friend of many years, read this just and appreciative tribute:

"O Presence reverend and rare,
Art thou from earth withdrawn?
Thou passest as the sunshine flits
To light another dawn.

Surely among the symphonies
That praise the Ever-blest,
Some strophe of surpassing peace
Inviteth thee to rest.

Thine was the treasure of a life
Heart ripened from within,
Whose many lustres perfected
What youth did well begin.

The noble champions of thy day
Were thy companions meet,
In the great harvest of our race,
Bound with its priceless wheat.

Thy voice its silver cadence leaves
In truth's resistless court,
Whereof thy faithful services
Her heralds make report.

Here thou, a watchful sentinel,
Didst guard the gates of song,
That no unworthy note should pass