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Pick Up Such Gems
There are so many inspiring items of their literature which we could pick and make them our own. Many of our sublime thoughts are echoed in their poetry and philosophical works. I remember a most touching poem "Abou Ben Adhem" by Leigh Hunt.
ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answer’d , "the names of those who love the lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more - low,
But cheerly still, and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellowmen."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night,
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Abhem’s name led all the rest.
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