Page:The black man - his antecedents, his genius, and his achievements (IA blackmanantecede00browrich).pdf/199

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in, and one selected, printed on a neat sheet, and circulated through the vast audience who were present. The following is the piece:—


A PARTING HYMN.

When Winter's royal robes of white
  From hill and vale are gone,
And the glad voices of the spring
  Upon the air are borne,
Friends, who have met with us before,
Within these walls shall meet no more.

Forth to a noble work they go:
  O, may their hearts keep pure,
And hopeful zeal and strength be theirs
  To labor and endure,
That they an earnest faith may prove
By words of truth and deeds of love.

May those, whose holy task it is
  To guide impulsive youth,
Fail not to cherish in their souls
  A reverence for truth;
For teachings which the lips impart
Must have their source within the heart.

May all who suffer share their love love—
  The poor and the oppressed;
So shall the blessing of our God
  Upon their labors rest.
And may we meet again where all
Are blest and freed from every thrall.