LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Shelf '-JZ.Jg.ID 5 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BIBL.E POEM, OR VERSIFIED SCRIPTURE IN RHYME, CONTAINING THE BOOKS OF Genesis, Solomon's Songs, Matthew, and some others. AMOS J. FERGUSON. ALSO, POEMS ON THE PIONEER AND HIS DAUGHTER, OR, THE LADY OF THE FOREST ELRIC AND EARL, an Allegory ; and the LOST BOY. MRS. A. J. FERGUSON. o ,.. a p y>( jscJ.V 3.6 9 JOURNAL PRINTING ESTABUSHMEN 76 1^ COPYRIGHT, BY AMOS J. FERGUSON, 1880. yZAk**- PMKFACB, In presenting this work for the perusal and consideration of the pub- Hie, a respect for the inquiries of men requires that I render my reasons for so doing. Seeing that a vast amount of poetry (as they call it) is brought before the public view, founded on mere earthly trifles and things only of a day exciting thoughtless levity, I felt impressed to make a Bible Poem,as I thought that Book to be the most valuable revelation in the world. I feel that its immortal and most holy sentiments ought to be embalmed in holy song in the minds and hearts of mankind for- ever. This is my object in presenting these stanzas to the public. I have read a verse of scripture at a time, prayerfully waiting till it should be formed in my mind in metre and rhyme and after this man- ner I have written these lines as they came to me. I do not claim that they are faultless. Pope says, "Who e'er expects a faultless )>iece to see, Expects what never was, and what will never be." I have halted many times in this work, but as many times have 1 been encouraged to proceed With it. And taking it up again, the pas- sages which seemed most difficult have become clear and easy of com- position. Its aim is to aid the mind in retaining a firm hold upon the Holy Scriptures, and I offer it for the cheer and consolation of every Christian household whose members shall delight in making melody in their hearts and in singing aloud the Holy Word of God. AMOS J. FERGUSON. ■Jamestown, N. Y., July, 1883. yY GENESIS. CHAPTER I. 1 0, Spirit, Eternal, Divine, ever pure, Which prompteth mankind in all good to endure, Inspire Thou my heart with Thj most holy flame, To sing to God's glory, His Word, Works and Fame. 2 God in the beginning made heaven and earth. The earth had no form and was void at the first, When darkness upon the great deep did behoove The Spirit of God on the waters to move. -3 Then God said, *' let light be," which instantly came, Through Earth's nightly region it flashed o'er the main. God maketh the darkness, and light he creates, And doeth his pleasure in all things he makes. 4 God said, " light is good," for its radiance adorns All works of creation with brilliance and morn. He called the light '• day," and the darkness called " night,' And evening and morn were the first day and right. 5 God said, " let a firmament be amid Heaven, To raise vaporous waters from Earth be it given ; To form them in clouds and divide from the main, And waft round Earth's region, to shower it with rain." 6 Then God made a firmament, which did divide The waters above from the floods of the tide. So God called the firmament " Heaven," and did say, The evening and morning make the second day. 7 Then God said, " let waters be gathered in one, Let dry land appear," and behold it was done — As Earth's cooling shrinkage pressed fires from their sleep, They lifted vast continents up from the deep. S Whose waters retiring, left realms of dry land For subsequent Edens, for beast, bird and man. Then cold north-lPest hurricanes swept earth's domain And frosted her regions and bound in ice chains. 9 Then thundering glaciers plowed down mountain's side. And huge floundering ice-bergs sowed rooks in the tide ; Then isles were uplifted by earth's inward throes, And tall mounts were reared to perpetual snows. 10 Then God said " let Earth bring forth grass, herb and seed, And trees yielding fruit of its kind/' as was need. larth brought forth grass, herb and seed of itsTrind, And trees yielded fruit, as the Maker designed. . 11 God called dry land " earth," and the waters called " seas," Thus far things were made, and they did him well please. . M all was good, and the eve and the morn Dispersed the third day of the Creation's dawn. 12 Then God said, " let lights in the firmament shine, Dividing the day from the night, and for signs, For seasons, for days and for years, let them be, For lights from the heavens, on earth and on sea." 13 God made two great lights, ruling Earth's day and night, The stars he set also, in heaven so bright. To part light from darkness, bright radiant they stood, And evening and morn were the fourth day and good. 14 God said, " let the waters bring creatures that move, And fowls that may fly in the heavens above." He made the great whales and all creatures of flood, Winged fowls of each kind, and He said ie it was good." 15 So God made all creatures, each after their kind, That each to its own sort should only incline, And blest them to increase in sea and on earth. When came the fifth day of the Creation's birth. 10 When God had made cattle and beasts of each kind, And all things that creep on the earth that we find. He said, " Let as make a new being calied man, Of will power and knowledge to keep a command. 17 For I will make man in My image, the best, With high God-like powers to obey or transgn But 1 will be mindful of man as My child, And give him My Spirit, to lead him from guile. 18 No power can subdue, or confine or control, Or force 'gainst its will, the will-power of man's soul, For which I will call him to judgnront to come, For deede good or bad in the flesh he hath done. 19 If man cannot sin, then he cannot obey ; Nor could I regard, though he curse or should pray, Who cannot be false, they can never be true. Nor can I reward them for aught they should do. 20 No sin can defile, or obedienc keep clean, A soul with no power to be good or be mean. No blame can exist where no choice doth abide, Nor righteousness be, where no free will decides." 21 So God made mankind in His image of love, And said, " multiply, and subdue and improve, And keep my commands, since "none else can 1 bless With joys of My love and eternity's rest. 22 Lest man fall in sin, and his guilt ever stain, I ordain a lamb for his sacrifice slain, That all who repent and shall do My command, May wash their robes white in the blood of that lamb." 23 Thus Heavens, Earth and Hosts were all finished and made, And called very good, when God rested and said, I give man and beast herb and fruit for their meat, When sixth day, and age, made creation complete. CHAPTER II. 1 Blest Heaven inspire, and my spirit incline, To sing of God's glory and works most divine ; How He on the great seventh day made a rest, And ending His work, made that day ever blest, 2 O, ever blest rest, sanctified from above, In which all shall enter who seek for God's love, Let not unbelief rob thy soul of that rest, And hinder thee entering to be ever blest. 3 My song now begins back to third day of earth, When things were first made at the Creation's birth. When God had not caused it to rain on the ground — To till and subdue Earth no man was yet found, 4 The Lord God formed man of the mould and the dust, And breathed in his nostrils his soul's life at first ; And man then became as a God-living soul, With high powers of will, which man only controls. 8 5 God planted a garden in Eden's domain, He there put the man in thai garden to reign. Prom grounds of thai garden the Lord caused to grow, Trees pleasant to sight and Cor good food also. 6 The fair tree of Life mid that garden was placed, To make man immortal — from death ever safe; And the tree of Knowledge, of good and evil — Thou shall not eat of it, thy soul it will kill. 7 \ mist then arose, which did water the earth, Then herbs, plants and flowers, bloomed in Eden's first birth. To water the garden a river was found, Which parted at Eden with four heads around. S The first river, Pison, girds Havilah's land Of onyx-stone, bdellium, and gold bearing sand. The second is Gihon, which compasseth around The warm Ethiopia, where topaz abounds. 9 The third river lliddekel, long having ceased, Once rolled toward lands of Assyria cast. The fourth is Euphrates as history relates, It ran through the city of Babylon the great. 10 Then God placed the man in the garden to dress And keep it an Eden of undisturbed rest. Then God did command the new man, and repeat, Of every tree here, thou mayest freely eat ; 11 But that tree of knowledge, of good and evil, Thou shalt not eat of it, lest thee it should kill ; Thy power to obey is thy power to transgress, Thine act of that power then must curse thee or bless. 12 Accountable man to be blest must obey The God who hath formed him of mould and of clay ; If thou touch the tree which I bid thee deny, Then surely all guilty, thou dying shalt die. he man then surveyed both the fowl and the beasts, And gave them all names, from the great to the least, He wondered to see none like him, walk upright, But all bent to earth with no knowledge or light. M He found none among them with whom he could mate, v; to peak to him, his soul to elate, He saw loving consorts 'mong birds and 'mong beasts, With whom they were sporting in amorous feasts. 15 Dove mates sweetly .cooing, while building their nests, Male birds fondly wooing in songs of caress ; The stag with proud antlers, the doe with her fawns, Were prancing and bounding o'er woodland and lawn. 16 The man feeling lonely, for love he did sigh, And said, " where's my mate?" as a tear dimmed his eye. "No consort to love me, or speak a kind word, I am not contented as beast, fish or bird. 17 It seems my dear Maker ought give me a love, That I might live joyful with her as the dove. A kind one and constant, to cheer me and bless, And meet my affections and fondest caress." 18 God said, " 'tis not good the young man be alone, He shall have a consort, a dear loving one. I'll place her before him in angelic form, His love, pride and glory, and bride to adorn." 19 So God caused deep sleep on the young man to press, And took from his side, and then closed up the flesh. From that which was taken, He built a fair maid And gave to the young man, who smiled as he said, 20 " Most fair in creation, most dear to my heart, It seems that from thee I could never depart. Thou first formed in man, then from man built a maid, Divinely, twice wrought, is this love of my aid. 21 Thy temples pomegranite, 'neath golden, locks hid, Thy cheeks are fine damask, thy lips rosy red, Thy form wondrous graceful, thy step like the roe, Thine eyes with tha love of my Maker doth glow. 22 Dear bone of my bone, dear flesh of my flesh, All beauteous, fair woman, created to bless ; Since thou hast been taken and built from my side, Please tell me lov'd maiden wilt thou be my bride." 23 She spake as the rose of first love Unshed her cheeks, " gallant young man, since my love you do seek, Your pleasure, dear sir, I incline to respect, Since man was created to love and protect. 24 At this sweet reply her fond swain ceased to speak, The thoughts of her love filled his soul, flushed his cheek, He took her fine hand with first love's genial air, And touched holy kiss on the lips of his fair. 10 85 This lirst young man bowed, in first love to caress The first bride which Eden, or Earth ever blest ; And left all things else for her sake 'neath i ho sun, His choice, pride and dory, and most lovely one. 86 ffor this oause shall men leave their parents so kind, And cleave to their wives with fond hearts so inclined : To be no more twain, but forever one flesh. To people the earth and their Maker to bless. 27 Our first parents then, had no sin to cause shame, Like young, harmless children, had never known blame With hearts pure and holy, no sin to forgive, In that blest condition God taught them to live. 28 If man doeth not sin, endless life doeth him bless, But if man doth sin, sin shall bring him to death. Who serves Me shall eat of 31y fair Tree of Life, Who sins against Ale shall feel guilt, death and night. CHAPTER III. The serpent means Satan, fallen angel, or devil, Or one who doth turn from known good to do evil ; Who made impious war once, 'mong angels in heaven, And for his rebellion was out to earth driven. When God bade all angels to worship his son, Through whom man's redemption from sin was to come, Then Satan opposed the salvation of man, Refusing to worship God's son at command. He drew on the rough edge of battle his band Of rebel-armed angels, the good to withstand ; With fi re-flashing swords and with adamant shield-, sharged Michael's angels on ITeaven's fair fields. Then Michael and angels, they fought and prevailed 'Gainst Satan the serpent, and forced him to quail. A loud voice in Eeaven was heard at that hour, . v.ii ion God's kingdom, Christ's power. ■j Who knows to do good, if he then doeth evil, Be transforms himself, by that act, to a devil ; Those who obey God, Hey are saints, of God born, Those who yield to Satan, to devils transform. 11 G The serpent, callecfSatan, was more subtle far Than all things living on earth that there are, He said to the woman " Yea, God said that ye, Shall not eat all fruit of this garden's fair tree?." 7 She said, " God permits us to eat of all trees. Within this fair garden, as oft as we please,, Except of one tree which he bade us deny, For if we eat of it we shall surely die." 8 Then Satan declared, " thou shalt not surely die,. For what hath been told thee is not but a lie. For, sure God doth know, in the day that ye eat r Your eyes shall be opened and ye be complete. 9 As gods, having wisdom, to know good and ill, That pleasures of knowledge, your spirits may thrill." When she thought the tree would yield fruit and make' wise, So beauteous and pleasant attracting the eyes. 10 She then ate the fruit from thereof, seeming sweet, And gave to her husband, who also did eat. Their eyes were then opened, they felt guilt and pain, " God said, " they must die, or my son must be slain," 11 The voice of the Lord in the garden they heard, Then, for the first moments, all guilty, they feared. Then God called to Adam, who answered and said, "I hid from Thy presence, for I was afraid. 1 ' 12 God said, " hast thou ate of that tree which brings death?" "My consort gave to me, I ate, I confess." God said to the woman, " hath sin been thy fate ?" " The serpent beguiled me," she said, " and I ate." 13 God said to the Serpent, "for this thou hast done, A worse curse be on thee, than all that hath come, Cast down on thy belly, with chains shalt thou strive, And grind, and bite dust, all the days of thy life. 14 'Tween thee and the woman, is enmity bred, 'Tween thy seed and hers, and it shall bruise thy head, Thou demon, who dost no compassion reveal, If man shall repent, thou shalt but bruise his heel." 15 God said to the woman, " this sin must increase Thy sorrow, and bondage, disturbing thy peace, And Adam, because thou my law didst transgress, _lnd eat of that tree which I told thee brought death. 12 16 Now cursed is the ground for thy sake ; thou in strife, Ind sorrow, shall eal all the days of thy life, thistle and thorn, both, shall damage thy field, •;1 and in sweat shall thou live, till thou yield. 1? And turn to the ground from whence taken al first, Of dust thou art made and thou shalt go to dust."' Bere man was first subject to vanity made. By reason of hope God subjected and said, 18 I now subject man to this vanity dire. ■• For such I charged Adam that sin did require," Then God made for Adam and wife, coats of skins, And clothed them and said, " man is guilty in sin. 19 Xow lest he should eat of life's fair tree at hand.. And never taste death as I told in command. I drive out the man to repent and gain grace. And Cherub's swords flaming round I I place. 20 Then God taught young Adam and wife by his word, .To bring him sin offerings, atoning with blood. Then Adam did call his fair consort's name Eve, Because she was mother of all that did live. CHAPTER IV. 1 Now Adam ami Eve's first-born son was called Cain, Eve said, "1 a man from the Lord have obtained." Their nes s Abel, a shepherd most kind. While Cain to the tilling of ground did incline. 2 Then God and his angels taught mankind and blest, Requiring of them pure sin offerings of p All typical of the pure lamb that was slain, When earth was first founded, man's life to sustain. .'> For God had ordained ilii- pure offering at slake, To cleanse man from -in if it- -tain was his fate; That all. by repentance, might come and be clean, Aiid be, through obedience, forever redeemed. 4 In process of time, as was ordained of God, Cain brought fruit of ground, offering it to the Lord ' While Abel brought firstlings of dock in Chirst's name ; I loved Abel's offering, but did not like Cain's. I 13 5 Thus, Cain and his offerings, God did not respect ; Cain's countenance fell, he was wroth and sore vexed. The Lord said to Cain, " 0, why art thou so wroth ? The Lord must judge offerings by goodness and worth. 6 If thou doest well, I reject thee no more, If thou doest not well, sin lies at thy door. If thou wilt do well, then will Abel desire To have thee rule o'er him, and ever aspire." 7 Then Cain talked with Abel, then came it to pass, When lone in the field that Cain slew him in wrath. Then God said to Cain, " where is thy brother dear?" Cain said, "I know not," as he trembled with fear. 8 Then God said to Cain, " now what hast thou done ? The voice of thy brother's blood cries from the ground. Henceforth shalt thou from thy tilled ground get a curse, Which openeth her mouth for thy brother's blood first ; 9 A fugitive wretch shalt thou be in despair." Then Cain cried, " My punishment I cannot bear ; Because I am driven from all good in Earth ; From God's love, while all men will slay me and curse." 10 Then God set on Cain this vile mark to remain, A vagabond guilty, and not to be slain, Cain fled with his wife, from the presence of God, And dwelt in the land east of Eden, called Nod. 11 Cain's wife bore him Enoch, which name gained great fame. Then Cain built a city, called by his son's name ; . Enoch begat Irad, Irad Mehujael, The grandsire of Lamech, sire of Methusaei. 12 From Enoch to Lamech, these four sires connect Irad, and Mehujael, Methusaei, Lamech. Then Lamech took wives, the one's name was Adah, The name of the other loved one was Zillah. 13 Then Adah bare Babal, in tents they did dwell His children kept cattle, by which they lived well. His brother was Jubal, whose children at will, Could handle the harp and the organ with skill. 14 And Zillah bare Tubal-cain, skillful by birth, His sister was Naamah, a lady of worth. Then Lamech called Adah and Zillah, and said, " ! wives hear my voice now, for I am afraid. !-l 15 I've slain a young man, to my sorrow and hurt, If Cain merits vengeance, men will me desert." Then Eve bore to Adam a son they called Set Ik Instead of good Abel, whom Cain put to death. 16 Eve said, " God appointed me true seed again, For seed of the righteous shall ever remain." To Seth was born Enos, of righteous reward, And men then began to call on the Lord. chapter v. 1 These are the generations from Adam to Noah, Since God made mankind in his image of yore, Both male and the female, in God's likeness best, And called their name Adam the same day, and blest. 2 At his hundred thirtieth year he did beget A son in his likeness, and called his name Seth, Then Adam lived eight hundred years from Seth's birth, And had sons and daughters to people the earth. 3 At nine hundred thirty years' age, Adam died ; His son Seth, had Enos, at age sixty-five. Thence eight hundred seven years from son Enos' birth Lived Seth, and had sons and fair daughters of worth. 4 Seth died in his nine hundred twelfth year, appears, Then Enos had Cainan, at age ninety years ; From thence Enos lived eight hundred fifteen years, And had sons and daughters, his long life to cheer. 5 Nine hundred five years, Enos on Earth did dwell. At age sev'nty, Cainan had Mahalabtd. Thence eight hundred forty years from that son's birth, He had son- and daughters, and lived on the Earth. Nine hundred fen years, were all Cainan's life had — Mahalabel's sixty-fifth year brought .Tared. Fears right hundred thirty, from birth of Jared, Mahalabe] lived and had children to wed. 7 Biahalabel lived eight hundred ninety-five years. At. sixty-five, Jared's son Enoch appears. Jared lived eight hundred years from Enoch's birth, And had sons and daughters of goodness and worth. 15 8 In nine hundred sixty-two years Jared died. Enoch had Methuselah at age sixty-five. From birth of Methuselah, walked Enoch with God, Pull three hundred years in commands of the Lord. 9 When three hundred sixty-five years had passed by, Good Enoch was not, for God took him on high. Methuselah lived hundred eighty-seven years, And had a son Lamech, from History appears. 10 Thence seven hundred eighty-two years from that birth, Methuselah spread sons and daughters o'er Earth, At nine hundred sixty-ninth year of his age Methuselah died, oldest man on life's page. 11 When one hundred eighty- two years had passed o'er, Then Lamech a son had, and called his name Noah. This son shall us comfort in toil and in work Of ground, which the Lord, for man's sin hath once cursed. 12 From Noah, five hundred and ninety-five years Lived Lamach, and had sons and daughters to cheer ; When seven hundred seventy-seven years were all fled, Then good Lamech died, and was laid with the dead. 13 And Noah was five hundred years old at that time, And had three loved sons who were goodly inclined, Named Shem, Ham and Japhet, who virtue's paths trod, While Noah preached the faith of the gospel of God. CHAPTER VI. When mankind began to increase on the earth, And daughters were born them of beauty and worth, The sons of God saw their fair daughters of rose And took to them wives of their love as they chose. The Lord said, " My spirit shall not strive always With man, for he also is flesh, yet his days Shall be but an hundred and twenty years, when I will call for him to account to me then." 'Twas then, there were giants in Earth in those days, Also after that, when the sons of God clave To daughters of men, then their children they found, Became mighty men, goodly men of renown. L6 •1 O'er one thousand years Erom this time, man grew worse, Sis wickedness great, fast prevailedin the earth. Then God fell repentanl thai he had made him, And grieved al his heart on account of man's sin. 5 And said. " I'll destroy man, from off the earth For working no goodness, but only a curse." But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; He was a just man, having righteous reward. 6 His children so pious, vile men thought them odd, While Noah preached them goodness and walked with his God. Noah's three sons were Shem, Ham and Japhot of worth, All flesh had corrupted its way on the earth. 7 For murder and violence stained earth with blood ; God looked on this world and found none doing good. He sorrowed and grieved, and lie said, " 'tis a curse To keep man to increase his sins on the earth." 8 Then God said to Noah, 'Ohm's death is at hand, They fill Earth with bloodshed and break all commands. Their will, their accountable power, they control, None else can control the will power of man's soul. 9 Man is man no more then, unless he hath power To do good or ill in his life's every hour. Accountable beings must have power of will To take or reject either good or the ill. 10 I teach and admonish, to lead man to good, I cleanse the obedient from sin by Christ's blood ; I plead and entreat them to give me their heart, 'Tis all I can do them, their will is their part. 11 I long plead with Cain, his own brother to love, I taught him well doings were all things above ; I told him that Abel would have a desire To have him rule o'er him in love, and aspire. 12 But all my entreaties, ruin treated with scorn, And murdered his brother, and now, most forlorn, And wretched, and marked, with a murderer's name, more among men, to be worthy of fame ! " 18 Then God aid to Noah, "of the gopher wood take, And build thee an ark, rooms in it shall, thou make, And pitch it both outside and inside, with pitch — Of fashions to make it, I'll now tell the which. 17 14 Just three hundred cubits in length will be right, And fifty in width and but thirty in height. A window above make thou in cubit size, A door of three stories thou shalt make likewise. 15 Behold, I bring waters on earth, even I, To drown the ungodly for sin, that they die. With thee is my covenant, and all righteous ones, Come thou in the ark, with thy wives and thy sons. 16 Of all living things, male and female, each kind, Bring thou in the ark, to keep live at this time ; Of fowls, cattle, creeping things, after their kind, Two of every sort shall come to thee, inclined. 17 To keep all alive store thou food in the ark." Thus Noah did Gcd's orders, ere they did embark, And Noah preached to man that they stay the grjat flood By yielding their hearts in obedience to God. 18 That God might repent the great flood he designed, And not destroy man as he jiow was inclined ; But they heeded not Noah's entreaties, but cast Their vilest abuses on him, 'till the last. 19 Thus man can withstand the entreaties of God, Thong if arms of imploring extend for his good. The wrath of the sinner, oft leads him to death, The rage is infernal that burns in his breast! 20 " Were man to live on in his own wicked way, Then violence and bloodshed would stain every day ; This race, now so wicked, must all come to naught, I'll save ..those eight souls, who my goodness hath sought. CHAPTER VII. 1 The Lord said to Noah, " come, thou whom I approve, Come into the ark, all thy house whom I love. I have seen thee righteous before me this day, Thou hast taught my goodness, and learned men to pray. 2 Clean beasts male and female, by sevens shalt thou get, Unclean get by pairs, one pair each kind, except Of fowls get by sevens, male and female, to keep Alive on the earth, when all clothed with the deep. 18 3 For yel seven tluys, and I'll cause it to rain On Earth forty days, forty nights, unrest rained;" Ami Noah was .six hundred years old, when the ilood Of wains, like ocean, all o'er the earth stood. 4 r Jhenfoul beasts, and clean birds, and all things thai creep, Went m male and female, their lives for to ke< p. When .-even days were past, as the Lord spoke at first, The waters of ilood then appeared on the earth. 5 When of Noah's life, in the six hundredth year, And di.y seventeenth, second month, did appear, The fountains of great deep broke up, and the rain, From Heaven's open windows, poured Hoods unrestrained, 6 That day, Noah, and Shem, Ham and Japheth embarked With all their wives lo be saved in the ark. Each creature first ordered, then went in the ark, The male and female, as told in the start. 7 When all were safe entered, the floods did begin, From rains dashing fiercely, the Lord shut him in. The flood on the Earth, forty days did increase, And bore up the ark, day and night, without cease. 8 The waters prevailed, and increased with great rage, The ark, launching forth, did the billows eigage. The waters prevailed then exceedingly more, 'Till hills 'neath whole heaven, were all covered o'er. 9 Fifteen cubits upward, the floods more prevailed, 'Till mountains were covered, and all flesh did fail, But Noah and his people, in God's ark were saved, While floods covered earth one hundred fifty days. 10 A world of mankind, for their sin God hath slain, Except eight of righteous he saved, to remain ; Which showeth that good, was the object of man, To work out God's goodness in every laud. 11 Then he who cloth not unto good deeds incline, • feel that he fills not his Maker's design. But like world of old, is G< I of wrath, If b oid walking in wisdom's path. ID CHAPTER VIII. 1 Then Noah was remembered of God in the ark, He made the wind blow, and the flood to depart, The fountains of deep, heaven's windows, and rain, By God's hand from Heaven, they were quickly restrained. 2 On Ararat Mountains the ark then did stay ; 'Twas in seventh month, on the seventeenth day. The waters dispersed far beneath what had been ; — First day of tenth month, tops of mountains were seen. 3 At forty days' end, he a raven, let fly, Which went to and fro, till some land became dry ; He sent forth a dove, for to find the bare ground, The dove, there no rest for her foot ever found. 