Salford Parsonage by James McIntyre

Lines delivered at housewarming of Salford Parsonage.

Your pastor's fame first got abroad / By his success on Culloden Road;

He filled the church so that the fold / No longer it the flock would hold.

But soon a larger church did rise, / With fine neat tower points to the skies;

When you o'erwhelmed with ruin dire / Did lose your parsonage by fire.

To his call with generous bounty / You built best parsonage in county, / But some good people in the town / At this idea they might frown.

Unless we made this correction:

The best in a rural section;

Your pastor he doth vigorous push, / He's not afraid to enter bush.

And 'tis a fact there's very few / With him can stick of timber hew;

Ready for to superintend, / Or a helping hand to lend.

When bold man's wanted at the front, / You've but to call on Reverend Hunt;

In pulpit he conviction darts, / And points the way to troubled hearts.

But solemn thoughts we won't employ, / As this is all a scene of joy;

Maids and matrons all charming / Do grace this pleasant housewarming.

Here people come from near and far / To purchase goods at this bazar;

And all is happiness and glee / At festival of this soirée.