USA > Texas > Early pioneer days in Texas > Part 13
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For he was very tired, and he was growing old. It was a glowing ruby that law upon the breast Of one who had not earned it, who wore it with a sneer ;
The thief was very weary, he only longed for rest ; He was too wan for caring, he was too numb for fear!
It was a glowing ruby-he held it in his hand- His hand was thin and withered, it shook beneath the gem;
He took the vivid ruby, the ransom of a land,
And tied it firmly, tightly, within his garment's hem ;
And then he shuffled forward, but like a thorn withir.
His soul he bore the torment of bitterness and sin!
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VI.
They caught him when the morning had tinged the Eastern skies ;
The gem was found upon him, as red as guilty blood;
He stood, his head sunk forward, with listless, shallow eyes,
And hoplessness submerged him like some unholy flood ;
A thief he was by calling. The Law? The law was great;
What chance had he for pity ? His fate was sealed and done;
He was unclean, an outcast, a menace to the state; Athing to be avoided, a stain against the sun !
They led him to his hearing, the hall was still and light; .
A judge was seated higher, who passed him with a glance;
And suddenly, forgetting his weariness and fright, The thief cried, leaping forward, "I did not have a chance !"
The judgment hall was spacious, and coldly white and wide-
And coldly came the sentence-"He shall be cruci- fied !"
VII.
They nailed him, God's creation, upon a cross of shame;
They nailed him up with laughter, they heeded not his tears ;
And people looking at him were moved to soulless jeers,
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And agony was on him-a searing, breathless flame !
And then, as he hung sobbing, a sudden feeling came
Of peace that, reaching toward him across the sound of sneers,
Was like a burst of music that one more feels than hears-
For, from somewhere beside him, a Voice had breathed his name.
Ah, he was weak with anguish, and yet he turned his head,
And saw a cross beside him, and on the cross a Form;
And he forgot the tumult, the horror and the storm-
And someone, down below him, said "Look, the thief is dead!"
But, safe from fear and torture beyond
their scornful cries,
The thief had gazed at Heaven in Christ's trium- phant eyes !
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DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF OUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES.
The cold December rain is falling where they lie, Soon the same last and final debt will be paid by you and I.
They lived as we live, amid labors, disappoint- ment, persecutions and trials,
Many were their inconveniences, temptations, sac- rifices and self-denials.
Through faith, courage, hope, earnest, honest la- bor they triumphantly entered in
Through the gates into the city where they are ever at peace, joy and rest free from sin.
Watching and waiting with our friends and loved ones in that beautiful home so fair,
When our labors, joys and sorrows are ended meet, oh ! meet me there.
-J. TAYLOR ALLEN.
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EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN, TEXAS
PARADISE LOST.
(By J. Taylor Allen.)
Man from original righteousness has wandered away,
And is ever seeking happiness as he journeys day by day.
The violation of God's law has caused him sorrow and distress
Which caused our Savior and Mediator from heaven to come to bless.
Man's inhumanity to man has made countless mil- lions mourn,
Pressed by labor and cares on every side during this pilgrimage and sojourn.
What he has lost in the fall can only be atoned by the blood of our Mediator
Through his merits alone can we ever be rein- stated in favor with our Creator.
Driven out from the peaceful presence of God without one ray of hope, through millions of years,
No chance to redeem himself without the interven- tion of Christ though he repents in anguish and tears.
Lost, wretched and undone, no paradise will it ever be our privilege to view,
Unless we repent, have faith, prove by our sincere faithful earnest work that to our Savior we are true.
Oh! why do we live and why do we die?
All who can, please tell me why.
Like as a flower or the grass, we are cut down,
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Wither, die and pass away, we trust to receive a crown.
In heaven's pure world where our friends and loved ones are safely home,
From whence no traveler ever returns, we will soon no longer roam.
Like the prodigal from our Father's house far, far away,
But let us ever come home, and no longer from the fold stray.
By way of the cross we shall wear a glittering crown,
. Where the injustice of man will no more keep us down.
Man's inhumanity to man makes countless millions mourn,
But the time is coming when the greedy grafters of their power will be shorn.
