DIVINE GOODNESS AND JUSTICE.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3661, 20 September 1880, Page 2

DIVINE GOODNESS AND JUSTICE.

(To-the Editor of the E»ening Star.)

Sir, —In Saturday's issue you favoured your readers with Whittier's beautiful poem on Divine Goodness. I for one thank you for it. As the poem referred to was written in the year 1867, in which he sings— O Brothers ! if my faith \« vain, If hopes like t.hesti betray, Pray tor me that my feet may gaia Tho sure and safer way. Is it not significant (hat later on in life, in the mellowing ripeness of this poet's wisdom, we find a production which is i rarely quoted, but which seems to be the I deepest voice of his final philosophy— Though God be Rood, and free be heaven, No force divine can lore compel; And, though the songs of tins forgiven May sound through lowest hell, The sweet persuasion of his voice Respects tby sanctity of will. He gifeUi day: thou hast tby choice To walk iv dark no ja still. No word of doom may shut thee out, No wind of wrafch may downward whirl, No swords of fire koep watch about The open gates of pearl j . A tenderer light than moon or eun, Thau eong of earth a'sweeter Hjmu, May sliino and sound for ever on Aud thou be deaf and dim ; Forever round the mercy-seat The guiding lighM of love shall burn: But what if, habit bound, thy feet Shall lack the will to turn ? What if thine eye refuse to see, 1 lime ear of heaven's free welcome fail, And thou a willing captive be, Thyself thine own dark jail ? —Whittier. lam, &c, MJ.VV.

(To the Editor of the EVENING Sria.) Sib,—The "Citizen" of the Thames who writes in your Saturday's issue is evidently well upiu volunteer matters, the battalion should therefore take to heart the ad?ice of Bobbie Burns :—• "Hear, Land o' Cakes, and bather Scots Free Maidorikirk to JoUnnjr Groats! If there's a hole in a' your coats, I redn ye tent it; A child's atnang yo taking notes, And, faith, he'll prent it." " Citizen " does not appear to be in love with the Scottish Battalion ; I should say he is one of a much less popular band of brothers.—-I am, Ac, ■ Cacoethes Scbibendi.