Emphasis Preaching Journal
James Leigh Hunt's poem Abou...
Illustration
James Leigh Hunt's poem Abou ben-Adhem tells the story of a Muslim man who has a visit from an angel in a dream. In this dream, the angel is writing a list of men who love the Lord.
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
At the end of the poem, Abou sees the angel once more:
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
At the end of the poem, Abou sees the angel once more:
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!
