With this resolve so very freely spoken We bid the Red Man for the time Adieu, For other scenes most clearly do betoken That genial pleasure is not lost to view.
The lovers to their vows continued true, And fixed upon the following New Year"s day As best for entering on their duties new, When it was planned a Wedding jaunt to pay In visit to Niagara, many miles away.
CXXII.
The day arrived--a bright and cheering one, With which came Settlers on kind thoughts intent.
Then grat.i.tude for what the Lord had done They wished to show by love and substance spent Upon their Pastor, whom they viewed as bent On seeking their advantage since he came.
One, by a neighbor, had two turkeys sent, Both fine young birds, well fed and very tame-- A gift which well might put some richer men to shame.
CXXIII.
This neighbor brought upon his own account An ewe and ram of most superior breed.
Another had a very fair amount Of splendid timothy and clover seed.
A fourth good maple sugar as his meed Bestowed with blandest smiles and modest mien.
A fifth had apples, of which all agreed They were the best they in that part had seen; While a sixth brought savory sausages quite fresh and clean.
CXXIV.
These as an average sample of the gifts, I mention merely with a view to show That Grat.i.tude is put to no mean shifts In kindly hearts whose love keeps them aglow.
Those who have naught but water to bestow Upon a thirsty Saint, reward will gain From Heaven"s high King, who loves to have it so.
We must from sneering at small gifts refrain.
For the poor widow"s mite did great reward obtain.
CXXV.
Surprise and joy that Christian family felt At this display of love and grat.i.tude; While with their friends they reverently knelt To give G.o.d thanks, they for rich blessings sued For the kind donors, now more strongly viewed As brethren in the very strongest bond.
Each at the Mercy Seat their love renewed, And heart to heart did fervently respond.
All merely worldly pleasure this is far beyond.
CXXVI.
This past, the marriage knot was quickly tied For those young well matched couples, who appeared In all respects well pleased and satisfied This tended much to keep the parents cheered, And to the friends around them more endeared The wedding feast parta"en, they soon prepare For their long journey, as a change they feared In the fine weather, which might make roads bare And the good sleighing spoil--a thing by no means rare.
CXXVII.
On that delightful jaunt I need not dwell, Only to say that all the drive enjoyed.
When safe returned each had a tale to tell Of the great Cataract"s wonders, never void Of thrilling interest to minds employed In viewing Nature right. I now would haste Lest my dear readers feel themselves annoyed, To finish what has brought me no small taste Of Poet"s joy, and often has my heart solaced.
CXXVIII.
That earthly pleasure"s not without alloy Poets have sung and sages oft have said, And none did e"er such pleasure long enjoy Without being to the same conclusion led.
Our Pastor"s dear Louisa took to bed Soon after New Year"s visit to the Falls; Ere Spring came round she bowed her lovely head To Death"s stern summons! Yet sweet hope consoles The friends for loss of her, and undue grief controls.
CXXIX.
Her death-bed was a scene I love to view With chastened pleasure, for her faith was strong.
She to her Savior had for years been true.
And then to be with Him did daily long, Yet not impatiently, for "twould be wrong; But with strong fort.i.tude--so calm and pure That one who saw her left the World"s gay throng, And since has had great trials to endure, But found the Savior"s aid was ever near and sure.
CVXX.
But little now remains for me to sing, Not that I matter lack--a large supply Exists _where I got this from,_ and may spring Into poetic joy if I should try Again to tune my harp, this time laid by At Duty"s call. Our friend and spouse live where We found them first. William and wife are nigh, And with their children choicest comforts share.
While Joseph of the Red Men"s Church takes Pastoral care.
Cx.x.xI.
Luth and Clarissa own a good sized farm, Well tilled, well stocked and fronting to the Lake.
Around their hearthstone boys and girls do swarm, So that they soon a larger house must make.
Some members of the Church now sometimes take Their turns in preaching, and the elder Luth Shares Pastoral duty for his Master"s sake.
As Deacons they have men who love the Truth, All proving that the Church is in a state most sooth.
Cx.x.xII.
The Lord"s _Forget-me-nots_ grow everywhere Along the Christian"s path as he pursues His Heavenward journey. And a Father"s care Gives each sweet odors and most lovely hues.
And they throughout the darkest days diffuse A balmy fragrance strikingly delicious!
Yet we, vain mortals, oft these sweets refuse And choose instead that which is most pernicious,-- Thus wandering far from G.o.d, who always is propitious.
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
JENNY AND HER PET LAMB.
By the side of lonely moor, In a humble clay-built cot, Lived a widow very poor Who received her daily store As the Lord"s Forget-me-not.
With her lived her little girl, Blithe and pretty blue eyed Jane; She wore golden locks in curl, Which showed Nature was no churl, If it did not make her vain.
Plain but neatly was she dressed, With her lot was quite content, No great cares her mind oppressed, She with cheerfulness was blessed, While in work her time was spent.
Came there by the cot one day Quite a numerous flock of sheep.
Lambs did by their mothers play, One was in a sickly way, Which called up Jane"s feelings deep.
He who drove them, hard of heart, Did that sickly lamb abuse; This increased young Jennie"s smart, It went through her like a dart, Wondering, "would the man refuse
"To give her that pretty lamb Which appeared so like to die?"
Came the thought to her like balm, Her distress of mind to calm, As she to the man drew nigh.
When to him she made request Answered he in surly tones, "She might have the little pest, For it was at very best But a heap of skin and bones!"
Joyfully she took the prize In with her to that rude cot.
Pleasure filled her sparkling eyes, For the lamb had ceased its cries Ere it reached so safe a spot.
Like a foster mother she Nursed it then with gentle care, Till it grew in time to be Large as any sheep you see, Fed upon such scanty fare.
And its wool in one short year For some better pasture pays And a.s.sists the heart to cheer Of that widow, who had fear The coming Winter days.
Came there soon some troubles great On this poor, small family.