SIXTY AND SIX BEAUTIFUL YEARS

 By Rev. J. A. Hansen

Dedicated in friendship's admiration to the memory of the late Rev. C. B. Parsons of Oxford, 

N. Y., who died July 3, 1907, sixty-six years of age.

Reared in the temple A Beautiful Youth,

Based like a mountain on God's Holy Truth.

Capped like the Alps in their unthawing snow,

All of his currents from piety flow.

None of the sowing that curses the ears;

Pure, clean, sixty and six "Beautiful Years."

Called to the temple, A Beautiful Priest,

Most like the Master, 'mong brethern the least.

Sped by a heart of unceasing motion;

Held his orb like a Sun of Devotion.

None of the hirelings' and heartrending fears;

Love, faith, sixty and six "Beautiful Years."

Strong in the temple, a Good Manly Man,

Firm as Gilbraltar to liberty's clan.

Calm as the eve tide and silent like night,

Tempestuously defending the right.

None of the courting that bows before jeers;

True, brave, sixty and six "Beautiful Years."

Missed in the temple, Sympathetic friend,

Clarion prophet faithful to the end.

Like Transfiguration's master of prayer, 

Stilling our tempests and our sorrows share;

None of self seeking that serves without tears;

Kind friend, sixty and six "Beautiful Years."

Alive in yon temple, Beautiful Soul,

Named with a new name from heaven's own roll.

He in the shadow of Calvary did hide-

Transported from earth with Christ to abide.

All of that sweetness that heaven endears,

Saved, Eternally "Beautiful Years."

                                            -Greene, N. Y., Aug. 7

NOTE:  REV. J. A. HANSEN WAS FROM GREENE AND A VERY CLOSE FRIEND OF REV. C. B. PARSONS OF OXFORD.  REV. PARSONS DIED UNEXPECTEDLY AND REV. HANSEN ASSISTED IN THE SERVICES.  HE WROTE THIS POEM FOR HIS FRIEND.