THE MINERS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 187, 27 October 1876, Page 6

THE MINERS.

BY MABIE. Far down within the dismal mine, Where fragrant breezes never blow — Where genial sunbeams may not shine Nor crystal T)xooklets flow — There gleams the wondrous gold amid The shrouding granite's dark disguise ; And there, in deep oblivion hid, The shining silver lies. Par, far below the verdant soil, So soft with dew, so bright with bloom, The miners dig 1 , with weary toil, In dread, eternal gloom. What seek they ? Wealth that taketh wings — Delusive treasures set in dust — The gods where worldly worship clings, The idols of its trust— The mocking gleam that falsely leads Through stagnant marshes foul with sin — The demon bride, that darkest deeds And deadly -wiles may win. ****** Within a rich, exhaustless mine The Christian Brothers fondly toil — There blessed sunbeams ever shine, And bloom bedecks the soil ; There gleams the wealth that fleeteth not On restless pinions, swift as light ; There shine the gems no rust can blot, No blemish e'er may blight. Within the fruitful heart of youth These willing miners long have wrought, For there the stainless gold of truth Their patient toil hath sought, From foul alloy of guilt and vice i They free the wealth of silver ore — They set the wondrous pearl of truth Within that shining store. Ah ! saintly toilers ! not from earth Your labors claim' a scant reward; Look upward — lo ! your task is worth The guerdon of your Lord. Come, blessed ones ! and with each gem Your hands have freed from earthly leaven, In Love's eternal diadem Be fitly shrined in heaven.

— Manhattan Monthly.