweet Irene. 
 
 I
 
 THE LANGUAGE OF CHRISTIAN FAITH AND HOPE UNDER TRIAL 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Snyder, called, August 8. 1876, to part with their 
 dear child, Atha Loraine, aged seven months. 
 
 My youngest, my fairest, my sweet baby, sleeps 
 
 No more to awake her^again ; 
 Oh ! how my tears rain ! my heart even weeps 
 
 For silent, sweet Atha Loraine. 
 
 The flowers seem paler, the sunlight more dim 
 But why should my lone heart complain? 
 
 For Jesus in love has called unto hin 
 Forever my Atha Loraine. 
 
 No, no, Til not murmur, nor cherish my grief, 
 
 My loss is her infinite gain ; 
 From sickness and sin there is lasting relief 
 
 In Heav'n to dear angel Loraine. 
 
 My child, now a cherub before the white throne, 
 
 I 'm sure to embrace thee again ; 
 For there, through the Savior, I '11 claim thee my own, 
 
 And ever be with thee, Loraine. 
 
 O Lord, give me grace to submit to thy will, 
 
 And improper feelings restrain ; 
 To patiently wait, and serve thee, until 
 
 I'm brought evermore to Loraine. 
 
 "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, 
 which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good 
 hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every 
 jrooj ward and work." 2 Thessalonians 2:16. 17. 
 
 69
 
 Departed this life, at Kirksville, Missouri, March 25, 1879, Miss Mary 
 
 Fowler, a beloved member of the Presbyterian church, aged 
 
 2} years, n months and 16 days. 
 
 Her death was a most triumphant one. Reclining 
 in an arm chair to aid breathing, she kept her friends 
 singing 
 
 "Sun of my soul, my Savior dear, 
 It is not night if thou be near,' 1 - 
 and other like hymns until she breathed her last. 
 
 An hour or two before the spirit quit her body, ral 
 lying after a period of sinking pulse, and looking around 
 inquiringly, almost sorrowfully, she said, "Oh! I am here 
 yet,' 1 and added, repeating the words several times, 
 "Precious Savior, come and take me take me home ; yes, 
 take me home, I am so tired. Precious Savior, 
 I want to rest." Then after a pause, "Sing," she 
 whispered. And while the friends responded in soft 
 strains, in a little while was answered that pleading pray 
 er, which, with but few changes was paraphrased and 
 used at her funeral services, as follows : 
 
 Precious Savior, come and take me. 
 
 Come and take me take home : 
 I am tired, yes, oh so weary. 
 
 Quickly, Jesus, quickly come. 
 
 Here I wait with patient longing. 
 
 Wait and yearn for rest above. 
 Where the ransomed myriads thronging. 
 
 Sing for ever Jesus love.
 
 Departed this life, Kirksville, Missouri, March 31, 1880, after 10 days, 
 
 severe illness, little Aileen, only child of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. 
 
 Pierce, aged three years, five months and three days. 
 
 Alas ! why did the Reaper come 
 
 My precious child to glean ? 
 As ripest wheat, why gather home 
 
 So quickly my Aileen? 
 
 One clay she smiled, but soon she paled 
 And fled this rude earth scene, 
 
 But peace ! for saints on high have hailed 
 My Angel-pet Aileen. 
 
 Dear Father, help me bear my grief, 
 
 So dark, so unforeseen ! 
 O give my breaking heart relief 
 
 From loss of sweet Aileen. 
 
 No! no! "not lost, but gone before" 
 
 To bowers ever green : 
 O draw me there, forevermore. 
 
 To find and love Aileen. 
 
 O God of mercy, hear my cry ; 
 
 My heart from earth-things wean ; 
 () fix and keep my love on high, 
 
 Where thou hast blest Aileen.
 
 72 AlLKKN. 
 
 Then, while 1 walk this lonely world, 
 
 My faith on Christ will lean, 
 Till He escort through gates empearled 
 
 To His and my Aileen. 
 
 May "our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, 
 which hath loved us, comfort the hearts" of these young parents; and may 
 this trial of their faith "be found unto praise and honor and glory at the 
 appearing of Jesus Christ." z Thess. 2: 16: i Pet. i: 17.
 
 OR 
 
 FAITH AND HOPE TEMPERING GRIEF. 
 
 Lines dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Flagg on the translation to the bet 
 ter land, November 23, 1881, of their dear child, 
 Courtney Campbell, aged eight years. 
 
 The grass will soon greensward the grave 
 Of our dear child the Father gave 
 In richest mercy; then in time, 
 Which with himself before was hid, 
 Recalled to his own purer clime, 
 To live and love and serve amid 
 The sainted hosts so happy there, 
 Forevermore the joy to share. 
 
 He was the first whose form we laid 
 -So softly in the tomb new-made 
 While aching hearts in silence prayed, 
 Asking submission to His will 
 Whose word assures he loves us still, 
 E'en though His chastening hand appears ; 
 Yes, first, and yet of tender years, 
 A gentle mannered, gladsome boy. 
 Whose presence was a household joy. 
 
 Not youngest, but our fondest pet ; 
 Sweet smiles his face in mem'ry yet, 
 And fancy plainly pictures oft, 
 (While looks the eye of faith aloft.)
 
 74 SORROW ASSUAGED. 
 
 His form through all those happy days, 
 When, full intent upon his plays, 
 He frolicked in his antic ways. 
 
 How oft he sported with his kite, 
 And keenly watched its hov'ring height ; 
 Or culled and boquetted pretty flowers : 
 Or pitched, mid shading garden bowers. 
 His Lilliputian, camp-like tent, 
 Where, on enjoyment sweetly bent. 
 He fain would sit and play for hours 
 With infant sister, cat and doll ; 
 Then, when released, would toss his ball, 
 Or play at train, or mock brass-band, 
 Yet prompt respond to each command 
 Of parents who might call him hence 
 
 Ah! this their love's sweet recompense. 
 To know and now remember well 
 His bent for books, and how he'd sell 
 Knick-knacks when he would play at store 
 Or build a harness-shop with door 
 And bench and fixtures all complete : 
 Or speed on errands down the street : 
 Or toy his mimic wagon round : 
 Or dig a trench : or heap a mound. 
 
 But more than all, it helps to bear 
 The bowing heart's deep load of grief, 
 And flashes to the mind relief. 
 To think of his sweet uttered prayer, 
 His "Now I lay me down to sleep," 
 And feel the Lord his soul doth keep : 
 And that in love, for "Jesus' sake," 
 The Lord to Heaven his soul did take.
 
