San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-01-31
To Faithful Minister Of the Gospel.

Amid sn age Of vain and Goddess men,
whom Caiumny attends on Virtues psth,
And Penury and Grief provide her welcome;
whom Levity controls ths common mass,
o. 'tis . blsssed and refreshing thing
To see the earnest advocate OF Truth,
In Christian forsltude aud humble hope.
Striving with evil. Like tho unehsnsing star,
whose welcome light directs the laundering bark
shining through clouds and darhness
o. man Of worth. and holy eonstanoy,
To thso owe this we'll l-dcservsd praise.
Not with mere empty words greet thso hero,
But with heartfelt love and reverence;
scorn dcooit, nor hope 70 latter thee:
And Justice, Gratitude, promptputy on
To pay the tribute Of an honcst heart
70 unsmbitious worth. Fitted 70 guide
Thy country's councils, o. 70 hold with all
Tho pride Of earth successful rivalry,
I've soon thse turning from the paths Of Fame,
And Fashion's upsel show, and from tho ohrine
Whore men do daily barter all esrth's joYs,
And al heavens hcpes q bli.s. all, all--for gold
4 md 10 the quiet vale Of humble life,
I've marked thee pause TO soothe Misfortune's lot
To waken hope and Joy and life in those
Mho, dead IN uespssses and sims. knew not
.Iis here The dignity of man shines forth;
And points to earthly pride, and pomp and power
As vain and worthless In the scale Of Truth.
On the broad base Of ssf-denying Love
Inc nODioeb sons OF eaItn nave over meG
The hoary sage, the patriot firm and true.
Tho pure philAnthropist, and the inspired bard,
Have known no final aim but others good.
For this they toiled IN woe and penury;Z
For this they died unhonored and unknown;
And tardy Justoe told not Of their worth,
Till they were dust and asbesl
~ There have been,
Upon this transient little sosne, proud kings,
And pompous oonquerors-misoreants, who,
erpetuating hell on earth, have loosed
Disoord and desolation among men,
And scattered them abroad on all the winds;
And these have been quite famous In their day.
Fools, grave and ssudy fools. have guped and
In awe and wonder at those mighty worms.
But times ere somewhat changed. We Judge men
now
By their intrinsic worth and usefulness
For thus the eternal word Of Him, ''who spoke
As never man spake," teaches: eye shall know
OF thorns, or n 90 Of thistlesi" How these words
OF simple, artless beauty, touch mans thought
Row few ofsll the names and deeds Of pride,
Whose fame has been rs-eohoed over earth,
Will stand this test divinel How many lswly
And CHARITIES unnoted. will come forth
Approved BY II, when good shall be rewarded
lust man, TO whom dedicate this lay
imperfect, and unworthy Of thy fame,
rhy actions are the witness of thy faith,
And have approvedn II noblyi Fools may cay
Thy name is humble, pride eontemn thy calling;
But there's majesty with such a. thou
" ould dim the iustre Of kingly CROWN
rhe majesty Of Truth-that power divine
Which followed Jesus in his humble garb,
And spoke him more than neutrality-suspicious. which
Made Felix tremble at the words Of Paul.
Thine Is q blessed lot, o, righteous man,
Firm friend Of Youth, and faithful guide Of Age,
Thou dost not rest on feeting things Of earth
Thy hopes Of bliss. II common friends prove false,
Thou knowest thou hast Friend devoid OF change;
Thou hast abundance ofoelestiai goods.
fortune wane on earth. Thy hopes. thy Joys,
hy every thought and blessing placed In heaven
Vhen earth shall claim thy services no more
'hyself wilt follow to enjoy them therel
MAncn l84l.