Marshall County Republican

THE POOR

When dark'ning clouds o'erspread the sky
When wintry tempests lower,
When fields in desolation lie,
And withered every flower:

Around the cheerful household hearth
And blest with plenteous store,
Repress awhile your timely mirth.
Think of the suffering poor.

Or when the social board is spread
With autumn's beauty crowned;
Or when upon your downy bed,
Wrapt with soft drapery round,

Ye listen to the angry storm,
That rudely beats the door,
With food and fire and raiment warm;
Think of the shivering poor.

Think of the sick, whose bed forlorn,
No kind attention knows:
Whose wakeful eye awaits the morn,
A stranger to repose-

And the lone prisoner who bends
In vain at mercy's door-
Possessed of health, of wealth and friends,
Think of the suffering poor.

And let your timely aid impart
Some solace for their woe;
Let kindness soothe the bleeding heart,
And charity bestow

An offering that faith approves,
And heaven shall bless your store;
For God the cheerful giver loves,
And him who lends the poor.