A COLLECTION OF POEMS WRITTEN BY

 

DOROTHY KIBBLER LOGAN LONG

 

 

Unnamed ‑ probably the last poem she wrote before she died. 

Written as a note to the mail carrier.

 

I'm getting old (I think you know.)  Sometimes it’s pretty hard to go.

It’s hard to walk (and I can't run) it’s hard to cook, (no longer fun)

My daughters "care home" right next door, two patients now, room for more.

I thought that’s just the place to stay, in fact I'm moving there today.

 

But my mailbox can stay right here, so please don't leave me out, my dear.

Oh yes, I'll need some stamps again, some pretty ones, our usual plan.

And thanks for just by knowing you somehow makes my life brighter too.

 

 

 

GOD HOLDS THE KEY

 

Have no regrets for yesteryear; make right what wrongs you can, my dear

But do not spoil your future bright with past mistakes, but seek for light

And wisdom for your problems take and the decisions you must make

Have faith when disappointments come, and sorrows leave you cold and numb.

 

Be grateful and appreciate your blessings, and your chances great

Draw strength and courage for each day from heaven as God leads the way.

Be kind and patient, cheerful too unselfish to your self be true.

Let hardships that beset your way be but a challenge for that day.

 

Be humble when you win success.  Have charity when friends find less

As for tomorrow ‑ what might be, have no concern, God holds the key.

 

 

GOLDIE'S BABY

 

You're my grandmother Lee at thirty‑three

But I don't suppose that you care for me

I'm little and soft and warm and red,

Not very much hair on my wee blond head.

 

I'm a tiny girl, but look so wise

At this wonderful world with my big blue eyes.

I'm just fourteen years and two days, they say

Younger than my daddy.  My birth month is May.

 

 

I tip down the scales to six pounds and one half

And to see my nose wrinkle would just make you laugh.

No, I may not mean much to you, though I am so fine

But I'm here to stay and the choice is not mine.

 

So please won't you think kindly of me if you can

For I'm a sweet baby, wee 'Lizabeth Joan.

 

HOW MANY ANIMALS IN THE ARK

Genesis 7:23, 8:20

 

How many beasts were in the ark counting large and small?

You will tell me two of each but that wasn't all.

There were fourteen of a few like cows and deer and sheep

That part their hoof and chew their cud while lying half-asleep.

 

For seven male of each went in and females with each one

Of all the rest went two and two until the count was done.

You don't believe it?  Nor did I until I read it there.

But turn and read if for yourself with patient thoughtful care.

 

Of course, that made a lot of stock but then I think it nice

Because when Noah left the ark, he made a sacrifice.

He built an alter right away to burn his offering

And of the beasts he knew were clean slew one of everything.

 

And if there only had been two they'd be extinct by now

What would we do without milk to drink without a single cow?

 

 

 

WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL

 

I sat all alone in the twilight gazing out o'er the valley and hills

And marveled how peaceful and quiet we live in this world with its ills.

I thought how we go unmolested to Sabbath School week after week

Enjoying the lessons and singing and hearing the minister speak.

 

And then in my fancy I traveled to far distant lands o'er the sea

Where others as dear to our Savior are not as well favored as we.

I saw persecution in Poland and Germany where there is strife

I saw refugees flee from Holland unable to save but their lives.

 

I saw our believers in Russia who by tyrants rule must abide

When going to church on the Sabbath must leave their dear children outside.

I thought we just take it for granted that we should be singularly blessed

We think that our lot should be brighter and pleasanter than the rest.

 

We sit in the church every Sabbath not guessing how much would be lost

If we were denied this sweet blessing oh, think of the terrible cost.

Remember the effort put forward to make our school what it should be.

By each of the teachers and workers just trying to please you and me.

 

You know as I thought it all over I saw how short that we fall,

How we fail to appreciate fully what Sabbath School means to us all.

 

I thought from now on I'll try harder to fit in our Sabbath School plan,

And show I appreciate fully by helping as much as I can.

The shadows grew long o'er the hillside, the rosy clouds darkened to gray.

I mused earth's dark night is soon coming, we must act while yet it is day.

 

 

 

NEIGHBORS

 

Did you ever stop to think how much your neighbor means to you?

When your world seems to topsy-turvy and your skies no longer blue.

When your work seems hard and efforts fail and tasks around you pile.

Then it helps to have a neighbor's cheery word and kindly smile.

 

And when sickness strikes the family and has laid a loved one low

And you need both help and sympathy you know just where to go,

For your neighbors always ready with a willing helping hand

Just to help you with your burden and you know he'll understand.

 

Do you take him much for granted?  Not because you do not care,

But because somehow you feel your neighbor always will be there.

What a shock it will than give you when you find he cannot stay,

But that duty seems to call him and he's moving far away.

 

Well, you sort of feel bewildered and at first you won't believe,

Then you feel an empty numbness when it's time for them to leave.

You recall the happy memories of your friendship in the past,

And you eyes grow sort of misty when you know it cannot last.

 

Well we have a neighbor family nice as any you could find.

Never give you any trouble but are always good and kind.

In the church and in the village they've done their honest share

Just to make the others happy and to show them that they care.

 

Now their movin' from our village, each will leave a vacant space.

We will miss their kindly greetings and each dear familiar face.

Yes, we'll miss them as they leave us now, but in some future day

They again will be our neighbors in our homeland far away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE COUNTRY

 

It's nice out in the country, we used to live in town

But now we take our big dog Jack and wander all around.

Jack's just the nicest pal for us, so big and strong and kind.

A better dog in all the land I'm sure we could not find.

 

Sometimes we play we're loggers; we never play we're boys.

But grown up men with big fine cars; of course they are only toys.

We love the hills and fields and trees with lots of room to play.

We wouldn't trade for all the towns; here's where we want to stay.

HELP THE RED CROSS

 

Oh, friends of all humanity the Red Cross needs your aid

Our soldiers need the ditty‑bags and afghans you have made.

The battles rage more fiercely, freedom's price is ghastly dear.

We must not fail those gallant lads, let's do our utmost here.

 

 

 

THE RED CROSS

 

On the battlefields of Belgium a wounded soldier lay.

The muddy snow grew crimson as his lifeblood ebbed away.

But someone had given plasma and someone had bandage rolled.

He lived and because of the Red Cross, this happy ending is told.

 

In a ship sat a lonely soldier, sailing out thru the Golden Gate

A ditty bag they gave him as he sadly pondered his fate.

It held many things he needed and a most inspiring book,

That gave him faith and courage and changed his whole outlook.

 

Two shining little children to their mother's hand held tight

Their home was fiercely burning and they faced a bitter night.

But the Red Cross heard their story and their every need supplied

With food and clothes and comforters that willing hands had tied.

 

A lone grief stricken mother had fainted in the street

A yellow tear‑stained telegram lay crumpled at her feet.

But the Red Cross workers found her boy, a prisoner of war

They took him food and message that he was longing for.

 

In deeper growing shadows there lay a frail young wife

The doctors sadly doubted that they could save her life.

The Red Cross found her husband, though far across the sea,

They brought him home.  She lived because from worry she was free.

 

So let us help the Red Cross and let us freely give

The blood we really do not need may help some soldier live.

The time we spend in working at our Red Cross meetings here

Will help lift heavy burdens and bring comfort, love and cheer.

 

 

FIRST AID

 

First aid is the immediate attention which you give

In the case of sudden illness on the spot.

Or an accident, but it is only temporary though

And is ended when a doctor can be got.

 

It's purpose part preventive is to make a fellow think

Of the pain an accident will cause to him

To not neglect an injury, but care for it at once.

Safeguarding hours of labor, life and limb.

 

To equip the individual with knowledge and with skill

To determine just the nature and extent

Of an injury, some hapless human being chanced to have

And do it at the scene of accident.

 

To train the bold first aider just to do the proper thing,

And to do it at the very proper time.

And then no less important are the things what not to do,

Or you'll make the patient worse and what a crime.

 

When you come upon an accident if you are first aid trained

You'll tactfully assume full charge right there

You'll keep the patient lying flat preventing faint or shock.

You'll find this so important in his care

 

If patient starts to vomit, turn his head to either side

Or he might strangle ‑ you can never tell

If the patient's face is flushed just raise his head a bit,

And tuck a cushion underneath it well.

 

Look first to find a hemorrhage, then see if breath is stopped.

For poison you notice lips and breath

Then look for wounds and fractures dislocations and for burns

If careful, you may help prevent his death.

 

Remove enough of clothing just to see the injured place

If it's arm or leg or body, rip the seams

And keep the patient covered blanket under and on top.

For the danger of a shock is no mere dream

 

If the patient is unconscious then he has an injured head.

If his nose or ears are bleeding, fractured skull

Feel his pulse, but just remember that it may not mean he's dead.

If you cannot feel it and his colors dull.

 

SABBATH SCHOOL DEVICE

 

In our Sabbath School this quarter, we've an interesting device

Made to help us give our school the grade of A.

