^ 
 
 I 
 
 POEMS, 
 
 ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. 
 
 By JUDAH WRIGHT. 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 PRINTED BY SAMUEL AVERY, 
 
 No. 91 Newbury Street, 
 
 1812, 
 
3^r 
 
 ^^3 
 
 £RRJTJ. 
 
 From the tofi of the several fia^esi'ci 
 
 Page 5. L. 4, for rccieved read receiv'd, 
 6, 1. 16, for pray read prey. 
 
 10. 1. 25, for schorching reac? scorching* 
 
 1 1. 1. 15, for are read e're. 
 
 13. 1. 18, for divise read devise. 
 
 16. 1. 3, for vigilent read vigilant. 
 1. 12, for stange read strange. 
 
 17. 1, 29, for imbraced read embraced. 
 
 22. 1. 20, for loose read close. 
 
 23. 1. 5, for saught read sought. 
 
 1. 26, for hapiness read happiness. 
 
 24. 1. 16, for deligtful read delightfuL 
 
 26. 1. 13, for arbitary read arbitrary. 
 I. 27, for vvayword read wayward. 
 
 27. 1. 18, for unifortn'd r(ad UfdnformM. 
 30. 1. 2, read for life on mercy we depend. 
 
 after 1. 32, read ihe admonition of a friend, 
 21. 1. 39, for destoryM read destroyed. 
 32. 1. 31, for passion read poison. 
 33 after 1. 25, read the Sabbath slighted and des- 
 pised. 
 1. 4, read fountains. 
 34. 1. 17, for solitude rmc/ suicide. 
 36. 1, 30, for man read many. 
 
 32, for Hazdb read Hazael. 
 58 after & 37, read and earth receive her rightful 
 king. 
 
 42. 1. 41, for wroth read wrath, 
 
 43. 1. 2, for clove read clave. 
 
 13, for Savour's read Savior's. 
 34, 1. 8, for homwai'd read homeward. 
 4,7. read to all to whom their love extend? 
 I, 27jfor subject read subjecVs, 
 
POEMS, 
 
 ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. 
 
 ^* I ' 
 
 Lines to a Young Ladt/y by tvhom the author had been ohligeii 
 
 Madam, permit me to express. 
 My gratitude in this address ; 
 
 A debt I owe to you, 
 For divers benefits recieved, 
 Which have a pensive mind relieved, 
 
 For which my thanks are due. 
 
 Were 1 a Cowper, Watts, or Young, 
 Had the scholar^s art, or poet's tongue^ 
 
 I would employ them here ; 
 But doomed to creep, 1 cannot fly, 
 Nor should 1 better please to try 
 
 To soar above my sphere. 
 
 In place of learning, style, or art, 
 Effusions of a grateful heart, 
 
 Be pleased to accept; 
 Though neither florid, nor sublime. 
 Sincerity does here design 
 
 A token of respect. 
 I 
 
In infancy deprivM of sight, 
 
 The king of clay, and queen of night. 
 
 With all their splendid train ; 
 The landscape, monuments of art, 
 And friendly smiles that cheer the heart, 
 
 Surround me, but in vain. 
 
 But what I most of all lament. 
 Is early life inactive spent. 
 
 Fain would I this redeem ; 
 The ruling passion in my breast, 
 Desire of knowledg^e, was repressed 
 
 By indigence extreme. 
 
 With ardent feelings, passions warm, 
 For social life, by nature formed, 
 
 Averse to solitude ; 
 But diffident, a pray to fear. 
 Abroad 1 seldom durst appear. 
 
 Unpolished and rude. 
 
 Unable labour to pursue, 
 Deprived of amusement too ; 
 
 My precious time was spent. 
 In childhood, life's delightful spring; 
 In bondage to that parent sin. 
 
 Corroding discontent. 
 
 This gave my mind a gloomy cast. 
 
 Some shades of which, through life will last, 
 
 Though 1 would them efface ; 
 And hope repentance will correct, 
 And shield me from their sad effect, 
 
 Through sanclitying grace. 
 
About the age of seventeen, 
 
 A spark illumed the lurid scene ; 
 
 A sympathetic friend. 
 My sinking spirits strove to cheer, 
 His aid, as he resided near, 
 
 Did oft in reading lend. 
 
 Acquaintance more extensive grew, 
 And means of information too, 
 
 Though limited, increased ; 
 This tended to alleviate 
 The sorrows which my lonely state. 
 
 Subjected me to taste. 
 
 The cultivation of my mind, 
 
 1 owe to friends, fiom time to time, 
 
 By Providence bestow'd; 
 May each receive for kindness shown, 
 A favor I have never known ; 
 
 A smooth and flowery road. 
 
 In characters defying age, 
 On memory^s recording page, 
 
 I have engraven those ; 
 There madam, Pve enrolled you. 
 Among the s'ympathising few. 
 
 Who feel for others woes. 
 
 Excluded friendship's flowery scenes. 
 Which life divests of half its pains. 
 
 The pleasures which I meet. 
 Resulting from my social hours, 
 Are valued now as streams and flowers. 
 
 In deserts doubly sweet. 
 
perhaps the time is drawinsr near, 
 When I shaJl cease your voice to hear. 
 
 Those accents formM to please ; 
 Instruct, console, and taste refine, 
 Wnich flow from an improved mind. 
 
 With elegance and ease. 
 
 Permit me then to tender you, 
 My warmest thanks and wishes too^ 
 
 May peace your course att-end ; 
 But should adversity alloy, 
 As you have been, may you enjoy, 
 
 A sympathetic friend. 
 
 May heaven with its guardian care, 
 Preserve you sate from every snare, 
 
 And length of days be thine; 
 May usefulness, with age increase, 
 And hope improve, as strength shall cease, 
 
 And trials but refine. 
 
 Then as your morning is serene, 
 Advancing day with brighter scenes, 
 
 Shall bless admiring eyes ; 
 Till placid as a summer eve, 
 Your smiling sun this sphere shall leave. 
 
 To shine in other skies. 
 
 Moral Rejections on the Seasjn of Tlaymah'nig ■ 
 
 JlJlOW fair and pleasing is the scene, 
 When fields aredr^ss'd in robes of green ; 
 
9 
 
 Adom'd with flowers of ev'ry hue, 
 Refreshed wiih drops of moruiug dew ? 
 
 But ah ! how transcient is the sight, 
 The blossoms scarce behold the light; 
 ^Yhen mo lers with relentless scythes, 
 Invade, and lob them of their lives. 
 
 The fairest blossoms, white as snow j 
 The crimson, yellow, green and blue; 
 The gay and homely, great and small, 
 Before the murderous weapon fall. 
 
 Those which the morning air perfum'd. 
 Lie fading on the ground at noon. 
 Returning to their mother earth, 
 From which they just receivM their birth. 
 
 The choicest lily of the mead. 
 Lies with the most insipid weed ; 
 Cut down, they wither e're 'tis night, 
 And cease alike to charm the sight. 
 
 Plants which would not together grow ; 
 Some claiming high land, others low ; 
 Without regard to rank or soil. 
 They're blended in one common pile. 
 
 A striking emblem here we find. 
 Of the devouring scythe of lime ; 
 Which sweeps us mortals from the stage. 
 Without regard to sex or age. 
 