4 In seven days more, he the dove did send forth Which brought back a green olive leaf in her mouth. Then, Noah knew that waters Were dried from the earth, Stayed yet seven days, then the dove he sent forth, 5 Which came not again, then he was satisfied That waters from earth, were abated and dried, Then Noah removed the ark's covering by, And looked, and beheld that ihe ground was all dry. G Now in second month, on the twentieth day. God spoke unto Noah, and most kmdlv did say, '■ Go forth from the ark, sons and wives all with thee, And every creature, to multiply free." 7 Then Noah offer d clean b asls, and fowls to the lord, Who blest Noah's offering, and pledged man his word, "Thine offerings of love, doth" my heart so incline, I'll give man my Spirit of love most Divine. 8 I'll not drown the world any more for man's sake, Since thou dost such offerings of love to nu- make. But seed time and harvest, and summer and heat. And day, night, and winter, on earth shall not case." 20 OUAPVER IX. 1 God blessed Xoah and wife, their three sons and their wives, Choice ones of His love, for obedient lives; lie bade them "be fruitful, and make fertile ground, And birds, fisb and beasts, all shall fear you around. 2 All living things may as the herb be your meat, Bui flesh, with the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. For surely, your offerings of blood 1 require, Of clean beasts, and birds, shed i'or man, 1 desire. 3 To keep in your memory, the Lamb that was slain, Ere earth had its foundings, man's life to regain; — Who taketh man's life, surely he shall not live, For God his own image, to man first did give. 4 God said I now cov'nant with man and with beast, Tnat by such a flood, the)- again shall not c a^e. The token 1 give, is my rainbow in clouds Between Me and thee, brilliant sign of My Words. 5 And I will remember my covenant true, That I with a flood will no more destroy you, And when man hath lived out his life-time of days, lie then inu-i account Me, his good or bad ways." G Then Shorn, Ham, and Japheth forth from the ark came, And limn had a son, they called Canaan, by name, Of these sons of Xoah was earth overspread, A husbandman he then became, it was said. 7 He planted a vineyard, and drank of the wine, And did become drunken, and badly inclined; When Ham, Canaan's father, saw Noah insane, Uo told Shem and Japheth, who heard it with pain. 8 And went to relieve their good father's ill plight, d by mocking wine, in which none should delight. When Noah awoke from his wine, and did know That Ham had thus told Shem and Japheth his woe, lie said, " Cursed Ik; Canaan, to vile servile state, ervanl of servants shall hence be his fate ;" — lb- .-aid, " God shall ever bless Japheth and Shem, And Canaan shall ever be servant of them." 21 tO Hence, God was displeased with the drinking of wine,' Which so deranged Noah, in his groat lovely mind, Hence, God bade his people from wine to refrain, If His Holy Spirit they wished to retain. 11 Hence, God ordered Hannah lo drink not of wine, That she might bring forth a true prophet divine. Likewise did God's Angel, Manonh's wife tell. " To drink either wine, or strong drink, is not well, 12 That thou bear son Sampson, true Xazarite to God, Delivering his Israel from Philistie's rod." God said lo Elizabeth, '• Thou shalt have a son, He shall not drink wine, nor strong drink either one. 13 0, let my dear people from wine be refrained, And seek for My Spirit, which shall them sustain. Good Noah lived three hundred years, past ihe flood's rage, And died, at his nine hundred fiftieth year's age. CHAl'TLK x. 1 The generations born, since the flood on the earth, Oi Shein, Ham and Japheth, were, of Japheth first, Gomer, Magog, Madai, J avail, Tubal, called, And Met>hech, and Tiras, these Japheih'b sons all. 2 Of Gomer, Ashkenaz, Riphath, Togaimah Of Javan, Dodanim, Tarshish, Elishah And Kittim. From these have the Gentiles since sprung, Their lands after families, and nations, and tongues. 3 Ham's sons were called Cush, Canaan, Phut, and Mizraim Gush's sons, Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, and Sabtecha, And Raamah, who had sons Sheba, and Dedan, And Cush begat Nimrod, the first King o'er man. 4 He was a great hunter, of strength before God, And often was called, Mighty hunter, Nimrod ; A Kingdom in Shinah, Nimrod did first get And raled Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calmech. 5 From that land went Asshur, and built Nineveh, The city Rehoboth, and Calah, those three, And Resen, between Nineveh and Calah, The same is a city, both prosperous and great. 22 (> Mizraim had six sons, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhira, Ludira. Prom whence carae Philistim, likewise Caphtorim, And Canaan had Sidon, and Heth, born to him, 7 llivite, Jebusite, Amorite, Girgasite, Arkite, Arvadite, Zemarite, Hamathite, And Sinite ; these all did compose Canaanites, Who soon were a nation of great wealth and might. 8 Their border touched Sidon, Gomorrah, Gaza, And Sodom, Zeboim, Ad man, and Lasha. These are sons of Main, after their families past, Their tongues, and their nations and rich counties vast. 9 Good Shem, who was sire of the Jews, five sons had, Elain, Asshur, Arphaxad, Aram, and Lud. And Aram had four sons, Uz, IIul, Gether, Mash, Arphaxad's first born son, he did call Salah. 10 Salah begat, Eber, of whom two sons came, Named Peleg, and Joktan ; these Joktan's sons' names, Almodad, Sheleph, Ilazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Dikiah, Obal, Sheba, 11 Abimael, Havilah, Ophir, Jobab, These are thirteen sons, all of which Joktan had; They dwelt between Meslia, and Mount Sephar, East, Shem's sons after families and Nations the best. 12 Now these are the families of good sons of Noah, From their generations in nations of yore, By these were the nations divided in earth, Long after the flood, through whom Christ hid his birth. chapter xr. The world now was of but one langu ige and speech It then came to pass, as they journey d fro n blast, That they found a plain, within Shiuar land fair, S> beautiful, that they all thought to dwell there. They said, "let us make, brick and burn hard as stone, And have slime for mortar, cementing th in one, And build a great city and tower unto Heaven, That we may not part or a.-,under be driven." 23 3 The Lord saw the work which his children began, And said-, " Ihey will never more spread 'neath the sun, For with but one language, this one thing is true, They'll not spread o'er earth, as 1 would they should do. 4 So I will go down and their language confound, And scatter them far o'er the earth, all around, For man should not stay at the place of his birth, But spread forth my glory all over the earth. 5 The name of that city, then, Babel was called, Since Grod there confounded the language of all. We now turn to Shem, who begat Arphaxad, When hundred years old, two years after the flood. 6 Shem lived after that time, full five hundred years, And had sons and daughters of worth it appears. Arphaxad, at thirty- fifth year of his age Had born a son Salah, of worth it is said, 7 Thence four hundred three years, from son Salah's birth Arphaxad spread sons and fair daughters o'er earth. Salah, had son Eber, at age thirty years, Lived four hundred three years and had children dear. 8 Eber had son Feleg at thirty-fourth year, Lived four hundred thirty years, had children dear. At thirty years age Peleg had a son Keu, Lived two hundred nine years, had sons, daughters too. 9 At age thirty-two lieu had son called Serug, Lived two hundred seven years, had sons, daughters good. ;Serug had son Nahor, at age thirty years, Thence lived years two hundred, had children to cheer. 10 Nahor had son Terah, at twenty-ninth year, .Lived years hundred nineteen, had sons, daughters fair. 'Terah lived years seventy, thence had these three sons, Abram, Nahor, Haran, all righteous, each one. 11 And then Abram wooed Terah's daughter most fair, Who was his half-sister, of virtues most rare, His beauteous wife called they Sarai by name, While Nahor's fair consort was Milcah of fame. ; 12 Haran had son Lot and had no more increase, But died before Terah, in Ur of Chaldees. Then Terah took Abram, and Lot, Haran's son, . And Sarai, the consort, whom Ab.ram had won. 24 13 And wenl forth with them, out from Ui of Chaldees, To go Into Canaan, to dwell where they please. They then dwelt in Ilaram a land very fair; — Terah lived two hundred five years, and died there. 14 With what nice precision this record was kepi Of noted men's birth, life and death most exact, All bearing swift witness of record divine, All touched by the Spirit of God and inclined. CHAPTER XII. 1 To Abram God said, go from thy country free, And kinsfolks, to that land which I shall show thee, And I will make of :hee a nation the best, And make thy name great, and a world thou Shalt bless. 2 I'll bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse, In thee shall all families be blest in the earth. Abram went with Lot as the Lord did command, At age seventy-five he did leave Haran's laud, 8 Then Abram took Sarai, the wife he had won, And wealth gained in II a ran and Lot, bro'her's son, And went for the land they called Canaan by name, And into the land of that Canaan Ihey came, 4 Abram came to Sichem unto Moreh's plain, Where Canaanites then that lair land did retain, The Lord then app ared unto Abram and blest, And said, " To thy seed I give this land of rest." 5 There he built an altar, and worshipped the Lord, Then moved to a mountain from Bethel Eastward, lb th re pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west, Ilai on the East, there he called God, and blest. 6 There Abram went onward, still journeying South ;— A famine was sore in the land by a drouth, When near unto Egypt, he said to his wife, "Thou being so fair may endanger my life ; 7 Egyptians, may fancy and for thee may strive, And hence, may kill me. but, will save thee alive. Say thou art my sister, that it may with me Be well, for thy sake, and I live cause of thee." . 25 8 When Abram reached Egypt, they thought her so fair, That Pharaoh took her to his own house with care, And kept Abram well, for his fair sister's sake, Pharaoh being rich, finest presents did make. i» The Lord then plagued Pharaoh, perplexing his life, On Sarai's account, Abram's beauteous wife, Pharoah said to Abram, "did'st thou treat me right? Why did'st thou not tell me Sarai was thy wife ? 10 Lo ! I might have taken thy wife for to wed, Now take thy wife quickly, and go and be fled." Then Pharoah commanded his men, to send him And wife, and all thing3 that he had, far from them. 11 Said Abram, "1 feared that I here might be slain, If strangers should wish my fair wife to attain, Lo ! she is my sister, on my Father's side, But not on my mother's though she is my bride. CHAPTER XIII. 1 Then Abram, with Lot, want from Egypt still South. He had gold and silver, and cattle without ; Then went on his journey from South to Bethel, The place of his tent, where he first used to dwell. 2 He found the old altar which he first built there, And called on the name of the Lord God in prayer. Now Lot, who went with him, had herds, flocks and tents The land could not bear them, while as one they went. 3 Their substance was great, so that they could not dwell Together, since strife oft their herdsmen befell ; And Canaanite, Perizzite, dwelt in the land. Said Abram to Lot, " Let no strife be at hand 4 Between me and thee, and my herdsmen and thine, Becausp we are brethren, our love should incline. Vast land lies before thee, divide me from thee, And take thou the left hand, the right leave for me. 5 If thou wish the right hand, I will take the left, That we dwell in peace, and of God may be blest." Lot lifted his eyes and beheld Jordan's plain, Well watered, where Sodom. Gomorrah doth reign. -:c> (J Like as the Lord's garden, or Egypt of yore, si unto the regions of Zoar, Lot chose Jordan's plain, t<> go Eastward alone. In love they divided, and parted each one. 7 In Canaan dwelt Abrarn, Lot dwelt in the plain, Pitched tent toward Sodom, where he did remain. But men of that Sodom in sin did exceed, Before God were wicked, in word and in deed. 8 Then God said to Abrarn, "lift up thine eyes, L. ok North. Southward, Westward, and Eastward likewise, All land which thou sees't to thee will 1 g-ive, To thy seed forever, as I the Lord live. 9 Thy seed is the righteous who in me do trust. Which no man can number more than number dust, Rise walk through the land, in the breadth in the length, For it will I give thee, as I, God, have strength. 10 Then Abrarn removed to the plain of Mamre, And built there an altar of worship we see. He bowed at that altar, and called on the Lord To strengthen the faithful, who trust in His word. CHAPTER XIV. 1 Then Amraphel, Chedorlaomer came far With Tidal, Arioch against five kings to war. Bera Shinab, Shemeber, Beia, [Salt sea. These five kings fought four kings down in Siddim's vale, 2 Tb lorlaomer years numbering twelve, ■nth year these five kings did rebel : In fourteenth year Chedorlaomer's kings came, And smote the Rephaiins, in Ashteroth Karnaim. '.) Smote Bmims in Kiriathaim, and Zuzims in 11am, And Horites in .Mount Seir, unto El-parah, Returning to Kadcsh, with Amalek did fight, In Hazezou-taraar, th •1 Then w . Sodom, king of GrOmC And king of Zeboiim, and king of Admah And king of Bela, and with war did assail These foreign invaders down in Siddim's vale. ' 5 'Gainst Chcdorlaomer, the king of Elam, Tidal, king of nations and Amraphel, king Of Shinar, and Arioch, king of Ellasar, These four kings fought five, in the Siddim's-vale-war. G In slimepits, Gomorrah and Sodom's kings fell, And others not slain, fled to mountains, to dwell, Their foes took the goods of Gomorrah that day, And Sodom, and victuals and went on their way. 7 They also took Lot, Abram's own brother's son, Who then dwelt in Sodom, his goods, and were gone. Then one who escaped unto Abram did flee, Who dwelt in the Amorite's plain of Mamre. 8 The brother of Aner, likewise of Eshcol, These were all confederate with Abram, at call. Now when Abram heard Lot was kidnapped so mean, He armed his trained servants, three hundred eighteen. 9 And followed those kings unto Dan for to fight, He and his trained servants, and smote them by night; Pursued them to Hobah, Damascus the .left, And brought back again Lot, and all things bereft. 10 'Twas then king of Sodom went out to meet him, To greet his return from the slaughter of kings. 'Twas at Shaveh valley, which is the king's dale, Where Abram did fight in God's name and prevail. 11 Melchizedek, who then was high priest of God, Brought forth bread and wine, blessing them by his word, For he was a sworn priest, like Christ our blessed Lord, He said, " Blest be Abram, of the most high God." 12 He cried, "Ever blest be the true God, who hath Delivered his foes unto Abram at last." Then Abram gave tithes to Melchizedek there, While calling on God in devotion and prayer. 13 Then Sodom's king said unto Abram, " I would Thou give me the persons, and thou take the goods." Said Abram. " I lift up my hand to the Lord, That I wiil not take of thee one thread's reward. 14 Nay, I will not take anything, that for which Thou maysl after say, " I have made Abram rich." But for what the young men have eat, make thou right, And pay off the men which went with me to fight. 28 16 Btfamre, Eschol, Aner, let them have their pay, Hut I will take nothing, but go on my way. The battle 1 fought, 1 have Cought for the Lord, My trust is in Him, He shall be my reward." 16 A hero's example, good Abram hath shown, Not fighting for wealth, but for freedom alone, The rights of mankind, the true hero regards. The souls of such heroes the Lord doth reward. CHAPTER xv. 1 Then God said to Abram, " Lo, I am the Lord, I will be thy shield, and thy greatest reward." Then Abram cried, " Lord, what wilt thou give mc ? How shall my seed, as thou saidst, as the dust be ? " 2 When Lo ! I am childless, and not blessed with seed. Shall my steward's offspring be mine heir indeed ? " " The child of thy steward," God said, " is not heir, Thine heirjmall come forth from thy own body fair." 3 Then God brought forth Abram and said, ' k See the Heavens, Tell Me of the stars, can their number be given ? So numerous thy seed shall be," and he believed. Then God said, " True righteousness thou hast received. 4 'Twas I, the Lord God, who brought thee with strong hand From Ur of Chaldees, to inherit this land." Then Abram cried, " Lord, whereby shall I know That I shall inherit this land, to and fro ? " 5 God said, " Take these three beasts, of each three years old, An heifer, a ram and a she goat, also One turtle dove, and a young pigeon to offer." He cut thorn in midst, laid each on the altar. 6 The doves he did not part, but whole did them lay, And when fowls came for thorn he drove them away. Then deep sltep seized Abram at sun going down, Great honor and darkness fell on him around. . know of a surely," said God at my hand, " A stranger thy seed shall he, in a strange land, them, while they shall thy children afflict, Full four hundred years, 1 the Lord now predict. -29 8 On those whom they serve, I in judgment will wait, And after shall they come out with substance great, And thou shalt go hence to thy Father's in peace, Be buried, and in good old age, shalt decease. 9 But in fourth generation thy seed shall again Come hither, this Canaanite land to retain." At sundown and darkness, a burning lamp came And passed by the offering and caught it to flame. 10 That day God made covenant with Abraham, And said, " To thy seed have I given this land, From river of Egypt to Euphrates river, Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, ever. 11 The Perizzites, and the Rephaims, Amorites, The Canaanites, Glrgashites, and Jebusites. Thy seed, which is Christ, shall be spread o'er all earth, And shall Life inherit and heavenly worth." 12 Then God ordered Abram to make sacrifice Of clean beasts, and birds, as an emblem of Christ, Whom He had ordained once to die for man's sin, That he through repentence might find grace in Him. 13 God's purpose, of man's earthly sojourn now know Is that they conform to Christ's image below, And thus become heirs of God through His dear Son Inheriting all things of God's yet to come. CHAPTER XVI. 1 Sarai, Abram's wife, him no children did bear, But she an Egyptian hand maiden, had tnere, Then Sarai said, "since I no children do have, Take Hagar as wife, that thy seed may survive." 2 It was eighty-sixth year of good Abram's life, When Sarai gave Hagar to him for his wife, When Hagar conceived she her mistress despised. " My wrong be on Abram," then Sarai replies. 3 " The Lord judge between me and thee," Sarai said Then Abram said, " do what thou please with thy maid,' When Sarai dealt hardly, she fled from her face;— God's angel found her in the lone wilderness. 30 By Fountain of water, in way on to Shur, Be called Sarai's maid, saying thus unto her, "0, where wilt thou go?" and sin 1 said, " I do lee From Sarai my mistress, who dealt hard with me." The angel said to her, " return to thy home, Submit to thy mistress, and no farther roam, Exceedingly, shall thy seed multiplied be, So great, that it cannot be numbered by thee. Despising thy mistress hath brought thee much ill, I ladst thou been kind to her, she would have lov'd thee still, She gave thee her husband, such love scarce was known Had'st thou not despised her, she still would Ihec own." The angel said to her, " thou shalt have a son, And call his name Ishmael, the Lord hears thy moan. Thy son shall be wild, and his hand against man, And every man's hand against him in the land. He shall dwell in presence of his brethren all." The Lord that spoke to her she this name did call. " Thou God seest me, have I looked here for him, The well was called Beer-lahai-roi, God hath seen. Between Kadesh and Bered, is there found that well, And Hagar bore Abram a son, Ishmael; — Impatient was Sarai to wait for God's time To bring her a true son of promise, Divine, CnAPTER xvn. 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord Said, " Walk for Me perfect, for Me, the true God ; And I will make covenant between Me and thee, And will multiply thee most exceedingly." 2 He fell on his face, and God said to him, " There Thou shall be the Bire of great nations »far ! And thy name shall not any more be Abram, But thy name henceforth shall be called Abraham. 3 I will make thee fruitful, kings shall thy seed be, Establish My covenanl between Me and thee; Each man child shall ye circumcise near and far; Call not thy wife Sarai, but call her Sarah. 31 4 She shall bear son Isaac, to thee! thy true seed, Be mother of nations as I have agreed ;" Then Abraham said in his heart, "shall this bo, A son born when hundred years old, unto me?" 5 Then God said, " I promise thee Isaac to cheer, Which Sarah shall bear thee this set time next year, From Sarah's distrust, thy son Ishmael did rise, But was not thy true seed I pledged from the skies. 6 For thy sake son Ishmael shali hence be blest yet, A great nation, twelve princes, shall he beget." Then God ceased His speech and went from Abraham, And Abraham did as the Lord did command. CHAPTER XVIII. 1 The Lord appeared to Abraham In Mamre's plains, at heat ot day, He saw three men, to them he ran, Bowed himself down and bade them stay, 2 <( Pray let me wash your feet," he said, " Come rest yourselves beneath this tree, And I will fetch a piece of bread, Refresh yourselves, then pass on free." 3 They said, " so do as thou hast said." Then Abram hasted to his tent And said to Sarah, " make some bread." Then quickly to his flock he went 4 And fetched a tender, fatted calf, And bade his servant dress it then ; And butter took, and milk, and last The roasted, calf and gave to them. 5 There he stood by those men of Leife, As they did bless and eat his fare ; They said, " where is Sarah thy wife ?" He said, " within her tent at prayer." ,0 They said, " Sarah shall have a son." She heard their words through, her tent door, Her life had most a century run, Prospects Of children were no more. 32 T Then Sarah laughed and said, * * shall I Or Abraham with seed be blest, And have the pleasure e'er we die To have a son! it seems a jest. 8 Then God said, •' why should Sarah laugh, Is anything hard for the Lord?" She said, " when time of life is past How shall a son be my reward I" 9 Then Sarah said, <( I did not laugh ;" She was afraid, but He said, " nay, Thy time of life, though long 'tis past I'll give again without delay." 10 The men rose up, looked Sodom-ward ; Abraham thought to go their way. " Shall I hide what I do," said God, From faithful Abram this day ? 11 Since Abraham shall surely be A nation great of might in Earth, All shall be blest in him and free, Who seek by faith the heavenly birth. 12 For Abram will command his seed, So that they keep My ways," saith God, "And justice do, and judgment deed, ' And give all men their just reward. 13 Since Sodom, and Gommorrah's cry Of murderous blood comes from the ground, I must go down, that Sodom die, Lest murder in my skirts be found." 1 1 The men, their faces turned away, And straight for Sodom, they did go; But Abram, with the Lord did stay, .And pray that he would mercy show. 15 Then Abram drew near, and said, " Wilt ihou destroy the pure with vile ; If Sodom furnish fifty good, Wilt thou for them not spare awhile ? " 16 * ; it Sodom furnish fifty good, q I the Lord will Sodom spare," Abraham .said, " it five lack, would The Lord destroy them without care ? '" 33 17 God said, " if there are forty-five, I'll spare the citv for their sake," "Lord, if but forty they shall have, What mercy's offer wilt thou make ? " 18 God said, " if forty there are found, I'll do it for the forty's sake." " If only thirty should abound, Lord, hast thou mercy at that rate ? " 19 God said, " I'll spare for thirty's sake I am of tender mercy, kind, And pitiful, and wish to make, The souls of men to good incline." 20 " Lord, be not angry while I speak, Since I have taken it on me, To plead for mercy, for man's sake What if but twenty there should be ? " 21 God said, for twenty I'll give o'er, J And not burn Sodom for their sake." Then Abram cried, but this once more, Will I a pray'r for Sodom make. 22 If only ten shall be found there, Lord can thy merey Sodom save ? " God said, " I hear the righteous' pray'r, If ten are found then they shall live. 23 Six times I've yielded to thy prayer Which thou hast made for Sodom's sake, Wishing that yet^they would have care For righteousness, that they be saved." 24 'Twas then the Lord went forth His way, And talked no man with Abraham ; And Abraham returned that day Unto his home, in Mamre's plain. CHAPTER XIX. 1 Two angels unto Sodom came, At eve, as Lot sat in the gate'; He bowed down to those angels twain, And ran to meet and on them wait. 34 2 He said, il My lords, turn in, I pray, And tarry in my hou.se this night, I'll wash your feet if you will stay, Then go your ways at morning light. 3 But they said, '"'Nay, we would abide, In Sodom's street, all though this night." He urged them till they did decide To stay with him 'till morning light. 4 Then Lot prepared a sumptuous feast, And break to them unleavened bread. Then Sodom's men, his house compassed, And called for Lot, and sternly said. 5 " Where are those men who came in here ? Come quickly, bring them out to us, That we may prove them, for we fear, That they came here to be a curse." 6 Then Lot went out and thus advised, " Brethren, do not wickedly, My children I would sacrifice, Ere you should harm these guests with me. 7 The Sodomites said in return, "Stand back," as thus they railed and cursed. " This fellow came here to sojourn, And wants to be a judge o'er us. 8 Now we will deal worse with thee than We would with these strange men, yea more ;' Then they prest sore on Lot the man, And rushed quite near to break his door ! The angels pulled Lot in the house To them, and quickly shut the door, And smote the Sodomites without, With blindness, small and great, most sore. 10 The .-mitten, weaned and annoyed, The men bade Lot, " warn out your friends, For God hath sent us to destroy The city for its grievious sins. 11 Then Lot forewarned his sons-in-law, ip get you out. this place, For God this city will destroy, But he seemed mocking as he spake. 35 12 And when the early morn arose, The angels hastened Lot away, Lest they should be consumed with foes, Within the burning- of that day. 13 The angels seized Lot's hand in haste, And of his daughters and his wife, And pulled them from the city fast, And cried, "escape now for thy life. 14 Look ye not back, to mountains go, All who stay here must be consumed." Then Lot replied, " my lords, not so, 1 with your God have long communed ; 15 His mercy he hath magnified, Oft shewed it me, and heard my cry ; In Zoar City let me hide, Pray, lest ill take me and I die. " 16 They said, " since God hath long loved thee, This city we will not o'erthrow ; Thy prayer of faith in God grant we, Then haste and quickly to it go. 17 For we cannot destroy this place, Till thou hast fled and gone before ;" This little city of God's grace Was then called by the name of Zoar. 18 At risen sun, Lot entered Zoar. Then brimstone rained and fire from heaven All Sodom and Gomorrah, o'er, For grievous sins and unforgiven. 19 Those cities, men, and things that grew, Were burned by fire from heaven rained, And when Lot's wife looked back to view, As a salt pillar she became. 20 At early morn, Abram went where He had conversed with God, most wise, Up from those cities of his care, He saw a dreadful smoke arise. 21 When God burnt cities of the plain He favored Abraham the brave,* And sent Lot out from midst of them. He fled from Zoar, dwelt in a cave. 36 82 Lot's daughters then dwelt With him there ; The first-born to ihe younger said, " Our sire is old, do swains here are, To seek US Eor (heir wives to wed. 83 We ought to save our father's seed. And not permit it to decay, Whom heaven hath blest in word and deed And saved from Sodom's burning day ; 24 Let us make him drink wine so long, That he know us not from his wife." Whence, each a son to him had born, Moab, and .imon, their delight. 