Before the poem begins, Fenerty writes, "Of a young man who suddenly died – a friend called away on the threshold of manhood." The poem is undated, and does not say who it was intended for.

Charles Fenerty and Robert R.J. Emmerson were good friends. Both Emmerson and Fenerty were active in church life together as records show. Robert had an younger brother named Harry Emmerson. On May 27, 1886 Harry died at the young age of 21. It's likely this poem was written for him, and may have inspired the famous Stewart Manuscript. However little is known about the Emmerson's.