Lines on the death of the Reverend Jeremiah Gloucester

Lines on the death of the Reverend Jeremiah Gloucester

IS GLOUCESTER dead! The man of GOD?
Why! I saw him, but the other day
With cheerfulness upon his brow,
Oh! has he now so soon decayed!

YES, I saw him, mount the sacred desk;
There, with energy proclaim the truth,
While, listening ears, hung upon his lips
And is it possible, he's dead and gone!

WHAT, gone - left his newly wedded bride -
Forlorn, to weep and mourn - a widow!
Left the people of his charge alone?
Has he gone, and left the world for ever!

DEPART'D, in the morning of his days,
In the blooming primrose of his life;
'Mid, the hopes of future usefulness;
Is he, suddenly cut down - by death!

YES, I read the record of his death! -
While, I read, my bosom palpitates;
Tender tears come rushing to my eyes!
But, oh, delightful, cheering thought; that,
THOUGH he moulders in his silent URN,
He's free from every care and pain;
Gone to rest from all his labours here;
And to receive a rich reward in HEAVEN!

Amicus

1:44, p. 176

1828.01.25