To Samuel
Good morning, you said, as you left for your bride,
For the one in whom you so truly confide.
Good morning, my son, Heaven’s blessings attend,
As you take a companion, a dear, chosen friend.PSAS 27.6
I’m happy in thinking you’ll bring home a wife
To take the direction in things of this life,
May her interest and aim be all one with us here,
And she be to mother a daughter most dear.PSAS 27.7
The sister, the daughter, and wife, all combine;
The home of her childhood she too must resign.
Though former companions may not be forgot,
New duties, new trials will fall to her lot.PSAS 28.1
Be true and affectionate, always the same;
One in heart as you now are to be one in name,
Wherever she is, be it your joy to come;
While each can say truly, “There’s no place like home.”PSAS 28.2
You’ve doubtless informed her you intended your mother
Would have a home with you, and also your brother,
That she unexpectedly might not find these,
To add to her household, to care for and please.PSAS 28.3
You’ve been an affectionate, dutiful son;
Everything in your power, for my comfort you’ve done;
You’ve said this attention you owed me through life-
Oh! I’d be a rich blessing to your and your wife.PSAS 28.4
Should I be a burden still greater to bear,
The daughter and wife in the trial must share.
Think then of my age, over seventy years,
And bear with me though I cause sorrow and tears.PSAS 28.5
Though fretful, impatient, not suited at all,
And you think it is best not to mind every call,
Remember past seasons, my kindness, and know
I would have you as blest as one could be below.PSAS 28.6
And in the new earth when all trials are o’er,
I would be with you there to have life evermore.
An unbroken band may we all there appear,
The father, the mother, the children so dear.PSAS 28.7
We should there know each other, and all we’ve been through,
While Annie would greet her dear brothers anew
And Harriet and Frances would help swell the song,
Of Heaven’s free grace, with the numerous throng.PSAS 29.1
My dearest Samuel, through life’s scenes
I’d thought to live with thee,
But providentially a change,
Has taken you from me;
Dear child you need not fear for me.PSAS 29.2
Those kind words, “Mother, live with me,”
As then are now the same;
Unshaken is my confidence,
That you are just the same,
To-day, the very, very same.PSAS 29.3
Oh! how my heart goes after thee,
My dear, loved, cherished son,
Your father’s name and image bear,
As does no other one;
I see the once-loved in my son.
I see thee oft in fancy’s view,
And love to see thee so;
I’m happy that to your new home,
I’m wholly free to go;
My son to your home I can go.PSAS 29.4
It is my choice; I would be here,
I love to be alone,
I love this quiet solitude,
I love the wild wind’s moan;
My child, I would be here alone.PSAS 29.5
Yet not alone, another son
Is with me all the while,
Though frail in health, he cares for me,
And greets me with a smile;
He does my lonely hours beguile.PSAS 30.1
Another too, though far away,
Away now at the West-
With three kind sons to care for me,
Most signally I’m blest;
Be Heaven our place of final rest.PSAS 30.2
The husband and the daughter sleep;
Thus friends are parted here,
But they in joy will live again,
When Jesus shall appear,
To dry each Christian mourner’s tear.
February, 1865PSAS 30.3