Poems (Holmes)/To a Friend in the Church
To a Friend in the Church who was going away.
Our hearts are filled with fond regret, While thee we bid farewell,Whose cherished form we loved to meet, Where God delights to dwell.
For oh! what tongue can ever speak The joys which we have known,When by our pastor kindly led, Jehovah's love to own.
As daily in His sacred courts, We met in number few,But joined in faith, from springs of love We living waters drew.
And oft in sweet communion knelt Around that hallowed shrine,Where Christ vouchsafed our souls to feed On banquets most divine.
And with the pure angelic host We joined our thankful songs,In adoration of the Lamb, To whom all praise belongs.
And must we, must we, sever now? Oh, must we loose the tie,That binds our hearts in union sweet, While passing to the sky?
Must we indeed no longer meet_ Within that hallowed place,Where we have loved to meet our God, And seek His aiding grace?
Oh yes, alas! 'tis even so; We must asunder part;Though great to us will be the loss Of thy warm, tender heart.
But at our Father's gracious will, Oh let us not repine,But trust that all our trials here, Are sent in love benign.
And in our hearts we'll cherish still, The friend that now we-love;Relying on the joyous hope, That we shall meet above,
Where Christ, the bright and morning star, Shall be our constant light,To whom with angels we'll ascribe Both majesty and might.
Adieu, adieu! a little while, And may our Father's handGuide thee safe through this darksome world, To yonder spirit-land.