2~) The jMoabites, and Amonites, Sprang forth from these two maidens' sons, Who made two nations great in might, Who first from Lot and daughters sprung. CHAPTER XX. In Gera dwelt Abram 'tween Kadesh and Shur, And called his wife sister, when speaking of her, Abimelech sent, and took home Abram's wife. God told him by dream, he endangered his life. Abimelech said, " Will God slay me as one vile ? Since Abram and Sarah deceived me with guile. She was Abram's sister, I thought as they said, Hence justly I sought the fair Sarah to wed." "Thou didst this sincerely," God said, " without sin, To give back to Abram his Sarah again." Abimelech reproved Abraham for this thing, And said, " Why bring on me so grievous a sin? " Said Abram, " I thought none feared God in this place, And that men might slay me for my wife's sake. Sarah is my sister on my father's side, But not on my mother's, and she is my bride. When God sent me Car from my dear father's house, . to her, pray show me this kindness now. Say of me to all, ' he is my brother true,' That it may be well with me, and with thee too." 37 6 Abirnelech gave oxen, and servants and sheep, Restoring him Sarah his wife for to keep, And said unto him, " Now I give thee all these, My land is before thee, go dwell where thou please. 7 A thousand bright pieces of silver likewise I give to thy brother, thy covering of eyes, To all who are with thee, and others aloof." Thus did King Abirnelech give Sarah reproof. 8 God blest King Abirnelech and household with rest, Since he gave back Sarah as He did request. Thus men are oft frightened to vary from truth, To rescue from danger, in days of their youth. 9 Lie not one to another, our Maker enjoins, Buy truth, sell it not, truth is council divine, And do unto others this precept most true, Do that unto them ye would have done to you. 10 .Mankind need long training to be truly good. God long counseled Abram, ere faith firmly stood, And Sarah long doubted her God's promised seed, Gave Hagar to Abram as though God had need. 11 And Abram and Sarah once laughed at God,s word Of promise, as though things were hard for the Lord I But God is not slack every promise to fill, He never will fail those who trust in Him still. 12 God's purpose eternal, of man on the Earth Was that they be like Him in goodness and worth, Conformed to the meek, lowly mind of His son, That they might be joint heirs with Christ every one. CHAPTER XXI. 1 Then Sarah bare Isaac, to Abram, true seed, At set time of promise, his true heir indeed. He circumcised Isaac, as God had him told, And Abraham then was an hundred years old. 2 Then Sarah said, " God hath so made me to laugh That all those who hear shall have joy in behalf, To think God made me to bare Abram a son In old age, when life had a century run. *Read Gen. 17th chap., 16, 17 verses, and 18th chap. 12 15. 38 8 When [saaq was weaned, Abram made a great feast, Thou Bagar's son mocked, as one illy possessed. Then Sarah said, ''cast out the bond son from me, lie shall not bo heir with son Isaac, the free. 4 'Twas grievous to Abram, for Ishmael his son, But God bade him heed Sarah's voice, and 'twas done. "For in Isaac only thy seed shall be called, But for thy sake will I bless Ishmael's sons all." 5 Then Abram gave Hagar both water and bread, And sent her away with her child, and she fled, And wandered in wilds of Beershcba forlorn, And cast down her child for to die there alone. 6 Then over against him she good ways off went, To not see him die, then with loud voice she wept. An angel called Ilagar, and thus to her spake, " God hears thee ; rise, take thy child, he shall be great." 7 She found there a well, and gave drink to her child, ^ Who grew up an archer in Beer-sheba's wilds, And dwelt in the lone wilderness of Paran. — His mother took wife for him from Egypt's land. 8. Abimelech, and Phichol, chief captain of host, Said thus unto Abram, " God aids all thou doest, Now swear by thy 'God, thou wilt be true to me, And my sons, and son's sons, and country, swear thee." 9 Then Abram said thus, " swear I, as thou didst tell." Then Abram reproved him concerning a well, Which servants in violence had taken away. The king said, " I knew not this thing till to-day." 10 Then Abram gave oxen and sheep to the king, And they both made covenant concerning this thing, And Abram set seven ewe lambs by themsel ves. The king said, " what doth these ewe lambs mean, pray tell ? 11 " These lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they tell And witness of me that I did dig this well." He called that place Beersheba, since they there swore Thus covenanted they at Beer-sheba of yore. 12 Abimelech and Phichol, chief of his command, Then rose and returned to the Philistine's land. A grove Abram planted in Beer-sheba there, And called on the name of the Lord God in prayer. 89 CHAPTER XXII. 1 Then God tempted Abraham to " sacrifice Thy younger son Isaac to bleed," Who was son of promise, the child of the skies, And Abraham's only true seed. 2 God bade him unto Mount Moriah to go And offer his son Isaac there. Then Abram took servants with Isaac also, And clave wood for burnt offering fire. 3 When he the third day saw the mount afar off, He bade the young men stay nor fear, And I and the lad will go yonder aloft, And worship, then come to you here. 4 Then Abram took wood for the burnt offering fire, And laid it in son Isaac's hands, When Isaac of Abram did strangely inquire, And say, " Father, where is the lamb ? " 5 Then Abram said, " Son, God a lamb will provide." As thus he did all things prepare, Laid wood on the altar as God had required, Bound Isaac and laid him on there ; 6 Then Abraham reached forth his hand for the knife, To do what the Lord ordered done. An angel's loud voice from the sky saved his life, And cried, " Abraham, spare thy son. 7 This proves to the world thou in God doth confide, Since thou hast withheld not thy son." Then Abram beheld in a thicket aside A lamb for an offering had come. 8 Then Abram that place named Jehovah-jireh, In mount of the Lord ever seen. The angel who saved his son Isaac from death, Spake thus from the heavens again : ;9 " God tempted thee here for example to show That all men should thus mind the Lord ; And love Him so that they would give all below If it is the known will of God. 40 10 I've sworn with the Lord since thon hast not withhold Thy younger son Isaac from death. Thai blessing, I'll multiply thee, and will swell Thy seed as the sands of earth. 11 Thy true seed are all those who keep God's commands, And put on the mind of His love, Which was God's eternal design and wise plan Ordained ere creation begun. 13 The gates of their foemen that seed shall detain, In it shall all nations be blest," Then Abram returned back to his home again, And dwelt in Beer-sheba at rest. 13 Then his brother Nahor with eight sons was blest, Of wife Milcah, men did him tell, Named Huz, Buz, Kemuel, and Hazo and Chesed, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel. 14 Bethuel was sire of Rebekah the fair, Whom Abram's son Isaac did wed; The mother of Esau and Jacob, twin pair, Of whom much in history is said," 15 New ages pushed, old ages rolling away Until promised time came to hand When on hill of Calvary as Abram did say His God there provided the land. CHAPTER XXIII, 1 At age hundred twenty-seven years Sarah dying, Separated this life within Canaan's domain. Then Abram came mourning with weepings and sighings His tears for wife Sarah he could not contain. 2 Then he to the sons of Heth said, " I'm a stranger, And but a sojourner with you in this land ; Pray give me a burying place from all danger, To bury my dead out of sight from my hand." 3 Said Heth's sons, " 'mong us lord thou art a prince mighty. We give thee choice place here to bury thy dead." Then Abraham bowed down to Heth's sons politely And said, " let me do as your kindness hath said,. •41 4 Entreat for rae Ephron who is son of Zohar, That he give me cave Machpelah of his field, For just as much money as he shall it offer, That there undisturbed may my dead rest concealed." 5 Then Ephron the Hitite made him this expression, In presence of all of the city of Heth, " 1 give thee the field and its cave for possession, To bury thy dead in that undisturbed rest." 6 Then Abraham bowed down before all the people, And spake thus to Ephron, in presence of all ; "If thou give the field, then it can be no evil, If I give what money thou mayest it call." 7 Said Ephron, " the field is, and cave also on there, Worth four hundred shekels of silver to me ; But what is that sum between mine and thine honor ? Go bury thy dead, all is welcome to thee." 8 Abram heard to Ephron, and weighed him the silver Which he named, in audience of city of Heth, The four hundred shekels, as current forever, As any of money the merchants possess. 9 Before Mamre's plain lay this field of Machpelah, Which field with its cave and all trees thereiu left, In all of its borders about were they deeded Abram's possession, by children of Heth. 10 Abram buried Sarah his wife, with much weeping In field of Machpelah, of Canaan's domain, With bright hopes to meet her where angels are greeting And enter God's rest, which for saints doth remain. 11 How wondrous was God manifest unto Sarah, In birth of son Isaac at age ninety years. Who would from the trust of that God ever vary, Must be false to knowledge, and reason, most dear. CHAPTER XXIV 1 Now Abram was old, and well stricken with age, Yet God blest his heart and his hand : His' servant he swore not a wife to engage For son Isaac, from Canaan's land. 42 2 Go thou to my country and kindred, and find A wife there, for Isaac inv son. The servant then said. " should the maid not incline To follow me, what will be done ? o Must I bring thy son to thai land whence thou came ? Then Abraro said, " Nay. but beware, God's angel will go before thee and sustain And find a maid, lovely and fair. 4 The Lord God who sent me from my father's hand. From kindred and country swore me, That unto thy seed will I give all this land, And ever a God be to thee. 5 If she doth not follow thee, thou shait be clear From oath, so depart ye this day.'' His servant with ten camels quickly did steer For city of Nahor away. lie paused at a well near the city, the time That damsels go water to draw ; He prayed, " 0, Lord God of good Abram incline To speed what he sent me here for. 7 Xow Lord, if a maid to draw water shall go, And I ask for drink when she comes, And she say, "drink, lord, and thy camels also," Let her be for ray master's son. 8 At length a young Syrian damsel came out. With pitcher, and was very fair, She ran to the well, filling it, turned about And met Abraham's servant there. 9 He said to the damsel, " wilt thou give me drink ?" " Yea, drink thou my lord," she replied, Which caused Abrara's servant that moment to think God chose her for young Isaac's bride. id, I'll give drink to thy camels also, And drew water till all were done, While he held his peace as his heart did o'erflow, To think prayer was answered so soon. 11 He took two gold ear-rings of half si. lit, Two bracelets of ten shekels gold, Pkced them on the damsel, and thus to her spake, " Thy name I have not yet been told." .43 12 She said, " I'm Bethuel's own daughter, and kin To Abrara, that great man of prayer. My name is Rebekah, wilt thou please turn in, In welcome abide with us there." 13 The servant bowed down and in prayer did abide, And blessed Ab rain's God meekly then, For showing such mercy his servant to guide To people of Abraham's friends. 14 Rebekah then told to her parents these things, When Laban, her brother ran out, And saw on his sister the bracelets and rings, He wondered what had come about. 15 He ran to the servant who stood at the well, And cried, " hail thou, blest of the Lord, Why standest without, come abide where we drink, All things for thee there are prepared." 16 The servant turned in and they set for him meat. He said, " I'll not eat 'till I've told Mine errand ;" they said tell, as thus he did speak, I'm Abraham's servant of old. 17 The Lord blest my master, and hath made him great In herds, flocks, and silver and gold ; And Sarah, his wife, bpar him son Isaac late, When he was full ninety years old. 18 My master then made me thus swear as I tell, " Thou shalt not take wife to my son ; Of Canaanite's daughters in whose land I dwell, From my kindred's house take thou one." 19 He said that " the Lord God before Whom I walk, For thee will send His angel on, Preparing thy way 'till a wife thou hast got, Of kindred for Isaac, my son." 20 He said, " if thy kindred shall not give thee one, Then thou from thine oath shall be clear, And I came this day meekly, trusting, alone, That his God will prosper me here. 21 I prayed thus, if maids to draw water shall go, And I ask for drink when one comes, And she say, drink, lord, and thy camels also, Let her be for my master's son. 44 22 When 1 had thus prayed for these things sons Isaac, [shmael, did bnry him then, In oave of Maohpelah, in field of Ephron, Which he had once boughl of the rude sons of Beth. They buried him there with wife Sarah to rest. 5 Nebajoth, Adbeel, Rtibsam, Kedar, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Jetur and Tenia, Napish and Kedmah, all sons of Islunael, Of towns, castles, nations, like wise princes twelve. Ishmael lived an hundred and thirty- seven years, And dwelt before Egypt, 'tween Ilavilah and Shur, And Isaac was forty years old when he wed, Bethuel's fair daughter, the Syrian maid. 7 At length Isaac prayed to the Lord for increase, Which when the Lord granted, did Isaac well please, The Lord said, " two Nations shall come forth of thee, Two manner of people shall they also be. 8 One yet shall be stronger than the other one, And likewise the elder shall yet serve the young," Their first-born was Esau a red hairy man, His other twin brother was Jacob by name. 9 Esau was a cunning huntsman of the field, A plain man was Jacob, in tents he did dwell And Isaac loved Esau for his venison meat, Rebekah loved Jacob, who made pottage sweet. 10 Esau said to Jacob, "come feod me I pray, With thy good red pottage, for I faint to-day." He said, " Sell thy birth-right then feed thee will I." Esau said, " It's worth naught, if hungering I die. 11 Then Jacob said, " Swear it to me," and he swear And sold him his birth-right, as oath did declare Then Jacob gave bread, drink, and pottage likewise, Esau ate, and went, and his birth right despised. CHAPTER XXVI. 1 To Gerar went Isaac to King Abimelech The Lord bade him, "Not. go to Egypt but yet Remain in this land, from it go not forth "Jj- thine, and I'll bless thee, according to oath. '47 2 Which I sware to Abram, who heard to ray voice, And kept My commandments, My statutes and laws," Then Isaac did call his wife " sister " while there. For fear of his life since she was very fair. 3 The King saw the wrong, and that she was his wife, And told him, " This might bring reproach on my life. My swains might have sought thy fair wife for to wed," Hence he told his men that through fear it was said. 4 Then Isaac did sow, reap, and get hundred fold, God blest him, ha waxed great, and grew strong and bold, And gained great possessions of flocks, herds and stores, The lords of Philistines, then envied him more. 5 They filled up the wells which his sire Abram made, The king said, " Go from us of thee we're afraid." From thence Isaac went, pitched in vale of Gerar, And opened the wells digged by Abram his sire ; 6 Which Philistines stopped up since Abraham's death, And gave wells the same names his sire Abram left, For wells Isaac digged, Gerar's herdsmen did strive He then digged far off, and was prosperous and thrived. 7 He went to Beer-sheba, where God assured him Of blessings for sake of his sire Abraham, He there built an altar, God with him did dwell, He there worshipped, as they did dig him a well. 8 Abimelech, from Gerar, with friends did come near, Said Isaac, " Ye hate me, why come ye here ? " v They said, " God is with thee, we want love with thee," So_'each pledged to do good to each and agree. 9 He gave them a feast then they rose up betimes, And swore to each other in peaca to combine, Isaac named the well which his men found that day, Shebah, which was called " City of Beer-sheba." 10 At forty Esau took two Canaanite wives, Adah, Elon's daughter, who was a Hittite, And Aholibamah, Anah's daughter fair, Whose grand sire was Zibeon, and a Hivite there. .11 Since daughters of Canaan, his parents pleased not, Of Abraham's seed, for a tlrrd wife, he sought. And went to the house of good Abram's Son there, And took Ishmael's daughter, Bashemath the fair. 48 CHAPTER XXVII. 1 Win 11 Isaac was old so that lie could not see, lie said to son Esau, ,; I soon shall leave thee, Behold 1 am old and know not my death day, Go kill for me venison, without a delay, 2 And make me good savory meat such as I Do love, that I eat, and bless thee, ere I die. Esau then went hunting, for venison to bring, Rebekah heard Isaac tell Esau these things. 3 Then she told to Jacob what Isaac had said, And said. " Now obey rae, and bring two good kids, And I for thy father will make savory meat, Which thou shalt bring him, that he bless thee and eat. 4 Then Jacob said, " Esau is hairy and I Am smooth, then my father will blessing deny, If he should feel me, a deceiver I'll be, And bring not his blessing, but curse upon me." 5 Rebekah said to him, "On me be thy curse, Obey me, and fetch them, thou shalt be blest first, He fetched them, and she made for him savory meat, And dressed Jacob in Esau's raiment complete. And put skins of kids on his smooth neck and hands, And gave him the meat, with her word of command, He Drought, it, and said, " Father eat for I'm come." Then Isaac said, " Tell me who art thou my son ?" 7 He said, "lam Esau, thy first born to thee, I've come with my venison, rise, eat, and bless me, " ! how didst thou find it so quickly my Son ? " " The Lord thy God brought it to me very soon." 8 Then Isaac said to him, "come near me I pray, That I may feel thee whether Esau or nay, When Jacob drew near, Isaac said, " Sure it seems To be Jacob's voice, but it is Esau's hands." ') Ho did not discern him for his hairy hands, He said, " Art thou Esau ? " said Jacob, " 1 ajp." He said, "3Iy son Esau now bring it near pr, That I eat thy renison, and also bless thee." 49 10 Then Jacob with meat, unto Isaac did come, He ate, and said, " Esan, come kiss me, my son." Then Jacob did kiss him, as Isaac did bless His then supposed Esau, with fondest caress. 11 And said, " my son Esau doth smell like a field Which God hath much blest with abundance of yield. Therefore, God give Esau the blest due of heaven, And corn, wine and fatness to him shall be given. 12 And let people serve thee and nations bow down, Be lord o'er thy brethren, and thy mother's sons, And cursed be every one that hateth thee, And those who shall bless thee shall ever blest be." 13 Then Esau soon came from his hunting, with meat, And said, *' rise, my father, and bless me, and eat." Then Isaac cried, " who cometh now to be blest ? For I have blest Esau, my son, and carest." 14 Then Esau cried, " father, I am thy first-born." Then Isaac did tremble, exceeding forlorn, And cried, " where is he who brought venison and said. 'I truly am Esau,' where hath he fled? 15 And Lo, I have eaten of all ere thou came, And blest one who said, Esau sure was his name." Then Esau exclaimed, with a most bitter cry, "0 father, wilt thou not bless me,- even I ?" 16 Then Isaac said, "Jacob hath subtilly came And taken a blessing in Esau's own name ; I made that one lord o'er his brethren each one, I meant it for thee, then, Esau, my son." 17 Said Esau, " hast thou but one blessing to give?" And wept, saying, *' may I a blessing receive? Then Isaac did say, " Esau's dwelling shall prove The fatness of earth and the dew from above. 18 By sword thou shalt live, and thy brother shalt serve, But time cometh when thou dominion shalt have, And break his yoke off of thy neck, which he hath. He shall call thee lord, and bow to thee at last. 19 Because of this fraud Jacob "'shall have great fear, And dwell as exile for many a year. Then God shall recall him to greet thee again, And call thee lord Esau, and thy love attain." 50 80 Esau did hate Jacob for thai blessing's sake, And threatened his Life, which did much trouble make. E&ebekah, in fright, bade him flee, and to stay, Until 1-1-au's wrath should be turned far away. 21 Rebekah then said. " I am weary of life. Lest Jucob of daughters of Ileth take a wife. Of such daughters as I do in this land see, What good shall my life ever be unto me." chapter xxvm. 1 Then Isaac called Jacob, and blest him, and charged, And said, " thou shalt not take a wife Of Cainanile's daughters, whose sins are enlarged. Lest thou dwell in sin and in strife. 2 But go to thy kins-folks and take thee a wife, Of goodness, that God bless thy hand, And multiply thee, that thy sons may in life Inherit good Abraham's land." 3 Then Jacob did journey to Padan-arara, To Laban, the Syrian's son, To take there a wife of his lather's own kin, Esau went to Ishmael for one. 4 And took fair Bashemath, his daughter, to wife, Since Ishmael was Abraham's son. And Jacob from Beer-sheba went forth, till night, Toward Ilaran till sunset had come. 5 Be took stones for pillows of his head, at even, And lay down in that place to sleep, And dreamed of a ladder from Earlh unto heaven. On which passing angels d'd keep. 6 Then God said, " To thee and thy seed will I give This land, Lorn Last, West, North and South, And bring thee again to it, and will not leave But do all the words of my mouth." ? Then Jacob did wake fro j and did say, " The Lord's here, and I know it not " He feared as he cried, " 0, how dreadful this place, It is heaven's gate, house of God." 51 8 The stone of his pillow he there did set up, And oil ho pwed forth on its top, And named that place Bethel, which first was called Luz, So that it should ne'er be lorgot. 9 Then Jacob did vow, "if the Lord will sustain And give peace and raiment and food, So that I to my Father's house come again, The Lord shall be ever my God. 10 This stone which 1 set for a pillar, shall be God's house. So of all Thou shalt give To me I will then give a tenth unto thee, As sure as I by the Lord live." CHAPTER XXIX. As journeying eastward, Jacob came to a well, Where flocks came for watering, from where men did dwell, Said Jacob, "from whence are ye?" they said, "Haran's land.*' He said, " know ye Laban?" they said, " we know that man." o He said, " How are Laban's folks?" they said, " ask Rachel, His daughter, now yonder, leads her flocks to the well." Said Jacob, " it is not time that cattle drink now, Let me water Rachel's sheep that they feeding go." 3 They said. " one cannot, roll off Ihe stone from the well." As Richel arrived with flocks from where she did dwell, The stone Jacob rolled, and watered Rachel's flock there, Then kissed her and wept, for she was lovely and fair. 4 Then Rachel told Laban this was his sister's son, Then he ran and kissed him, and invited him home. Then Laban said, " now, since thou art bone of my bones, Please tarry in welcome here and make it thy home. 5 Because thou art brother shouldst thou serve for nought, Please tell me thy wages and I'll pay what I ought " His two daughters Leah and Rachel with him did dwell, The eldest was tender-eyed, but Rachel looked well. 6 Said Jacob, "for Rachel, I will serve seven years, For thy youngest daughter doth my heart ever cheer." Said Laban, " 'tis better that 1 give her 1o thee Than have some stranger swain abiding with me." 52 - von years' toil for Rachel seemed (o him but few days, For love which he had for her and her kindly ways, Then Jacob to Laban said. " make Rachel my wife, My day's works are ended, that she comfort my life." 8 Then Laban invited and a wedding feast made, At eve gave his Leah, and not Rachel to wed. Until morning light had cone, he knew not his fate, How strong wine had blinded him until 'twas too late. 9 Then Laban gave daughter Leah, Zilpah his maid, And Jacob next morning did see 'twas Leah he had wed. Then Jacob to Laban said, " what means this of thee ? Did I not for Rachel serve, why thus cheat thou me ?" 10 Then Laban said, " 'tis not so in our country known, To wed younger daughter off before the first-born, Fulfill now her week, and we'll give Rachel also, For service which thou shalt serve with me seven years more. ! 11 So Jacob agreed, and wedded Rachel also, tfilhah, Laban's hand-maid, he then gave Rachel too. Then Jacob served Laban till seven years more were past, For Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah at last. 12 For Leah was hated since no beauty she hath, Ye l she had sons Reuben, Simeon. Levi, Jndah. How sinful to hate the looks of what God hath made, The good are the beautiful, whose beauty ne'er fades. CHAPTER xxx. 1 Then Rachel did grieve because no children she had, So she gave her hand-maid to her husband to wed. Her hand-maid then had two sons, Dan and Naphtali. Then ftachel said, " God hath judged me, hearing my cry." 2 Then Leah, her hand-maid, gave to Jacob to wed, Who bear her two sons, whom lh<-y named Asher and Gad. Then Leah again did bear to Jacob two sons. The firsl they named Issachar, the next Zebulun. 3 Then Leah bear to Jacob daughter Dinah, most fair, ,nd Rachel to Jacob bear son Joseph, true heir. Then Rachel said, " God will give me yet one more son." Said Jacob. " God calls me now to.my father's home. 53 4 Give me wives and children dear, for whom' I served thee. Then Laban said " tarry, for God with thee blest me, Tell me what thy wages are, to them I'll incline." Said Jacob, " I've blest thy house, now let me keep mine." 5 Said Jacob, " for speckled stock hence born from this date, And thou take all speckled ones out, I'll work at that rate. ! Said Laban, " agreed, I would that it were so done." That day Laban gave all speckled stock to his son. 6 He set three days journey then between their two flocks ; He peeled poplar, chestnut, hazel, in streaks and spots, Then set those peeled, streaked rods, at waterings of stock, To make them conceive a spotted, ringed, speckled flock. 7 Thus Jacob did Laban trap, by this curious trade, Which paid him for smuggling Leah in Rachel's stead. So Jacob exceeding gained, in riches untold, In men and maid-servants, cattle, camels and gold. CHAPTER XXXI. 1 Then Jacob heard words of Laban's sons, saying thus, That Jacob look father's wealth and glory from us. When he saw that Laban's look toward him had changed, God said, " I'll be with thee, seek thy sire's land again." 2 Then Jacob said to his wives, " your sire doth incline To hate me, for he hath changed my wages ten times, Ye see how the Lord gave Laban's wealth in my hands, Since now that he hateth me, we'll seek Isaac's land. 3 God's angel spake to me in a dream and did say, ' 1 am God of Bethel, whtre on stone thou didst lay. Return to thy father's house, to Esau confess The wrong thou hast done him, and like brothers be blest, 5 55 '4 His wives said, " there's naught left in our sire's house for us We are counted strangers, and our money is lost. The wealth God hath taken from our fattier is ours, So what God hath bid thee do, that do at this hour." 5 Then Jacob did journey forth, with all he possessed, To go to his father's house, which he had just left. Then Laban overtook him on his journey three days. God warned him while going not to stop Jacob's ways. 54 Said Laban to Jacob, " why hast thou stole awny, And carried my daughters oflE as captives to-day? If thou hadst luu told me, I would blesi thy depart With songs, mirih aud kisses, and with tabret and harp. 7 Thou sufferedsj me not to kiss my daughters I love, Kept me from saluting my loved sons I approve. Thou hust done unwisely not to bid us adieu, I have power to hurt you, but God bade me be true. 8 S?id Jacob, " I feared that thou wcmldst keep my two wives By fo:ce, and that such act might endanger our lives. I thought 'twas far better to depart still in peace Since 1 have long served thee, aud long tried thee to please. 9 Then Rachel took Laban's golden gods when she left, In place of their wages, which their father had kept. Then Jacob did chide with Laban in much reproof, Till each made a covenant, and as friends went aloof. 10 Then Jacob made sacrifice, and feasted them all. They ate bread and tarried all the night, great and small. Then early next morning Laban kissed all his sons And daughters, and blest them all, and then journeyed home, CHAPTER XXXII. 