 SORROW ASSUAGED. 75 
 
 O God, may we each be so blest 
 As safe to gain the same sweet rest, 
 And clasp our darling to our heart 
 No more from him to rudely part, 
 But roam with joy celestial plains, 
 And chant the high, ecstatic strains 
 That rise from all the heavenly host 
 To Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 
 Thine answer, Lord, do not refrain, 
 But grant for sake of Christ, Amen.
 
 Etta. 
 
 After a sudden and severe attack of Spinal Meningitis, called from earth 
 to a sunnier clime. March 4, 1883, Etta May, little 
 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Ross, , 
 aged twenty months. 
 
 (The following lines are meant to suggest the true 
 source of consolation in trial.) 
 
 There is a bright celestial city in the heavenly land above. 
 Where Jesus has prepared a home for all who seek his 
 
 love; 
 And, as surely as he has prepared and keeps a place in 
 
 store, 
 He comes and takes his children to himself forevermore. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 There he now has called your darling, yes, your precious, 
 precious child, 
 
 And is calling you to follow : so, dear friends, be recon 
 ciled ; 
 
 Trust alone the blessed Savior, and then, at the appoint 
 ed day 
 
 He'll take you home to clasp again your darling Etta May. 
 
 When He tabernacled here below, and from his lips 
 
 distilled 
 Such precious truth as oft the heart with hope and rapture 
 
 filled. 
 
 70
 
 ETTA MAY. 77 
 
 He encouraged those who brought their children, asking 
 
 him to bless, 
 By enfolding them within His arms in tenderest caress. 
 
 And He also spoke those cheering words, responding to 
 
 their plea, 
 
 'Permit the children and forbid them not to come to me ; 
 For such make up the kingdom which is ruled by truth 
 
 and grace, 
 And even now their angels do behold my Father's face. 1
 
 Lines affectionately dedicated to President and Mrs. J. P. Blanton, 
 Kirksville, Missouri. 1886. 
 
 Their charming boy, Roy McMillan, was taken 
 from their arms a few weeks ago. Their equally precious 
 child, Joseph Norton, was called up higher during their 
 residence in Mexico, Missouri, a few years since. But 
 sustaining grace irradiates sorrow with blessed hope. 
 
 As steals a sly zephyr thro" fair garden bowers, 
 
 Or toys with the tasseling corn ; 
 As softly the sun kisses dew-tears from flowers, 
 
 That smile in the freshness of morn ; 
 So, stealthily soft came the call from on high 
 
 That summoned our beautiful boy, 
 And, hushed as an angel-wing mounting the sky, 
 
 Ascended the soul of dear Roy. 
 
 The home-nest is void of its pet doveling now, 
 
 The light on its portal is pale ; 
 Our spirits, like tempest-swept rushes that bow, 
 
 Are prone 'neath a sorrow-fraught gale. 
 The darlings still left us seem heartless at play, 
 
 Bereft of the soul of their joy ; 
 How empty our arms with the baby away : 
 
 Oh! we so miss our dear little Roy. 
 78
 
 MORTON AND ROY. 79 
 
 But the family bosom, touched heavy with grief, 
 
 Spontaneously sighing its moan, 
 On the Saviour, submissive, would lean for relief. 
 
 Since he has but taken his own. 
 For hark! '-Suffer the children to come unto me" 
 
 Are the words He still yet doth employ, 
 And thence we derive gracious solace, for He 
 
 Has but called to Himself darling Roy. 
 
 There, there, with his brother so long gone before 
 
 To abide in the mansions above, 
 Will he coo in his infantile speech o'er and o'er, 
 
 While they both bask forever in love ; 
 And there, when at length in his mercy the Lord 
 
 Shall depute us His angel convoy, 
 Most joyfully mounting, we'll share the reward 
 
 Heaven showers on Morton and Roy.
 
 Called from its mother's breast to the Saviour's arms, 
 March 30, 1888, after nearly two weeks' illness, Laura 
 Mabel, precious child of Mr. and Mrs. William Patterson, 
 residing three miles east of Harmony, Minnesota. This 
 dear babe was about two years old. Its death was the 
 first in its father's and grandfather's family. As the hearts 
 of the stricken parents now cling the more tenderly 
 around their only remaining child, four years of age, put 
 ting their trust in Him who so earnestly said: "Surfer 
 little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me,'' 
 their united and heartfelt expression may be 
 
 O God of mercy, let Thy grace 
 
 Our bleeding hearts enable 
 To bear this stroke, thy will embrace, 
 
 And yield to Thee dear Mabel. 
 
 At gathering night and rising morn, 
 
 By crib, or chair, or table. 
 Still vividly we see the form 
 
 Of precious Laura Mabel. 
 
 We cannot, cannot realize 
 
 Nor would, it seems, if able. 
 That we no more this side the skies 
 
 Shall greet our darling Mabel. 
 
 Yet this may never, never be. 
 As soon might truth turn fable ; 
 
 With Thee, O Lord, in heaven with Thee 
 Now sings our cherub Mabel.
 
 MABEL. g, 
 
 O then, well-grounded faith impart ; 
 
 Assured hope make stable, 
 That we shall there clasp to our heart, 
 
 And ever love dear Mabel.
 
 Duiyfet. 
 
 TAKEN IN WISDOM AND IN LOVE. 
 
 Removed from the parental arms on earth to the 
 Father's house above, after a short illness, July 27, 1888, 
 George Dwight, the tender, bright, happy babe of Mr. 
 and Mrs. L. C. Fry, of the First Presbyterian church, 
 Minneapolis, Minnesota, aged eight months and five days. 
 In March, 1881, their equally precious child, Charles 
 Luther, was, after much suffering, called back to Him who 
 gave, at the age of a little over nineteen months. Two 
 children in Heaven! What a treasure! How are the 
 parents honored ! By grace through faith may each be 
 enabled to say, 
 
 So early from the strife, 
 Of this brief, darksome life, 
 
 To Heaven's eternal light: 
 To peace and joy above, 
 In wisdom and in love, 
 
 God took thee, darling Dwight. 
 
 As it has ever been. 
 
 The treach'rous power of sin 
 
 And wickedness of men 
 
 Still yet diffuse their blight ; 
 But now, safe from all this, 
 To everlasting bliss, 
 Where Jesus ever is. 
 
 Thou hast escaped, dear Dwight. 
 