It's a cunning little lighthouse filled with windows down the front

Lighted up to show the record of the day.

 

For each class there is a number with three windows in a row.

One light shows that we have reached our offering goal

One light stands for daily study for our lessons all the week

And the other all are present on the roll.

 

If each class has perfect record then a light shines at the top

Of the lighthouse is a bulb of ruby red.

But if any class has faltered or has failed in any way

Then the darkened window and bulb show instead

 

It reminds one of the lighthouse sturdy, high upon a rock

Sending warning rays to all the ships that sail

And I shudder when I think of what might happen

If out at sea for even once the faithful light should fail.

 

I should be so very sorry if a little light should fail

In the light house window just because of me

Or if the bulb were darkened, where a warm red light should glow

And I caused it how unhappy I would be.

 

So I'll have to try much harder than I ever have before.

For I know that I've failed often in the past

I'll be sure to have my offering and study every day

Not come to Sabbath School the very last.

 

I thought before it really didn't matter very much

To the others if I came to church or not

But I see it mars their record and affects our Sabbath School.

So I'd say it does matter quite a lot.

 

I know they'd miss the teachers and some of the others too,

But if I was gone, I thought that they'd fail to see.

Of course, I knew I needed what the Sabbath School could give,

But I never thought before that they need me.

 

So lets all try hard this quarter and we'll make our light house shine

Let us make the red light one that never fails

And our Sabbath School will be a lighthouse

For our Savior here on earth for every human derelict that sails.

 

A VALENTINE

 

A valentine is a token of love,

With a message so tender and true.

Sometimes it is flowers or maybe a gift

Of sweet meats and dainty things, too.

 

It often appears as a beautiful card,

From sentiments deep in the heart.

It mostly brings happiness, laughter and fun,

But sometimes makes the tears start.

 

Even the children look forward with glee

Each sweet little girl, and each boy

To Valentines Day, with gift pictures bright

That fills each small heart with pure joy.

 

The teenagers whisper and giggle and wait

To see if the one they like best

Will send them a message on some pretty card

Or if they have been unimpressed.

 

Young wives and husbands renew vows of love

In valentines greetings each year

And all through their age, couples love to recall

The bright, pretty symbols of cheer.

 

And when old age comes with it's aches and its pains

And grandpas and grandmas feel sad.

The bright valentine from those whom they love

Make old hearts feel happy and glad.

 

So Valentines Day with its colors and lace

Really points to deep feelings of love.

But we must remember the source of it all

Comes down from our Father above.

 

He said though we speak in the language of men,

And even the angelic host,

Our prophesy, knowledge and faith come to naught,

If we love not our fellow men most.

 

Our gifts to the poor must be seasoned with love.

With out, even martyrdom fails.

Gods love for us reaches heaven we're told

Such love for each other provides.

 

But the greatest love gift ever given to man

Was sent from our Father above;

In the form of His son, who gave up his life

For us, by His infinite love.

 

 

 

LOVE

 

Love!  What is love?  What can it see? It's all the things you are to me

The gentle thoughtfulness of you, Your reverence and your deep faith, too.

The flowers you sent for Easter day Your goodbye when you went away

Your corsage for my dress of pink Your love of nature too, I think.

 

The thrill that seems to fill my heart As letters come when we're apart

The joy that fills each day, each hour And beauty fills each leaf and flower.

Ah, yes, and so much more is love The sweetest gift from God above

A gift I cannot touch or see But love fills every part of me.

 

 

WHY?

 

Why are the flowers so lovely this year?

Why are the heavens so blue and so clear?

Why are the bird songs so sweet when they sing?

Surely, there never has been such a spring.

 

Why is the grass such a marvelous green?

It is the greenest that I've ever seen.

Why are the lambs and the wee things so dear

All nature seems to run smooth in high gear.

 

Fruit trees that look like huge bouquets of flowers

Scented so sweetly like heavenly bowers.

Petals so dainty and fragile and pink

This is what heaven will be like, I think.

 

What made this great change, and what can it be

Is this new beauty known only to me?

I just know it happened, and I know it's true

This joy is mine dear, because I know you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIOLETS

 

Purple violets, yellow violets growing at our feet

Modest and retiring flowerlets dainty, fragrant, sweet.

Some flowers droop when there's shadows petals wilt and fade.

But the violet goes on blooming in the densest shade.

 

Lifting up their dainty faces filling quite the air

With the beauty of their fragrance like an evening prayer.

We can learn some valued lessons from them if we try

Lessons that will help prepare us for our home on high.

 

We can learn to be more modest of the things we do

Learn to trust when there are shadows or when light shines thru.

And by cheerful words and actions, we may grow to be

Like the fragrance of the flowers blessing all we see.

 

 

 

BUDDY'S CURL

 

I'm just a tiny little boy

Some folks think I'm a girl

But mother wouldn't take a cow

In trade for just one curl.

 

 

 

A SOFT BUNDLE

 

A soft little bundle, a wee downy head

A little pink baby to tuck into bed.

Ten little pink fingers and ten little toes,

A wee mouth so tempting, a bit of a nose.

 

Two eyes full of wonder so trusting and true

So sure, you are right in whatever you do.

A gift from the heavens that’s fit for a king.

A world full of sunshine more joys then spring.

 

To make us feel humble and fill us with love

And lead us to call for more help from above.

All this will be ours when our baby arrives

To fill us with joy and to brighten our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEW GHERING

 

Life never can down you Lew Ghering, you've learned all the rules of the game

And many poor lads "up the river" will start life anew thru your name.

The baseball has lost a grand player, your name will go down with the great.

And others will learn with your courage to never complain with their fate.

 

We'll miss you Lew, out on the diamond, the gamest ball man of them all.

But new hope has come to the "Big House"  over beyond the stone wall.

We need more men like Lew Ghering To lead in the big game of life

To make all Americans sportsmen To outlaw all greed, war, and strife.

 

When Ghering was told by physicians, he forever with baseball was thru

'Twas enough to discourage the champion and make him unhappy and blue.

But he told the world he was lucky just to live in the good  U.S.A.

And he found he could serve it far better as a prison board member to stay.

THE CLOUD AND FIRE

 

It was warm when ancient Israel camped in the wilderness

Of that semi tropic country far away and sometimes the road they traveled

Led thru treeless barrenness while blazing sun shone throughout the day.

But they didn't mind the sunshine they had pleasant cooling shade

All the camp was covered by a welcome cloud

While the cloud remained, they tarried camping there from day to day.

When it moved twas quickly followed by the crowd

 

There were nights as dark and dreary as the nights we know today.

With no city lights to pierce the velvet gloom but the fiery cloud above them

Gave their camp a cheery glow like a candle lighting up a pleasant room.

Forty years it was they wandered in the lonely wilderness

Yet the cloud was there to shade the burning sand

'Till they reached the land of Canaan and they needed it no more.

When they came to take possession of the land

 

 

CLOTHES WORN FORTY YEARS

 

Oft we hear friends complaining that their clothes wear out so fast

And no matter where they buy them seems as thou they will not last.

Let me tell to you a story of the Israelites of old,

How they solved their clothing problem whether it was warm or cold.

 

What they wore when they left Egypt marching thru the deep red sea

They still wore when they reached Canaan there to live as slaves set free.

Forty years the same clothes lasted, forty years their feet were shod

In the shoes they wore from Egypt as thru desert sands they trod.

 

Never did they have to mend them for they showed no signs of wear.

Styles may change and mode might vary but they didn't even care.

Do you think that we'd be happy and be truly satisfied?

Forty years.  Well no I reckon it would sort of hurt our pride.

 

 

 

HE CARES FOR YOU

 

You need not fear dear friend of mine though dark may seem your way

Though sleepless nights are filled with pain and dreary seems each day.

There's one who knows, who understands.  He hears your every sigh

His heart is touched beyond a doubt as he stands closely by.

 

Your prayers which seemed of no effect have risen to the throne

Though all cannot be answered yet God never fails his own.

So trust this man of sorrow sore.  Take to him every care. 

Unanswered prayers will yet avail sometime, somehow, somewhere.

 

Go with your sorrows to Him who cares.  Take Him your heartaches, too

Jesus who bore the cross alone will bear your burden for you.

He gave His life that you might live, has risen to thrones above.

He's coming soon to take us home to life, and joy, and love.

THE QUIET HOUR

 

"The quiet hour"  O words of love that lifts our hearts to God above.

That raise us up from deep despair and sends us to our knees in prayer.

"The quiet hour"  we pause each day, to listen while you sing and pray

For souls before the throne of Grace then long to see His blessed face.

 

"The quiet hour"  No shouting voice chills thru my ears, but I rejoice

To hear God's word made clear and plain and know He soon will come again.

"The quiet hour" subdued and calm this voice which brings a healing balm

And tells me that God's law will last when all our earthly life is past.

