Poems (Howard)/Good-bye to Dr. Sage

by Hattie Howard

Good-Bye to Dr. Sage.

Oh, we shall miss his presence here,
  His counsels, wise and kind,
The guiding hand, the helpful cheer
That made him friend and pastor dear
  To whom all hearts inclined!

When far away, shall memory
  Ofttimes to us reveal
That earnest face we loved to see,
The lips that spake so worthily
  When touched by heavenly zeal.

His manly form and noble brow
  Shall be remembered long;
The regal mind to which we bow,
The loving heart that taught us how
  "To suffer, and be strong."

But our affections shall he bear
  Through many a future day;
And still our truest friendship share
While thoughts, light-winged with love and prayer,
  Pursue him on his way.

And he, with Life's untrodden ways
  Before him, fresh and new,
Shall turn to "scenes of other days,"
To hearts that name him but to praise
  And give him homage due.

Be kind to him, benignant Fate!
  And let not absence dim,
Nor length of time obliterate
The virtues we would emulate
  As oft we think of him.

And friends and neighbors yet to be,
  Whose gain shall be our loss,
Be true to him, and learn as we
Of him in all humility
  AVI 10 bravely bears the cross.

May richest blessings hover round
  His far-off Western home,
May health and happiness be found,
And life with Heaven's approval crowned
  Where'er his footsteps roam.

And our Father! guard thou well
  That happy household band
For whom our hearts with sorrow swell,
As we regretful tears repel
  And give the parting hand.

For them shall bells of memory chime
  While flowers gem the sod,
Until, beyond the cares of Time
We meet, within that brighter clime,
  Around the throne of God.
July, 1884.