 The rich and poor, the old and youag, 
 The wise and foolish, weak and strong, 
 Must all resign their vital breath. 
 To that destroying tyrant, death. 
 
 No beauty, wit, or genius, can 
 Escape his unrelenting hand ; 
 1 * 
 
10 
 
 The sprightly youth in gayest bloonSj 
 Is often summon'd to the toinb. 
 
 Thus like the herbage of the field. 
 Which falls before the sharpened steel : 
 Whatever is our rank or case. 
 We fall, and others take our place. 
 
 And as like herbs and grass we die. 
 So we without distinction lie : 
 The master, servant, prince and slave, 
 Are on a level in the grave. 
 
 Cities and towns, enapires and states, 
 Experience often the same fate 3 
 By pestilence or raging war. 
 They fall like grass befoie the moweiv 
 
 Is this the state of all mankind, 
 And none a remedy can find? 
 Then let us keep their end in view. 
 And virtue constantly pursue. 
 
 This will illume and smooth our path. 
 Enable us to smile at death j 
 And cheerfully return to dust. 
 Not as to prison, bat to rest. 
 
 Believing- we shall rise again, 
 
 To flourish in immortal green, 
 
 In regions where the schorching suu. 
 
 Nor chiijing frost can ever come. 
 
 •»:< 
 
 On presenting a Rose to a Child. 
 
 JD AIR as the rose which I present. 
 May your unfolding mind expand, 
 
11 
 
 With virtues grateful as the scent, 
 As apt to please, as free from staiu. 
 
 Like this among the thorns you are, 
 Exposed to raging winds and storms, 
 
 And foes who will not beauty spare, 
 Tho' in the most engaging forms. 
 
 With care I did the tosp protect. 
 Lest any should my hope destroy; 
 
 And prudence must your steps direct, 
 If you would happiness enjoy. 
 
 By yonder verdant bush behold, 
 
 A rose which yester morn like these. 
 
 It's beauties promis'd to unfold, 
 It*s smiling visitants to please. 
 
 But plucked are 'twas fully blown, 
 Disrob'd and rudely thrown away ; 
 
 It lies forsaken on the ground, 
 A useful monitor to thee. 
 
 So have 1 seen a blooming maid. 
 Like Eve in Eden's grove beguil'd ; 
 
 Thaughtless she listened, was betray'd. 
 And fhen received frowns for smiles. 
 
 O may it never be your lot, 
 
 To fade untimely like the rose ; 
 
 Or prove by follies' shades, or spots, 
 The grief of friends, or sport of foes. 
 
 But may you thro' your tender age. 
 Enjoy a prudent, faithful guide ; 
 
 That when you blossom on the stage. 
 You may appear the guardian's pride. 
 
 Tho' youth and beauty's fairest forms, 
 
 Like roses transitory are; 
 Yet virtue has unfading charms. 
 
 Which time itself canuot impair. 
 
IS 
 
 On Resignation^ 
 
 Why do mortals on this station, 
 Meet with such unequal lots ? 
 
 Some enjoy a rich proiusion ; 
 Some of comfort, scanty drops. 
 
 Some with liberty are blessed, 
 Under mild, and prudent chiefs : 
 
 Some by tyranny oppressed, 
 Groan in slavery and grief. 
 
 Some in palaces reclining, 
 
 On the silken sofa rest : 
 Some in cottages are pining, 
 
 Destitute of food and dress. 
 
 Some in rosy health are blooming, 
 
 Smiling in the lap of ease : 
 Some in sorrow, life consuming, 
 
 Daily wasting by degrees. 
 
 Some in quiet rest are sleeping. 
 Free from sorrow. — Sweet repose ! 
 
 Others on their beds are weeping, 
 For their own, or others^ woes. 
 
 Some with beauty are adorned, 
 And caressed by the crowd: 
 
 Others homely, or deformed. 
 Are insulted by the proud. 
 
 Some by wit and penetration, 
 
 FormM to reason, write, and speak ; 
 
15 
 
 Please, and o^ain our admiration, 
 While a brother's mind is weak. 
 
 Some in Hymen's bands are joined, 
 Who would fain dissolve the knot: 
 
 Some to single life consigned, 
 Who as little like their lot. 
 
 Some in children's growing merit, ' 
 See rewarded, care and toil : 
 
 Others with a wounded spirit. 
 Cultivate a barren soil. 
 
 Some are favorM with protection, 
 
 Consolation and relief: 
 Others friendless, in clejection, 
 
 Drink the bitterness of grief. 
 
 Some in all their enterprizes,* 
 In their rank or fortune rise : 
 
 Some miscarry in the wisest 
 
 Measures prudence co\ild divise. 
 
 Some, tho' vicious, live respected. 
 In the sunshine of applause ; 
 
 While true merit lies neglected, 
 Tho' engaged in virtue's cause. 
 
 At this mournful sight I sighed : 
 Where is justice ? I exclaim'd ! 
 
 Submit, the voice of reason crjed, 
 Divine arrangements dare not blame. 
 
 Placed by our wise Creator, 
 In a state of trial here : 
 
* 
 
 14 
 
 That each character in nature, 
 May in proper light appear. 
 
 We have various parts assigned, 
 Time and talents to eoiploy ; 
 
 If by certain laws confined, 
 Moral freedom we enjoy. 
 
 Latent seeds of vice and virtue, 
 In the human breast are found ; 
 
 These to mortify or nurture, 
 Man is evidently bound. 
 
 Virtue called into action, 
 
 Tends to purify the mind : 
 Vice exposed to detection, 
 
 Must its borrowed K'^rb resigfn. 
 
 Be content with thy condition, 
 Tho' in sorrow^ doomM to wade ; 
 
 Perhaps the duty of submission, 
 Ranks in virtue's highest grade. 
 
 Parts assignM confer not honor, 
 Virtue in improvement lies : 
 
 He that is the best performer. 
 Is entitled to the prize. 
 
 Say not, we are weak and wretched ; 
 
 AH our efforts are in vain : 
 When the withered hand was stretched. 
 
 It received strength again. 
 
 Cultivate the soil in season ; 
 
 Sow with care and humble hope : 
 
15 
 
 Seems to be the voice of reason, 
 Tho^ on God depends the crop. 
 
 If in sovereignty displaying, 
 
 Some which hever sought have found 
 Are W8 justified in saying, 
 
 Sin, that mercy may abound ? 
 
 Means appointed must be used, 
 Tho' the gift is all of grace ; 
 
 Else the slothful stand excused, 
 \yhich we find is not the case. 
 
 Many things we grant, the curtain 
 
 Of futurity conceals ; 
 Accountability is certain : 
 
 Reason speaks, and conscience feels. 
 
 Ruder nations, and the wisest, 
 Have this article confessed ; 
 
 Temples, priests, and sacrifices, 
 Known in ancient times attest. 
 
 But the feeble light of nature, 
 
 By the gospel is outshone, 
 As the sun excels the taper 
 
 When displayM at blazing noon. 
 
 That our actions are recorded, 
 
 We in revelation read ; 
 That we all shall be rewarded, 
 
 Each according to our deeds. 
 
 In that solemn day ordained. 
 Retribution to bestow ; 
 
16 
 
 Many things will be explained, 
 Which appear mysterious now. 
 
 Patient, vigilent and sober, 
 
 Move within thy proper sphere : 
 
 When this state of tiaPs over, 
 Then the plan will all appear. 
 
