The Manchester Journal

Messrs. Editors—In the village of N. Hartford,
N. Y., there exists a Children's Society,
called the "Band of Hope," formed for the purpose of promoting temperance, cultivating the
musical powers, and the general improvement of
the mind and the manners. Occasional meetings
are held during the year, and a public anniversary on each Christmas day. One of the members of the Society died with Diphtheria last November. The following exquisite little Poem,
written for the occasion by Mrs. Thompson of
Hartford, was sung at the anniversary last
Christmas. The "Lament" was sung by two
young Misses, and four children representing the
four deceased members, sung the "Reply."
H. PHILDON.
Rupert, Feb. 4, 1862.

Lament for the Departed.
They're gone, in silence sleeping;
The last sad scene is o'er:
The skies weep o'er them nightly,
And winds repeat, "no more."
I hear vacant seats recall it.
Their smiles of beaming light-
Their gladness, when we published
The promise of to-night.
Death with his icy fingers
First laid dear Emma low;
Then with a hurried footstep
Took little Johnny, too.
Oh! eagerness unslated:
Must all the children go?
The summons came to Rosie,
And Martha followed, too.
Alas! the sad recital-
Bitter the tears we shed:
Ours is a fourfold sorrow,
We weep for loved ones dead.
They've shared our mutual pleasures,
They've mingled in our mirth—
O, never more our voices
Will blend with theirs on earth
They're gone—lost mem'ry lingers
Among the days gone by,
When our dear band, unbroken,
Rehearsed sweet melody.
They're gone—and while we warble
The songs they loved so well,
We'll sing for lost companions
A long, last, sad farewell.

REPLY.
O, sing for us no more sad strains,
Nor wish us back below;
We love our home among the blest,
We're with the angels, now.
Singing, glory, glory be to God on high.
We're walking now the golden streets,
With crowns upon our brow;
Bright harps we carry while we sing,
We're with the angels, now.
Singing, &c.
Here where our Jesus lives and smiles,
No tears shall ever flow;
No pain, no sorrow, and no night,-
We're with the angels, now.
Singing, &c.
We left the Band of Hope below,
To join the Band of Love;
You sing a little longer there.
And we will wait above.
Singing, &c.
We cannot leave our home on high;
But, dear ones, will not you
Love Jesus there, and by and by
Be with the angels, too?
Singing, &c.