reached to my heart, He said (whilst with ardour he glowed), “Kind sir, we are poor, yet we’re blest: We’re all in the steep, narrow road That leads to the city of rest. p. 223 “’Tis true, I must toil all the day, And oft suffer cold through the night, Though silvered all over with grey, And dimly declining my sight: And sometimes our raiment and food Are scanty—ah! scanty indeed: But all work together for good, So in my blest Bible I read. “I also have seen in that Book (Perhaps you can tell me the place?) How God on poor sinners does look In pity, and gives them His grace— Yea, gives them His grace in vast store, Sufficient to help them quite through, Though troubles should whelm them all o’er; And sure this sweet promise is true! “Yes, true as the snow blows without, And winds whistle keen through the air, His grace can remove every doubt, And chase the black gloom of despair: It often supports my weak mind, And wipes the salt tear from my eye, It tells me that Jesus is kind, And died for such sinners as I. p. 224“I once rolled in wealth, without grace, But happiness ne’er was my lot, Till Christ freely pitied my case, And now I am blest in a cot: Well knowing things earthly are vain, Their troubles ne’er puzzle my head; Convinced that to die will be gain, I look on the grave as my bed. p. 224 “I look on the grave as my bed, Where I’ll sleep the swift hours away, Till waked from their slumbers, the dead Shall rise, never more to decay: Then I, with my children and wife, Shall get a bright palace above, And endlessly clothed with life, Shall dwell in the Eden of love. “Then know, gentle stranger, though poor, We’re cheerful, contented, and blest; Though princes should pass by our door King Jesus is ever our guest; We feel, and we taste, and we see The pleasures which flow from our Lord, And fearless, and wealthy, and free, We live on the joys of His word.” He ceased: and a big tear of joy Rolled glittering down to the ground; Whilst all, having dropped their employ, Were buried in silence profound; A sweet, solemn pause long ensued— Each bosom o’erflowed with delight; Then heavenly converse renewed, Beguiled the dull season of night. p. 225We talked of the rough narrow way That leads to the kingdom of rest; On Pisgah we stood to survey The King
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