Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-03-23
TFss fs1asro.
iron II. Church rntelIireucer.l

1890 zsss-r From the Church 1nteigencer
We have been favored with the following beauti-
full poem, which we present as well worthy of the
attention of our readers It is by the same gifted
authorizes who composed that gem Of poem Ben
n.y. which we recently published and which is
destined to become q household ballad bySevery
9 freside - ~, 'ss
TIE Rdising of lazarus is poem worthy of the
mighty miracle which it brings before US with so
much reality; q miracle as superior to all other
miracles thus far performed by the Saviour as other
miracles are to the ordinary exhibition of the laws
of nature. 1t is picture in words-words though
not inspired, still bearing with them much of that
awe which always accompanies the narrative Of the
inspired penman. What it has lost in the wise re-
lection of rhyme it has more than gained in greater
fexibity Of expression, and skiful musical dispo-
sition of its feet 1t does not attempt as is too Of
ten the case in such efforts to improve the narrative
given by the disciple whom Jesus loved" but
rather lovingly to dwell upon his every word, and
bring forth its deep meaning with perfection, and
touching beauty, delicacy and refinement of taste
in such mastery manner that we read it and
dwell upon it with reverence and unmingled delight
We believe it worthy Of being classed with the
grand Sacred Poems of Willis, or the still grander
Sacred Poems of Byron, so little known, SO seldom
read, and on which his highest fame as poet will
ultimately rest.
L.sss. THE RAISING OF LAZARUS.
Suggested by fine old English picture which represents
'S=~~~ By ANNIE CHAMBERS KETcHUN.
The morning shone upon Judea's range
OF ifted marble, as pilgrim pale,
Journeying from Bethabara the rough
And gloomy de6es traversed, with q band
OF earnest followers. Behind them frowned
The 6affed Wilderness where ynltures preyed,
And hungry tigers crouched The angered peaks,
Pointed malignant shadows after Him,
Like the defiant fingers of foe;
But on before Him, bordering the plain
of Jericho, serene and fowery slopes
knelt down 10 do Him homage. The light wind
That dallied with the fragrant Terebinh
Or sung to the queen Fig tree and the Plane, I'D . o.
careless roundeay, in reverence
flushed its gay melody, and whispering low
Unto the listening Almond trees, brought down
An offering of white blossoms to His feet.
The brooks that wandered from the Northern hills,
Seeking the holy Jordan, silently
Floated past barley fields, or in the shade
vi ancient Olives murmured prayerfully;
While on their frnged borders hyaclnths
Offered sweet incense from their azure urns
And by the plumy Palm trees Galbanum
Sent up its perfumed consecrated breath,
For He who passed was Christ.
BE walked toward Bethany, while earnestly
Unto each other His disciples talked |
VI the poor widow and her of Main;
And hnshed their tones to whispers, as they spake
0f the great blessing He was soon to give
The stricken sisters. On His brow divine
Gathered the beaded damp of WEAKNESS;
But He went firmly on. nor paused for rest
Within the valley skirting Bethany,
Until the iriune height of Oivet,
Cast rebuking shadow toward the fierce
And frowning Wilderness, as if to say
Get thee behind me Satan
Lame forth frantic woman. Her long hair.
BIaeker than EgyPt's night plague, heavy hung
About her shoulders, and food of tears, 4
Bitter as water from the Dead Sea- scathed
Her olive cheek, whose dark tint darker grew
Beneath the evening shadows and the cloud
OF her Overwhelming grief. The outstretched hand
Wild as the waves Of GsIee, when winds
Dash the dark waves rocky Gadara
And the grey tombs give echo =" Lord |" she said /
n Haast thou been here, my brother had not died"
Turning away then bitterly her form
Shook like a tall young cedar dashed by storms
" am the Resurrection and the Life!'
Clear as the seraph tones that spake from Heaven
10 Hagar in the wilderness those words
Like deep organs diapasOn fell |
Upon the silent air while the barred heads
Of the Disciples bent in reverence low
Gently and long He spake; and as the dew
Ealleth on hermons blossoms, on her heart
He poured the blessed balm of sympathy:
And the greved maiden's 1.-THE and rocking form
Strengthened 10 holy strength, as looking up
Calm as the lofty Lebanon, when storms
Have passed away, and the unclouded sky
kisseth its lifted forehead she replied
!. YEA Lord, do believed Then with step
Firm as the patient camels bearing on
its burthen great and wearisome, she turned
10 go to Mary.
When the cock crew shrill
~ the dim, waning nightwatch, she returned
With Mary and their kindred. Ger the ewes
Of her meek sister that had ever worn
Inc upturned look which makes think of Heaven
The white lids dropped, as in the dusky night
The valley lily closeth. The deep folds
Of her blue mantle Ger her slender feet
Eraed heavily, and her white fingers pressed
Ihe veil OF linen on her marble brow
Y lth panied, weary movement as she went
10 meet the Lord. She knelt and kissed His feet
hose sinless feet she erst had baihed with tears
ana casting back her VEIL while the bright waves
Sippllng and golden, of her loosened hair
swept Ger his dusty sandals from her Inns
Jane the low murmur, Lord! hadst Thou been here
~ brother had not died" The Saviour went:
though He knew their grief would soon be changed
INTO rejoicing by His gracious word
TePt Ger their sorrow, though His heavenly hands
\ lthn their darkened homestead would ere lone
establish and re-lQht tn inverted torch
Ih! We who see along Life's sterile paths
The Eretched and bereft-ye may not bring
Jack to the parched fields of their barren life
topes blessed sunshine nor the holy dew
)f Love and Trust; but can We not extend
he only soace, kindly sympathy
Where have ye laid himG" master, come and seen
They neared the sepulchre aft was a cave
IND stone lay upon it," ." Take away
The stone, He said. and lifting high HIS hands
ie prayed aloud With eager earnest looks
u reverent inquiry the faithful ones
no Journeyed with Him gazed into His face
ike the Aurora and the dusky Night
Waiting the resurrection of the DAY.
ne sisters watched the open, silent tomb;
IND when the sun above the grizze peaks
" the fierce Wilderness victor rose
md, browning the calm heights of Oliret
ls1 1e orghk simmer on the raven hair
u Mary, like q trembling halo lay,
esus caIed LAzARUs!" The summons deep
IKE the quick influence of the opening Spring y
leited the life-sreams death had frozen quite
M as the Morning looked into the grave,
He that was dead came FORTH
:. A LITTLE PLAIN TALK.-The Natchez Missy
our'er OF recent date has vigorous leader on the
ew government, from which we extract as follows: