Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-02-23
0ottrpp.
HERE AND HEREAFTER; /;
4 Rab6inicdi Tale.
Br JOHN C. SAKE.

"Say, what shall I believe - my neighbor said
late vestsrnight, when light discourse had led
To graver themes 'Fos me. ] stand pcrpleNed,
While fierce polemics each upon his text
I Of scriptural foundation builds his creed,
Aud cries, 10, here il Truth TIE truth nee
some surer way than theologians teach
I In dogmas Of the sects" l answered, Each
I Must do his own believing. As for me,
I M creed is short as any mans may be;
I lis written in The sermon on the Mount
/ And ia the 'Pater.Noster.' account
\ The words Our Father had we lost the rest
! Of that sweet PRAYER, the hrielest aud the best
7 10 an the liturgic, OF higher worth
I To ailing souls, than all the ereeds on earth
I A Father loves his ehildren-IhAt know
And fsin would make them happy. Even 80
Our Heavenly FAtner-as We clearly leara
From His dear Word, and dimly may discern
Prom His fair works-for us. His children, veal
To walk unhelped, and little prone 10 seek
In al our WAYS wha, best deserves his smile
or APPRECIATION cSreth all the while
With love ineIable lis lule more
OF His designs venture 20 explore
Save with the eve of Path. With hat see
Aided by Reasons glasses what may be
Hereafter. IN that coming kingdom when
Tue King shall justify His ways with men
On earth"
And what, my doubling friend inquired,
"ShAl be our destiny -
"NO tongue inspired
IIalh pla MY told ms that cannot tell
II l. not given 10 know-,Ckere We shall dwell;
ouIy know-and humbly leave the rest
To Wisdom lniinite-thst what is bee,
For each will be his place that We shall wear
In the Beyond the character we bear
In passing. with what 'meli0ratinE change
Of mind aud soul, within the endless range
Of their activities. eaRno, tell.
know Our Father dOeth all things well,
And loves and changes not"
Alas WI know
The earth Is rife with unavailinE woe ~
M friend made answer. "h0w can such things
bel
The Father being perfect We should see
His government the same
Would he Not err
The hS''y jaige who, having seen the s'F
. the drst act OF some well ordered play
Should cry, 'PrepOstsrousr and 30 away
And eriticise the whole -four acts unseen
A. u-eOuiriyed, ineonsequent, and mean
Something germane 20 this" nv daughter said
"ln an OLD Jewish tale lately read.
To plous BildId. deeply mourning Que
whom be had deeply loved-his only son
Who, OF the plague, had died that very day
Came his friend Amos saving, Tell me, pray.
What grief i this that bows thy reverend head
The mouiner answered, pointing to the bed
Whereas was laid the body Of the youth,
Behold, nv friend, the cause good cause, in
sOoth.
For one 20 weep, who sees his hopes decay
The work OF years all blasted In a day,
A. there thou seestr Amos, answering, said;
'Tis true indeed, thine ouly son Is dead;
And as thy love even 30 thy grief is great;
Bus tell me, friend, doth no. thy faith absto
IN some degree the sharpness Of thy pain >
Alas" said Bndad. how can refrain
From these departing tears, when thus dad
NJ anxious care 20 cultivate the mind
The wondr0nI Eifss anil graees ofiny;son,
Untinsly doomed 10 death, is all undone"
Touched BY his sorrow, Amos at awhile
In silent thought; then. with beamlng smile,
As one who offers manifest rehef
lie said, % Bildsd. let Il soothe thy grief
That be who gave the talents thou hast sought
To cherish, and by culture wouldsi have Wrought
To highest excellence In this thy son.
VIII surely lnish what thou hast begun
-GakLrv