University of Virginia Library

EPITAPHS

I
ON A LITTLE CHILD

Pure, sweet and fair, ere Thou could'st taste of ill
God will'd it, and Thy baby breath was still.
Now 'mong His lambs thou liv'st thy Saviour's care,
For ever as thou wast, pure, sweet and fair.

II
ON AN INFANT

Our little lamb He lent awhile,
Pure as Himself from stain;
Then said ‘My kingdom is of such,’
And call'd it home again.

III
ON A MOTHER

Anchor of many hearts and joy of all,
Too soon for us she heard the Master's call:
Ah! for us all too soon; but not for her;
Our comfort, she; but He, her Comforter.
For when to death her spirit gently bow'd,
And the heart's sunshine went beneath the cloud,
And in her smile the light of love grew dim,
She fell asleep in God; and is with Him.

IV
IN MEMORIAM

FRED. PARRY HODGES

Nigh fifty years he served the allotted flock,
And from earth's pastures led them to the Rock,
And guided where the living waters run,
God's gift to man through His ascended Son.
True, generous, kind, he lived the Faith he taught;
Preach'd in his deeds, and by example wrought.
With us he pray'd, and for us:—and now we
Pray that with him our After-death may be.

V
IN MEMORIAM

W. F. HOOK

To some, the conqueror's crown, the patriot's fame,
The one achievement which creates a name;
And, had he cared to shine in human eyes,
He who lies here had but to claim his prize;
In God's good gifts so rich, he might have gain'd
Whate'er Ambition schemed, or Fancy feign'd.
But now—since others' joy, and others' smart,
Lay nearer than himself to that great heart,
And, finding glory dross, and life a day,
For others' lives he gave his own away,
With the forgotten casting-in his lot—
O yet his name is, elsewhere, unforgot!
High mid His faithful ones in Christ's own fold,
And in the Eternal Memory enroll'd.