THE HENDERSON GOLD .LEAF THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1897.
The Gold Leaf.
" i len person. n. c.
THURSDAY, .FAN. 7, I8.)7.
THE BELLS OF EPWORTH.
Respectfully Dedicated to the Lady
Who Has Put Norfolk Under a Debt
oi Gratitude by Placing Bells in Ep
worth's Tower.
JIT flEOKOE I. SOWITZKV.
As the state! v ship with crowded sail
Arrives in Norfolk's shelteM-d bay.
Tin crew with loving remembrance hail
Tin; harmonious notes of a welcome lay;
For like an angel bearing glad tidings
From clear ones a loving tome.
The bells of Epworth are chiming
'There's no placa like home."
The parlor is draped in mourning,
The mother by a casket kneeling!
For her child in life's early morning
For admission to Heaven is appealing.
Iut look, with her sad face smiling,
She aries from her bended knee,
For the bells of Epworth are chiming
"Nearer my Cod, to Thee."
A lad from his home has departed,
With companions steeped in crime;
His parents are left broken hearted
While he seeks another clime.
Put see he waves them back firmly.
And repents of his hasty llight.
For the bells of Epworth are chiming
"Where is my boy to-night?"
Tears are in the eyes of the lovers
As th'-y fear they must forever part
For poverty like a pall hovers
And crushes all hope of the heart.
But like a bright light in the gloaming
A sweet sound changes the tide,
'Tisthe bells of Kpworth chiming
"Cod in Ilia love will provide."
Then chime on, chime Epworth bells.
And with thy consoling rhyme.
Forever tell us where the Master dwells
To meet us at the promised time.
Then ring on, ring euphonious bells
And bid us seek consolation in prayer.