 

"The quiet hour"  I hope that soon this friendly voice that comes at noon

Will sound thru air from sea to sea and harvest for eternity.

"The quiet hour"  now with my prayer accept this gift and in your care

This gift though small will grow to be treasures laid up in heaven for me.

 

"The quiet hour"  At set of sun when Gods own voice shall say "Well done"

We hope to meet thru wondrous power your friends who love the quiet hour.

 

 

PRAISE YE THE LORD

Psalms 119

 

"Praise ye the Lord" his mighty truth we hear the psalmist say

It will endure for ever, yes for ever and a day.

The longest chapter I have found in this most thrilling book

I find in Psalms one hundred and nineteen, turn and look.

 

And have you read the subject clear or did you guess it's theme

That made him write this psalm so long?  It was no idle dream.

He wrote of God's commandments ten and how he loved that law.

To him it was the perfect rule without a fault or flaw.

 

He said the law is better far than silver or than gold.

For they are just and good and true and they made David bold.

For hadn't David slain a bear and lion in his youth?

Just with a sling, because he prayed and firmly stood for truth

And with the great Goliath, David found his conquest sweet

Before him Saul the mighty king could only meet defeat.

"Praise ye the Lord,"  the psalmist said so many years ago

"His kindness merciful is great toward us"  and, this was so.

 

 

 

 

JOSHUA 6

 

Once there lived a simple woman on the wall of Jericho,

To whose home some spies took refuge led by Joshua to go.

Just a very common woman, she was neither good nor fine,

Yet befriended God's own servants, took them in to rest and dine.

 

Hid them there upon her housetop underneath some stocks of flax,

Sent the kings men out to wander seeking vainly for their tracks.

Then with red cord through the window deftly let them down the wall.

Bid them flee with speed and caution to the distant mountain tall.

 

But they said before they left her, take this cord of scarlet thread,

Bind it carefully in this window for a safety sign of red.

When we come to take the city and destroy them one and all

We'll remember that you let us safely down from off the wall.

 

So she lived and all her household while the city burned and fell.

For the spies had kept their promise and their work they did it well.

 

 

 

 

ONLY A VOICE

 

A voice in the wilderness crying was John

But the multitude marveled before he was gone

And a mightier prophet the world never knew

For it was a voice that the Lord could speak thru.

 

I'm only a voice, but I long so to be

Used by my Savior to set captives free.

Free from the bondage and serfdom of sin.

Free!  And a new life in Christ to begin.

 

Where strong men may tremble and bold statesmen fear

The storms that are threatening the ones they hold dear.

O' there let me go and in most pleading voice

Say Jesus is coming, do make him your choice.

 

And where there is sorrow and hearts seem to break.

For loss of a loved one, o' there let me take

This voice just to tell them ‑ God knows and He cares.

He's longing to comfort and answer their prayers.

 

Let me help with children and council the youth.

Let me help proclaim this great message of truth.

To the sick and the fallen and aged ones, too

I would speak of my Lord and all things made new.

 

Yes, I'm but a voice, but again let me say

My prayer and my aim is to show men the way

To the cross and to plead  ‑ make your choice

So ignore this clay vessel, but friends, heed this voice.

 

 

 

MY BOY

 

Don't send my boy o'er the ocean to die far away from his home.

But let him stay here where we need him far more than out over the foam.

Build up our Navy and Air Force far greater than ever was known

Then tell the world we are ready to keep all the land that we own.

 

Do what we can for the allies, send them supplies that they need.

We have a surplus of food stuff their hungry and helpless to feed.

Stand firm behind the Monroe Doctrine so others will let us alone.

But don't send my boy o'er the ocean to die neath a crumbling throne.

 

 

 

OUR OFFERINGS

 

The offerings of our Sabbath School must not be growing less

We're just so very busy we forget to give, I guess.

But Jesus still remembers to send the sun and rain

That grows the luscious fruit we love and ripens golden grain.

 

In every way on every hand the Lord has blessed us so

We'll want to show we're thankful by our offerings, I know.

Some folks who live in other lands whose children are all so dear

Have never heard of Jesus love, or that His coming is near.

 

But Jesus told us long ago before he went away,

That we should tell the whole wide world He's coming back some day.

The only way that most of us can do what Jesus said

Is just to bring our offerings and let others go instead.

 

To tell the folks in other lands whose skin is read or black,

That Jesus died to save them and that soon he's coming back.

And Jesus wants the tiny tots to bring their offerings too.

That's how they form the habit and it's what they'll always do.

 

They love to drop their money when the basket passes by.

And when they have no gift for him I've even heard them cry.

So let's not be so busy with our cares and everything

That we forget the offering that the children love to bring.

 

Jesus said to all his people, and to others who might live,

Freely now ye have received, so won't you just as freely give?

 

 

 

GRADUATING CLASS

 

For Students leaving Laurelwood Academy

 

 

Our future is formed by the roads we take. 

e're making decisions each day

The path which we choose will lead gaily down

Or will lead up a steep narrow way.

 

It was one such choice we made long ago

Which has destined our whole life for good

How thankful we are for the choice that we've made

Which has brought us to dear Laurelwood.

 

Oh we love the hills that surround us here

The fir trees standing so tall and serene

The beautiful flowers and lacy fern

The neat fields which are always so green.

 

And we love each room and the campus ground

Each bring memories we cherish as dear

We have worked and played and studied hard

We've fought many brave battles here.

 

Our instructors to, we will miss them so

We have found each a most trusted friend.

All our schoolmates dear we will miss each one

But we know that our school days must end

 

There are misty eyes, there are heavy hearts.

As we bid one another good‑bye.

But we'll meet again on a brighter shore.

In our far away home in the sky.

 

As we go from here into broader fields

"Serving Jesus" our motto will be

For some will be doctors and nurses I'm sure

And some will sail o'er the sea.

 

Colporteurs, teachers and ministers too

Each will serve just the best that he can.

We'll meet at God's throne but 'till then dear friend

God be with you till we meet again.

 

 

 

TELLING TEACHER GOOD‑BYE

 

There's something kind of nice about the day that school lets out.

When we took our books and pencils and start home with a lusty shout.

Then we yell good‑bye to schoolmates and we see our dreams come true.

For we'll have the woods to roam in and the brooks to fish in too.

 

But a little cloud of sadness makes our joy grow sort o' dim.

When we think of Mr. Wagner and we say good‑bye to him.

For we know he tried to teach us, tried to help us all to learn

How to take our rough and tumbles and how to wait our turn.

 

He'd help us with our problems when they made us sort of blue,

And I liked the way he'd smile when he'd turn and look at you

He trained a dandy ball nine and he taught us how to play.

And we played the other ball teams even living miles away.

 

So I'd sort of like to thank him now before he goes away.

Yes, I'd really like to thank him but I don't know what to say.

But "So long, now, Mr. Wagner,"  and some how I think he'll know,

That my throat gets sort o' chokey now it's time for him to go.

 

 

GRADUATION

 

We are weaving a tapestry pattern, a pattern of beauty and skill.

With gay brilliant threads intermingled with gold ones just as we will.

We would see only threads that are lovely, discarding each raveling and knot.

We weave for the great master artist who surely will notice each spot.

 

The threads which we use are our actions and deeds of our life which we do.

Each word that we speak weaves the pattern our thoughts are recorded there too.

We have come to a turn in our pattern; our grammar school years lie behind.

When the master looks over this portion just what kind of work will he find?

 

Will He find we are honestly trying to broaden and strengthen our mind,

To each of our school mates and teachers have we tried to be trustful and kind?

We can never go back on the pattern to change it for even a day.

So let us be ever so careful in all that we do or we say.

 

There is Rainer and quick little Willey, and Billey, (the comical clown)

There is Verna and Vera so quiet, and studies all the year round.

There's blond golden‑haired Aileen Gibson, Joyce Jenson and Richard no more,

Next year we'll all enter high school and study as never before.

 

Still weaving our beautiful picture in colors of every hue.

Still making it even more perfect for our loving artist to view.

And then when at last it is finished and the artist returns for His own,

May He count it of worthy appearance to place in His hall near the throne.

DEAR LITTLE LIZZIE

 

A bright tender blossom was loaned to our care,

From the heavenly Father above.

She brought so much happiness into our home

with her sweet sunny smile and her love.

 

She loved Sabbath School, it made our hearts glad

Just to see her come in with a smile,

To sing and hear stories about Jesus love

And sit with her friends for awhile.

 

Our sweet kitchen helper would climb on a stool

To watch, and to help and to learn,

With mommie to teach her she felt very sure

That someday it would be Lizzie's turn.

 

How often we smiled as we watched her at play

With her sisters and big brother, too.

Her bright sparkling eyes and her hair softly curled,

A beautiful picture that's true.

 

When going outside, "I'll be back mamma dear."

With a grin she would thoughtfully say.

Then toddling out in her innocent glee

Free from fear she would soon be at play.

