Whene’er upon the _past_ I gaze, Though thorns and clouds appear, Rich gifts from Heaven demand my praise, Gifts to the heart most dear, The strong One’s arm, the friend above, The fulness of Redeeming Love. Through childhood’s hours and youthful snares, That Arm my footsteps led, That friend amid the heart’s own cares, The balm of pity shed, And raised my drooping soul to feel How deep the wound Love’s power can heal. _W. J. Brock._ PASTOR. I will give you _pastors_ according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.--Jeremiah, iii. 15. Woe be unto the _pastors_ that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.--Jeremiah, xxiii. 1. He was a shepherd, and no mercenary. And though he holy was and virtuous, He was to sinful men full piteous; His words were strong, but not with anger fraught; A love benignant he discreetly taught. To draw mankind to Heaven by gentleness And good example, was his business. But if that any one were obstinate, Whether he were of high or low estate, Him would he sharply check with altered mien: A better parson there was nowhere seen. He paid no court to pomps and reverence, Nor spiced his conscience at his soul’s expense; But Jesus’ love, which owns no pride or pelf, He taught--but first he followed it himself. _Chaucer._ Do not, as some ungracious _pastors_ do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, Whilst, like a puff’d and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads, And recks not his own road. _Shakspere._ A genial hearth, a hospitable board, And a refined rusticity, belong To the neat mansion, where, his flock among, The learned _pastor_ dwells, their watchful lord. Though meek and patient as a sheathed sword, Though pride’s least lurking thought appears a wrong To human kind; though peace be on his tongue, Gentleness in his heart; can earth afford Such genuine state, pre-eminence so free, As when, array’d in Christ’s authority, He from the pulpit lifts his awful hand; Conjures, implores, and labours all he can For re-subjecting to divine command The stubborn spirit of rebellious man? _Wordsworth._ He is a faithful _pastor_ of the poor;-- He thinks not of himself; his Master’s words, “Feed, feed my sheep,” are ever at his heart, The Cross of Christ is aye before his eyes. _Grahame._