The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-12-30
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ST. John, Tue AGED.

ST. JOHN, THE AGED.
Tn growing very old This weary head
That hath so often leaned on Jesus breast,
In days long past that seem almost dream.
II bent and hoary with its weight of years
These limbs that followed Him-my Master
fa oft
From Galilee to Judea: yea, that stood
Beneath the cross and trembled with His
groans, as.
Refuse to bear me even through the streets
To preach unto my children. Een my lips
Refuse to form the words my heart sends forth
Ny ears are dull; they scarcely hear the sobs
Of my dear children gathered round my
couch;
Ny eyes so dim, they cannot see their tears.
God lays His. hand upon me;-yea, His hand.
And not his rod-the gentle hand that I
Felt, those three years, SO often pressed in
.... mine, -.. ..,,,,. Lea
In friendship, such as passeth woman's love.
I'm old, so oldl cannot recollecs
The faces of my friends and I forget ....
The words and deeds that make up my daily
life; t.a .ss..,--, ,.s
But that dear face, and every word He spoke,
Grow more distinct as others fade away,
So that live with Him and holy dead cas-
More than with living.
Some seventy years ago
I was a fisher by the sacred SEA. .......
1t was sunset. How the tranquil tide
Bathed dreamily the pebbles! How the light
Crept up the distant hills, and in its wake ~
Soft purple shadows wrapped the dewy feldsl
And then 10 came and called me. Then
gased,
For the FIRST time, on that sweet face. Those
eyes, gH., ..-.-ss
From out of which, as from window, shone
Divinity, looked on my inmost soul,
And lighted it forever. Then His words
Broke on the silence of my heart and made
The whole world musical Incsrnate Love
Took hold of me and claimed me for its own.
1 followed in the twilight, holding fast -
His mantle. .rF
OH what holy walks we had,
Through harvest fields and desolate dreary
wastes; .rc..r . s....
And oftentimes BE leaned upon my arm,
wearied and wayworn. I was young ant
strong, j 10 4 yessaG2 ~ D.
And 60 upbors Him. Lord, now I am weak.
And old, and feeble. Let me rest on Theel
30, put thine arm around me. Closer still
How strong Thou artl The twilight draw
40 apace. a;-head So. 1885 gHe3l
Come, let us leave these noisy streets and take
The path to Bethany, for Mary's smile
Awaits us at the gate, and Marths's hands
Have long prepared the cheerful evening mea
Come, Jesus, the Master waits, and Peter, see.
Has gone some steps before.
| What say you, friends?
That this is Ephesus, and Christ has gone
Back to His kingdom? Ay, tits so, tits so.
know it ell; and yet, just now. I seemed
To stand once more upon my native hills
And touch my Master, Oh! how oft I've seen
The touching of His garments bring bac
strength W.
To palsied limbs! feel it has to mine. ~.
Up! bear me once more to my churoh,-o
| more;
There let me tell them of Savior's love;
For, by the sweetness of my Masters voice
just now, think he must be very near
Coming. I trust to break the vail, which time
Has worn so thin that can see beyond,
And watch His footsteps.
| B--EF&
aaeseV So, raise up my head.
How dark it Isl! lcannot seem to see. u
The faces of my flock Is that the sea =
That lnurmurs so, or il it weeping? Hush!
nv little children! God SO loved the world
He gave His Son; so love ye one another; Z
Hove God and man Amen. Now bear m
e. i03i back al sa.am l. % So ~ q
fMy work is finished! And the streets SO full?
What call the folk my name? The Holy John
Nay, write me rather, Jesus Christ's beloved,
And loveriof my children. . .1saH 74.l
.q.r5 Lay me down
Once more upon my couch, and open wide
The eastern window. ;See there comes a ligl
Like that which broke upon my soul at eve,
When, in the dreary Isle of Patmos, Gabri
I14ay@ came ' -fff ~r-{-at.s :
And touched me on the shoulder. See! it grow
As when we mounted towards the pearly cato
know the way! trod itonoe before.
And hark! it is the song the ransomed sang
OF glory to the Lamb! How loud it sounds!
And that unwritten one! Methinks my soul
Can Join it now. But who are those wi
crowd
The shining way? say?-joy! tits the eleven
With Peter first; how eagerly he looks!
How bright the smiles are beaming on jaime
| 8's face!
II am the last Once more we are complete
To gather round the Paschal feast. Ny place
Is next my Master Oh, my Lord! my Lord!
How bright thou art, and yet the very same
I loved of old! 'Tis worth the hundred years
To feel this bliss So lift me up, dear Lord,
Unto Thy bosom There shall abide.