Poems (Curwen)/Rev. J. M. Morgan, Vicar of Dalton

by Annie Isabel Curwen

Rev J. M. Morgan, Vicar of Dalton.

Peace to the dead! the honoured dead,
 Whom reverent hands this day have borne
To his place of rest in the earth's cold breast,
 To sleep till the Resurrection morn.

Peace to the dead! the reverend dead,
 Whose name has been a household word,
Pastor and friend, loved to the end:
 "Blest are the dead, who die in the Lord."

Peace to the dead! the blessed dead,
 Whose earthly pilgrimage is o'er ,
Whose work is done, whose rest is won,
 Whose barque has gained the golden shore.

Folded in mother earth's embrace,
 The dear old vicar calmly lies;
Dust to the sod, spirit to God,
 Rendered until the dead arise.

Through many changeful seasons, he,
 Like a good shepherd, led his sheep;
But now the call, which comes to all,
 He has obeyed, and slumbers deep.

Of tender heart, and generous hand,
 He loved his flock; they loved him, too;
Who, fifty years, has shared their fears,
 And all their joys and sorrows knew.

His genial smile and cheery voice
 Many will miss with keenest pain;
Of him bereft, a blank is left
 It will be hard to fill again.

Peace to the dead! whose hoary head
 Is lying now beneath the mould;
But the Shepherd who waits at the golden gates
 Has gathered him into the fold.