A word in season


O LORD! when sin’s close-marshall’d line
  Assails Thy witness on his way,
How should he raise Thy glorious sign,
  And how Thy will display?

Thy holy Paul, with soul of flame,
  Rose on Mars’ hill, a soldier lone;
Shall I thus speak th’ Atoning Name,
  Though with a heart of stone?

“Not so,” He said: “hush thee, and seek,
  With thoughts in prayer and watchful eyes,
My seasons sent for thee to speak,
  And use them as they rise.”

Gibraltar
December 17, 1832