I know my lot--I only ask Power to fulfil the glorious task;Willing the spirit, may the flesh Strength for the day receive afresh.
May burning sun or deadly wind Prevail not o'er an earnest mind;May torments strange or direst death Nor trample truth, nor baffle faith.
Though such blood-drops should fall from me As fell in old Gethsemane, Welcome the anguish, so it gave More strength to work--more skill to save.
And, oh! if brief must be my time, If hostile hand or fatal clime Cut short my course--still o'er my grave, Lord, may thy harvest whitening wave.
So I the culture may begin, Let others thrust the sickle in;If but the seed will faster grow, May my blood water what I sow!
What! have I ever trembling stood, And feared to give to God that blood?
What! has the coward love of life Made me shrink from the righteous strife?
Have human passions, human fears Severed me from those Pioneers Whose task is to march first, and trace Paths for the progress of our race?
It has been so; but grant me, Lord, Now to stand steadfast by Thy word!
Protected by salvation's helm, Shielded by faith, with truth begirt, To smile when trials seek to whelm And stand mid testing fires unhurt!
Hurling hell's strongest bulwarks down, Even when the last pang thrills my breast, When death bestows the martyr's crown, And calls me into Jesus' rest.
Then for my ultimate reward--
Then for the world-rejoicing word--
The voice from Father--Spirit--Son:
"Servant of God, well hast thou done!"
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POEMS BY ELLIS BELL, FAITH AND DESPONDENCY.
"The winter wind is loud and wild, Come close to me, my darling child;Forsake thy books, and mateless play;And, while the night is gathering gray, We'll talk its pensive hours away;--