 | A Noble Life |  |
3
JOSEPH C. PRICE
A star arose at close of night:
'Tis dark before the dawn;
A brilliant star, a righteous light,
Foretoken of the morn—
The day when the oppressor's hand
Should palsied be throughout the land.
'Tis dark before the dawn;
A brilliant star, a righteous light,
Foretoken of the morn—
The day when the oppressor's hand
Should palsied be throughout the land.
A man of influence and power,
Who laid himself with grace,
Upon the altar of his God,
An offering for his race.
E'er prodigal of strength and thought,
And from his race withholding nought.
Who laid himself with grace,
Upon the altar of his God,
An offering for his race.
E'er prodigal of strength and thought,
And from his race withholding nought.
4
He cried: “If I'd a thousand tongues,
And each a thunderbolt;
I'd turn them on in mighty power,
Like an electric volt;
I'd send them forth with lightning pace—
To help and elevate my race!
And each a thunderbolt;
I'd turn them on in mighty power,
Like an electric volt;
I'd send them forth with lightning pace—
To help and elevate my race!
With purpose firm he lived his creed,
And toiled with might and main,
Each day more clearly saw the need—
Despising worldly gain—
He counted not his life too dear
To spend in raising mortals here.
And toiled with might and main,
Each day more clearly saw the need—
Despising worldly gain—
He counted not his life too dear
To spend in raising mortals here.
The manly form now prostrate lies;
The flashing eye is dim;
The hand oft raised for principle,
Touched by the monster grim,
Is laid upon the quiet breast,
The life-work finished—entered rest.
The flashing eye is dim;
The hand oft raised for principle,
Touched by the monster grim,
Is laid upon the quiet breast,
The life-work finished—entered rest.
The tongue of fire is silent now;
The loving heart is still;
The mind surcharged with burning thought,
Yet loyal to God's will—
Has ceased to plan for mortals here,
Is active in another sphere.
The loving heart is still;
The mind surcharged with burning thought,
Yet loyal to God's will—
Has ceased to plan for mortals here,
Is active in another sphere.
5
A sense of loss our hearts shall feel:
Hushed is the sweet voice now;
While we shall miss his thrilling words,
To God we humbly bow;
And thank Him for the sacrifice
So freely made by Joseph Price.
Hushed is the sweet voice now;
While we shall miss his thrilling words,
To God we humbly bow;
And thank Him for the sacrifice
So freely made by Joseph Price.
His task on earth was finished soon;
Life's battle nobly won.
He rests from labor ere the noon,
His life race fully run.
He watches still the conflict here,
And perfect love has cast out fear.
Life's battle nobly won.
He rests from labor ere the noon,
His life race fully run.
He watches still the conflict here,
And perfect love has cast out fear.
He is not dead; but gone to join
The host from care set free!
He is not dead; his spirit lives
Where joys immortal be!
Where noble souls are victors crowned;
Where perfect love at last is found.
The host from care set free!
He is not dead; his spirit lives
Where joys immortal be!
Where noble souls are victors crowned;
Where perfect love at last is found.
Now glorified amid the host,
Whose names in honor stand;
Phillips and Garnet, Garrison,
And all that noble band—
Lincoln and Sumner—heroes brave,
Who sought to free and help the slave.
Whose names in honor stand;
Phillips and Garnet, Garrison,
And all that noble band—
Lincoln and Sumner—heroes brave,
Who sought to free and help the slave.
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Yes, there within the pearly gates,
They wait for you and me;
Those men who planned that from the curse
Our people might be free;
Rejoicing in the broadening day
When shadows dark should flee away.
They wait for you and me;
Those men who planned that from the curse
Our people might be free;
Rejoicing in the broadening day
When shadows dark should flee away.
Our hero was a patriot true,
A messenger of truth:
Whose words of faith and hope rang out
Inspiring age and youth.
His life will inspiration give—
Through coming time his influence live!
A messenger of truth:
Whose words of faith and hope rang out
Inspiring age and youth.
His life will inspiration give—
Through coming time his influence live!
7
REQUIESCAT IN PACE.
Rest in peace, beloved brother,Holy influence will not cease;
Memory of the just is blessed—
Rest in peace, then, rest in peace!
—G. C. R.
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