Let us place our spiritual deposits in heaven's own bank vaults-
Where no checks are protested, and where all are free from faults.
No bank failures there, God the President, our Savior the Cashier-
Who will represent us, introduce and for us make all things clear.
The recording angels the bookkeepers with Christ's own precious
Blood the books of life are ever kept balanced and square.
Oh! meet me there.
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MOTHER. (Written by J. Taylor Allen.) Honey Grove, Texas, R. F. D. 7, Box 22. January 26, 1914.
Oh! a mother's prayer, a mother's tears have fol- lowed me all the past years ;
What sweet memories of dear mother who ever lovingly quieted my fears.
Long years she has been gone; but her sweet spirit beckons me on,
Day by day as pilgrims here, on a journey our race will soon be done.
Oh! what sweet, happy memories of the long ago in childhood's happy days,
With our loving associates, playmates around the dear old home.
And around the hewed log cabin school and church house grounds
Where oh ! echo answers where are those boys and girls echo still resounds.
We are safe at home awaiting your coming where will be
Reunited in heaven's pure happy peaceful world we will ever be free.
Seems long, long years since last we met but happy thoughts linger yet
As we rapidly pass life's milestones our friends and loved ones we shall never forget.
As we rapidly glide down life's river oh! let us every ply the oars of faith and love,
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For the splashes of the oars of the pilot are heard on life's river to take us to our home above. So let us all get on board the old Ship of Zion that has safely landed
Its millions on the heavenly shore with none left stranded.
Our Saviour, our pilot and conductor, we soon will be with over there,
Through faith in Jesus, truth and love, we shall enter heaven with prayer.
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EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS CAPITAL AND LABOR.
Will you and readers indulge me in a poetic flight ? Though adverse winds may blow, Trials, troubles and afflictions as we go Through this world we cannot stand still, Let us be up and doing with a determined will.
With energy, patience and perseverance our motto Stronger and stronger we will grow, Though trampled beneath mud or dust We will rise in the strength of the just. Though we possess not great wealth,
Let us covet that which is better-religion and health.
A clear conscience before men and God, So that when our bodies are beneath the sod A monument to our memory erected Will be encouragement to the dejected; To press forward through difficulties thick and thin,
Knowing at the close of this life a better will begin.
I care not for envy, I care not for scorne ; True principle will tell when in us it is born. Truth and true merit though crushed to earth Will rise again enjoying a new birth. Amid the conflict now over silver and gold Times will be better for labor, we are told.
If silver for our forefathers was good Who in the revolution spilled their blood,
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Why not still a good honest dollar? Why all this confusion, why whoop and holler ? Why depreciate that which is good and pure, Which the rise and downfall of nations did en- dure ?
We fear the end will not justify the means To overthrow our best interests to me, it seems Like bowing to old England's dictate and com- mand-
They have the money and soon will have our land. A tight grasp on our land and money already they have got,
And in the wind-up, Oh! as pretended free people what will be our lot ?
What old England with sword, bayonet and bullet in the Revolution
Failed to accomplish with their force of arms and cunning evolution,
Are evolving our great American institutions to their own liking,
As American freemen let us be up and doing for there is danger of striking.
Labor cannot, will not to dishonest legislation al- ways submit;
All we want is justice to all, if we do not get it the laborer will quit.
Looking and trusting for relief and oh ! what then ? Are there no true, patriotic, unbought, genuine men ?
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Who look more to their country's good than to the mammon gold,
Will we forsake our own and to other nations be sold ?
Our revolutionary fathers who in their graves are sleeping,
If they could rise and see our demoralized condi- tion would be weeping ;
And say our hardships endured and blood spilled, will it all be in vain ?
Let not our fair record with unfaithfulness of sons be stained.
Oh! then let us in our might arise and shake off old England's yoke
And look up to the true source and comfort and blessings invoke.
And never, no never submit to old England's ty- ranical yoke.
Oh! yes, the money of Washington and Jefferson is good enough for me,
Through the people we yet hope and trust we will gain the victory.
All who hold different views on this great struggle from me,
I trust will no dishonest intentions for our best interests in me see.