 From sorrow everywhere, 
 And heart-oppressing care, 
 Which all on earth must share, 
 Thou well hast taken flight :
 
 DARLING DWIGHT. 83 
 
 So, from its grief beguiled, 
 My heart is reconciled, 
 Tho' parted from my child, 
 My own beloved D wight. 
 
 The Saviour in rich mercy 
 Has surely gained for thee 
 A wondrous victory 
 
 O'er sin and death and night; 
 No more shall dark unrest 
 Stir turmoil in thy breast, 
 Nor any fear molest 
 
 Thee, Heaven-peaceful Dwight. 
 
 And when at length I, too, 
 Shall drop this earth-dim view, 
 And mount through ether blue, 
 To^ mansions ever new 
 
 Winging my joyful flight ; 
 The first at glory's gate, 
 (Each standing by his mate,) 
 To greet to Heaven's estate, 
 My two lambs may await 
 
 My Charlie and my Dwight. 
 
 We, then, for bliss begun, 
 And all our Lord has done 
 For us beneath the sun, 
 While endless ages run, 
 
 Will join the white-robed throng. 
 Palms waving to our King, 
 Before him we will fling 
 Our crowns, and ever sing 
 Till Heaven's arches ring 
 
 With the triumphant song.
 
 (Composed when studying Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetoric at College, 
 1854. Revised, 1891.) 
 
 "TEXT. UP THE HIGH HILL HE HEAVED THE HUGE ROUND STONE.' 
 
 How this slow line with clearness shows 
 The way Spondaic measure goes ; 
 With stately tread it moves along, 
 As marching to a funeral song. 
 
 It also shows the poet's skill 
 
 In imitating nigh at will 
 
 The thought in words, the sense in sound, 
 
 Which is a beauty rarely found. 
 
 What he would tell was hard to do, 
 Requiring strength and courage, too. 
 Of course, with slowness must he go 
 Who heaved a huge round stone up so. 
 
 He tug and toil and lift and shove 
 Must, it to raise an inch above. 
 Nor dare he quit his hold for ease. 
 Or stop and rest whene'er he please. 
 
 The difficulty, sure, was great ; 
 (Which was poor Sysiphus's fate:) 
 But quite as great to make the rhyme 
 Suit it in greatness and in time.
 
 SYSIPHUS'S PUNISHMKNT. 
 
 Come, scan it well and see the art 
 Which is displayed in every part ; 
 All things accrue which could combine 
 To slow the movement of the line. 
 
 And first, long syllables, indeed, 
 
 Assist the poet to succeed ; 
 
 These imitate, as is perceived. 
 
 How up high hills huge stones are heaved. 
 
 The aspirated "h" next shows 
 How slowly with his load he rose. 
 We almost think we see him still 
 Heaving his huge round stone up hill. 
 
 These two combined the poet used. 
 As on poor Sysiphus's fate he mused ; 
 While either one would show alone 
 How slowly he. with struggle and groan, 
 Must heave up hill his huge round stone.
 
 Our Christmas Ship, 
 
 A miniature ship is to be constructed and the presents for the children hung on 
 the rigging and packed in the hold. The song is to be sung when the curtain 
 rises, or when tiie exercisos begin. Words and music by Rev. J. S. BOYD. 
 
 i. Shfys with slow or rap - id motion. Sailing o - ver every ocean, To 
 
 '2. See her mottood sails yet streaming, Hull and masts with presents teemingWith 
 
 3. Months away to gather treasure, Her return we hail with pleasure, A 
 
 :- . r * * r* * * ' ra 3 * rs * ^ s~s-i 
 
 gg-^I^Zpg:: }|=^=^M=g=^=^=g=M3 
 
 Our 
 
 Z2 cc -_L ft M I L-b- 3 
 
 Christmas ship we hail, 
 
 Christmas ship, our Christmas ship we hail, 
 
 with sing - ing. 
 
 0- . I 
 
 r~^T~S % f~^~r t " * -- *~ r* *~ *~ \ rv \*~\i
 
 Oo.r Gfjristrraixe ^>bij--- L87O 
 
 Ships with slow or rapid motion, 
 Sailing over every ocean 
 To boys and girls rare gifts are bringing : 
 Our Christmas ship we hail with singing. 
 
 Ship ahoy! to harbor sailing: 
 Cargo packed from hold to railing 
 Displays a wealth undreamed by banker: 
 Our Christmas ship, here cast your anchor. 
 
 See her mottoed sails yet streaming, 
 Hull and mast with presents teeming 
 Hint top and toy for youth and maiden : 
 Our Christmas ship is richly laden. 
 
 Orange, apple, cake and candy, 
 Book, ball, bat and doll a grandee : 
 Both fore and aft such trinkets twinkle, 
 Our Christmas ship we call Kris Kringle. 
 
 Months away to gather treasure, 
 Her return we hail with pleasure ; 
 A quicker trip all would love dearly, 
 Our Christmas ship comes only yearly.
 
 It was the departing college graduate who heaved a 
 psi. [Louisville Courier Journal. 
 
 That was when he beta retreat. [Boston Commer 
 cial Bulletin. 
 
 And sang with feeling Omega-n. [New York Com 
 mercial Advertiser. 
 
 It was alpha the best he left when he did, as but 
 phi! Some one should have delta blow at these jokes, 
 which are all Greek to us. [Boston Transcript. 
 
 Now who will kappa climax to this gamma-n? [In 
 dependent. 
 
 We won't: but somebody should have lambda rho of 
 these Greek punsters. They never ought to eta notherpi. 
 [Interior. 
 
 Just so 
 
 For each one nu 
 The student's psi 
 "Omikron-y, 
 
 My Alpha!" then 
 
 Was like the mu, 
 
 The ph-ph-phi. 
 
 Or rho-ring moan 
 
 Emitted when 
 
 A kata pi 
 
 Doth eta lone. 
 
 And others x-i 
 
 Because they've none. 
 If he beta retreat once again, let his song, 
 Not his psi. be, "O phi! come, my Alpha along." 
 Boy (delta ephelkustikon.)
 
 \V <s oiol 1 1 .M-| , 
 
 PART OF RESPONSE HOR A\ANY VALUAULK AND SUITABLE PRESENTS 
 ON THE OCCASION JANUARY 25, 1879. 
 
 Dear friends, who give this glad surprise, 
 Excuse the faltering tongue that tries 
 To pay meet thanks, but fails command : 
 For, whelmed with ''joy" 1 on every hand 
 By welcoming scores in crowded room, 
 A blush becomes a bashful groom. 
 
