Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-03-18

Inc lOtiOWlN2 anonymous poem WAS lUuuu diiout
ei ght Years ago. in magazine published at Phila
delphia Its beauty of language fcrvor OF feeling,
and exalted religious sentiment claim Tor 1t Wider
circulation than 1t has yet attained
IN growing very old. This weary head
That hath SO often 1canel on jesus breast,
In days long past that seem almost dream,
Is bent and hoary with its weight of years.
These limbs that followed Iim-my Master-oft
From Galllee to Jutea; you, that stood
i5eneati the cross and tremoled with Ills groan5,
Refuse to bear me even through the streets
ro preach unto my chllren. Fen IN. lips
Refuse to form the words ny h ,art sc Ids forth.
My ears are dull; they sc freely heir the sob5
Of my dear chillren gathered rounl my couch:
My eyes SO dim, they cannot see their tears.
God lays HIS han upon me;-yel, His md,
And not HIS rod-the gentle hand that
Felt those three years. So often pressed ia mine,
In frien ship such pasSeth woman's love.
Pm old $50 Old cannot recollect
The faces of my friends, and forget
rhe words AMI dee Is that make up daily life:
But that dear tace and every word He spoke
Grow more distinct Others fade away,
So that live with Him and holy dead
More than with living.
Some seventy years ago
| was 4 fisher by the sacred sea.
1t was at sunset How the tranquil tide
Bathed dl eamiIy the pebble IioA the lght
Crept up the distant hills, and IN its wake
soft purple shadows wrapped the dewy hclds
And then He came and calei me. Then gazed,
For the first time, on that sweet face. Those eyes,
From out of which, as from winiOw, shone
Divinity, look, on inmost soul,
And lighleI it forever. Tn. His word,
Broke on the silence of my heart and made
The whole world musical. lncarnate Love
Took hold of me and claimed me for its own.
1 followed in the twilight, holding fast
Ills mantle
OIL what holy walks We had
Through!harvest fields andi esolateilreary wastes
And oftenlimes He ielned upon my arm,
Wearied AMI wayworn. | was young and strong,
And so upOore Hin. Lord. now / am weak.
A2d old and feeble. Let me rest on Theel
80, put Thine arm around me. Closer stIlli
How strong thou artl The twilight draws apace.
Come, let MS leave these noisy streets and take
The path 10 Bethany. for Mary's smile
Await, at the gate, and hartha's hands
II I'VE long preprard the cheerful evening meal.
Come. Jesus, the Master waits, an Peter, .ea,
Has gone some steps before.
What say you, friends : =
That this is Ephesus, and Christ has gone
Back to his King tom? Ay, It's so, 'tis
know ii all; and yet Ist nov, seemed
70 stand once more uponiny native bills
And touch my Master. On! how OFT I've seen
The touching of HIS garments bring 1ack strength
10 palsied limb, feel 1t has to mine.
Upl bear me once more to my church once more
There let me tell them OF u >avieur's love
For, by the sweetness of my Masters voice
just no ', l think He must be very near
Coming trust, to break the vail which time
Has thin that 1 can see beyond,
And watch his footsteps.
SO raise up my head.
How dark 1t isl / cannot seem to see
The faces OF my flock. Is that the sea
That murmurS SO or Is it weeping? Hush,
My little chlllrenl God so loved the world
He gave His son; SO love ye ano her:
Love God and man. Amen Now hear me back.
My legacy unto angry world is this.
| feel my work is finished Are the streets 50 full ?
What call the flk my nlme? The Holy John?
Nay. write me rather, Jesus Christ's beloved,
, and lover of my children.
Lay me down
Once more upon my couch, and open wide
The eastern window Scei there comes light
Like that which broke upon my soul at eve.
When in the dreary Isle of Pat'nos Gabriel came
And toucned me tne shoulder. oov. 1t grows
As when we mounted towards the peariy gates.
| know the way / trod it once before.
And bark it is the song the ransomed sang
OF fGlory to the lamb How loud it sounds
And hat unwritten onei Methnks NV soul
Can in it now. But who are there who crowd
Thc shining way Sayi-joyi ii, the cevcnt
With Peter first; how eagerly he looksi
How bright the smiles are booming on James face
| am the last. Once more we complete
. TO ga;ncr round the Paschal feast. NV place
l. next my Master. Oh, my Lord! my Lord
How bright Thou art, and yet the very same
loved in Galileel Ills worth The hundred years
To feel this Dlssi So lit mp, dei Lord,
Unto Thy bosom. here shall ahile.