 Thro' a glass are now discerned, 
 Single parts of a machine ; 
 
 But it then will be unfolded. 
 And the whole together seen. 
 
 When this process shall unravel 
 All the stange events of time ; 
 
 Wisdom will refute each cavil. 
 And impartial justice shine. 
 
 Enough at present is revealed, 
 To encourage and assist ; 
 
 While enough remains concealed, 
 Faith and patience to attest. 
 
 That our light should be no greater. 
 Wisdom infinite decreed ; 
 
 Whose beneficence in nature, 
 Man, tho' fallen, still may read. 
 
 Darkness argues no objection 
 To the justice of the plan : 
 
 Is the standard of perfection 
 Measured by imperfect man ? 
 
 Shall the parent seek direction 
 From the infant in his arms ? 
 
if 
 
 Can the taper^s faint reflection, 
 Lend to Phoebus light or charms ? 
 
 If the infant is unable 
 
 To digest a truth sublime ; 
 
 Does that truth become a fable, 
 Thro^ the weakness of his mindi 
 
 What by some is estimated 
 x\s devoid of value quite ; 
 
 Some for wisdom celebrated. 
 Make their study and delight. 
 
 Greater difference there^s between us 
 And the spirits pure from sin : 
 
 To them perhaps a Newton's genius, 
 Is what infants are to him. 
 
 What to us is so perplexing, 
 In our Maker's works and ways ; 
 
 In the regions of perfection. 
 May angelic raptures raise. 
 
 In this dawning of existence. 
 We cannot at once behold, 
 
 All that beauty and consistence. 
 Which progression will unfold. 
 
 Pious Joseph is enslaved : 
 
 Why is virtue thus oppressed ? 
 
 But by him a land is saved : 
 
 Now the reason stands confessed. 
 
 Jacob, tho' at first distressed, 
 Found the recompence of grief ; 
 
 When in Joseph he imbraced, 
 Virtue, wisdom, and relief. 
 2 
 
18 
 
 Schemes of happiness are formed ; 
 
 These with ardor we pursue, 
 Tho' the object which so charmed. 
 
 Often aggravates our woe, 
 
 Rachel with impatience cried, 
 Give me children or I die: 
 
 Her request was gratified ; 
 But she perished thereby. 
 
 Caesar freedom sacrificed, 
 
 Royal honor to obtain : 
 Death in honor lay disguised ; 
 
 He is for ambition slain. 
 
 Crsesus in his estimation. 
 Happiness in riches placM ; 
 
 But his gold invites invasion : 
 He a Persian triumph gracM 
 
 What was Cleopatra^s beauty ; 
 
 Wanton, profligate and vain ? 
 Pleasure was her rule of duty : 
 
 Crimes, alas ! preserve her name. 
 
 Hence the duty of submssion. 
 In the strongest light is shown : 
 
 As the choice of our condition, 
 Cannot safely be our own. 
 
 Resignation is our duty; 
 
 This of virtue is the test : 
 In a creature, worth and beauty 
 
 In humility consist. 
 
 Honor is an empty bubble ; 
 Beauty like a fading flower : 
 
19 
 
 Grandeur but refined trouble ; 
 
 Care and danger grow with power. 
 
 Nor to heaps of shining treasure, 
 
 Is true happiness confinM : 
 Can a round of sensual pleasure, 
 
 Satisfy the immortal mind ? 
 
 Creatures formM with minds capacious. 
 Cannot rest in things below : 
 
 They ternpt — are seizM — prove fallacious 
 Still the bubble we pursue 
 
 But is pari or all acquired. 
 Still it leaves an empty void ; 
 
 Something still will be desired, 
 ^Tili felicity's enjoyM. 
 
 This consists in resignation : 
 
 Love and hope beyond the grave. 
 
 This enobles ev^ry station, 
 
 From the monarch to the slave. 
 
 This supports the Christian often ; 
 
 Sweetens sorrow, care and toil : 
 This his dying pillow softens ; 
 
 Hence he languishes and smiles. 
 
 Take the part which is allotted, 
 Wisdom gave, that never errs ; 
 
 High or low, a life unspottedj 
 Real dignity confers. 
 
 Cheerfully improve thy talent. 
 If thou hast but one received : 
 
 Dangers, soldiers truly gallant. 
 Do with brighest laurel wreathe^ 
 
i50 
 
 Patience, love and self-deniaJ, 
 Graces of a superior kind ; 
 
 Are improved by our trials. 
 As the furnace, gold refines. 
 
 Tho' arrangements in this drama — 
 Points too nice for human powers ; 
 
 Are by heaven justly claimed : 
 To act commendably is ours. 
 
 Study to adorn thy station, 
 By a life and conscience pure : 
 
 And remember resignation. 
 Ever will the test endure. 
 
 Sin and Misery inseperchly connected. 
 
 m 
 
 When sinful pleasures tempt our minds^ 
 Did we a moment pause and view. 
 
 The fatal stings they leave behind ; 
 Should we so ardently pursue ? 
 
 For want of this precaution^ some 
 With eagerness receive the bait, 
 
 Are by one fatal step undone, 
 
 And mourn their folly ; but too late. 
 
 While innocent — a decent dress — 
 
 A humble couch and whclsome food — 
 
 Afford more real hapiness, 
 
 Than heaps of gold obtain'd by fraud. 
 
SI 
 
 For if from virtue^s path we stray, 
 
 And guilt does not the conscience sear ! 
 
 The mind is like the troubled sea. 
 Whose waves in agitation are. 
 
 Reflection, which the sober man 
 Esteems a pleasure — such despise : 
 
 Past crimes present a painful scene, 
 
 From which, they frighted turn their eyes* 
 
 And if to mirth, they have recourse, 
 
 To drown their thoughts in songs and wine^ 
 
 The pungent goadings of remorse. 
 
 Pursue and rack their torturM minds. 
 
 Those who pursue the joys of sense, 
 In dissipation spend their time ; 
 
 Are ever strangers to content, , 
 
 And sweet serenity of mind. 
 
 The elbow chair and downy bed, 
 
 Contribute little to their rest : 
 In vain their table's daily spread. 
 
 With all the dainties of a feast. 
 
 The wealth and splendor of a court, 
 And knowledge of the finest arts ; 
 
 Give little pleasure or support. 
 Toanawaken'd, hopeless heart. 
 
 Should beauty, v/it and genius join. 
 With all the pageantry of kings ; 
 
 They could not tranquilize the mind, 
 Affected with the sight of sin. 
 
 Not all the spices of the East, 
 
Or shining ore of Western climes ; 
 
 Can give a wounded conscience peace. 
 
 Or purchase pardon for our crimes. 
 
 In vain the Esculapian art, 
 
 Its cheering cordials may apply ; 
 
 The malady infects the heart ; 
 The sinner must repent, or die. 
 
 This remedy is safe and sure, 
 If faith accompanies the same ; 
 
 But if the day of grace is o'er, 
 The sinner only is to blame. 
 
 Where hardness fatal seals their doom , 
 There was a visitation first ; 
 
 But when they long refusM to come. 
 Though God is merciful he's just. 
 
 Ye earless sinners' then be wise, 
 Secure the ark which grace provides ; 
 
 E^e: the last fatal tempest rise. 
 When all admission is denied. 
 
