MINISTERING ANGELS. The Angel of Love.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 387, 24 July 1889, Page 3

MINISTERING ANGELS. The Angel of Love.

"Inasmuch as yo have done ifc unto ono the least, of 'these my brethren^ ye have done' unto me."

Zealandia's boast !, fair Auckland, now With conscious pride I see; ' , Her mountains, and each sun-kissed brdw ' " Of hills endeared to me. ' ■ - Her vales— her streets, where dwellings fair In varied beauty rise, And stately fanes and structures rare, Beneath these Southern skies. ' The Waitemata's blue expanse, Foam-crested or serene, Attracts the fond admirer's glance— Embright with sunny sheen. All is so picturesquely grand That greets the stranger's gaze. That none ceuld wish a fairer land To woo the poet's praise. The wild ness of an Alpine scene Is blent with all that's fair, Beneath Italia's sky serene, ' Or Grecian beauty rare. Perennial breezes pure and sweet Delieht to linger near, Attempering summer's fervid heat, To animate and cheer. I stroll along her crowded streets And meet a joyous throng; Or wbeve suburban home retreats To wealth and rank belong. ( I see but little to denote That want or woe could be In this bright clime, from mine remote, This Eden .of -the sea. ' - But there are homes where sor« distress And pain and want abide ; • . , { . Where sickness and disease oppress "' We may not set aside. In one of these, and.niany such • I fear may here abound, Wherein the sacred Healer's touch Might fittingly- be found. I knejW of one — a godly man, „ . - All friendless and forlorn, -V Lay helpless there as one best can, By want and sorrow worn. What is this Auckland fair to him, ■ „* , The beauties I survey ? Earth's peerless glories ard but dini, J i . . " As earthly joys decay. , The busy world is so engrossed •■ .» -' • '• On toil or pleasure,bent, . - » V ,'. 'It selddmJieeds till all is lost, The ills it might prevent. ' • The hardships of the suffering poo^ In secret must be borne, Rather than yield, or else endure The proud man's heartless scorn. But there are some, the noble few, God's messengers on earth, Whose love unselfish, 'pure and true, • Prompts deeds of Christian worth. No holier part can woman take Beneath Misfortune's frowp.. Than succouring those for Christ's.dear sake, Afflicted and cast down. Not all the adoration paid Before an earthly shrine ; Not all I he gorgeous pomp displayed Of ritual deemed divine, Can be so oleasing in. His sight . As one true act of love. Dear as seraphic splendours bright In those fair realms above ! , „ There came to his lone dwelling one,. « ' A lady kind and faix ; ' ' The duty she would scorn to stoii- ' - * ' ' That urojed her presence there. She comes to act a Christ-like part , In unassuming guise \ ' - ■ i The love of God is in her heart, An angel's in her eyes ! She had not riches such rs those In wealth and com fort here, Whose kindly aid might interpose Were Mammon held less dear. She could an apt occasion make To bring him daily food, What most he needed, for the sake Of simply doing good, Life's noblest work ! f G od's blessing restß Upon the hearts of all ' '■ Who homage yields to Christ's behests In actions great or small. A simple act in kindess done Has here its own reward And will a,s endless ages run , Be honoured by our Lord !

A. W. Hurry. Pollen-street, Xewton.