The Lord Jesus was forsaken by all when he faced the cross.

The Apostle Paul came to a point in his life where he had to say "no man stood with me" the test of any man's character is what they do in the sight of God in such circumstances.

These four poems, the first and second as the initials indicate are Shields, his own writings. The other two with no indication of authorship. The first three indicate his feelings under stress and the spirit which motivated him to go on in spite of difficulties. The last how he could entertain a buoyant hope in spite of surrounding problems.