The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-08-24

I'm growing very old. This weary hand
THAT hath so often leaned on Jesus breast,
In days long past, that seem almost dream,
Is bent and hoary with Its weight OF years
These limbs that followed Him-my Master-oft,
From Galllee to Judah; yea that stood
Bepeath the Cross and trembled with His groans,
Refuse TO bear me even through the streets
To preach unto my children Fen my lips
Refuse TO form the words my heart sends forth.
MY eais are dull /; they scarcely hear the sobs
OF my dear children gathered round my couch,
My 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
Felt those three years. so often pressed In mine
In friendship such as passeth womans love.
I'm old SO old cannot recollect
The faces Of my friends, and forget
The words and deeds that make up daily life;
But that dear face, and every word He spoke,
Grow more distinct as others fade away
SO that live with Him and holy dead
More than the living.
Some seventy years ago
| was Usher by the sacred sea.
1t was at 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 purple fields.
And then He came and called me. Then gazed
For the first time ON that sweet face. Those eyes,
From out OF which, as from q 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. Incarnate Love
| Took hold OF me and claimed me for His own.
followed in the twilight holding fast
| His mantle.
| Oh what holy walks we had
Thro the harvest fields and desolate dreary wastes
And oftsntimes he leaned upon my arm,
Weared and wayworn. / was young and strong,
And so upbore Hin. 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 apace.
Come, let us leave the noisy streets and take
The path of Bethany, for Mary's smile
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.
What say you, friends?
That this is Ephesus, and Christ has gone
Back to His kingdom Aye, It's so.
l know 1t all and yet, just now, 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 back strength
, TO palsed limbs feel IL has TO mine.
Up bear me once more to my church-once more,
There let me tell them of Saviours love,
For, by the sweetness af my Masters voice
Just now, think he must be very near
Coming trust to break the vail, which time
Has so thin that can see beyond,
And watch His footsteps
SO, raise up my head
How dark II Isl do not seem to see
The faces OF my flock. Is that the sea
That murmurs So or is 1t weeping? Hush!
| y oh snl world
He gave His son; so love ye one another;
Love God and man. Amen! Now, bear me back.
I My legacy unto an angry world is this
, feel my work is finished. And the streets so full.
, What call the folk my name? The Holy John?
Nay, write me ratser Jesus Christs beloved,
, And lover of my children.
Lay me down
once more upon my couch and open wide
e The Eastern window See There comes light
l Like that which broke upon my soul at eve,
When in the dreary Isle OF PatInos Gabriel came
And touched me on the shoulder. See 1t grows
AS when we mounted toward the pearly gates.
> ] know the way trod 1t once before
a And hark! 1t is the song the ransomed sang
) OF glory to the Lamb! How loud it sounds !
Z And that unwrtten one ! Methinks my Soul
o Can join IT. now. But who are those who crowd
The shining way Say Joy IT'S the eleven
With Peter first how eagerly he looks
How bright the smiles are beaming on James face
l am the last. Once more we are complete
To gather round the Paschal feast. My place
v Is next my Maker. Oh my Lord my Lord
: How bright Thou art and yet the very same
loved in Galilee 'Tis worth the hundred years
II To feel this bliss SO, lift me up, dear Lord,
Is Unto thy bosom. There shall ABIDE.