And now the time had come for the final parting. Once more grief-stricken friends assembled in the church, which would know the presence of some of them no more forever, to implore the divine aid and blessing upon all, but more especially to commend the departing friends to the care and keeping of their faithful God. The hymn, composed by Mr. Nobbs and sung on the former occasion, was again sung, the two last stanzas of which are given here, these referring directly to those about to leave, being composed for this special farewell gathering:—
“For those who in the flesh remain,
Though absent from our sight,
For their remembrance we’ll retain
Affections pure and bright;
Though parted, severed, far away,
Perchance to meet no more,
For their prosperity we’ll pray,
And love them as before.