I found this poem apparently copied by my great-great Aunt, Evalina (Nellie) Richardson Thompson. In her early years she had very tiny and distinctive handwriting. The poem is entitled Lines by Nathaniel Healy and is either written by her grandfather Nathaniel Healy or her uncle, Nathaniel Church Healy. If the former, it was written before he passed away in 1841; if the latter, before 1874 when he passed away while in London, England. Both Nathaniel Sr. & Jr. were Universalist in their Christian beliefs while other family members were strong Congregationalists including their son and brother Joseph Warren Healy who was a Congregational Minister as well as a physician and an educator. They must have had some very interesting dinner conversations!
Lines by Nathaniel Healy
When people to their end are brought
And hope of life forsakes them
If reason hold they’ll stretch a thought
Where death will likely take them..
As hope or fear preponderate
So they drew their conclusion
And hence from reason form their faith
Or else from strong delusion.
The curious world do eager wait
To catch their last expression
And argue thence their final state
On their death bed profession.
But if this dogma prove correct
Which common sense would distance
Infallible ‘Twould prove each set
That ever had existence.
For any age where was the sect
But died with [faith] unshaken
And were their systems all correct
Or else were all mistaken.
They each have persecution caught
Or of it have partaken
From worshipper of Juggernaut
Down to the humble Quaker.
They have been tortured, burned or maimed
And hanged and whipped and banished
Yet of their faith were not ashamed
And every fear had vanished
With facts like these before my eyes
I’ve come to this decision
That all we know beyond this state
We’ve learned from tradition
If any should my faith inquire
When I in death shall falter
I think if reason doth remain
My faith will never alter.
I have a hope of future life
And think all will enjoy it
But know not when or how or where
Or how we shall employ it.
I think that Pain, Disease and Death
By which we are amazed
Were all created here in time
Of course must be destroyed.
When we immortal shall be raised
And changed to incorruption
Our happiness will be complete
And know no interruption.
Lines by Nathaniel Healy
When people to their end are brought
And hope of life forsakes them
If reason hold they’ll stretch a thought
Where death will likely take them..
As hope or fear preponderate
So they drew their conclusion
And hence from reason form their faith
Or else from strong delusion.
The curious world do eager wait
To catch their last expression
And argue thence their final state
On their death bed profession.
But if this dogma prove correct
Which common sense would distance
Infallible ‘Twould prove each set
That ever had existence.
For any age where was the sect
But died with [faith] unshaken
And were their systems all correct
Or else were all mistaken.
They each have persecution caught
Or of it have partaken
From worshipper of Juggernaut
Down to the humble Quaker.
They have been tortured, burned or maimed
And hanged and whipped and banished
Yet of their faith were not ashamed
And every fear had vanished
With facts like these before my eyes
I’ve come to this decision
That all we know beyond this state
We’ve learned from tradition
If any should my faith inquire
When I in death shall falter
I think if reason doth remain
My faith will never alter.
I have a hope of future life
And think all will enjoy it
But know not when or how or where
Or how we shall employ it.
I think that Pain, Disease and Death
By which we are amazed
Were all created here in time
Of course must be destroyed.
When we immortal shall be raised
And changed to incorruption
Our happiness will be complete
And know no interruption.
