1 ^t(*«i«MM|M»ii«ccfme i gmm : Mmmevmvv. | ©65 fellows' %oi>§c, nnb ©ccasional tpocms. >■ -■■•" ' ': ? : ■ * / • '; - t / / / / / 1 LIBRAFftLOF CONGRESS, rs 32.4 ? Chap;. ... Copyright No..___ Shelf. ^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ADDRESS FOR THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY ODD FELLOWS' LODGE, AND OTHER POEMS, CHIEFLY OCCASIONAL. By CHARLES L. LOCHMAN. \\\ r BETHEEHEM, PA.: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. I8 97 . G COPYRIGHT, 1897, By CHARLES L. I.OCHMAN. PRESS OF HAINES & WORMAN, ALLENTOWN, PA. PREFACE. Like the indulgent mother who gathers her children, regardless of their merits, into one circle at her fire-side, so I bring together my verses, some of which have led a pre- carious life in the periodical publications of the day. They were written at intervals extending over a period of many years, prompted by subjects as they occasionally presented themselves. Some of the earlier poems reflect the romance and sentiments of youth, being written in the spring-time of life when nature wears a continuous smile and Hope points to a pathway strewn with roses. The author is desirous that they should appear as they were written for whatever merit or demerit they may possess. Now go, my humble booklet, go, Perhaps thy feeble art, May still a few stray sunbeams throw Upon a friendly heart. C. L. L. Bethlehem, Pa., July 22d, 1897. CONTENTS. PREFACE 3 THE THREE LINKS 5 POEM FOR THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF AN ODD FELLOWS' LODGE 6 DEDICATION ODE FOR AN ODD FELLOWS' HALL 14 FAREWELL ODE FOR AN ODD FELLOWS' HALL 16 MEMORIAL DAY 18 ARBOR DAY 21 THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART 24 DAY OF HUMILIATION AND PRAYER IN MEMORY OF JAMES A. GARFIELD 27 PRAISE TO THE GODHEAD, FROM THE GERMAN 29 GRANT 33 NEVvf YEAR'S ADDRESS 36 FREEMEN SPARE OUR FLAG 41 JULY 4TH, 1776 43 ODE FOR AN ODD FELLOWS' CELEBRATION 45 EARLIER POEMS 47 TO ADA 47 HYMN FOR A SUNDAY SCHOOL ^ ... 48 LINES WRITTEN IN A YOUNG LADY'S ALBUM 5o MUST I SAY FAREWELL AGAIN 52 I LOVE MY NATIVE VILLAGE HOME 54 TO TWO YOUNG GIRLS 56 AUTUMN 58 TO MISS M. N 60 THE YOUNG MAN'S DREAM 62 CHILD'S MORNING PRAYER 64 CHILD'S EVENING PRAYER 64 THE THREE LINKS. Three links were forged near fourscore years ago By some brave men in a furnace all aglow With Love, with Hope, with Faith, and Charity ; Unbroken still, and always may they be The strongest ties uniting man to man, With love that moved the good Samaritan. Four years of combat could not break the chain, Though brother was by brother sometimes slain, Though not in anger, but in war's sad strife — They gladly would have saved each other's life. The links thus purified with tears and blood, Will bind all hearts in closer brotherhood. What links so strong, while binding bless and soothe ? The Golden Links of Friendship, Love and Truth. POEM Read at the Fiftieth Anniversary of Symmetry Lodge, No. 103, I. O. O. F., at Hamburg, Pa February i6th, 1895. " We take no note of time But from its loss ; to give it then a tongue Is wise in man."— Young. What cheerful faces greet us here to-night, While every heart is tuned to notes of glee, For Friendship's sun pours forth its brightest light, At this, our happy, golden jubilee! Well may our hearts in gratitude unfold, For this, our Lodge, nor age, nor weakness shows ; The fifty years that over her have rolled Dimmed not the light that on her altar glows. And woman's presence with approving smiles, Adds double pleasure to our meeting here ; From youth to age her gentle way beguiles Our daily life with ever-kindly cheer. ANNIVERSARY POEM. Thanks Sisters ! for your ready, willing aid ; For smiles in joy, for tears in our distress, Unselfish love for all our works displayed, And cheerful hearts to make our burdens less. Here one sad thought intrudes itself alone, Regret for those who have been called away ; But memory comes with her consoling tone And lifts the heart from sorrow and dismay. Alas, my brethren here, I look in vain For those I greeted fifty years ago ! (Among this L,odge I meet but one again) Whose faces then with life were all aglow. \ It seems I feel their spirit presence here, Their friendly grasp, and hear their cheerful voice, While in life's semblance they once more appear, And with us in our banquet, too, rejoice. Though one by one drops from the living line, The void soon fills with young and earnest souls ; — Renewed in youth this L,odge may ever shine L,ike passing river to the ocean rolls. 