The Gospel Miracles :: :: University of Virginia Library

As in some safe sequester'd spot,
By common eyes unheeded not,
A tender sapling grows;
Till high to heav'n it rears its head,
And far and wide o'er earth outspread
Its arms o'ershadowing throws:

Meanwhile the gardener's hand around
Hath clear'd from noxious weeds the ground,
Lest aught should mar the root;
And year by year his careful eye
Sees thro' the dews of heav'n more high
Ascend the graceful shoot:

Such year by year, thro' childhood, youth,
And prime of manhood, was the growth
Of Mary's Saviour child!
Tho' still his Father's hand was nigh,
And still well pleas'd his Father's eye
Survey'd each virtue mild;

Scarce mark'd he grew, till on his head
'Mid Jordan's flood the Spirit shed
In radiant glory shone,
All bright and hovering like a dove;
And the dread voice of God above
Proclaim'd him for his own.

One scene to note his opening years,
One scene alone portray'd appears
In God's recording roll,
When, ere the downy cheek began
To indicate the future man,
His more expanded soul,

On high and holy visions bent,
In Sion's sacred temple spent
Day thrice succeeding day,
Nor heeded that his kindred train
Afar from Salem's tow'rs again
Pursued their homeward way.

As on they went o'er rock and dell,
Or camp'd beside the limpid well,
Afar on Sion's hill
His Father's house still claim'd his care,
And on his Father's business there
Intent he linger'd still.

There 'mid the sages of thy law
Thine eyes the child, O Salem, saw,
While transport strange to hear
His questions apt, his prompt replies,
A mind so soon, so deeply, wise,
Held fix'd thy raptur'd ear.

Not rash perhaps, nor vain the task,
With no presumptuous aim to ask,
As on the page we gaze,
Why by the unerring pen was brought
That scene before the Christian's thought
Of Jesus' early days?

Was it, that childhood's tender age
Might copy from that fruitful page
A pattern undefil'd;
And youth perchance a lesson learn,
And manhood's self its part discern
Ensampled in a child?

Was it perchance, with kind intent,
(Since Jesus with his parents went
To Sion's templed steep,
From worldly cares and thoughts releas'd,
The seasons of the appointed feast
With solemn rites to keep;)

To shew how lovely is the sight,
When those by nature join'd unite
Religion's rites to grace;
And children with their parents go,
Reverence for God's high feasts to shew,
In God's appointed place?

Wast it to shew, (that holy court
Since Jesus made his lov'd resort,
A stripling of his age,)
How well the house, the truth, of God,
By childish footsteps may be trod,
May childish thoughts engage?

Was it, (since there his humble seat
Respectful at the Rabbin's feet
The heaven-sent hearer took,
On those, who taught in Moses' chair,
Content with meek inquiring air
And answers sage to look;)

To shew how well become the young
Such thirst for truth as prompts the tongue
To modesty of speech,
The eye submiss, the list'ning ear,
When men of graver age are near,
Whom God hath will'd to teach?

Was it, (since all around amaz'd,
As on his youthful face they gaz'd,
His voice of wisdom heard;)
To shew, e'en then how brightly shin'd
In human form the heavenly mind
Of God's eternal Word?

Was it (since thence returning down
To distant Nazareth's humble town,
He there obedient stay'd
To those who bore a parent's name,
And what parental love might claim
With filial duty paid;)

To shew, when all to God is given,
Earth's duties still with love of heaven
Demand divided care;
Whilst He, who claims the perfect heart,
Vouchsafes no less to yield a part,
The earthly parent's share?

Howe'er it be, on that brief page,
Which paints the Saviour's childish age,
'Tis sweet in thought to dwell,
And ponder every act and word,
As by his pensive mother stor'd
In memory's faithful cell:

The wish, which sought his Father's shrine;
The mind, which drank of love divine;
The soul, which upward flew
To commune with his Sire above;
The signs of meekness, awe, and love,
To earthly claimants due:

And thence 'tis sweet to cast the eye
And with prospective glance supply
The blameless course he ran;
While ever, as his stature rose,
In wisdom and in grace he grows,
Endear'd to God and man.

O, may the children of his fold
In mind retain, in deed unfold,
That holy pattern mild:
Nor youth, nor life's meridian glow,
Nor the calm eve of eld forego
The virtues of the child!