 | [To James Walker, D. D., in] The Reverend Dr. James Walker and his friends on the eightieth anniversary of his birthday August 16, 1874 |  |
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TO JAMES WALKER, D. D.,
ON HIS EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY.
O full of years and of the stores
Of tranquil wisdom years impart
To him who, in their flight, adores
The Eternal One with grateful heart!
Of tranquil wisdom years impart
To him who, in their flight, adores
The Eternal One with grateful heart!
O full of years, yet fuller still
Of what no earthly years can give
But He alone, whose mercies fill
Pure hearts with love to all that live!
Of what no earthly years can give
But He alone, whose mercies fill
Pure hearts with love to all that live!
O full of years, with memories blest
Of toil for God, and man, and truth,
With hopes that calm and cheer the breast,
And breathe a new, transfigured youth!
Of toil for God, and man, and truth,
With hopes that calm and cheer the breast,
And breathe a new, transfigured youth!
O full of years! thy “fourscore years”
Not “labor” bring, “and sorrow”—nay!
Thy peaceful sun, as evening nears,
Points onward to still brighter day.
Not “labor” bring, “and sorrow”—nay!
Thy peaceful sun, as evening nears,
Points onward to still brighter day.
Grateful we hail the blessed sight
Of this thy tranquil eventide;
And would with thee, in its pure light,
Thy guests and guests of Heaven abide.
Of this thy tranquil eventide;
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Thy guests and guests of Heaven abide.
This day—to us a festal day—
Loved friend and father, we would bring
Our debt of gratitude to pay
The heart's memorial offering.
Loved friend and father, we would bring
Our debt of gratitude to pay
The heart's memorial offering.
Its sculpture-language well may speak
What tongue and pen in vain would say;
What the warm heart might vainly seek
To breathe out in the tender lay.
What tongue and pen in vain would say;
What the warm heart might vainly seek
To breathe out in the tender lay.
“The Cup of Blessing which we bless”
Kindly accept; and may it be
An emblem of the happiness
Life's brimming cup shall keep for thee!
Kindly accept; and may it be
An emblem of the happiness
Life's brimming cup shall keep for thee!
To us thy heart's full, golden bowl
Rich draughts of heaven's pure wine hath brought,
Nerving anew the jaded soul
With quickenings of electric thought.
Rich draughts of heaven's pure wine hath brought,
Nerving anew the jaded soul
With quickenings of electric thought.
We speak not for ourselves alone,
But for a manly race, whose youth,
Enkindled by thy thrilling tone,
Woke to the majesty of truth!
But for a manly race, whose youth,
Enkindled by thy thrilling tone,
Woke to the majesty of truth!
Who, in that fresh and tender hour
When luring passions dance their round,
Thus felt Religion's gracious power,
And saw her brow with beauty crowned!
When luring passions dance their round,
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And saw her brow with beauty crowned!
And thousands, too, who never heard
Thy voice, have kindled o'er the page
On which thy brave and lucid word
Went forth to move and mould the age.
Thy voice, have kindled o'er the page
On which thy brave and lucid word
Went forth to move and mould the age.
The pulpit was thy “joy and throne;”
No less in Harvard's august chair,
Thy manly, genial wisdom shone
And breathed its blessed influence there.
No less in Harvard's august chair,
Thy manly, genial wisdom shone
And breathed its blessed influence there.
To-day, O loved and honored one!
What throngs rise up to call thee blest,
And pray thy slowly sinking sun
Long linger in the glowing West!
What throngs rise up to call thee blest,
And pray thy slowly sinking sun
Long linger in the glowing West!
C. T. B.
| [To James Walker, D. D., in] The Reverend Dr. James Walker and his friends on the eightieth anniversary of his birthday August 16, 1874 | |