Lines, on the Death of Bishop N. K. Whitney

by Eliza Roxcy Snow

Original published version

A mighty man, a man of worth,
     A father and a friend,
Has left the narrow sphere of earth,
     His upward course to wend.

Firm as the hills—he was a stay,
     A bulwark and a shield—
Like a strong pillar, mov'd away
     To Zion's broader field.

From understanding's deepest wells
     Unmeasur'd draughts he drew—
The light, that with Jehovah dwells,
     Inspir'd his judgment too.

With dignity he fill'd the sphere
     Allotted him below—
His presence seem'd an impulse here
     To wisdom's genial flow.

But now his noble form must lie
     And slumber in the dust;
While he with honor joins the high
     Assemblies of the just.

With fondly cherish'd memory
     His name will be belov'd,
While virtue and integrity
     Are by the Saints approv'd.

The stroke is with a heavy rod—
     But while our hearts deplore
His loss, we'll own the hand of God,
     That God whom we adore.