The Disciple

"The Church that Was at Antioch"

• He that hath a Gospel
• To loose upon Mankind,
• Though he serve it utterly—
• Body, soul and mind—
• Though he go to Calvary
• Daily for its gain—
• It is His Disciple
• Shall make his labour vain.
•  
• He that hath a Gospel
• For all earth to own—
• Though he etch it on the steel,
• Or carve it on the stone—
• Not to be misdoubted
• Through the after-days—
• It is His Disciple
• Shall read it many ways.
•  
• It is His Disciple
• (Ere Those Bones are dust )
• Who shall change the Charter,
• Who shall split the Trust—
• Amplify distinctions,
• Rationalize the Claim;
• Preaching that the Master
• Would have done the same.
•  
• It is His Disciple
• Who shall tell us how
• Much the Master would have scrapped
• Had he lived till now—
• What he would have modified
• Of what he said before.
• It is His Disciple
• Shall do this and more...
•  
• He that hath a Gospel
• Whereby Heaven is won
• (Carpenter, or cameleer,
• Or Maya's dreaming son),
• Many swords shall pierce Him,
• Mingling blood with gall;
• But His Own Disciple
• Shall wound Him worst of all!