This poem was written by Emma Jane Little Chandler to her daughter, Clara Chandler Lewis, on her 58th birthday. Emma Jane was 90 years of age.
My Dear Clara
58 years have passed away
Since you first came with us to stay.
‘Twas 1876
And April 24 the day.
We had no doctor and no nurse
Which was not quite the usual way
Your father took the doctor’s part
And my dear mother cared for you.
And Susan Burbank did the work.
She was my friend both good and true.
We had two boys of ten and leven
So felt you sent direct by heaven.
We were so glad to kiss your face
As a sweet gift of God’s free grace.
Our fawily seemed now complete
And life for us was very sweet.
God made the family to bless
And cure us all of selfishness.
Examples we found we must be
For children learn from what they see.
If patience, love and truth we show
While teaching them the way to go.
They’ll learn that we were taught by God
And taught sometimes to use the rod.
When you were seven years of age
We left the cold and frozen east
And came to California
On oranges and nuts to feast.
It took us then just thirteen days
To cross this wonder continent
And Grandpa with his cider jug
Came with us happy and content.
The sorrel horse took you to school
And brought you safely home again
Secure from all the beasts that roamed
The mountain tops and thru the glen.
Rejoiced were we when you and Fred
Early decided you’d be led
By Christ “the way, the truth, the life”
Who teaches peace but never strife.
While young you heard the Master’s call
And to obey you gave up all.
And went to Frisco’s Army post
Which ordered you to Barbary Coast
And into dens of vice and woe
And you girls prayed before you dared
To enter. That your lives be spared.
And there you saw God’s power displayed
To save from death while demons raged.
Again blood poison laid you low
Till God heard prayer and bid
it go.
I’m praising God you still are here
To bless my life, my heart to cheer.
Disappointment, grief and pain
Has been your lot once and again
But mid it all you have been blessed,
And God has given you sweet rest.
In his felt presence, and the bliss
Of sweet assurance that you’re his.
And while we see a darkening sky
And signs of storm approaching nigh
It’s joy to know that Christ is near
And hears each cry and sees each tear
And that he’s coming soon to wake
Our loved who sleep, and with him take
Us up to meet him in the air (Thess.4)
And enter then that city fair
“Prepared by God” and waiting there
To keep us safe with “doors closed fast
'Till indignation be o’erpast,”
Then coming down on earth to dwell
And to “inherit” it as well.
“Abundant peace will then delight” (Psa.37)
For no one there will ever fight!
Each one neath his fig tree and vine!
None sheds a tear or has a pain
Nor sees a loved one die again
“Fullness of joy and pleasures there
Forevermore” each one shall share!
0, Hallelujah! What a hope!
No such was ever heard or spoke.
It is an “anchor to the soul”
And holds us firm tho billows roll
While we look upward to the clouds,
When Christ bursts thru we’ll cry aloud
‘This is our God We’ve waited long
He’ll save us now.” Hail him with song!