^^Ji^r ^S- v/ 2!i ' '■■)"' -' ..a'" ,^ I' ^.:^ . )£7^!iM7 .0' ^^^ v\ -i ,0 V- ^ ,\' -^ ,%'My^^ ,^"^^ •^^ xy ^ ^^.^ -^0^ -2v .^l rj> * = » o ^ K^'^ H O^ O o ,0 .V- "^-^ o'^ ■^^ H c- /i^^'- °i\-. -^o 'bV o o A- '?).' ^ v>^ ^. 0' ^ <" ^^ '>^^ ^. -AWvv? v^' .h o ' . . * , V < , 'o , . * o ^-^ ' . . « /> .0 -Jy^ A" tv?T5->: > V, .<% V ■ % ^-^^ mm-- -^^' 0-^ .^ ^/Yyj-j "v WELDED LINKS. WELDED LINKS. BY / R ANNETTA PECKHAM. Morning awaking illumines the scene Where death had been reigning, angels convene. And in their chaste robes, to Mar)', proclaim The links are all welded in life's golden chain. NEIV, REVISED EDITION. NEW YORK: Published by P. Annetta Peckham. 1898. 2nd COPY, 1898. /9^9,-. a x^ Y5^ Her pearly fingers, sylph-like form, Would feast an artist's eye. While the matchless beauty of her face. Would with an ano^el's vie. THE SEWING GIRL. 49 But yet this fairy creature toils, To gain her scanty bread ; While poodle dogs in laps are held, And bounteously fed. O God! she cried, can this be right. To heap so much of woe On gentle woman's loving heart, While dogs are pampered so? She would not 'gainst God's law rebel, Nor taste unholy bread; Although her soul was famishing For what to dogs was fed. O Angels! should she chance to err — God only knows, she may, — Let not her scribe who writes in Heaven, Keep record of the day. 50 WELDED LINKS. A MOTHER'S LAMENT. MIGHT not with such strength of will have loved, Could I have known, that direful fate would blast So sweet, and fair a flower. I conned the precious treasure o'er — 'twas mine. And in my heart, laid up full store of love, For years that might come after. A MOTHER'S LAMENT. 5 I I watched her every waking" hour with joy, And thought I ne'er had seen a flower so sweet, Nor yet one half so pretty. No mother's love could be more strono- than mine — 'Twas essence from the love divine for one. Whom none was more deservino;-. She seemed of me to be a part, and was The sum, and substance of my heart ; she made My home a blissful Eden. 5^ WELDED LINKS. Yet she did not belong to earth, and hence, The angels sought her from her birth, Heaven Was incomplete without her. The favored moment came at last, and then They took my darling, and with her, have passed Beyond the darksome river. MAGDALENA. 53 MAGDALENA. 1^ ITH the anguish of her soul's unrest, ,,v-^<-JAnd hands clasped closely on her breast, She raised her longing eyes to Heaven, In search of peace, earth hath not given, She loneinof looked to the ether blue, Where angels seemed herself to view. And wondered if their home so bright, Mieht eive her soul some ray of licrht. And she clearly saw some garments fair. Which looked like those she used to wear , And with her eyes thus fixed on Heaven, A matchless charm to her was griven. 54 WELDED LINKS. Oh, her robes with scarlet stains were full, Yet they became as white as wool ; And for her anguish and unrest. The peace of Heaven possessed her breast While looking still to the pearly height, Another form appeared in sight. Whose bleeding hands, and feet, and side, Proclaimed for sinners He had died 'Twas at the word of His command, There came from Heaven a shining band, And each one bore a royal crown, For such as were with crrief bowed down. & "Reach forth thy hand, a crown is thine;" Were ever words like these sublime? "The riofhteous came I not to save." But sinners freely He forgave. MAGDALENA. 55 O Magdalene, and sinners all, Who from your high estate did fall, Here's loving kindness, full and free. To wash all guilt from you and me. The righteous have no need ot Him 'Tis only they who've tasted sin, For whom our Savior cried — "Eloi! Eloi ! Sabachthani !" And bowed His head and died. 56 WELDED LINKS, A COMMON HERITAGE. I. fef XULTANT Monarch! bend your head, ^ ii ^^^ Why thy proud look and stately tread? ^W ° • • ^^ Why thy imperious, haughty will ? Thou dost a small commission fill. IL Wherefore the words of thy command .r* Thou art a serf upon the land ; And even to thy utmost hour — The mandates of a higher power IIL Shall rule thee with a mightier hand Than any power thou canst command ; Yea ! even to thy latest breath, When holding converse with Kino- Death A COMMON HERITAGE. 57 IV. Thou still shalt feel this mighty law Before which nations bend in awe ; And thou shalt own this power divine, And bowing, worship at its shrine. V. Then, boast not of thy high estate, For but one cause thou canst be ereat, And that all men may claim. 'Tis that Jehovah's signet's worn By all mankind, however shorn Of worldly pomp, and gain. VI. 