1 As Jacob did journey, God's angels met him, He called them God's host, named that place Mahanaim, And messengers sent to Esau ere he came, Who dwelt in Mount Seir. which is Edom by name. 2 lie bade them tell Esau, "with presents I come To seek my Lord's favor, with flocks journeying home." His men came back, saying "thy brother we've seen. He cometh to meet thee with four hundred men." 3 I hen Jacob feared greatly, and thus, did divide His people and flocks, in two bands on each side, And said, " if he smite one, let other escape." Then called he on God, for his mercy and grace. 4 He said, " I'm not worthy thy mercies and truth, Which Lord thou hast showed me since days of my youth Deliver me, Lord, from my brother, I pray, From Esau, lest he come and smite me and slay. 55 5 The mother and children whom thou didst pledge me Should multiply like as the sand of the sea, God of my fathers, Thou saidst unto me, Return to thy kindred, and all shall well be." 6 Then Jacob took two hundred twenty of goats, With same number sheep, thirty camels with coats, And fifty of kine, twenty asses with foals, And sent them to Esau to move insult old. 7 This flock Jacob placed in his servant's command, And said, " go tell Esau it's from Jacob's hand, A present he sends unto Esau his lord, And he is behind us who sent this reward." 8 For Jacob said, " I will my brother appease With presents before, that he may me receive," Then Jacob that night took his women and sons, And crossed the brook Jabbok, with things every one. 9 And while Jacob stayed there that night in dismay, A man wrestled with him till breaking of day. And when the man saw that he did not prevail, He touched Jacob's thigh, and that moment it failed. 10 He said, " let me go, for the day breaks on thee." But Jacob said, " nay, not till thou hast blest me," The Man said to him, '• tell Me, what is thy name." He said, " it is Jacoo." He said, "thou hast fame. 11 As prince thou hast power with My God to prevail ; Thy name call not Jacob, but call it Israel." He then did bless Jacob, as God face to face, Preserving his life, and bestowing great grace. 12 He wrestled with Jacob, since he harbored fear, And crossed over Jabbok with wives and sons dear. The Man did him touch, for to show God hath power, That man should obey without fear, every hour. CHAPTER XXXIII. Then Jacob met Esau and four hundrod men, And bowed himself down seven times to him then. Then Esau did run his twin brother to meet, Embraced him and kissed him, and they did both weep. 56 9 Then Esau said, " who are these whom ye here have f" He said, " wives and children. God graciously gave.'' Wives, children and hand-maids then all did draw noar, And bowed them to Esau, and did him revere. 8 Then Esau said, " what means this drove whioh I met ? " He said, •• to find favor, my lord, in thy sight, Since our mother once urged me thee to defraud Of blessing which father meant for thee, my lord. 4 I now come with presents imploring thy grace, In love I solicit the smiles of thy face." Esau said, "my brother, I have enough wealth, Keep that which thou hast, for thy children and self." 5 But Jacob said, " nay, lord, if I have found grace, My present receive at my hand for love's sake, For I've seen thy face as the dear face of God. And thou wast pleased with me, so loving and good. 6 So take now I pray this my blessing brought thee, Since God hath dealt graciously plenteous with me." When he thus urged Esau, the drove he did take, And said, "come, I'll lead thee, our journey we'll make," 7 Said Jacob, " my lord will please go before me, And 1 will come slowly as our strength may be, Until I shall come to my lord at Mount Seir." So Esau turned home, leaving him in the rear. 8 When Jacob reached Succoth he built him a booth For cattle, therefore was that place called Succoth. Then Jacob to Shalem. Shechem's city came, Pitched tent there, when he came from Padam-aram, 9 And bought there a parcel of Hamor's son's land For an hundred pieces of money at hand, And built him an altar near where he did dwell, There prayed, calling it El-elohe-lsrael. CHAPTER XSXXV. 1 Then Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, did come To visit the Canaanite daughters at home. Then Shechem, a young Hivite prince, on her smiled. And pledged her to wed, though he did her beguile, 57 Her brothers were wroth from disgrace, and sore grieved, And vowed to avenge sister Dinah, bereaved, But Sheehem begged them to make Dinah his wife, And let all be peace, since he loved her as life. To which they deceitfully pledged to comply ; If circumcision you will not deny. To which they agreed and were all circumcised. Then Simeon and Levi threw off their disguise. And charged Shechem's city with drawn swords of death, Slew Hamar and Sheehem, his son, with the rest. They then spoiled their citv, took all for their own, And took sister Dinah from Shechem's house home. " Ye are far more wicked then they," Jacob said,- " To murder, and not keep the promise ye made, Such cruelty sure, will make me an offence, Among all the people of this land from hence, Ye should have forgiven, since Sheehem desired, Our Dinah for wife, they so meekly required, When they sought our friendship, 'twas vile to deceive My sons with such vengeance our God is displeased. If they give such vengeance to us, we ere long May all be thus slain, we are few they are strong." They said, " Why should he then our sister defile? " He said, " They should not, nor should we them beguile. CHAPTER XXXV 1 To Bethel, God bade Jacob, " Go And build there an altar to Me," Said Jacob, " Let all my house now Be clean, putting strange gods from thee. 2 They then gave him all their strange gods, And jewels which Jacob did hide Beneath an oak, by Shechem's wood, Then no more their foes did them chide. 3 And when he to Bethel forth came, He built altar El-bethel there, Since God there appeared to him, when From Esau he_fied in despair. 58 4 Rebekah's nurse Deborah died there, Was buried neath altar Beth-el, The place called Allou-baehuth, where Again God with Jacob did dwell. 5 Be said, " The land of Abraham. And Isaac, I to thee will give, And to thy seed from Mine own hand, What 1 gave them, thou shalt receive. 6 Then Jacob a stone pillar set, Where he held converse with the Lord, And called that place Bethel, God blest. To Ephrath he still went onward. 7 There Benjamin's birth, Rachel gave, And died, and he mourned her that hour, A stone pillar placed on her grave, Then journeyed beyond Edar's tower. 8 Now Jacob's sons did number twelve, Born to him in Padan-aram ; Then he came where his sire did dwell, In Hebron, land of Abraham. it At his hundred eightieth year, Died Isaac, to rest with the blest, Then Esau and Jacob in tears Did bury him in his last rest. 10 In Machpelah's cave, which Abram Once bought of the rude sons of Heth, Where Abram and Sarah were lain, Embalmed in their last quiet rest. CHAPTER XXXVI. 1 Of daughters of Canaan, Esau took two wives, Adah, Ellon's daughter, who was a Hittite, And one Anah's daughter, Aholibamah there. Likewise J-Innael's daughter, Bashemath the fair, 2 Bashemath bare Reuel, Adah bare Eliphaz. Aholibamah bare Jeuth, Jualam and Kojrai:, These are sons of Esau, born unto him here, In Canaan. Then he with all, moved to Mount Seir. 59 3 These are the generations of Esau the sire Of all of the Edomites, once in Mount Seir, Eliphaz and Reuel were both Esau's sons, Of Adah and Bashemath, in Canaan born. 4 These five sons were born then unto Eliphaz, Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz, Eliphaz had son Amalek of Timna. These are sons of Esau's first wife named Adah. 5 Reuel's sons were Nahath, Zerath, Shammah, Mizzah, All grandsons of Esau's wife named Bashemath. Aholibaraah bare Jeush, Jaalam, Korah, These were dukes of Esau's sons of Eliphaz. 6 Duke Teman, duke Omar, Zepho, duke Kenaz, Duke Gatan, duke Amalek and duke Korah, These came from Eliphaz, in Edom's high land. These are sons of Adah, and dukes every man. 7 These are sons whom Reuel, Esau's son begat, Duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, Mizzah. These dukes came of Reul, Bashemath's first son, Who was Esau's wife in Mount Seir, called Edom. 8 Duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah were sons Of Aholibamah, Esau's wife each one, These are sons of Esau, and called dukes each one, And these were the sons of Horites in Edom. Duke Zibeon, Anah, Shobal and Lotan, And duke Dishon, duke Ezer and Duke Dishon. The children of Lotan were Hori, Heman, He had sister Timna also in that land. 10 The children of Shobal were these in that land, Manahath, Alvan, Ebal. Shepho, Onam. And Zibeon's sons were Ajak and Anah, This Anah found mules in the wildnerness there. 11 While feeding the stock of his sire, Zibeon, The children of Anah were Dishon, one son, And daughter, Aholibamah, and but one, And these are the children unto Dishon born. 12 Hemdan and Eshban, and Ithran and Cheran, Ezer's sons were Bilhan, Zaavah and Akan. The children of Dishan were Uz and Aran, And these are the kings that reigned in Edom's land. 60 13 Before any king over Israel did reign, Bela ruled Dinhabah of Edom's domain, I'm la died, Jobab, Zerah's son. reigned Mis said, Jobab died. Bnsham, Teman's son, reigned instead. I 1 Eusham died and lladad. Bedad's son did reign, Who in field of Moab smote Midian of fame. Eadad died and Samlah of Masrekah reigned. Samlah died and Saul of Rehoboth then came. 15 Saul died and Baal-hanan, Achbor's son, did reign. Baal-hanan then died. Radar took his refrain, His city was Pau, and this was his wife's name, Mehetabel, daughter of Matred of fame. 10 These are names of dukes, which from Esau once came, According to families and places and names, Duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth, Elah, Duke Pinon, duke Aholibamah, Kenaz. 17 Duke Teman, duke Mibzar, duke Magdiel, Iram, These are dukes of Edom, of their homes and lands. In all their possessions and kingdoms and rights, Esau is the father of all Edomites. CHAPTER XXXVII. 1 As Jacob in Canaan did dwell, And Joseph his son was seventeen, He oft to his father did tell, His brethren's ill deed he had seen. 2 ' Now Jacob loved Joseph for sake Of Rachel's first love he attained, Since born in his age he did make His coat many colors contain. '■'> They saw that their sire when grown old, Loved Joseph, and best of him spake, Then Joseph this dream to them told, Which when they heard, more did him hate. 4 " As we in the field did sheaves bind, Our sheaves rose and all stood upright, your sheaves made obeisance to mine." They said, " shalt thou rule us with might ?" •61 5 They hated him then more by far. " I have one more dream," now said he. " I dreamed that sun, moon and twelve stars, All made their obeisance to me." 6 His father rebuked, and said, " son, Must I and thy mother bow down, And thy elder brethren to one That's younger ?" as they on him frowned. 7 His brethren to Shechem then went, Their good father's flocks to feed there. Then afterward, Joseph he sent, To bring word if all had good care. 8 From Hebron to Shechem he sped, A man found him wandering there, Who asked him " what seek ye ?" he said " My brethren, canst thou tell me where ?" 9 The man said, " to Dothan they're gone. They said feed was plenteous there." Then Joseph went traveling on, In Dothan found them in good fare. 10 And when they saw him far away, Before he came near, they conspired And said, " we will slay him this day, Then see if his dreams are inspired. 11 We'll then cast him into some pit, And tell that some beast hath him slain, But Reuben delivered him out Their hands, saying, " let us not stain 12 Ourselves, with our own brother's blood, Bat cast him here into some pit." This said he for young Joseph's good, To bring him to his father yet. 13 They stripped Joseph out of his coat Of colors, their sire made for him, And then cast him in a deep pit, All empty with no water in. 14 They then saw approaching afar, From Gilead an Ishmeelite band, With spicery balm, and with myrrh, On camel's bound for Egypt's land. 02 15 Then Judah said, " What shall we gain, If we should spill our brother's blood, To soil him will cause us less blame, And something may come of it good. 16 They then drew him up as a slave, And sold him to Ishmeelite men, For him twenty pieces they gave, And brought him down to Egypt then. 1? "When Reuben returned to the pit, To save Joseph, he was not there, Then he in remorse his clothes rent, In demon like guilt and despair. 18 He went to his brethren and said, " The child is dead, what shall we do ?" They then dipped his coat in kid's blood, And sent to their father to show. 10 They said to him, " This have we found, Say is this thy son's coat or not ? " lie said, " Sure this coat is my son's, Some wild beast devoured him no doubt.' 20 Then Jacob for Joseph did mourn, His children to comfort him came, His spirit with anguish was torn, From weeping he could not refrain. CHAPTER XXXVIII. Then Judah went down from his brethren afar, To one Adullamite whose name was Hirah, He there to a Canaanite daughter did pledge, Whose name was called Shuah and took her to wed. Then Judah of Sliiiuh, had born these three sons, Er, Onan, and Shelah, who was the best one. Then Er, did wed Thamar, God slew him for sin. Then Onan did wed her, for sin God slew him. Said Judah to Thamar, abide here with me, Till Shelah is grown, him I'll also give thee. When Shelah was grown Judah then would not wed Son Shelah to Thamar, as he had her pledged. .63 Then Thamar did Judah beguile for this wrong, She feigned a veiled harlot, as he passed along, Whence she, bare to Judah, twins, Zarah, and Pharez, More righteous than I, art thou, Judah declares. This judgment on Judah did sink him with awe For breaking his pledge to his daughter-in-law. Inconstancy hath its rewards at the close, Had Judah been true he had not been exposed. CHAPTER XXXIX. 1 Then Joseph to Egypt was brought, And sold into Potiphar's hands, Who him of those Ishmeelites bought, Which brought him into Egypt's land. g His master saw that he was bright, That God blest all things in his hands, So Joseph found grace in his sight, And over all things had command. 3 For Joseph's sake God blest their house, And fields and all things that they had, And Joseph ruled in doors and out, Was well favored, perfect and good. 4 His master's wife said, " Come love me, Which Joseph so kindly declined, " Since thy lord gave me all but thee, How can I so wicked incline ? " 5 When Joseph her suit did deny, f[er love turned to Hatred and wrath, She told to his master a lie, Which Joseph in prison did cast. 6 But God showed him mercy while there, The keeper of prison did trust Young Joseph with all of his care, His prisoners all by him were blest, 64 CHAPTER XL. It came then to pass thai the king Of Egypt, in prison did cast, His butler and baker for things, Offending their lord unto wrath. He put them in prison near by To Joseph, and charged him with them, They both dreamed a dream in one night, And thus told to Joseph their friend. The Butler said, " I saw a vine Of three branches, clustering in bloom Which shot clustered grapes, ripe with wine, I pressed them in Pharaoh's cup soon." " These branches," he said, " are three days, When Pharaoh thy head shall lift up, Restore thee thy place and old ways, And thou fill to Pharaoh his cup. When well with thee pray help thou me, To Pharaoh your influence use, And tell him when ye shall him see, The wife did me falsely accuse." The chief baker said, " I thus dreamed Three white baskets stood on my head, One basket held Pharaoh's baked meats, The birds ate them out and then fled. M These baskets arc days numbering three, When Pharaoh shall lift off thy head, And hang thee in wrath on a tree, Where birds on thy flesh shall be fed. When birth-feast of Pharaoh came, The Butler and Baker he raised, Restoring the Butler again, The Baker he hanged in disgrace. Go CHAPTER XLI. 1 Seven well-favored kine, Pharaoh dreamed did proceed Up forth from the river, lean-fleshed., and did feed, Then seven other ill-favored, lean-fleshed kine came, And ate up the fat kine, his dream did first name. 2 Then dreamed of seven ears on one stalk rank and good, Then seven thin ears blasted, on which was no food, Then dreamed the seven thin ears devoured the full ears, Then Pharaoh awoke from his dream filled with fears. 3 He then called magicians, and wise men and told His dream, but its meaning they could not unfold. Then spake the chief butler to Pharaoh and said, "My faults I remember to-day with much dread." 4 When thou didst imprison the Baker and me, We both dreamed a dream there one night about the?. Those dreams were explained by thy Heurew young man, That thou wouldst me free, but the baker would hang. 5 He bade me remember him if 1 got free, And speak truly for him when I should thee see. He told me that he had been falsely accused, And thrown into prison when faithful and true. 6 Then Pharaoh called Joseph and asked of his dream, And said, " canst thou tell unto me what it means ?" Then Joseph him answered, " it is not in me, But God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. 7 For God best directeth the way of a King, His fear shall his Kingdom to honor forth bring, Then Pharaoh told Joseph of his strange dreams two, He said, ''Pharaoh's dream shows him what God will do. 8 The seven fat kine, and the seven good ears, Do in Pharaoh's dream represent seven years ; The seven thin lean kine, and the seven blasted ears, Shall be seven years, famine, which God bringeth here. 9 First seven years of plenty shall bless every man, Then, seven .years of famine shall, curse all the land, By thy double dream' God this thing hath^forecast. And. in. His. set time,. He will bring it to pass." 66 10^ Then Joseph bade Pharaoh lo lay up in store, One fifth of the seven years of plenty or more, That we may have food while I he famine doth rage, Which Pharaoh much pleased, and his servants engaged. 11 Said Pharaoh, "Since God hath revealed thee these things. No man is here like thee who would safety bring, So thou shall be ruler o'er all I have now, Only in the throne I'll be greater than thou/' 12 Then Pharaoh Ids ring fastened on Joseph's hand, Arrayed him in vestures of fine linen grand, And with golden chains 'bout his neck, he did ride In Pharaoh's bright chariots, with his loving bride. 13 The amiable daughter of Poti-pherah there, The beauteous Asenath, and lovely as fair. Then Joseph went, gathered all food in the land, Of seven years of plenty of grain, as the sand. 14 Then Joseph's Asenath did bare him two sons, Before the dread years of the famine had come. " God made me forget father's house grief and toil, So I, my first born son, Manasseh will call." 15 lie then called his second son. Ephraim by name, Since God made him fruitful in lands of his pain. The famine increased now all over the earth, And all countries came to buy corn with their worth. CHAPTER XL1I. 1 Then Jacob did send his'ten sons to buy corn, Down in Egypts land whither Joseph had gone, Who then was the ruler o'er all in that land, When his brethren found him, they knew not the man. 2 But he knew his brethren, yet he did them shun, And roughly said to them, prove whence have ye come. They said we're from Canaan to buy food of thee, He said, "Ye are spies come our famine to see. 1 ' 3 They said, " Nay my lord, but for food are we come, True men and not spies, we are all one man's sons. Our sire had twelve sons, but his Joseph was slain By wild beasts, but Benjamin with him remains." * 67 4 Then Joseph said, " If ye have told me no lies, Send, bring your young brother, and prove you no spies, And I will bind one of you here till he comes. Go carry ye corn for your household at home." 5 They said to each other, " We are guilty men, Concerning our brother whose anguish we've seen. When he so besought us and we would not hear, Hence cometli this judgment on us so severe." G " Did I not." said Reuben, " entreat you in tears, Sin not 'gainst young loseph, but ye would not hear, Therefore, of us now, is required Joseph's blood." But they did not know that he them understood. 7 Then Joseph in weeping from them did refrain, At length he bound Simeon before them in chains, And put in their sacks each man's money with corn, And victuals to eat on their journey when gone. 8 They showed to their father their money in sacks, And told him they pledged to bring Benjamin back. He said, " Of my children ye have me bereaved, For Joseph is dead and for Simeon I grieve. 9 And Benjamin will ye now take all these three, My sons, all these things are too hard against me." Then Reuben cried, " Slay my two sons Father dear, If I bring not Benjamin back to you here." 10 Said Jacob, " My son shall not with thee go down, His brother is dead and my child is alone. If mischief befall him afar on the way, With sorrow ye shall bring me down to the grave," CHAPTER XLIII. 1 The famine pressed sorely, and Jacob did say, *' My sons go to Egypt, buy more food I pray." They said. " We cannot for the man told us so, That we should not see him lest Benjamin go. 2 Then Israel said, ''Why told ye Benjamin's name." They said, "He so asked us, we could not refrain. Could we know that he would say bring him to me, Pray send him and I will restore him to thee." 68 S " If I lot him go, now tliis plan 1 prefer, Send balm, spices, honey, and almonds and myrrh. Likewise send the money, brought homo in your sacks, That he may send Simoon, and Benjamin back. 4 May Almighty God give you mercy before The man, thai he bless, and my children restore." "When Joseph saw Benjamin with them had come, He ordered them brought forth to dine at his home. 5 When thej were brought in Joseph's house they did fear, And said, "it's for ill they have brought us in here, It is for that money we found in our sacks, They will make us bondmen and not send us back. 6 They spake to the steward thus, that he explain, " We all found our money in our sacks again. 0, sir, who replaced it, know that thing we would, We have brought it back likewise more to buy food." 7 He said peace be with you, fear not, for your God, The God of your Father hath dealt you great good. Lo, I had your money ye found in your sacks.'' Then he brought out Simeon, whom Joseph kept back. 8 And then led them all into Joseph's house soon, Wheie they fixed the present to give him at noon. When Joseph came home, they the present gave forth, And bowed themselves down unto him to the earth. 9 He asked of there welfare thus, " is your sire well ? The old man of whom ye so often did tell." They answered, " thy servant, our sire's health is good." As they made obeisance and bowed down their head. 10 When Joseph his mother's last young son did see, Be -aid, M is this Benjamin V" and they said "yea." He cried, " God be gracious to thee, my son,', All of you must dine here with me at this noon." 11 in. haste Joseph sought place to weep, as he turned, For on his young brother his spirit did yearn. He entered his chamber, and there lie did weep, At length he wont out, washed, repaired and did eat. 12 Tl, it for him and Egyptians alone, And then by themselves thus in order each one, According to birth-right from eldest to young, The men greatly marveled to see it so done. 13 Then Joseph sent messes to each as he pleased, But Benjamin's mess was five times one of Ihese, They then ate and drank and were merry and glad, But knew not that Joseph among them they had. CHAPTER XLIV. 1 Then Joseph said, " Fill ye up the men's sacks with corn, Likewise each man's money in his sack send along, Likewise put my silver cup in Benjamin's sack," When done as was ordered, then they all journeyed back. 2 When they had gone from the city not far away, Then Joseph said, " Follow them, and unto them say, Why took ye the silver cup my lord drinketh in ? Why do ye so ill for good, is this not great sin ?" 3 His steward o'ertook and charged them all with this great sin ; They said, " Wherefore saith my lord that we done this thing, Of money we found in our sack's mouth we have told. How then should we steal of thy lord's silver or gold ? 4 With whom of thy servants lord thy cup shall bo found Let him die, and we will as thy bond-men be bound," He said, "Let it now be done as you do agree, He with whom the cup is found my bond-man shall be." 5 He searched from the eldest to the youngest all round In Benjamin's sack the silver cup last was found ; They then i.ent their clothes, and for the city were bound And at Joseph's house they fell to him on the ground. 6 Then Joseph, said, " Why are ye against me inclined, To steal from me, know ye not that I can divine ? " Then Judah said lord, " What shall we say to get free? For we are thy bond-men all this day unto thee. 7 He said, " God forbid that I should so do to thee, He with whom the cup was found my bond-man shall be, But as for you, get ye to your father in peace," Then Judah cried, "0 ! My lord hear me once more speik. 8 Thou did'st ask us if a sire or brother we had, We told thee we had a sire quite old, with one lad, His last son, with brother dead, and mother, too, gone And he left alone, and father loves that young son. 70 9 Thou s-aidst ' bring him, that I mighl on him set mine eyes, We said, ' If he leaves his sire the old man will die, Thou saidst if we bring not Benjamin lo this place Along with us, that we should no more see thy face.' 10 Then came it to pass when we had reached Father's house, We told him the words which thou my lord said to us, Then when father said to us, ' Go buy food again.' We said, we cannot unless thou send Benjamin. 11 Then father said, ' Rachel bare to me but two sons, And Joseph the eldest of some wild beast was torn, Now if ye take Benjamin from me far away, With sorrow ye shall bring my gray hairs to the grave. 12 Now since this is his last son of Rachel his wife, And my father's life is bound up in this lad's life, It shall come to pass then if the lad with thee stay, We shall bring our sire with sorrow down to the grave. 13 I pledged him my honor to bring Benjamin home, That if 1 did not let endless blame be my doom, I pray thee instead of him let me bond-man be, And let thou the lad go home his father to see. 14 ! how can I journey home to my father dear, And Benjamin not with me, my heart faints with fear, How can I evil bear which killeth my sire ? My grief will be dreadful as unquenchable fire." CHAPTER XLV. 1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all, Then cried he, " Let every man cut from me withdraw Till none stood about him but his own brethren dear, Then he wept aloud and Pharaohs's house all did hear. 2 He cried, " I am Joseph doth my father yet live ? " They spake not, but troubled at his presence, they grieved, He cried, " ! my brethren come near to me I pray, I'm your brother Joseph whom ye sold far away." '.', lie said, " Grieve not with yourselves that ye sold me here, I > 'I sent me before you, for to save life so dear, These two years hath famine raged, yet five more shall come, In which years a harvest shall no more hence be done.. 71 4 So now 'twas not you that sent me hither but God, Who made me a sire to Pharaoh, ruling as lord ; Haste ye to my father, tell him Joseph his son, Is lord o'er all Egypt tell him stay not but come, 5 Bid him come with children's children with all he hath And I will here nourish them while famine doth last, You and brother Benjamin, with open eyes see, 'Tis your brother Joseph that now speaketh to thee." 6 Then Joseph caught Benjamin and kissed him and wept, And Benjamin too did weep, as Joseph him blest, He kissed ail his brethren, as their joyous tears fell, The news reaching Pharaoh's house, it pleased them all well. 7 Then Pharaoh in kindness gave to Joseph command, To bring all his kindred down to Egypt's rich land, He gave each man change of clothes, but Benjamin five, And silver three hundred pieces gave him likewise. 8 Then Joseph sent presents to his sire, and did say, " Adieu, now see that ye fall not out by the way." They then journeyed to their sire by Joseph's command, And cried, " Joseph is alive, and rules Egypt's land." 9 Then Israel's heart fainted, them he could not believe J3ut when Joseph's wagons came, his spirit revived. Said Israel, '• It is enough my son is alive, I'll go and see Joseph if God will ere I die. 'chapter xlvi. 1 Then Israel took all, and went son Joseph so see, And offered God sacrifice, when at Beer-sheba, Then God spake to Israel in the visions of night, And called Jacob and he answered, " Lord here am 1." 