For as an American freeman I claim a right to my plea,
For after much study and investigation I cannot help but see
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The scarcer the money the lower the price agricul- tural products will be.
Now appreciated editor and kind friends, if I have crossed swords with you,
I trust you will not conclude I am unfaithful and untrue;
And if you do not serve me too rough for endeav- oring to explain,
Perhaps sometime in the future I will come again. Yours truly, TAYLOR ALLEN ..
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MELANCHOLY DAYS.
The melancholy days have come, the saddest of the year,
When howling winds and naked woods and all is brown and sear.
Such is life with its varied changes of patient labor of love,
As the seasons come and go, we still work and trust the true source above.
Though unappreciated, amid life's struggles, and temptations we may be,
There is a better time coming when our spirits from this earthly home will be free
To drink in the water of life, and heavenly pleas- ure, awaiting you and me,
Oh, for right appreciation, aspirations and inspir- ations along the way.
For with energy, patience and perseverance, we will see a more perfect day
Than we now can comprehend, or conceive, is wait- ing for you and me.
Through him who purchased our redemption we will gain the victory.
Over all earthly foes, troubles, afflictions, tempta- tions, persecutions here
Will never enter into or mar our pleasures and happiness over there;
Whatever our faults, and failures and disappoint- ments here have been,
When we are safely anchored within the vale, we will be free from sin.
So with patience, let us press upward and on- ward, content with our lot,
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Ever realizing that true merit in accomplishing best purposes is never forgot.
So as we glide down life's river let us ply the oars of faith and works ever true,
Learn to labor and wait and by and by we will re- ceive our reward as quietly as dew ;
In each life dark clouds and shadows disappoint- ment and sorrowful,
Reminding us that nothing is perfect but all is vanity on this terrestial ball.
Look up, despondent one, let us ever realize that to each dark cloud there is a silver lining
Which consoles, comforts and cheers us, when life is declining.
Amid the sharp competition, confusion and strug- gles of this life
We should acquit ourselves nobly and well amid the strife ;
Full many a beautiful flower, both fragrant and fair,
Blushing and unseen wastes its perfume on the desert air.
Full many a gem, humble, rough, obscure, and low
Is trod upon unheeded and unappreciated, by friend and foe;
Kind, patient editor and readers, if this the waste- basket does escape,
Perhaps sometime in the near future I will come in a different shape.
Yours truly, TAYLOR ALLEN.
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MILK BRIGADE.
(Written by J. Taylor Allen.)
Come all ye members of the buttermilk brigade, let us see
Who practice what they preach and on all points fully agree ;
It is very easy to tell the other fellow what and what not to do,
But do we always prove patient, courageous, faith- ful and true ?
Do we drink anything stronger than that which we recommend,
And will we prove patient, faithful, tried and true to the end?
Of our terrestial journey ever using that which no trouble will bring,
But ever refreshing, invigorating, nourishing, which is the thing ?
I assure you if we drink the unadulterated we will have no fines to pay,
But grow stronger, more vigorous and healthy every day.
No wrecked and ruined homes from its use, but peace and joy,
In upward and onward progress and development our minds employ.
Oh, yes! rally around our banner, ever unfurled to the breeze,
Over our homes, around the world, across oceans, mountains, seas ;
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EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
Proclaiming victory, victory, land of the free and home of the brave,
Ever free from intoxicating liquors and the bonds of slaves.
Oh, yes! the pure, unadulterated ale of father Adam and buttermilk is best;
Give me same all along life's journey and you may have the rest.
And when our pilgrim journey here is triumphant- ly o'er
May God, our Supreme Grand Ruler of the Uni- verse, admit us to the other shore,
Where our friends and loved ones in that perpet- ual home meet,
Where the tree of life around the rivers of life are ever blooming we will walk the golden streets ; Ever be free from sin, temptation, care, sorrow, bereavement or pain,
In that beautiful, happy home let us all form a happy reunion again.
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EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
To all who are for truth, mercy and justice, and peace, love and good will, these lines are dedicated.
IRELAND.
