The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-01
MR.. BENEFITS POEMS.
The Writings of Portland Mechanic
to Be Published.

Born in Ireland 1927 and Born Again in
1867" He Claims Portland as His Native
City.
1RA pamphlet containing poems written
by Mr.. Henry A. Bennett, of this city,
will soon be issued. Mr.. Bennett was
horn in Ireland, September 10th, 1897,
and as he says, "born again December,
1867, wherefore he claims Portland his
native city" He is, and for some years
has been member of the Bethel church,
and is now in falling health. The collec-
ton of his poems viii be published with
the hope of assisting him. The following
are selections from his poems
can Alien No More" is one of his best
poems of personal nature, and is here
quoted in part:
My name is in the book of life;
And am glad today;
pve burst the bonds of alien strife,
And learned to watch and pray.
A citizen, 1ll freely roam
Some day, on Eden's shore;
For, I'll never,-O. Pill never
Be an Alien any more.
l.
That sinners sorely know,
Til near the strand CT falsity
| struggled with the foe,-
All, then / sought the kingly help
l used to slight BEFORE
So pll never,-O, I'll never
Be an Alien any more.
In "Happy Thoughts, Mr.. Bennett
touched at once on his troubles, and the
source of such consolation:
am getting up in years, It's p lain:
racking cough makes tiresome 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.
IT'S good to have share of woe,
lis good my weakness we'll to know;
IT'S good in grace and truth to grow;
Ills good that mercy can bestow
The love we should to others show,
And find q peace where'er we go.
His poems are nearly all of religious
nature, 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
ado red?
Does tho Holy Spirit lead
Every thought and word and deedP
Are we eager to behold the loving Lord2
Are we ready for the coming of the Lord?
Are we striving to be all of one accord?
Are we guarded sure and well
From the thoughtless way to hell?
Are we any moment lit to meet the Lord?
Are we ready for the coming of the Lord ?
Are we mindful of the sharp two edged
sword?
Is the heart. the tongue. the eye,
Ruled by Him who reigns on high?
are we watching for the coming of the
Lord9
| Have we time for any folly to afford?
., how kind the Lord will smile
| On the heart all free from guila
Then how joyful to be ready for the Lord !?
O, the glorious appearing of the Lord!
| When the faithful will receive glad re-
ward
| So be ready old and young.
All to sing the happy song
Highest glory everlasting to the Lord
| Rev. Francis Southworth pastor of the
Bethel church and strong friend of the
| author says of Mr.. Benefits 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
MIR. 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, bslieve that under happier ciroum-
| stances he would have been q notable