2 God said, " Pear not going down into Egypt's land For I will go with thee and bring thee up again, I'll make thee a nation great, in goodness to rise, And Joseph thy son shall put his hand on thine eyes. 3 Then Israel's sons brought their sire and all that they had And settled in Egypt's land with all his seed, glad, These are Israel's children's names in Egypt they brought, Reuben with sons Phallu, Hezron, Carmi, Hanoch, 72 4 Jemuol. and Jamin,Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, Ami Shaul. were the sons which Simeon brought down there. Levi brought sons Gershan, Kohath, and Merari, Jndah brought sons Shelah, Pharez, Zarah, likewise. 5 Then Pharez brought sons Bezrom, llatnul, down to that land, A "i.l [ssachar, brought Tola, Phuvah, Job, Shiniron, And Zebulun brought sons Sered, Elon, Jahleel, And all Jacob's sons and daughters were thirty-three. 6 All these are sons of Lea born in Padan-aram With Dinah his daughter, Jacob brought to that land, And God brought down Ziphion, Ilaggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli, his sons. 7 Asher brought sons Jimnath, Ishuah, Isui Beriah with sister Serah, Egypt to try, Beriah's sons Heber, Malchiel were of old, Jacob's sons of Zilpah, making all sixteen souls, 8 Jacob's sons of Rachel were Joseph, Benjamin, Joseph's of Asenath, Manasseth and Ephraim, And these are the names of ali young Benjamin's sons, Belah, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, likewise Naaraan. 9 Ehi, Muppin. Rosh, and Huppin, Ard are here seen, All born unto Jacob of lov'd Rachel, fourteen, Naphtali, brought Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, Shillem, His four sons to Egypt and Dan brought Hushiin. 10 These are sons of Rachel's maid, which Bilhah did bare, Whom Laban gave Rachel, all those souls seven are, All souls out of Jacob's loins, in Egypt we fix (Except wives of sons) their number three score and six. 11 In Egypt, of Joseph's sons there were but two men, All souls there of Jacob's house are three score and ten. He sent Judah on to guide them to Goshen's plains, Where Joseph came on in haste and met Israel's men. 12 Then Israel embraced his son and kissed him and wept, A Joseph wept in the arms of Israel caressed. Then Israel cried, " my son, I pray let me die, Since God let me see thy face while thou art alive. IS Then .Joseph did bless them all-in God's name and said, ••' When Pharaoh shall call on you. to know of. your trade, Then say ye, " our trade hath been much cattle, to keep, That ye dwell in Goshen, they hate keepers of sheep. CHAFTER XLVII. 1 Then Joseph presented his five brethren and sire To Pharaoh, when they thus said, ray lord, we desire To dwell here in Goshen, both ourselves and our flocks. Then Pharaoh said, " choose ye the best land for your stock." 2 Then Pharaoh asked Jacob's age, and did hitn revere, My days, said he, " are an hundred and twenty years. Both evil and few, and swift are days of my age, But have not attained yet to my sire's pilgrimage. % 3 Maintenance and habitations he gave them there, The best land of Harnesses Pharaoh did them spare, *t All wealth of Egyptians and of countries that joined Was paid into Joseph and to Pharaoh for corn. 4 Then Joseph and Pharaoh bought all cattle and lands, Except land of priests, they had all else in command. Then Joseph the land let to them for one-fifth part Of increase and gave the rest for labor and art. 5 Then Israel did multiply exceedingly there, And lived in the land of Egypt full seventeen years. Then Israel's age was an hundred forty-seven years, When he said, " now 1 must die," and called Joseph near. 6 And said, " swear to bury me not in Egypt's plain, For 1, in my father's sepulcher would be lain." So Joseph did swear, that he would bury hi in there. Then Israel bowed down and blest the Lord God in prayer. CHAPTER XLVIIT. Then it did come to pass that the news spread at last, That good Israel was sick unto death, Then did Joseph prepare his two sons for the prayers, And the blessing of Israel's last breath. And then Joseph took with him Manasseth and Ephraim, And unto his father lie came, Who then said* " God Almighty in mercy hath taught me That he will the righteous sustain. 74 8 Now thy two sons I bless, Ephraim and Manasseth, Born in Egypt ere I hoard of thee, As my Reuben and Simoon these blest sons are mine, All thy others I Leave to thee free. 1 When I came to Padan, Rachel died in the land Of old Canaan, near to Ephrath's way, And I buried her there, with much weeping and prayer, And a stone pillar placed on her grave," 5 Joseph brought his sons near, Israel kissed them in tears And embraced them and to Joseph said, " I thought ne'er to see thee, but thy seed God shewed me, And hath raised thee as one from the dead." 6 Israel blest Ephraim first and Manasseth the last, And the young to the elder preferred. He blest Joseph and said, " trust in God who hath fed Me my life long, and all my prayers heard." 7 Then good Israel relying on God, said, " I'm dying, But he shall bring you up again, For the God of your Fathers, his people will gather Forever hence with Him to reign." CHAPTER XLIX. Then Israel did tell his twelve sons of their ways, And what should befall them in their after days, " Reuben, my first born strength's excellence, now fell, Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel. " Simeon and Levi, as cruel as death, My soul be thou not into their secrets let. • For in cruel anger a man they Ijave slain, I'll spread them in Jacob, and scatter them twain. But Judah is he whom his brethren shall praise, septer from Judah shall not go away, Till Shiloh shall come, who is Christ, to make free, .ill the gathering of people then be. And Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of seas, \ ir Zidon, ao haven where ships ride at case, And Issachar beareth great burdens by day, And boweth his shoulders to tribute., to pay. 75 5 And Dan, judging Israel, a servant reveals, An adder that biteth a rider's horse's heels. And Gad, though a great troop, shall him overcome. He shall overcome at the last, every one. G Prom Asher his bread shall be fat which he gives, And he shall yield dainties which princes shall crave, And Naphtali is like a young hind let loose, He gives goodly words which a good heart should prove. 7 And Joseph is fruitful as boughs by a well, Whose branches with clusters of pome-granates swell. The archers have him sorely grieved and have shot At him, and him hated, but God left him not. 8 His bow did abide in the strength of his God, His arms were made strong by the hands of the Lord, For Joseph is Israel's shepherd and stone, Which standeth by Almighty God, a true one. 9 But Benjamin shall ravin as wolves rage at morn, Dividing the spoil and devouring the torn. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel and sons, And these things are what he spake to them each one, 10 And said, " bury me in the cave when I die, Which Abram once bought of Ephron the Hittite, Where Abram, and Sarah, and Isaac all lie, And his loved Rebekah, and Leah my first wife.'' 11 When Jacob had ended commanding his sons, He yielded his spirit, expired and was gone Forth unto his people, tojhose who love Christ, The true seed of Abram, in God's paradise. CHAPTER L. 1 Then Joseph for Israel did mourn, And wept o'er his father in grief, His heart with keen anguish was torn, His spirit could find no relief. 2 Physicians did Israel embalm, And him in a coffin preserved, Then three score and ten days they mourned, Ere they went forth him to inter. 76 3 Then Joseph when those days were o'er. Said. " lot me now bury my sire. In Canaan where lie dwelt of yore, According as he made me swear. 4 Then Joseph, with all Pharaoh's house Of elders, and servants went forth, With chariots and horsemen and horse, To Canaan's land of Israel's birth. 5 His brethren, with all kin they had, Rode forth with that company vast. They paused at thresh floor of Atad, There mourning did seven days last. When Canaan saw Egypt mourn there, They named that place Abel-mizraim, Thus Joseph done as he did swear, And buried his sire in that land. 7 In cave, of the field of Ephron (The Hittite) which Abraham once bought, For burying place, from Heth's sons, Where Sarah at death was first brought. 8 There Abram and Isaac now lie, And Jacob with wives in that rest, Which four hundred shekels did buy, That Abram paid at Sarah's death. 9 His brethren, to Joseph thus spake, " Forgive us our trespass and sin Which we done against thee in hate." He wept as they spake thus to him. 10 His brethren before him did fall, And said we are thy servants, lord, Then Joseph said, " fear not at all, I am in the place of your God. 11 I know ye meant evil 'gainst me, But God meant it unto great good, To bring it to pass as you see, To give unto His people food. 12 Fear not, I will now nourish you And your little ones with great care." He done to them kindly and true, And lived to age hundred ten years. 7.7 13 He saw Ephraim's generations three, Manasseth's son's children also, Which were brought up at Joseph's knees, All Israel's seed prosperous did grow. 14 He said, " when I die then prepare, For God surely will bring out you From this land, for thus he did swear To Abram, Isaac, Jacob too." 15 Then Joseph had Israel's sons swear, To carry his bones up from hence, " At time when God calls you, prepare To go out with substance from thence. 16 At hundred tenth year Joseph died, Embalmed in a coffin, was he, And gathered to be glorified, Where saints of all ages shall be. 17 Here Genesis comes to a close, From creation till Joseph died. No record so perfect doth show A God of such goodness beside. 78 EXODUS. CHAPTER XV — THE SONG OF MOSES. " I'll sing to the Lord, He hath triumphed most glorious, He cast down the war horse and rider, victorious. The Lord is my strength, and my song and salvation, My shield, and His house shall be my habitation. Praise our father's God, ever glorious. The Lord is Almighty, in war and in slaughter, He cast Pharaoh's chariots and hosts in deep water. Lo in the Red sea his chief captains are drowned, The depths have them covered as stones sank they downward, Praise our fathers' God, all victorious. Thy right arm, Lord, hath high power ever glorious, Thy hand dashed Thy foemen in pieces, victorious, In greatness Thine excellency hath o'erthrown them, Thou didst send thy scourge which as stubble consumed them* Praise our fathers' God, who hath conquered them. With blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered, The floods stood upright, heaped withm the sea centered. Thy foeman then said, we'll pursue and annoy them, Our lust shall have spoil, and our drawn swords destroy them. Praise our fathers' God, who hath constant been. Thou didst blow thy wind and the sea did them cover, As lead sank they in the deep waters all over. Who is like the Lord, to the good glorious ever, His holiness wondrous, His goodness forever, Praise our fathers' God, who deliverance brought. Thy mercy hath led Thy redeemed to salvation, Thy strength hath them guided to Thy habitation, Thy foes shall have fear, Palestina have sorrow, And Edom and Moab have trembling to-morrow. Praise our fathers' God, who salvation taught. For Canaan shall melt and 'round foes fear shall hover, Thy strength shall them still, till Thy people pass over, Thy ransomed, whom Thou Lord shall plant in the mountain Of Thy blest inheritance at Life's flowing fountain. Praise our fathers' God, who the righteous bought. 79 When in the sea-bed, Pharaoh's host charged to battle, While six hundred war chariots' thunders did rattle, Then God brought the floods of the Red sea upon them, While Israel's lov'd children on dry land went from them. Praise our fathers' God, all victorious. Then Miriam and women, with timbrels sang glories, How God makes His people in goodness victorious ; The war-horse and rider He cast in deep waters, Sing praise to the Lord, Zion's sons and her daughters, Praise our fathers' God, ever glorious. CHAPTER XX. 1 God spoke to Moses in the mount, These words to call men to account, " 1 am the Lord your God, who brought You from Egyptian bondage out. 2 I am the Lord, the one true God, And heaven eternal my abode. To other gods shall none incline, Nor worship at an idol's shrine. 3 Speak not in vain the name of God, Keep his blest Sabbath holy, good, Give honor to thy parents dear ; • Thou shalt not kill, but man revere. 4 Adultery thou shalt not commit; — Thau shalt not steal, 'tis most unfit ; — Nor yet shalt thou false witness bear ; — Nor covet neighbor's things, though fair. What ye would have done unto yon, Do ye to others kind and true ; ^ High way of life, that leads to God, Can, but by these commands, be trod.' eo ISAIAH CHAPTER L1I. Awake, put on Emanuel's strength, Zion, beauteous garments wear, Jerusalem shall no more hence Give the unclean an entrance there. Arise thyself from dust and shake, With Shiloh's glory gird thee round, And break the bonds from off thy neck, Zion's captive daughter bound. Saith God, " ye sold yourselves for naught, 1 without money will redeem. My people were to Egypt brought, Their wrong oppressions I have seen. My people, men have cursed, for naught, Caused them My Name oft to blaspheme, But I'll make known I am the Lord, From all their foes I'll guard between. How beauteous on the mount is he Who brings good tidings, and proclaims, Who publisheth salvation free, And cries that Zion's God doth reign. Thy watchmen with one voice shall raise] Their song as they see eye to eye, When God shall Zion bring again, Let deserts' joy in songs reply. Now God hath brought his people rest, And hath redeemed Jerusalem, Made bare His holy arm most blest, And nations his salvation seen. Press on my saints, touch naught of sin, Bear ye the burdens of the Lord. I'll go before you, ye, shall win, I, Israel's God, am your reward. 81' 9 My servant Christ shall come mosl good. Astonished at Him men shall be, He'll sprinkle nalions with His blood, And cleanse them from iniquity. 10 He'll bring His bride safe home to rest, Where fruits ambrosial cluster fair, Where saints with endless life are blessed, With all the righteous greeting there." CHAPTER LIII. 1 0, who hath believed our report, To whom was the Lord's arm revealed ? For He before men shall grow up, As tenderest plant of the field. 2 Like unto a root from dry ground, Christ no form nor comeliness hath, Men in Him no beauty have found, To make them incline to His path. 3 Despised and rejected of men, A man worn with sorrows and grieved, Our faces we turned from Him then, Esteemed Him not, neither relieved. 4 Since surely our griefs he hath borne, And carried our sorrows to death, We'll love him though stricken and torn, And praise Him with our latest breath. 5 Transgressions of ours did him wound, And our many sins did Him bruise, Chastised for our peace, we have found, Great healing, by stripes on Him used. 6 Like sheep, we havo all gone astray, And turned every one unto sin. So God gave his son us to save, And laid^all our sins upon Him. 7 Oppressed and distressed, He spake not, As lamb led to slaughter, was dumb, From prison to judgment was brought, And died for our sins every one. 82 8 His grave with the wicked He made, Likewise with the rich at iiis death. B>( cause He no violence did, Nor yet was deceit in his breath. 9 God made Christ an offering for sin, That righteousness yet might prevail, And penitent souls enter in Eternity's Rest without fail. 10 Come sinners and trust in His name, And keep his commands with delight, That ye may be heirs with Him then, To righteousness and endless life, THE SONG OF SOLOMON CIIAPTER I. Song of songs is Solomon's song, Better than all others, Sung by saints with joyful tongues, Jesus is their lover. Let Him greet me with love's kiss, That we ne'er may sever, From whose lips flows righteousness, Yielding peace forever. For His savors from above. Pour like, precious oinment, Wherefore do His people love, By divine annointment. We'll j-un after thee, draw me In our^King's. blest chambers,' ' Tltere we will .rejoice in '.Thee A'nd Thy iove* remember.' 83 Better is Thy love than wine, How the upright love Thee, Lead our hearts to love divine. None hath love above Thee. I am meek but comely, fair Daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar are Or the veils of Solomon. Look thou not on me with shame, Since afflictions grieve me. Sinners held me in disdain, And they oft deceived me. They made me their vineyards keep, Mine 1 have neglected, Thy lost lambs did stray and bleat, I have them protected. Tell me, Saviour, ever blest, Where thy flocks are feeding, That I lead ihese lambs to rest, And a joyful greeting, 0, my bride, my fairest One, Seek my flock's steps onward, Feed thy lambs when thou reach home, By the tents of shepherds. Thou resemblest, 0. my spouse, Pharaoh's grand battalion, Jewels deck Ihy cheeks in rows, Thy neck-chains are golden. He will make thy borders gold, Set with studs of silver, Where the King His feast doth hold, Prayers of saints give savor. Mv beloved is as myrrh, Near my heart most inward, As a cluster of camphire From En-gcdi's vineyard. My love hath dove's eyes serene, Beaming with compassion, And our bed is vernal green, Clothed with flowrets blushing, 84 My beloved's house hath myrrh, Beams of lasting cedar ; And its rafters arc of fir ; House of our Redeemer. All who seek His love shall rest, In His house forever, Crowned with endless life, and blest With unceasing pleasure. CHAPTER II. Christ is Sharon's rose of morn, Lily of the waters, As the lily 'mong the thorns, His love is 'mong daughters. As the apple tree 'mong trees, Of the wood, is better, So His shadow doth most please, And His fruit is sweeter. He brought me to his blest feast, 'Neath love's banner, joyful, Stay my soul with heavenly peace, Comfort me with apples. That I love for thy love's sake, Since Thy hand is 'neath me, And Thy right arm doih embrace, Jesus never leave me. Stir not, nor distnrb my love, Daughters of Jerusalem. He comes like the roe or dove, To all who pursue Him. My beloved, behold, Leaping on the mountains, Skipping o'er the hills so bold, Like a young hart bounding. My beloved said, " fair one, Rise, my love, come hither, Lo, the winter's pa-t and gone, And the storms are over. 65 Singing birds and flowers are come, Vines and grapes smell sweetly, Rise, my love, come way, fair one, I wilt lead thee meekly." " 0, my dove cleft in the rock, Speak thy voice so sweetly, Let me see thy comely look, Of compassion meekly." " My beloved hath we won, I am His forever. Like a bounding hart, He comes, From the Mounts of Bether." Sinners trust in Jesus' name, Seek your sins forgiven, Win His everlasting gain, And a crown in heaven. Then where e'er your death shall be, Jesus will run thither, Like a bounding roe for thee, Down the heights of Ether. CHAPTER III. On my bed by night, I sought Him whom my soul loveth, Sought Him, but I found Him not; Him, whom heaven approveth. I will range the city through, In broad ways I'll seek Him, Whom ray soul doth love most true, Until I receive Him. Thus I sought, but found Him not, When the watchmen found me, Said I, •* Have ye seen my love, Hath lie been around thee ? Past the watchmen, I found Him, My love's not a stranger, Him I held, and led Him in My dear mother's chamber. Stir not, nor disturb my love, Daughters of Jerusalem, By the hinds and lovely roes, Till I interview Him. Who comes from the wilderness ? Bearing smoke in pillars, 'Fumed with myrrh, and frank incense, Types of heavenly savors. Bound Him, as round Soloman, Shout His valiant Israels, All wield swords of spirit, one Guarding against all evils. Silver, cedar, paved with gold, Purple veils, did cover Chariots paved with love of old, For Jerusalem's daughters ! Then went Zion's daughters, where Solomon had his crowning, Which his mother gave him there, At his grand espousing. Daughters now seek Christ your King, Who died to restore thee. Crowned of God in heaven, He'll bring His lov'd bride to Glory. CHAPTER IV. " Thou art fairer love, than gold, Thou hast doves eyes charming, Thy hair like white goats of old, From Mount Gilead coming. Thy teeth like a flock of sheep, Even shorn from washing, All are white with mates complete, None 'mong them are wanting. Thy lips like a scarlet thread, Thy speech sweet and lovely. Thy pomegranate temples, hid In thy locks most comely. 87 Thy neck like the tower so grand, Built for David's armory, On which thousand bucklers hang, Worn by men of honor. Thy form like the nimble roes, \Mong the lilies bounding, Till day break and shadows go, Flee 1 to myrrh mountains. To Ihe hill of frank incense, Thou most pair and comely, In thee there is no offence, Meek and mild and lovely. Look love, from mount Lebanon, From mount Manna, round thee Shemir, Herman, Lion's dens, And from Leopard's Mountains. Feast me with thy look again, My lov'd spouse and sister, With one of thine eyes, one chain Of thy neck with pleasure. Most fair is thy love, my spouse, Sister, how much better Is thy smile than wine to rouse, Calling sinners over. Thy words drop as honey comb, Milk and honey bless thee. Sinners if you pray and come, Heaven will caress thee. In Christ's church are all the charms Of all flowers, and odors, 'Fountains, gardens, living streams, Compassing earth's borders. Wake, 0, north wind, south wind mourn All my garden over, That its odors draw my love To His fruits_with .pleasures. 88 CHAPTER V. 1 I'm come in my garden, my sister, my spouse, With myrrh, and with spices, beloved arouse ; I have milk and honey, and fruits at this time, Come eat ye, saints, beloveds of mine. '2 From sleep my heart" wakes at the voice of my love, Who knocks, saying, " Open to me, 0, my dove. I'm wet with the dew of the night all the while, My coat is put off and my feet undented." 3 My love put jHis hand to the hole of the door, Which caused me to ope, when my hands fumed with myrrh, But my love had gone, and my spirit then failed, When He spake, I sought Him, but could not prevail, 4 I called Him, but He did me answer no more, The watchmen then found me, and wounded me sore, The keepers of walls, then my veil did remove, Tell Him Zion's daughters, 1 pine for His love. 5 ",What is thy beloved, that thou charge us so?" The chief 'mong ten thousand, and lovliest, too. His head as fine gold, with dove's eyes fitly set, His cheeks beds of spices, His lips flowrets sweet. 6 His hands as gold rings, set with ber.yl stones bright, His body as ivory, o'erlaid with saphires. His legs, marble pillars, on feet of fine gold, His visage excelling fine temples of old. 7 His mouth far more lovely than lilies that bloom, His word giveth life, and restoreth from the tomb. This is my Beloved, my Friend, Lord and King, Jerusalem's daughters His love ever sing. CHAPTER VI. " Where is Christ, thy best beloved 0, thou fairest of the fair, Tell me where he hath removed, That I seek for Him with care.'" & 2 He has gone down in His garden, Feeding 'mong the spicy beds. He who once hath bought our pardon, And hath sealed it with His blood. 3 I am my Beloved's ever, My beloved He is mine, And our friendship ne'er shall sever. Since our love is most divine. 4 Hark, my Lord comes with His army, See their scarlet banners stream, Bold and beautiful as Tirsah, Comely as Jerusalem. 5 "0 my saints, thine eyes turn from me, They o'ercome and me confine, And thy prayers are sweet as honey, Of a paradise divine. 6 How my bride looks fair as morning, As the moon, clear as the sun, As an army in adornings, With their palms of victory won. 7 I went down in my love's garden, There to see the fruits and vines, And if pomegranates had budded, There my Saviour I did find. 8 E'er I was aware, He gave me, Chariots of Ammi-nadib, As we rode on high, He bade me Ever in His name be glad. 9 thou Shulamite return ye, Thou our power, peace, and reward, As two armies with us coming, Shiloh's people for to guard. 10 Sinners come and seek the Saviour, 'Tis the Shulamite's return, And repent all bad behaviour, Lest you should forever mourn. 11 That man might put on Christ's spirit, Is why God gives earthly stay. "All who seek Him, shall inherit Endless happiness and day. 90 CHAPTBB VII. Beauteous are thy feet, as dowers, Zion's prince's daughter. And thy nock like ivory towers, - like Beshbon's waters, Thine head like mount Carmel high, Hair like Tyrian purple. Thou dostjnakejhe King draw nigh, Fairest most delightful. Thy lov'd stature like a palm, Thy breast like grape clusters, And thy voice the spirits balm, Pleasant fruits and odors. Thy word doth the soul incline, Unto God's salvation, Leading sinners to the shrine, Of the new creation. I am my Beloved's now, His desire is for me. Come dear Saviour with us go, We'll tell all men of thee. We will in thy vineyard toil, Trusting, never fearing, See if vines do flourish all, If young plants need cheering. There will I give thee my loves, my_blessed Saviour, Odors from blest fruits shall move, Through thy vineyards ever. Fruits'of doing^good we'll lay Up for our beloved ; Then we at the judgment day, Shall His word have proved. Cause of man's sojourn in earth, Is the good he doeth, That he seek the heavenly birth, As the spirit wooeth ; Of God's spirit, every man Hath a portion given, Whispering, him through life's short span, Telling him- " seek heaven." 91 CHAPTER VIII. that Christ, were as my brother, By my mother bred with me, I would love Eim more than others, And would not despised be. Him I'd bring in mother's mansion, Where He should be blest most free, Feast, and drink, my choice pomegranate, And the world would not blame me, But because Christ was a stranger, He was lov'd but by the good, Poor and cradled in a manger, Hence the world His words withstood. Let his left hand be my pillow, And His right arm, me embrace, And convey me o'er death's billow, 4 There to see His Father's face. Stir not, nor wake Him from sleeping, Who hath died, man to redeem, He from wilds His bride is leading, On her loving Lord she leans. Seal me on Thy heart and spirit, Let me lean, Lord, on Thine arm, Love is strong as death, and merits, Endless life and potent charms. Many waters cannot quench love, Neither can the floods it drown ; Nought but love, can e'er cement love, Nor can gold with love compound. If our sister, Gentile nations, Have no heart enlarged for God, How shall we cause their salvation, When the gospel call is heard ? God's eternal will and sentence. Is that Gentiles, may be heirs Of Salvation through repentence, And in Christ His kingdom share. When in God's great house shall center All the nations for theirpart, Equal part, shall have the Gentile, If she shall enlarge her heart. 92 If she be a wall, we'll build her A fine silver palace thou. If a door, enclose, and gild her With the boards of Lebanon. Israel's wall hath breasts like towers; She with God will e'er prevail, And her heart is large with powers, And with love that never fails. Thou, Who dwellest in high gardens, Let me hear Thy voice most sweet, Who once bled to gain our pardon, Make my heart Thy dwelling seat. ! make haste my best beloved, Like a bounding hart or roe, From high mounts of spices, coming, That my soul may with Thee go. Jesus watches o'er His vineyard More than Soloman of old, Calling meekly unto sinners, " Come and reap My fruits of gold." Sing and shout your Lord and Saviour Daughters of Jerusalem, All who follow his behaviour, Shall eternal life attain. THE FIRST BOOK NEW TESTAMENT, OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST VERSIFIED, A000BDING TO MATTHEW'S aOSPEL. 94 MATTHEW. CHAPTER I. 1 The book of generation of Christ, David's son, In line down from Abrarn to Christ, everyone. From Abram to Jesus, the generations are Abram, Isaac, Jacob and Judas, and Phares. 2 And Esrora, and Aram, and Aminadab, And Naasson and Salmon and Booz of Eachab. Then Obul of Ruth, Jesse, King David fair, And David's son Solomon, Una's wife bear. 3 Then Eoboam, Abia, Asa, Josaphat, Then Joram, Ozias, Joatham, and Achaz, And then Ezekias, Manasses, Anion, Josias, Jachoniae when to Babylon bound. 4 Salathiel, Zorobabel, Abiud, Eliakim, Azor, Sadoc, Achim, Eliud, Then Eleazar, Matthan, Jacob, Joseph last, The husband of Mary the mother of Christ. 5 Generations from Abram to David, fourteen, From David to Babylon fourteen intervene, And fourteen from Babylonian bondage to Christ, The blest birth of Jesus, it was on this wise. 6 When Mary was spoused unto Joseph then came, '" On her heavens favor which had been ordained, Then as he thought privily to put her away, An angel from heaven to Joseph did say. 7 " Fear not to take Mary to bless thine abode, For she hath conceived by the Spirit of God; She shall bare a son, Jesus shall be His name, He shall save His people from sin, curse and shame. 8 For thus t'was long spoken by prophets of God, A virgin shall bring forth a son to the Lord, Emmanuel shall be His name which excels All names, since it means that the God with us dwells. 95 9 Then Joseph arose in delight, and new life, Andltook his lov'd Mary, his God-favored wife, And waited most joyous for her first born son, And called His name Jesus, the blest, holy one. 10 Then Mary exclaimed, " I do glorifiy God, That I have brought forth the new man from the Lord. The first man is earthy, this man came from heaven To die for man's sins, that they might be forgiven. Jl All hail Holy Spirit, which made my reward, My Son and my Saviour ; my High priest and Lord, And Rock of eternal salvation to all, Who keep His commandments on this earthly ball, CHAPTER II. 1 When Christ was in Bethlehem of Judea born, In King Herod's days there came from eastward wise men, And said, " where's He Who is of Jews, born their King, His star we have seen, and come here to worship Him." 2 Jerusalem was tronbled then, and Herod forlorn, He asked scribes and pharisees where Christ should be born, They said, " within Bethlehem, for prophets declare, That her new-born governor should rule Israel there," 3 Then Herod did privily call up the wise men, And asked when the star appeared that so led them on, He bade them, " go find the child and then bring me word, That I too may come and worship Him as my Lord." 4 The star led the wise men, till it stood o'er the child, Which made them rejoice with greatest joy all the while, With Mary they found the child, and worshipped Him there, And offered Him gifts and gold, frankincense and myrrh. 5 Then God warned them not to keep King Herod's command, He also warned Joseph to flee to Egypt's land, For Herod will seek for the young child, Him to slay, So he fled to Egypt, the young childs life to save. 6 He stayed there until the death of Herod had come, As prophets said, " I from Egypt called out my son." Then Herod was wroth since he the wise men ne'er found, And slew all young children then in Bethlehem round. 96 7 From two yours of age and less, as wise men had told, And then was fulfilled what spake the prophet^of old. In Kama a voice of lamentation was heard, Of Rachel's groat mourning for her lov'd children dead, 8 And would not be comforted, because they are gone, While thousand fond mothers more fell weeping forlorn, God bade him at Herod's death go to Israel free, But he fearing Herod's son went to Galilee, 9 And dwelt within Nazareth, as long was foreseen, For prophets had given him the name " Nazarene.'' This Jesus brought life and immortality's light And God's glorious gospel He did preach day and night, chapter m, 1 When John the Baptist preaching came, In Judea's desert land, He cried repent, from sin refrain, God's Kingdom is at hand, 2 'Tis he of whom the prophets spake, The voice of one doth cry Within the wilderness make strait The paths of the most High. 3 John made his clothes of camels hair, With leathern girdle bound, Ate locusts and wild honey there, While multitudes came down. 4 From regions bounding Jordan's stream, And by him were baptized. And Pharisees, and Sadducees Sought him with weeping eyes. 5 Then John said who hath forewarned you, To flee the wrath to come ? Bring forth fruits for repentence true, Say not, we're Abram's sons. 6 For God from, your stone hearts can raise Up Abrahajnic seed. If ye repent of sinful ways, And love the Lord indeed. 97 7 The axe, now laid at the tree's root Proclaims that God requires, That those which bring not forth good fruit, Be cut and cast m fire. 8 With water, 1 baptize him, Doth penitence desire ; A mightier One shall baptize you With Holy Ghost and fire. 9 Whose fan will purge His floor, and turn His wheat in barns to fill, But He the chaff will after burn With fire unquenchable. 10 Then Jesus came from Galilee, To be baptized likewise. But John forbade, and said, " of thee 1 need to be baptized." 11 Then Jesus said to John, " I would That thou shouldst do so now, For it becomes us, that we should All righteousness allow." 12 When Jesus from baptism came, The heavens did on him shine, God's spirit as a dove-like flame, Did light and Him entwine. 13 Then lo, a voice from heaven did say, " This is my well loved Son In whom I am well pleased this day, Hear ye Him, every one." 14 Thus John the gospel did begin, Christ after him did come, To free obedient souls from sin, And lead His ransomed home. CHAPTER IV. Then Christ was of the spirit led Up in the wilderness, Of Satan there to be tempted, And fast in great distress. 98 8 When fortieth fast-day came to hand, The tempter to him said, " If thou art Son of God command These stones to be made bread." 3 Christ said. " Tis written man lives not By earthly bread alone, But by the word which comes from God, if it be truly done." 4 Then he set Christ on temple's top, And said, " Now cast Thee down, For angel hands shall bear Thee up, Is written of the Son." 5 Christ said, " 'Tis written 'Tempt not God.' Then satan took him up Into a mountain's high abode, And spake exulting thus: 6 "Behold earth's glorious kingdoms fair, I'll give them all to Thee, If thou wilt fall down and declare, That Thou wilt worship me." 7 Christ said to Satan, " Get thee hence, For it is written, thou Shalt worship God alone, none else, To Whom all men must bow." 8 When He the tempter's hour had past, God's angels strengthened Him, When John was into prison cast, Christ sought Capernium. 9 All men in darkness then saw light, In all earth's regions round, And through sin's deathly shades of night Did roll the gospel sound. 10 Then Christ began to preach and, say, " Repent ye every man, This is thy glorious gospel day God s kingdom is at hand." 1 1 So Peter, Andrew, called He, then From fishing in the sea, And cried, " I'll make you fish for men. If you will follow Me. 99 12 Then He called James and John, who left Their nets, and ways of sin, Then Jesus traveled, preached, and blest, Vast multitudes sought Him. chapter v. 1 When Jesus saw the multitude He sought a mountain near, While His disciples round Him stood, He taught these words most dear. 2 Much blest the poor in spirit are, For theirs is peace and heaven ; And blest are they that mourn, for there Shall comfort be them given. 3 Blest are the meek, for they shall heir All things, for 'tis God's will ; Who thirst for righteousness, blest are For they shall all be filled. 4 Blest be the merciful, for he God's mercy shall obtain ; The pure in heart God's face shall see, And blest with him to reign. 5 Peacemakers shall be called the blest, Dear children of our God, Those who are spurned for righteousness, Are blest with heaven's abode. 6 Most blest are ye, when men revile, And slander for My sake, Rejoice exceeding glad the while, Your prize in heaven is great. 7 For so spurned they the prophets old, Which long before you were, Ye are the salt of earth, the gold, The blest of heaven's care. 8 Ye are the light of earth's dark scene, A city on a hill, A candle is not lit by men, A bushel but to fill. 100 i) But to Light all in the boose, 'Dun lot your light forth shine, That all may soo it far without, .Vial unto good incline. 10 The law, I came not to deride. Or prophecies of old, But to fulfill, and lead my bride To crystal streets of gold. 11 Those who break one of these commands. And teach men so, wrong heaven, To those that do them, at her hand, Shall greatest praise be given. 12 Except your righteousness exceed The scribe and pharisee, Ye shall not enter heaven indeed, Nor have right to life's tree. 13 They who shall kill, said ancient laws, Endanger judgment sent. But he that's angry without cause, Shall die lest he repent. 14 Who calls his brother an ill name, Draws to the council nigher, And he that calls him fool, the same Hath danger of hell fire. 15 When thou dost gifts to altars bring, And know thy brother's grief, Be thou first reconciled to him, Then offer thou thy gift. 16 Let no wrong be 'tween him and thee, But ever live in peace, Lest thou in vile law-wranglings be, And oft in prison cast. 17 Adultery thou shalt not commit, Is a good law of old, But I say who so looks for it, Already stains their soul. 18 If hand or eye offend or ail, To oast them off is well, 'Tw bettor that one member fail, Than all be cast to hell. 101 19 One may divorce his wife 'twas said, But 1 give no such laws, Let no man leave the wife he wed, Lest lewdness be the cause. 20 " Perforin thine oaths to God of all," 'Twas said in times of old, But I say swear ye not at all, By heaven, or earth, or gold. 21 But let your words be yea and nay, For what is more than these, Forth cometh from an evil way, And doth your God displease. 22 Take tooth for tooth and eye for eye, Said thev in old times odd, I say avenge not lest ye die, For that belongs to God. 23 If, at the law, one shall thee sue, And take away thy coat. The insult bear, for Me be true, And let him have thy cloak. 24 If one urge thee a mile to go, With him, then go thou twain, Give him that asketh thee also, The borrower's wish sustain. 25 Love enemies who false accuse, Do good to those who hate, Pray for them which despiteful use, And do you persecute. 26 That ye may be the children of Your heavenly Father God, Who makes His sun to rise upon The evil and the good. 27 If ye love but those that love you, Then what reward have ye ? Even the publicans so do, Love all since God lov'd thee. 28 For sinners must to judgment come, To God belongs reward ; Be truly kind to every one, As I who am your Lord. 102 89 Be perfect as your Father (3od, Who in high heaven doth reign, And walk the path which I have trod, And ye shall it obtain."' CHAPTER VI. 1 " Give not your alms for to be seen, Or glory have of men, But secretly give what ye mean, God shall reward thee then. 2 And when ye pray, mean what ye say, Speak not deceitful things, For what ye need, thus pray indeed, And God shall blessings bring. 3 Our Father God in heaven blest one, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come thy will be done, In earth and heaven the same. 4 Give us this day our daily bread, Forgive our sins we pray, As we forgive the trespass deed, Of each our fellow clay. 5 Lead us not to temptation's shrine, Keep us from evil then, The kingdom, power, and glory's thine, Forever more, Amen. 6 As ye forgive men's trespasses, So God will you forgive, If ye refuse men to forgive, No pardon shall ye have. 7 And when ye fast make no sad face, As hypocrites or fraud, To make men think that they have grace, But they have their reward. 8 But when ye fast, anoint thy head, And wash, I hat thou appear Not unto men to fast indeed, But unto God most dear. 103 Pray not as hypocrites, for they Oft make Jong prayers in streets, To make men think that they obey, In righteousness complete. 10 But when ye pray first shut thy door, Then pray to God alone, And he will bless thy secret hour, And make thy virtues known. 11 Lay treasures up for you in heaven, Where moth nor rust can go, For where ye have your treasure hidden, Your heart will be also. 12 The light of body is the eye, If thine eye single be, Thy body shall be full of light, A pleasure unto thee. 13 JJ: thine eye evil be in thee, Great darkness shall thee fill, Therefore if thy light darkness be, That darkness is great ill. 14 If light, and knowledge which God gave, Be used, thy God to bless, Thou shalt be full of light and grace, And hopes of endless rest, 15 If light, and knowledge, God gave thee, Be used in sinful ways, In darkness thou shalt ever be, And far from heavenly grace. 16 If thy light, thou hast darkness made, Then take heed unto thee, If thou by sin make thy light shade, How dark that shade must be. 17 For God and mammon none can serve, Ono must be laid aside, Lest you from one of them should swerve, Or other be despised. 18 Trust God for food, and drink, and meat, Behold the fowls of air, They sow not neither do they reap , Yet God for them prepares. " 104 10 If God clothe grass and lilies too, In glorious attire, Will Be not much more then clothe you, As children doth require ? 20 Grieve not about what ye shall eat, Or where withal be clothed, For all these things do Gentiles seek, Your need, your Father knows. 21 But seek ye first God's kingdom true, And His blest righteousness, And all these things I'll add to you, And take you to My rest." CHAPTER VII. 1 " Judge not that ye should not be judged, Man cannot judge man good, Be kind to all, nor hold a grudge," Leave judgment unto God. 2 For by the judgment, ye judge with, Ye shall be judged again, And just the measure that ye give, The same shall ye obtain. 3 The mote, seen in thy brother's eye, Through beams within thine own, Thou cans't not pull out if thou try, Till beams from thine are gone. 4 Give not things holy to the dogs, Nor cast your pearls to swine, Lest they defile pure things of God's, And you to rend incline. 5 Ask God, and He will give to you, Seek Him, and ye shall find, Knock, and it shall be opened too, For God is good and kind. 6 If son should ask his sire for cake Will he give him a stone ? Or for fish give him a snake And think he blest his son ? 105 7 If evil men will give good food, When children ask of them, Will not your Father give things good, When children ask of Him. 8 What ye would have men do to you, That do ye unto them ; This is the law and prophets true, The duty of all men. 9 So enter in at the straight gate That hath the narrow way, Which leads to life, ere 'tis too late, Few find it in their day. 10 Wide is the gate and broad the way Which leadeth unto death ; Where many go therein astray, In darkness and distress ! 11 Beware false prophets in sheep's suits, Who inwardly wolves are, But ye shall know them by their fruits, For thistles no figs bear. 12 All good trees bear good fruit to suit, Corrupt trees bear corrupt ; Each tree that brings not forth good fruit, Into the fire is thrust. 13 'Tis by their fruits ye shall them know ; Not all that saith, "Lord, Lord," But they who do His will shall go To heaven for their reward. 14 Some men will say to Me that day, "We toiled, Lord, much for thee." I know you not, to them I'll say, Ye work iniquity. 15 Who hears and does these words of mine, Is like to a wise man, Who on a rock to build inclines, And not upon the sand. 16 Who hears but does not my commands Is likened to a fool, Who built his house upon the sand, Regarding not my rule. 1 06 l? When on the bouse built on a rock, The winds and waters raged, Then it fell not, nor fell the shock, Though tempests fierce engaged. IS When on the house built on the sand, The tempesl poured its weight, It fell, alas I and could not stand, The fall thereof was great, 19 Christ to an end Ilis sermon brought, When all astonished were, For with authority He taught, And not as scribes declare. 20 Twas thus the spotless Nazarene, On Juda's mount hath stood, Whose words of love and looks serene, Did melt the heart with good. ("end of sermon on the mount.] CHAPTER VIII. 1 A leper said to Jesus then, " Lord if thou wilt, thou canst me cleanse,"' He said, " I will, so be thou clean," Then nought of leprosy was seen. 2 When Christ into Caperniuin came, There a centurion said to Him, " My servant, Lord, is sick at home. Of palsy, grievous and undone." 3 Then Jesus said, " I'll come and heal, 1 ' But he said, "jiay 'tis just as well To speak thy healing word of power, Which will him heal from this same hour. 4 I am not worthy, thou shouldst come Beneath my roof, speak, and 'tis done, For I have soldiers under me, That go and come at my decree/' 5 Then Jesus marvelleth, and saith, " In [srael ['ve nol found such faith, I say to you vast hosts shall come, Prom east and west and shall sit down. 107 C With Abram, Isaac, Jacob there, In God's blest kingdom bright and fair. While children of the Jews, shall be Cast out in darkness, far from me. 7 Where weeping is, and gnashing teeth, Emblems of guilt, and pain, and grief, Then Christ said as thou hast believed, So be it unto thee received." 8 Then Jesus, Peter's mother healed, And cast out devils and fulfilled, As prophets spake, He healed and blest, And bore our sickness and distress. i» When vast crowds round Him did abide, He said, " sail to the other side,'' Then did a scribe say, " Master know I'll follow thee where thou dost go." 10 Christ said, " the foxes have their holes, And birds of air, nests many fold, But I've not where to lay my head, Nor yet a shelter for my bed." 11 One said, "to follow I desire, But let me bury first my sire.^' " follow me, now first," He said, " Lest thy Salvation should be fled." 12 Then they took ship, and tempests rose, And raging waves, their barque enclosed, While He did sleep, they were forlorn, And cried, " Lord save us from the storm. 13 He said to them, " why do ye fear ; Pray God for faith your hearts to cheer," When He rebuked the winds and sea, There was a calm great as could be. 14 The men then marveled and did say, " What man doth winds, and sea obey ?" Then He sailed to the other side, In Gergesenes land to abide. 15 Two men possessed of devils, met Him from the tombs, for to beset, For they let no man pass that way, But they did cry and to Him say : 108 1G " What have we now to do with thee, Jesus thou son of God, we flee, Torment us not before the time, Lei us go in yon herd of swine." 17 He bade them go, when out they come, Went in the herd which violent run Down in the sea, till all were dead ; — Their herdsmen to the city fled. 18 The city then met Christ in haste, They feared and begged Him leave that place, This was to make men know and tell, How devels curse in whom they dwell. 19 For when they passed from men to swine, How soon the herd in death reclined. Thus all who do with devils dwell, Must feel the pangs of death and hell. CHAPTER IX. 1 Then Jesus by ship to His own city passed, They brought Him a man sick of palsy, down cast, He seeing their faith, spake as one from high heaven, " Son be of good cheer for thy sins are forgiven." 2 Then scribes said, among them, this man doth blaspheme, He knowing their thoughts, said, *• why doth it so seem, For which is the easier to say as I talk ? Thy sins are forgiven thee, or say rise and walk." 3 " But that ye may know that I can sins forgive," He said, " Take thy bed, walk to where thou dost live." The sick man then rose, walking to his house, when They glorified God, who such power gave to men. 4 Then Jesus called Matthew from custom's receipt, Who followed to where Jesus did set at meat, With sinners, and publicans, dining with Him, Then Pharisees murmuring, did railings begin. 5 He said unto them, that, " the whole have no need To have a physician, but sick ones indeed, Now learn what this meaneth, I will mercy have, And not sacrifice, that I sinners may save. 109 6 For I came~on earth, not the righteous to"call, But sinners' repentence is My mission all." Then came John's disciples, and thus they besought, " Why fast we while thy lov'd disciples fast not ?" 7 " Because I their bridegroom am with them to feed, But when I am gone they shall hunger and bleed, New cloth in old garments, will make the rent worse, New wine in old bottles will cause them to burst. 8 New cloth in new garments the longest will serve, New wine in new bottles will each one preserve." A ruler then came who a daughter's death grieved, And said, "pray, lay hands on her and she shall live." 9 Christ and His disciples then followed the man, A woman diseased, then behind there came, For lo, she had said, with belief in her soul, " If I can but touch Him I shall be made whole." 10 She touched but the hem of His garment, when He Turned round and said, " daughter thy faith hath saved thee." The woman was healed then from that very hour, And she glorified God as she felt healing power. 11 As noise in the rulers house rang, Jesus said, " Come out, give me place, for the maid is not dead." They laughed Him to scorn, as He took hold her hand, When she did arise and before them did stand. 12 The fame thereof went far abroad of Him then, But as He departed there cried two blind men, " 0, thou son of David, have mercy pray do." He said, " now believe ye that I can heal you ?" 13 They answered Him, " yea Lord," then touched He their eyes, And said as your faith is so God hears your cries. Their eyes then were opened, He said, "tell no man," But they afterward spread His fame through the land. 14 A dumb man they found, of a devil possessed, Which Christ did cast out when the dumb spake and blest, All said, " this in Israel was never so done," But Pharisees said, " through the devil it come." 15 Then Christ preached the gospel, and kingdom of peace, And healed every sickness and every disease, Then Christ had compassion on fainting ones there, All scattered as sheep having no shepherd's care. 110 it Then Baith Be, " the harvest is plenteous 'lis true, But laborers m harvest, alas, they are few, So pray ye the Lord of the harvest, to send Forth laborers in harvest, to save the losl men." CHAPTER X. 1 Christ gave His disciples power o'er unclean spirits, To cast out, and heal sickness, and all disease, The names of His twelve lov'd Apostles of merit, Were Peter, and Andrew, James of Zebedee. 2 John, Philip, Bartholomew, and Thomas, and Matthew, And James, son of Alpheus, Lebbeus, Thaddeus, And Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, Who also betrayed Him and brought a great curse. 3 These twelve Christ sent forth raying, "go not to Gentiles, Nor yet shall ye enter Samaria's land, But go to the lost sheep of blest house of Israel, And preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 4 Heal sick, raise the dead, and cast out demon curses, As ye have received freely, so freely give, Provide gold nor silver, nor brass, in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, two coats, shoes, nor staves. 5 In what place ye enter inquire who is worthy, There shall ye abide with them till ye go thence ; At first coming in ye shall hail as a brother, If worthy your peace there let rest with content. 6 Who shall not receive you nor hear your blest mission, Depart ye from them who your words shall reject, Gomorrha and Sodom, hath better condition In judgment, than those who My gospel neglect. 7 I send you as sheep, where the wild wolves are crouching, As serpents be wise, and as doves harmless too, Beware ye of men who will bring you to councils, And oft before governors persecute you. 8 Think not what to answer, when they shall deliver, For it shall be given you, that hour what to speak, Tis not ye that speak but the words of your Father, Which Bpeaketh in you, for which pray ye and seek. Ill The brothor to death, shall deliver his brother, The father, the son, son his sire to the grave, All men shall you hate, for My sake not another, But he that endures to the end shall be saved. 10 If one city hate you flee ye to another, For cities of Israel shall last till I come, Disciple can never be over his master, Nor servant o'er Lord 'tis enough they are one. 11 If men give the name " Beelzebub " to the master, They also will give to his household that name, Fear not for things secret shall all be hereafter, Divulged from the darkness and made very plain, 12 What I tell you here, preach on house-tops forever, Fear not them which only this body can kill, But I will fore- warn you whom ye should fear rather, Him who can destroy soul 'and body in hell. 13 The least things are noticed of your heavenly Father, The hairs of your head are all numbered and given, 1 Two sparrows which only are sold for one farthing, One shall not fall down but God sees it from heaven, 14 I'm come to set men 'gainst the sins of their fathers, Who oft will contend 'gainst the sons whom I draw, 1 come to set mothers 'gainst sins of the daughters, And daughter-in-law 'gainst the mother-in-law. M A man's foes shall be of his household and clamor, Hound those who love Me and My gospel the best, Who loveth Me not more than mother or daughter, That one is not worthy to enter My rest, J6 He who loves his life more than Me, he shall loose it, Who loseth his life for My sake shall it find ; He that receives you, it is Me that he choseth, And him who hath sent Me, the Father divine. 17 Who feedeth a prophet, in name of a prophet, Such one shall receive a true prophet's reward, Who feedeth My servants, though men think light of it Who doth it, his goodness the Lord doth regard. 18 He who shall give drink to one of My disciples, A cup of cold water in name of his Lord, It is a blest deed far above earthly trifles, And such one shall reap My disciple's reward." 112 CHAPTER XT. 1 When Christ oeas'd oommanding His twelvc,IIo went preaching When John heard in prison, Christ's works, he did send His two lov'd disciples, who came thus beseeching, Art thou the true Christ on whom we should depend?" 2 Christ said, " go shew John what ye hear and see sacred, How blind see, the lame walk, and lepers are cleansed, And how that the deaf hear, the dead they are raised, The poor have the gospel now preached unto them, 3 Most blest is lie who in Me is not offended, More great than a prophet is My servant John, And at his blest preaching ye should have repented, None greater than John ere among men was born, 4 From John until now doth the kingdom of heaven, Oft suffer the violent to take it by force, The law and the prophets until John were given, John is the Elias which was to come forth, 5 With what is this pert generation contented, We piped unto you ant] lo ye have not danced, We wept over you and ye have not repented, Believe and repent and My kingdom advance. 6 Ye murmured when John preached not eating or drinking, My eating and drinking ye now both deride, Ye taunt Me with wine and of eating with sinners, Ye said, " that a devil with John did abide." 7 Now woe to thee Chorazin, woe to Bethsaida, My works here would made Tyre and Sidon repent, It shall be far better for Tyre and for Sidon, In great day of judgment unless ye relent. 8 Capernaum which now art exalted to heaven, Shall come down to hell for if mighty work's sake, Which were done in thee had to Sodom been given, To-day, she would stand in her glory and state. ) Then Christ answering said now I thank thee, Father Lord of heaven and earth that thy pleasure hath hid, These things from the self-wise and prudent forever, And that it pleased thee to reveal them to babes.. 113 10 No man knoweth God but the Son who is Saviour, And He to whom Son shall the Father reveal, Come ye heavy laden find rest from your labor, The meek and the lowly shall Jesus' love feel. chapter xir. [ As Jesus' disciples passed on Sabbath day, By corn-fields, while hungered they eat on their way, Then Pharisees said, "'tis an unlawful deed, But Jesus said know ye not what David did. I When he was an hungered and those men with Him, They eat the shew bread in God's house without sin, As priests in the temple, the Sabbath profane, When they are an hungered and yet without blame. 3 One greater than temples behold now is here, With mercy the guiltless to feed and to cheer, For I am the Lord even of Sabbath days. Then He in their synagogues preached of God's ways. 4 Where one with a hand withered there was revealed, They asked is it lawful on Sabbath to heal, He said if on Sabbath it should come about, A sheep fall in pit wilt thou not lift it out. 5 Much better by far is a man than a sheep, Well doings will lawful the Sabbath day keep, Then bade He the sick man to stretch his hand forth, When lo, it was whole like the other restored. G When Pharisees counciled 'gainst Him to destroy. With multitudes great He from them did withdraw, For thus was fulfilled what the prophets foretold, Behold My choice servant, beloved of My soul. 7 I will put My spirit on Him for He must Show judgment to Gentiles and they in Him trust, A bruised reed He'll break not, nor smoking flax quench 'Till judgment to victory be forth by Him sent. 8 One came blind and dumb of a devil possessed, Christ healed him, then spake he and saw and was blest, The people amazed asked is this David's son? The Pharisees answered, " by Satan "twas done." Ill 9 Chrisl y kingdom that fights its own self, Works its own destruction and dies by none else, Satan fight Satan destruction is his, A sell fighting kingdom must ruin receive. 