The poetical works of Edwin Oscar Gale . d old man thus voiced his thoughts to mc Whose deeds through life won tribute sweet of praise. When young I preached, said he, on holy themes;Expounded doctrine, aimed my flock to keepWhere ancient prophets, in their holy dreamsRevealed still waters; where the chosen sheepiMight graze in pastures green. Yet now I findI far have drifted from those landmarks old time creed long left I far lights by which my bark I once would steerI lost. As down the boundless west the sunHis rays had cast, and darkness drew its veil,Each old familiar b
The poetical works of Edwin Oscar Gale . d old man thus voiced his thoughts to mc Whose deeds through life won tribute sweet of praise. When young I preached, said he, on holy themes;Expounded doctrine, aimed my flock to keepWhere ancient prophets, in their holy dreamsRevealed still waters; where the chosen sheepiMight graze in pastures green. Yet now I findI far have drifted from those landmarks old time creed long left I far lights by which my bark I once would steerI lost. As down the boundless west the sunHis rays had cast, and darkness drew its veil,Each old familiar beacon, one by oneGrew slowly dim, then utterly did fogs and darkness dense I groped my way,My chart and compass studied, cast my lead,Until at length I saw the morning ray,—And Paradise was stretching close ahead. How endless seemed that night! How far the day! I did not wish to sail an unknown sea. I did not mean from friends to drift away With whom so long I lived in sympathy. I did not question what in youth was taught. 228. o < ^ I held the tenets of my church, indeed Its very name, the price at which was bought My everlasting grace; thus held my creed. Secure I felt, within its happy fold. And if at times I some things held in doubt, Those which I valued more than wealth untold Would soon the flame of heresy put out. I knew that I was right; who differed, wrong; Rejoiced my Calvinistic bow to draw, Defended I my creed with logic strong. I knew no man could in it find a flaw. I scotTed at reasons theologians gave For views they held, when differing from mine. I certain was that God would no man save Unless he bowed before my hallowed shrine. Good, Christ-like deeds considered I as naught. Belief alone could win the heavenly prize. Foreordination I had always taught Secured the few their mansions in the skies. But time, which spread these branches, broadened me. As fruit in season mellows, so did I; And musing here beneath this noble tree I ripened like the russ
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