8 ANNIVERSARY POEM. All through the scenes of this eventful life, This Lodge ne'er lacked its kind, fraternal aim ; And while the nation rocked in bloody strife, The bonds of Friendship still remained the same. Oh ! who can count her works of fifty years, Her vigils at the bed of pain and grief? Her soothings of the widow's sorrowing tears ; Her noble acts of friendship and relief? She gives the fatherless a father's care, Instructs them in life's useful, honest ways ; She lets the feeble, aged brother share A home of ease in his declining days. And when a brother's spirit takes its flight, And from his eyes all earthly objects fade, The brethren pay their last, sad, solemn rite, When all that's mortal in the earth is laid. But then we lift our stricken hearts on high — No longer viewing his last couch with pain — Through Faith's assurance that fraternally We all shall meet in brighter realms again. ANNIVERSARY POEM. 'Tis after storms have darkened earth and sky, The sun again gives out its rays of gold, And lightens the receding clouds on high, — The matchless bow of promise we behold ! Doth man grow better as the years pass by, And nobler thoughts, each year, engage his way ? Can one behold with dim prophetic eye The approach of the bright millennial day ? Foremost to give a grander growth to man, To make his earthly pathway bright and smooth, Our noble Order marches in the van, With flags inscribed to Friendship, Love and Truth. Beyond the apparent gloom of doubt there gleams, A brighter sun that shines with sweeter ray ; In times to come its all-pervading beams Will here on earth a holier light display. Mankind, though slow, to loftier heights e'er rears To fill God's purpose and complete His plan ; — How many epochs of unnumbered years Between cave-dwellers and high-cultured man ! IO ANNIVERSARY POEM. The shackles parted and the slaves are freed ! Here none now suffers for opinion's sake ; No one who differs in belief or creed Need fear the scourge or perish at the stake. Let us look back the space of fifty years, 'Tis but a moment on Time's dial-plate, — On memory's glass what magic scene appears, It seems but fancy in a dreaming state. The gold of California rested still Where Indians wandered, or the timid deer, And Luna's wealth in many a Western hill Had not yet lured the hardy pioneer. Like fabled monster with a breath of fire The engine moves along the iron way, — In "fast stage-coaches" rode the gray-haired sire, When young in years, at fifty miles a day ! No ocean cable or extended wire Could send the doings of the world afar, — Untamed was still the wild electric fire, Now giving light or moving fast the car. ANNIVERSARY POEM. II No means of progress, fifty years ago, Gave us the daily news from every clime; The harnessed fluid in obedience now Outstrips in speed the sun or winged Time. With heavy cradle and all bending low, The busy farmer cut his fields with pain, — Behold the rapid-moving reaper now That cuts, and binds in sheaves, the golden grain. With wearied fingers and dim straining eyes, Seamstress and tailor stitched the live-long day ; Now, one gentle tread and the needle flies, And while humming it sews through yards away. So many aids to man were still unknown ; No photographs were made of friends we prize ; We could not speak afar through telephone, Nor hear imprisoned speech from phonograph arise. No kind Nepenthes to relieve the pain, Of suffering patients from the surgeon's steel ; — Beneath the knife they now in sleep remain No anguish show, nor needful torture feel. 12 ANNIVERSARY POEM. The oil that now gives out its cheering rays, And lights the homes of millions everywhere Then crept through rocks in secret, devious ways; — Most homes were lit by a candle's feeble glare. No steamers then were rushed along the street, When call for aid in breathless summons came, To play high streams of water to defeat The dread, destroying fiend of fire and flame. What wonders will the twentieth century show, What new discoveries and inventions great? That will their blessings on mankind bestow, — Our toil assuage and labor mitigate ? And will the century's years in glory bring, The looked for morn of joyful splendor, when Along with angels we shall learn to sing, Henceforth reigns peace on earth, good will to men ? Against the Cross will Moslem's anger cease, All nations learn the Master's creed of love ? And everywhere reign charity and peace ; Divinest gospel of our Lord above ? ANNIVERSARY POEM. 1 3 And now beloved sisters, brothers, friends, Who grace our banquet with your presence dear ; My feeble lay, though cheerful task here ends ; — In memory e'er this joyous scene I'll bear. On earth, perhaps, I may not meet again, The friends, who here, so kindly greeted me, May they be free from darksome grief and pain, And ne'er be wrecked on life's inconstant sea ! And when the next half century is complete, A brother may, in words sublime, forsooth, The triumphs of the passing years repeat, — The growth and spread of Friendship, Love and Truth. ODE Sung at the Dedication oe the Odd Fei^ows' Haix, Allentown, Pa., May 