Poems (Clark)/Ben Isaac's Vision
BEN ISAAC'S VISION
Ben Isaac walked in solitude one day
While o'er his heart a heavy burden lay;
Vain were his sacrifices, and the prayers he said
Seemed leaden-winged, and fell beside him dead.
Fasting he oft had spent a lonely day,
While wrapped around him folds of sackcloth lay;
'Twas useless all; in vain he looked for rest;
Anguish uncheered was still his constant guest.
While o'er his heart a heavy burden lay;
Vain were his sacrifices, and the prayers he said
Seemed leaden-winged, and fell beside him dead.
Fasting he oft had spent a lonely day,
While wrapped around him folds of sackcloth lay;
'Twas useless all; in vain he looked for rest;
Anguish uncheered was still his constant guest.
The weight seemed heavier than his heart could bear,
And once again he sought relief in prayer;
And vowed unblessed by rest, or any cheering good,
To pass the days in loneliest solitude.
Thrice had the glorious sun in golden rays.
Smiled out o'er earth, and called to loving praise;
It seemed but mockery to Ben Isaac's grief,
As day and night he vainly sought relief.
And once again he sought relief in prayer;
And vowed unblessed by rest, or any cheering good,
To pass the days in loneliest solitude.
Thrice had the glorious sun in golden rays.
Smiled out o'er earth, and called to loving praise;
It seemed but mockery to Ben Isaac's grief,
As day and night he vainly sought relief.
At last the angel Sleep his weary frame
Touched with her wand; and suddenly there came
A vision to Ben Isaac's wondering eyes,
That filled him with exceeding great surprise.
In awe unquestioning he marked the light,
Making the solitude with glory bright;
And in the midst an angel calmly stood,
His very presence speaking peace and good.
Touched with her wand; and suddenly there came
A vision to Ben Isaac's wondering eyes,
That filled him with exceeding great surprise.
In awe unquestioning he marked the light,
Making the solitude with glory bright;
And in the midst an angel calmly stood,
His very presence speaking peace and good.
Ben Isaac gazed until with voice that fell
As sweetly clear as Sabbath morning bell,
The angel spoke, and then he bowed his head.
"Your prayers are heard, your fastings seen," he said,
"And He who sitteth on the throne of Heaven,
And by whose love your blessings all are given,
Hath wisely ordered in his gracious care,
That you work out an answer to your prayer.
As sweetly clear as Sabbath morning bell,
The angel spoke, and then he bowed his head.
"Your prayers are heard, your fastings seen," he said,
"And He who sitteth on the throne of Heaven,
And by whose love your blessings all are given,
Hath wisely ordered in his gracious care,
That you work out an answer to your prayer.
Prayers are but useless things, if in one's life
Is lived no prayer; but spent in useless strife.
Are the rich talents God has kindly given,
That this fair earth may prove a type of Heaven;
The dear Lord came to cleanse a world from sin;
Faith in his loving grace will pardon win;
While the pure teachings of his Holy Word
Show care for others, service to the Lord.
Is lived no prayer; but spent in useless strife.
Are the rich talents God has kindly given,
That this fair earth may prove a type of Heaven;
The dear Lord came to cleanse a world from sin;
Faith in his loving grace will pardon win;
While the pure teachings of his Holy Word
Show care for others, service to the Lord.
Faith, to prove true, must lead to loving deeds,
That soothe and cheer humanity's great needs;
That worship finds in act, and word, and thought,
Whose very texture is with love inwrought.
Ben Isaac, if your soul would find release
From grief, and view life's angles round to happy peace,
Go see your Saviour in each suffering soul,
And mend your broken joys by making others whole."
That soothe and cheer humanity's great needs;
That worship finds in act, and word, and thought,
Whose very texture is with love inwrought.
Ben Isaac, if your soul would find release
From grief, and view life's angles round to happy peace,
Go see your Saviour in each suffering soul,
And mend your broken joys by making others whole."
Ben Isaac woke—in lingering music crept
The words his heart had garnered while he slept;
He almost thought, in the rich morning light,
He saw the angel's gleaming robes of white.
Back to the busy haunts of life his way he took,
A chastened earnestness in mien and look;
Henceforth his life bore loving fruit for Heaven,
And alms as well as prayers were freely given.
The words his heart had garnered while he slept;
He almost thought, in the rich morning light,
He saw the angel's gleaming robes of white.
Back to the busy haunts of life his way he took,
A chastened earnestness in mien and look;
Henceforth his life bore loving fruit for Heaven,
And alms as well as prayers were freely given.