 Death soon will loose the present scer>e. 
 
 A vast eternity succeeds. 
 Of endless happiness or pain 
 
 To each, according to his deeds. 
 
 Awake ! Be diligent to day. 
 
 Prostrate yourselves at Jesus' feet ; 
 
 implore his grace without delay. 
 To-morrow may be found top late 
 
23 
 
 Pleasures ofSense^ empty and vainy 
 
 Farewell to sinful sports and mirth. 
 
 Ye snares and fetters of the mind ; 
 My soul was not designed for earth, 
 
 Nor can 1 here true pleasures find. 
 
 In you I saught forhapiness, 
 
 The flower of life I wasted here; 
 
 ^Till God in mercy did arrest, 
 
 AndstopM me in my wild career. 
 
 Now I adore and praise that love. 
 
 That changM my temper, will and tastes 
 
 And taught my passions how to move^ 
 Consistent with redeeming grace. 
 
 The thoughts of this delight ray soul. 
 And give me more substantia! joy 
 
 Than music, honor, crowns or gold. 
 Or all those empty, earthly toys. 
 
 Tho^ others mock and me deride. 
 Tell how 1 throw my self away. 
 
 Brand me with foolishness or pride. 
 It does not all discourage me. 
 
 It is but folly to expecr, 
 
 To shun the cross and win the erovi'n ; 
 And Christ at last will those reject, 
 
 Who do on earth his name disowr>» 
 
 Nor are the vain delights of time. 
 The hapiness which 1 desire ; 
 
 To pleasures of a nobler kind, 
 la blissful regions I aspire. 
 
f4 
 
 Earth is to me a foreign land; 
 
 And I have few acquaintance here. 
 Whose language lean understand, 
 
 Whose fiiendship seems to be sincere 
 
 My treasure lies not here below, 
 Nor do 1 wish myself to stay ; 
 
 Come, welcome death, I long to go, 
 And leave this wretched house of clay. 
 
 Then will this painful warfare end, 
 And I shall be from sin released, 
 
 And Jesus my almighty friend, 
 To glory will my soul receive. 
 
 With pleasure then I shall review. 
 
 And count those storms and perils o*er 
 
 Which in my voyage I passed thro% 
 In quest of this deligtful shore. 
 
 On Gambling. 
 
 How melanchoily is the sight, 
 
 To see men throw their time away. 
 At gaming in the morn of life, 
 
 Which makes them useless all their davs. 
 
 «/ 
 
 Mistaken mortals change your course, 
 If you would wish for happiness ; 
 
 This is at best a wretched source, 
 Of disappointment and disgraceo 
 
It wastes your golden hours in vain. 
 
 Impairs your health, corrupts your tniad ; 
 
 It wastes your fortune, wounds your fame, 
 And fits you for all other crimei. 
 
 Taste not the fair delusive bait, 
 
 For it a fatal hook contains ; 
 Which if imbib'd few can extract. 
 
 And none without exquisite pain. 
 
 Intemperance, falsehood and deceit, 
 Obscene discourse and oaths profane. 
 
 Around the gaming table meet, 
 And join in one destructive train. 
 
 Resentment, anger and revenge, 
 Ensue, not fearing man nor God ; 
 
 Those who were once esteemed friends. 
 In duels spill each others blood. 
 
 Ah ! stupid mortals will you dare^ 
 
 To give, and offer to receive, 
 A stroke which you cannot repair, 
 
 Which endless ages can't retrieve. 
 
 Be wise and shun the shameful scene, 
 Which offers nothing good or great. 
 
 And fraught with all that's base andmean,^ 
 With fatal mischief is replete. 
 
 A miscellaneous Poem on ike use of 3Iean9, ^c, 
 
 A. TASTE for noveltry of late. 
 Infects the schools, the church and etate^ 
 
S6 
 
 Tho' truth is rising we believe ; 
 yet by the appellation, new, 
 A maxim either false, or true ; 
 
 With some may currency receive. 
 
 Philosophy which cost the toil. 
 
 Of Bacon, Newton, Lock, and Boyle, 
 
 Evincing gorernment divine : 
 Voltaire, Rousseau and Paine, explode. 
 With the revealed word of God. 
 
 Sad subterfuge of vitious minds ! 
 
 And freedoiis, that once darling theme^ 
 Is now regarded as a dreano, 
 
 A word of arbitary use- 
 Implying not the peoples voice, 
 ^ut lawless tyrants right of choice, 
 
 To rule and govern as they choose . 
 
 Some who assert exclusive claim. 
 To order and the Christian name. 
 
 Relying OR appointed ends : 
 Suppose the use of every mean, 
 Derogatory to the scheme. 
 
 Which heaven has reveal'd to mau. 
 
 Hence io their exhortations, we 
 Are told, a wiser course may be 
 
 Pursued, i-eligion to advance j 
 Let children tho' to vice inclined. 
 To wayword passions be resign'd, 
 
 'Till heaven, virtue first implants. 
 
 Let them from public worship stay, 
 The sabbath waste in sport and play j 
 
 Nor urge the scripture on their vieWy 
 Lest they observe their danger there. 
 And hence attempt to plead iu prayer. 
 
 For grace, their nature to renew.. 
 
S7 
 
 And civil law must be'destroy'd. 
 Or freedom cannot be enjoy'd j 
 
 The gospel makes us free indeed 
 Morality so many charms, 
 Lest any rest in lifeless forms ; 
 
 We must expunge it from out creed. 
 
 Are those the truly good and wise, 
 "Who law and dignities despise ? 
 
 This is a crime. The case is clear. 
 Against this ignorance and pride. 
 Unerring truth has testified, 
 
 In terms peculiarly severe. 
 
 A people doubtless may have cause 
 To alter and improve their Laws j 
 
 But wholly to deny their use, 
 Is but a visionary dream, 
 Or arts of a deceptive scheme. 
 
 The uniformed to seduce. 
 
 No works or duties of our own, 
 C an for the least offence atone 5 
 
 The gospel is a plan of grace. 
 But surely this affords no proof 
 That error is the way to truth, 
 
 Or means appointed have no place. 
 
 But were not Pharisees of old 
 Tn truth divine with pathos told, 
 
 That they should perish in their sius^ 
 While Publicans, and Harlots should 
 Be numbered with the wise and good. 
 
 Which grace divine should gather in. 
 
 But oppertunities abus'd. 
 
 Their awful condemnation seal'd 
 Deranged with the love of 8elf> 
 
28 
 
 lethargic ease was deemed health j 
 They would not come and were not heal'd. 
 
 Jlor were the others snnk in vice. 
 Disposed more to honor Christ, 
 
 They too his government oppos''d j 
 But to display his power and grace. 
 And human glory to abase ; 
 
 He pardon'd these, and punish'd those. 
 
 All are invited, all refuse ; 
 
 If Death attend the course we choose. 
 
 The fault is doubtless all our own j 
 If any in the way of life. 
 Secure the crown by lawful strife. 
 
 Salvation is by grace alone. 
 
 Thus wickedness is oftea made, 
 The course it would destroy to aid. 
 
 And vicious characters have been 
 By grace arrested and subdued, 
 Tliis neither proves the action good. 
 
