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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 30, No. 7.

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ONE BY ONE.

By M. J. Cottrell

One by one my childhood friends Have passed away with childhood days, One by one, I've scarcely missed them, Wandering through life's strange dark maze,
One by one they've left the pathway Where we joyous children played; One by one, some for the bridal, Others for the tomb arrayed.
One by one I formed new friendships, Some the pastime of a day, Others lasting, true, abiding; One by one must all decay?
One by one I've learned life's lessons, Some were easy, quickly learned; Others caused me months of study, Those were lessons dearly earned.
One by one, yet how imperfect, I have learned my lessons ill; Daily now I con them over, But I read imperfect still.
One by one bright hopes have faded I have watched their slow decay, And with heartfelt, bitter anguish; Wept by night and prayed by day.
One by one the bright sweet flowers Bow their heads then fade and die; One by one the storm clouds gather, Shutting out the fair blue sky.
One by one the leaves are falling From the shade tree on the lawn; One by one the stars come twinkling, One by one they fade at dawn.
One by one the words are spoken, One by one the deeds are done Which will make a faithful record Telling how the victory's won.
One by one the steps are taken Toward the kingdom bright and pure; One by one, though slow the progress, Patience whispers, Still endure.
M. J. COTTRELL.
Rochester, N. Y.