ORIGINAL POETRY.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 782, 12 October 1853, Page 3

ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE MISSIONARY. He leaves his native scenes, his childhood'* home. To country, kindred, friends, he bids farewell. Afar by duty’s mandate bade to roam. Where terror reigns, and direst dangers dwell; The glorious task his breast with courage fills. He goes to spread Religion’s joyful name. To rear Jehovah’s standard on the hills, That long have echoed with an idol's fame. The love of home 1 say is the heart possess’d Of one more powerful, dearer feeling ? yes f , The love ow Got>, within the Christian’s heart Burns with a flame more ardent still than this; Else, could he burst the tenderest ties that bind Heart unto heart ? and still unshaken stand. While nature wars within his sadden’d mind. When last he gazes on his own loved land ! Hush’d be the lightning’s voice, the whirlwind’s rage. Thou Ocean, call thy warring waves to rest I Roll gently on, no more destruction wage, Thou bear’st a treasure on thy mighty breast. A Messenger of joy, to misery’s call. Of peace, to realms where savage murderers roam, A light, to cheer the midnight glooms that dwell Within the untutor’d heathen’s joyless home. No friendly roof awaits his coming there, No voice may greet him with affection’s tone; Yet One will hear thi lonely stranger’s prayer. And be his guide, support, and friend alone. In dreary wilderness, or forest gloom. Where beast and man alike ferocious roam, TV Almighty’s presence shall the waste illume, And fill the wanderer’s heart with joy and love. While Earth, some hero’s vict’ries shall proclaim. The Missionary’s name, though nobler far. Will ne'er be written on the scroll of Fame, Yet shall it in •* The Book of Life’’ appear. Almtouty ! in whose cause he standeth forth. Smooth thou his path, and tame each hostile breast. And when he quits the toilsome scenes of earth, Oh! guide him to a heavenly home of rest 1 E. H.