The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales in Verse Part 46

CIV.

He further said it was a settled thing With him that if the Holy Spirit call One to the Pastors.h.i.+p, no good could spring From frequent absence, for the Church needs all His time and talents; and should ill befall A flock so left G.o.d might the question ask, "Why didst thou leave my sheep and lambs at all?

I placed thee there; attend thou to the task If in my smiles approving thou wouldst wish to bask!"

CV.

He cited many texts to prove his view, [Footnote: See at least one amongst many in I Peter, V, 1-4]

And felt much grieved some Churches in our day Should to their _interest_ be seldom true, And Pastors for slight causes turn away.

From personal observation he would say That many men who make a great profession Begrudge the mite so needful as the pay Of those whose Pastoral worth's their sole possession; Who could not wink at sin nor make undue concession.

CVI

"Some folks, again," he said, "quite overlook The nature of the office as laid down For Churches' guidance in the holy Book, And subst.i.tute opinions of their own.

Such meet their fellow Christians with a frown If they insist upon the Scripture plan, And deem him little better than a clown Who has the courage their false views to scan: And should he not desist might place him under ban."

CVII.

"_Thus saith the Lord_, in all religious matters, As the thing; needful should our minds impress.

We've naught to do with the unseemly tatters Of creeds and ceremonials on which stress Is laid by many who the Truth profess.

The Scriptures teach that Pastors should take heed To all their flock, that faith and holiness May grow apace; that they the sheep should feed With Heaven-inspired food according to their need."

CVIII.

"But Churches for most part make choice of him Who does a splendid preaching talent show; Or else they seek to gratify some whim Lest hearers should their purse strings tighter draw.

'Tis easy for one taught of G.o.d to show That those so chosen cannot well fulfill True Pastoral duty, which consists, we know, In oversight according to G.o.d's will-- Not Lords o'er his inheritance, but humble still."

[Footnote: The author would not like to be misunderstood. All he intends to say is that a talent for preaching, however good, is not the only qualification for Elder or Pastor. See I Tim. iii and t.i.t. i.]

CIX.

The Church agreed in what the Pastor said And Luth suggested that young GOODWORTH might Act as Evangelist in his father's stead, Should he 'fore G.o.d consider it quite right.

Joseph a.s.sured them it was his delight To aid in any way his Master's cause, But thought that all should seek for further light By fervent prayer, and therefore Would propose To leave it unto Him from whom all wisdom flows.

CX.

This as determined on and they attended Unto the "Supper of the Lord" in love.

Once more their Sacrifice of Praise ascended From grateful hearts unto their G.o.d above, Who heard it all and did such acts approve.

Refreshed in soul once more they separate In friendly manner, as it does behove The joint possessors of such blessings great As heirs of bliss and glory in a future state.

CXI.

Throughout the week the members freely gave Unto this subject due consideration; And Joseph looked, to anxious friends, more grave, Was oft in prayer or wrapped in contemplation.

The father, who of this made observation, Encouraged him to frankly speak his mind.

This led them soon to mutual explanation And fuller confidence, which all combined To lead them both to be unto G.o.d's will resigned.

CXII.

It caused a struggle in that parent's breast To part with one grown dearer every day; And Joseph at the first felt quite distressed At leaving friends so very far away.

As was but natural, thoughts of wedding day Would also cross his mind and make him sigh; But yet he felt determined to display True Christian courage and himself deny, If to his fellow men 'twould bring Redemption nigh.

CXIII.

The father; saw no very great occasion For much of self-denial in the case.

The Bride-expectant would with small persuasion Share any trials he might have to face.

Besides the Indians would prepare a place With needful comforts, should he there remain.

'Twas therefore his advice to seek for Grace, Such as the work demanded, and thus gain The glorious Reward which faithful ones obtain.

CXIV.

To this the son made not the least objection, And so the matter stood till next Lord's Day, When, as the Church approved of the selection, Much unfeigned love the all to him display; Rejoicing to see one so young obey Duty's strong impulse, and to G.o.d commend Their much loved brother, who without delay Made preparation that ere the week's end He might the Indians reach and to his work attend.

CXV.

At the reformed Inebriate's house he called In pa.s.sing, and was truly glad to find The man his vice inveterate had controlled, And was improving daily in his mind.

He owned that had his wife not proved most kind He might have been again to drinking drove.

This Joseph hears, but hopes the pledge he signed Would be some safeguard if he should lack love; Yet urged him much to seek for help from G.o.d above.

CXVI.

To miss the swamp he took another road Not so direct, but pleasanter by far.

Most holy feelings in his bosom glowed As he gazed on the glittering Evening Star.

The sleighing good, such traveling was no bar To his sweet musings as he nearer drew Unto the village where he had to war With heathen darkness, and for aught he knew, Where trials great and many might his steps pursue.

CXVII.

On his arrival joy sincere was felt By those who had the Gospel's sound regarded.

These in full council pa.s.sed the Wampum Belt, And by their confidence his zeal rewarded.

None had the influence of Truth discarded Who first professed by it to be made free, And 'twas their wish, since nothing now r.e.t.a.r.ded, To be baptized with due solemnity, That those who disbelieved might their obedience see.

CXVIII.

The Preacher this performed by full immersion Of the whole body in the deep blue lake, And none but those who evidenced conversion Did of that holy ordinance partake.

I state not this from a desire to wake Any contention in a Christian's breast; I rather "strive for things which peace do make,"

That I my love for all saints may attest.

This course I long have deemed the wisest and the best.

CXIX.

Those thus baptized in fellows.h.i.+p then stood, And as instructed, to Christ's laws attended.

Their souls reposed on His atoning blood For full salvation, and their lives commended The saving Truth to those who were offended At the first preaching of the Joyful News.

What these beheld their outward rage suspended, And now no longer dared they to accuse The Preacher of vile motives and his work abuse.

CXX.

For some few weeks he labored there with pleasure, And his Red brethren urged on him to take The Pastor's office, but so grave a measure Demanded time for its importance's sake.

"Should I be spared," he said, "I wish to make My life a useful one where'er I live; To Duty's call to keep my ear awake, And as I have received to freely give, Aiming to show I wish for no alternative."

CXXI.