IN MEMORIAM.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 276, 11 March 1879, Page 2

IN MEMORIAM.

(From the Saturday Advertiser.) An Appeal.

The touch of God is on the chord which

runs Through all humanity, from heart to heart; The Hand Divine, that holds the stars and suns, Strikes on love's string, and inner voices start, Proclaiming we are each of each a part. The Priest of Nature may expound this truth : Afflictions are but solemn lessons read To mortals ; Science still is in her youth— The living gain their knowledge through the dead ; . , .All; human suii'ring points the. road ahead. -It may be so ; anon we'll learn that text, But now the widows' and the orphans' eyes Are following from this life to the next, Loved spirits torn away from dearest

ties, And God to us is speaking through their crius.

He calls on us to succour those in need, We're bound together in a common

bond. Faith's purest action is a noble deed, Hope's truest anchor is a helping hand, Love is the key that opes the door beyond.

A few short days ago, and those who rest Held this poor lease of earth which now , we hold ; ...

The pulse of life beat strongly in each breast— Ah ! 'tis the same old story often told, We know not when the spark may leave the mould.

Oh! brothers, there are weary hearts to- , <%> And cheerless homea, where sorrow »ts in gloom ; And lonely weeping ones, who can bat pray "Thy will be done," whilst bowing to their doom, And longing for the meeting 'yond the tomb.

Not ours to change the mystic eecotxl birth. Not ours to bring tlie loved, ones l?ack

again, . . .. • But ours to do our duty npoh earth, By succouring the mourners who remain; . .

To tlieui we're linked in,.sympathetic chain. . . i> V-'-

To-day Humanity's resistless breath Sweeps through the credal barriers, and brings " ; Us all together to the Church of Death— The common fold of toilers and of kings; . And charity broods o'er with outstretched wings.

To-day the pure Christ-Spirit from above, With warm vibration thrills through every soul; To-day we owe a sacred debt to Love - , To-day our Father claims a special toll At gates which lead tv Hope's eternal goal.

Thomas Bracken,