 Nor justifies a course of sin. 
 
 if good from Joseph's exile came, 
 Shall we presume to say the same, 
 
 May be effected now as well ? 
 And thus rejoice to see mankind. 
 With inhumanity of mind, 
 
 Oppress and each their brother sell I 
 
 And if Mannassah was subdued, 
 By whose idolatry and blood, 
 
 A loud was sunk in guilt and woe,i 
 Shall we those horrid scenes renew. 
 That we may be reformed too i 
 
 Does Inspiration teach us so ? 
 
 If Mary Magdalen was ble^s'd. 
 Whom eevei'i dt'vils oiice possess'^; 
 
99 
 
 Will any man from thence l)clievc, 
 ^rhat Satan's malice, power and arts. 
 Are needful to prepare our hearts, 
 
 A holy temper to receive ? 
 
 If Paul, while pergecuting, found 
 The way of life ; are others bound 
 
 Their time and talents to employ, 
 To gain the aid of power and state, 
 €hristianii!;y to extripate, 
 
 That they its blessings may enjoy ? 
 
 If on the cross the dying thief. 
 So late in life obtained relief j 
 
 Are we encouraged by him. 
 To carelessly procrastinate 
 Concerns of our eternal state, 
 
 'Till death the fatal summons bring ? 
 
 Now rather those examples were 
 Recorded to prevent despair. 
 
 When minds awakenM mourn for sin. 
 They, few in number, give no room, 
 For bold ofienders to presume, 
 
 The way is safe which they are in. 
 
 Tis said in temp'rals, parents may 
 Oblige their children to obey j 
 
 But here authority should ceaae : 
 If ever God their hearts incline, 
 They will attend to things divine ; 
 
 If not, we cannot give them grace. 
 
 Suppose your houses wrapM in flames. 
 And children disregard the same 5 
 
 Will you not tell them to retire ? 
 You say, their safety is to fly ; 
 But why not on the end rely : 
 
 Has heaven no controul of fire ? 
 
 Seed time and harvest truth insures. 
 While this terraqueous globe endures j 
 
 But if the sluggard will not plant, 
 Thro' inattention, sloth, or sleep j 
 Will he the golden harvest reap ? 
 
 Will miracles supply his want ? 
 
 Tho' if with diligence and toil, 
 We early cultivate the soil. 
 
 It is a gift, if we are bless'd ; 
 For our exertions may be lost, 
 By blasting, vcrmine, hail or frost ; 
 
 And yet the judge of all be just. 
 3 
 
)0 
 
 While we for use of means contend, 
 For life and mercy we defend ; 
 
 Tis faith that justifies alone : 
 This fivor is the gift of God, 
 Thro'' the Redeemer's precious blood : 
 And not by righteousness our own. 
 
 Cod in the wise and graciou3 plan, 
 Devis'd to rescue fallen man ; 
 
 Has with the end, connected means ; 
 And that is error which divides. 
 What wisdom has itself allied ; 
 
 However plausible it seems, 
 
 \t hen Satan to our Saviour said, 
 Cast down thyself, nor be afraid ; 
 
 For we in scripture are iufornrd, 
 His anjjels l;ave rcceiv'd commands, 
 To bear thee saftiy in their hands, 
 
 And shield thee fioiu impendiiig harm, 
 
 *' In all thy ways" this subtle fiend. 
 Omitted and the proniise then 
 
 would uo security aftord : 
 Our Saviour disapproved the sense, 
 And ausivcrM Satan — get thee hence ; 
 
 Tis said thou shalt not tempt the Lord. 
 
 The hope of our revolted race, 
 
 Is built ois free and riovereign grace ; 
 
 But if it does our sovercicjn p!?ase, 
 To wcrk by chosen means and ways, 
 Thro' uhicis his blessing he conveys ; 
 
 Why should we not attend on these. 
 
 This blessing ofien isconfer'd, 
 Thro' reading;, or the preached word ; 
 The house of mourning, tcrvent pr::yer. 
 Or piov;s parents, faith and care ; 
 Shall we ncijiect thetw or allend / 
 
 Paul foFn the horrors of a sJorrn, 
 Of certain safety was infoim'd ; 
 
 But when the seamen strove to flee, 
 He to the Centurio;* cried. 
 Except these in the ship abide, 
 
 We surely cannot saved be. 
 
 Wlien Abraham to f.ath and prayer, 
 Addfnl iis'c'iity and caie. 
 
 His house was b!c2s'd, and he recr iv'd 
 Approvincr houors from on hi_e:b, 
 Fiom him who couii'i not rrr or li;', 
 
 If holy record, uc believe. 
 
31 
 
 Eli severely was vcpvov'd, 
 
 The priesthood froui his hoiJs;c reiuovVl 
 
 When he nej^lected to restrain 
 His wicked rhildren, who forsook 
 The path of virtue, and betook 
 
 Themselves to folly, siii and shame. 
 
 Thus Moses, Solomon and Paul, 
 By inspiration moved, call 
 
 On parents to impiovethc mind 
 Of children, and of those who art? 
 In youlii dependent on tlieir care, 
 
 la knowledge, moral and divme. 
 
 As scripture precept here is plain, 
 80 reason teaches us the f^amc ; 
 
 And is not their combined weight, 
 EuliJled to as much respect. 
 As evidence which v.e coiktr. 
 
 From theoi ies of recent d-iicr 
 
 If we communicate disease. 
 Does nat humainty to these. 
 
 Who are subjected thus to pain. 
 Prompt us to'^mitij^utc their griet. 
 By si I exertions for resief, 
 
 In use of wise and lawful meaas ? 
 
 And can a parent sec a child, 
 Infected with a mnrta! IH, 
 
 Which his polluted nature gave j 
 And not direct him where to find, 
 The grreat physician of the mind. 
 
 Whose power a!one can heal and save. 
 
 In families and places where 
 Their children uninstructed are. 
 
 Does pure religion flourish more,. 
 Than where the young; are early taught, 
 The character of him they ought 
 
 Thro' life to honor and adore ? 
 
 In families, as states, we find 
 
 Where government connives at crimes, 
 
 Peace, law and order are destory'd ; 
 The vicious, lenity abuse, 
 Profusion, waste and want ensue : 
 
 And what advantage is cnjoy'd ? 
 
 Tho' children never should be rul'd 
 With tyranny at home or school, 
 Perversity must be restrained j 
 We plead for cdttcation mild : 
 
S2 . 
 
 But still a cbild is but a child, 
 lucompeteBit to hold the reins. 
 
 Onv fathers left their homes and ease, 
 And brav'd the dangers of the seas, 
 
 Rc'iigious freedom to obtain ; 
 Arrived in this the heathennand, 
 The wilderness beneath their hand, 
 
 A peaceful mansion soon became. 
 
 Their sons, a hardy frugal race, 
 Successively improv'd their case ; 
 
 Their children train'd in ways of truths 
 By filial love and pious fear, 
 Evinc'd the worth of early care 
 
 And government, in forming youth. 
 
 Divested of invading foes, 
 The desert blosomM as the rose, 
 
 Power in embryo secm'd to shine : 
 The parent state with jealous eyes, 
 Beheld the growing empire rise, 
 
 And thought to clip her winga in tim*'- 
 
 A fierce and bloody war ensued, 
 
 Wheu thousands bravely spilt their bloodj 
 
 Our rights and freedom to obtain ; 
 And after vast expence and toil, 
 Our haughty adversary foil'd, 
 
 At IcDglh relinquished her claim. 
 
