IN MEMORIAM: REV. S. RABONE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 222, 17 September 1872, Page 4

IN MEMORIAM : REV. S. RABONE

[Lines written in memorial of the decease of the Rev. Stephen Rabone, who expired suddenly in a street in Sydney, on the stormy "Sunday evening of July 2lst, on his way to preach at Wesley Church, Chippendale.] ' A veteran Leader of our Host Has fallen on the battle plain, And we to weep and toil remain. ( In armour clad, with sword in hand, Our warrior passed from mortal strife To a serene and endless life. The Sabbath morn hie calmly spent In service at the house of God; • On Sabbath eve to Heaven he went. The people for their preacher wait, The time has passed, he does not come; For God has bidden him l( Come home." No lingering sickness laid him low His life and work together cease — Painless he entered into peace. One moment here in active toil, The next away in perfect rest— . With such transitions saints are blest. ; To hear God's angels say, ". Come higher, Lay down thy helmet, take thy crown ; " What nobler death can man desire? Thou'rt gone, kind friend, we miss thee here, Thy voice familiar speaks no more; But thou art heard in happier spheres. ; Where friendships last, and grief ne'er comes, Where Jesus gathers to his side Those who for him have toiled and died. . The veil is lifted— thou dost know ■ All that perplexes us below, And we to join thee .hope Jfco go. 'Tis for ourselves, not thee, we mourn; -"' We ask for strength to follow thee, . . But would not ask for thy return; No tongue but kindness speaks of thee, : For with bur hearts'"we,judge the dead— Art thou aware lot all-that's said? ; A faithful man, a trusty friend, ; And many homes thy kindness felt, „ Thy heart was tender .to the end. ■ , ■ r .'.'ln manners unobtrusive, kind, - ! In modest works thy worth was shown, : And one like thee we scarce may find. ; • ,*■■•■-'. ,y :■■.'■ A ?;:•-. ■: >-\ ■ " W.C. From toil beneath, to-blessed work above, From scenes of care, to realms of perfect love, From evenirigtshadqwß, jto Unfailing dawn^ ' From f clouds, and darkn^ss^to unsullied morn ,• : The bath from 'storm, frprn- tempeatl and from i z-&^:y*x<y^^^k:A- t * :<■.■■<■ :"■••- "'■■' , Cost him no pain ■■:■, one.step,;and all was light! No parting.;pangs^Kete iiis.no.sad farewell,^,. Hia preseri|t : iblißß no"eatthiy^rietfdmfty^l."- --• iWithi^rmour,rstill(tindimmgd b^tim'o'^qjr rast, ; '' ! Banner )'mi han^.^eVfeU^ahli^jAtij&g^^Bi^y,; For vpromiised (»6^h:^:ex(Aabße'dt^^}^s I '.'•>Ma''lii^o' :: ■-jHisjoyfoKpassport^a^H^veh^ V •iyf^ljf^^^p^U^rw^^