 And so. without time's longer aid. 
 His fullest thought must go unsaid. 
 But still, to all he'd now express 
 At least a. word of thonkfulness. 
 
 These food-supplies now ail our own 
 With which you make our pantry groan : 
 
 These piled-up rows of China ware. 
 Gold-banded, blue, enamelled-stone. - 
 All these, to such profusion grown. 
 
 Your loyalty and love declare. 
 
 These pyramidal dollars teach 
 
 Your kindly wish is I should preach 
 
 Not without "notes,"' dispelling care. 
 
 Or their coin substitute, which bear 
 
 To us, along with other acts you show. 
 
 Your kind intention, till we know 
 
 Full well your cherished, genVous thought. 
 
 Yea. friends, by these our hearts are taught
 
 CHINA WEDDING. 93 
 
 Your wishings-well are no mere form, 
 But gush from bosoms true and warm ; 
 You gather here like bees in swarm, 
 And drip your sweets from true heart-hives, 
 To add new nectar to our lives. 
 
 But since, to utter all we feel 
 
 Of gratitude for love so real, 
 
 All words are weak, expression slow, 
 
 We beg you each before you go, 
 
 W T hile with your gifts our table creaks, 
 
 Though we be mum as untaught Greeks, 
 
 Believe the thanks our silence speaks.
 
 Gcooc-l \V 
 
 MILLS MELONE At the house of the bride's parents, near Wilson, 
 Missouri, December 18, 1879, By Rev. T. H. Tatlow, of Edina, assisted 
 by Rev. J. S. Boyd, of Kirksville. Mr. Wyinan M. AAills and Miss Alberta 
 Melone. 
 
 My young friend Mills. 
 May few sad ills 
 Molest the life 
 Of you and wife. 
 Smoothe be the stream 
 Of wedded love, 
 While mercies teem 
 From Heaven above 
 On all your way 
 Till that glad day. 
 When on the shore 
 That smiles beyond. 
 Forever more. 
 In holier bond 
 You live and love. 
 And ever sing 
 The new. new song, 
 Which glad doth ring 
 From all the throng 
 To Christ the King 
 Who reigns above.
 
 (To A CITY PREACHER FRIEND* FOND OF HUNTING.) 
 
 Dear distinguished Brother from afar, firing double 
 shott each Sabbath : 
 
 My neighbor on the West 
 Has ducks that do their best, 
 Each an intruding guest, 
 Like an Egyptian pest 
 Which Pharaoh thought no jest, 
 Forsaking every nest, 
 To constantly infest, 
 And trampingly molest 
 
 Our lawn and garden, too. 
 Oh ! come and stop their carols 
 Their mock and meaning quarrels, 
 By firing double barrels 
 
 Their Lares et Penates through. 
 
 To Doctor N + report 
 
 That if it be his fort, 
 
 He, too, may join the sport 
 
 Around our Tennis-court, 
 
 And try his hand at them ; 
 Two hunters on their track, 
 Each "shot 1 ' entitled "crack,' 1 
 Ah! soon will end each quack 
 Of all the straggling pack, 
 When through each head or back 
 Both double barrels whack 
 Their leaden hail "ker-smack," 1 
 
 Id omne genus hem ! 
 
 * Rev. J. W. Allen. D. D., St. Louis. 
 
 t Preaching two Sermons. 
 
 1 Rev. S. .}. Niccolls, D. D., St. Louis.
 
 (FORA RHYMING SOCIABLE.) 
 
 To skilfully respond in rhyme. 
 As duty calls at this glad time. 
 
 Requires both brain and pen, sir : 
 But I will try what I can do, 
 For prose seems tame e'er since I knew 
 
 The first poetic Spencer. 
 
 A sprightly school-mate once 1 had 
 A merry, mischief-making lad 
 
 Whose given name was Ben, sir. 
 Whose friendship being tested well, 
 Proved charming, but did not excel 
 
 That of tried friends named Spencer. 
 
 Acquaintance up and down the earth, 
 Companions of the rarest worth, 
 Of lowly or of noble birth, 
 Some fond of money, some of mirth. 
 
 I've gained each now and then, sir: 
 And to them all I'm very glad 
 That I have been allowed to add 
 
 These friendly friends named Spencer. 
 
 Ambition swells the heart of one 
 To own a horse, a hound, a gun . 
 
 And one to vie as fencer ; 
 But skill and will I'll rather bend 
 To gain and claim each one as friend 
 
 Who sports the name of Spencer.
 
 FRIENDS NAMED SPENCER. 97 
 
 The prophet John, now priest and king, 
 In vision saw an angel swing 
 Before God's throne a censer; 
 And I the prayer as incense bring 
 That I may there forever sing 
 With every friend named Spencer.
 
 U 1 1 Lie. !3e:iXT2. 
 BP SPECIAL REQUEST, FOR A RHYMING SOCIABLE. 
 
 From what I can glean, - 
 
 (From the missive, I mean,) 
 
 Inviting us here as we are: 
 
 I am asked for a rhyme 
 
 With its jingling chime 
 
 On our friend Willie Bean, 
 
 Who is older, I ween, 
 
 Than the standard sixteen, 
 
 And who, constant, is seen, 
 
 At the "mortar"* between 
 
 The neighboring "watch" and the "star." 
 
 The vivid sun shines 
 
 With its quivering sheen 
 
 On the tenderest vines, 
 
 Buudding leaflets of green : 
 
 So may radiance of peace 
 
 And prosperity glow 
 
 On the hopes of friend Bean all his life, 
 
 Giving comfort and ease 
 
 And success's sure flow, 
 
 Till his courage increase, 
 
 And delighted he go 
 
 Illumed by the smiles of a wife. 
 
 The chaff of my brain 
 Still by winnowing clean, 
 I cull one more grain 
 Of this song for friend Bean. 
 .May his shadow ne'er wane, 
 Nor his purse become lean. 
 
 * At Dr. Grove's Drag store between Dutcher's Jewelry store aiut 
 Hope's Star Dry-Goods store. 
 
 98
 
 TO A FRIEND FOR THE GIFT OF A CHRISTMAS TURKEY. 
 
 Acknowledgement is hereby made 
 
 Of Christmas gift received ; 
 Though under obligation laid, 
 For kindly thought like this displayed 
 
 We're truly glad, not grieved. 
 
