The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-04-09
Poems by a Portland Mechanic.

BORN IN IRELAND 1927 AND BORN AGAIN
IN 1867. HE CLAIMS PORTLAND AS HIS
NATIVE CITY.
A pamphlet containing poems written
by Mr.. Henry A. Bennett of this city will
soon be issued. Mr.. Bennett was born
in Ireland, September -, 1927, and as he
| says, 'born again December, 1867, where
fore he claims Portland his native city,
He is, and for some years has been a
member OF the Bethel church, and is now
in failing health The collection Of his
poems will be published with the hope Of
assisting him. The following are selec-
lions from his poems.
AN Alien No More, is one of his best
poems of a personal nature, and is here
quoted III part:
My name is in the book Of life;
And am glad to-day;
I've burst the bonds Of alien strife,
And learned to watch and pray.
a citizen, III freely roam
Some day on Edens shore
For, I'll never,-O, I'll never
Be an Alien any more.
I've felt the storms of land and sea,
That sinners sorely know,
TIL near the strand OF falsity
| struggled with the foe
a h, then sought the kingy help
1 USED 10 S1gnU before
So LII never,-O, Ill never
Be All Alien any more
In "Happy Thoughts" Mr.. Bennett
touched at once on his troubles, and the
source of such consultations:
am getting up in years, It's plain;
A raGlSng cough makes tlresome strain
Through joint and muscle, heart and brain:
I'm rarely ever free from pain
Still, thanks to Him who rules the main
For many blessings | obtain,
lis good to have a share of woe,
lis good my weakness we'll to know,
Els good in grace and truth to grow,
lis good that mercy can bestow
The love we should to Others show,
And find a peace where'er we go.
His poems are nearly all Of a religious ma
ture, and the following is one OF his best:
Are we ready for the coming of the Lord
Are we living in the spirit Of His word?
DO we meekly watch and pray
AS the moments pass away?
Are we loving the appearing of the Lord?
Are we ready for the coming of the Lord?
Is the First and Last at morn and eve ador-
ed
Does the Holy Spirit lead
Every thought and word and deed?
Are we eager to behold the loving Lord?
Are we ready for the coming Of the Lord
Are we striving To be all OF one accord
Are we guarded sure and we'll
From the thoughtless way to hell?
Are we any moment fl to meet the Lord2
Are we ready for the coming Of the Lord?
Are we mindful of the sharp two edged
sword
Is the heart, the tongue. the eve,
Ruled by Him who reigns on high
Are we watching for the coming Of the Lord?
Are we ready for the coming of the Lord?
Have we time for any folly to afford?
0. how kind the Lord will smile
On the heart all free from guile
Then how joyful to be ready for the Lord ?
o, the glorious appearing of the Lord
When the faithful will receive a glad re-
ward;
So be ready old and young,
All to sing the happy song
Hi CHEST glory everlasting to the Lord
Rev. Francis Southworth, pastor of the
Bethel church and a strong friend of the
author, says of Mr.. Bennett poems:
''They were composed out of a deep
rich experience with Christ and the Cos
pei of his love- They show how real and
personal the friendship, and sustaining
grace of Jesus may become, when the
soul is separated from every other re
source, and talks with loving confidence
to Him. Misunderstood, disappointed,
crushed, health gone, the light of life
slowly growing dim, he has found, lis
finding still-all and more than all, that
is expressed"
Mr.. Bennett has written much, and
published nothing, late in life; and at a
time when his health has completely
given way, and when he is slowly dying
OF CONSUMPTION, his book the product of
many enforced idle hours, will be pub
lished. Those who know Mr.. Bennett
best, believe that under happier circum-
stances he would have been a notable
figure in literature Portland Press.