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Poem
December 1, 1842
Sentinel Of The Valley
Woodstock, Shenandoah County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A poem likening a steersman's reliance on a compass during a storm to a Christian's guidance by the Bible through life's trials, culminating in safe arrival in heaven.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POETICAL
AT THE COMPASS.
The storm was loud—before the blast
Our gallant bark was driven;
Their foaming crests the billows rear'd,
And not one friendly star appeared,
Through all the vaults of heaven.
Yet dauntless still the steersman stood,
And gazed without a sigh,
Where he paused on needle bright and slim.
And lighted by a lanthorn dim,
The compass meets his eye.
Thence taught his darksome way to steer,
He breathed no wish for day:
But brav'd the whirlwind's furious might,
Nor once, throughout the dismal night,
To fear or doubt gave way.
And what is oft the Christian's life,
But storms as dark and drear,
Thro' which, without one blithesome ray
Of worldly bliss to cheer his way,
He must his vessel steer!
Yet let him ne'er to sorrow yield.
For in the sacred page
A compass shines divinely true,
And, safe illumined, greets his view
Amid the tempest's rage.
Then let him firmly grasp the helm,
Though loud the billows roar,
And soon, his toils and troubles past,
His anchor he shall safely cast
On Canaan's happy shore.
AT THE COMPASS.
The storm was loud—before the blast
Our gallant bark was driven;
Their foaming crests the billows rear'd,
And not one friendly star appeared,
Through all the vaults of heaven.
Yet dauntless still the steersman stood,
And gazed without a sigh,
Where he paused on needle bright and slim.
And lighted by a lanthorn dim,
The compass meets his eye.
Thence taught his darksome way to steer,
He breathed no wish for day:
But brav'd the whirlwind's furious might,
Nor once, throughout the dismal night,
To fear or doubt gave way.
And what is oft the Christian's life,
But storms as dark and drear,
Thro' which, without one blithesome ray
Of worldly bliss to cheer his way,
He must his vessel steer!
Yet let him ne'er to sorrow yield.
For in the sacred page
A compass shines divinely true,
And, safe illumined, greets his view
Amid the tempest's rage.
Then let him firmly grasp the helm,
Though loud the billows roar,
And soon, his toils and troubles past,
His anchor he shall safely cast
On Canaan's happy shore.
What sub-type of article is it?
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Religious Faith
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Compass Metaphor
Christian Trials
Biblical Guidance
Storm At Sea
Faith Navigation
Poem Details
Title
At The Compass.
Subject
The Christian's Life As A Voyage Guided By Scripture
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas In Iambic Tetrameter
Key Lines
Yet Let Him Ne'er To Sorrow Yield.
For In The Sacred Page
A Compass Shines Divinely True,
And, Safe Illumined, Greets His View
Amid The Tempest's Rage.
Then Let Him Firmly Grasp The Helm,
Though Loud The Billows Roar,
And Soon, His Toils And Troubles Past,
His Anchor He Shall Safely Cast
On Canaan's Happy Shore.