WEARINESS.
The people shall weary themselves for very vanity.—Habakkuk, ii. 13.
Consider him that endureth such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.—Hebrews, xii. 3.
Let us not be weary in well doing.—Galatians, vi. 9.
Poor worldling! stay thy vain pursuit of peace
In empty vanities: no good can live
In all the gilded charms that mock thee: cease
Thy hold on these; loose every cord, and hear
The word of God: “Come ye that weary are!
Ye heavy-laden, come, and I will give
You rest.” O, heed that call! in holy fear,
In deep humility, bow down: the star
Of hope shall rise, and joy shall speak thy soul’s release.
Isaac F. Shepard.
O, I am weary of this sinful life!
Weary of error, and yet erring still,
Knowing, yet doing not Thy holy will,
O, I am weary of this endless strife!
I ask not that Thou take me from the earth,
But keep me from its evils—guide my feet,
And give me strength its many cares to meet—
To act all worthy of my heavenly birth.
Mary J. Reed.
Weariness will follow those
Who touch upon their journey’s close
But as the sun, though setting, burns
Still brightly, and to glory turns
The very clouds that round him roll;
So, even so, do thou my soul,
With in-born radiance, more and more,
Illume the shades of Sixty-four.
Nay, let a yet diviner power
Glorify thy latter hour:
Too long faithless and forlorn
Earthly image thou hast borne;
Now that heavenly impress seek,
Which, when flesh is frail and weak,
Gives the soul new power to soar
Eagle-winged, at Sixty-four.
Bernard Barton.