ON WORKS OF MERCY AND COMPASSION; PROOFS OF TRUE RELIGION by JOHN BYROM

OF true religion works of mercy seem
To be the plainest proof, in Christ's esteem:
Who has himself declar'd what He will say
To all the nations, at the judgment day:
"Come" or "Depart," is the predicted lot
Of brotherly compassion shewn, or not.

Then, they who gave poor hungry people meat,
And drink to quench the thirsty suff'rer's heat;
Who welcom'd in the stranger at the door,
And with a garment cloth'd the naked poor;
Who visited the sick to ease their grief,
And went to pris'ners, or bestow'd relief—

These will be deem'd @3religious@1 men, to whom
Will sound—@3Ye blessed of my Father, come,
Inherit ye the kingdom, and partake
Of all the glories founded for your sake:
Your love to others I was pleas'd to see,
What you have done to them was done to me.@1

Then, they who gave the hungry poor no food;
Who with no drink the parch'd with thirst bedew'd;
Who drove the helpless stranger from their fold,
And let the naked perish in the cold;
Who to the sick no friendly visit paid,
Nor gave to pris'ners any needful aid—

These will be deem'd of @3irreligious@1 mind;
And hear the—Go, @3ye men of cursed kind,
To endless woes, which ev'ry harden'd heart
For its own treasure has prepar'd—depart:
Shewn to a brother, of the least degree,
Your merciless behaviour was to me.@1

Here, all ye learned, full of all dispute,
Of true and false religion lies the root:
The mind of Christ, when he became a man,
With all its tempers, forms its real plan;
The @3sheep@1 from @3goats@1 distinguishing full well—
His love is @3Heav'n;@1 and want of it is @3hell.@1

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