When I think of dear old Ireland My heart is sore distressed ; Her noble sons in poverty
And by England so oppressed. When in olden time the English To heathen gods were turning, Old Ireland was a Christian land And the seat of piety and learning. Her missionaries were sent out And went from place to place, And preached the gospel to the people, Of the Anglo-Saxon race.
Wallace was betrayed and suffered a horrible death at London. His head was cut off and placed on a pole on London bridge; his right arm dis- played at Newcastle ; his left arm at Berwick; one leg was sent to Perth, the other to the town of Aberdeen; the other parts of the body were burned.
The disciples of Columbia and St. Patrick, From Java's hill did start,
To the heathen shores of Briton Their knowledge to impart.
Saint Patrick and twelve of his disciples visit- ed the Pagan King of Java, dressed in white robes and they carried crosses, and made such an im-
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pression on the King and his ministers that the King granted them permission to preach the gos- pel and later Columbia and his disciples crossed over to Scotland and they founded in Scotland, England and Germany one hundred and sixty-four monasteries.
There were hundreds of monasteries, 1 And churches many and many a score,
That were founded by these noblemen On England's heathen shore.
There were schools and colleges then in Ireland, And some of them were free,
That drew their students from England and from Scotland
And some from Germany.
But the Danes and Scandinavians Did invade old Erin's shore
With murder and destruction For two hundred years or more.
But Erin's sons did ne'er give up, Although much precious blood was spilled, But they fought and fought and fought again Until every Dane was killed.
But old Ireland then was crippled, And her wealth was all destroyed,
And she was deprived of many blessings That she had so long enjoyed.
This is a bit of practical experience and testi- mony of my father's and mother's people in Ire- land and Scotland who bore the tremendous ty- ranical bondage, yoke of persecution and oppres- sion by old England's money lords. After they
1
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had secured all the gold, they required taxes to be paid in gold; their property was put up and sold for taxes which placed all property and money in possession of the privileged few at the real sac- rifice of the toiling millions of men, women and children. My father's and mother's people fought them that had thus tyranically robbed them, but old England's armies crushed the poor laboring people unmercifully ; robbed and treated them with scorn and contempt, requiring heavy rents and taxes to be paid on the land of which they were robbed. After many of my mother's people were burned at the stake in the hills of Scotland, and father's people were persecuted in indescribable ways, all that could worked their way on vessels across the ocean and settled in America with the then few colonists and the many wild Indians and wild animals. They preferred to risk the dangers, hardships and inconveniences than. among those unmerciful tyrants over there. They followed our early pioneers and eight long years under the great Washington we struggled and fought the British ; gained our freedom, liberty and indepen- dence. The Constitution was sealed by the blood of our patriotic heroes and handed to us to ever guard, protect and defend. Will we, their pos- terity, allow that unparalleled of all documents to perish from the earth and be supplanted by the money god image worshipers to ever rule and hold in subjugation and bondage our once free and independent American people? Our Wash- ington, Jackson and Jeffersonian governments were the most prosperous and patriotic that ever inhabited the earth. But oh! alas! On account
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of wickedness, money gods and idolatrous wor- shipers of the material, perishable things, which are all vanity and vexatious of spirit, and perish with their using, will our people be driven from the true, real, genuine love of God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and let the enemy of souls wreck us individually as a nation. that will go as other nations, empires and kingdoms have gone, sunk to rise no more forever? History repeats itself. We judge of the future by the past; coming events cast their shadows before. The same causes that produced serious effects in the past will cause ruinous effects and sad disas- ter in the future.
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EDUCATION. (By J. Taylor Allen.)
To Truth and principle that shall live forever these lines are dedicated. By J. Taylor Allen, Honey Grove, Texas, Jan. 11, 1918, R. D. 7, Box 51.
