The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-05-25
T R Y
From the Southern Rose.
The blind Negro COMMUNICATE.


II Sketch from Life.
The Saviour's feast spread. Group afte group
From lions scattering band, now silent throng'd
Around the sacred table, glad to pay
(As far as sinful erring pay)
Their debt of gratitude, and share
The plain memorial of his dying love-
All ranks gather'd there The rich and poor:
The ignorant and wise: the tear-wet SOUL
And the glad spirit yet in sunshine clad:
All, with their many hopes and and griefs,
Sought, quiet and unmarked, their 'cusomed place
And still at the full banquet there ROOM
1t solemn and sat
Wrapt in cloud of thought, until slow
And measured foostep fell upon my ear,
And when turned to look, an aged man
Of three score years and ten appeared to view.
1t was the blind commitment He came,
Led by friendly hand, and took his place
Nearest the table with reverend air,
As if he felt the spot was holy ground
There was perfect hush The hour come
Tho symbols disclosed, and there
The sweet tones of the shepherd of his flock,
Telling once the story of the cross
And as he spoke, in sympathy gazed
upon the plind OLD pilgrim by my s1de
The sight touching! As the pastor taught,
In accents all subdued, how Jesus bore
The flight of friends, the stern denial vow,
The spear, the thorns, the agonizing cross,
With want, shame, persecution, torture, death.
The old man shook, convulsed; his ebon brow
Grew pallid in its hue few big tears
Ran trickng down his cheek, and from lip
Methought there came the WORDS Lord as it ~
But when there stole upon each listening ear
And hrobbing heart, that prayer of matchless love,
That type and watch-word of all after prayer,
Father forgive themp then he clasped his hands
And bowling his hoar head upon his breast,
Wept, even a weaned child might weep.
There change The bread and wine were brought
He wiped the gushing drops from his thin cheek
Bowed solemnly-receved them both-then paused,
Till raising his dull eyebals up to heaven,
As asking for a blessing on the rite,
He broke the bread, receiving the goblet close
Within his wthered hands; restored it safe;-
Then while peaceful smile iumed his face,
Sank back as in an ecstacy of bliss
The parting hymn sung, and oft pausd
And stopped to listen, the old mans voice,
Broken and shril, sought too to mingle in
With moduated tones. and though his lip
Utter'd no music, yet joyed TO know
The heart was all linked melody within.
Christ's seal was stamp'd anew upon each soul;
The solemn rite was finished, and the band
Warmed to each kindly touch of human love
Moved, full of thoughtful cheerfulness along
The quiet church-yard where gay sunbeams danced
On the white marble tombs, and bright flowers made
A pleasant home for DEATH while 'mongst them all
The blind communicate went cropping on,
Along his midnight path. The sight sad!--
My heart yearned for hm--and longed for power
To say the disciples said of old,
Blind man! receive thy sight and in the might
Of strong compassion, could cen methought,
Have entered his dark prson-house awhile,
And let him gaze, in turn, the blue skies,
And the glad sunshine, and the laughing earth.
But soon own'd Of higher things,
And in the hearts soft dialect said,
Old soldier of the cross, tits well with thee!
Thy warfare is nigh finished; and though earth
Be but an utter blank, yet thou't gaze
On that bright country where thy God shall be
The never-setng Sun; and Christ, thy Lord,
Will lead thee through green pastures, where the still
And living waters play.-And though thou art
creature lonely and unprized by men,
Yet thou may'st stand prince 'mongs princes when
The King makes up his jewels MEL.
Charleston, S. C.