To the Rev. John Saunders on his Departure for England

If a large love of the whole human race,
With charity that hopeth a meet cure
For life’s worst evils, indicates the grace
Of goodness, thine is such as will endure.
And if pure prayers to stablish what is pure
Waste not away in the dim voids of space,
But, Godward rising, pierce heaven’s starry face,
Thine have been heard and thy reward is sure.
Farewell! This people might be well content
To part with much beside, if so it might
Keep burning through its mortal glooms, unblent
With earthlier ardours, perilous, though bright,
Thy eloquent fervour, kindling wise intent—
Thy steady flame of purpose in the right.

poem by Charles Harpur
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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