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A poem by John Greenleaf Whittier |
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William Forster |
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Title: William Forster Author: John Greenleaf Whittier [More Titles by Whittier] William Forster, of Norwich, England, died in East Tennessee, in the 1st month, 1854, while engaged in presenting to the governors of the States of this Union the address of his religious society on the evils of slavery. He was the relative and coadjutor of the Buxtons, Gurneys, and Frys; and his whole life, extending al-most to threescore and ten years, was a pore and beautiful example of Christian benevolence. He had travelled over Europe, and visited most of its sovereigns, to plead against the slave-trade and slavery; and had twice before made visits to this country, under impressions of religious duty. He was the father of the Right Hon. William Edward Forster. He visited my father's house in Haverhill during his first tour in the United States.
Yet often now the good man's look As if, in passion's heated war, Stranger and pilgrim! from that day The poor to feed, the lost to seek, To plead the captive's right; remove He walked the dark world, in the mild, From what great perils, on his way, God knoweth: we could only see And I,--my youthful fancies grown Low bowed in silent gratitude, Still shines the light of holy lives O friend! O brother I not in vain How many burdened hearts have prayed With weary hand, yet steadfast will, As on thy task-field closed the day Thy latest care for man,--thy last Methinks the mound which marks thy bed [The end] GO TO TOP OF SCREEN |