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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: 133 THE MISSIONARY. He stands amid his household band, ' The loved ones of his youth, Prepared to leave his native land, A messenger of Truth. Far, far away from scenes so dear In distant climes to roam, With no fond voice to soothe, or cheer? To find, on earth, no home. And trusting in his Saviour's power The fainting to sustain, He firmly stands in that dread hour, That parting-hour of pain. Yet anguish, passionless, but deep, His bleeding spirit knew, While to the loved, who, round him, weep, He breathes a last adieu. Father, my friend and guide, Thy charge is o'er. . The blest place at thy side, Is mine, no more. Thy love, thy tender care. From childhood shown, I may no longer share, While far I roam. Mother, thy voice so sweet, I may not hear, Its soft notes ne'er shall greet, My list'ning ear. Thy gentle smile, no more, Shall, on me, shine, O! earth can ne'er restore Such love as thine! Brother, we little knew, In childhood's years, When manhood rose to view, 'Twas fraught with tears? How, far from thee, blest friend, Was cast my lot? O till life's journey end, Forget me not! Sister, thy youthful hear So full of glee, Can never more impart Its bliss to me. Thy joyous, winning tone No more may cheer, Light of our happy home, I leave thee here. Bright home, fair scenes, adieu' I may not stay. The Lord, the Faithful, True, Calls me away. He, He shall be my guide. Till life is past, Though earth may sever wide, We'll meet, at last! And he went forth, to live and die, Alone?0! not alone. Bright angels, joyful, from on high, Around his pathway shone. A Saviour's arm of mighty power Encircled him around, And, in each lone, desponding hour, ...