 

And sometimes at night when the lights were all out

And each child was tucked snuggled in bed

Then Lizzie would slip in with mother and dad

You'd see only her wee curly head.

 

One day her small feet toddled down to a ditch

Where she fell in the  water so cold.

Her brave brother found her and soon pulled her out

Although he, too, was not very old.

 

Then daddy and medics and doctor worked hard

And listened for some sign of breath.

Their work was in vain for the dear little girl

Was at rest in the long sleep of death.

 

Her short life is ended, but memory lives on

Her work here is not really done

The lives here she brightened may see her again

When all of life's battles are won.

 

How often she said, "mamma, I will come back,"

And someday that’s what she will do,

For Jesus will come to awaken His friends

I want to go with him, don't you?

 

Written to give to the mother of a two or 3 year old girl who had drowned in a ditch near their home near Grand Junction, Colorado in June 1984.  

 

 

Elinor (her daughter) was an outdoor girl.  She loved animals, often riding the horse in the pasture much of the day.  Even taking a nap lying on its back as it grazed.  The family often took long walks which she enjoyed.  Once while spending a few weeks at my brothers motel up the Columbia River we hiked about two miles to a lovely water fall.  Not having a camera I drew a word picture of it on the brown paper bag which had contained our lunch.  Would you like to see It?

 

 

THE WATER‑FALLS

 

These rushing, roaring, rumbling falls; magnificent, racing, tumbling falls

So grand, so beautiful, sublime; untouched by either man or time.

They drop a hundred feet and more to form a pool on canyon floor.

So old no history dates their birth, almost as ancient as the earth.

And yet so fresh so clean and new, as pure and sweet as morning dew.

As glistening white as winters snow, these silvery falls that ever flow,

Surrounded by a solid wall of massive rock, and trees so tall.

Their branches sweep against the sky in grandeur that delights the eye.

The moss which on these walls is seen is of the deepest emerald green.

And shades of gold, and rust, and brown; like velvet curtains hanging down.

The fern which in the breezes sway is watered by the silvery spray

That blows from off the water fall, to paint green pictures on the wall.

This splendid fall and rocky span seems huge compared to puney man.

And yet we know that man will last when all these earthly things are past.

Man will survive the rocks and rills, the mighty rivers and the hills.

For earth must be destroyed someday, but man through faith will live for aye.

 

 

 

OREGON

 

Oregon I hear you calling me when awake and in my dreams

For your luscious fruit and berries hill and valley, field and stream.

Land of never tiring wonder just a fairy land come true.

Oregon I hear you calling me and I'm coming back to you.

 

Oregon I hear you call me to your wood‑lands deep and green

Where the crystal brooklet ripples and the graceful fern is seen.

Deep, thick, dainty moss for trimming, wild flowers too, of every hue.

Your forests seem to call me, and I'm coming back to you.

 

Oregon I hear you call me; land of which the pacts sing.

Mountain, ocean, plain, and valley, you have simply everything.

Snow for skiing, lakes for swimming, sunny skies of deepest blue.

Hear the song birds, how they call me.  Wonder land I come to you.

 

Oregon I hear you call me, to the house down in the lane.

Where I know someone is waiting and she must not wait in vain.

Round the door‑step flowers are blooming, and the birds sing sweeter too.

Oh the gentle breezes call me, and I'm coming back to you.

 

FAITH AND YOU

 

Now faith is a beautiful word I am sure

We use it so commonly, too.

We sing of the faith men possessed long ago.

But just what does faith mean to you?

 

To the sorrowing widow faith meant the life

Of her son would be given anew.

And Peter once walked on the water by faith.

But what is faith doing for you?

 

 

Brave Daniel, by faith walked in safety all night,

Deep down in the king's lion zoo.

And the three Hebrew children were saved from the fire.

But what can faith do for you?

 

Now Enoch was translated up from the earth,

By faith when his work here was thru.

And Rahab was saved by the spies for her faith.

Did she then, have more faith then you?

 

Young David had faith when he was but a lad,

The giant Goliath he slew.

A woman was healed when Christ's garments she touched.

Does faith have that power for you?

 

The martyrs were tortured by fire for their faith,

Some even were sawn quite in two.

While some were imprisoned, or beaten or stoned.

Would faith be sufficient for you?

 

By faith Abraham raised the knife o'er his son,

As God had commanded him to,

And left all his friends in his homeland of Ur.

Would faith give such courage to you?

 

The walls of old Jericho fell with a crash

By Joshua's faith and his crew.

And the daughter of Jairus was raised from the dead.

But what about your faith and you?

 

God's first born in Egypt were saved from the plague,

By faith and obedience, too.

Elisha commanded the ax head to swim.

Will faith do such marvels for you?

 

Elijah once called fire down from the sky

And burned a wet offering, too.

The red sea was opened when Moses had faith.

Friends, I want more faith, now, don't you?

MISS SMITH

 

What shall I say?  That you are kind?  Or gentle, sweet, and good?

Or that your duty you perform, (As any teacher should?)

That you across the school room pace for mile on weary mile?

And though your back and head may ache the children see a smile?

 

Or that you teach them courtesy in homey things like these‑‑

To lift their caps, say pardon me, thank you, and if you please.

Or shall I say that you are prompt?  Or patient firm and true?

Oh yes of coarse you're all of these, but there are others too.

 

I'd like to speak of something fine that some folks may not know,

Of how you solved a problem grave which might unnoticed go.

It's just about a little lamb, the darkest of them all,

More lonely then most orphans are, so pitiful and small.

 

How you have asked the other lambs for him each night to pray,

And when they bow their heads in prayer, all malice slips away.

Could you but see how earnestly the children plead his case,

Twould be a mental picture that you hardly could erase.

 

And could you hear them praying for their teacher every night,

You'd feel repaid for every pain you take to teach them right.

So if at times the seed you sow may seem to blow astray,

Remember this, your crown will shine with stars on that glad day.

 

 

 

THE MAIL PLANE

 

A gay brave young pilot who drove the mail plane

Out west in old Oregon through snow sun and rain.

Had stopped to change mail and was leaving to go

When of his tri motors, one warmed up too slow.

 

He sped down the runway and took to the air,

But his cold motor failed him, his chance was unfair.

He crashed through a light post, and a house stopped his plane.

It broke through the roof and both burst into flame.

 

Men pulled out the pilot and both helpers too.

And bore them to safety, twas all they could do.

They felt for their pulse, and listened for breath.

But the gay brave young pilot was silent in death.

 

His wife was heart broken when news reached her ear.

Oh how could she tell her three children so dear.

We love our dear daddy they sobbingly said

So please do not tell us that daddy is dead.

 

The mail must be carried from year unto year.

But think of the pilot who drives without fear.

Through winter and summer, through wind rain and snow.

But think of the pilot when a plane fails to go.

 

Written to tune of "21 Years" about a pilot killed in Eugene, Oregon.

LITTLE MOTHER

 

Dear little mother with silvery hair

Sitting alone in your favorite chair.

Working for others with needle and thread,

Sewing a quilt for some dear loved ones bed.

What are you thinking?  Of days long gone by?

Bringing a sad little tear to your eye.

 

Feeling again all the joys you loved best

Cuddling each new downy head to your breast

Putting a bandage on some little knee

Kissing a bump on a head that is wee.

Sewing and mending till way in the night.

Washing and ironing to keep them all bright.

 

Cooking huge kettles of food every day

Fearing least one of the children should stray.

Watching beside a wee child that is ill

All through the night that is lonely and still.

Feeling again all the heart aches and pain

Losing the one you have cared for in vain.

 

Often too weary and often so ill

Struggling on by the force of you will.

The stalwart companion who stood by your side

Gave courage and comfort and filled you with pride.

Having him near you made everything right.

Giving the courage you needed to fight.

 

How did a body so frail and so small

Care for so many and do for them all?

Faith in the Heavenly Father above

And for your darlings a heart full of love.

Dear little Mother, with silvery hair

Sitting alone in your favorite chair.

 

 

 

RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

If righteousness means doing right (and we know right from wrong)

Then we would have a righteous church and sing the victory song

But righteousness is not gained that way by erring human will,

For things go wrong ‑ we make mistakes, and we are sinning still.

 

We need the righteous robe of Christ to cover wrongs now past,

And give us grace to live by faith victorious at last.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THEIR INVESTMENT PLAN

 

Ten little children, who's most happy lot

Was to live in this land of the free

Wished to send the good news of our Savior's return

To their brothers far over the sea.

To the little brown brothers and red ones and black

Who never had heard of God's love

That sent his own son down to die for the lost

And take them to heaven above.

 

But what could they do, they were not very big.

And their hands were unskilled and so small

But they thought of a plan so that each one might help

They found there was work for them all,

For Ronald decided to raise a veal calf

To sell for their investment day.

And Susi would care for a dear little lamb,

She was sure that her project would pay.

 

Then Charlie would raise vegetables fine.

