Project Canterbury

The Christian Year

by Blessed John Keble

ST. MARK'S DAY.

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder the one from the other. Acts xv. 39.
Compare 2 Timothy iv. 11. Take Mark, and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me in the ministry.

OH! who shall dare in this frail scene
On holiest happiest thoughts to to lean,
On Friendship, Kindred, or on Love?
Since not Apostles' hands can clasp
Each other in so firm a grasp,
But they shall change and variance prove.

Yet deem not, on such parting sad
Shall dawn no welcome dear and glad:
Divided in their earthly race,
Together at the glorious goal,
Each leading many a rescu'd soul,
The faithful champions shall embrace.

For even as those mysterious Four,
Who the bright whirling wheel upbore
By Chebar in the fiery blast,
So, on their tasks of love and praise
The saints of God their several ways
Right onward speed, yet join at last.

And sometimes even beneath the moon
The Saviour gives a gracious boon,
When reconciled Christians meet,
And face to face, heart to heart,
High thoughts of holy love impart
In silence meek, or converse sweet.

Companion of the Saints! 'twas thine
To taste that drop of peace divine,
When the great soldier of thy Lord
Call'd thee to take his last farewell,
Teaching the Church with joy to tell
The story of your love restor'd.

O then the glory and the bliss,
When all that pain'd or seem'd amiss
Shall melt with earth and sin away!
When saints beneath their Saviour's eye,
Fill'd with each other's company,
Shall spend in love th'eternal day.

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