Obituary of Gerald Herbert Erbele

My Ship Someday I’ll embark on my final trip On an unknown, uncharted sea; And now is the time to start building my ship, For to build it there’s no one but me. My ship must be seaworthy, sturdy and staunch. Lest the way be stormy and cold; I must have a pilot and crew, ere I launch, For that ship is to carry my soul. The Carpenter of Nazareth furnished the plans For building the ship of my life; If I can but imitate His skilful hands I’ll weather the wars The material used must be truth, which prevails Against all the tempest of sin; I must cut out the badness of hate from sails, And use only good will toward men. And there ere I go I must have faith in God, For He is the Way and the Light; I call my ship Hope, and tho’ the way be hard A compass of Love guides me right Edwin Youmans