95. Zeal and Patience
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{164}
"I, Paul, the prisoner of the Lord." |
O COMRADE bold of toil and pain! |
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Thy trial how severe, |
| When sever'd first by prisoner's chain |
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From thy loved labour-sphere! |
Say, did impatience first impel
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| The heaven-sent bond to break? |
| Or, couldst thou bear its hindrance well, |
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Loitering for Jesu's sake? |
Oh, might we know! for sore we feel |
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The languor of delay, |
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When sickness lets our fainter zeal,
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Or foes block up our way. {165}
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Lord! who Thy thousand years dost wait
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To work the thousandth part
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Of Thy vast plan, for us create
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With zeal a patient heart.
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Off Sardinia.
June 19, 1833.
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