 | Lays of the Highlands and Islands |  |
198
THE HIGHLAND MINISTER.
When London brewers track the Scottish deer,And lords breed sheep, who once commanded men,
Whom do the scanty peoplers of the glen
With faithful love, and service true revere?
I know him well: while lairds beyond the sea
Scatter their gold, and factors rack the glen,
He stands a messenger from God to men,
Sole priest and king, sole friend and father he.
Such ministry God's gospel gave, when first
Love struck the bonds from Sin's enthrallèd slaves,
As here some wreck of kindly care it saves
From grasping hands and hearts with hardness curst.
“Not yours, but you,” the great Apostle said;
Now gain is good, and all things are a trade!
| Lays of the Highlands and Islands | |