JT-17-To the Memory of Elder Joseph Thomas

To the Memory of Elder Joseph Thomas

From the "Christian Palladium," Vol. 4, No. 4.
By Eld. W. Laure.

Pilgrim, farewell! thy funeral knell has rung,
Thy race is ended, and thy work is done.
Thou art gone from time; thy body is at rest;
Thy soul, transported, shines among the blest.

Thrice happy soul! thus by thy Master fed;
Jesus, thy Shepherd, has in safety led
Thee through to pastures green, where thou shalt shine,
And solace in the beams of love divine.
Your little hillock marks the spot where lies
The man of God, to obtain the prize,
Forsook in youth earth’s fascinating charms,
Eager to clasp true riches in his arms.

Through trials sore he ran the heavenly way
To the bright climes of everlasting day--
His sun is set, the storm of life is o’er:
The much loved, useful THOMAS is no more!

No more on earth art thou in sorrow found;
No more a weeping pilgrim, traveling round,
To bear the tidings of salvation free,
And sound aloud the glorious Jubilee.

Oh, no! thy work has hastened to a close,
And angels borne thy spirit to repose.
We mourn thy loss with many a falling tear,
While Heaven forbids the wish to hold thee here.

Whilst here on earth, how many a secret sigh
Roll’d through that sainted bosom, now on high!
How often flow’d the sympathetic tear
With friends and kindred which he held most dear!

Wife, children, home, obedient to the call
He for the sake of Jesus gave up all,
In distant lands the flag of truth to wave,
And in a distant land he found a grave.

Forbear to murmur, humbly kiss the rod,
And bow submissive to the will of God.
The pilgrim’s gone--his work on earth is ended;
His pure spirit has to heaven ascended.

There, rob’d in WHITE, while glory crowns his brow,
At Jesus’ feet with raptured millions bow.
Oh, glorious state! where all the saints shall dwell
In perfect bliss, no more to say, "Farewell!"