I think I will too, said young Ben,

And we will raise chickens said Howard and Bob.

We can with our old mother hen.

I know what we'll grow said Patricia and Ruth.

Some pansies and Asters to sell.

And I will run errands all summer said Tom.

Folks pay if I do their work well.

 

I'll take care of babies whose mothers must go

To the stores or to market said Fay.

I can earn quite a lot through the summer I'm sure.

If I take care of one child each day.

The summer soon passed and their money they brought

To church in their investment can.

And Oh, what a lot they had earned and saved

Since spring when they laid out their plan.

 

And how do you think that their money was spent?

Well these are the things it would do.

It would pay native teachers in dark Africa

To teach for a whole year or two.

It would keep twenty orphans for quite a long time

In India and send them to school.

Or a teacher could ride over trails of Peru

On a long mission trip on a mule.

 

It would care for some leapers and give them new hope.

Send help to the sick and the lame,

And tell them when Jesus was here upon earth

That it was for them that he came.

Just think of the joy and the shining reward

These children will have every one

When Jesus shall come and with sweet tender smile

Will say, "Faithful servants, well done."

 

 

BABY'S BEAUTY

 

Written for Anna Laurie's baby shower given at Laurelwood ‑ 1941

 

There are some who long to follow in a business girls career.

There are some who long to travel into countries far and near.

But I'll tell you my ambition, the joy that I love best.

Just give to me a downy baby's head against my breast.

 

There is music in the brooklet from the song birds and the bees.

There's the music of the masters but far sweeter than these

Yes, the sweetest notes I ever heard in earth or sea or sky

Was simply this; the music of a new born babies cry.

 

There is beauty in the sunset with the sky a brilliant hue.

There is beauty so compelling that I wonder at its grace.

In the dainty fragile beauty of a little babies face.

 

I am thrilled with tender music, I am thrilled with works of art.

And I guess in spring all nature brings a thrill to every heart.

But the thrill that fills my soul until my lips can hardly speak,

Is the thrill of baby fingers patting softly on my cheek.

 

Oft we hear of faith and trusting and of tender human love.

How they help to make us humble and to lift our thoughts above.

But the greatest faith and trust and love I've seen from good or wise

Is that which shines so clearly from a helpless babies eyes.

 

So I thank or Father for his blessings in the past.

For our health, strength, courage and true friendships that will last.

I will not forget to thank Him for other blessings too,

Precious bundle of pure sunshine that will cheer the whole year through.

 

 

 

FORGIVE

 

Has someone been unkind to you?  By word or deed or been untrue,

Someone you really trusted too.  Forgive!

At first you were quite shocked and mad.  To lose the confidence you had,

Just leaving you depressed and sad.  Forgive.

 

Self torture only brings more pain.  The damage done will yet remain.

To hold a grudge?  What will that gain?  Forgive!

We must, the Master told us so, lest He forgive not us you know.

With conscious clear our love may grow.  Forgive!

 

When on the cross our Savior died, with evil men on every side,

He bowed His wounded head and cried, Forgive!

 

 

 

 

A MOTHERS JOB

 

About 50 years ago we had all of the conveniences of wood stoves, oil lamps to fill and clean, a nice wash board for laundry, cold spring water to carry, hundreds of fruit jars to fill, and a convenient two seated rest room near by.  We were contented and happy, and as I counted my blessings, love filled my heart, and I jotted down these thoughts of a mothers job.

 

 

It takes a lot of time to be a mother right

You're on the job from early morn till late at night

And even when you're sleeping you are listening still

For a little cough or whimper lest a tot be ill.

 

You feed them and you bathe them and you hear their woes

And you mend their little troubles as you do their clothes.

You teach them to be pure and to be kind and true,

To be brave and good and thoughtful and be loyal too.

 

Oh, it takes a lot of study and a deal of care

It requires all your patience and it calls for prayer.

To know each disposition and be firm, but kind,

To be their pal, but gently mold each plastic mind.

 

Yes, it takes a lot of time for twenty years or more,

But you're happier as a mother than you were before.

So you thank your heavenly father in his home above

For sending you these darling little lives to love.

 

It’s the labor for your children that makes your live worthwhile.

And their debt to You?  It's canceled with a smile.

When their baby lips say "Mama" and they hug you tight,

It’s a joy to be a mother.  Yes, with all your might.

 

 

 

 

 

FATHERS DAY

From a friend who cares

To a father whose love for his children was strong

As he taught them the difference between right and wrong,

Whose devotion was constant throughout the long years

When they brought love and joy or at times bitter tears.

 

So now may he know only love, joy and peace,

And may the rewards of his work never cease.

 

 

 

OBEDIENCE

 

Obedience, God's perfect gift He gave throughout the land,

All nature moved in harmony and love, at His command.

The sun and moon and stars appeared by power from His word.

His word was life, His word was love, and all creation heard.

 

Each beast and fish became alive; the birds began to sing,

And man in joyful thankfulness gave honor to their king.

Young bear cubs learn obedience by cuffs from mother's paw.

It keeps them safe while growing up, it's part of natures law.

 

In all directions small quail hide when mother signals "flee,"

Obedience is their defense as they wait patiently.

By instinct, scentless fawn obey not moving by the hour,

While mother feeds, how wonderful is God's great love and power.

 

When man in Eden broke the law God placed with in his heart,

He opened wide the gates of sin and sorrow had it's start.

And so God wrote on slabs of stone His ten commandments true,

Entrusting them to Moses, so man knew just what to do.

 

When David learned to talk with God, God's word to him was dear;

He said, "I hid it in my heart" so sin would not appear.

He prayed to see the wondrous things He found throughout the law,

"I delight in thy commandments which I love,"  he cried in awe.

 

"They are my song, and sweeter far than honey in the comb,

More precious than the finest gold."  in any earthly home.

"Great peace have they that love thy law and nothing shall offend."

God founded it in truth and love and it shall never end.

 

A new commandment Jesus gave before He went away,

"I'll write my law within your hearts,"  He said to them that day.

Obedience requires faith if it is to endure,

And faith demands obedience to keep our faith secure.

 

So thus with our obedience entwined in faith and love,

We'll joyfully serve our heavenly king as angels do above.

 

 

 

 

 

OUR PILOT

 

In youth we start out on life’s sea with faith and strength and troubles free.

While at the helm our pilot stands we set our sails for other lands.

We drift along as soft winds blow, filled with the joys of youth you know.

Feeling small need in our selfish pride for chart or pilot guide.

 

The scenes we pass along the shore bring pleasure and a thirst for lore.

We hope that life will ever be as tranquil and from trouble free.

Then dark clouds sweep across the sky and stormy winds are passing by.

Our bark rolls badly with each wave from foamy crest to ocean cave.

 

While at the prow our pilot stands.  He guides our vessel with strong hands.

In anguish as the torrents roll, we still may know He has control

We see the treacherous rocks so near and quail in anguish and in fear.

We know the dangers of the reef, with deep remorse we bow in grief

 

By faith alone we still cling tight.  Our pilot keeps our ship aright.

Faint gleams of light are seen afar, but we have yet to cross the bar.

Oh, look!  The harbor lights appear.  We're through the long dark channel drear.

All rocks and reefs and headlands past, we're nearing heavens gates at last.

 

With sorrow, pain and illness past, we've reached our peaceful home at last.

The storms of life were hard to bear, yet now what wondrous peace we share.

But what about our captain brave who bore so much my soul to save?

Oh, He's still there right at the helm, with love and welcome to His realm.

We'll wear our crowns and joyfully sing in praise to Master, pilot, king.

 

 

 

A FATHER'S JOY

 

If you are a father then you have been blessed

With a wonderful gift from above.

What earthly treasure could bring you the joy

Of your dear little children to love?

 

Your pride as you watch each new thing they can do,

Each new word their sweet lips learn to say.

What fun when you teach them to walk "all alone,"

And to romp and to frolic and play.

 

With joy you can watch them grow wise and so strong,

As daily you watch them grow tall.

And loving them so, you will learn of the love

Of our wonderful Father of all.

 

 

JUNIORS SONG

 

Jesus has sent us a message of cheer. 

He's coming back for the ones he holds dear

We must tell others his coming is near

We of the Junior band.

 

Chorus:

Show us the way, teach us today.

We'll be your partners tomorrow.

Missionary volunteers are we

We'll share your burdens and sorrows

 

We'll preach the gospel on hot desert sands.

Preach to the Eskimos in northern lands.

House boats in China and fair island strands

We of the Junior band.

 

There is no mountain too high or too steep.

There is no jungle too wide or too deep

God's great world harvest we must help you reap.

We of the Junior band.

 

There is no nation that we can not reach.

There are no natives too vicious to teach.

God's warning message we must help you preach.

We of the Junior band.

 

Do you know my dear kind Jesus

Well He lives up in the sky.

And He's coming down to take us

To our new home way up high.

 

We'll have little lambs to play with

And I want a puppy too

Oh, we love Him and He loves us.

