The Home Circle.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 34, 18 November 1899, Page 11

The Home Circle.

MR AND MRS T. TODD’S GOLDEN WEDDING. The following lines, by Mr A. B. Todd, Scotland, brother of Mr T. Todd, were written in celebration of the latter’s golden wedding, a report of which appeared last week. The writer, who is the author of several volumes, despatched his greeting so as to reach here in time for the happy event. The years, dear brother, how they have sped ! Can it really be that since you were wed Fifty long years have rolled over your head. And the dear little woman you married ? Yes, half a century has come and gone Since the day you made Eliza your own, Yet away from your hearth fickle love has not flown, But glow’d brighter the longer it tarried O, well I remember that brief winter day, How the air it was calm though the sky it was grey ; But a rift in the cloud let through a bright ray, Making glad Bute’s fair Isle of the ocean. Then life it was young and the heart it was light, You looked to the future, and all seemed so bright, And dreaming sweet dreams of unending delight, Nought disturb’d Love’s warm, fervent devotion.

Yet oft since when travelling life’s devious road, Bough, rough was the way and steep that you trod, But leaning for aye on the strong arm of God He strength for the journey provided. Though from fatherland now you are far far away, Where your dear first-born boy lies there in the clay, And the passing years now have turn’d your locks grey, You still bless the hand that has guided. Your sons they are strong and your daughter 8 are fair ; And, better than all, it is ever their care Their unstinted love in large measure to share With their parents so worthy to have it. And like as a shook of the bright yellow corn, Comes in in hu season to gladden the morn, And the burden of years has no more to be borne, Then calmly shall close in life’s sunset. And just as the sun at the close of the day, Looks larger and lovelier rolling away. When the meek evening draws down her curtain of gray On the wide scene of peace and of rest. Then, then, at the last, may your sun, too, go down. When your work is all done, and your days they have flown. And ye gladly depart to receive the bright crown And repose on the dear Saviour’s breast. And though, now, Dear Brother, perchance never more, We may meet on this earth, as we’ve oft met before, We shall meet, by and by, on a happier shore, Where partings and griefs can come never, Where foe shall not vex, and no false friend betray, Where sorrow and sighing have vanished away, Where the palmtree grows green through an unending day, And the stream of life flows on for ever.