'Twas by a Master Workman's art, That every brow and every heart Is more or less divine. And man is either great or small, As he partakes of what to all, An Infinite hath given. 8 WELDED LINKS. VIL A common heritage hath all, Jehovah God, hath deigned to call Each, of mankind His child ; And to each one a crown hath given, That in the summing up in Heaven There might not one be lost. vin. Then, let oblations rise in praise, To Him, who's numbered all our days, And made His work complete : The richest tribute we can bring. Is reverence for our God and Kingr t> With love for all mankind. THE ORIGIN OF LIFE. 59 THE ORIGIN OF LIFE. \^h ^^ U HE race of life, where hath its bound? ^ Its beginning, where is it found? Or whence its course doth flow? In what dark age had spirit birth? Was it before there was on earth ? Or life in empty air? What womb of space with pregnant air First found intelligence was there. And thouofht was brouQfht to life? Was it before the shinins: sun's Creative li^ht beean to run ? Nor moon, nor stars there were? 6o WELDED LINKS. How grand the thought, how deep, how wide; How fathomless thou spirit Bride, First in the womb of Time: Unnumbered ages have grown old, Since first the spirit birth was told, And God reigned every-where. Eternal too, shall be the flow Of mystic ages, where we go When life's full course is run; 'Tis not for mortals to divine The space in which there is no time, And day no night may know. There cycles unto cycles roll, While countless ages, shall unfold 7 heir own great truths to man ; Infinite space he shall explore And traverse every shining shore, With God Supreme o'er all. IN MEMORIAM. 6l IN MEMORIAM. * HAT dread alarm is this I hear? fT^^l^What wail is this breaks on my eari j|w^>' Hath death, in unexpected hour, i 1 Mowed down another lovely flower ? And hath the reaper gone his round When friendly aid could not be found, And w^ith his scythe cut down the lair? Was this the wail broke on the air ? Was no one there to smooth her brow, No one to kiss or comfort now? No one to give a word of cheer When cruel Death was drawing near ? * Of Mrsc E. A. C, who was stricken down in an epileptic fit •'From the bloom of health to the pallor of death " at the Russ House, Sau Francisco, May 11th, 1874. 02 WKl.PKl) 1 INKS. No lui^h.md with a lo\ iti>;- heart To waul awa\ Death's cruel dart? No I'alher ! Mother! Sister dear — Did no one then lo her appear? No OWQ \ No one! llow can it he That one so L;ood and kind as she Should die alone? and no one near To dissipate her every lear ? Though human aid could not he found, AngeHc hosts did her sunound; And with her passed the loneK vale, Where Death can never more assail. Then w eep her not ! though sad and drear May be vour homes without her here: What she has gained, is richer lar Than all of earthly treasures are. AT A DILAPIDATED GRAVE, 63 AT A DILAPIDATED GRAVE IN LONE MOUNTAIN'. ^•^H|HOU may'st have struggled long and well ^Ut^-4 To gain ambition, fame ; ^' Yet thou hast scarcely left behind i The memorv of thv name. Is this the end? the final sum That man may hope to gain? The recompense for all hif^ cares — Reward for all his pain? A narrow house, so closely built That one can't turn him round? And even that encased in earth, Full six feet under oround? 64 WELDED LINKS. Where creeping worms of slimy form May crawl his body o'er ; And human friends look on his face, Ah ! never, never more? Shut out from all the world of light, From glory and from fame, With single slab above his head, On which inscribed his name ? If this be all ! the final sum That's left us to attain. How truly wretched then are we How well we may complain. MOTHER. 65 MOTHER. ^^^^^f HAT name on earth, is there so dear ^NlMJ) As the sacred name, Mother ? jj^P What other word, can have the cheer Iy To soothe our brow and dry the tear, Like the dear word. Mother ? Oh tell me wh^re in Heaven, or Earth, Another name is found, So filled with hallowed memories And with such joyous sound, As that dear name. Mother? What other name can wanderers hear In distant, foreign climes. To QTive fresh memories of home Like that dear name of tJime, Mother, Like that dear name of thine ? 66 WELDED LINKS. What other name can have the power To check a wnld career ? And lead us back from untouched sin, As the name we all revere, Of blessed Mother dear ? What other. name can melt the heart That's hardened been by crime ? And give contrition to the soul, Like that loved name of thine, Mother, Like that loved name of thine? Dearest Mother, thy precious name Shall fall from lips in prayer; That God will keep thee safe from harm, And shield thee, every-where, And shield thee, every-where. CAN I BE FICKLE. 