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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE WIND-BOUND MISSION by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER

First Line: DEEP IN THE WEST THE GODLESS MORMONS DWELL
Last Line: STAND IN THE BAFFLING WIND AND SPEAK OF HEAVEN!
Subject(s): LIVINGSTONE, DAVID (1813-1873); MACKENZIE, JOHN (1835-1899); MISSIONS & MISSIONARIES; MORMONS;

'Deep in the West the godless Mormons dwell,
In the far East the Taepings waste and burn,
And stamp the name of Christ on deeds of hell -
Ah me! for comfort whither shall I turn,
While East and West breed mockeries like these?'
I turned to Livingstone, on Afric's soil
Labouring, and good Mackenzie's holy toil,
And Selwyn praying for the southern seas -
But never thought more tender and sublime
To any bleeding anxious heart was given,
Than when I learned that not a wind-bound sail,
Near this rough foreland, waits the favouring gale,
But Christian men observe the vacant time,
Stand in the baffling wind and speak of heaven!



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