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Show DEATH OF ST. JOHN, THE BELOVED. BE-LOVED. I'm growing old. This weary head That hath so often leaned on Jesus' breast In days long past that seem almost, a dream, , , , Is bent and hoary with the weight of Years. Those limbs that followed Him my Mas. ter oft . x . . From Galilee to Juda: yea. that stood Beneath the Cross and trembled witu His groans. Refuse to bear mo even through the S'treetj? To prearJi unto my children; even my lips Refuse to form the words my heart sends forth , V. My ears are. dull, they scarcely hear the sobs Of my own children gathered round my couch; -" ,,,,, , God lavs his hand on me yes. His Hand, And not His rod the gentle Hand that I Felt those, threo years, rio often pressed in mine. In friendship such as passe th- woman s love. I'm old so old I cannot recollect The faces of my friends, and 1 forget The words and deeds that make up daily life; But that dear Face and every word lie spoke ! Grows more distinct as others fade away, So that I live with Him and holy dead More than with living. Some seventy years ago 1 wa? fisher by the sacred sea. It was at sunset. How the tranquil tide Bathed dreamily the pebbles! How the liir'ht Crept up the distant hills, and in its wake Soft purple shadows wrapped the dewy fields! And then He came and called me. Then I gazed For tlm first time on that sweet Face. Those eves From out of which, as from a window, shone Divinitv. looked on my inmost soul. And lighted it forever. Then His words The whole world musical. Incarnate Ivove Took hold of me and claimed me for its own; j I followed in the twilight, holding fast . His mantle . I Oh! what holy walks we had Through harvest fields,, and desolate weary wastes! And often times He leaned upon my arm ! Wearied and way-worn 1 was young and strong. And so upbore Him Lord, now I am , weak. And old, and feeble! Let me rest on Thee! So, put Thine arm around me. Closer still' How strong Thou art! The twilight draws A apace. What sav you. friends? 4 That this" Is Ephesus. and Christ has gone A Back to His Kingdom? Aye, 'tis so, 'tis so; I know it all: and yet, just now I seemed 1 To stand once more upon my native hills j And touch my Master. Oh! how oft I've seen The touching of His garments bring back strengt h To pa.sied limbs! I feel it has to mine. Up! bear me once more to my church! Once more There let me tell them of a Savior's love, For, by the sweetest of my Master's voice Just now I think He must be very near-Coming. near-Coming. I trust, to break the veil which time Has worn so thin that I can see beyond And watch His footsteps. So. raise up my head: How dark it is! I cannot see The faces of my flock. Is that the sea That murmurs so, or is it weeping? Hush, My little children! God so loved the world He gave His Son. So love ye one another. Love God and man. Amen. Now bear me back. My legacy unto an angry world is this. I feel my work is finished. Are the streets so full? What call the flock my name? The holy John? Nay. write me rather Jesus Christ's beloved. be-loved. And lover of my children. Lay me down Once more upon my couch, and open wide The eastern window. See! there comes a liifht Like that which broke upon my soul at eve When, in the dreamy is'le of Patmos, Gabriel came And touched me on the shoulder. See! It grow s As when he mounted toward the pearly gates. I know the way. I trod it once before.' And hark! It is the song the ransomed Of Glory to the Lamb! How loud it iunds! And that unwritten one! Methinks my soul Can join it now! But who are these that crowd The shining way? Say! joy! 'tis the eleven With Peter first! How eagerly he looks! How bright the smiles are beaming on James' face! I am the last. Once more we are complete com-plete To gather round the Paschal feast. My place Is next my Master. C my Lord! my Lord! How- bright Thou art! And yet the same i 1 loved in Galilee. "Tis worth the hundred years To feel this bliss! So lift me up dear l.ord, Unto Thy bosom. There shall I abide ! FOREVER. |
