“BLESSED TO GIVE.”
The kingly sun gives forth his rays;
Asks no return; demands no praise;
But wraps us in strong arms of life,
And says distinct through human strife,
“If thou wouldst truly, nobly live,
Give, - ever give.”
The rustic flower, unspringing bright,
And answering back that regal light,
Fills the air with fragrant breath,
And writes in myriad hues beneath,
“If thou wouldst gaily, gladly live,
Give, - ever give.”
The merchant-rain, which carries on
Rich commerce ‘twixt the earth and sun;
The autumn mist; the springtide shower;
All whisper soft to seed and flower,
“We know no other life to live
But this, - we give.”
Suggestive warnings crowd the earth;
Glad sounds of labour, songs of mirth,
From creatures both of field and air;
Who, whilst they take their rightful share,
Still truly chant, “We chiefly live
To give, - to give.”
Oh man, the gem and crown of all,
Take thou this lesson. Heed the call
Of these less-gifted creatures near; -
The rather, - that Christ’s voice most dear
Once said, whilst here He deign’d to live,
“Blessed to give.”
- Good Words, for August. F. E. WILSON.
Title:Blessed to Give
Author:F. E. Wilson
Publication:The Bolton Chronicle
Published in:Bolton
Date:July 30th 1864
Commentary
This poem by F. E. Wilson was originally published in the devotional monthly periodical Good Words. Although it calls for generosity in quite general terms here its publication in this context clearly has resonance for the local population of the cotton town of Bolton, both in terms of those who may have the means to contribute to assistance for people suffering from the financial effects of the Cotton Famine. – SR