And I know that He loves you.

 

So we'll try our best to please Him.

And be kind and true and good.

We'll tell our friends about Him.

And do all the things we should.

 

We have a message of hope and good cheer.

Jesus is coming and soon will be here.

Though we are young we are brave and sincere.

We of the Junior band. 

 

 

IN MEMORY OF MY DADDY

May 1939

 

You were tired, daddy darling, and I know you needed rest.

So although we miss you sadly, yet I know that it was best.

But a heritage you left us that I cherish more than gold.

It’s the memory of your kindness as you tried our lives to mold.

 

You were more than just a father.  You were teacher, pal and friend.

You were still a grand companion, daddy dear, until the end.

I can see us picking berries.  How you'd laugh or joke and sing.

And you'd help us hoe the garden, back at home, in early spring.

 

Why you even made our dresses if our mother was too ill.

Do you think I could forget that?  Daddy dear, I never will.

We picked hops and fruit together.  We hauled wood in thru the snow.

And you taught us how to saw wood in that distant long ago.

 

You have helped me can the peaches, and our work we'd hurry thru.

So you'd read a thrilling story, then I'd read awhile to you.

And on Sunday, in our finest you would walk to church with me.

I was proud, and in your dear eyes, love, and pride for me, I'd see.

 

Christmas Day was always brightest.  And although our gifts were small

You seemed so delighted, daddy, you were gayest of us all.

Oh, we'll miss you, daddy darling, best and kindest man we knew.

And, I hope, when life is over, to be home again with you.

 

 

 

SOMEONE

 

In most every church or office or what ever it may be,

You most always find that someone fills the needs successfully.

Someone that is unassuming, helping here and checking there,

Making sure that all is ready, with a special sort of care.

 

Well we have that sort of person; I am very glad to say,

Just a most beloved sister and her name?  It is Pam Bay.

She so sweetly leads the singing, and for specials she's just fine.

She knows all the songs we'er needing, and she sings them ‑ every line.

 

If we have a church announcement for the weekly bulletin,

And we tell Pam all about it, she'll be sure to get it in.

She can also play the music if you have a special song,

She comes to church quite early just in case there's something     wrong.

 

If you need a little typing although she's busy too,

She will crowd it in there somewhere and will type it out for you.

If the church plants need some water and they often do, I think?

She will notice and remember, and will give them each a drink.

 

So we really love and thank her.  We appreciate her too.

All the ways she finds to help us, and the things she finds to do.

 

 

FEBRUARY

 

Written for Bob to give in a school program around 1940.

 

February is a month that brings a deal of cheer

I'll bet it has more birthdays than any in the year.

There's Valentines and Washington’s and Lincoln's, don't forget

With ground hog's day to start it out and others coming yet

But what I like about this month the best of anything

Is that because when it is gone, the next month will be spring.

 

 

 

 

THE BEAUTIFUL CITY

 

A beautiful city is coming to earth.

John saw it from heaven descend.

And Christ with the saints after one thousand years,

Will on earth their eternity spend.

But first He will come with his angels bright

To awaken the righteous who sleep.

Then all saints will ascend the wicked to judge

As they lie in deaths slumber so deep.

 

Chorus:

O beautiful city glorious home

With fountains and palaces fair.

O beautiful city, our Eden home

O friends don't you long to be there?

O friends do not fail to be there.

 

The walls are of jasper the streets are of gold.

In the midst of that wondrous life tree;

With its great healing leaves and its oft changing fruit,

And the trunk quite divided will be

For the river of life flowing out from God's throne,

Right down through the midst of a street

Freely flows through the arch of that wide spreading tree

And there the redeemed host we'll meet.

 

This earth will be melted and created new,

All sinners and sin burned as chaff.

The vicious wild beast will be gentle and mild.

The lion will dwell with the calf. 

The homes we then build we ever shall own

With flowers and gardens so fair,

Luscious fruit we shall eat from the vineyards we plant,

With no death, pain or weariness there.

 

 

BIBLE  A  B  C's

(F and I missing)

 

 

A ‑ is for Adam God carefully made.

And placed him in Eden where none were afraid

 

B ‑ Is for baby and B is for boy. 

    Adam's first child who would give him such joy.

 

C ‑ is for Cain, Adam named his small son.

    How he rejoiced just to see the boy run.

 

D ‑ is for deer which in Eden were tame.

    And all other beasts and the birds were the same.

 

E ‑ is for Eve who was Adam's dear wife.

    Made from his rib and God gave her life.

 

G ‑ is for God the creator of all.

    He tenderly listens when ever we call.

 

H ‑ is for home where the weary find rest.

    Adam loved Eden his first home the best.

 

J ‑ is for John and a good man was he.

    Writing books in the Bible for you and for me.

 

K ‑ is for kindness and Adam was kind

    To all of the beasts and they each learned to mind.

 

L ‑ is for love which comes down from above.

    No one is happy unless they have love.

 

M ‑ is for Mother whose love will remain.

    Eve was the mother of Able and Cain.

 

N ‑ is for Noah who built a big boat.

    And on the deep flood it stayed safely afloat.

 

O ‑ is for Olive, the tree where Christ prayed

    While his disciples slept on unafraid.

 

P ‑ Is for price that our dear Savior paid

    When He died on the cross and atonement He made.

 

Q ‑ is queen and queen Esther was brave

    She risked her life all her people to save.

 

R ‑ is for Ruth who left old friends behind.

    She found faith and love and was always so kind.

 

S ‑ is for Sarah who wanted a son

    She was quite old before God gave her one.

 

T ‑ is for testament both old and new.

    God gave them to us, we know both are true.

U ‑ is for Uzza whom God caused to die

    For touching the ark, God said not to, that’s why.

 

V ‑ is for victory we all hope to see

    When sorrow is past and heaven is free

 

W ‑ is water that spread wide apart

    For Moses to cross when his people did start.

 

X ‑ is for xylophone with strings like the harp

    That David once played and Saul thought him so sharp.

 

Y ‑ is for yoke oxen wore to help plow

    Elisha had no tractor as we do now.

 

Z ‑ is for zeal we should have for God's work.

    Faithfully doing our part and not shirk.

REMEMBERING

 

As I'm sitting here this evening, thinking of the long ago;

We were neighbors, we were best friends, and we were glad to have it so.

Living out in the country, carefree as the birds in spring;

Sharing joys and childhood secrets, and together we would sing.

 

I remember in her attic, how we'd play with dolls and toys;

All the fun we had pretending, and the other childhood joys.

I remember that old wringer, of the ancient wash machine;

How we'd run through sealed pea pods, to extract the fresh peas so green.

 

When the horse was needing water, climbing up the hillside trail;

To the pasture in the orchard, we would find it with out fail.

Then at school as children teased me, I was timid and quite shy;

She was sort of in my corner, and was always standing by.

 

When the school girls jerked the jump rope,  which would dislocate my hip;

She tried valiantly to help me hobble home least I should slip.

Finally running for my mother, she was quick to get her there;

Where upon her back mom took me, to my home with gentle care.

 

Many years have passed by quickly, since those happy childhood days;

Many joys and yes, some sorrows, since we went our separate ways.

But I still sometimes do miss her, and I long to see her too;

I would love to have a visit, and our old friendship renew.

 

I would tell her that I still love her, and I never could forget;

All the joys we shared together, from the day that we first met.

But I hope some how that sometime, in a land that's free from care;

She again will be my neighbor, and we'll live for ever there.

 

 

 

 

HE'S COMING AGAIN

 

I have heard a sweet song, Tis so old, yet still new,

Of a Savior who died on a tree, but who's risen again,

And is soon coming back to this earth for the ransomed and free.

 

Chorus:

We will first see the cloud, then our Savior's dear face

And the trumpet like thunder will roar.  What a beautiful sight

When our Savior we see and our trials on earth will be o'er.

 

He is coming again and I'm waiting for Him, and the time is growing short.

He has told in His word, of events that take place

And then we may look for our Lord.

 

 

 

 

A FATHERS LOVE

 

In a chamber of the palace, David's little son lay ill.

Walls which echoed with his laughter now are hushed and deathly still.

Little feet which seemed so tireless cease to patter in their flight.

Tiny hands so quick and active lying there so still and white.

 

Soft dark curls against the pillow, eyes so big and brown and sad,

Small face hot and flushed with fever, lay this handsome royal lad

David walked the floor in anguish with remorse his tears did flow.

And his heart was changed and softened as he passed there to and fro.

 

David prayed and David fasted, and his soul was choked with grief.

He refused all acts of comfort though he longed to find relief.

Seven days of mortal anguish, seven days of bated breath.

Till the child had ceased to suffer and had closed his eyes in death.

 

Though a king of might and power, ruler of God's chosen race.

He could not escape this sorrow, or his past mistakes erase.

Think then what it cost our Father in His heavenly home above,

When He sent His son to save us, Oh, the depth of such great love.

