Governor Winthrop's Return to Boston: An Interview with a Great Character

 
And differs much what we and you call 'stocks;'
Men often find yours quite a dangerous game,
And get their foot stuck in them just the same.
 
 
"The Thursday Lecture yields no more its grace;
Your Thursday Evening Club now takes its place.
The buildings strong we built have ceased to be.
Lands now most valued then were in the sea.
And so, few centuries hence, 't will be again:
What now is property will sink like rain;
Your mills, railroads, and bonds will be out-played;
Then, too, your fruitful Calumet may fade.
Amass as much as one can call his own,
By right use only can its good be shown;
Pile worldly goods in a superfluous whole,
They are not worth e'en one immortal soul.
 
 
"'T was not my lot to have large sums in store,
My wealth was gone ere mortal life was o'er;
But Faith and Liberty I most did prize,—
On those twin rocks I bade a nation rise.
There was another John, you understand;
He founded Learning's halls in this new land;
Not Vanderbilt, nor any moneyed name
Will e'er outshine John Harvard's brilliant fame.
 
 
Learn this: strive not for wealth that will not last,
But let your treasures be in heaven cast;
These are alone the real things to crave.
While that will mould, like bodies in the grave,
Material forms to meet decay are sure;
The mind and spirit only will endure.
Hope's blissful visions, with its longings strong,
The will's high purpose, freed from thought of wrong,
Fond memory of good deeds that here were done,
Of sinners from their evil courses won,
The love and knowledge of the God Supreme,
Of Christ who came the fallen to redeem,—
These are, indeed, the good, substantial things
To which the soul for endless ages clings.
 
 
"Could I have marked where should this statue stand,
I would have placed it on that Common land,
Of past and coming times the great delight,—
With First Church spire and Capitol in sight;
My figure there should front the setting sun;
That, in review of any good I 've done
During the last score years I passed on earth,
Posterity may better know my worth.
 
 
"I love the grand First Church, I love the State.
I planted both. Their growth, through God, is great,
And both will flourish ever, while the sun
His circuit round this globe shall seem to run.
May every good Saint Botolph's town betide,
And Thursday Club, led by the wisest Guide."
 
 
Of what he said, this is, condensed, the sum.
Then flashed the light; on came the busy hum;
Then Winthrop's spirit soared up to the stars;
Mute stood his statue 'mid the noisy cars.