Classic Poem

PARABLE LXIV.

The Head-Stone in the Corner

The Lord did thus bespeak the throng,
‘Have ye not read in David's song?
‘What scoffing builders could disown
‘Is of the church the corner-stone,
‘The work of God, supremely wise,
‘And is stupendous in our eyes
‘Therefore I to you all aver,
‘God shall his heav'nly reign transfer
‘To nations that shall grow in grace,
‘And rend it from the Jewish race:
‘And whoso on that stone shall dare
‘To fall, he shall be broken there;
‘But on the man that stone shall fall,
‘'Twill grind him as the powder small.’
?The rebel Jews, perverse of will,
New plans of faith projecting still,
Deny'd the very law they read,
And brought tradition in its stead:
Thus did they spurn the corner-stone,
And laid foundations of their own.
Now Christ has built the church in pow'r
At once her basis and her tow'r;
And who shall stumble in offence,
Though with a plea of innocence,
Must seek to pray'r, must weep apart
In broken and a contrite heart
But sins of an enormous cry
Force Christ in vengeance from on high;
But mercy glories to adjourn,
And bear affront, and wait a turn.