 

 

 

 

MY SHADOW

 

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me.

Just a bit of fluffy canine, but as loyal as can be.

She comes and stands besides me when outdoors she wants to go.

And gazes with her big round eyes then paces to and fro.

 

Outside she hurries all around.  She looks this way and that.

She sniffs the air and sniffs the ground for traces of some cat.

And if perchance a cat is near she yips in great delight.

And races madly thru the yard to make her prey take flight.

 

Then like a tiny wreath of grey she slips in thru the door

And dashes wildly here and there in circles on the floor.

Then sobers down and quite demure she trails me through the house,

A tiny bit of soft grey fur as quiet as a mouse.

 

She stands beside my easy chair and looks so sad and wise,

And begs to sit upon my lap, with those big round black eyes.

She loves to have me scratch her neck, she tips her head back so,

Insisting that I pet her and just never let her go.

 

But when I stop and move my hand, she'll stretch her tiny paws,

And pull my hand right back to her with long and dainty claws.

And then when I retire at night to rest my weary head,

I'll find her at the foot all snuggled down upon my bed.

 

Now when some danger threatens she will challenge for a fight,

Growling deeply, bravely, guarding from the terrors of the night.

 

 

 

CLEAN UP DAY:

 

 

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.  Pick up litter with a stick

All the bottles that are found get them quickly off the ground.

 

Little boy blue come blow your horn, and gather the children in the morn.

To walk down the roadway all day gathering up bottles folks throw away.

 

Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

With beer bottles here and wine bottles there,

Mixed with my flowers in each row.

 

Hi diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, just look at the litter I see.

There’s bottles of every size and shape and broken glass as thick as can be.

 

There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile

And he scattered smooth round bottles in a very lavish style.

Till he littered up the roadway in a very crooked way. 

You can spread a lot of litter on most any kind of day.

 

Old King Cole was a merry old soul.  But he had a gripe or two.

He wouldn't let folks throw bottles out whenever their drinks were through.

 

Simple Simon met a pie man on his way to the fair.

Said Simple Simon to the pie man, "Let me taste your ware."

Said the pie man to Simple Simon, "I have no time to bake,

I have to clean up bottles and litter some folks make."

 

Sing a song of six pence, a pocket full of rye

Pick up four and twenty bottles and you shall have a pie.

Who threw the dirty bottles out all along the way?

Some careless thoughtless litter‑bugs is all I've got to say.

 

Why do you throw out the bottles and trash? 

You might cause somebody to have a bad crash.

It does no good and it might do much harm.

Its causing our lawmen to look with alarm. 

We don't want more laws that will lesson our fun.

But honestly folks somethings got to be done.

 

Three blind mice, see how they run.

They've cut their feet on broken glass and they can have no fun.

 

Roses are red, violets are blue. 

These old trashy bottles are just every hue.

 

Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean.

But they both picked their bottles up, and made their place look clean.

 

 

This is the house that Jack built. 

These are the bottles that lay in the house that Jack built.

These are the bottles and trash of all size

That offended the nose and offended the eyes.

That lay 'round the house that Jack built.

These are the children all merry and bright,

That came to clean litter with all of their might,

And worked at their labor from morning till night

To clean up the house that Jack built.

 

Tom, Tom the pipers son, stole some bottles and away he ran

Scattering bottles down the street

Till the neighbors caught him and he got heat.

 

Peter Piper picked up pecks of pickled bottles

Lying scattered all along the way

He left the road side looking so much better

They voted him the mayor of Mandalay.

 

Where have you been Billy boy, Billy Boy?

Out picking up bottles and it was no joy.

But if those poor lunatics throw them away

I'll have to keep picking up bottles each day.

 

The bottle was empty, its usefulness through.

It followed the course that such bottles pursue.

It sailed thru the air with the greatest of ease

Helping litter the highway with bottles like these

Bringing the cost of refreshments up high

Paying the price of the litter‑bug guy.

 

Over the river and thru the woods and onto the freeway they go.

Scattering bottles on either side thru rain or sun or snow.

Leaving a trail of broken glass the litter‑bug travels on

Won't somebody stop this careless bore before our beauty is gone?

 

 

TREES

 

Trees have so much use and meaning as on our way through life we go!

Shade and shelter, food and lumber, trees to climb as children grow.

Trees that bloom down in my orchard, huge bouquets in early spring,

Promise ample crops in harvest, limbs where birds may nest and sing.

 

Two huge evergreens stand stately just below the orchard there.

Looking much as though some gardener pruned them with the utmost care.

But to me three trees stand foremost, bringing hope‑‑yet pierce my heart,

Memories racked with deepest sorrow, hope of joy where none shall part.

 

First the tree from which the craftsman carved the cross for Calvary,

Where in agony my Savior gave His royal life for me.

Love so deep‑beyond our knowledge, love which we can never know,

Caused our Lord to pay the ransom for His loved ones here below.

 

Then, there stands beside the highway as I'm going into town,

That large tree with spreading branches reaching over, out and down.

There, when leaves turned red in autumn painting bright scenes everywhere,

All my recent hours of gladness lay in crumpled wreckage there.

 

For my only two grandchildren, precious teenage girl and boy,

After visiting for the weekend left for school with mirth and joy.

Suddenly, ‑ above their laughter, crashing sounds against that tree,

Crushing life, and leaving sorrow for the rest of life for me.

 

But the third tree, ‑SO important, is that great life‑giving tree;

Leaves for healing of the nations and the changing fruit, you see.

Trunk on both sides of the river running from the throne of God.

There the streets are bright and shiny, made of gold instead of sod.

 

There we'll meet again our loved ones who have been to us so dear.

I'm so thankful Christ is coming, and I'm glad THAT time is near.

 

 

 

WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR ME

 

When my older boys had finished grade school I decided to leave our ranch near Corvallis and move to Laurelwood near the academy.  They had spent a number of happy years there on the ranch, with the hills to coast down in winter, the creek to wade in summer, and the small pool which they had dammed up to splash around in.  There were kittens in the barn and the cute little puppies, and the horse to ride.  Little did I know what conditions I would find at Laurelwood, or what the housing situation would be.  Knowing only that my children needed a Christian education, I stepped out by faith and loading our wood hauling truck we went.

It was at the beginning of school in the fall and there were no empty houses available.  After much searching we located an older house that had been vacant for some time.  Some of the windows were broken and it was in bad repair, but my husband was a carpenter and the house did not leak.  So with a bit of cleaning we moved in.  My husband was working away from home at that time but with new windows and cupboards and other repairs it became livable.  Of course it did not have inside plumbing or electricity, but many houses did not so long ago.  All went well for a while, but soon my husband's work terminated and finances stopped.  At first we managed nicely for we had much home‑canned fruits and vegetables.  Apples were plentiful and many people had a surplus and were glad to share.  We also had brought some from the ranch.

By Thanksgiving time our money had ran out.  We had brought our cow with us so there was plenty of milk, but our flour was running out.  With the last of the flour I remember mixing some millrun grain from the cows feed with the flour to make it go farther.  We really didn't like that much.  I had always taught my children to have faith and to pray and trust God, but their father felt very discouraged.  I tried to think of something to make a happy Thanksgiving for them.  So just before Thanksgiving, I told the family that we were going to have a happy Thanksgiving meeting ‑ just our own family.  I smiled a lot and talked excitedly about it and we checked the old Christ In Song book for many happy songs to sing.  I had each one write down ten things for which they were thankful.  There were seven of us then so that made seventy things to be thankful for.  Of course there were some repetitions among the five children.   Each of us said our prayer telling the Lord our needs and thankfulness.  At first it didn't seem very exciting, but soon the children entered in whole heartedly.  They acted like it was almost Christmas.  They said, "Mother, how do you think the Lord will answer our prayers?"  I said, "I don't know, but I'm sure that He will."  They said  "Do you suppose it will come in the mail?"  I said  "It might."  They were all so happy and the next morning they anxiously waited for mail time.  Then one of them ran the quarter mile to the mail box and came running back waving a letter.  They said,  "Open it quick Mother."  It was from my brother and in it was a check for $10.00.  At that time carpenters wages were only $6.00 per day which would be equal to about a seventy‑five dollars now or more.  There was much rejoicing and of course the children's faith and my own also was made stronger.  On Thanksgiving Day, my brother and his wife came to see us, bringing a large basket of fruit and saying that he had carpenter work for my husband to last all winter.

That was only one of so many times when God has done so much for me, and also for my family.    I believe that each of you can tell of the wonderful things God has done for you.  I look forward to hearing your stories.  This is my testimony, may I hear yours?

 

Do you like little kitties and puppies and goats?  And do you like horses?  Well a long time ago when my children were growing up, we lived out in the country and they liked to play with all of those things.

