41. A Word in Season

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O LORD! when sin's close-marshall'd line
   Assails Thy witness on his way,
How should he raise Thy glorious sign,
   And how Thy will display?

Thy holy Paul, with soul of flame,
   Rose on Mars' hill, a soldier lone;
Shall I thus speak th' Atoning Name,
   Though with a heart of stone?

"Not so," He said: "hush thee, and seek,
   With thoughts in prayer and watchful eyes,
My seasons sent for thee to speak,
   And use them as they rise."

Gibraltar
.
December 17, 1832.

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Newman Reader — Works of John Henry Newman
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