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240
RURAL CEMETERY DEDICATION-HYMN.
“The field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the fields, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession.”
—Genesis, XXIII. 17, 18.
When Abram, at his God's command,
Went forth to find the Promised Land,
The first own ground his God then gave
To faithful Abraham for a grave.
Went forth to find the Promised Land,
The first own ground his God then gave
To faithful Abraham for a grave.
Since one event to all must come,—
Our dust to dust returning home,—
A sacred spot would we inclose
For us and ours the long repose.
Our dust to dust returning home,—
A sacred spot would we inclose
For us and ours the long repose.
We here appoint, by solemn rite,
On this sequestered, peaceful site,
With flowery grass and shadowy tree,
The City of our Dead to be.
On this sequestered, peaceful site,
With flowery grass and shadowy tree,
The City of our Dead to be.
And hence, this quiet turf must break,
Our dearest forms of life to take!
On Nature's calm, maternal breast
'T is meet her weary children rest.
Our dearest forms of life to take!
On Nature's calm, maternal breast
'T is meet her weary children rest.
When Love and Grief their vigils keep
O'er those who in these clods shall sleep,
May Faith hold her unwavering light,
Till death be shown a transient night!
O'er those who in these clods shall sleep,
May Faith hold her unwavering light,
Till death be shown a transient night!
241
May He who, pitying, “touched the bier,”
Console each future mourner here;
And all the dead, at last, arise
With joy, to meet him in the skies!
Console each future mourner here;
And all the dead, at last, arise
With joy, to meet him in the skies!
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