Liberian Literary Magazine
Resurrected
Master
Promoting Liberian Literature, Arts and Culture
African
American
Perspectives:
Pamphlets
from the Daniel A.P. Murray
Collection, 1818-1907
Edwin J Barclay
THE SLUMBERS OF THE
DEAD
Deep in the heart's
unfathom'd caves.
Where tumults ocean
ceaseless roars,
Where pleasure oft high
revell holds.
Whence hearts most
weak, are thence made
bold,
This series focuses on
the writings of one of
the literary giants of
Liberia. Unfortunately,
more
people
remember the man as
the politician or the
masterful lawyer.
Arguably,
the
Barclays [he and his
uncle, both presidents
of Liberia] were the
sharpest legal minds of
their times, rivalled only
by an equally worthy
opponent JJ Dossen.
What we try to do in
this series is spotlight the
literary giant, E. J.
Barclay
was.
We
attempt to show the
little known side of the
man- free from all the
political dramas.
Besides a sympathetic
thought.
For those who have their
finis found,
And they are sacred,
hallowed thoughts.
Which come of life's
enchanted march;
Bespoiling[?] naught, by
naught bespoiled,
Cleansing the mind and
giving joy.
To those whom Fortune
favors well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------And when toward the
close of life.
With slacken'd footsteps
on we tread,
Toward the region of the
dead.
Should we not sacred
hold those thoughts.
27
Which from our past
experience rise?
And granting this, should
we not have
In early life, some
sympathy
For those who near their
goal have gone?
Yet, can there be an
end for those.
Whom Heaven's mighty
king did frame?
An end! can there exist
an end
to pre-decreed eternity?
Most surely not, for as we
gaze
Far into space, we can
descern
No risen no end of the
unknown.
-One which to grasp,
and then proclaim
In loud stentorian voice
and clear:"O hear ye men! your
God is found.
Behold him! the
Unknown, Unseen.
Unserved, Unworshiped,
and Unpraised!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------From
the
Barclay
Padmore Wiles Families
website
Posted
by
Historical
Preservation Society of
Liberia- hpsol