The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-11-28
TFor the Argus.
THE DOuBTIN0 HEART.
4 THANKSGIVING HHrar-srr. !. ,. R

\ THANKSGIVING RHxaE-Br P. AIR.
!" Thanksgiving Day you cay, dear wife, but why
should We give praise,
When poverty, with greedy hand, our very trust De-
traysf
Is God cen just that unto some He gives the gold
en- ear
Andleaves the grainless stalk all blasted dead
and scarf
Is there God who lOyeth uss yon tell me He is
good,
And that father to the poor, He gives the hungry
foodi
You say He hears and answers prayers,-sends
blessings down In showers;
But not drop of mama comes to cheer and answer
ours;
Gaunt famine stares us in the face-and this Thanks
giving Dayl
All, mel what nockery in the namel How much
1t does gainsayl
And have we sinned 80 much that He should give
ofPeace and plenty once enioyed-aye, stones where
You say II we would ask in faith that He would yet
provide;
And that He comforts all who in His bounteous love
What comfort comes to all your prayers-is't pow
erty you sueY
What need for me to ask or pray, when He refuses
you?
Why bless Him for plenteous past, when nor It's
cherries coldf
Why say there's rest for one and all within his
shelt'riEg fold
win He then grant unto the dead the crumbs the
lixino
A once Thought that life began beyond the grass
decked gravel
But then, no form, with hellish mien, and visage
long and gaunt,
Within the portal grimly stood-the CHASTITY form OF
WantD
He sends no angel to our door with food and cheer
ing voice,
While those around us plenty have, and in tina
thought rejoice,
He fills no heart with love for those who hunger
thirst, and cry,
(Who feels for others when their own wish naught
and peace reigns highO
The poor alone can know the wants that harass
haunt the poor,
The poor alone feel the joy little may secure
SO they who dine of much to-day think not of yoV
andI-
But they who little have would lay goodlY portion
by
For the poor soul who at their door with thanks
crust would take,
And give it with willing heart, nor know a selfs
quake.
Does pity know church. creed, or only other
good?
Is generosity faith, or great brotherhoodH
4 re Christians of the chosen few whose word re
lieves and cheersY
Does churchly creed exclude the love OF uncor
] verted seers?
You say that he who freely gives has felt the chas
ening rod,
And better for this Christening grown he knows tn
love of Cod
How few, alas, methinks, have felt this puriiyin
fame,
II by the kindness we have known we measure q
the samei
Ali some one knocks-some hungry wight seekin
How sad that we can give him naught,-not cen
word of chceri
basket did you say, for usf well filled with dai1
ties too:
| Thanksgiving dinner,-yes, my wife,-my wife, g
good and true.
Aye let us thank the God above He must hay
| heard your prayers,
And closed His ear unto my voice so fretful wit
our cares.
He must have piticd my weak faith, and. undeser
ing, gave
ISweet plenty with willing hand, and snatched
from the grave.
And lie: pray that after this /, too, may realii
That prayer is heard and every wish unseen un
Him flies:
And more, that life itself may prove witness of n
creed:
That love OF God is love Of man. living love of dee
Nor selfish fear may try my faith, nor shake n
cinging hope,
But that my trust may steadfast prove through life
| eventful scope,
And may the lesson of to-day, the mild rebuke tn
| given,
Teach well the faith in man that comes through 10
of God in Heaven"
Rock Island, November, 1877.