Lx.x.xII.
The poor blind lad had never heard before The wonders which those chapters do reveal, Self-righteousness he ne"er could think of more, For sense of guilt he now began to feel.
This roused up fears he could not well conceal, And made him anxious those two friends should pray.
The Pastor made to him one more appeal, Then supplicated G.o.d without delay That Grace might be shed forth to lead him in the way.
Lx.x.xIII.
Now bitter tears flow from those sightless...o...b.., As light breaks in upon his darker soul, Prospect of death his wretched thoughts absorbs, And makes him wish that he could back recall, Those early years which did so fleetly roll, Before he lost his health and precious sight; For no dread visions then did him appal, Nor was he wont to tremble from affright.
Oh, that he had but sought Salvation with his might!
Lx.x.xIV.
Our two friends told him plain "twas not too late; Such burdened souls the Savior had invited, However black their crimes, however great Their mad rebellion; even if they had slighted This Means of Grace--without which man is benighted-- He bids them come to him and find sweet rest.
Those who have thus obeyed have been delighted With his light yoke, and often have expressed Their sense of such great goodness, feeling truly blest.
Lx.x.xV.
This good instruction had the best effect, And as he seemed composed the friends prepare To start for home, nor in the least suspect How quick the time had fled whilst they were there.
They bade "good night" and left him in the care Of their Kind Father, who had bid them go; And in their journey through the woods they share Sweet converse and true joy in constant flow, And reach their neat log house Content afresh to know.
Lx.x.xVI.
The sons and daughters greeted their return With pleasant smiles, then with respect enquired What led to their detention, and now burn To know the cause they look so sad and tired.
The parents, nothing both, gave as desired A brief account how they had been employed; And this once more full confidence inspired While each the truly pleasing thought enjoyed, That one soul less would be by Satan"s power destroyed.
Lx.x.xVII.
Around the family Altar next they meet To worship G.o.d by reading, prayer and praise, Which all ascend like richest incense sweet Before the throne of Him who guides their ways.
Surely bright Angels might delight to gaze Upon this happy family at such time, And feel those Christians fit to join in lays That they are wont to sing in heavenly clime; In rapturous devotion to their King sublime.
Lx.x.xVIII.
If e"er a glimpse of heaven is had below, If there is aught of Bliss upon this Earth, A family like this it best can show, For they need not the worldling"s boisterous mirth; And yet of social feeling there"s no dearth.
Each does enjoy true peace and happiness, Which, rightly valued, in their turn give birth To n.o.ble deeds designed mankind to bless, To strengthen what is right, and what is wrong redress.
Lx.x.xIX.
I would not undervalue Church connection, For "tis of G.o.d"s appointment, and should show True Christian principles in much perfection, And be the sweetest bond of all below.
But oh, it happens, I too truly know, There is mixed with it so much worldliness, So man members to vile Mammon bow, That my poor soul is filled with sore distress, And scarce dare hope the Lord will such connection bless.
XC.
Under these circ.u.mstances I with others Await most anxiously that day"s appearing, When Jesus Christ will with his chosen brothers Dwell in sweet fellowship and love endearing.
The hope of this should always be most cheering To every Christian of each state and name; And make them patient hear with the rude jeering Of those who love to glory in their shame; Who for their soul"s perdition are alone to blame.
XCI.
This hope was dear indeed to GOODWORTH"S heart, And made him feel a very strong desire Right Knowledge on all subjects to impart, And use but proper means true zeal to fire.
He wished not that his hearers should admire His humble teaching, but the truths he taught, And tried to show them how they could acquire The power to judge all subjects which were brought Before their minds, as they with good or ill were fraught.
XCII.
Under such teaching this small Church became An humble, cheerful, happy, loving Band.
While they by industry their wild lands tame, They did not oft neglect to lend a hand To him who thus on Scripture took his stand.
Their conduct and profession both agree, And every instance of G.o.d"s goodness fanned Love"s flame, and made it burn more steadily; For which they praised the Lord with great sincerity.
XCIII.
Amongst their number there was poor McKan, Weakly in body but yet firm in mind.
His means were small when he at first began To clear as wild a bush farm as you"ll find.
The neighbors round had all to him been kind, Feeling much pity for his family; For he, though toiling hard, had run behind In payment for his lot and soon might be With those dependant on him brought to misery.
XCIV.
While certain ruin stared him in the face, He felt he"d rather die than beg from friends; And so prepared to sacrifice his place-- Persuaded that the Lord would make amends.
The Pastor hears his case and straight attends Upon him at his house with wish to know The full particulars, and gladly lends An ear attentive to his tale of woe; How the stern creditor would no more mercy show.
XCV.
His case was not a solitary one.
Too many find when they have toiled for years, That sweet Hope leaves them when their strength is gone; Which fills their future with alarming fears, And nothing for them but despair appears!
O, why is this? Have they imprudent been?
Or has great sickness sunk them in arrears?
Perhaps it may be these; and yet I ween Another cause of trouble may be clearly seen.
XCVI.
That cause is this: Our Government thought fit To sell their land at far too high a rate, And those who bought thought they could pay for it Within the time, which would be something great.
If common-sense had chanced to bid them wait, They mostly had an answer close at hand: "Men whom they knew had bettered much their state By buying on long time that wild bush land, Ami now as able farmers "mongst their fellows stand."
XCVII.
By pinching work they raise the first installment For lot on which the claim pre-emption right, And from that time they find complete enthralment, As with Adversity they constant fight.
Where"s now the prospect which was once so bright?
"Not quite all gone," may some poor settler say.
But health is broken, and no more delight Fills their parental hearts from day to day, While each succeeding month adds something more to pay,
XCVIII.
Until at last the time allowed has fled.
More time is granted, but alas, in vain!
With aches and pains they now are nearly dead.
Such help as they require they can"t obtain; And yet perhaps of fortune they complain, Or blame the friends whose "luck" led them out there.
But from such course "tis better to refrain; For, had they been still _servants_, with due care They might have bought good farms and had some cash to spare.
XCIX.
Just so it was with that poor Christian brother, And this at once the Pastor clearly saw; Yet had no wish in haste to judge another, But felt inclined pure Charity to show.