 'Twas large and lucious, fat and sweet, 
 
 Beyond beef, pork, or fish ; 
 The proof was when we all did eat, 
 And found its meat 
 A treat 
 Complete 
 As epicure could wish. 
 
 ^ tt if Many a merry Christmas day- 
 Return to you below ; 
 And during all your earthly stay 
 Yea, while you gobble turkey fnay 
 Great big fat gobblers grow.
 
 To Bef f From Poster. 
 
 MARRIED: April 4, 1882, at the residence of Mr. George Dodson 
 Kirksville, Mo., by Rev. J. S. Boyd, Mr. William H. Bell and Miss C. 
 Carrie Foster. 
 
 A blooming belle Miss Carrie reigned 
 
 As long as she was Foster ; 
 But now she reigns the Bell she gained 
 
 While other beaux all lost her 
 
 No more shall friends from day to day 
 
 Familiarly accost her ; 
 For liking Bell, she swapped away 
 
 Her maiden name of Foster. 
 
 Yes, Mrs. Bell, now Mrs. Bell, 
 
 No more plain Carrie Foster ; 
 Nor tongue can tell the wishings well 
 
 On wedding day were tossed her. 
 
 He promised he would cherish her, 
 
 And love, if trials crossed her; 
 And she her Will, through good and ill, 
 
 Made solemn vows to foster. 
 
 Long life be theirs, and sorrows few ; 
 
 Their joy no sham imposter; 
 And to the end may neither rue 
 
 For Bell she gave up Foster.
 
 Being an extract, in part, from a letter to the Freeport Journal, sug 
 gested by a conversation in a far Western home about old-time friends 
 away East. 
 
 Soon as discourse began 
 
 Our conversation ran 
 
 On old-time friends we knew 
 
 In Pennsylvania, true 
 
 And tried and honored much. 
 
 And while we talked, a touch 
 
 Of seriousness came o'er 
 
 The joy which swelled before 
 
 We viewed the changes wrought 
 
 'Mong those it was our lot 
 
 And privilege to know 
 
 So many years ago. 
 
 The death of Mrs. Hill 
 
 So lately taking place, 
 
 Occasioned us to trace 
 
 Her relatives, until 
 
 We named, in our review, 
 
 By turns quite all we knew. 
 
 Both John and George and James 
 
 And all the other names 
 
 Of Hills grown up and small 
 
 Our memories did recall. 
 
 The number was so great 
 
 My space forbids to state 
 
 Each individual one, 
 
 And editors fcid shun
 
 102 FORMER FAR AWAY FRIENDS. 
 
 Prolixity, and fling 
 Off matter crisp and short, 
 Like Paddy's quick retort, 
 Or never write a thing. 
 
 But still our mem'ries ran, 
 Skipping from man to man 
 Of friends of "Auld Lang Syne,'' 
 Till we had named the most 
 - Of all the growing host 
 Which fills the lengthening line. 
 
 We spake of Hindmans, Blains : 
 Of Porterfields and Lanes ; 
 Of Morrisons, Monroes, 
 All well known, I suppose; 
 Of Sloans, Kiskaddons, Reas, 
 The singing master Maize ; 
 Of Rayburns, Brickers, Boyds, 
 Keeners, Foremans, Lloyds, 
 Stoneciphers, Wilsons, with 
 All those by name of Smith ; 
 Mahaffys rich in songs ; 
 Of Redicks, Bushes, Longs ; 
 Of Ralstons, Beattys, Halls, 
 Not far from Buffalo falls : 
 Camps, Mclntyres and Duff: 
 Of Pattersons, enough 
 With Grahams, Nobles, Best, 
 And nearly all the rest, 
 Our evening's talk to close. 
 But ere we sought repose, 
 Our cogitations still 
 Ran on like this at will :
 
 FORMER FAR AWAY FRIENDS. 103 
 
 Of friends we named to-day 
 Some now have grown quite old, 
 And some have passed away, 
 While others swell each fold 
 Preventing its decay, 
 And will to size untold 
 Increase it, till "that day'' 
 When Heav'n's trumpet rings, 
 And Christ and angels come 
 To call his ransomed home 
 Where saint and seraph sings; 
 Where all the white-robed meet, 
 And glad, through endless days, 
 Cast crowns at Jesus" feet, 
 And hallelujahs raise. 
 
 There, when the nations rise, 
 And all appear on high, 
 Mounting the parted skies 
 When we shall upward fly, 
 Then well may it be known 
 That all these friends from West 
 And East, among the blest. 
 Worship before God's throne, 
 Joining with glad accord 
 Those who the "New Song" sing 
 To Christ, of Kings the King, 
 Their everlasting Lord.
 
 GT2j<2:re.T2G<<=:. 
 
 (Written while visiting on the floor of Conference, held in Kirksville, 
 Missouri, the spring of 1883.) 
 
 Like birds which fly together, 
 When stormy, wintry weather 
 Approaching from the North, 
 Begins to fleet them fortli 
 Far toward a Southern clime. 
 To tarry there a time, 
 Enjoying food and ease 
 'Mid evergreens and trees, 
 Regaled by balmy breeze, 
 Until the winter goes, 
 And every birdling knows 
 The time has come again 
 For one more long campaign, 
 In active, glad employ, 
 In ways that birds have joy : 
 
 So, up from charges far and near, 
 
 At end of one more conference year, 
 
 In cumulating flocks appear 
 
 The Methodistic hosts, and steer 
 
 Direct to Kirksville happy place, 
 
 Where each with unelongate face, 
 
 And smile of heart, begins to trace 
 
 To each the blessed work of grace 
 
 Which has been granted on his field, 
 
 And which he hopes shall ever yield 
 
 Increasingly the richest fruit, 
 
 Such as no human may compute ; 
 
 And where, without more tedious mention, 
 
 All conference duties claim attention.
 
 MISSOURI CONFERENCE. 105 
 
 With Bishop Andrews in the chair 
 Courtly, prompt and firm, yet fair 
 The Elders make their year's review ; 
 The Preachers and the Deacons, too, 
 Report the work that each has done, 
 The monies raised, the victories won 
 By help of God for grace and truth 
 Among the adults and the youth 
 Upon the field where each has wrought, 
 And prayerfully ever sought 
 To bring the Truth to all who hear, 
 Whose souls the Lord himself holds dear, 
 And sends His servants to proclaim 
 Salvation free, since in His name. 
 
