Suggested by an engraving of the midnight prayer-meeting held in the saloon of the Ocean Steamer “London,” which foundered a few days after leaving Plymouth, England, with 270 persons onboard, nearly all of whom found a watery grave. January 1866.
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The storm-king vents his fury—
The waves run mountains high;
Exposed to all the tempest—
The gallant vessels lie.
“But safely rides the London!”
A sanguine one exclaims –
“The best built Ocean Steamer.
That e’er sailed down the Thames!”
Vain boast! she now lies helpless;
And, filled with sore dismay,
With one accord, they’re gathered
To hear Christ’s servant pray:
Proud men are bending lowly —
The scoffers taughts are stilled;
And with forebodings fearful,
The stoutest heart is filled:
Here too is gentle woman—
And helpless infancy,
With hands upraised and trembling,
Clasped in mute agony:
In fervent tones good Draper,
Prays, that converting grace
May copiously be granted
Ere meeting death’s embrace;
A look of calm entreaty,
Is resting on his brow,
As with his God he wrestles,
“To send salvation now.”
Oh! ye who dwell in safety,
Know nothing of such prayer,
As rose that night to heaven,
Mid terror and despair:
But the All-pitying Saviour,
Looked through the midnight gloom;
And heard those earnest pleadings
From out that living tomb:
And in divine compassion,
To His redeemed ones said –
Amid howling tempest—
“‘Tis I, be not afraid.”
(Lizzie E Palmer)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Sadness Poems, Heaven Poems, Prayers Poems, England Poems, Compassion Poems, Safety PoemsBased on Keywords: entreaty, converting, engraving, draper, copiously, woman-, storm-king, all-pitying, onboard, fury-