 Thus, under God, our valor broke 
 The bondage of a galling yoke. 
 
 Our independence was atchiev'd ^ 
 From civil war, that scourge of man. 
 Whose passion taints the purest land, 
 
 Our morals many wounds received. 
 
 This tragedy was scarcely oVr, 
 When Europe deluged in gore, 
 
 Columbia's happy land alarm'd : 
 But Washington's sagacious mind, 
 Froclaim'd neutrality in liuie 
 
 To guard us from approaching harm. 
 
 By our neutrality and peace, 
 
 For many years our wealth, increas'd, 
 
 But Jesuvun wax'd fat and kick'd : 
 The gift willi eagerness we took, 
 But did the giver overlook — 
 
 In high elation we forget. 
 
 Intemperance, idleness and pridi\. 
 
33 
 
 As wealth increasM were multiplied, 
 A gay and tho'tless age succeeds ; 
 
 When parents less attentive j^row, 
 
 To precept and example loo, 
 And negHgence to error leads. 
 
 The young a style of life assume. 
 Which prudence hardly would presume, 
 
 Anduhen their scanty means subside, 
 Some more than sin retrenchment drej\d, 
 Too proud to dig^, asham'd to beg, 
 
 In fraud and artiiicc confide. 
 
 This swells the catalogue of crimes. 
 Which mark the annals of our times ; 
 
 These some in prison expiate ; 
 And many more in exile roam. 
 Abandon country, friends and home j 
 
 The hand of justice to escape. 
 
 No age or land has ours surpassed, 
 In means of knowledge. Every class 
 
 It's precious treasures may explore; 
 Schools multiplied and books increased, 
 Present to all a mental feast j 
 
 A favo>- limited before. 
 
 But tho' ©ur manners are refinM, 
 Our public morals have declin'dj 
 fa dress extravagant and vain. 
 And language awfully profane; 
 
 We demonstrate the growth of vice. 
 
 Oaths, law and justice prime supporl, 
 Oppressed virtue's last resort, 
 
 Are given and receiv^i by somn 
 Who solemnly confess hereby, 
 Wbat ihiy in setUimeiit deny ; 
 
 A P.ovidence and world to come. 
 
 Yel t^trange at; this may seem to be, 
 .Such characters we ofien see, 
 
 Freice candidates for oifice stand, 
 Whose Kopliistry or terror gain, 
 Wiiat merit i'dWai (.o obtain : 
 
 Sad ojiien to a sitikiog laiid! 
 
 As streams from faouuL^ins iakc their ca.st, 
 Our habits, sentimeiits and taatp, 
 
 Receive their bias from the great : 
 Hence scepticism oiuc eonfio'd 
 To haughty philosophic minds, 
 
 kifec'is the lov»er innkfi of iutcr- 
 
34 
 
 Are not the scriptures ridicul'd, 
 Neglected much at home and school? 
 
 Where iiove's, romances and pbys. 
 The hours assign'd for reading waste, 
 Corrupt and vitiate the taste; 
 
 Or groundless expectation raise. 
 
 In cottages and forests charm'd, 
 With beauties of Angelic form, 
 
 We rove, or weep in tragic gloom ; 
 Where castles, zephyrs, caves and rills, 
 A warm imagination fills : 
 
 Sedate reflection finds no room. 
 
 Accustomed to such airy flights, 
 The humble walks of real life, 
 
 But little happiness supply : 
 Chagrin'd, abandoned to grief, 
 Some seek in solitude relief; 
 
 Presuming they like heroes die. 
 
 In love matured at first sight. 
 With fancied rapture of delight, 
 
 Without their heart, some join their hands 
 And when this stock of love is spent, 
 Aversion, strife and discontent. 
 
 Distract thoir lives, and break their bands. 
 
 Eloped from my bed and board j 
 Oace rare, are no'.v familiar words. 
 
 The tale has been so often told : 
 A wife or husband advertisM, 
 Kxcites but little more surprise, 
 
 Than tandi^ or goods at auction sold. 
 
 The space at present is so small 
 Between the cradle and the ball, 
 
 That some the voyage of life comraenct 
 ^Vith iiltle knowledge of the coast; 
 W^hence multitudes are often lost, 
 
 And few unhurt escape from hence. 
 
 With ardent passions uncontroVd, 
 The unexperienc''d youth behold. 
 
 In dissipation — ^joy supreme: 
 r^nchantfd by the siren song, 
 'j'he gay and tho'tless sport along, 
 
 'Till shipwreck ends the fatal dream. 
 
 How many of our brightest sons. 
 
 Their course with honor might have run : 
 
 Should rather irive, than seek relief. 
 Who pine in want, to vice easlav'd, 
 
55 
 
 Or wietched, find an early grave ; 
 
 Their country's loss, their p^^^nts grief. 
 
 And this applies with equal force^ 
 Tb many of ihe fair, of course, .. .,, 
 
 Where negligence has injur'd those* 
 Denied the pleasures of the mind, 
 They roam a suhstitute to find, 
 
 Where health and virtue are exposed. 
 
 Hence beauty often early fades, 
 And thoughtless innocence betray'd y 
 
 The fair laments in vain, defil'd, 
 Or youag in knowledge as in years, 
 Assumes tht matron with her cares j 
 
 And thus a child directs a child. 
 
 Most inauspicious sight indeed ; 
 A fertile garden filPd with weeds; 
 
 A ship without a compass tost j 
 A diamond buried in the dust ; 
 A brilliant jewel doora'd to rust : 
 
 In this comparison is lost. 
 
 Our minds and manners formed arc,.^^ 
 In childhood by maternal care. 
 
 And manhood owns her gentle sway ; 
 Should not that counsellor be wise, 
 Who can with most success advise, 
 
 Lest we in seeking safety, stray? 
 
 Consider this betimes, ye fair, 
 On your fidelity and care. 
 
 The cause of virtue much depends 3 
 Our manners are by you jctin'd, 
 With yours they flourish or decline ; 
 
 Improve this power to noble ends. 
 
 Remember you was first designed, 
 The aid and comfort of mankind : 
 
 Perform the tusk assigned you j 
 In this your value and delight 
 Consist, and happily unite: 
 
 Can you a wiser course pursue ? 
 
 To cultivate the infant mind. 
 The growing virtues to refine; 
 
 To Icarh the young idea to shoot ; 
 Eradicate the 'noxious weeds, 
 Which early spring from latent seeds, 
 jj-Is sure a laudable pursuit. 
 
 ^l!^' seldom you are cali'd to wiel^ 
 
36 
 
 The cares ofcabio^l or field, 
 
 You occupy im))Oi'©!\jfljf vfround : 
 By you thewoidier and tii.. sage, 
 Are intiu(hH€id to the sfoge : 
 
 Uy y(f.i-iiitMj- happiriesbtls.rrovvn'd. 
 
 What if that ostentatious glare, 
 Does not attead y»ur toil and care, 
 
 Which less important S«t-nes attract 5 
 Approvinjf conscience, joy rk^fin'd, 
 Blood-stain'd hiurels far outshine: 
 
 It is not what, hut how we act. 
 