 But pressing duties claiming time, 
 When scarce begun must end my rhyme, 
 With wishings well, 
 
 Both now and hence, 
 For all who swell 
 
 This conference. 
 
 May grace and peace 
 
 From God be given 
 
 Till work shall cease. 
 
 And all in Heaven 
 
 Shall meet and count their mercies o'er. 
 And be engaged for evermore 
 In their dear Father's blest employ, 
 Where all the service fills with joy, 
 And once admitted to attend 
 The Conference shall never end. 
 
 FRATER Visus.
 
 Girf 
 
 s. 
 
 "She has found a te-hee's nest with taw-haw's eggs in it. 
 Old Saying. 
 
 "Some girls so bubble o'er with fun, 
 That one te-hee is scarcely done 
 Till answering taw-haw has begun. 
 And thus alternately, indeed, 
 Exploding risibles succeed 
 Each other with most jolly speed, 
 Till frolic, torrent-like, doth pour 
 Hilariously in teeming roar, 
 At least, in swaying waves of mirth, 
 Which show of sprightliness no dearth. 
 
 They, tickled, talk their tiny wit, 
 
 And giggle when there's not a bit 
 
 Of smartness worthy of a smile. 
 
 But this has ever been the style 
 
 Since Eve her saucy girls did praise 
 
 Till they were spoiled with simpering ways, 
 
 And gave their offspring such a cast 
 
 They yet te-hee both shrill and fast. 
 
 And shout taw-haw in volumes vast. 
 
 And no doubt will while time shall last. 
 
 But throbs my heart no wish to say : 
 Suppress your laughter day by day ; 
 Nay, rather, loving joy it cries : 
 Spo'ntaneous let it bubbling rise : 
 Yet, tempered by discretion wise. 
 Betake a little thought, you know. 
 Of when and where your spirits flow.
 
 GIGGLING GIRLS. 107 
 
 This do ; then wreath with smiles each face ; 
 
 Exuberant cheer is no disgrace. 
 'Tis good for health ; 'twill give a cast 
 
 Of hopefulness to character, 
 Which you will need till life is past ; 
 
 And which on others will confer 
 Much real good. So, then, abate 
 
 No jot or tittle of your joy ; 
 As it grows ripe and more sedate, 
 
 'Twill be towards Heaven a blest convoy.
 
 OT2 
 
 (To all the kind friends who, by joint and liberal contribution, lately 
 furnished means for the purchase of a new buggy, these lines are respect - 
 *ully and affectionately dedicated. May, 1884.) 
 
 I years agone 
 
 Have ridden on 
 All sorts of craft with keels, 
 
 As row-boat, wheel-boat, 
 
 Skiff, canoe, 
 
 Canal-boat, keel-boat, 
 
 Flat-boat, too, 
 At times myself the only crew ; 
 
 But now, from you 
 
 A 'spanking' new 
 And shining buggy hints your view 
 
 Is that I, who 
 
 Oft rowed askew, 
 Shall straightway ride on wheels. 
 
 Yes, your kind act 
 
 The certain fact 
 'Substantially 1 reveals 
 
 That, to and fro, 
 
 When quits the snow, 
 
 And zephyrs blow ; 
 
 While valleys low 
 
 And hill-tops glow 
 
 With sunbeams flow : 
 
 When farmers sow; 
 
 When reapers mow ; 
 
 108
 
 ON WHEELS. 109 
 
 When Autumn leaves the way bestrow ; 
 
 Or fast or slow, 
 
 You'd have me go 
 From place to place on wheels. 
 
 While then I take 
 Your gift so rare 
 I '11 not forbear 
 This vow to make : 
 By streamlets side : 
 'Neath forests pride ; 
 O'er prairie plains 
 That undulate ; 
 Through fenced lanes 
 Stretched far and straight ; 
 Past farm and field 
 Which, fertile, yield 
 Their varied crop 
 Of grass and grain 
 Or rich-hued stalks 
 Of tasseling maize, 
 Where, unconcealed. 
 With scarce estop, 
 Through sun or rain 
 In lazy flocks 
 The cattle graze, 
 Or, back and forth 
 Between the rows 
 The plowman goes 
 From South to North 
 Or East to West 
 To do his best 
 To kill the weeds 
 And help the corn :
 
 no ON WHEKLS. 
 
 Where duty leads, 
 
 At night or morn 
 As stealthy time behind us steals 
 
 Till mine is past, 
 
 And cycles vast 
 
 Begin to be 
 The ages of eternity, 
 
 I'll try, D. V., 
 
 No work 
 
 To shirk 
 But do my best on wheels. 
 
 And I may add, as preachers do. 
 
 Although quite through. 
 
 A head or two 
 
 Without verbosity 
 
 To say what's true : 
 
 Your generosity 
 
 Emotion starts. 
 
 And to my heart's 
 Deep gratitude appeals. 
 
 My thanks receive : 
 
 Yea, more ; believe 
 My new resolve and prayer to be 
 That I will toil more faithfully. 
 And you may richer blessings see, 
 
 Long as I serve on wheels.
 
 The MISTER Faculty rhymed; 
 PROFESSORS now out-timed, 
 Like broken bells unchimed. 
 
 (In 1884 the decree went forth, self-evolved, from the male members 
 of the Faculty of the First Missouri State Normal School that, in address 
 ing, or speaking of, each other, they would say MISTER instead of PRO 
 FESSOR, and would insist upon all the students doing the same.) 
 
 Plain Mister Blanton 
 Was leaving Staunton 
 To take a jaunt on 
 The cars to Canton. 
 
 When Mister Nason, 
 With smiles his face on, 
 Out-hubbing those assaulting Jason, 
 
 All HORS^ DE SAISON, 
 
 Touched off a caison ; 
 
 Whereat Miss Jayne, 
 Shocked by the strain, 
 Took awful pain 
 Within her brain : 
 
 And poor Miss Owen. 
 To pallor grown, 
 Began to moan 
 In doleful tone ;
 
 ii2 JINGLE. 
 
