When the Omniscient Giver of all life,
In His eternal council first conceived
The thought of man's creation, forth He call'd
Into His presence three bright ministers--
Justice, and Truth, and Mercy, that forever
Had hovered around His throne--and thus He spoke;
"Shall we make man?" Then stern Justice replied:
"Create him not, for he will trample on
Thy holy law;" and Truth, too, answering, said,
"Create him not, O God! he will pollute
Thy sanctuary!" When forth Mercy came,
And dropping on her knees, exclaimed: "O God!
Create him! I will watch his wandering steps,
And tender guide thro' all the darksome paths
That he may tread." Then forthwith God made man,
And said: "Thou art the child of Mercy; go:
In mercy with thy erring brother deal."
--_Judge Crittenden, of Ky._
1334