How He trod the earth in sorrow, "In His love and His endurance, Then, my brothers, love and labour, Even from a scanty store. Believe in God. "Fades the prophet's lovely vision, While ye talk of force for force, Golden hopes and dreams Elysian Fly from death on his white horse. Trust me there is strength in weakness, There's a greatness lies in love, The persistency of meekness Makes you like the Christ above. Believe in God. "Have you never felt the pleasure Of forgiving fraud and wrong, Rippling through your soul like measure Sweet of sweetest poet's song? Have you never felt that beauty Lies in pain for others borne? Believe in God. "But you tell me that I mock you Believe in God. “And you say 'in homestead quiet,' Where the vine is running riot, You can give us counsel gravest, "But if you had borne the burden And the heat of England's day, Then your hearts like ours would hardenYou would not believe and pray; R If your soul like ours was hoary "Once a husband, once a father, Turn to God from God away. No! I do not speak in malice, You, too, from your creed would swerve, Had you seen your little Alice And her saintly mother starve. There is no God." "O my brothers! this is grievous ! Still I think He will not leave us, Sorrow daily, sorrow nightly, 66 Comes alike to me and thee. Believe in God. "I too have been hunger-bitten ; Much of sorrow and of sin, More than ever could be written, Dwells this failing heart within. Broken health, and pain, and trial, Loss of worldly gear are mine; Yet, on God's eternal dial God's eternal sunbeams shine. Believe in God. "I through doubt and darkness travel, Through the agony and gloom, Hoping that I shall unravel This strange web beyond the tomb. O my brothers! men heroic! Workers both with hand and brain! 'Tis the Christian, not the stoic, That best triumphs over pain. Believe in God. "O my brothers! love and labour, Conquer wrong by doing right; Truth alone must be your sabre, Love alone your shield in fight. Virtues yet shall cancel vices; Love alone, beloved mates! Only God himself suffices Those whom God alone creates. Believe in God." THOMAS COOPER, 1805— THE KINGS OF THE SOIL. BLACK sin may nestle below a crest, As good hearts beat 'neath a fustian vest, Shall tales be told of the chiefs who sold And never a word be sung or heard Who greet the young Morn with toil; Shall be this-The Kings of the Soil! Proud ships may hold both silver and gold, But ships would rot and be valued not, The wildest heath, and the wildest brake, Are rich as the richest fleet, For they gladden the wild birds when they wake, And give them food to eat. And with willing hand, and spade and plough, |