Anniversary Poems

Anniversary Poems

February 7^th, 1802

 

While some are doom’d to bear the load of life

In single solitude, without the aid,

The cheering aid of Friendship’s social power,

Like lonely trees upon a blasted heath,

Exposed to all the beatings of the storm;-

While others, stung by disappointment, feel

The bands design’s for comfort, peace, and love,

To be the cords of bondage to their souls;-

Say, my loved friend, what happiness is ours,

That we can greet this morning with a song,

A song of praise, to that all-gracious Power,

Who in the counsels of his matchless love,

First form’d our union, and then kindly join’d

our hearts and hands by his own sacred ties!

Obtaining strength by him as years increased,

More and more firmly have our souls been bound;

And spared by grace, this ninth revolving morn

Finds us more join’d in cordial, constant love,

Than we first before the altar bow’d.

 

Hail! welcome morn! thy glad approach we greet,

And bless the as the happiest of our lives.

Still may thy sun rise cloudless; and the years

That yet may roll their courses o’er our heads,

Increase, mature, and sanctify our love.

While, as we travel o’er life’s varied path,

Upheld by mutual tenderness, we rise

Above the storms that sometimes cross this way,

And, by participation sweet, receive

A richer pleasure from its brightest scenes;

While humble gratitude, with careful eyes,

Noting the boundless gifts of Love Divine,

Leads us together to the mount of praise,

To adore the Author of our numerous joys.