FROM HER BROTHER - TO EVANGELINE IN HEAVEN

     The following poem was written by her brother Everette, (nineteen) who is given to writing poetry. He has published a book of poems entitled "Juliette," on the death of his little sister, which occurred about fifteen years ago. Some who seem to know the merit of poetry say that "Juliette" is a masterpiece. It is difficult to read it without weeping. Everette and Evangeline were great chums, One would think they were lovers to see them walk or sit together. This may explain why he wrote so affectionately about her.

     To Evangeline In Heaven

     By Everette E. Shelhamer

 

     And can it be, oh, can it be,

     My sister sweet, my own,

     That thou hast sailed across the sea

     From the isle of Time to Eternity,

     And left me all alone!

 

     And left me all alone? alone!'

     Alone on a desert isle;

     And thou beyond the bar hast gone

     Into a golden realm unknown

     Radiant in Heaven's smile!

 

     Into a golden realm of bliss

     Where flowers forever bloom,

     Where weary pilgrims rest in pence,

     And songs supernal never cease,

     Nor night dot!' throw its gloom.

 

     Yes, lovely Love, Evangeline,

     Thou dwellest over there

     Far from the sordid and the mean

     From every sick'ning earthly scene,

     In Paradise so fair.

 

     I look around, and I look around,

     And I look for thee, sweet maid;

     And I traverse o'er familiar ground,

     But find thee not where once thou'st found,

     Where frequently we strayed.

 

     I well remember, ah! I do.

     Our pleasant journeyings;

     At star play-time when rain-doves rue

     We ofttimes strolled as lovers do

     When Philomela sings.

 

     Beneath the whispering trees we strolled

     On moonlit eves in Spring;

     Nor wast thou ever overbold,

     But maidenly and modest-souled

     The queen, and I the king.

 

     Our love was stronger than the love

     Of courting lad and lass;

     Our hearts did for each other move

     As fervidly as saints above

     Beside the sea of glass.

 

     For thee, my sister, yea, for thee,

     I would have gladly died;

     Life was not anything to me

     Except to let me love, and be

     Forever near thy side.

 

     For thee I would have gladly died,

     I would my life have given;

     But thou didst close thine eyes and glide

     On angel's wings across the tide

     Into that waveless haven.

 

     I yearn for thee, and I sigh for thee,

     And I cry for thee, sweet girl,

     And linger to hear the melody

     Of thy voice as soft as a moon-kissed sea

     That musically doth purl.

 

     But I would not call thee back -- no, no!

     Back to a vale of tears;

     To a desolate desert where naught doth

     But bitter buds -- where cold winds blow

     Their cruel invisible spears.

     Back from a paradise of bliss

 

     To a prison-house of bale;

     Back from thy calm contentedness

     To a stage of strife and dire distress

     Where panged suff'rers wail.

 

     Ah no, The thought I cannot bear,

     I could not be forgiven;

     But I shall seek for thee, my fair

     Evangeline, awaiting there

     For me in tearless Heaven.

     Our lovely Evangeline was more responsible for the publication of this volume than anyone else. She certainly loved her father and frequently urged him to republish his "Life" -- not dreaming that in so doing he would say something about her short, but beautiful life. And now since her sweet voice has been so unexpectedly hushed, we feel at we should do something to perpetuate her godly influence and example by the printed page.

     Rev. W. L. Surbrook, President of Kingswood Holiness College, Kingswood, Ky., has just published a new book, "Awakening Messages and Stirring Experiences." This book contains nine of his strong sermons and a lecture on the "Geologic and Atmospheric Effects of the Flood upon the Earth." Besides this valuable matter, the book contains seven or eight wonderful chapters of his life, most of which are about his Evangeline, who lived with him eighteen beautiful months. Every family ought to have his book. Price $1.00.