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Hymn,
Sung at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Essex Historical Society, Salem. April 21, 1871.
Amid the swift onrushing years,
We hear a voice that bids us stay;
Back to the storied Past we turn,
And reverently its call obey.
We hear a voice that bids us stay;
Back to the storied Past we turn,
And reverently its call obey.
For not dissevered, weak, alone,
Do we amid the Present live;
But to our lives the by-gone days
Their knowledge, and their virtues give.
Do we amid the Present live;
But to our lives the by-gone days
Their knowledge, and their virtues give.
Made wise by wisdom of the Past,
We for the Future shall prepare;
Sharing our Fathers' noble aims,
We shall their fame, and glory share.
We for the Future shall prepare;
Sharing our Fathers' noble aims,
We shall their fame, and glory share.
But soon forgotten, or destroyed,
The records of that early age;
Had not their sons with loving care,
Memorials left for History's page.
The records of that early age;
Had not their sons with loving care,
Memorials left for History's page.
Honor we give to those, who here
Recorded for our use their lore;
Whose names, and virtues we revere,
Though seen with us their forms no more!
Recorded for our use their lore;
Whose names, and virtues we revere,
Though seen with us their forms no more!
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Inspired by their example high,
May we their chosen path pursue;
Alike to Present, and to Past,
In all our thoughts, and acts be true.
May we their chosen path pursue;
Alike to Present, and to Past,
In all our thoughts, and acts be true.
Poem No. 38; c. 21 April 1871
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