Education when used as a blessing is grand, sublime, noble, elevating inspiration, aspiration upward and onward, progress and development higher and higher to heaven and God. But in com- parison see what the Bible teaches has come and what will still come upon the educated that abuse their talents and education as a curse rather than a blessing. The Savior did not call the educated when He chose the twelve apostles as His follow- ers for true and mightiest work, the greatest and best that ever was or ever will be in this world. He called unlearned and ignorant men as regards the education and learning, the Holy Ghost from but He gave them the mighty truth, true wisdom, education and learning, the Hholy Ghost from above, which has proved the mightiest and great- est educational power ever possessed by mortal or immortal beings of the terrestial, also the celestial inhabitants here and out in the great hereafter. Peace on earth and good will to all men. The Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man as taught by our Savior and World's Redeemer if fully practiced and as the great majority popular vote would have no war, but have peace by arbi- tration, settle disputes, thereby saving a world being bathed in blood, woe and misery indescriba- ble unprecedented and unparalleled just to gratify the ambitious educated military dictators that ex- ercise more arbitrary power than ever was exer-
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cised by any king or monarch that ever ruled the world.
What became of the highly educated of Egypt, including King Pharaoh that was educated in all the wisdom and learning this world afforded ? King Pharaoh offered Moses second place in the royal family and his kingdom, but he chose rather to suffer the afflictions of the people of God than en- joy the pleasures of earth for a season. Moses had respect of the recompense and reward of the future joy and peace held in reservation for all the people of God out in the great hereafter in the house of many mansions. I prefer the principle of truth, love and mercy that will live in true happiness forever. Give me the education that reaches far out over and above the material trans- itory education of those who make their money their God that cannot deliver them in a dying, try- ing hour. With all our boasted Christianity civili- zation and education, are we going to abuse and make a curse of our boasted claims ? Will our na- tion go as other nations, empires and kingdoms have gone-sink into annihilation to rise no more forever-all on account of the educated rich con- temptuously and scornfully boasting that they are superior creatures and the uneducated being in- ferior creatures little above the brue creatures, fit for nothing but to work and be excessively taxed to keep the privileged big rulers in extravagance and luxury. The great Paul was educated, but he used it to bless and make peace and happiness among all people of every nationality and tongue that will live forever. Oh, may God help us to practice true and saving education. Yours for speedy reformation before too late forever.
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To our friends and loved ones in heaven, and our fellow voyagers on the way these lines are dedicated.
This life will have been a failure if we fail to safely make the peaceful, happy landing in heav- en's harbor and glorious shore of immortality where the glorified spirits dwell. Oh! for the far away home where angels dwell. All the pure and good will be there; no more death, temptations, sin, sickness, sorrow, orphans will be there; no graves on the hillsides or valleys over there; no black crepe on the door. Sweet messengers of peace and love dwell in that home of many man- sions ; no wars or sad heartaches over boys bid- ding farewell and hastening away perhaps never to return. Oh, war! most destructive, most hor- rible war! When will the terrible conflict end and the dove of peace bearing the olive branch of peace and love hover and brood over our homes with one common cause of universal contest to see who can and will live nearest to God?
What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul, or what will he give in exchange for his soul? How can we estimate the worth of one body and soul, if the mortal body and the immortal soul were placed in the balance on one side and all the black lands, gold, silver, gov- ernment paper currency and bonds in the balance on the other side, which would outweigh? Oh! man that was made in the likeness and image of God, a little lower than the angels! oh, how the mighty have fallen away, wandered like the prodi- gal son, spent their substance in riotous living,
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following the dictates of the devil, searing the conscience in evil doing and receiving their just reward for having sown to the flesh and the wind and are reaping the whirlwind and corruption ! Oh! why not resolve in our hearts that we will the balance of the time God permits us to live, to live for God and sow to the spirit and of the spirit; reap life everlasting! God seeketh such to wor- ship Him as worship Him in spirit and in truth and constantly follow Him. That is the way-the truth and the life. Oh, yes, jump into the life- boat and with the faithful tried oars of faithful works, pull for the shore and not sink to rise no more. . A speedy reformation is needed, a practi- cal demonstration of the old-time religion; get on board the old ship of Zion that has safely landed her millions on the other shore and will land in heaven's harbor, millions more, by ever having our Saviour as our captain, pilot and conductor. We will land safely in the house of many mansions where our friends and loved ones are ever watch- ing and waiting our arrival home, where we shall be free from care, sorrow and pain. Our mothers, our Savior and all faithful tried and true loved ones and sincere friends will be there. God be with you till we meet again.
Yours and His,
J. TAYLOR ALLEN.
4767
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