Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
November 28, 1851
Southern Christian Advocate
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
This poem uses the biblical story of Noah's Ark builders, who constructed it but failed to enter, as a metaphor to warn zealous Christians to ensure their own faith is genuine amid good works and missionary efforts.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE BUILDERS OF THE ARK
BY MRS. ABDY.
The Ark is on the waters, and one family alone,
Amid a lost and guilty race, its saving succour own.
Why are so few a number to the sacred shelter brought?
Where are the many builders who the wondrous structure wrought?
Alas! they labour'd at their task with cold mechanic skill;
They had no hope of future grace, no fear of future ill
Vainly the holy ark they view, vainly its refuge crave
Others are by their efforts saved, themselves they cannot save.
May not the record of their fate a warning truth convey,
To some who in religion's cause unwearied zeal display?
Our anxious care extends to all our active works abound,
But say, within our secret hearts is true devotion found?
We send the blessed book of life to cheer the heathen's night,
But do we duly read and prize its holy light?
Where bands of pious Christians meet we eagerly repair,
Do we with equal fervor breathe our solitary prayer?
The sinful we reclaim and warp, the ignorant we teach;
We place them in the narrow road, a land of joy to reach;
How dire the thought, that, while they bless their firm and friendly guide,
They may attain the gates of heaven, and miss us from their side!
Our prompt and ready labours may the praise of man demand;
Man judges of the spirit by the workings of the hand;
But God's unfailing wisdom seeks religion's hidden part,
And marks if true and vital faith be cherished in the heart.
Yet let us not unmindful of our erring brethren prove:
No, let increasing energy inspire our deeds of love:
But while to save another's soul our ardent zeal is shown,
O, let us watch with ceaseless care the welfare of our own.
BY MRS. ABDY.
The Ark is on the waters, and one family alone,
Amid a lost and guilty race, its saving succour own.
Why are so few a number to the sacred shelter brought?
Where are the many builders who the wondrous structure wrought?
Alas! they labour'd at their task with cold mechanic skill;
They had no hope of future grace, no fear of future ill
Vainly the holy ark they view, vainly its refuge crave
Others are by their efforts saved, themselves they cannot save.
May not the record of their fate a warning truth convey,
To some who in religion's cause unwearied zeal display?
Our anxious care extends to all our active works abound,
But say, within our secret hearts is true devotion found?
We send the blessed book of life to cheer the heathen's night,
But do we duly read and prize its holy light?
Where bands of pious Christians meet we eagerly repair,
Do we with equal fervor breathe our solitary prayer?
The sinful we reclaim and warp, the ignorant we teach;
We place them in the narrow road, a land of joy to reach;
How dire the thought, that, while they bless their firm and friendly guide,
They may attain the gates of heaven, and miss us from their side!
Our prompt and ready labours may the praise of man demand;
Man judges of the spirit by the workings of the hand;
But God's unfailing wisdom seeks religion's hidden part,
And marks if true and vital faith be cherished in the heart.
Yet let us not unmindful of our erring brethren prove:
No, let increasing energy inspire our deeds of love:
But while to save another's soul our ardent zeal is shown,
O, let us watch with ceaseless care the welfare of our own.
What sub-type of article is it?
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Noahs Ark
Builders Fate
True Devotion
Christian Zeal
Moral Warning
Faith Heart
What entities or persons were involved?
By Mrs. Abdy.
Poem Details
Title
The Builders Of The Ark
Author
By Mrs. Abdy.
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Vainly The Holy Ark They View, Vainly Its Refuge Crave
Others Are By Their Efforts Saved, Themselves They Cannot Save.
How Dire The Thought, That, While They Bless Their Firm And Friendly Guide,
They May Attain The Gates Of Heaven, And Miss Us From Their Side!
But God's Unfailing Wisdom Seeks Religion's Hidden Part,
And Marks If True And Vital Faith Be Cherished In The Heart.