I had one little girl and she had four brothers.  We called my little girl Bonnie.  She liked to play with the baby animals and the baby chickens, but best of all she loved our horse.  It's name was Ginger.  It was very gentle and she rode it nearly every day in the summer.  She would lead it up to a stump and climb on its back by standing on the stump.  Then she would ride around the pasture and down the road.  Sometimes the horse would trot and sometimes it would just walk slowly around the field eating grass, and the sunshine would make Bonnie sleepy.  So she would lay her head down on the horses back and take a nap.  She was a happy little girl.  But we lived a long way from school  She had to walk three miles through the woods to get there.  In winter sometimes it was raining and sometimes it snowed, so we moved to a place not far from school.  Bonnie missed all the things from our ranch, but mostly she missed her horse.  She missed her old friends too.

Bonnie was a good little girl but the girls at the new school already had special friends and they liked to tease Bonnie.  They had a jump rope and at recess and noon they liked to jump.  Two girls would hold a long rope and when they whirled it around, other girls would jump over it.  Bonnie would say please let me jump too.  At first they wouldn't let her jump.  Finally they said, "O K you can jump."  But when she jumped, they jerked the rope.  It knocked Bonnie down and hurt her foot and jerked her hip out of joint.   She fell down and couldn't walk.  A nice kind girl tried to help her walk home but some one came after me and I carried her on my back.   She hurt so bad and had to go to a big hospital in Portland and have a big cast put on her leg for a long time.  That leg didn't grow as long as the other one.  Many times it hurt very bad.

When she grew up she had to go down to Mexico and have a piece of her leg cut off and a plastic piece put in place of it.  Wasn't that a naughty, unkind thing for those girls to do?  I think they were sorry about hurting Bonnie.  Jesus wants us to always be kind to every one and we must forgive people who are not.

 

 

 

 

WE RIDE TO SCHOOL

 

"Let me light the lantern this time Laddie, please do,"  said little curly haired Buddy as he ran for a match.  "No, you might burn your fingers,"  Laddie answered,  "And besides, I'm in a big hurry, its 7 o'clock and we don't want to be late for school."

"Be sure to hurry right home after school,"  Mother told them as she fastened the snap on Buddy’s cap and handed the boys their lunch.

Laddie aged nine and seven year old Buddy attended parochial school.  They loved the school and loved the Bible stories.  But it was seven miles around the road to the school.  It was only about a mile and a half to public school but mother wanted them to learn to love God's word.  There was a short cut on a foot path thru the woods that saved two miles, but even then the boys had to leave before daylight to get to school on time in the winter.  As it grew light they would hide the lantern then light it again on the way home.  When days were longer they didn't mind it much for there were such interesting things to see in the woods; little cotton tail rabbits with their little white fluffy tail bobbing up and down, saucy little striped chipmunks that scampered up onto a limb of a tree to scold them; beautiful wild flowers, graceful fern, soft green moss growing on fallen logs that looked like tiny forests when you looked real close, and sometimes a frightened deer would dash past.  When the snow was on the ground there were such interesting tracks to see.

Sometimes the boys went chugging along pretending they were trains, sometimes they were log truck drivers like daddy, and sometimes stealthy wild Indians.  When they reached the main road they sometimes met people in cars or on horse back. 

"Buddy, don't you wish we had a horse to ride to school,"  said Laddie one day as they trudged along."

Oh, yes, wouldn't that be fun?  But I know daddy couldn't afford it."  Buddy replied.

"But the Bible says  "Ask and ye shall receive."  Laddie told him.  "Why don't we ask Jesus for a horse?"

"Do you think that Jesus will give us one?"

"Oh, maybe He will, lets ask Him."

About a week later, they met a man on horse back who stopped to chat with them.  "Where are you boys going?"  the man asked.

"We are going to school,"  Laddie replied,  "We have to walk about five miles, but we've been praying for a horse to ride."

"You have?"  replied the stranger,  "And you think God will answer your prayers?" 

"Oh yes!"  said Buddy,  "If we have faith, and we do have faith, don't we, Laddie?"  And the man gazed into two pair of big blue eyes as the boys solemnly nodded their heads.

The next week end the boys were surprised to see the stranger ride up to their home.  "I was very much impressed with the faith of your little boys,"  he told daddy.  "Now I have a nice gentle mare which I would like for them to have."  I will trade it to you for anything of value which I can use."

So the trade was arranged and as long as the boys attended that school they rode to school.  "Oh Mother,"  they often said,  "Jesus does answer our prayers."

 

 

 

 

These are by her daughter Elinor and her son Albert.

 

TO MY DARLING

Elinor Logan

 

My darling, why do I love you?

Because you are kind and gentle too.

Oh yes, but that isn't all dear

You're modest in all that you do.

 

Yes modest, for you are not forward

You're careful and thoughtful and strong

Strong in the things that are needed

Yet stay in the place you belong.

 

You don't speak out quick when there's trouble

You take it all straight on the chin

Yet always ready to help them

When there is new work to begin.

 

Faithful and steady, and true dear

Yes that’s what you are and far more

You're my darling my only love dear,

Right now and for ever more.

 

For I could not live without you

Down here in this dark world below

Here in this dungeon of darkness

Where nothing but true love will grow.

 

True love?  Oh yes.  But my darling

This love that I'm feeling so full

Will even be deeper and stronger

If with Christ and together we pull.

 

So let us always be pulling

In the self same paths he has trod

And may we together be pulling

On entering the gates of our God.

 

 

I LOVE YOU MOTHER

Albert Logan

 

Sent home from France when in the service.

 

I wish I had the power to write

The thoughts within my heart tonight.

I sit and watch a lonely star

And wonder how and where you are.

 

You know mom it is a funny thing,

How close the war a son can bring,

And how for many months I have tried

To keep my love and thoughts inside.

 

I told you mom brave men never cried.

I'm sorry mom for I must have lied.

For if you stood here for me to embrace,

You'd find a tear stain on my face.

 

I'm sorry if when I was home,

I left you to stand at home alone.

For it was you who shared my fears,

Who smoothed my hair and dried up my tears.

 

Yes if I had the power to write

The thoughts within my heart tonight

The words would ring out loud and clear.

I'm proud to say I love you mother dear.

 

 

 

 

Here is a reading that she especially liked:

 

THE MASTER IS COMING  ‑ Selected ‑

 

They said,  "The Master is coming to honor the town today,

And none can tell at whose house or home the Master may choose to stay."

And I thought, while my heart beat wildly, what if He should come to mine?

How would I strive to entertain and honor the Guest Devine?

 

And straight I turned to toiling to make my home more neat;

I swept and polished and garnished, and decked it with blossoms sweet;

I was troubled for fear the Master might come ere my task was done,

And I hasted and worked the faster, and watched the hurrying sun.

 

But right in the midst of my duties a woman came to my door;

She had come to tell me her sorrows, and my comfort and aid to implore.

And I said,  "I can not listen, nor help you any today;

I have greater things to attend to,"  And the pleader turned away.

 

And soon there came another ‑ a cripple, thin, pale, and gray ‑

And said, "O let me stop and rest awhile in your home, I pray!

I have traveled far since morning, I am hungry, and faint, and weak;

My heart is full of misery, and comfort and help I seek."

 

And I said,  "I am grieved and sorry, but I can not help you today;

I look for a great and noble Guest,"  and the cripple went away.

And the day wore on swiftly, and my task was nearly done,

And a prayer was in my heart that the Master to me might come.

 

And I thought I would spring to meet Him, and serve Him with utmost care,

When a little child stood by me with a face so sweet and fair ‑

Sweet, but with marks of tear‑drops, and his clothes were tattered and old;

A finger was bruised and bleeding, and his little bare feet were cold.

 

And I said,  "I am sorry for you; you are sorely in need of care,

But I can not stop to give it, you must hasten otherwhere."

And at the words a shadow swept o'er his blue‑veined brow;

"Some one will feed and clothe you, dear, but I am too busy now."

 

At last the day was ended, and my toil was over and done;

My house was swept and garnished, and I watched in the dark, alone;

Watched, but no footfall sounded; no one paused at my gate,

No one entered my cottage door; I could only pray and wait.

 

I waited till night had deepened, and the Master had not come;

"He has entered some other door,"  I cried, "And gladdened some other home!"

My labor has been for nothing, and I bowed my head and wept,

My heart was sore with longing, yet, in spite of it all, I slept.

 

Then the Master stood before me, and His face was grave and fair:

"THREE TIMES TODAY I CAME TO YOUR DOOR AND CRAVED YOUR PITY AND CARE;

THREE TIMES YOU SENT ME ONWARD, UNHELPED AND UNCOMFORTED,

THE BLESSING YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD WAS LOST, AND YOUR CHANCE TO SERVE HAS FLED."

 

"O Lord, dear Lord, forgive me!  How could I know it was Thee?"

My very soul was shamed and bowed in the depths of humility.

And He said,  "The sin is pardoned, but the blessing is lost to thee;

For, comforting not these THE LEAST OF MINE, YE HAVE FAILED TO COMFORT ME."