Homeward Bound Poem by Lizzie E Palmer

In the crowded hall they listened
To the welcome, warm and free,
Which New England's sons extended,
To their friends from o'er the sea.
Joined in holy convocation,
With the good of every clime;
Words of faith sublime they uttered,
That will echo through 'all time:'
Institutions-halls of learning-
Scenes of interest they explore,
Breathe the parting benediction,
Then they leave Columbia's shore.
Now on board the stately vessel,
With their brethren they recall
Soul communings - sweet and precious,
Crowning 'Jesus Lord of all.'
And this gathering from all nations,
In the bonds of Christian love,
Seems a foretaste of the pleasures,
In rich store for them above.
Ah! how
near
those joys celestial,
Little did they
dream
how near,
As they vowed to toil unceasing,
In the cause of Christ so dear;
Saw perchance the fields all whitening,
And the laborers all too few;
Yet the 'unseen future' hideth
What Jehovah
wills
to do.
Thoughts of danger none might whisper,
As the spacious decks they tread;
And the giant steamer swiftly,
O'er the ocean homeward sped
None might whisper that 'the Master,'
Soon should call them to His arms;
Over fear make them victorious,
In the midst of dire alarms.
Suddenly from slumber 'wakened
On that dreadful night of woe -
Ghastly death in all his terrors,
Was to them a conquered foe
He but oped the golden portals,
Where dispair and pain ne'er come;
And through soveriegn grace triumphant,
They have reached their heavenly home.