MEMORIES by Nellie Hawks

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1901

MEMORIES

By Nellie Hawks

Troop down the land of years agone so often Fond memories of youth’s enchanted days, When love’s sweet dream of life did daily soften The toils and frets, the world and all its ways; The first own home, the first of life’s awakening From dreams to stern realities and grief,— The heartaches o’er the old home nest forsaking. Sweet years of childhood! Ah! they were so brief.

But come again before life’s thought and calling Day after day with joy and love replete, Nor overweight of burden e’er befalling, Did burdens all their history repeat. Adown the summer path to age we’re drifting, And hope grows strong, and sweetly memory gleams. To live for whom we love is all uplifting. Come, memory! more reveal thy long-past dreams.

The past is fraught with tears, and joys, and smiling, Each in its turn has passed review to-day. The present holds a future all-beguiling; Let past be past! And yet we would not stay Where memory no longer dared invading— The past is filled with measure pure and sweet. Though life unto eternity is fading, We sit and dream of loved ones we shall meet.

—Nellie Hawks, in Christian Work.