The ruined parsonage, the roofless school,

The village of its preacher’s voice bereft,

The little flock without a shepherd left,

Without “the man to all the country dear,”

Whose part it was to teach, to warn, to cheer;

“Unskilful he to fawn or seek for power

By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour;

Far other aims his heart had learned to prize,

More bent to raise the wretched than to rise.

Still in his duty prompt at every call,