PRAYER AND POTATOES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 249, 7 November 1872, Page 9

PRAYER AND POTATOES.

44 If a-lrotter or sister be naked and destitufe of daily food, and some of you say unto them, 4 Depart ia peace, be ye wanned and filled." notwithstanding ye give them not these things which an needful to the body, what doth it profit ?"-jAMESii: 15-18. An eld lady sat in her old arm chair, Wivli wrinkled visage and dis-hevelle'd hair, And hungry -worn features ; For days and for weeks her only fare, As sheiat in her old arm chair, €lad Jeen potatoes. H But iiwr they are gone ; of bad or good ; Not oi)B was left for the old lady's food Of tiose potatoes ; And sle sighed and said : _" What shall Ido ? Where shall I send, and to whom shall I go For more potatoes ?" And se thought of the deacon over the way, The deacon so ready to worship and pray, Whose cellar was full of potatoes ; . She said, " I will send to the deacon to come ; He'll rot much mind to give me some Of such a store of potatoes." And the deacon came over as fast as he could, Thinking to do the old lady some good, But never thought once of potatoes ; He asked her at once what was her chief want, And she simple soul, expecting a grant, Immediately answered, "potatoes." But the deacon's religion did'nt lie that way ; He was more accustomed to preach and pray Than to give his hoarded potatoes. So, not hearing, of course, what the old lady said. ' He rose to pray with uncovered head ; But she only thought of potatoes.

He prayed for patience, J goodness, and grace ; But when he prayed, •* Lord, give us peace," She audibly sighed, " Give potatoes." And at the end of each prayer he sliid, He heard, or he thought he heard, in its stead, That same request for potatoes. Mpf Deacon was troubled — knew not what to do. 'T was very embarassing to have her act so, And about those carnal potatoes. So, ending his prayers, he started for home. The door closed behind ; heheard a deep groan , " Oh, give to the hungry, potatoes,"

• And the groan followed him all the way home ; In the midst of the night it haunted his room ; " Oh\ give to the hungry, potatoes?" He could bear it no longer ; arose and dressed ; From his well-filled cellar taking in haste A bag of Ms best potatoes. . Again he went to the widow's,lone Tiut, Her sleepless eyes had not yet been shut ; But there she sat in the old arm chair. With the same wan feature, the same Wan air, And entering in, he poured on tlie floor A bushel or more from his goodly store Of ohoice3t potatoes. The widow's heart leaped up for joy, Her face was pale md hagjrard no more. "2Zow," said the deacon, "shall we pray ?" " Yes," said the widow, '; now you may." And he knelt him on the sanded floor, Where he had poured'ont his goodly store. And such a prayer the deacon prayed - As never before his lips essayed. jtfo longer embarrassed, but free and full, He poured out the voice of a liberal soul ; • And the widow responded a loud "' amen ?" But said no more of potatoes. And would you hear this simple tale, Pray for the poor, anil praying prevail ! Then preface your prayers with alms and good deeds. Search out the poor— their wants and needs ; Pray for their peace, grace, spiritual food, For wisdom and guidance— all thebe aie good , But don't forget the potatoes.