Devonport Guildhall by Rev’d Paul Collings
Before the establishment of Plymouth as a City in 1914 it consisted of three towns Plymouth (previously known as Sutton) Stonehouse and Devonport. In fact Devonport grew to be the largest of the three and a bustling naval port. It’s proud motto is : ‘Prorsum semper honeste' meaning 'Ever forward in uprightness'.
Isaiah 54:17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
Three towns, so proud, stood side by side
‘Tween river mouths’ so wide,
Each with it’s own unique hist’ry,
Folklore and mystery.
And there on Tamar’s long shoreline
The naval docks designed,
Ships of the realm, with oakened hearts
To foreign lands depart.
Yet here, this poor old Devonport town
Paid price as it burned down,
Where building after building fell
Beneath Blitzkrieg’s bombshell.
Though grandeur wrecked by bomb sites stain
It’s Guildhall still remains,
A testament to former days;
It’s founding title phrase.
Where forward movement, uprightness,
The principle was pressed
And there today, once more we find
Renewing work aligned.
I pray for those who hold no blame
Yet find their paths in flames,
Where danger, damage on them rains
Their innocence to strain.
Lord, in yourself you took the pain
And over evil reigned
That through your mercy’s gracious gift
Each down cast life to lift.
You call me follow in your way,
To spread your truth today
And share the mercy I’ve received
Downtrod lives to relieve.
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
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