The Christian Centuries


The Christian Centuries

From beside the rippling Bay
Came a man of God one day
To few disciples He did say,
“Follow Me, from now till aye.

Though numbered Twelve just at the first
Their party grew with spiritual thirst
Yet none a question ask Him durst
Whence had he pow’r o’er death and worse?

Soon did they see and embrace His Light
That others too Christ’s power might
See change their bodies from sin’s dread blight
Into clean beings with spiritual sight

On mountain top one morn He rose
His earthly ministry did close
But sent in fiery tongued cloves
The Holy Spirit with fruit which grows

From thence forth His Disciples met
And in each other’s care were fed
With spiritual courage, so they led
Gentile’s learned Truth with heart and head

A thousand ages since have passed
Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is Mass’ed
Teaching’s worthily have last
And ever will, though time fade fast

Honesty and love for God and self
To lend thy neighbor his needed help
Leave not thy talents on the shelf
Lend spiritual aid to another’s health

Then when the end is come at Last
With God’s sheep thy lot be cast
And on the Heaven’s golden path
I hope with greeting thy hand to clasp

Joseph Stalnaker
Anno Domini 2013

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