The Village Preacher

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12016, 19 December 1924, Page 11

The Village Preacher

• A man he was to- all thercountry de*r» And passing rich with forty pounds; a' year ; Remote from towns he ran. his godly race. / .... ■ Nor e'er :had changed, nor wished -■ to - change bis place; -/ Unpractised*, he- .to fawn, ox setfc for power. By. doctrines fashioned to the varying hour; ’ Far other aims'his heart: had-learned to prize. ' More skilled tb raise the wretched 'than to'rise. His house was ' known to , fell'' the vagrant trainV' He chid their wanderings, -hut relieved their‘ pain ; The long remembered was his i guest. Whose' beard descending his aged breast. The ruined spendthrift, now no longer proud, - • v Claimed kindred there and had his claims' allowed; The broken .’'soldier, kindly bade* to stay,’ : Sat by'his fire.- and talked the night xway;Wept o’er his wounds, # or tales of-sorrow done. Shouldered his crutch and showed how fields were won. Pleased with his guests, the good man learned to glow, >And forgot their.vices in tfieir l woe; , v Careless merits or. their faults to scan, , v His pity gate ere charity began. * j O. GOLDSMITH. y " (Thfe‘ Deserted Village.) / ■ J **• ' i ' ill