GRANNY’S MESSAGE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 193, 14 April 1893, Page 7

GRANNY’S MESSAGE.

You’re writing out to Jack today, because he’s twenty-one, And wants, you say, for me to send a message straight from home ; Dear boy, if I could just sit down and take his hand in mine Instead of putting all my love in one poor little line ! But write out clear and let it read : 44 To Jack, away from heme : Granny says, get ready for the kingdom come." You’resmiling, daughter, as you write, but Jack won’t «mile that way ; His mind will go a-tiltin’ back to thoughts of yesterday, Before ho d got as big and tall, and, oh, so very wise, When he was Granny’s white-haired boy, adreaming of the skies. So write out clear and let it read : '* To Jack, away from home : Granny says get ready for the kingdom come.’’ Somehow the letters that we get don’t seem to come from him ; And often when I’ve read them through my poor old eyes are dim ; He talks too much of wealth and power—my Jack was never proud— Of men of note, and fame, and might, and going with the crowd So write out clear and let it read : “To Jack, away from home : Granny says get ready for the kingdom Gome.” You think his birthday calls for more than such a simple line s Nay, there are those who lave him less to mate him Wishes line My words go from a faithful heart; they’re tender, true and warm, With loving wisdom in them too, to win my boy from harm. So write out clear and let it read : 44 To Jack, away from home : Granny says get ready for the kingdom come.’ ’ I’d like to see him as he reads, his bright eyes beaming o’er, And good thoughts rising, white and strong, to be forgot no more. Heaven will be nearer to his heart than it has been for years, For he will read in that one line my love, my hopes, my prayers. And so, because he is so dear ; “ To Jack, away from home ; Granny says get resdy for the kingdom come. 4