Church poetry : or, Christian thoughts in old and modern verse . she wandered all this desert through,In search of happiness, nor found reposeTill she had reachd the borders of the many a flower that blossomd in her pathShe stopt to gather ; and the fruit she pluckedThat hung from many a tempting bough, all butThe rose of Sharon, and the tree of flung its fragrance to the gale, and spread MEMORIALS. 313 Its blushing beauties ; that its healing leavesDisplayed, and fruit immortal—all in neither tasted nor admired, and foundAll that she chose and tasted, fair—but fa
Church poetry : or, Christian thoughts in old and modern verse . she wandered all this desert through,In search of happiness, nor found reposeTill she had reachd the borders of the many a flower that blossomd in her pathShe stopt to gather ; and the fruit she pluckedThat hung from many a tempting bough, all butThe rose of Sharon, and the tree of flung its fragrance to the gale, and spread MEMORIALS. 313 Its blushing beauties ; that its healing leavesDisplayed, and fruit immortal—all in neither tasted nor admired, and foundAll that she chose and tasted, fair—but false ;The flowers no sooner gathered, than they faded ;The fruits enchanting—dust and bitterness ;And all the world a wilderness of , dispirited, and at the closeOf this eventful course, she sought the plant,Which long her heedless haste oerlookd, and provedIts sovereign virtues ; underneath its shadeOutstretched, drew from her wounded feet the thorn,Breathed the last sigh, shed the last tear, and hereThe aged pilgrim rests in trembling 314 MEMORIALS. Rev. H. Alford. There is an ancient man who dwellsWithin our parish bounds,Beyond the poplar avenue,Across two meadow-grounds :And whensoeer our two small bellsTo church call merrily,Leaning upon our churchyard gateThis old man you may see. He is a man of many thoughts,That long have found their rest,Each in its proper dwelling-place,Settled within his breast:A form erect, a stately brow,A set and measured mien,The satisfied unroving lookOf one who much hath seen. And once, when young in care of souls,I watchd a sick mans bed,And willing half, and half ashamd,Lingered and nothing said : MEMORIALS. 315 That ancient man, in accents mild,Removed my shame away ;— Listen, he said, the MinisterPrepares to kneel and pray. These lines of humble thankfulness Will never meet his eye : Unknown that old man means to live, And unremembered die. The forms of life have severed us— But when that life shall end, Fain wo
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectreligio, bookyear1848