67 CAN 1 BE FICKLE? VE:?^^^^, f^K^ EAR one, could I for sure depend h^k That thou wouldst love till life should end j|Vj^ Its weary pilgrimage, I'd seek no other place to rest My bruised heart or aching breast, But in thy fond embrace. I'd look me to no other sky Than that in which thy charming eye Would give my soul its light ; I d look me for no other joy Than that which should my soul employ, Forever loving thee. 68 WELDED LINKS. I'd twine the tendrils of my heart Where thou shouldst share the greater part And be my chief delight; I'd have one thought, and that of thee, That where thou wert, there I might be, And from thee never part. No breath should cool my heated brow But that which did thy love endow, And wert of thee a part ; No lips should press their nectar sweet Where mine, in unison should meet Companionship of soul. No other voice should charm my ear, Be thou soever far or near, I still would faithful be ; No other form should please my eye. For thee, I evermore would sigh And loving worship thee. CAN I BE FICKLE. 69 I'd ask no other earthly gain, Forego all pleasure, bear all pain To share thy love alone ; And only fickle would I be. When feeliho- thou hast set me free In loving yet anothen 70 WELDED LINKS. jafeVa^q't^ 4^ THINGS TO AVOID. WO things In life, there's to avoid; Their steps, take hold on hell ; They'll prey upon your vital force, And sound your funeral knell. They'll fill your bodies with disease, And worse, pollute your soul ; They'll rob you of life's happiness, Your comfort, and repose. They'll sever home, and family ties, And give a mortal sting; Nor can the smallest solace give. For the misery they bring. THINGS TO AVOID. 7 1 Twin Sisters these two vices are, They flourish as the rose ; They'll stamp their imprint on your face, Dishonor on life's close. There's no distruise can hide the fact If these are chosen friends ; Though frailty's weak, she still is strong In accomplishing her ends. 72 WELDED LINKS. OUR DARLING. ^^f E miss him ! we miss him our darling, We miss his sweet prattle and glee; ♦i|^'' And we long once more to behold him, Our darling that's over the sea. The cot, and the cradle are empty ; The bat, and the ball on the floor, And the drum, is still where he left it. For Freddie will use them no more. The birds, when they sing their sweet carols- Sing lonely, and sadly to me; And my heart, seems bursting with anguish, For Freddie far over the sea. OUR DARLING, 73 The morning now dawns on us sadly, Our souls with a weight is oppressed ; Our darling, we never may see him Nor clasp his loved form to our breast The Angels, they came with a whisper — So quiet none heard them but he; He listened to what they said to him, And with them, passed over the sea. O Ano-els ! come, once again whisper, And this time, please whisper to me; And bring me some news from my darling, My darling that's over the sea. O tell mie, if baby is wishing His mamma would come to him soon, And if in his beautiful heaven For all there is plenty of room. 74 WELDED LINKS. Angels! who cares for my baby? Have you a blest seraph so fair That, by her sweet, tender caresses, He thinks his dear mamma is there? 1 know that I hear, when I listen. Sweet music from over the sea; 'Tis Angels, a lullaby singing, And baby is thinking it's me„ A WIFES PLEA. 75 A WIFE'S PLEA. Dedicated to Mrs. Britannia Plinny Powers, of Detroit, Michigan. ^!'r?||:r EAVE me in the early spring-time, %(Wt When all nature's bright and gay; - Leave me when the sun in splendor Drives the shades of night away. Leave me when thine eyes are brightest, When the bloom is on thy cheek; Leave me when thy perfect manhood Health and beauty shall bespeak. Leave me when the sky is clearest. When life's stars full bright!)- shine; Leave me when thou art the dearest; Leave me when I'm whollv thine. 