POEMS
AFTER THE SURPRISING CONVERSIONS
September twenty-second, Sirs: today
I answer. In the latter part of May,
Hard on Our Lord's Ascension, it began
To be more sensible. A gentleman
Of more than common understanding, strict
In morals, religious in behaviour, had kicked
Against our goad: a man of some renown,
An useful and honorable person in the town,
He came of melancholy parents; prone
To private spells, for years they kept alone:
Good people, but of too much or little wit,–
His uncle, we believe, was killed of it.
I preached one Sabbath on a text from
Kings;
lte showed concernment for his soul.
Som~
things
In his experience were hopeful. He
Would sit and watch the wind knocking a tree
And praise this countryside Our Lord has made,
Once when a poor man's Guernsey died, he laid
Ten shillings on the doorsill; though a thirst
For loving shook him like a snake, he durst
Not entertain much hope of his estate
In the latter portion of his time; of late
He meditated terror and he seemed
Beyond advice or reason, for he dreamed
That he was called to herald Judgment Day
To Concord. In the latter part of May
He cut his throat. And though the coroner
Judged him delirious, soon a noisesome stir
Palsied our Village. At Jehovah's nod
Satan seemed more let loose amongst us; God
Abandoned us to Satan, and he pressed
Us hard, until we thought we would not rest
Till we had done with life. Content is gone.
All the good work is quashed. We are undone.
The breath of God has carried out a planned
And sensible withdrawal from this land;
The multitude, once unconcerned with doubt,
Once neither callous, curious, nor devout,
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