DESERTED, old and grey,
Worn by the stress of years;
Its sombre form to-day
Seen through a midst of tears.

Silent and bare its walls,
Mute like a buried past:
The mem'ries it recalls
Will live while life shall last.

September's mellow glow
Spreads round a kindly haze:
The shadows come and go
Like dreams of bygone days.

" Good-bye ! " Old dim retreat,
Whose shades so often heard
The echoes of the sweet
And soul-inspiring Word.

Bright summer's suns have glowed
Through unstained windows bare
The preacher's voice has flowed
In council and in prayer.

Fierce storms, stern winter's tears,
Have beat upon its face,
Where in our childhood's years
We worshipped at the place.

Oh happy, sunny youth!
With not a doubt to fight;
When truth was ever truth,
And right was ever right !

When no question ever vex'd
And simple faith was strong;
We trusted—unperplexed,
Our life—"one glad, sweet song".

How many mourners sad
Have left their burden there!
How many hearts made glad
Have laid aside their care!

In lands across the sea,
Faint mem'ries oft awake;
And many hearts there be
Who pray for "old sake's sake".

We leave it strong in hope,
Old times must change for new;
There's work with which to cope,
The labourers are few.

God bless the preacher still;
The people—make them brave
To bear and do His will
Then rest—beyond the grave.

Where, every wrong made right,
Our errors all forgiven,
We worship in God's Light
With loved ones now in Heaven.

MARCIA E. KNIGHT, 1901.

Marcia Knight was the daughter of the Rev. R. E. Bradfield.