Soon at a meeting of thanksgiving held To celebrate with praises to the Lord His unexpected riddance out of thrall Paul to his brethren and his kindred said: "My life reprieved from threatened death in shame, I dedicate anew to Christ the Lord. I go hence, parting from you all with tears Of joyful love, and thanks for love again Mine in full measure from so many hearts That have not here my bonds in Christ despised-- I go hence, in the Spirit bound, to bear Far as I may abroad in all the world The glorious gospel of the blesséd God. Pray for me that I may be sped in peace, And that before me doors of utterance may Swing open wide wherever I am led. The time is short for all of us; for me Shorter, it may be, than our present joy Buoys us to hope. Perhaps the Lord will come And find me waking still--and not asleep-- To welcome Him descending in the air. Amen! So may it be! Lord Jesus, come! "And yet, belovéd, though these words I speak, A more prevailing prescience in my heart Forewarns me I shall witness with my blood For Him who suffered unto blood for me. If so it be, amen! Lord Jesus, yea, Thy will for me is my will for myself; I spring to it with joy, or far or near-- Unknown to me--enough that it is Thine! "So, farewell, ye. Watch and remember, all, That by the space of two full years in chains I have not ceased to warn you night and day, Each one, with tears. And now, behold, I know That some of you to whom I have fulfilled This ministry shall see my face no more. O, brethren, I commend you unto God! Be perfect, be of brave and hopeful cheer, Be of one mind, abide in peace, and He, The God of love and peace, shall with you be. O, how my heart is large toward you! The love Of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, And the communion of the Holy Ghost Be with you and abound--ever! Amen!" Therewith Paul kneeled and prayed a breaking prayer; And they all wept, and he wept with them all, They falling on his neck and kissing him In love and sorrow. Each one with himself 'Among them, I?' asked, and so sorrowed most Of all for that word which he spoke, "I know That some of you shall see my face no more." Paul sent his kindred and his lovers--those Who for his sake had sailed with him to Rome-- Back to find home again in Holy Land, While he, with Luke for his companion sole, Should run his rounds of mission through the world. "But what ye can," he said, "before ye go, Comfort Onesimus and Syrus, sick With wounding for Christ's sake and mine; I have Already bathed Onesimus with tears Of love, and bidden him in Christ be strong: Ye will not leave him till his health be whole At least enough to take the journey back To our Philemon, bearing thanks from me.