The Martyrs: A Poem

WE THANK THEE, 0 GOD, FOR A PROPHET. 915 m ■0-0-0-00to o - bey thy com - mand. ly be smitten at last. er such hap-pi ness know. -0 0 —I ( |^H i—a—0— f- 1 -1 A j^-h-^ -«f #f *—S —i—i—L—0—p^ Sf- fl4-— —-—- -0± 0^ #-S^#^| Cpi IZZZ^EZg The Martyrs. (Lines written upon the occasion of the replacing of the statues of the Prophet Joseph and the Patriarch Hyrum on the Temple Block, Salt Lake City, Utah, 27th June, 1911.) With reverend hands we raise these graven forms ' Of men who in the forefront of our age Strove in the van of truth, amid the storms Of hate, and persecution's bitter rage. The one of Joseph Smith who, called of heaven, Than whom no man in greater grandeur towers,

916 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Rare favors had, and unto him was given By gift of God, the priesthood's matchless powers. Who else than he has in the presence stood, Of God the Father and his only Son, And converse held in words of gravest mood, That thrilled the heavens with joy, like vict'ry won? The realm of ethics opened to his view; He heralded the word of God to earth; The lustre of the gospel born anew Gave weight to all he claimed of special worth. The other, Hyrum, Patriarch of the Church, Stood hand in hand, with steadfast purpose fixed, A colleague worthy of the name; few such Have graced the earth with love and friendship mixed. As Jonathan and David set the pace Of mutual affection's ardent spell, The fame of which has warmed and blest the race— In brothers these we find a parallel. These molten statues show artistic skill, Modest in contour, point a tragic tale, Serve as mementos, scarce a preface fill To that which yet shall come as years avail. The spectacle of Zion and her stakes Is monumental—growing year by year— Of their great deeds, while justice overtakes The rancor that cut short their life's career. As men are wont to venerate the past, So we'll for them erect an edifice Grander than "Liberty," in splendor vast, And sing their praise with joyous benefice. These martyrs, troth, shall come into their own And hallowed be, with honors richly laid; Though while in life they bore an unjust scorn, 'Twill swell their glory that shall never fade. James A. Leishman.