Be inspired by these James Henry Thomas poems. The poems were written in the early
1900s however the message in these verses still applies today.
In the preface of his book, Sentimental and comical poems, Mr. Thomas writes:
"I have learned that to touch upon the natural characteristics of a race or individual in a way that appeals to the inward forces of his nature, therefore putting him to thinking about the existing conditions in and around him, brings about serious thought, action and change on the part of that individual or individuals; hence, I have written verses touching along this particular line."
We hope these poems give you thoughts to think about on all aspects of life.
We are very often treated
With contempt and scorn;
But if right, we're not defeated,
Though much must be borne.
When mistreated by the world,
And tempted to sin;
When upon us wrong is hurled,
Strike not back again.
Keep on standing, keep on standing,
Firmly, true and strong;
Keep on standing, and demanding
Right instead of wrong.
Men will strike to get up a contest,
But you will be sure to win.
If for right you will stand in the conquest,
And strike not back again.
Godliness has won the greatest
Battles of the world.
Christian men must stand the tempest,
With their flags unfurled;
When the world strikes you with vigor.
Through her worldly men.
Let us stand with godly rigor.
But strike not back again.
Learn a lesson from the Savior,
Who stood buffs and scorns.
And accused of misbehavior,
Wore a crown of thorns.
Though they cursed Him, though they struck Him,
But the world to win,
He prayed for them, never hurt them;
Struck He not back again.
Yes, the world hates Christian workers;
Against Christ it stands.
And with hypocrites and shirkers,
Forms the striking bands.
And they strike with aims to scatter
All the godly men.
Let them strike, it does not matter,
Strike not back again.
Somewhere the world is dark because no brilliant rays are shining,
Some dreary land is gloomy because hearts are sore and pining;
With the dark and gloomy seasons souls are tuned in harmony,
And the countenance is robed in garments of solemnity.
Still somewhere the sun is sending forth great rays of brilliant light
Illuminating souls that once were filled with dreadful night;
And in each chamber of the heart his brilliancy is spreading,
And golden sheens and glittering beams within the soul he's shedding.
Somewhere on life's tempestuous sea some one with awe is crying;
Great streams of tears are flowing free from those who're sad and sighing.
Like seas whose ruffled bosoms are inflamed by winds intruding,
Are some poor souls who're struggling now against vile sin's deluding.
And yet, somewhere the seas are calm o'er which some ship is sailing;
Some bosom's resting peacefully, no sighing neither wailing.
Nor tortured hearts nor gushing tears to break the soothing calmness;
No dashing waves nor swelling tides; the winds are still and harmless.
Somewhere some sin is being concealed in some heart for safe keeping,
But at some time and at some place this sin will bring forth weeping.
Some mind is drifting far away to regions of distraction.
By trying to explore that realm which some call satisfaction.
Still somewhere there're hearts divine that do not think of pining —
Great hearts that have their trust in God and not always a'whining
Because their skies seem always darkened by black clouds distressful;
They strive to keep the clouds away until they are successful.
Have you watched the results of a thrown rubber ball.
How quickly it rebounds when it strkes a stone wall?
Just so hard as you throw it, so it will return;
It teaches a lesson that we all should learn.
So a bad deed when done with an evil intent,
Comes back again to us without our consent.
It comes at a time when we're prosperous and gay,
And stops our progress without a delay.
We hide the bad deeds when we bury them deep,
But they rise up again, and right straight at us peep;
We are fearful, astonished, when these deeds condemn
Us, by bursting upon us with power and vim.
We then tell a lie to demolish this plant.
And try to destroy it forever, but can't.
We sever it 'way to some depth in the ground.
But the roots from which it came are solid and sound.
And when we are dead and in graves are hurled,
These deeds will spring upward, and show to the world
What we did in the dark, and then tried to keep hid.
But God, in his providence, lifted the lid.
You may plant your bad deeds in the day or by night,
And try to conceal them in darkness from light;
But as sure as the sun keeps his course to the west,
These deeds will confront you and put you to test.
So let us not sow any acts of discord,
But when we are tempted converse with the Lord,
Don't rush with a passion and lose self-control,
For we in this way may endanger the soul.