10 If by Beelzebub I bring good things about. Then judge ye by whom your son casl devils out, If 1 cast them out by the. Spirit of God, The kingdom of God is to you come abroad. 11 Else how can one rob a strong man of his goods, Except he first bind him, he will spill his blood, He that is not with Me against Me is then. All blasphemies shall be forgiven of men. 12 Except the reviling of the Holy Ghost, Which God ne'er forgives, "lis of all sins the v. He who speaks against Me it may be forgiven, But sin against the Holy Ghost shuts one from heaven. 13 Make ye the tree good and its fruit good also, If it be corrupt, then its fruit will be too, A tree is well known by the fruit which it brings, Nor can evil hearts ever bring forth good things. 1i By words from good hearts men shall be justified, Bad words from bad hearts eauseth guilt to abide, For all idle words men shall speak, they shall give Account in the judgment day, sure as I live. 15 By words man shall be justified or condemned, Who sins not in word is a perfect man then." Then Phar' lid, " Lord show us a sign, He said, " the adult igns do incline. 16 All signs but of Jonas the righteous do scorn, Three days from My death is the resurrection morn, As J< allowed up three days of death, . IT Old Nineveh's men in the judgment shall >■ To tl '.lions sur] For Jonas's preacl . nl tears, Bui greater than Jonas now hi ith, in the judgment shall rise, 'ion to their sad surprise, For she did tl '.anon revere, B it lo, a far greater than Solomon is here. 115 19 When an unclean spirit is gone from a man, H walketh dry places for rest finding' none, It saitli, " I will enter my house I once kept, Ilofindclh it empty and garnished and swept. 20 He took seven spirits with him that were worse, They entered and that man was worse than at first. So shall it be with this generation now here, Because that My gospel ye do not revere. 21 Then one said, Thy mother and brethren seek Thee, He said, " none are brethren lest they follow Me, For who so shall hence do God's will to His praise, The same is My brother and sister always. CHAPTER XIII. 1 When Jesus sat upon the sea, And multitudes did throng that shore, He spake in parables like these. Of harvest fields, and seeds and sowers. 2 What seed fell wayside fowls devoured, What fell on stones did spring up soon, • Some fell 'mong thorns, which them o'erpowered, Those plants on stones were scorched at noon. 8 Some fell on good ground and brought fruit, Some thirty, sixty hundred fold. Who hath an ears hear ye the truth, In easy parables of old. 4 They said, " in parables why speak ?" Pie said, " to make all mysteries known, Of God's blest kingdom, men should seek, Through parables great light is shown. 5 Those who have light can comprehend And know the truth of all I say, To those in darkness I extend By parables, the heavenly way. They fill the prophecy which saith, Ye hear but understand not full. They see and yet do not perceive, Their heart is gross, their ears are dull. 116 ? Their eyes they close lost 1 reveal The truth, so that they understand, And be converted, and I heal And bring thom to the heavenly land. 6 I low blest are ye who see and hear, For many righteous have desired To see the things which we revere, And have not seen them, neither heard. 9 When one to keep God's word doth start, And understands it not, then comes His foe, who steals it from his heart, This is that seed by wayside sown. 10 He that receives with joy and haste, And doth not firmly then endure, lie is that seed on stones forth cast, Whose harvest never will be sure. 11 He that receives the seed 'mong thorns, Is he that hears God's word with joy, Whose heart is to earth's pleasures drawn, So that they do that seed destroy. 12 The seed in good ground is that soul Who hears and keeps God's word with care, Where thirty, sixty, hundred fold Of heavenly fruits clustering there. 13 One sowed good seed within his field, But while he slept his foe sowed tares, So when the blade sprung forth to yield, The servants grieved to see them there. 14 They said, " didst thou not sow good seed, From whence doth tares so cloth the ground ?" He said, " my foe hath done this deed," They said, " lord, shall we cut them down ?" 15 lie said, " nay, lest ye spoil the wheat, Let both be till the harvest time, Then I will bid my servants reap My wheat, but bind the tares to burn." 10 Like as a grain of mustard seed, Again God's kingdom I compare, Which is the least 'mong all seeds indeed, But greatest of all herbs there are. 117 17 Like leaven, which a woman hid In meal, till leavened all became Just as the spreading leaven did, My kingdom shall this world inflame. 18 Plain parables to you I set, As spake the prophets oft of old, I'll utter things which have been kept From the foundation of the world." 19 As Christ to them these things did say, Then His disciples said, " declare To us the parable this day, Both of the sowers, wheat and tares." 20 The sower of good seed is Christ, The field it is this world below, The good seed keeps God's word of life, The tares, are wicked men of woe. 21 'Twas Satan sowed them in the field, The harvest is end of the world, \ The reapers, angels are revealed, Who gather tares in fire to hurl. • 22 Christ shall send forth his angels then And gather them who do not keep His blest commands, and will them send Where weeping is and gnashing teeth. 23 Then shall the righteous ever shine, Fair as the sun in heaven above, Who hath an ear, let him incline To seek God's kingdom, peace and love. 24 So heaven is like a treasure hid, Found in a field, which one had left, When he for joy, sold all he had, To buy that field, that prize to get. 25 And like a merchant's goodly pearl, When he had found one of great price, Gave all he had here in this world For that choice pearl. So choose ye Christ* 26 Like as a net cast in the sea, God's kingdom draws all to that day When at the judgment shore shall He Select the good, cast bad away. 118 So shall it be when this world ends God's angels shall pari vile from just. And cast in outer darkness them Who do not in their saviour trust. 28 Be said, " now know ye all these things ?'' Then they said unto Him, " Yea, Lord." Ee said, " let each man good things bring Forth from his treasures of reward." 29 In synagogues he preached and talked, So that they all astonished W< They said, " who hath Him wisdom taught Who did such good for Him prepare ? 30 Is this not Joseph's son we know, Whose mother Mary here remains ? And sisters likewise, brethren, too, Joseph and Simon, Judas, James." 31 And they offended were in Him, But Jesus spake and said to them, "A prophet hath no honor in His country and among his friends." CHAPTER xiv. 1 King Herod thought Christ to be John The Baptist, whom lie put to death, Since mighty works by Christ were done, He thought 'twas John rose from the dead. 2 For Herod thought to take John's life, For saying 'twas unlawful deed For him to wed his brother's wife, But he did fear the multitude, 3 On Hood's birthday He made oath, Herodias 1 daughter's wish to give, When she had danced and pleased them both, "John Baptist's head," she said, " I'll have." ■1 John's bead, to her, be gave thai, day, And his disciples buried him. Then Jesus did depart away, And heal the sick that to Ilim came. 119 5 Then His disciples to Iliin said, " Lord send the multitude away, r rii;it they may buy themselves some bread;" But Jesus said, " 0, let them stay." G He said, " ye ought to give them meat," They said, "five loaves will never last," He said, " bring ye the food to me, And make the men sit on the grass, 7 Then Jesus blest the bread, and brake To each disciple of the food, While they did carry round, and make Provision for the multitude. 8 They all w r ith pleasure ate their fill, Then took up fragments that remained. There being left twelve baskets full, When they had fed five thousand men ! 9 He said to His disciples then, " Take ship unto the other side, While 1 the multitude do send Away, and for their wants provide." 10 Their ship now rolled afar at sea, High tossed on waves, mid wind and rage, Then Jesus went forth them to free, And still the tempest that engaged. 1 1 For He went walking on the sea, 'Til He came to their floundering barque, Each cried, " have mercy Lord on me," For mighty dread had seized their hearts. 12 He said, " my children have no fear, For it is I, be not afraid." Then Peter cried, "let me come near, Lord to thee, on the water's edge.'' 13 He bade him come, and lie went down Out of the ship upon the wave, But when he feared the billows frown, He then did sink, and cry, " Lord save." 14 Christ caught,- and said, " little faith, Wherefore thy fear ? why dost thou doubt ?' When in the ship the storms were laid, And all adored Him most devout. L20 When to Gtannesarel th^y oame, They brought Hitn those that were diseased, \nd those who touched His garment's hem, Were healed &s many as were pleased. ciiaptkr xv. 1 Then from Jerusalem came foes, Both scribes, and priests, did thus contest, Why transgress thy disciples those Traditions, which the elders kept. 2 For they wash not, when they eat bread, Christ said, " why do ye disobey, Transgressing the commands of God, By your traditions here to day. 8 For God commanded, telling you, To honor father, mother dear, They who curse them shall die, 'tis true, The child his parents shall revere. 4 But ye say, " who saith 'tis a gift. If parents shall be blest of child, He who to parents nought doth give, Him ye set free, and on him smile. 5 These, God's commandments ye reject, By your traditions which ye have, Ye hypocrites whom God neglects, How from hell fire can ye be saved ? Well spake the prophets old, how ye Draw nigh unto me with vour mouth, And with your lips ye honor me, While yet your heart is far, far out. 7 In vain ye worship me, and teach For doctrines the commands of men." He did the multitude beseech And bade them. " hear and understand, 8 Not that which entereth man defiles, But that which cometh from his heart." The Pharisees were angry while Our Lord these sayings did impart. 121 9 "All plants not planted lo God's mind, Shall be torn up both one and all, Let 'lone blind leaders of the blind, For they both in the ditch will fall." 10 Then Peter answering thus demands, " Declare this parable the while." Christ said, " Do ye not understand That what man eats doth not defile ; 1 1 But things proceeding from the mouth Must come forth from the heart, while If thefts or blasphemies come out Of hearts, they do the men defile.*' 12 When on the coast of Tyre there pray'd A Canaan daughter, crying thus, " Have mercy on us Lord," she said, "My daughter's vexed of devils cursed." 13 His followers said, " Send her away," He said, " To lost sheep I am sent Of house of Israel, this day," She cried, " Lord help me, 1 repent," 14 He said, " It is not meet to take The children's bread and cast to dogs," She said, " Truth Lord, yet dogs have ate Crumbs from the tables of their lords." 15 He said to her, " Great is thy faith, Be it unto thee as thou wilt." Her daughter, from that hour found grace, And healing for all pain and guilt ; 16 Then Christ, to Galilee forth came, Great multitudes pursued Him, where Were lame, and blind, and dumb, and maimed, At Jesus' feel , who healed them there. 17 Then, when the people saw that He Made lame to walk, and maimed made whole, The dumb to speak the blind to see, They glorified the God of all. 18 Christ said, " I feel compassion here For multitudes, who for three days Have followed me, but for to hear, How can I send them faint away ? " 122 19 Then Bis disoiples said, " Whence should We have bread in this wilderness, To feed so vast a multitude f " He said. " How much have ye at best ?' 20 They said. "Seven loaves with few of fish. He bade them all sit on the gronnd, He took the food, gave thanks and give, To all the multitude around. '2\ They ate in love, and were all tilled. They took what broken meat was left, Which did make sewn basketsfull When, o'er four thousand ate at best. .->.-> >> • > Women and children ate also, He sent the multitude away. And took a ship forthwith to go To the fair coasts of Magdola. CHAPTER XVI. Then Pharisees and Saddusees Urged Him from heaven to shew a sign, He said, " when red sky comes at eve, Ye say, " fair weather it divines. At morn ye say foul day is nigh, Because the sky is low'ring red, For hypocrites can see the sky, But not the signs of times ahead. A wicked people seek a sign, Yet no sign shall be given, but The sign of Jonas, of old time.'' Then lie left them and journey "d out. As on their voyage they did proceed, They had forgotten \<> take bread, "Of Pharisees and Sadducees Beware their doctrine," Jesus said. id, •• Whom do men say 1 am ?" They -aid, " Blias, some .say John," " Tdl ye who I am if ye can.'' They said, " the Christ of God, His son." 123 6 "Blessed are ye, for flesh and blood Hath Qot revealed this unto thee, But He who is in heaven, your God Hath taught you thus concerning me. 7 A rock is Peter which ne'er fails, I'll build my church on it to stand, And gates of hell shall not prevail, I'd give thee keys of heaven's land. What thou shalt bind on earth, is bound In heaven, and what thou loose, be loosed." He charged them not to make Him known, His sufferings thus to them He shows. 1» " I to Jerusalem must go, There suffer for all sins, they say, Of elders, priests, and scribes also, Be killed aud rise on the third day." 10 Then Peter Him rebuked we find, And said, " Lord be this far from Thee." He said to Peter, " get behind Me Satan ,Hhou offendest me. 11 Thou loveth not the things of God, But things of man thou dost approve, Who hath My love, My paths have trod, The way of goodness, peace and love. 12 Who loves life more than Me, shall loose, Who loves Me more than life, shall find, What gain if thou, man, should choose The world, and loose this soul of thine ? 13 For soon the son of man shall come In glory of His Father God, With angels then to give each one, According to his works reward. 14 I verily say now, there be Some standing here, who shall not die, 'Till they the Son of man shall see, Come in His kingdom, very nigh." 124 CHAPTEB wil. 1 Then Christ took Peter, James and John, Up in a mount within six days. And was transfigured unto them : His face did shine as sun-light blaze. '2 White was His raiment as the light, Elias, Moses, talked with Him. Then Peter said to Jesus Christ, " Lord, it is good to be here in. 3 Let us three tabernacles make." While He was talking, lo a cloud, From which a voice thus to them spake, " Hear My loved Son, the Son of God." 4 His brethren fell most sore with fright, Then Jesus touched and bade them rise, Then as they looked, none were in sight, Save Jesus, to their great surprise ! 5 When they came from the mount He said, " Tell ye the vision to no man, 'Till I am risen from the dead, And proved the resurrection plan. 6 Elias is already come, And persecutors have him slain ; Likewise shall they do to God's son, But see that faithful ye remain." 7 Then one came kneeling down to Him, And cried, '• have mercy on my son, All vexed with dread disease and sin, From thy disciples I have come." 8 Then Jesus said, " faithless men, Bring ye him hither unto Me." So He rebuked the devil then, And he did from the sick man flee. 9 Then Christ's disciples came to Him, And said, '"why could we not him heal ?" " The cause is unbelief and sin ; Fasting and prayer, true faith reveals." 125 10 He said, the son shall be betrayed Into the hands of wicked men, Be killed and rise on the third day ; They wept, exceeding sorry then. 11 Then tribute men did Peter ask, " Doth Jesus any tribute pay ?" Then Jesus said to Peter, " cast A hook for me into the sea. 12 The fish first on the hook then take, And in his mouth shall money be, Which take and go and payment make To tribute men for Me and thee," CHAPTER XVIII. 1 Then Christ's disciples asked Him " who Is greatest in Thy kingdom, Lord ?" He called a little child to prove That heaven's greatest is the small. 2 " Except ye be converted and Become as little children are, Ye cannot see the heavenly land, For greatest is the humblest there. 3 Who shall receive such little child In My own name, receiveth Me ; Or who shall such an one beguile. 'Twere better that he drowned be. 4 Woe to this world for its offence, Though its offences oft may come, But those who do the good offend, Had better not live 'neath the sun. 5 If hand or foot shall thee offend, Cut off, though they are thy desire, More dear is life, though halt or maimed, Than limbs in everlasting fire. 6 Cast off offences without strife, Even if thine eye God's will requires, 'Tis better with one eye to have life Than with two eyes cast in hell-fire. L26 ? Hate not one of My little ones, In heaven their angels do behold The fac • of God, who gave His Son Where angels walk the streets o( gold. 8 To save the lost, God's Son inclines, As one that hath an hundred sheep, He leaves the ninety and the nine, And 'mong the mountains doth it seek. 9 When finding ii. He doth rejoice More of that sheep, than ninety-nine, Which did not stray far from His voice, So God to save lost men inclines. 10 If 'gainst thy brother thou complain, Tell thou his fault to him alone ; If lie hear thee, then thou hath gained Thy brother's love, and he thine own. 11 If He will not hear thee, take two, That three may all his words sustain. If He hear not those three, then you May to the church of Him complain. 12 If he neglect to hear the church, Let him be as the heathen "round, For what ye shall bind here on earth, Or loose in heaven, is loosed or bound. 13 If two of you agree on earth As touching thing, ye ask in faith, It shall be done for them in worth, For God in heaven hears prayers of saints. 14 Where two or more met in My name, There am I in the midst of them." Then Peter asked as he forth came, " How oft shall I forgive a sin?" 15 Christ saith, " not until seven times, Seventy times seven shalt thou forgive. Therefore God's kingdom doth incline, To what a king's men had received. 10 Ten thousand talents one man owed, With nothing left his Lord to pay. He ordered wife and children sold With him, and payment made that day. 127 17 That man fell clown, and prayed his Lord, " Have patience and I'll pay in full." II is Lord was moved with great regard, And loosed him, and forgave him all. 18 That servant found me, who him owed An hundred pence, with nought to pay, He quickly seized him by the throat, And cried, " now pay me all this day." 19 His fellow servant then fell down, And said, " wait, and I'll pay thee yet.*' But he cast him in prison, bound 'Till he should pay him all the debt. 20 His fellows then were sorry all, And told their Lord what he had clone, And then their Lord for him did call, And said to him, " thou wicked one. 21 Lo, I forgave all thou asked me, Should not thou then compassion had On others, as I had on thee, When I forgave and made thee glad ?'' 9.9. liis Lord then made him pay his due, And gave him to tormentors then, So shall my Heavenly Father use Those who forgive not brethren's sins. CHAPTER XIX, 1 Then Jesus to Judea came, And many sick folks healed He there. The Pharisees came tempting Him, And questioned Him thus to ensnare. 2 " May men divorce their wives ?" they asked. He said, " God bade them cleave to her, That they be not twain, but one flesh, Whom none shall part, but her prefer/' 3 They said, "did Moses not impait Commands, that they might her divorce ?" He said, " for hardness of your hearts Did Moses let you take this course. 128 4 Prom the beginning 'twas not bo, Benoe he who shall his wife diyoroe, And many, shall bo all men show sins of adultery (ho worst," 5 Then the; brought children that lie bless And lay His hands on them and pray. As 11 is disciples did protest, He said, M keep ye not them away, 6 Forbid them not to come to Me, The heavenly kingdom is the same." One said, " Good Master, I ask Theo How I eternal life shall gain ?" 7 He said, " why callest thou Me good ? There is but One good, that is God, If enter endless life ye would, Walk ye the path that I have trod, 8 Steal not, nor lie, nor murderous prove, Adultery thou shalt not commit, Honor thy parents, neighbors love." He said, " I've kept these, what lacks yet ?" 9 Christ said, <( if thou wouldst perfect be, Sell that thou ha.st and give the poor, And take thy oross and follow Me," But he his riohes sorrowed o'er. 10 He said, " How hardly shall the man Who loves wealth more than Me, find heaven, Such cannot gain the heavenly land, Nor ever have their sins forgiven." 11 He said, " ye who have followed Me In the new path, shall sit on thrones And judge the tribes of Israel free, Within the kingdom of God's son. 12 He who leaves all earth's things of strife, For Me, shall have an hundred fold, Inherit everlasting life, And walk the heavenly streets of gold. 129 CHAPTER XX. 1 God's kingdom is like one at morn, hiring all For penny a day, in his vineyard to toil, Also at third hour,"did all others 'engage, And say, "go and work, what is right shall be paid." 2 At sixth, and ninth hour, he also did thus hire, And at the eleventh did entreat and desire, And say, " what is right, ye also shall receive." Then he called up his servants and paid them at eve. 3 Beginning from last to the first, he did pay To each man a penny for work done that day, But when the first came, who the day's burdens bore, They thought that they should of their Lord been paid more. 4 They murmured against the good man, and did say, "These wrought but one hour, and have had equal pay, To us who have all the day's burden well bore, Should thou not in. justice have paid to us more." 5 He said, " didst thou not for a penny agree ? I give to this last as I gave unto thee. With mine, is it not right to do as 1 will ? Because I am good, doth it make thee think ill ?" G Then Christ took disciples apart from the way, And said, " at Jerusalem, priests shall Me betray, And scribes shall condemn Me to death on the cross, And give Me to Gentiles to scourge and to mock. 7 But 1 on the third day in triumph shall rise, And sit on the right hand of God in the skies, From whence I shall come here to judge quick and dead., According to works, and all words they have said." 8 The mother of Zebedee's children did bring Her two sons, and worshiped Him, asking one thing, " That these sons may sit on thy right hand and left, In Thy blessed kingdom of heavenly rest." 9 He said unto her, " ye know not what ye ask, Can ye take My cup, My baptism, and fast ?" When they said, " we're able," He to them declared, "It is lor them only, Gocl hath it prepared!." L30 10 \'.ui when the ten hoard u. indignant they were, But Jesus oalled to them and said, "do nol care To reign in dominion, like Gen+iles o'er men, Or have greal authority by ruling o'er them. 11 Him greatest among you, shall minister be, He who will be chief shall be your servanl tree. (iod's Son came not here to be ministered to, then, But He came to minister His life unto men. 12 Then as they from Jericho wenl on their way, A multitude greal followed Him on that day, Then i wo blind men sitting by way-side did cry, " Lord, Son of David, help us or we die." 13 The multitude bade them be still, hold their peace, But they cried the more, " Lord have mercy on us.'' He stood still and said, '' tell Me why do ye cry ?" They cried to Him, "Lord that thou open our eyes." 14 Then He had compassion and touched both their eyes, Immediately they received sight in surprise. And straightway they followed Ilim, praising the Lord, That lie had bestowed on them such great reward. chapter XXI. 1 When Hearing Jerusalem to Bethphage we came, Unto mount of Olives, Christ sent two men on. Go to the city on the other side, To find there an ass with her colt also tied. 2 And bring them, and if one say ought unto thee, Say ye, "the Lord needs/' and he'l] send them to me. Tell ye Zion's daughter, thy king comes to thee. As prophets hath said, '• meek and lowly is he." 3 Then branches and garments they cast in His way, While hosl s, fore and after, exclaimed Hosanria. Blesl is He that cometh now in the Lord's name, •■ Hosanna in highest," the hosts did proclaim. 4 Jerusalem Was moved, saying, •' O who is this?" The multitude cried, '• Jesus, our king and priest." He 'Mi' red God's temple, east out merchandise, And those who sold doves, money-changers likewise. 131 5 'Tis written, " my house is whore pray'r is received, But lo ! ye have made it a vile den of thieves." The blind and the lame, then were both healed of Him, The chief priests and scribes saw these wonderful things. 6 And heard in the temple, Ilossanna and praise, And David's Son worshipped, which did them displease. They said, " hearest Thou what these say? 1 ' He said, " yea, Have ye not read how children give perfect praise ?" 7 Then He went to Bethany, and did lodge there, Next morn saw when hungered, a fig tree most fair, And finding no fruit there, He said to that tree, " Let no fruit henceforth evermore grow on thee." 8 As that fig tree withered, they did marvel all. He said, " if ye have faith, not doubting at all, What ye shall ask God for, it shall to you come, For in faith believing all things shall be done. 9 The chief priests and elders then said unto Him, " Tell by what authority Thou dost those things." He said, " I will ask one thing, if you tell me, I also will tell you my authority. 10 John's baptism, was it from heaven or men ?" They reasoned among themselves wittingly then. " If we say from heaven, unbelief will us stain, For He will say, why did ye of John complain ! 11 If we say of men, then the people, we fear, For they all do John as a prophet revere." So they said to Christ, "we cannot tell you true." Then He said to them, " neither do I tell you." 12 Said Christ, " once a man to his two sons did say, ' Come eldest, go work in my vineyard to-day.' He said, ' I will not, though my father hath sent.' But afterward that son repented and went. 13 He came to the second, and likewise besought. He said, ' I will go sir,' and yet he went not." He asked of the twain, which did his father's will ? They said unto Him, " the first son he did tell." 14 Then Jesus said, " say 1 unto you most true, That publicans enter God's kingdom 'fore you. In righteousness John came, and ye believed not, But harlots and publicans John's goodness sought. 132 r> Ami after ye saw it ye did not regard, Believe, nor repent, neither glorify God. One planted a vineyard and hedged it about, And digged a \vit\o press and in in built a tower. id And lot it to husbandmen ere ho did leave, And then sent his servants the fruit to receive. The husbandmen killed, beat and stoned those be sent; lie sent more whom they slew, and did not relent. K At last he did send to them his darling one, And said, 'it must be they will reverence my son.' When they saw the son they said, 'this is the heir, Come let us kill him, then all will be ours there.' IS Then they cast his son from the vineyard and slew. Now what will that lord to those husbandmen do?" They said, " he will miserably kill those vile men, And let out his vineyard to better ones then." 19 " In scripture,'- he said, " have ye read how the stone Rejected, the head of the corner become ? This is the Lord's doing, so strange in our eyes, God's kingdom from you shall be taken likewise. 20 Who falls on this stone he shall broken be found, Him on whom it falls will to powder be ground. When Pharisees and priests heard His parables then, They plainly perceived they had spoken of them. 21 But when they would slay Him, the people they feared, For He was a prophet by them much revered. " My vineyard," He said, " shall be taken from you And given to husbandmen rendering my due." CHAPTER XXII. 1 Again, certain king, marriage made for his son, And sent servants, calling the bidden to come, And when they would not, He sent others to tell The bidden to come, I have made all things well." 2 Bui one went to merchandise, one to his farm, Some treated his servants with ill and great harm. That king sent his armies in wrath and destroyed Those murderers who had thus his servants annoyed. i33 3 Those bid to the wedding' were evil inclined, " Go ye to the highways, bid all that you find." His servants made guests then, of all that they found, The king found one there with no wedding clothes on. 4 The king said, " why no wedding garment hast thou ?" And lo, he was speechless; the king cast him out Into outer darkness, mid gnashing of teeth, And weeping, the emblems of guilt and great grief. 