"WORDS OF CHEER."

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 305, 21 December 1912, Page 16

"WORDS OF CHEER."

The following verses are ascribed to Bodbie Bnrns. but not to be found in any of that famous Scottish barti's works. The style with the broad humanitarian ranee of thought, lends colour to the supposition of their genuineness, but, whether the lines his glorious reputation would not be tarnished if they -were proved to be the product of hie great heart and brain. Folowlng are the verses:— Lo! Calvin. Knox, and Lather cry: "1 hae the truth—and I—and I: Puir sinner, if ye gang agley The deil will hae ye. And then the Lord will stand aside. And winmi save ye" : But hoolie! boolie' nae sac fast; When Gabriel shall blow his blast. And heaven and earth awa' hae passed, These lang-syne saints Shan find balth dell and bell at last Mere pious feints. The upright, honest-hearted man Wha strives to do the best be can Need never fear the church's ban Or hell's damnation; For God will need nae special plan For his salvation. The Ane wha feels our deepest needs Becks little how man counts his beads. For righteousness is not in creeds Or solemn faces. But rather lies in kindly deeds And Christian graces. Then never fear, wr purpose leal, A head to think, a heart to feel For human woe or human weal, Nae preaching loon Tcur sacred birthright e'er can steal Frae heaven aboon. Tak , tent o' truth, and heed this well: The man wha sins makes his am hell: There's nae worse deil than his ainsel': But God is strongest; And when puir human hearts rebel He hands oot longest.