O Church, whose strength is the doctrine
Of the blessed Evangelist,
The doctrine of love undying
Which the world can not resist!
Go forth to the highways and hedges
To gather the sheep that are lost,
Conveying the joyful tidings,
Their redemption at infinite cost.
Proclaim there is hope and a refuge
For every wanderer there;
For every sin there is mercy--
Yea, even the sin of despair!
O, then will thy beautiful garments,
As once in the prime of thy youth,
Appear in celestial splendor,
Thou pillar and ground of the Truth!
* * * * *
XLII.
JOHN PLOUGHMAN AGAIN
THE PITH AND MARROW OF CERTAIN OLD PROVERBS.
The Rev. C.H. Spurgeon, of London, who has furnished our readers with
several specimens of "John Ploughman's Talk," has also published "John
Ploughman's Pictures," some of which we present in pen and ink, without
any help from the engraver. John thus introduces himself:
IF THE CAP FITS, WEAR IT.
Friendly Readers: Last time I made a book I trod on some people's corns
and bunions, and they wrote me angry letters, asking, "Did you mean me?"
This time, to save them the expense of a halfpenny card, I will begin my
book by saying--
Whether I please or whether I tease,
I'll give you my honest mind;
If the cap should fit, pray wear it a bit;
If not, you can leave it behind.
Pages:
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418