5 For many are called, but the good God doth choose. Then Pharisees planned how they might Him abuse, They sent with disciples Herodians likewise, And said, " thou art true, and dost teach no disguised' 6 But God's way in truth ; neither carest thou now, For persons of men ; therefore what thinkest thou ? Shall we pay to Cesar the tribute or not. He said, " hypocrites why so tempt Me for naught. 7 Shew ye Me, the tribute," a penny they laid. He said, " whose inscription is this, and whose head?" They said to Him, " Cesar ;" He said then, " 'tis good To give Cesar his things, and God's things to God." 8 They marveled and left Him, and all went their way, The same day the Sadducees came, and did say, " If one shall die childless, his brother shall have His wife, to raise seed to him gone to the grave. 9 Sev'n brethren to one wife, were thus once all wed, In turn each died childless, the wife also died, Now in the res'rection whose wife shall she be ? Of those seven brethren, all had her we see." 10 " Not knowing God's power nor the scriptures ye err, In res'rection, marriages never occur, For all counted worthy of life shall be given, To be in res'rection, as angels in heaven." 11 When Sadducees hushed them the Pharisees came, And one of their lawyers did thus question him, " Which is the commandment great in the law," " Thou shalt love the Lord, the true God over all* 12 This is first, and greatest command o'er all else, The next is, thou shalt love thy neighbor as self* On these two, the law and the prophets all hang," Then when Pharisees came, he asked them this thing : KM 18 ■• Tell me who is Christ '.-" and they said, " David's Son. Be saith, " how ran he oall him Lord, and Blest One? How ran Christ be both David's Lord, and his son'.-" And DO man wasable to answer that one. C1IAPTKR XXI II. 1 Christ said, " scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, What they bid yon do, do it but not their deeds, Por they say and do not, but bind burdens great On men, which they move not with one finger's weight. 2 They do all their works of mankind to be seen, Make broad their phylacteries, enlarge garment hems, Love high rooms at feasts, and chief synagogue seats, And greetings, where men to them Rabbi repeat. 3 Let not the name ' Rabbi ' to you ever be given, Call no man your father but the God of heaven ; Be ye not called masters, Christ is one to thee, But he that is greatest shall your servant be. 4 For he that exalteth himself is abased, But he that doth humble himself findeth grace. But woe, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who Shut up heaven's kingdom 'gainst men who would go. 5 Woe to you, for ye widow's houses devour, And all for pretence do ye make your long prayers, So greater damnation ye hence shall receive, Ye compass both sea and all land to deceive. 6 To make ye one convert, your sins to excell, And be two fold more child of hell, than yourselves, Woe to you, ye blind guides, who teach men to swear, By Gods, gold and temples, and all things there are. 7 I say, who swears by these things, swears by his God, Who holdeth him guilty, and will him reward. Woe scribes, Pharisees, who heed but earthly tithes, And break laws of faith, judgment, mercy likewise. 8 Ye strain at a small thing but swallow a great, Ye make clean the outside of cups and the plait, While inside is full of extorsion, excess, Cleanse inside, then thy outside God will respect. 135 9 Now woe to you scribes, iPharisees, hypocrites, As sepulchres seem ye, both beauteous and white, While inside is filled with uncleanness and bones, So ye scorn most righteous outside to each one, 10 Woo unto you scribes, whose hypocricies curse, Ye build prophet's tombs, and deck graves of the just, And say had we but in our sire's days have stood, We would not partook with them of prophet's blood, 11 Now ye are dread witnesses unto yourselves, That ye are the sons by whose sires prophets fell, If ye fill the measure your sires filled, pray tell How ye can escape the damnation of hell. 12 Lo, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes, Ye kill them, and crucify, scourge, and deride, That all righteous blood shed on earth fall on you, From Abel unto Zacharias ye slew, 13 On this generation shall all this curse wait, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who prophets did hate, And kill them which God hath oft sent unto thee, How oft would I gathered thy children to Me ? 14 Even as a hen gathereth her brood 'neath her wings ; But since ye Would not, all these curses God brings. Your house now is long to your desolate left, Hence ye shall not see Me, but long be bereft. 15 'Till ye be converted and say, blest is He Who comes in the name of the Lord unto Me, For soon shall dread armies deal death to you 'round, And smite your impregnable walls to the ground, 1G Who fights Me doth kick his bare foot 'gainst the thorns, Who serveth Me God will with white robes adorn. For I am that stone set at nought, which was found That whom it falls on, will to powder be ground." CHAPTER XXIV. 1 Then Jesus ? disciples as He left the temple, Said, "Come, Master, see these good buildings around." He said " let not these fine things take your attention, For soon they shall all be thrust down to the ground. " 136 B And thou His disoiples when at Mount of Olives, Said privately, "tell us when these things shall be? And what, also, shall be the sign of Thy coming, And end of t lio world '.-'* Jesus, said then, " take hood, 9 For many shall oome in My name, most deceiving, And say. ' 1 am Christ,' but believe ye them not, Firsl shall \var*s dread rumors till men's hearts with grieving And proud, dashing kingdoms to famine be brought, 4 Then they shall you kill and to prison deliver, And ye shall be hated of all for My sake, Then men shall deceive and destroy one another, But he that endures to the end shall be saved 1 , 3 My gospel and kingdom shall go to all nations, For witness to all, when the end it shall come, When ye shall see Daniel's foretold desolation, Let all within Judea to mountains be gone, 6 Let him on the housetop escape and not enter, Nor him in the held turn to take clothes away ; Pray ye that these troubles come not in the winter, Nor yet that your flight should be on Sabbath day. 7 Xo flesh should be saved, lest those days now are shortened, It is for My children God shortened those days, False Christs shall come teaching, and likewise false prophets^ And show signs and wonders to lead you astray, 8 If they shall say Christ is in chamber or desert, Then go ye not after them, neither believe ; As lightning comes out of the east and shines westward^ So also shall coming of Son of Man be. 9 Immediately after this great tribulation, The sun shall be darkened and the moon not give lights When stars fall and powers of heaven are shaken, Then Christ's sign in heaven shall appear ever bright. 10 Then all tribes of earth shall be clad in great mourning, To see Jesus' coming in glory and power, J !■■ shall send His angels with great sound of trumpets, To gather His children around Him that hour. 11 When trees put forth leaves, then ye know 'tis near summer, So when these things come, know 'tis not far away, This generation, it shall not pass for another, Till all be ful.lfill.ed. I have told you this day. 137 12 Of that day and hour knoweth none but My father ; 'Tis as Noah's day, when God set him apart ; They ate, and they drank, an 1 they married each other, Until that day Noah did enter the ark ; 13 And knew not till floods came on them so amazing. So shall it then be, when the Son of Man comes, Two men shall be in the field, one shall be taken, Of two women grinding, there shall be left one. 14 Watch then, for ye know not what hour your Lord cometh, Therefore, be ye ready at every hour ; The servant found watching, his lord him approveth, To faithful, wise servants, their lord giveth power. 15 If one say, my Lord now delayeth His coming, And eat, and be drunken, and fellow-men beat, His Lord shall come then, when he looketh not for Him, And cut him asunder, and mind not his grief. 1(3 And point him his portion, with all unbelievers. With false prophets, hypocrites, liars and deceivers, Whose guilt, pain and anguish give them no relief, When there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CHAPTER XXV. 1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins, With lamps, looking for the bridegroom, When of them five were wise, also foolish were five, And the foolish took no oil with them. 2 Then the wise kept their oil in their lamps all the while, Wuen the bridegroom was gone they all slept, 'Till the midnight cry came, •' go to meet the bridegroom,'". To trimming their lamps they all went. 3 Then the foolish did call, saying, " give of your oil, For our lamps are gone out," they did cry. But the wise said, " not so, 'lest it last us not both. Go to them who do sell, and it buy." 4 Then, when they went to buy, the bridegroom did draw nigh, Wise ones came, and the door it was shut. Then the foolish ones came, afterward making claim, Saying, ' Lord, Lord, now open to us." 138 5 He said, 'I know you not, sitioe tor me ye ne^er watohed, Watch, for ye know not what hour I OOme, For t Ikmv.u ch ful I Love, an 1 bhe good I approve, So depart from mo, ye wicked ones.' 6 Por the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling, And giving his servants his goods, Some lie gave talents live, others two, one likewise, Just as each man's ability stood. 7 Then he that had the live, gained five on them likewise, And he that hid the two did gain two, But he that had one hid it 'till his lord come, And said, 'there 1*11 keep safe 'till my lord's due.' 8 So when their lord did come, to account with each one. To the man who had five he inclined. He then said, " I had five, and have gained five likewise.' lie said, 'well done, good servant of mine.' i» Then he that had the two said, ' I've gained (wo for you.' lie said, ' well done, heaven is thy reward.' Then he that had the one said, ' thou art a hard man, Take thy talent, I've kept for the lord.' 10 Then his lord answering, saith, "thou art wicked as death, Saying that I reap where I've not sown, So thou shouldst have made trade on the talent and made That with use I might have had my own. 11 Take the talent from him. give it him that hath ten, lie who labors, to him shall be giv'n, But from him who gains not, shall be took what God brought, For the slothful can never gain heaven. 12 When the Son of God eqmes, on His glorious throne, Then before Him all nations shall meet, And lie shall part them then, as a shepherd with care, Doih divide off the goats from the sheep. 13 On His right, sheep hcTl set, and the goats on the left, And shall say to them on His right hand, ' Come ye blest of My Father, in My kingdom gather, Prepared ere creation did stand. 14 For when I was an hungered, ye fed Me abundant, When thirsty ye gave to me drink, When a stranger ye took Me in, naked, ye clothed Me, In prison ye blest Me when sick.' 139 15 Then they said, ' Lord, when saw we, Thee, in those afflictions, And ministered there unto Thee?' So, He answered and said then, * as ye blest My brethren, Ye there did the same nnto Me.' 1G Then the King also saith, nnto them on His left, ' Unto woe everlasting go ye, Long prepared for the devil, and all who do evil, Or had not compassion on Me. 17 For when I was a stranger, in hunger and danger, In prison and sick, ye shunned Me.' Then they said, 'Lord, when saw we Thee hungered or thirsty, Or sick, and come not unto Thee ?' 18 Then He said, ' inasmuch as ye did it not thus To My saints, 'twas not done Me by thee. So henceforth ye must go, to destruction and woe, Nought but righteous have right to life's tree.' 19 Then the righteous shall shine in that kingdom divine, Which My Father for them hath prepared. There they shall see His face, who have sought for His grace, As the word of the Lord hath declared." CHAPTER XXVI. 1 When these sayings did end Jesus said to his friends, •' In two days is the passover feast, When I shall be betrayed and be crucified dead, Through the vengeance of scribes and chief priests." 2 At the house of Caiaphas, who was the high priest, They conspired subtilly Him to kill, Saying, not on feast day, lest it make a bad fray. Jesus then was in Bethany still. 3 There a woman came forth, and on Jesus' head poured, Precious ointment as He sat at meat, His disciples in haste cried. " why make this great waste, Which might given the poor much to eat." 4 Then did Jesus say to them, " why trouble the woman ? She wrought a good work before thee. Poor men ye have all days, Me ye have not always, For My burial annointed she Me. MO ft Wh( re My gospel unfolds litis on earth shall be told, F< :■ memorial of her what she il Then did Judas Iseariot, with chiei priests and Pharisees, ppire to i etray ( hrist Ihe Son. whal will ye pay, if I II :m will betray? " Thirty j Iver,*' they said. Prom thai time Jiulas then sought to lead Him to Ihem, 'Twas first feast day of unleavened bread. 7 When at even as He with the twelve sat at meat. He said one of you shall Me betray. Tiny in sorrow began asking Uira, every man, "Is il I':" "is it 1 ':" each did say. 8 Jesus said, " He that dips now with Me in the dish, That same one shall betray Me ere morn. " Woe to that man," he said, " by whom I am betrayed. It were better he had not been born." 9 Then He blest bread and break it. and to them he gave it, And said, " eat this, my body slain.'" Likewise took He the cup and gave thanks, and said, sup This, My blood, for to cleanse sinful stains. 10 Know ye this is that blood, of My Testament shed, Which God promised Adam of old, I will no more incline to drink fruit of the vine, 'Till with you in the city of gold." 11 "When an hymn they had sung, they went out every one, From fair Olives' green Mount with their Lord, Jesus said, '• Lo this night they your shepherd shall smite, And My sheep shall be scattered abroad." 12 Peter said, " I'll stand by, though all else should deny." a said, " Peter, hear what I say, Ere the cock crow this night thou shalt disown Me thrice," Peter cried, " I'll die for Thee to day.', 13 Jesus eometh again, with them to Gethsemane, Saying, " hit here, while I go and pray."' Peter with Zebedee's sons forth with Jesus did come. Then great sorrows on Him heavy lay. 14 Jesus cried, " I am pressed "nealh man's sins, down to death, -i.-y here and watch with Mo. and pray.*' Then lie went lhtle farther, and prayed and said, "Father, If possible, pass this cup away." 22 Ui 15 Saying, " not as I will, Father, but as Thou wilt,." Then He went I lis disciples to sec. When lie found thein asleep over Ihein lie did weep, Saying, " why could ye not with Me, 16 Watch and pray and repent, lest temptation be sent, Soul is willing, but flesh it doth shrink." He again went and prayed, " let this cup pass ?" He said, " If Thou wilt, but if not, 1 will drink." 17 When again they were sleeping, He left them with weeping, And third time prayed, " let this cup pass." Then He cried, " now sleep on, for behold. now the Son Is betrayed unto sinners at last." 18 As these words He thus spake, came a multitude great, Bearing sabres and staves from high priests. He that had Him betrayed gave them this sign and said, " Whom I kiss that is He, hold Him fast." 19 Judas' band came forthwith, he hailed Jesus and kissed. "Jesus said, "friend, wherefore art thou coma T" When they laid hands on Jesus, it insulted Peter, And He drew His sword and smote one. 20 Jesus cried, " put again in its place thy sword stained. They who take sword shall perish by sword. Ye should know I could pray to My Father to-day, And His angels My person would guard. 21 But I came from on high, for to suffer and die, To atone for man's sins on the cross ; And the scriptures to fill, as the prophets did tell, And to seek and save that which was lost." Peter followed afar, to the council and bar, Where the high priests condemned Christ to die. There they spit in His face, smiting Him in disgrace, Saying, " Prophecy, who smote the Christ." 23 Then a maid said to Peter, " sure thou wast with Jesus?" He said, " I deny what thou saith." Then another maid seeth him and said thou wast with Him. Then again he denied with an oath. 24 Others said it is true, thou didst once Christ pursue. Then began he to swear and to curse, And the cock then did crow, making Peter to know What his Lord said to him at the first. 142 *• Kit the cook crow this night, thou shall disown Me thrice." Then he wont out and bitterly wept And he cried, "CJ Lord, God, strengthen me by Thy word, And may I by Thy spirit be kept." OIIAl'TUli XX VII. 1 Next mom scribes and elders and chief priests came thither, And counseled 'gainst Jesus to put Uim to death : And when they had bound Uim they led and delivered To Governor Pilate, where Jesus they left. '2 When Judas saw Jesus condemned he repented, And came to the elders in grief and great pain. lie cried, I have sinned, and my joys are all ended, In that I the innocent Jesus have slain. 3 They said, " what is that to us. see thou unto it;" He cast them the pieces of silver again, Then ran to destruction, because he did do it. The sting of great torments, his soul did inflame. 4 They said, " it will not do to keep it as treasure, For it is the price of t lie innocents'' blood/' Then held they long counsel, concluding 'twas better To use it to buy ground to bury strange dead. 5 " Art thou King of Jews ?" then said Pilate to Jesus. lie answered and said, " as thou sayest I am.' 1 When He was accused of high priests most vehement, His answering nothing made Pilate think strange. 6 Then Pilate said, " which at this feast shall 1 give you, Barabbus, or Jesus, whom men call the Christ':" For he knew for envy they had Him delivered. They said, " free Barabbas, but Christ crucify!'' 7 Wheu in judgment seat, Pilate's wife sent beseeching Him not to condemn Jesus Christ, that just man, Since she suffered much in the night of Him dreaming; But elders and priests caused Ilim to be condemned. 8 Then when Pilate saw that his words prevailed nothing, He scourged Christ and gave Ilim to be crucified. Bia soldiers then took Ilim to most cruel mockings. And crowned Him with thorns, and with railings did chide. 143 9 With reed in His hand and a scarlet robe 'brut Him, They bowed the vile knee, crying, " Hail King of Jews I" They spit on Him, mocked Him, and with the reed smote Hitm And with impious railings they did Him abuse. 10 They then led our Saviour forth to crucifiction, Likewise compelled Simon to bear Jesus' cross. They gave Him to drink gall and vinegar mingled, When crucified, they for His vesture cast lots. 11 They watched Him and wrote Him his strange accusation, Which was, " This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." They passed by Him railing with wagged heads menacing, Two thieves on His right hand and left suffered too. 12 They cried, " Thou that buildest in three days the temple, If Thou art the Christ now come down from the cross !" Chief priests, scribes and ciders, all mocking Him, telling, " He saved others, yet Israel's king is here lost. 13 Let Him leave the cross now and we will believe Him, He trusted in God, let His God save Him now. If He is God's, let His Father relieve Him." The thieves cried, " Lord save, if a Saviour art Thou." 14 From sixth to ninth hour darkness veiled all that region, Then at the ninth hour Jesus loudly did cry, " Eli, Eli, lama sabachtham/' meaning, " My God ! 0, My God !" why now forsake Me to die ?" 15 Then some who stood there said. '* He calls for Elias." A sponge filled with vinegar to drink they Him gave. Then Jesus' disciples cried, •' lo, He is dying.'' Some said, " we will see if Elias will save." 10 Again He cried loud, " why hath God Me forgotten ?" And yielded the gliost as all nature did shake. The veil of the temple, from top to the bottom Was rent far asunder while earth it did quake. 17 Some graves then were opened and saints rose in glory, And some in Jerusalem then did appear. Then when the centurion and those that watched o'er Him Saw earth quake and darkness, they trembled with fear. IS There came many women to Christ's crucifiction, From Galilee, ministering, anxious with care, And Magdalene Mary with Christ's mother weeping, And mother of Zebedee's children were there. H4 !'» A rioh man named Joseph, who was Christ's disciple, uued .Itmis* body of Pilate thai day. And wrapped it in linen, embalming with spiers, And in His new tomb -lesus' body did lay. 20 The chief priests and pharisees to Pilate said, "truly, Christ said He would rise from the dead the third day, Command that His tomb now be guarded securely, Lest His own disciples should steal Him away. 21 And say then that Jesus from death is resurrected, Ami make the last error far worse than the first." lie said, "go with men that Christ's tomb be protected, The tomb seal and set guards in whom ye can trust. 22 Then chief priests and pharisees brought forth armed soldiers And guarded the sepulcher, sealing the stone, To make sure that death there in triumph should hold Hira, 'Till after His third day had vanished and gone. 23 The guards wait in silence, His third day's approaching, The moon nightly gleams on their helmets and spear, An angel descends on the guard he approaches, And rolls that sealed stone from His tomb without fear. 24 His countenance as lightning, his raiment bright flaming, The guards fell in fright, then in fear ran away, And came in Jerusalem the great news proclaiming, The saints heard them telling it on that same day. 23 Christ's foes made best proofs of His grand resurrection, By guarding His tomb and b^* sealing the stone, Preventing His saints from all change of deception, By watching three days with a guard of their own. 20 When those guards shewed high priests that Jesus had risen, Then they to the soldiers large money did pay, To say the saints stole Him from us for this reason, That we were all sleeping and did not awake. CHAPTER XXVIII. At end of the sabbath as day was a dawning, First day of the week, Christ's two Marys came mourning Unto J ■sua' tomb as an earthquake was rending, They there saw an angel from heaven descending To salute the Lord, who tor sinners died. 145 2 He rolled back the stone from the tomb and sat on it, His countenance like lightning and snow white his raiin't, For fear of the angel the guards fell all trembling. The angel thus spake to the women, commending, " Fear not, since ye seek Jesus crucified." 3 Lo, Ho is not here, He hath risen in triumph, Come, see where the Lord lay, go tell His disciples That He is now risen and gone on before you. In Galilee ye shall see Him as He told you, The Emanuel all victorious." 4 They ran from the tomb for to tell His disciples, When lo, Jesus met them and hailed most delightful. They bowed at His feet and adored Him reclining. He said, " fear ye not, but in Galilee find Me. There ye shall Me see in great majesty. 5 While going to Galilee the watch they heard telling The chief priests of Christ's resurrection excelling. Then gave they large money to bribe Pilate's soldiers To say while we slept Christ's disciples then stole Him. Then bribed witnesses, did themselves belie. G " If sleeping on guard should reach Pilate, we'll hide you, And also persuade him not to sacrifice you." So they took the money and lied as directed, From whence unbelief hath their story respected, Sleeping witnesses thus did testify; 7 Then Jesus disciples sought Galilee's mountain Where they did Him see as He them had appointed. As they Him adored He said all power is given To Me in the Earth likewise all power in Heaven. ! His Majesty most magnificent. 8 Teach all men baptizing in name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and in My harvest labor. Teach them to obey all things I have commanded And lo ! I am with you till this world is ended, Then My followers shall be glorifijd. 9 The ancient of days will in judgment be sitting, Mid heavenly rays at this great worldly meeting. The swell of His trump then shall gather all nations And suns shall not shine with their bright consations, 0, His majesty ever glorious. L46 JOHN. I'lIAl'Tr K 1. 1 Iii the beginning was the Word, The Word was with Almighty God, And the Word was God only true, And with God in beginning too. 2 All things were made at first by Him, Without Him was not made a thing. In Him was life which lighteneth men, Which darkness did not comprehend. 3 There was a man sent from the Lord, Whose name was John, to bear record That all men might believe aright, John witnessed, but was not that light. 4 Christ was the true light, which John taught, He made the world, it knew Him not, His own received Him not again, Those that received, God's sons became. . 5 Which were born not of flesh nor blood, Nor of the will of man, but God, The Word in flesh did dwell with us, Begotten Son of God, in truth. 6 John witnessed, saying, " this is He, All glorious, coming after me. Who is preferred before my face," His fullness we receive for grace. 7 By Moses God gave law devised, But Grace and truth by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God any time, His Son hath Him to us defined. 8 John's record is, " I am not Christ, Nor yet that prophet nor Elias, But one who sounds the gospel word, To make the way straight of the Lord." 147 9 "If not Elias nor the Christ," They said, " why then dost thou baptize?" John said, " with water I baptize, But with you standeth One most wise. 10 Forth coming after me, Whose sfiocs I am not worthy to unlose." Next day as John saw Jesus come, He saith, behold the Holy Lamb. 11 Though after me, He is before, Well known to Israel of yore, I now baptize to manifest Him unto Israel the best. 12 I saw God's spirit like a dove Descending on Him from above. God said, "On Whom My Spirit flies He doth with Holy Ghost baptize. 13 John said, " I saw and bear record That this Man is the Son of God." When Christ came where John's followers stood, John said, " behold the Lamb of God," 14 Then they did follow Jesus home, As He did welcome all to come, He told them wonders to record, Of angels coming from the Lord, Unto repentance I baptize, That man might gain the paradise, The land of rest beyond the grave, Eternal o'er death's Jordan wave. i;> i CORINTHIANS. fll LPTEB Mil. '• Though I proclaim with tongues of men, Or in angelic strains abound, And have not charily, I then Am as the brass or cymbal's sound. Have I all knowledge, gifts and faith, And with them have not charity, I am undone without that grace, Nought but that Love can profit me. Though I give all to feed the poor, And yield my body to be burned, And have not charity most pure, I am of God and angels spurned. It envieth not, it suffereth long, Is kind, not puffed up in self-will, Nor acts unfit, nor seeks her own, Nor soon provoked, nor thinketh ill. Nor yaunteth, nor delights in sin, But ever joyous in the truth, It bears all things, believes all things. Hopes all, nor fails, but, all endures. Prophecies fail, and tongues shall cease, And knowledge vanish and decay, For we but know in part of these, Which perfect Love shall do away. I when a child did speak as one, And understand, and act, and think. But when I had a man become I put away the childish things. Though now through glass we darkly see, We then se ■ face to face each one, Per only now in part know we, Then shall I know as I am known. 149 9 Faith, hope and chanty, blest three, Abideth now for man to gain. Most great of these is charity, The love that ever shall remain. 10 Above all, put on charity, Which is the bond of perfectness. It sets the soul forever free. It is the bliss of righteousness. THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. CHAPTER I. 1 This is the revelation God gave Christ at last, To shew to His servants what must come to pass, And He sent His angel with it unto John, Who wrote what he saw, and of God and His Son. 2 Blest is he that readeth, and they that do hear The words of this prophecy, and it revere, And keep things there written, for time is at hand, To Asia's seven churches, John writes by command, 8 To you grace and peace, from Him which was to come, Which was, is, and from seven spirits 'round His throne From Christ the true witness, first-born from the dead, And Prince of earth's kings, since for all men He bled. 4 And loved us and washed us from sins in