 But spry Miss Prewitt, 
 Soon as she knew it, 
 Sought to undo it; 
 
 And Mister Sheldon, 
 As usual well done, 
 The camphor held on, 
 While others yelled on : 
 
 But Mister Barnard, 
 As much cornered 
 As if garnered ; 
 His thoughts criss-cross 
 And all at a loss, 
 
 Called Mister Ross 
 To quickly toss 
 The healing moss, 
 
 Which Mister Paden 
 Late at New Baden 
 Found, and which laid on, 
 
 Mister Me Fadon 
 Declared the maiden, 
 (If it but stayed on,) 
 
 Would early view it 
 Well, as Miss Prewitt 
 Before she knew it ; 
 
 And thus condone 
 The moaning tone 
 Of scared Miss Owen : 
 
 Yea, all the pain 
 Would quit the brain 
 Of shocked Miss Jayne :
 
 JINGLE. 113 
 
 And all the rest, 
 No more oppressed 
 With turmoil breast, 
 Might drop their care, 
 And cease to wear 
 Disheveled hair; 
 Yea, soon might share 
 Complete repair 
 From all the scare 
 Which did appal ; 
 Nor longer there 
 As startled stare, 
 As if a lair 
 Of lions glare 
 Their eye-balls square 
 Upon them all. 
 
 No point in this ? 
 I '11 bet a kiss 
 With any Miss, 
 No worse the "machine, 11 
 In its limp, I ween, 
 Than in Mister is seen 
 When Professor you mean.
 
 A Little Girl to Her Canary, 
 
 REV J. S. B. 
 
 i, Bird-ie, with the spot - ted wing. How I love ttf hear you sing. 
 
 s Bird - ie, nrst sing soft and low, Then your notes may bold-er grow, 
 
 3. Bird - ie, I will give you feed. Cut - tie bone, ca - na - ry seed, 
 
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 * j ^[_ ^ --fr > qq 
 
 Trill to me a warbling song; I will glad - ly sing a- long. 
 'Till by trill - ing with your might, Al! shall hear you with de - light. 
 Wa - ter, cake and ev - 'ry-thing, If for me you dai - ly sing. 
 
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 CHORUS: 
 
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 O bird - ie, bird - ie, O bird - - - - ie sing; ' Chee- 
 
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 Bird- ie, bird - ie, sing cheel-ing, O trill to me your warbling song 
 
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 bird-ie, bird-ie, sing. O bird-ie, bird-ie, sing. 
 
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 Exhorting Gertie's bird 
 To let its voice be heard, 
 And calling Allie's pet 
 To trill more shrilly yet. 
 
 TO LITTLE MISSES GERTRUDE BROWNLEE AND ALICE TORRANCE, 
 BROOKFIELD, MISSOURI, APRIL ,1876. 
 
 Birdie with the spotted wing, 
 Now I want to hear you sing. 
 Trill to me a warbling song ; 
 I will try to sing along. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O birdie, birdie, sing 
 Chee-link, chee-link, chee-ling! 
 Chir-up, chir-up, chiree! 
 How sweet your song to me. 
 
 Birdie, first sing soft and low ; 
 Then your notes may bolder grow, 
 Till by trilling with your might 
 All shall hear you with delight. 
 
 Birdie, I will give you feed. 
 Cuttle-bone, canary seed, 
 Water, cake, and everything, 
 If for me you daily sing.
 
 A voluntary and liberal gift, which, as a great surprise, came for 
 the purchase of a Type Writer, at a time when my right hand had been 
 severely crippled by the bite of a cat. 
 
 No song of thrush 
 On swaying tree 
 Amid the corn ; 
 Nor radiant blush, 
 (As oft we see,) 
 Of rosy morn ; 
 No sudden flush 
 Of victory 
 When armies vie ; 
 No Boreal rush 
 Of mystery 
 In Northern sky ; 
 No mellow gush 
 Of symphony 
 Upon the ear: 
 Nor soothing hush 
 Of reverie 
 
 When stars appear ; 
 No one of these. 
 Nor all combined, 
 Could so well please 
 And thrill the mind ; 
 Could wake delight, 
 Bring joy as guest 
 To such a height 
 Within the breast, 
 As when you write, 
 And make request
 
 n8 THAT BANK CHECK. 
 
 With warm behest 
 That I accept 
 What you deem best 
 And kind enclose 
 As an adept 
 Whose goodness flows, 
 And ever grows, 
 With blessing fraught 
 In ways unthought, 
 Afresh, anew, 
 Each deed you do. 
 
 Ah ! no one knows, 
 (As I suppose,) 
 How quickly then 
 Emotion crept, 
 And grew, until 
 By turns I laughed 
 With right good will, 
 And felt a tear 
 Bedim my sight, 
 As often, when 
 The Summer night 
 Just dawned to light, 
 Dew-drops appear, 
 And smile outright 
 Without a mite 
 Of shrinking fear. 
 
 Hence, now, imbued 
 With pleasing zest 
 Of gratitude 
 Which swells a breast 
 Whose attitude
 
 THAT BANK CHECK. 119 
 
 Is warm and true, 
 With amplitude 
 Of real delight 
 The muse I woo, 
 To help indite 
 Fit thanks to you, 
 And with the flight 
 Of carrier bird, 
 Or lightning's wing, 
 To expedite 
 Each honest word 
 1 grateful sing 
 Until it come 
 And thankful ring 
 Within your home. 
 
 But how shall I in meet terms praise your genVous 
 
 gift? 
 
 To Oases of sunlight, poured forth through a rift 
 In overhanging clouds, I might compare it well, 
 Since coming as it did, not fluent pen can tell 
 How much its radiant sunshine tended to expel 
 The somber hues which strange affliction had just thrown, 
 In cloud-like pall, around our late most happy home. 
 
 Or, I might liken it to Southern Summer breeze, 
 Enwafting aroma from Myrrh and Cassia trees, 
 Distilling balm of health, with happiness and hope, 
 Discounting far the joys of mitred Priest or Pope, 
 Who, kept by Peter-pence and long tax-gathered stores 
 Know not the heart-thrill of love-prompted gifts like 
 yours. 
 
 I metaphor and trope, might into service press, 
 Might quote from Latin, Greek, and phrase of modern 
 Gaul,
 
 Jo THAT BANK CHECK. 
 
 Yet, nothing clad in prose, or choice poetic dress, 
 Well-studied or off-hand, could suitably extol 
 The sympathy substantial dealt, betimes, indeed, 
 By you to chosen friends in crises of their need. 
 
 Then, since expression wanes 
 
 And figures fail, I may 
 Cut short my growing rhyme, 
 
 And only simply say : 
 
 With quick'ning throb my heart would now out-pour 
 Of gratitude its earnest, honest store, 
 While your surpassing generosity 
 I celebrate without verbosity 
 
 Or simulated speech, but yet with words, 
 Not meaningless, but quite sincere and true, 
 Expressing real, joyous thanks to you, 
 
 Spontaneous as the morning songs of birds. 
 
