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Time Was, Time Is, and Not Presuming on Tomorrow

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SACRED
To the Memory of
RICHARD HENRY HARRISON
Youngest Son of
Dr. Wm. J. & Sophia Russell
Who departed this life
February 2nd, 1843
Aged 5 years, 10 months
and 4 days.

Time was, is past, thou canst not it recall
Time is, thou hast, improve the portion small
Time future is not and may never be
Time present is the only time for thee.

Small box tomb located at
Lawrenceville Historic Cemetery
in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

(Photo © 2010-18 S. Lincecum)


It seemed morose when I also found the lines from Richard's epitaph in a Sunday School Children's Magazine dated 1839, along with these others:

Why should I say 'tis yet too soon
To seek for heaven, or think of death?
A flower may fade before 'tis noon,
And I this day may lose my breath.

But the more I think about it, I must admit it's also fitting.

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Comments

Doug said…
I am new to this, so not sure how this works. I am a native Atlantan. I have been working of a project to restore an old abandoned cemetery that has some of my ancestors buried there. The AJC did an article about me and my cemetery last June 6. Here is the link to it:
http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/family-transforms-1800s-cemetery-968615.html

Here is the link to Findagrave:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2300787&CScn=south+bend&CScntry=4&CSst=12&CScnty=442&
September 4, 2011 at 5:08 PM
S. Lincecum said…
Thanks for stopping by, Doug! I remember reading the article when it was first published. You are doing an awesome thing, and I wish you continued success with the project.
September 4, 2011 at 5:47 PM
dsy1944 said…
I am also a pro photographer. In fact, I am considered the 'senior' photographer in Georgia with 50 years of experience. I love to photograph cemeteries as well as weddings and barmitzvahs. Here is my website: yanceystudios.com
September 10, 2011 at 7:29 PM
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SouthernGraves.blogspot.com

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)