HomeMy WebLinkAbout1905"Handwritten letter and poem, 8 pages, 12.5 x20.5 cm., to Mr. William White, from Richard
and Martha Branston, Greenbank, dated August 9, 1899.
Greenbank. Aug 9/99
Mr. Wm. White
My dear brother
I have enclosed to you a few lines which I have very imperfectly composed relative to dear
Alice's death and I sincerely trust it will find you in perfect bodily health and that also in your
deep trouble and sad bereavement"
"that underneath and round about you are the everlasting arms and although God has seem fir
in his own wise providence to sever one of your dearest earthly ties and has taken to him self
your beloved wife yet how cheering the hope the glorious hope which Jesus grace has given
That after as I have already observed
the things of time and since are done with if proving faithful we may all again meet in heaven.
We would very much like to receive again if possible a few lines from you should will you kindly
let us know whether Uncle Tom or no is still with you. Hoping your each well as we are much
as usual except for Martha who still continues quite weak
Oh let us remember that short is the road
That leads to our blest and most glorious abode
And most swift indeed will the glad hour come
When angels and loved ones shall welcome us home."
"with kind love to both yourself and dear Mary.
We remain your sincere friends
Richard and Martha Branston."
"Lines dedicated to Wm White on the occasion of his beloved wife Alice's death.
Oh Alice dear Alice O can it be true
Has't thou bid to this region a final adeau
Has't thou gone from this world from its grief and its pain
To be with thy saviour for ever to reign
Together life's path many years have we trod
Ere thy pure soul ascended on high to its God
And left me to finish life's journey alone
Till summonds like thee to the crown, robe and throne,
Thy death to my fancy would many times seem
a
As a solemn delusion or some hideous dream
And scarce can I banish the thought from my mind
That thy spirit on earth is no longer confined
But Ah on this region thy race it is run
Thy course it is finished-thy work it is done
Thy has't bid a farewell to earth soil and pain
And nere shall be tossed on lifes billows again"
"But I would not repine or at all be dismayed
Since all of my hopes on God's promise are stayed
And pledged is his word which has smitten the blow
To sustain me while here in this valley below
And then in the future the thought Oh how sweet
Our glorified loved ones again we may meet
Ub realms never clouded by sorrows dark gloom
Where pleasures immortal fro ever shall bloom
And may our dear grandchild which is left in my care
In glory to met her O may she prepare
And like Mary of old may she choose the good part
And give to the saviour her tender young heart
And when all earth conflicts and trials are o'er
May we all meet again on happier shore
Where no storms of sorrow or clouds shall arise
To mar our true joys of to darken our skies."