A CHRISTIAN'S. CREED.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 11, 14 January 1869, Page 3

A CHRISTIAN'S. CREED.

From " Good Wordß." "~ I believe in dreams of duty Warning where they can't control, Fragments of the glorious beauty That once fille-Tib' unfall'n soul: In ttie godlike wreck of nature Sin did in the sinner leave, That may still regain the stature It hath fall'n f fom— l believe. 1 believe in human kindness Large amid the s6ns of men, Nobler far in willing blindness Than in censure's keenest ken: In the gentleness that slowly Sanctions what would others grieve^ In the trust that, deep and holy, Hopeth all things — I believe. I believe in self-denial, , And its secret throb of joy: In,thfe love that lives through trial, . Dying npfc, though death destroy : In those fond .and full believings That,, though all ,the world deceive, Will not let.ijfcs.dark deceivings Wake suspicion— l believe. I believe in man's affection; , Tender, true, unselfish, higlij Infancy's almost perfection, And in woman's purity: In his lofty soul-sustaining That can to one purpose cleave, In her gentle uncomplaining Peace and patience — I believe. I believe in self-devotion, The long sacrifice of years, Noblest fruits of deep emotion, Man's blood-shedding, woman's tears: In the pure prevailing passion Human hearts by God conceive, And, despite the world's cold fashion, Live and die for — I believe. I believe in human weakness Trying to be strong and true, Owning in impassion'd meekness What it would, but could not do: In its consciousness of failing, Which the less it doth perceive, Doth the more leave unavailing All its efforts — I believe. •I believe in Love renewing All that sin hath swept away, -Leaven-like its work pursuing Night by night and day by day: In the power of its remoulding, In the grace of its reprieve, In the glory of beholding Its perfection — I believe. I believe in Love Eternal Fixed in God's unchanging will, That beneath the deep infernal Hath a depth that's deeper still: In its patience, its endurance To forbear, and to retrieve, In the large and full assurance Of its triumph — I believe. JOHN MONSELL.