WE HAVE LOST A FATHER.
The following original hymn by Josiah A. Stearns, Esq., was sung at the obsequies, Jan. 4th, by a choir of young girls from the "Lawrence Association of the Mather School," while surrounding the last earthly remains of their deceased friend.
Tune—"Home again." [ 2]
He has gone—he has gone—
To his spirit-home;
And, oh! it thrills his soul with joy,
In realms of bliss to roam.
But we must shed the burning tear
To part with him we love;
And now for us the world is gloom,
Since he has gone above.
He has gone—he has gone—
To his spirit-home;
And, oh! it thrills his soul with joy,
In realms of bliss to roam.
Weeping eyes—broken hearts—
Oft he bid rejoice;
And homes of woe were full of praise,
That heard his loving voice:
For oft he soothed poor sorrow's tear,
And wept when they were sad;
And many were the orphan-forms
His generous bounty clad.
Weeping eyes—broken hearts—
Oft he did rejoice;
And homes of woe were full of praise,
That heard his loving voice.
Gentle words—heavenly thoughts—
Linger where he trod:
And, oh! it was our childhood's charm
To hear him talk of God.
Then let us ever strive to live,
As he, our friend, has done;
That we may reach the happy life
Which he has now begun.
Gentle words—heavenly thoughts—
Linger where he trod;
And, oh! it was our childhood's charm
To hear him talk of God.
Fare thee well—fare thee well!
We around thee weep;
But, oh! we love thee, father, still,
And angels guard thy sleep.
The kind "Old Oak" for us no more
Shall sheltering branches spread;
And, oh! our hearts are wrung with grief,
For he we loved is dead.
Fare thee well—fare thee well!
We around thee weep;
But, oh! we love thee, father, still,
And angels guard thy sleep.
[2. ] "Home Again" was sung in hearing of Mr. Lawrence by the children on his last visit to their school, when he was accompanied by Gen. Franklin Pierce. [(return)]