Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-08-28
A Poor. Wayfaring Man Of Grief.

Some thirty years ago my father. who was a
country clergyman, lived in a small village which
was great thOroughfare from the cardinal points
AT that period a large portion of the public travel
was by private conveyanceS and from this cauSc if
no other ministerial intercourse was much more
frequent than at the present day. Ii was generally
Understood that my fathers house was u minister's
tavern; seldom week passed without call from
stranger II not an acquaintance and | well re-
collect that while impositions were occasionallv
practlSed on the hospitality Of our home. We fro
quentiy found that We had entertained aneels nm
aWareS. O'' N'i
One evening an old man with son. a lad about
Twelve years OF age, called at our door, and al
though not protesting TO be one of ''the cloth nv
iather observing that be spoke the language of Ca
naan, and being favOrably impressed with his ap-
pearance, invited him to spend the night. At even,
ing worship, the reading of the Scriptures being
nhiShed the stranger asked permission to sing
hymn, which he did, accompanied by his little SON.
with an effect upon the whole family which cannot
attempt to describe, but which l can never forget
to my dying day. The next morning it was re-
peated by request with the same deep impression
upon us all, aud the stranger took his departure.
Whence he eame aud whittier he went or who he
was, have no recollection, but the following is the
hymn, which though now common may be interest
ing to your readers, as it was so deeply so TO u.s.
from the circumstances detailed:
poor, wayfaring man of grief
Hath often crossed me on NY wav
Who sued 50 humbly for relief
Ihat could never answer Nay.
had not power to ask his name
hther be went or whence he came;
Yet there something in his eve
That won my love, knewnot why.
Once whel my scanty meal was spread
He entered; not word he spake;
just perishing for want Of bread,
gave him all; he blessed it, brake
And ate, but gave part again
Mine was an angels portion then;
And while fed with eager haste
The cYsst was mamma 10 my taste.
/ spcd him where fountain burst
Ciear fum the rock; his strength was gone:
The needles water mockcd his thirst;
lie heard i, saw il hITfying on.
ran and raised the sufferer up;
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup;
Dipped and returned it running o er;
drank, and never thirsed more.
Twas night; the foods were out; it blew
wintry hurricane aoOf:
heard his voice abroad, and flew
To bid him welcome 10 nv roof
warmed, clothed, / cheerrd my guest:
LAID him on mine own couch to rest;
Then made the earth my bed and seemed
IN Eden garden while dreamed.
Stripped wounded beaten nigh to death
/ found hiEn by the highway side;
r0nsed his pulse. brought back his breath
Revived his spirit and supplied
W me OH, Ieireshment; he was healed.
had myself wound concealed:
Bot from that hour forgot the s1nart
And peace hound up my broken heart
In prison saw him next condemned
10 meet tEIit0Ts doom at morn
The tide OF lying tongues stenmad
And honnred him mid shame and scnr1
My friendships utmost zeal to try
He asked if for him would die:
Inc flesh was weak, my blood ran chill
Bat the free spirit Cried Il will
Then, IN moment, to my view
The stranger started from diSguise.
The tokens in his hands knew:
My Savior stood before my eyes,
lie Spake, and my poor name he named
"Of me thou hast not been ashamed:
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not; thou ddst them unto me-