20TH, 1850. On the eternal rock of Trutli Our stately Hall securely stands ; Uplifted proudly to the skies By Brothers' ever-helping hands ; — Long may it stand and ever prove The home of Friendship, Truth and Love ! For many circling years to come, The healing balm of Peace may flow, All freely from its portals bright To soothe the wearied heart of woe ; — In deed and word it e'er may prove The Home of Friendship, Truth and Love. DEDICATION ODE. 1 5 Should discord gather o'er our Land, And scatter tears and heartfelt pain, We'll still remain all firmly bound By Fellowship's unbroken chain ; And then as ever this shall be The home where dwells true Charity. And when the walls are gray with age, And silvery moss bedecks the dome, The courts within shall still remain The Brothers' bright and cheerful home ; Undimmed through years may brightly shine The light upon the Temple's shrine. FAREWELL ODE Sung at the Dedication of the Odd Feu,ows' Haix, Allentown, Pa., May 20TH, 1850. The brightest moments of our life, Are those when true friends meet, When hearts forget all pain and strife, In Love and Friendship sweet ; O, then the earth seems brighter far, And sweeter every flower ! And Hope's effulgent rising star Gains stronger, holier power ! But now the restless flight of Time Bids friend from friend depart, And stills the sweet concordant chime That springs from every heart. FAREWELL ODE. Though heart from heart must now be torn, And lips must speak farewell ! In each fond breast may Truth be borne, And love for ever dwell ! Farewell ! to all this noble throng, To every Brother true, To stranger, friend, to old and young A warm and fond adieu, Farewell ! ye Fair whose beaming eye Approves of what we do ; May God smile on you from on high — To you once more adieu ! 17 MEMORIAL DAY. Honor the dead, the true and brave, Who gave their lives for freedom's sake ; With sweetest flowers bedeck each grave, No call can now their slumbers wake. And we, who still are blessed with life, Who shared their toil through weary days, And stood beside them in the strife, Will e'er their daring courage praise. And we, who lived in peace away From battle clouds and carnage dread, Will with the deepest reverence pay All honor to the noble dead. MEMORIAL DAY. 1 9 'Twas not for power, or self, or ease, Nor for a despot's gain and pride, Nor for a party's whim to please, These soldiers suffered pain, and died. But for the highest, noblest cause, The dearest to a patriot race, Their country, freedom, equal laws, And in the world an honored place. They severed all the dearest ties That bind man to the loved at home, To march beneath far distant skies, All fearless of what woes might come. There is no spot that we can claim, More sacred than a patriot's mound, While stories of his well-earned fame In memory's grateful ear resound. Raise up the flag they loved so well ; I^et music sound which stirred their heart, And bugle notes through valley swell, Ere from their resting place we part. 20 MEMORIAL DAY. But all our praises, rites and tears Do fail to pay the debt we owe ; And monuments that honor rears, Not half their valued service show. As long as spring renews her bloom, As long as patriot's sons may live, As long as man loves hearth and home, All honor to these heroes give. Perhaps their spirits from on high Observe the tribute that we pay, And with a clear, celestial eye Behold our solemn rites to-day. Thank God, who blessed our holy cause ; Thank Him, who gave to us these men ; And for our country's freedom, laws, Thank God with loving hearts : Amen. ARBOR DAY. LET all observe the annual Arbor Day ; Make no excuse for want of time, or age ; Blend manly toil with cheerful, happy play, And in a noble work of trust eneaee. 'e>~c> Bring forth the tender shrub, the tree and vine, And plant them by the house or in the field ; They will in time, we hope, for thee or thine, Reward all toil — a precious harvest yield. If not for us, for others they will bear The shining apple, pear or luscious peach ; The juicy grapes, all sparkling bright and rare, Will smiling hang within an easy reach. 