The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-07-25
PRAYER AND POTATOES.
BY REV. >. T. PErrEE.

rThe following poem administers a severe, though
lust. rebuke 10 trordy Christianity. II n frag-
ment of a charity sermon, preached in Dorchester,
Mass some twelve or fourteen years ago j
III a brother or sister be naked, and destitute OF
daily food and one of you say unto them, Depart IN
peace, be we warmed and nled MISUNDERSTANDING
We give them not those things which are needfu Tor
the body; what doth II proht flames II: 10, 10.
An old lady sat In her old arm chair,
With wrinkled visage and dsheveled hair,
And hunger-worn features;
For DAYS and for weeks her only fare,
As she sat there In her old arm chair,
Had been potatoes.
But now they we're gone Of bad or good
Not one was left for the old lady's food
And she sighed e and said, "what shall dog
Where shall send, and to whom shall go
For more potatoes? Nv
And she thought of the deacon over the way,
The deacon so ready to worship and pray,
Whose cellar was full of potatoes;
And she said al will send for the deacon TO come
He'll not mind much to give me some
OF such store OF potatoes"
And the deacon came as fast as he could,
Thinking to do the old lady some good,
But never for once, of potatoes;
He asked her at once what was her cher want,
And she, simple soul, expecting grant,
Immediately answered, " potatoes.
But the deacon's religion didn't lie that way:
He was more accustomed to preach and to pray
Than TO give of his boarded potatoes
So 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, and wisdom, and grace,
But when he prayed: lord, give her peace,
She audiby sighed: "Give potatoes;
And at the end of each prayer which he said,
He heard, or thought that he heard IN lts stead
That request for potatoes
The deacon troubled knew not what do do;
Twas very embarrassing to have her act so
About those carnal potatoes"
So ending his prayer, he started for home
But as the door closed behind him, he heard deep
.'Oh, give 10 the hungry, potatoes ~
And that groan followed him all the way home;
In the midst Of the night II haunted his room
"Oh, Jipe % the hungry, potatoes !"
He could bear it no longer arose and dressed;
From his well-filled cellar taking in haste
bag OF his best potatoes.
Again he went to the widows lone hut;
Her seepess eyes she had not yet shut;
But there she sat in that old arm chair.
With the same wan features, the same sad hair
And, entering in, he poured on the hoor
A bushe or more from his goodly store
OF choicest potatoes.
The widows heart leaped up for JOY,
Her face was haggard and wan no more
"Now," said the deacon, shall We pray Z?
% Yes," said the widow, "non you may"
And he kneeled him down on the sanded floor,
Where he had poured his goodly store,
And such prayer the deacon prayed,
As never before his lips essayed;
No longer embarrassed, but free and full,
He poured out the voice of liberal SOUL
And the widow responded aloud: amen"
But said no more of potatoes.
And would you, who hear this simple tale,
Pray for the poor, and praying "pyeuail,"
Then preface your prayers with aims and good
deeds;
Search out the poor, their wants and their needs;
Pray for peace, and grace, and spiritual food,
For wisdom, and guidance, for all these are good,
But don't forget the potatoes.