p. 12 | A Tribute to My Wife by P. H. Cady

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 27, 1914

A Tribute to My Wife

By P. H. Cady

P. H. CADY

My darling wife, a word of love to thee I now would leave upon this tablet white, In memory of thy purest love to me, Which to my life has been its sweetest light. I think of thee as when in youth's fair morn Thine eyes did beam with love into mine own, When from our lighted faith and love were born The love of home which ne'er from us hath flown.

And now I call to mind the happy time When little ones were gathered on my knee, And tuneful voices sang in sweetest chime Sweet songs to Jesus in full harmony. And then was breathed the evening prayer, And then good night, while little pattering feet Sprang into bed prepared with mother's care, And gleeful hearts were wrapped in slumber sweet.

But some are sleeping sweetly in the tomb— Three near our cottage home, one far away— Till the archangel's trumpet bids them plume Their little wings, and soar to endless day. And some to manhood's noble prime have grown, And others grace of womanhood and beauty wear; So swift the intervening years have flown, We scarce can realize these our children are.

May the great Father guide our children dear Through life's uneven journey to the end; That when our Lord shall come, all may appear In robes of purest white with him to stand. Then shall appear the worth of mother love When sanctified by faith and earnest prayer; And thou shalt answer to thy Lord above, “Here are the children that thou gavest me there. And here I stand, saved by thy precious blood, (O, dare I hope to stand with them and thee?) And thou hast made us kings and priests to God, To reign with him through all eternity."

O best of wives! of mothers, surely blest! Thy children bless thy name; the poor proclaim Thy charities to them when in distress; And in the gates thy husband lauds thy name. May Heaven bless thee! May thy precious life Be spared to us through many happy years; The loving mother, the devoted wife,— Then on Mount Zion may we all appear.