76 W ELIJED LINKS. Leave me when the worhl shall woo me, While its charms my soul engage; Leave me in m\- health and \'igor; Leave me not in crippled age. If thou must, O darling, le-ave me, Ere the shadows thickl\- fall, Leave me when the hlooni of summer ALiy bedeck th)' fun'ral })all. Leave, oh! leave mv. not, my darling, Though the hlossoms hloom or fade; Summer suns would pale and darken; Deepest gloom ni}^ spirit shade*. Death would spread its sahle mantle O'er the scenes which I hold dear; And though all the world were joyous, Mv soul would be a fun'ral bier. A wife's plea. 77 Leave me, darling, leave me never ! Fold me in your warm embrace, Shield me from life's storms and battles, Press me closer to )our face ! Leave me not, oh, leave me never! Let my heart beat close to thine, While your lips with love's sweet fragrance. Press their kisses upon mine. Leave me not, oh, never ! never ! Sever not life's bright golden chain ! What were all the joys of Eden Should I not thy love retain ' Other ones might smile to woo me, Other hands extend for mine ; But if thou with death wert sleepino-, iMy stricken heart would still be thine. 78 WELDED LINKS. Leave me not, whate're the seasons, In bloom of youth or trembhng age ; Shine the sun howe'er so brightly, Its beams could not my grief assuage. Leave me not, oh, darling, never ! Ashes may unto ashes turn, — But in spirit come thou to me ; For I would still thy lorm discern. MV FATHERS GRAVE. 79 MY FATHER'S GRAVE„ \^^Wl HAT pang- on earth is there so great, fL^^fi;;^^ As that which pierced me sore, ItK'^.^ P When a lovine Father bowed his head ^3 And was of eartli no more? That pang sank deep into my soul; The joyous world seemed drear; My heart was wrung with agony, Tear followed dil/er tear. Fond recollections rise afresh. But how their mem'ries sting; No loving thought, or word, or deed, Can aui-dit of solace brincr. So WELDED LINKS. Such hopeless grief is this we feel, None with it can compare; For who may give us back our dead? Who lighten our despair? The grass shall wave above his tomb ; The winds shall moan, and sigh; Him shall we never see again, Nor feel his presence nigh. Autumnal rains nhall shed their tears Upon his lonely tomb; And winter winds shall sing his dirge For ages yet to come. THE OUTCAST. 8i THE OUTCAST. m ^^ Is, HE died all alone, ^m And no one was near, To shed for this Outcast A pitying tear, Or pillow her comfortless head. She died all alone. In darkness of night, The stars looked down on this Pitiable sight — In wretchedness, want and in woe. 82 WELDED LINKS. She died all alone ; Poor child of despair; Was freighted with grief, And laden w^ith care — Weio-hed down with the oruilt of her soul She thought of her home, And days of her youth ; Unblemished her soul, And spotless as truth Was her blush, in life's early moriL But came there an hour When, tempted by sin, Like mortal, she fell From sin unto sin, And drank of the wormwood and oralL THE OUTCAST. She tasted the dregs Of the bottomless pit; Cast out from the world — A thing, that's unfit To mix with the rest of mankind. They buffet and hoot This child, in her crime: More guilty are they In eyes just, divine. Than she whom thev scorn in her woe. Speak kindly to such, And lighten their care ; Tell them there Is hope For those in despair; 84 WELDED LINKS. Tell them, though erring-, That they may regain Woman's hicrh crownings : But which, to attain, They must abandon The highways of shame. And go, crown themsecves Pure women ag-aia She wandered from home, Denying her name; She would not pollute Her parents' fair fame. Nor mantle their cheeks with a blusL THE OUTCAST. b; She buried her grief, And sank in her shame ; Down, down to the depths She suddenly came, And wondered if God was severe. She raised up her eyes, To offer a prayer, But faltered her tongue ; 'Twas mute with despair. Though Aneels were waiting; to save. Her prayer was a sigh That God would be kind, And hide in darkness Her sins from her mind. And give her composure and rest B6 WELDED LINKS She loHLied for waters ; Stepped into the pool ; Drank of the fountain ; Was washed and made whole- With Anofels drew nearer to God. Was heard there a sound In Heaven so clear, As when this sinner, Repentant, drew near. To sit at the feet of the Lamb? Clothed in new garments, With never a stain. Came, as a Seraph Or bright Angel came — > For God is foroj-ivina- to all I WISH I WERE DEAD.' "I WISH I WERE DEAD." ^Mi£J I WISH I were dead!" ^fevv^*^ How carelessly said, ^jp- One bright and early morning-. h r. Wish to be dead in summer time? While life is scarcely in its prime? Ere thy sun to noon has risen? Wish to be dead ! How careless said — How lightly it was spoken ; The summers' suns have ris'n and set, In years but twenty-three, as yet, And shone upon your head. 88 WELDED LINKS. Wish to be dead! For what wouldst die? Hast thou no aim for which to sigh, No object yet ere thou shalt die, No purpose to attain? Wish to be dead ! Hast thou fulfilled The object of thy Father's will, For which