The Holland Society of New York - Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 237 text:

9 E .AW QYW, T t tf W A W - ENGLAND RECEDES FRGM THE RE- CESSIONAL? T BY REV. DR. C. S. VEDDER OF CHARLESTON, S. C. Ah, England, was it yesterday We saw thee bow the knee and pray In Kipling's grand Recession hymn- Thine eyes with wise repentance dim- That far from lust of wider sway, , From greed of gold 'and Pride's display God's hand might thine arrest and stay, Nor heap thy judgment to the brim? Didst thou the gate of prayer beset, With anguished words of sore regret That' not in I-Ieaven's cause, but thine Had stretched thy far-flung battle line Of conquest o'er the palm and pine, And plead with tones that echo yet, As in eternal iitness set, Lest we forget-lest we forget ? And has that prayer to Heaven flown, With happy presage all its own, That thou Wouldst evermore discard The reeking tube and iron shard To spread the prestige of thy throne? Would'st find its praise in hearts alone, And not where conquered peoples gr0aH, From manhood's rights debarred ? , 209