Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-08-24

Jeanne, what yon the minister was saying?
l kept the grip o. it while he was praying,
Saying it DER and DER a score O. times,
Though it got mixed WI tags o. idle rhymes,
Until shower o. texts came plash like RAIN,
And fairly washed it clean cot o. my brain.
Folk telling him that he is grand at praying,
He prays till ane forgets what he's been saying;
Prays you stupid wi thing that's like sermon,
Dripping wat wi texts as W the dews OF Hermon.
oh, they spoil a minister wi silly praises
o. a. his paintit words and dainty pnrasesl
Twas something ABBOTT faith and work. Let's see
Ye're gleg at readiug lass, and weel may be;
Ye had rare schooling, had almost none,
But gnaw a book as dogs will gnaw bone;
Look it up now, and let me see It in print
How that books smells yet o. your mothers mint.
She was womanl Oh, that We may be
To some one what your mother was to mel
And yet never told her. hardly said
Ae kindly word to her; and now she's dead
Wac Is mel Gould but see her for minute,
And show my heart to her, and a. that's in it
There, that's it, lass and are We sure it's Paul?
% We're saved by faith, and no by works at ALL"
Read it again it clean dumbfounders me!
Hand me my specs unless my eyes see
The very words, 1 will be bold to doubt it,
And even then III haze my thoughts about it.
Ay! there it is as plain as print can make it,
Gods very word. and nought earth can shake it.
Yet doubt in me grew fast as down frae thistle;
/ learnt the trick OFT ere learnt to whistle;
For could meier believe the half saw.
But for my work, I'll stand to it that none
Could do better job in hewing stone,
Or building either from d dry-stane dyke
Up to kirk and steeple, or the like;
And is it nothing that wrought VII burr,
But couldna swear aye by the minister?
1 never hammered stone until saw
Into its heart, and kent its Utmost law;
For stones, too, haze their way, and they maun be
HUNDRED. like women, each in its degree.
But all my work did VII heart and might,
TIL even the whinstones knew they must go right.
There's the new brig, twill stand as cures the
Bank:
The observation-disclosures that damned the tank
Among the hills-it never leaked gill.
Did not Sir Hew himself upland my skill
And work, and vow that he was proud to call
The man his friend that planned, and made it all?
My work was true as pummet, line, and rule
Could make it. though had but little school,
And never could believe the half 1 saw;
l never plastered up an ugly flaw.
Gods work is good, said, and SO is mine,
Right human work, and therefore like divine.
But look just at the kirk, that Bailie Clyne
Robbed them to build, and then compared It W.
mine.
A bonnie elder he ! to sit and look.
In the front loft, upon his gilt-clasped book!
How could gang to kirk, and him see Grouse,
Sinking at me in your ramshackle hooss
I'm dying. Yes: but would you have me speak
What is not true, because my breath comes weak?
on, he believes of course whate'er he's bid,
Then taps his finger on his snuff-box lid;
But for his work, they'll find it hot some day,
And sorry I'm that shall be away.
Just bide wee: some wastland wind, I'm thinking,
Will gar yon steeple reel, as t had been drinking.
Will they say then that faith which does not work
Will save man, although he cheat the kirk Q
My end is near forgiveness now is best!
Why should the end not be like all the rest?
He's to be provost set him up! hear
He's taen the crown o. the causeway many a year,
And drives his coach, and now he's all the vogue
ruling elder, yet the looms rogue.
/ tell We. even in heaven if he should find me,
I'd take my hat and bang the door behind me.
Draw up the blind; it's growing unco' dim.
Read me psaln1-we'1 say more of him
good strong psalm about the evil-doers
Whom for while the righteous endures.
Surely yons not the that looks so dark.
Nor that the singing O. the evening lark.
What was saying? Is this death at length,
The strong one gripping at my failing strength?
Well, my jobs done-I'l lay my tools aside;
And there's your mother, all my Joy and pride.
She's made the hearth neat and the fire looks bright
It's growing dark; but she'll haze a. thing right
Good Words.