He sent thee here? Is there no hope, thy soul to thrill — = No mission in thy life to fill — That thou shouldst wish to die? Wish to be dead i Ah ! say it not ; It cannot be thou hast foro-ot There's seed and harvest time: — "I WISH I WERE DEAD." 89 The sun may hide his golden rays, But yet there's plentitude of days In which to prosper here. Wish to be dead ! Thou hast no riirht o To wish that all this world of Vnj-ht Were shut from out thy life — This precious life thy God hath given; And in thy aim if thou hast striven To do His purpose well, He'll crown thee with immortal life, And thou shalt dwell where there's no strife, In all the courts of Heaven. go WELDED LINKS. CALIFORNIA. W^l Glorious land, where the sun sinks to rest ijllpp^ in the genial folds of Nature's warm breast; Iv And, resting his feet in the pulsating sea, I Comes with the morning, all radiant with glee, And wooes me back to thy Eden of bliss, Where Nature tempts Heaven with her balmiest kiss, ANOTHER OUTCAST. QI ANOTHER OUTCAST. ■ „-^^^ NOTHER outcast, orreat God ! here is found, MS, Jjj^^With naught for her bed but comfortless ground '^il? With naught to shelter, or shield her from cold— I The buffets of men, and scorn of the world. Eyes, once like diamonds, outrivaled the stars; Soul, pure as Venus, and lovely as Mars ; Moulded her figure, by genius and grace. And carved in beauty, each line of her face. Pity her. Seraphs, oh, pity! I cried; Pity her, Jesus, in sin though she died 1 Though wandered from home like Prodigal Son- Pity her, Father ! she still is Thine own. 92 WELDED LINKS. Oh! save her to-night, though living or dead, And, Heaven's pure Angels, shed tears on her head Oh ! pity her, God, wherever she's found, And let not a curse cry out from the ground. Though marked, as was Cain, on forehead and brow Once stainless her soul — oh, that it were now! Canst Thou not shrive her, dear Lord, as of yore, And bid her in peace, go and sin never more? Jesus, our Saviour! she's praying to Thee — She's heard of Thy love, and dark Calvary ; She's heard of Thy groans, and tears Thou didst shec For those who in sin and trespass were dead. She's heard that Thou lovest and still art with men ; Dost love and forgive, though sinners they've been. Jesus, forgive her, wash out her stain ; Crown her, though fallen. Thy kindred again. TO A FRIEND 93 TO A FRIEND. IpmEM'RY, dear Memory, iK^t^i"; E'er faithful and true, <^ \ Bring-s a halo of glory When thinking- of yoUo The past and the present, Too full for despair. Bid me hope for the future, And wrestle with care ; Bid me bury the past As somethinor that's dead Only live for the present, Let dead bury the dead. 94 WELDED LINKS. Yet one press of thy hand, One look from thine eye, Just one comfortino- word — To know that a sigh Is upweHing for me — Life's ills would dispel And brighten the future, I'hen tell me, ah! tell. If of me thou dost think. If still in thy heart There remains but one link Which binds me to thee. CHRISTMAS. 95 CHRISTMAS. ^^j^^T^i- /^ |: ING out the bells, the merry bells, ^%v?^. Each joyous Christmas bell ; T^f\ Ring out o'er all the happy land, Your joyous tidings tell. Ring out, ring out with joyous strain. Peal forth in loud acclaim ; This is the year of jubilee. Glad tidings now proclaim. Good will and peace reign o'er the land ; No warrior's tramp is heard; From East to West, from North to South, Send forth the joyous word. 96 WELDED LINKS. Ring out the call, the loving call, That summons friends together, And there let each in union clasp The other as his brother. Ring forth, ring forth in every heart, Ring forth a song of praise To Him. the ever living God, The Ancient One of days. TO A HUSBAND. 9/ TO A HUSBAND. ':W^|f AY thine eye never shine less brightly than now, %\iM^k Nor the rose in th\' cheek become dim, /pC'^X Nor furrow eer wrinkle thy fair marble brow, Nor a passion prov'oke thee to sin. No tempter allure from the home thou hast loved, From the wife and the child thou hast blest; Ne'er permit any other to pillow her head Where the wife of thy bosom should rest. Oh, look not on her who would tempt thee to stray, — On the form that bewitching, allures; She's charms that may last scarce a full, fleeting day, And their pleasures may tarnish thy years. 98 WELDED LINKS. Look not on the wine when it sparkles so red, Nor once taste of the full, flowing bowl : 'Twill lessen the beauty and grace of thy head, And the charm of thy generous soul. THE FOUNDLING 99 THE FOUNDLING. ^^^|H0SE child is this? 4^^ The Foundlin