Poem May 11, 1899 Issue

Sonnet

Persecution

William Lyman Johnson

Because as Christ willed I have tried to wing
'Bove earth to seek Life's steady-burning light,
Men sneer, and curse me as a leper-blight
On holy rights, call me apostate King,
And stone me with their thoughts of hate, and fling
Me from their hearts, and in despite
My proofs of truth still with a pagan might
They crucify my heaven-endeavoring.

Yet I'll not grudge years, years of sacrifice,
Nor grudge the world of hope its niggard dole,
The strangling clutch of want, nor hate's keen blade,
Nor veiled sneers of this world's tolerant guise;
I only pray the Master of my soul—
Keep me unfalterable—unfraid.

William Lyman Johnson.

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Humiliating Failure
May 11, 1899
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