Poems, Moral, Religious, and Miscellaneous

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1868. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Thus Edwin sung pensive, and tears would have gushed, But he checked them, as one for his weakness who blushed; Yet enough of his sorrow his strains may attest, To warn you from love, if by fortune unblest. What is Tweed?--The Question answered hy himself. The question had been jocularly asked at a clerical party, after Tweed had ceased to officiate. Facetious friends, the question that you raise Had not been asked, methinks, in better days; But when the lustre of man's life is flown, The man himself begins to be unknown; So that with him whom Heaven was pleased to try, O that I were as in days past, I cry' When all to hail me fortunate agreed, Nor was it made a question, What is Tweed? But what is Tweed? he answers for himself, One prematurely laid upon the shelf: No working curate, still a priest in fact, In the commission, though he does not act. His office, now his solace, once his pride, He has not with its duties laid aside: 1 Job xxix. 2. Infirmity for him excuse hath found, Neglecting office to which health is bound . Our Church three orders owns, distinct from those, Which of divine appointment we suppose, For Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, we revere, But speak of secular distinctions here, Of Rectors, Vicars, Curates, all of whom The common style of clergymen assume: All the same unction have received, and claim Alike of Christian ministers the name: Rector and Curate differing from each other, But as the lucky from the unlucky brother. But to the question--of these orders three To which Tweed now belongs, one does not see; Doubtless to neither of the former two, No tithe of corn or cummin is his due: And to the third his title is not clear, Who scarcely ministers twelve times a-year. While he could work, his toil he did not grudge;...