He was the relative and coadjutor of the
Buxtons, Gurneys, and Frys; and his whole life, extending al-most
to threescore and ten years, was a pore and beautiful example of
Christian benevolence. He had travelled over Europe, and visited
most of its sovereigns, to plead against the slave-trade and
slavery; and had twice before made visits to this country, under
impressions of religious duty. He was the father of the Right Hon.
William Edward Forster. He visited my father's house in Haverhill
during his first tour in the United States.
The years are many since his hand
Was laid upon my head,
Too weak and young to understand
The serious words he said.
Yet often now the good man's look
Before me seems to swim,
As if some inward feeling took
The outward guise of him.
As if, in passion's heated war,
Or near temptation's charm,
Through him the low-voiced monitor
Forewarned me of the harm.
Stranger and pilgrim! from that day
Of meeting, first and last,
Wherever Duty's pathway lay,
His reverent steps have passed.
The poor to feed, the lost to seek,
To proffer life to death,
Hope to the erring,--to the weak
The strength of his own faith.
To plead the captive's right; remove
The sting of hate from Law;
And soften in the fire of love
The hardened steel of War.
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