Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-08-14
ST. JOHN THE AGED.

The following anonymous poem was foun,
about eight years ago, in 3 magazine publishet
at Philadelphia. Its beauty of language, fer
vor of feeling and exalted religious sentiment
claim for it q wider circulation than it has ye
attained:
I'm growing very old. This weary head
That hath so often leaned on Jesus breast,
i In days long past that seem almost dream,
| Is bent and boary with its weight of years.
These limbs that followed Him--my Master.
From Gaiilee to Judah; yea, At stood ali-
B'Eeath the cross and trembl'd with ai groans
Refuse 70 bear me even through the streets.
Refuse to form the words my heart sends forth
Ny ears are dnll; they scarcely hear the sobs
or my dear children gathered round my couch,
4yeyes 80 din. they cannot see their sears.
And And 10 nSs HI M roSshe sIo IegU hand s ahss
Felt. those three years, 10 often pressed in
In friendship such as passeth woman's love. 3
Pm old. so old! Icannot recollect 5f9is 1
The faces Of my friends, and forget tf-flg5-
The words and deeds that make up daily life
But that dear face, and every word He spoke,
So that live with Him and holy dead 9
More than with living. Esliib9lu suoEsGsL
some seventy years ago
was . fisher by the sacred sea. a = :, :
It was at sunset How the tranquil tide
SssPa M fss ss = as ,ss K e. ..
And then He came and called me. FTbenI
For he firss time, on that sweet face. Those
eyes, s,taHfsT -lEsert f .a4r-Irl..
From out OF which, as from window, shone
Divinity, looked on my Utmost soul, ,is-i'i
And lighted It forever. Then His words 3c,
Broke on the silence Of my heart and made
The whole world musical. Incaraate love 81.
Took hold Of me and claimed me for its own.
followed in the twilight, holding fast 4ii'''-
His mantle. ssc H4g F9tf Igr .saiqH
ll9.i Oh. what holy walks we had,
Through harvest fields and desolate dreary
Ana oftentimss He leaned upon my arm, %
weafied and wayworn. was young and
And 50 upbore Him. Lord! now am weak,
And old, and feeble. Let me rest on Thee!
So, put Thine arm around me. Closer still!
How strong Thou art! The twilight draws
Come. let Ms leave {. ese noisy streets and take
The path to Bethany, for Mary's smile f.s
Awaits us at the gate, and Martha's hands
Have long prepared the cheerful evening meal,
Come, James, the Master waits. and Peter, see,
Has gone some steps before. Hiilt i-i I" "'5c' n
What say you, friends?
IDat Lnls Is kpneSus. ana Curis6 mas gone p -
Back to His Kingdom? Az, tits so, It's so
know it all, and yet. just now, seemed
To stand once more upon my native hills x 4
And touch my Master. Oh. how oft I've seen
The touching OF His garments bring back
To palsied limbs. Ifeel it has to mine.
Up. bear me once more to my church--once
There let me tell. them Of a saviour's love.
For, by the sweetness of nay Masters voice
lust now. think He must be very near: 4
coming, trust, to break the vail, which tirne
Has worn SO thin that can see beyond, 1sE
How dark it IS! cannot seem to see
The faces OF my fock. Is that the sea i9l
Ny little chiidrer,! Cod So loved the world
he gave His Son, SO love ye one another; {, z |
Love God and man. Now bear me back.
Ny legacy unfo an angry world Is this f 40
feel my work is finished. Are the streets so |
What, cali the folk my name? The Holy John? !
Nay, write me rather, Jesus Christ's beloved, |
And lover OF my children. --- ~
..- Lay me down Il
)nce more upon my couch. and open wide
The eastern window, See. there comes a light |
Ike that which broke upon my soul at eve,
When, in the dreary4 Isfe of Patmos, Gabriel |
came fJsau ~ TdHaI =
nd touched me on the shoulder. See! It grows |
Is when we mounted towards the pesrly gates /
know the way! trod 1t once before. eH
IND hark! it is the song the ransomed sang
" glory to the lamb How loud II sounds.
lnu that unwritten one! Methinks my soul
AN join it now. But who are these who crowd /
he shining way? Say! joyi tits the eleven! 7 1
With Peter first: how eagerly he looks!
Tow bright the smiles are beaming on James
face!
am the last. Once more we are complete
o gather round the Paschal feast. Ny place
next my Master. Oh, my Lord, my Lord!
low bright Thou art, and yet the very same
loved in Galilee! 'Tis worth the hundred
years
o feel this bliss! So, lift me up, dear Lord,
int0 Thy bosom. There shall abide.