22 ARBOR DAY. Plant oak or ash in useless spots of ground, A birch or willow at the murmuring brook, Some flowering shrubs upon the grassy mound, Or useful tree in any vacant nook. The graceful maple and the fragrant pine, In school house grounds where children love to play Some hardy trees along the highway's line To shade the traveler on his tiresome way. The birds will carol from their leafy bower, And build their nests with tender, loving care ; The bees will gather sweets from every flower, Whose store of honey you may live to share. And when you're gone beyond this earthly sphere, Your labors in each season's round will bring — To bless your memory and to keep it dear — The fruit in autumn and the flowers in spring. The boy when grown to manhood's graver years, In contemplation sits beneath their shade, In vision's magic glass again appears, Many a scene in seeming life arrayed. ARBOR DAY. He sees again his father plant the tree, When he with boyish hands heaps up the ground He hears his sisters' loud and girlish glee, In memory still with joyous songs resound. Ah, he's a benefactor of our race, Who lives not for himself alone, or pay, But with a kindly heart of trust and grace, Will plant some useful trees on Arbor Day. 23 THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART. There is a language which hath ne'er found tongue, Its strange, deep passion meaning to express, In youth 'tis strongest, when all passions throng To fill the soul with fervor's wild excess, — We hear its mandates with a heaving sigh, While to its Siren song we're moving nigh. Its power binds stronger than the tyrant's chain, Or teaches freedom more than freedom's boast ; Its tones may fill the soul with deepest pain Or waft it to an ever blissful coast ; — Such lofty eloquence what tongue can tell, When round our souls it weaves its magic spell ? It lures the soldier to the field of strife, Enduring honors there in blood to earn ; Unmindful of the peaceful ways of life, Or tears that may in deepest anguish burn ; THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART. 25 He spurns that peace which home and duty claim, And cares for naught but trumpet-sounds of fame. It cheers the student o'er his classic tome, With poet-bays and wild ambition's tale ; It gives the traveler sweetest thoughts of home, When in his dreams he sees his native vale, With joys as fresh as in his boyhood day, Ere yet ambition taught his feet to stray. Each tone is music to the enamored youth, When L/Ove's bright sun first dawns upon his sight ; And in the maiden's heart of hope and truth, 'Tis angels' whisperings of serene delight, That come with fragrance like a summer's breeze, All fraught with nature's rarest harmonies. It is that language full of fairy vision, The poet feels when flight of thoughts sublime Transport his soul from earth to scenes elysian, Which scorn the music of his sweetest rhyme ; In vain he tries his loftiest strain to sing, — Weak are his words, and weak his muses' wing. 26 THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART. And in the evening twilight of our years, When Life's strong passion-storms have passed away, When vain our usual source of joy appears, And vain the pleasures of this world of clay ; 'Tis weaker then, but to its notes are given, A charm and sweetness more akin to heaven. Have you not heard it in the hour of bliss? Have you not felt it in the hour of pain ? Or marked its trembling sweet in love's pure kiss, Or wept in sorrow at its joyless strain ? In vain the tongue essays its magic art — The strange, deep language of the human heart. DAY OF " HUMILIATION AND PRAYER." September 26th, 1881. In Memory of James A. Garfieed, eate President of the United States. A nation bows to-day the knee, O Lord, with deep humility, Death's shadow spreads upon us all, Its solemn woe and sable pall. A nation's chief has passed away — In truth, we are but mortal clay ; But thanks for that true, inner life, That thrives beyond this earthly strife. A nation's guilt, O Lord, efface, And grant each one that holy grace, That we may live in peace and love, And win that glorious home above. Oh, with Thy love protect, we pray, The children, wife, and mother gray ; From off the grave lift up their eyes, To th' lost one's home above the skies. 28 DAY OF HUMILIATION AND PRAYER. We thank Thee that the culprit's deed, Which made our hearts in sorrow bleed, Brought not disorder to our land, But stained alone the madman's hand. We thank Thee that along the wire, Which thrills with Thy electric fire, Come words from far beyond the sea, Of love and heartfelt sympathy. We thank Thee for that gracious mood, That makes the world one brotherhood, Makes Israel's sons and Islam's chief, Unite with Christians in their grief. We thank Thee that Thy spirit falls, In humble homes and stately halls, That peasants, queens and kings confess, That Thou alone can'st heal distress. We thank Thee for Thy blessings all, That from Thy bounteous hands e'er fall, Like heavenly dew and cheering light, Each coming day, each passing night. PRAISE TO THE GODHEAD. FROM THE GERMAN OF KXEIST. The starry hosts of heaven exalt Our Great Creator's might, And His works so wise are lauded By the circling spheres at night ; And the mountains, seas and valleys His creation's plan fulfill, — All are expressions of His love And signs of His sovereign will. Shall I then alone be silent And chant in no praiseful tone ? No, with my spirit's wings I'll rise To His high and heavenly throne ; 3