And chearful something to the wretch dispense, As to the city Nain our Lord drew near, A lonely, weeping widow's only son. A gen'rous pity fill'd his sacred breast, Ah! do not thus, he said, in anguish grieve, 115 Then with that voice which winds and waves obey'd, of Christianity, which might afford them consolation. A sketch of this institution may be seen in the Edinburgh Magazine for March 1792. A proposal for the adoption of the scheme in Edinburgh may be seen in the Edinburgh Magazine for June 1792. A society for the relief of Blind Persons has since been instituted in Edinburgh, Bristol, and in London. Wonder and joy possest the gazing crowd, 120 And God in love his potent arm declar'd. 130 As the fair gifts of health and life he gave, Line 136. There are some good observations in Dr. Mead's Medica Sacra to shew that those who are said in Scripture to be possessed with devils This when with melting tears he had averr'd, His poor imperfect son both spake and hear'd. By interchange of thoughts, or to receive; But would amid society appear A solitary monument of care. O conversation, dear and sweet relief, 140 To hours, estrang'd from thee, of pining grief! 145 Thou, if propriety thy dross refine, Can rouse and animate like gen'rous wine, Without its danger, give to life new zest, And when the crowd, incited by his fame, 150 And staid, enwrapt in wonder and in thought, He pitied them, and hungry thousands fed, 155 were only afflicted with natural diseases.-See also Farmer on the demoniacs and on our Saviour's temptation. O vast delight! O feast of extacy! O foretaste of the joys above to see! Thus his lov'd flock the heav'nly shepherd feed, O wonderful! O envied happiness! But wherefore envied? does he never bless ? 160 Does he not o'er our temp'rate meals preside? 165 And add to this, that in his life we find, 175 His body with a winding sheet was bound, His head was cover'd with a napkin round.) He wept not, therefore, that their friend was dead, But a soft sympathizing tear he shed At their affliction, for his feeling heart 180 In sighs of others always bore a part. From whence we learn the tear that gently flows, A spirit indicates sublime and great, And is of highest characters a brilliant trait. 185 Hard is the little and contracted mind, 190 And sinks him than the bestial herd more low, 195. |