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Read Ebook: Governor Winthrop's Return to Boston: An Interview with a Great Character by Warren George Washington
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Ebook has 8 lines and 3709 words, and 1 pages
rn the precepts plain. More week-day services will be required, To hear the word by holy men inspired; And long shall those enduring arches ring With pulpit tones, and songs the choir will sing.
"The cup I gave, and which you pass around, The sole familiar thing about this ground, Will prove a token true from age to age,-- May its partakers gild the sacred page!
"Oft as my after-knowledge takes wide range, I note how wonderful the constant change: No coin we used is current here to-day; The bills we passed you would not take for pay. Our money funds required no 'safety' locks, And differs much what we and you call 'stocks;' Men often find yours quite a dangerous game, And get their foot stuck in them just the same.
"'T was not my lot to have large sums in store, My wealth was gone ere mortal life was o'er; But Faith and Liberty I most did prize,-- On those twin rocks I bade a nation rise. There was another John, you understand; He founded Learning's halls in this new land; Not Vanderbilt, nor any moneyed name Will e'er outshine John Harvard's brilliant fame.
Learn this: strive not for wealth that will not last, But let your treasures be in heaven cast; These are alone the real things to crave. While that will mould, like bodies in the grave, Material forms to meet decay are sure; The mind and spirit only will endure. Hope's blissful visions, with its longings strong, The will's high purpose, freed from thought of wrong, Fond memory of good deeds that here were done, Of sinners from their evil courses won, The love and knowledge of the God Supreme, Of Christ who came the fallen to redeem,-- These are, indeed, the good, substantial things To which the soul for endless ages clings.
"Could I have marked where should this statue stand, I would have placed it on that Common land, Of past and coming times the great delight,-- With First Church spire and Capitol in sight; My figure there should front the setting sun; That, in review of any good I 've done During the last score years I passed on earth, Posterity may better know my worth.
"I love the grand First Church, I love the State. I planted both. Their growth, through God, is great, And both will flourish ever, while the sun His circuit round this globe shall seem to run. May every good Saint Botolph's town betide, And Thursday Club, led by the wisest Guide."
Of what he said, this is, condensed, the sum. Then flashed the light; on came the busy hum; Then Winthrop's spirit soared up to the stars; Mute stood his statue 'mid the noisy cars.
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