THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

Press, Volume I, Issue 13, 17 August 1861, Page 4

THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

A PARALLEL. When Israel's prophet, heav'nward borne, His mantle earthward flung, A younger seer the guerdon claim'd, And straight to greatness sprung : Greatness of those, who trampling self Live for the work of God; Strong in whose might, ho sought tho path By his great master trod. Pie heal'd the waters' bitter spring, The dead to life rest or'd ; The heathen chief, his plague-spot cleans'd, The prophet's God ador'd. Thankful we own, in these our days, A tale in unison ; The mantle, once by Selwyn worn, Now fall'ii on Patteson. Through pathless seas behold him seek Strange islands uuexplor'd, In many diff'ring tongues declare Glad tidings of the Lord. Hea! the soul's bitter springs, to life Recall the living desd j Sin's plague-spot cleanse, the outcasts bring To share the children's bread. Shall we look idly, coldly on ? Extend no helping hand ? Oh ! pray we, brethren, fervently, God speed the mission-band! Hel}> we to spread fresh sails, to waft Christ's message o'er the main, That thy mild light, 0 Southern Cross, May glad the isles again.