Farewell Dear Friend

Farewell, farewell, dear friend of mine, you face I no more see.
Nor hear your voice so soft and low, speaking kindly to me.
The years have come and years will go--you fill my memory.

When first we met so long ago, we had the strength of youth,
From different backgrounds we set forth to seek the God of Truth.
We searched and found the God of Love, and strove to bring forth fruit.

We saw the need of dying men; our hearts were moved to go,
To sow the seed, the Word of Life--praying that it would grow.
Sowing our lives as dying seed, our zeal was all aglow!

So swift an arrow in its flight, thus time has had its way;
And left its mark upon our lives--for time can no man stay.
We wouldn't stop it if we could--'tis God's own plan and way.

When changes come and we are faced to move as God commands;
We gladly go, this seed to sow, to new and strange lands,
Where other men have sown before, led by our Father's hands.

Through the years we've worked together, burden-bearing brother,
Our trials, our fears, both great and small we shared with each other,
Mingled with joys and sorrows, too, brother, o' my brother.

Jonathan loved his David true, with love that was divine,
Paul loved Timothy as his own son, which was a godly sign.
The same sweet fellowship is yours--the same, indeed is mine.

Farewell! the parting comes at last; may inner weepings cease;
The fiery test and trials can forge noble bonds of peace,
That reach beyond life's little span, to give the soul release.

1972........In memory of Dale Spencer.