Tribute to the Memory of the Late Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer

Tribute to the Memory of the Late Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer

WEEP, orphans, weep! - for ye have lost a friend -

Ye widows, shed the tributary tear;

Ye sons of want - come, and in sadness bend

O'er the loved form - now cold and lifeless here;

Weep, captives, weep! - ye sick and injur'd too,

Ye lone and friendless ones, here vent your sighs,

Full oft this breast hath heav'd with sighs for you,

For here a friend to all the friendless lies.

Weep, infidels, and skeptics, weep! - this cheek

Hath oft for you been wet with pity's tear,

And oft these lips, in accents warm and meek,

Have breath'd for you the secret - fervent pray'r;

Thou shun'd, yet sad and hopeless child of sin,

These feet have sought thee in thy dark abode -

This heart hath striv'n thy soul for death to win,

And lead thee back to happiness and God.

Weep, children, weep! - behold these sightless eyes,

How oft they beamed in mildness on your own;

How oft these hands have pointed to the skies,

How oft this form hath bow'd at mercy's throne -

That thy young hearts might feel a Saviour's love -

Might early know his power to bless and save,

And then point others to the world above,

When he should slumber in the silent grave.

Weep, Christians, weep! - a father, brother dies!

His heart and hand were foremost in your cause;

Tears now should bathe the darken'd Heathen's eyes,

And the poor Sailor here in sorrow pause;

Friends of the Bible - friends of Missions weep!

In each good word and work he led your way -

Scatter'd his treasures o'er the land and deep -

And daily knelt, in humble faith to pray.

Church of our Fathers, weep! - a pillar falls,

Which long unshaken in its grandeur stood;

He lov'd thy gates - he bless'd thine ancient walls, -

Dwelt in thy courts - and sought thy highest good;

To thee his wealth - to thee his toil he gave,

For thee he pray'd - for thee his tears were shed;

Come, gather round this "old disciple's" grave,

And cry, "Help Lord, a faithful man is dead!"

And oh! ye favored ones, who knew him best,

Who shar'd his warmest love - his fondest cares -

Who saw the virtues of his inmost breast,

And daily knelt beside him in his prayers -

Yes, ye do weep! - yet not in hopeless grief,

The Lord hath taken what the Lord had giv'n,

From age and pain he found a sweet relief,

And ye have now another Friend in Heav'n.*

His life the fruits of holy faith display'd,

The poor were fed - the thirsty were supplied;

The stranger shelter'd - and with cheerful aid,

His mercy flew where want or sickness sigh'd;

Yet he was humble - and in manners mild,

Though large his gifts - and great his honest fame,

With all the meekness of "a little child,"

His only trust was in the Saviour's name.

Oh! his was not the selfish, sordid soul,

That says "be cloth'd and be ye also fed" -

Or prays that Truth and Peace may onward roll,

Yet grasps its wealth - while the false words are said;

No, no! - his hand was opened - yet no sound

Of trumpet went before. Though rich and free,

His bounties oft, like streams beneath the ground,

Unseen, pour'd treasures - sparkling in the sea.

But view him now - let faith with vision bright,

Survey the glories of the world above;

Behold him there - in shining robes of light,

Where life is bliss - and being endless love;

With angels, sainted friends, and holy throngs,

All bright, all pure, and all supremely blest,

Praising the Lamb, to whom all praise belongs,

With heaven's high raptures glowing in his breast.

Yes, he was greatly good, and nobly wise -

The Christian - Patriot - Gentlemen - and sage;

Go learn of him wherein true wisdom lies,

Study his life - and may the hallow'd page

Thy zeal inspire - and all thy pow'rs awake,

Like him to live - like him at last to die;

And then, when Death life's golden chord shall break,

Like him to find a better life on high.

_________

* When last the writer of these lines saw this most excellent and lamented man - he was then suffering under disease and the infirmities of age, and daily expecting to be called into eternity. Yet he had no fear; on the contrary he expressed his unwavering and entire confidence in (to use his own words) his precious Redeemer, and said he was ready and waiting to depart and be with Him. In all tranquillity and hope, he waited for the coming of the Lord.

Unattributed

3:7, p. 2

1839.02.23