 Remote from tumult, noise and strife. 
 In the sequester'd vale of life, 
 
 The meek and quiet spirit finda, 
 V»'hat all $Ue bustle of the trowd, 
 Applause and homage to the proud, 
 
 Can licver give: a peaceful mind. 
 
 Those heroes whom the v.'orld admire, 
 Wh(. wade to ftimc thro' hlood and fire: 
 
 Extract their titles and renown, 
 From widows sighs and orphans tears j 
 Do but enhance their cares and fears, 
 
 Ar.d barter conscience for a crown. 
 
 To aU the lands they proudly own. 
 Which lie perhaps in cv'ry zone, 
 
 Death w ill ansuii their haughty claims^ 
 -Except to each a huaible grave, 
 A place induigM their meanest slave 5 
 
 Whiit ages exccsatt their names. 
 
 How man 'v\owld in yovUh disown 
 Their future portrait, were they shOv.H., 
 
 As Hazad did with horror his? 
 But hardened hi a course of sin, 
 PatiiS shunned once, they travel iu ; 
 
 Nor does the scenery dispicasc. 
 
 If we the course of such «jbserve, 
 'Tis step by step we see them swerve -, 
 
 Some specious sin aiiures their minds, 
 They wish, consent, excuse, applaud ; 
 At length by fear or shftine unaw'd, 
 
 They rate their valor by their criare^. ' * ; '" 
 
 . ■ < . ., .<ii ^ui i?-)i 
 
 Integrity and pious fear, ■•' '<' • '■.':! 
 
 In youth the stror.;<est weapons are, 
 To conquer vice, or virUie shield; 
 Young Joseph with these poieut aims. 
 
 i'l 
 
^7 
 
 Withstood the fascinating chavnis 
 Oi vice, the' powerfuliy assail'd. 
 
 If to instruct the rising youth, 
 in ways of piety and truth 
 
 Is so impoiianl — may each one 
 Endeavor with becoming zeal, 
 The solemn duty to fulfil 3 
 
 To God, themselves, and to the young. 
 
 Then whether life or death is theirs. 
 Your conscience testimony bears, 
 
 Your garments of their blood are clean ; 
 But are your pious labors blest, 
 The joy can hardly be exprest, 
 
 Which will attend the pleasing scene. 
 
 To see your children young ir-clinM 
 To walk the ways of truth divine, 
 
 ?«lust highly gratifying bsj 
 The pleasing sight their care repays, 
 or sleepless nights and anxious da^s^ 
 
 Which tender parents often see. 
 
 But on the other hand, suppose 
 A darling child about to close 
 
 A life of vanity and sin ; 
 Hear him with pierciiig groans and sighs, 
 With horror flashing from his eyes, 
 
 In broken accents thus begin : 
 
 I soon must take my leave of you, 
 And bid all earthly things adieu ; 
 
 But where ray wretched soul will fly, 
 Alas! I tremble while 1 think: 
 Must 1 in endless sorrow sink? 
 
 1 cannot live, and fear to die. 
 
 Bro't up in ignorance of truth, 
 1 spent the precious time of youth, 
 
 in dissipation's giddy whirl ; 
 In florid health and spirits gay, 
 1 laugh'd and sung the hours away ; 
 
 Nor cast a look beyond this world. 
 
 Why did you not my footsteps guide ; 
 At least my foolish ravings chide. 
 
 And teach sobriety betimes? 
 But with excessive fondness, you 
 Let me my own desires pursue, 
 
 *Till childish foibles led to crimes. 
 
 With conversation light and vain, 
 
38 
 
 The sabbath I at first profan'd ; 
 
 Indulged iu this, with rapid strides^ 
 The downward road I did pursue ; 
 The sabbath, prayer, and bible too. 
 
 And public worship laid aside. 
 
 At length my heart became so hard, 
 1 would no ttarnii.j^f voice regard, 
 
 Of death and judi^ment I felt no dread : 
 Their terrors I too late disceris, 
 A dreadful lessou now to icara j 
 
 To learn upon a dyii»g bed. 
 
 Alas! my pain aj^ain returns. 
 
 My b!ood with i aj>ing fever br.rns ; 
 
 Tliy mcrey, Heaven, T do iiupiore! 
 My aching heart '.vith auguish bleeds ; 
 O ])!ead njy friend, for mercy p'ead ! 
 
 My palsied tongue can say no njore. 
 
 If this your tender hearts would wound, 
 Huiv wil! it torture and confound. 
 
 If at the awful bar of God, 
 By children you accused are ? 
 What answer ca.n you reiider tiiere, 
 
 Should justice then refjuire their blood 
 
 ?»Iay all to vigilance awal:e. 
 
 And thus this pitinfal scene escape: 
 
 United in the bonds of love, 
 May each in their respective spheres, 
 Improve their time and talents here 3 
 
 And reap a rich reward above. 
 
 O thou who hast the hearts of man. 
 As streams of water in thy hand, 
 
 In ways of peace our footsteps guide! 
 Pour out thy spirit on the young 5 
 XvJay they like verdant meads become. 
 
 Or wiiiows by the water side. 
 
 Is not the time predicted near, 
 When truth shall raise her standard here : 
 Vj'hen East and West shall hail thy reign, 
 The Ncrth give up, nor South retain • 
 Cut distant lauds thy children bring? 
 
 When peace shall wave her olive wand, 
 Man cease to be the foe of man j 
 
 But freedom, light, and truth enjoy; 
 Then each with safety slia',! recline. 
 Beneath the shadow of his vine ; 
 
 Kor fear his happiitess alloy. 
 
39 
 
 On Friendship. 
 
 Oh \ Friendship, pleasing sacred name 1 
 From thee refined pleasures flow, 
 
 Which Jionor, treasure, power, and fame. 
 Without thv aid, cannot bestow. 
 
 The gems and spices India boasts, 
 With all the treasures of the West ; 
 
 In tedious sameness would be lost, 
 Were they in solitude possest. 
 
 Tho' ease and pleasure, power and pomp, 
 Tb^ happiness of friendship own ; 
 
 In pain, adversity and want. 
 Its real worth is better known. 
 
 The bliss of Eden^s happy state ; 
 
 For Adam incomplete was found, 
 'Till friendship formed with a mate. 
 
 The climax of enjoyment crownYl. 
 
 If e^er the heathen bosom swelFd, 
 Or tears sufFusM the languid cheek. 
 
 Friendship was so essential held ; 
 
 What language Vorf«r its worth can speak ? 
 
 f^ ' die. 
 
 Now sorrows mingle > with oVr joy ; 
 
 The rose and the > togetlier soring, 
 And (Jrnss the^pnCleSgfjid alloy '; 
 
 And even honey lias its sting. 
 
 But fri en (i ship, 'sovereign balm of life, 
 
 An opiate \ciX all our woes ; 
 To tliee we fly from noise and strife; 
 
 And iierc the weary find repose. 
 
40 
 
 When calumny or spite assail, 
 Or fraud and treachery combine ; 
 
 Recital of the mournful tale 
 
 To those we love, relieves the mind. 
 
 If disappointment, pain and grief. 
 
 The aching heart with anguish wring ; 
 
 In sympathy we seek relief. 
 
 And thence restoring cordials bring. 
 
 Life is but death without a friend ; 
 
 A darksome night, a dreary waste ; 
 A tiresome road without an inn ; 
 
 A sight of fruit we may not taste. 
 
