Fair-Weather Presbyterians

Presbyterians did I call them—no, I do mistake,
Such are not presbyterians, who do their church forsake.
Midst misery, a' times, standing alone,
As by test, true presbyterianism is shown.

But such have hearts that turn away—to my astonishment;
They forsake and run at trial an' admonishment.
Presbyterians in sunshine and great prosperity,
Principled presbyterians: Where can they be?

When the troubled sky
Brings a storm and clouds,
Tested presbyterian principles swell
But fair-weather presbyterians bid us farewell.

Adapted and amended from a series of lines from the Poetical Exercitations upon the Book of Job, William Clarke, 1685.