 These thanks, O please, accept, 
 
 And be assured, beside, 
 Of prayer that you be kept, 
 
 That yours, too, may abide 
 Beneath the sheltering wings 
 
 Of Him, whose matchless love 
 His own most surely brings 
 
 At length safe home above. 
 
 May good things all along 
 
 Life's pathway be your share. 
 Evolving health and song 
 
 And peace beyond compare ; 
 And when this life is o'er. 
 
 May you, as your reward, 
 Enjoy forevermore 
 
 The "well-done" of your Lord.
 
 oifv .Ma.te.tl 
 
 OR 
 A WELL "MIX'VED MARRIAGE. 
 
 (Lines read at the Celebration of the Golden Wedding of Mr. Lean- 
 der and Mrs. Mary Benr.et Mix, LaMoure, North Dakota, February n, 
 1891.) 
 
 Ah ! father Mix 
 Is in glad fix 
 With his dear wife 
 Henceforth for life. 
 
 And mother Mix, 
 More sure than Hicks, 
 Imparts sunshine ; 
 While both combine 
 From day to day 
 In lowering weather 
 To chase away 
 All gloom together. 
 
 They, too, rejoice 
 With look and voice 
 And heart's delight 
 When days are bright. 
 
 And this is how 
 It came, I trow, 
 They two are one 
 As Jong years run, 
 And help each other 
 Father and mother. 
 
 16 121
 
 122 HAPPILY MATED. 
 
 Stood near a lake, Niagara-drained. 
 
 The modest town* which then had gained 
 
 Not its late fame, but yet contained 
 
 Some mansions built of bricks, 
 Where, more than fifty years agone, 
 Among the elite, if not bon ton, 
 In fashion's world began to dawn 
 
 Our hero, Lean 1 Mix. 
 
 In manner suave, in prompting good, 
 He, instance clear of noble blood, 
 In military bearing stood 
 
 Erect as General Dix. 
 No wonder many a lass would hear 
 A whisper in her heart ring clear, 
 If I but could I would appear 
 
 The wife of Lean' Mix. 
 
 But when love once his bosom swells, 
 He seeks not voluntary belles ; 
 His footsteps ring through Northward dells, 
 Where vouched for fact, not fable, tells 
 
 His own sweet-heart he picks, 
 And siege at once lays to her heart. 
 Which, stormed and pierced by Cupid's dart. 
 Feels each sweet wound no hostile smart, 
 But corresponding love doth start, 
 
 Encouraging young Mix. 
 
 Yes, where flowed Tawnawanda through 
 Its vale, 'mong Presbyterians blue, 
 Our heroine from girlhood grew 
 To womanhood the time to woo 
 And all her knowing friends well knew, 
 
 *Batavia, New York.
 
 HAPPILY MATED. 123 
 
 Of belles like her, so fair, so true, 
 Attractive, worthy, only few 
 
 E'er stayed in single fix. 
 How true the sentiment of those ; 
 And each to day's well-wisher knows 
 
 The story goes 
 
 That beaux 
 
 Arose. 
 
 And multiplied as summer crows ; 
 But others dallying to propose, 
 And matrimonial bargain close. 
 She gave consent to Mix. 
 
 And well she did, for he has stayed 
 A loyal husband to his maid 
 Through half a century's mutual aid ; 
 His heart affection never strayed, 
 And constant still to her is paid 
 
 As telegraphic clicks. 
 And friends to day, a score or more, 
 Come gladly through this welcoming door, 
 And true congratulations pour 
 In golden- wedding wishes for 
 
 Father and mother Mix. 
 
 Long years have passed since they first paired ; 
 To honored age they have been spared ; 
 And all life long quite well have fared ; 
 With heart-full tenderness have cared 
 
 For offspring one less six : 
 These children rise and call them blest ; 
 (Though all have fled the dear home nest, 
 And two begun eternal rest,) 
 And we, to day, join earnest quest 
 That God with grace will e'er invest 
 
 These honored friends named Mix.
 
 124 HAPPILY MATED. 
 
 But not to tarry longer now 
 
 In adding thoughts convincing how 
 
 We wish them well, we'll not allow 
 
 Words growing more prolix. 
 Yet, all unite with hearts sincere 
 In praying them still many a year 
 All full of joy, all free from fear : 
 O'er grief may they not shed a tear: 
 Be all life's journey full of cheer: 
 And when eternity draws near. 
 May offspring dear 
 And all those here 
 'Mid Heaven's joy on high appear 
 
 With father and mother Mix.
 
 hrr<\m. 
 
 I. TYPOGRAPHICAL CORRECTIONS. 
 
 Page 13, fifth line, read "kingly" for "kindly/" 
 
 Page 21. eighth line, read "humbler' 1 for "humble." 
 
 Page 40. fourth line, read "buff" for "bluff." 
 
 Page 66. eighth line, read "mysterious for "mystery." 
 
 Page 69, second line, read "here 11 for "her." 
 
 Page 101. last line, read "bid" for "did." 
 
 Page in. eighth line, read "HoRS" for "HoRSE." 
 
 Page 17. fifth line from bottom, prefix "To." 
 
 Page 1 8. second line from bottom, insert "long" after 
 
 "hearts " 
 Page 99 fifth line from bottom, prefix "May." 
 
 II. SOME AFTER THOUGHTS. 
 
 Page 39, omit i8th and igth lines and insert: 
 
 "Of yesterday's fresh thoughts recall 
 
 Of him the radiant, speaking face. 
 
 The young and yet old-fashioned ways." 
 Page 41, omit I5th line and insert: 
 
 "Intent on joy as Greece on Crete." 
 Page 53. 7th line, between "friend" and "he" insert: 
 
 "who sat, 
 
 And sisterly did this and that, 
 
 All things his need required"- 
 
 III. MINOR MENDINGS. 
 
 Page 40, put "boxed" and "speak a word" in quotations. 
 
 Page 48. 4th line, "in" for "iu." 
 
 Page 69, 7th line, "him" for "bin." 
 
 Page 92. loth line, "a" in thankfulness. 
 
 Page 98, omit "u" in "buuding." 
 
 Page 113. last two lines, emphasize "MISTER" and "PRO 
 FESSOR." 
 
 Page 115, supply "O" in the middle of repeat near close 
 of tune, and the first quarter note on the page in the 
 soprano.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 Perm L9-100m-9,'52(A3105)444 
 
 
 
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