Voices Low and Gentle

 

"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness." — Proverbs 16:31:

 

I read Old John Keble's meditation for the "25th Sunday after Trinity" this morning and thought of you folks out there that shepherd God's flock. Here are Keble's thoughts and my glosses: 

 

Pride of the dewy morning! 

The swain's experienced eye 

From thee takes timely warning, 

Nor trusts the gorgeous sky. 

 

For well he knows, such dawnings gay 

Bring noons of storm and shower, 

And travelers linger on the way 

Beside the sheltering bower. 

 

Country folk know that bright, beautiful mornings can deteriorate and become clouded with "storm and shower." They don't presume that a day that begins well, will end well. 

 

E'en so, in hope and trembling 

Should watchful shepherd view 

His little lambs assembling, 

With glance both kind and true; 

 

'Tis not the eye of keenest blaze, 

Nor the quick-swelling breast, 

That soonest thrills at touch of praise-

These do not please him best. 

 

Good Shepherds are delighted when God's "little lambs" make a good beginning, but must wait and watch over them as they mature and never presume that they will grow beyond the point where they no longer need pastoral care.

 

But voices low and gentle, 

And timid glances shy, 

That seem for aid parental  

To sue all wistfully, 

 

Still pressing, longing to be right, 

Yet fearing to be wrong, 

In these the Pastor dares delight, 

A lamb-like, Christ-like throng. 

 

These in Life's distant even 

Shall shine serenely bright, 

As in th' autumnal heaven 

Mild rainbow tints at night,

 

Sheep, as they grow older, still long ("sue") for parental, pastoral care. Good shepherds will take delight in aging sheep that are pressing, longing for righteousness at "life's distant even." 

 

We take delight in young folks and their spiritual pilgrimage. In our enthusiasm for these lambs, however, we may think that older, more mature sheep, having made a good beginning, can make it on their own. 

 

But the hardest tests lie in the "even" of our lives. Older believers, though well established in their faith, remain "a lamb-like throng." They will always need a loving pastor to help them finish strong.

 

David Roper