953
C. M.
I was a father to the poor.
Job 29:16.
Blest is the man whose softening heart
Feels all another’s pain;
To whom the supplicating eye
Was never raised in vain;
2 Whose breast expands with generous warmth
A stranger’s woes to feel;
And bleeds in pity o’er the wound
He wants the power to heal.
3 He spreads his kind supporting arms,
To every child of grief;
His secret bounty largely flows,
And brings unasked relief.
4 To gentle offices of love,
His feet are never slow;
He views, through mercy’s melting eye,
A brother in a foe.
5 Peace from the bosom of his God,
The Saviour’s grace shall give;
And when he kneels before the throne,
His trembling soul shall live.
Mrs. Barbauld.