Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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THE FIRST BEATITUDE. |
 | Devotional Verses |  |
THE FIRST BEATITUDE.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
—Matthew, v. 3.
Would'st thou share this benediction,
Things of time surpassing far,
First be taught by truth's conviction
Who the poor in spirit are.
Things of time surpassing far,
First be taught by truth's conviction
Who the poor in spirit are.
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In the sight of fortune's minions
They are worthless, mean, and low;
In their own severe opinions
Of themselves far worse they know.
They are worthless, mean, and low;
In their own severe opinions
Of themselves far worse they know.
In the world's cold estimation
Undeserving of esteem;—
In their self-humiliation
Such unto themselves they seem.
Undeserving of esteem;—
In their self-humiliation
Such unto themselves they seem.
But let truth extend thy vision
Through this fleeting span of time,
Their's will be, by sure decision,
Wealth exhaustless, joys sublime.
Through this fleeting span of time,
Their's will be, by sure decision,
Wealth exhaustless, joys sublime.
Watchful, patient, meek, and lowly,
Wise—in wisdom from above,
In their life and converse holy,
Full of faith, and full of love;
Wise—in wisdom from above,
In their life and converse holy,
Full of faith, and full of love;
Grateful, here, to be cross-bearers,
For the Saviour's sake, they live;
And, hereafter, shall be wearers
Of the crowns that He will give.
For the Saviour's sake, they live;
And, hereafter, shall be wearers
Of the crowns that He will give.
Such, alone, the poor in spirit!
Heirs, through faith, of things divine;
And the kingdom they inherit,
Faith like their's must render thine.
Heirs, through faith, of things divine;
And the kingdom they inherit,
Faith like their's must render thine.
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