praises o’er, She gently oped The cottage-door.

p. 201With vegetable store The table soon she spread, And pressed me to partake; Whilst blushes rosy-red Suffused her face—  The old man smiled, Well pleased to see His darling child.

p. 201

With venerable air He then looked up to God, A blessing craved on all, And on our daily food; Then kindly begged I would excuse Their humble fair, And not refuse.—

The tablecloth, though coarse, Was of a snowy white, The vessels, spoons, and knives Were clean and dazzling bright; So down we sat Devoid of care, Nor envied kings Their dainty fare.

When nature was refreshed, And we familiar grown; The good old man exclaimed,  “Around Jehovah’s throne, Come, let us all Our voices raise, And sing our great Redeemer’s praise!”

p. 202Their artless notes were sweet, Grace ran through every line; Their breasts with rapture swelled, Their looks were all divine:  Delight o’er all My senses stole, And heaven’s pure joy O’erwhelmed my soul.

p. 202

When we had praised our God, And knelt around His throne, The aged man began In deep and zealous tone, With hands upraised And heavenward eye, And prayed loud And fervently:

He prayed that for His sake, Whose guiltless blood was shed For guilty ruined man, We might that day be fed With that pure bread Which cheers the soul, And living stream, Where pleasures roll.

He prayed long for all, And for his daughter dear, That she, preserved from ill, Might lead for many a year A spotless life When he’s no more; Then follow him To Canaan’s shore.

p. 203His faltering voice then fell, His tears were dropping fast, And muttering praise to God For all His mercies past, He closed his prayer Midst heavenly joys, And tasted bliss Which never cloys.

p. 203

In sweet discourse we spent The fast declining day: We spoke of Jesus’ love, And of that narrow way Which leads, through care And toil below, To streams where joys Eternal flow.

The wondrous plan of Grace, Adoring, we surveyed, The birth of heavenly skill—  In Love Eternal laid—  Too deep for clear Angelic ken, And far beyond  

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