At length, when the service was ended,
     His eye on a young man fell,
    Of beautiful form and feature,
     And grace we love so well.

    At once he turned to the bishop,
     And said with a love unpriced,
    “To thee, to thee I commit him
     Before the Church and Christ.”

    He then returned to the city,
     The beloved disciple, John,
    Where the strong unceasing current
     Of his deathless love flowed on.

    The bishop discharged his duty
     To the youth so graceful and fair;
    With restraining hand he held him,
     And trained him with loving care.

    At last, when his preparation
     Was made for the holy rite,
    He was cleansed in the sanctified water,
     And pronounced a child of light.

    For a time he adorned the doctrine
     Which Christ in the Church has set. 
    But, alas! for a passionate nature
     When Satan has spread his net!

    Through comrades base and abandoned
     He was lured from day to day,
    Until, like a steed unbridled,
     He struck from the rightful way;

    And a wild consuming passion
     Raised him unto the head
    Of a mighty band of robbers,
     Of all the country the dread.

    Time passed.  Again a message
     Unto the Apostle was sent,
    To set their affairs in order,
     And tell them the Lord’s intent.

    And when he had come and attended
     To all that needed his care,
    He turned him and said, “Come, Bishop,
     Give back my deposit so rare.”

    “What deposit?” was the answer,
     Which could not confusion hide. 
    “I demand the soul of a brother,”
     Plainly the Apostle replied,

    “Which Christ and I committed
     Before the Church to thee.” 
    Trembling and even weeping,
     “The young man is dead,” groaned he.

    “How dead?  What death?” John demanded. 
     “He the way of the tempter trod,
    Forgetting the Master’s weapon,
     And now he is dead unto God.

    Yonder he roves a robber.” 
     “A fine keeper,” said John, “indeed,
    Of a brother’s soul.  Get ready
     A guide and a saddled steed.”

    And all as he was the Apostle
     Into the region rode
    Where the robber youth and captain
     Had fixed his strong abode.

    When hardly over the border,
     He a prisoner was made,
    And into their leader’s presence
     Demanded to be conveyed.

    And he who could brave a thousand
     When each was an enemy,
    Beholding John approaching,
     Turned him in shame to flee.

    But John, of his age forgetful,
     Pursued him with all his might. 
    “Why from thy defenseless father,”
     He cried, “dost thou turn in flight?