The mission—The sixth Two

(The Saviour of the World, Vol III Book IV Poem L)

Into poor city came the other Two
Where was disease and famine: “Let us do
What may be for these men; speak words of peace
Shall instant bring the suffering soul release
From intolerable bonds of his distress:—
‘Friends, suffering friends, we bring but words to bless,
But, pray you, hear of Him, has come to reign,
Men to release from hunger, sin and pain!’ ”
They told in tender words how Christ for men
Full forty days had fasted; hungered, then,
Satan solicited with every wile
He useth fainting outcast to beguile;
And how, for men’s sake, He repelled attack—
That never sufferer, anhungered, lack.
“Words, idle words,” a hardened fellow cries;
“Where is the man with words his meat supplies?”
But all the people knew them fed and eased
By thought of Him who graciously was pleased
To suffer hunger, every poor man’s pain,
That famish’d men to fulness might attain.
“Nay, share our scanty meat, with us abide,
Your words be bread to us!” the people cried:
And there through those distressful days they stayed,
And ministered with healing; preached and prayed.