The Last Message

[For the Transcript]

“Good-by; good-by to all! It is God’s way.”
Midst deepening gloom still gleams the constant ray.
O simple words, a Chieftain’s dying breath,
Henceforth immortal, sanctifying death;
To show a world appalled how great men die,
To hush a nation’s quick, rebellious “Why?”
     With calm “good-by.”

O strong-souled Chieftain, thus to lead the way—
Undaunted and unfaltering to obey,
And beckon our frail hearts with thee to rise
Above the shadow of this sacrifice;
High noontide glory wrapped in midnight pall,
Yet unaffrighted hear the cadence fall:
     “Good-by; good-by to all!”

O man of faith and humble trust sublime—
Still gleaming down the long, dim path of Time
This radiance, from thy more than kingly throne,
Shall light a world to make thy faith its own.
Illumine all earth’s gloom, O Constant Ray,
While nations hear our martyred Chieftain pray:
     “Good-by; good-by to all! It is God’s way.”