THE DOBIE FAMILY IN AUSTRALIA
Thomas Dobie's Grave at Smythesdale Cemetery
In the index to burials compiled by the Ballarat & District Genealogical Society for Smythesdale General Cemetery is the following entry:
DOBIE, Thomas, 64 years, of Scarsdale, Publican, buried 4 May 1882 in Presbyterian Section 3, grave no. 315.
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Thomas Dobie's headstone reads:
IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF THOMAS DOBIE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE MAY 2ND
1882 AGED 64 YEARS. NATIVE OF DUMFRIESHIRE, SCOTLAND.
Thou art gone to the grave, but ’twere wrong to deplore thee,
Since Christ was thy ransom, thy guardian, thy guide;
He gave thee, He took thee, He soon will restore thee,
For death has no sting, since the Saviour has died.
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This appears to be an extract from the following hymn "THOU ART GONE TO THE GRAVE" by Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
THOU ART GONE TO THE GRAVE
Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee,
Though sorrows and darkness encompass the tomb;
The Saviour has passed through its portal before thee,
And the lamp of His love is thy guide through the gloom.
Thou art gone to the grave, we no longer behold thee,
Nor tread the rough path of the world by thy side;
But the wide arms of mercy are spread to enfold thee,
And sinners may hope, since the Sinless has died.
Thou art gone to the grave, and, its mansion forsaking,
Perhaps thy tried spirit in doubt lingered long;
But the sunshine of Heaven beamed bright on thy waking,
And the song which thou heard’st was the seraphims’ song.
Thou art gone to the grave, but ’twere wrong to deplore thee,
When God was thy ransom, thy guardian, thy guide;
He gave thee, and took thee, and soon will restore thee,
Where death has no sting, since the Saviour hath died.
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Words: Reginald Heber (1783-1826). Heber wrote this hymn upon the death of his first child.