Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1870-12-17
Chr oregon 8epubliean.
DALLAS, SATURDAY. DEC. IT.
Prayer and Potatoes.


ssIf brother and sister be naked and desti-
tuts of food. and one of you say unto them
depart in peace, be ye warmed and filed not
withstanding yoH give them not these things
which are needfu to the body, what doth it
pro6t?=Jamss 2; Is, Is.
An old lady sat in her old arm chair,
With wrinkled visage and disheveled hair.
And hnnger-worn features;
For days and for weeks her only fare,
As she sat in her old arm chair,
Had been potatoes.
But now, they were gone; of bad or good -
Not one was left for the old lady's food,
Or those potatoes,
Aud she sighed aud said, "What shall do?
Where shall send, and where shall 20,
For more potatoess
And she thought of the deacon over the way.
The deacon 80 ready TO worship and pray,
Whose cellar was full OF potatoes,
She said, Il will send for the deacon to come
He'll not much mind to give me some
OF such o store of potatoes
Aud the deacon came over rs fast as he could,
Thinking 20 do the old lady some good,
But nescr for once Of potatoes
He aeked her at once what was her chief want,
Add she, simple soul expecting a grant,
immediately answered, Potatoes"
Bat the deacon's religion didn'tiie that way
He Eas more accustomed to preach and pray
Than TO give his boarded potatoes
30 not hearing, Of course, what the old lady
[said.
He rose to pray with uncovered head,
But she only thought Of potatoes.
He prayed for patience, goodness and grace
But whsn no prayed, "Lord give her peace"
She aadibly sighed-"Give potatoes
And At the end Of each prayer which he said,
He heard, or thought he heard, in it's stead,
That same request for potatoes.
Deacon was trpubled-knew not what to do.
Twas very embarrassing to have her act so,
And aseut those carnal potatoes.
SO endiug his prayers, he started for home:
The door closed behind, he-heard deep groap.
10, give to tho hungry, potatoes!'
And the groan followed him all the way home
In the midst of the night it haunted his room
10, give to the hungry, potatoes %
de could bear it NO longer arose and dressed,
from his well filed cellar taking ia haste
bag of his best potatoes.
Again hc went TO the widows lone hut:
Her sleepless eyes she had not yet shut,
But there she sat in her old arm chair,
With the same wan features, same wan air;
And entering in, he poured on the floor
A bushel or more, from his goodly store,
OF choicest potatoes,
The widows heart leaped up for joy,
Her face was haggard and pale no more:
"Now, said the deacon, "Shall we pray?"
"Yes, said the widow Now you may"
And he knelt him down on the sanded floor
Where he had poured out his goodly store,
And snch prayer the deacon prayed,
As never before his lips assayed.
Ne longer embarrassed, bnt free and full
lie poured the voice of liberal soul,
And the widow respondeda loud Amen p
But said no more ofpotatoes.
And would you hear this simple tale
Pray for the poor, and praying prevail
Then preface your prayer with aims aud good,
(deeds
Search out the poor, their wants aud needs
Pray foT their peace anc grace, spiritual food,
For wisdom and guidance, all these are good :
But don't forget the potatoes