PASTORAL CHARACTER

A GENIAL hearth, a hospitable board,

And a refined rusticity, belong

To the neat mansion, where, his flock among,

The learned Pastor dwells, their watchful Lord.

Though meek and patient as a sheathed sword;

Though pride's least lurking thought appear a wrong

To human kind; though peace be on his tongue,

Gentleness in his heart — can earth afford

Such genuine state, pre-eminence so free,

As when, arrayed in Christ's authority,

He from the pulpit lifts his awful hand;

Conjures, implores, and labours all he can

For re-subjecting to divine command

The stubborn spirit of rebellious man?