University of Virginia Library


250

FAREWELL TO A MISSIONARY.

Home, kindred, friends, and country,—these
Are things with which we never part;
From clime to clime, o'er land and seas,
We bear them with us in our heart;
And yet 'tis hard to feel resign'd,
When they must all be left behind.
But when the pilgrim's staff we take,
And follow Christ from shore to shore,
Gladly for Him we all forsake,
Press on, and only look before;
Though humbled nature mourns her loss,
The spirit glories in the cross.

251

It is no sin, like man, to weep,
Even Jesus wept o'er Lazarus dead;
Or yearn for home beyond the deep,—
He had not where to lay his head;
The patriot's tears will He condemn,
Who grieved o'er lost Jerusalem?
Take up your cross, and say—“Farewell:”
Go forth without the camp to Him,
Who left heaven's throne with men to dwell,
Who died his murderers to redeem:
Oh! tell his name in every ear,
Doubt not,—the dead themselves will hear,—
Hear, and come forth to life anew;
—Then while the Gentile courts they fill,
Shall not your Saviour's words stand true?
Home, kindred, friends, and country still,
In earth's last desert you shall find,
Yet lose not those you left behind.