ON LEAVING ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, CHARLESTOWN.
NOT meet again! what, never, never more
To fill this seat, or hear this solemn strain?
How sadly beautiful! It seems to pour
A dirge-like music on my heart and brain.
To fill this seat, or hear this solemn strain?
How sadly beautiful! It seems to pour
A dirge-like music on my heart and brain.
No more to hear their gentle footsteps tread,
Fair worshippers, through this dim-lighted aisle,
Casting their burdens upon Him who bled
And died for us,—in whom was found no guile.
Fair worshippers, through this dim-lighted aisle,
Casting their burdens upon Him who bled
And died for us,—in whom was found no guile.
No more to hear the sweet response or prayer,
Or kneel with them around the chancel rail,
Where we in our unworthiness repair
To ask for strength, our sinfulness bewail.
Or kneel with them around the chancel rail,
Where we in our unworthiness repair
To ask for strength, our sinfulness bewail.
The last farewell this morn we come to hear—
From Christ's ambassador a parting word;
How many mournful memories appear,
How many hearts by sympathy are stirred.
From Christ's ambassador a parting word;
How many mournful memories appear,
How many hearts by sympathy are stirred.
Close as the tendrils of the vine that clings
And grows in beauty o'er thy sacred walls,—
So twine our hearts, until our spirit wings
Its way celestial where no care inthralls.
And grows in beauty o'er thy sacred walls,—
So twine our hearts, until our spirit wings
Its way celestial where no care inthralls.