 A tender look, a friendly word. 
 Are often prized more than gold ; 
 
 And sure that wretch's heart is hard, 
 Who can so cheap a gift withhold. 
 
 Yet some to pain and sorrow born, 
 The balm of friendship are denied ; 
 
 They live un pi tied and forlorn, 
 Tho^ in affliction's furnace tried. 
 
 Their flowing tears aiid heaving sighs. 
 
 Are oft' vvithqij'^^^^mo'l^i^n seen ; 
 Or silenced by «^ a ch replies, 
 
 As render sorrow's ed^'^ more keen. 
 
 }3ut thanks to mercy, tlit^'-yjis one. 
 To whom the meanest may il. pair, 
 
 And make their mournful^tory known, 
 And supplicate his gracious care. 
 
 O m.ay this best of friends be mine! 
 Give me faith on him to rest ; 
 
41 
 
 Myself entirely to resign, 
 
 His law obey, his promise trust. 
 
 Be thou my comforter and guide, 
 While the dark vale of death I pass 
 
 Receive me on the other side, 
 A trophy of redeeming grace. 
 
 And should this happy lot be mine, 
 At landing on that blissful shore, 
 
 I shall forget the ills of time. 
 Or read them, wisdom to adore. 
 
 Divine Perfections displayed in the works of Creation and 
 Redemption. 
 
 W HEN we this spacious globe survey, 
 The wide extended earth and sea, 
 
 With all the creatures they contain ; 
 We see them in gradation rise, 
 Diverse in nature, as in size ^ 
 
 But all the power of God proclaim. 
 
 When plants, or flowers, or shrubs we see, 
 The humble weed, or lofty tree. 
 
 Producing medicine or food; 
 Each in their season bloom and die. 
 And others soon their place supply j 
 
 We read in them the power of God. 
 
 Or if the fossils we behold. 
 
 Where metals rise from lead to gold, 
 
 A vast variety we find : 
 Tho' stones in value as in size. 
 From pebbles to rich diamonds rise ; 
 
 And each proclaims a power divine. 
 
 But when from earth we raise our eyes, 
 And view the starry worlds on high. 
 
 To which our globe is but a speck j 
 Bodies opaque are shining bright, 
 4 
 
42 
 
 Reflecting rays of borrow'd light- 
 From age to age in order kept. 
 
 Which with amazing swiftness run, 
 Their constant circuits round the sun, 
 
 Their common source af light and heat;, 
 Whose bulk exceeds this spacious earth, 
 Which gives to vegetation birth, 
 
 And renders our existence sweet. 
 
 See yonder fixed stars or sun, 
 
 "IVhere worlds on v orlds their circles run, 
 
 Which human sight cannot explore : 
 Suppose these systems all revolve ■ 
 Hound one vast centre of the whole : 
 
 How must we wonder and adore ? 
 
 What mighty power must he possess, 
 Who thro' immensity of space. 
 
 His univeisal sceptre sways ? 
 But still in revelation we 
 A scene surpassing this may see. 
 
 Which claims our highest notes of praise. 
 
 In all the works which God has made. 
 His power and wisdom are display'd j 
 
 But none presents so clear a vievr. 
 As the redemption of mankind, 
 Where wisdom, grace, and mercy shine, 
 
 And justice is appeased too. 
 
 The Son of God induc'd by love. 
 Left his delightful courts above, 
 
 And with our sinful race abode : 
 Assumed human flesh and form, 
 ^Vas in a wretched manger born. 
 
 And spent his life in doing good. 
 
 But ah ! how was the Lord receiv'd '' 
 Despis'd, rejected, disbeliev'd^ 
 
 flis works to magic were ascrib'd 
 Of crimes he falsely was accused. 
 By soldiers and the priests abused j 
 
 And by base sinners crucified. 
 
 What pains and grief for us he bore, 
 Which forced blood from every pore. 
 
 When pressed vvith the wroth of God j 
 For us he felt the scourge and thorn — 
 For us his flesh with nails was torn ; 
 
 And from his side the crimson flow'd. 
 
 All nature shuddered at the scene — 
 The temple's vail was rent in twain— 
 
43 
 
 The suii withheld his shining light; 
 The solid rocks asunder clove, 
 And sleeping saints forsook their graves : 
 
 Yet hardened Jew's could bare the sight. 
 
 ResolvM to keep his body sure, 
 They seal his tomb, a watch procure, 
 
 In hopes his word to give the lie j 
 But earth and hell in vain combine. 
 He rose at his appointed tinae — 
 
 And Lord of all, ascends on high. 
 
 But ah ! how base should sin appear. 
 If pardon cost a price so dear ? 
 
 'Twas this which pierc'd our Savour*s heart. 
 And will our ruin still affect. 
 If faith in Christ does not protect. 
 
 And shield us from its fatal darts. 
 
 He did indeed a ransom pay, 
 For ail who will his laws obey, 
 
 And has the joyful news proclaira'3— > 
 All who repent, believe on him. 
 And mortify each darting sin, 
 
 Immortal glory shall obtain. 
 
 What condescending love was this? 
 When sin excluded man from bliss, 
 
 The Prince of Peace espousM his cause : 
 At the expence of his own blood. 
 He purchased rebels peace with God,. 
 
 And magnified his holy laws. 
 
 How should this warm our hearts with love 
 And zeal, each moment to improve. 
 
 In praising our Redeemer's grace j 
 Which saints and angels will adore. 
 When earth and skies shall be no more. 
 
 And all their luminaries cease. 
 
 But what will be the lot of those 
 
 Who slight such love, such power oppose? 
 
 Tho' Jesus is the Prince of Peace, 
 He is the God of Justice too. 
 And will not always suffer you 
 
 Unpunished to abuse his grace. 
 
 He speatks, and thunder shakes the-skies, 
 The mountains sink and vallies rise — 
 
 Air, earth and sea, his word obey : 
 Then cease, vain mortals to rebel, 
 Lay down your arms, submit yourselves ; 
 
 Nor lose his pardon by delay. 
 
44 
 
 On Drunketmess. 
 
 vJh ! how disgusting is the sight. 
 When drunkards reeling thro' the street. 
 
 In laughter fawn or anger fight, 
 
 And pour contempt on all they meet. 
 
 If ardent spirits fail at home, 
 To shops or taverns they repair, 
 
 And drink 'till sense and strength are gonej 
 Then reeling homward bound they steer. 
 
 ^ut injurM limbs and bruised heads. 
 Forbid them further to proceed. 
 
 The open street becomes their bed 5 
 This is a dismal sight indeed. 
 
 Exposed to danger, here they s-leep, 
 
 Untill their faculties revive ; 
 And then with slt)w and awkward step^^ 
 
 At length each at his home arrives. 
 
 With clothes besmearM with filth and mud., 
 See how they shiver with the cold ! 
 
 Their faces bruisM and stain'd with bIood> 
 What horid figures to behold ! 
 
 But oh! the feelings of a wife, 
 
 Whose heart is pierc'd with sorrow thro'. 
 To see her dearest friend in life. 
 
 Himself and family undo. 
 
 But her entreaties, tears and sighs. 
 Will not his vicious heart restrain : 
 
 In vain his neighbors all advise ; 
 He feels no sense of sin or shame-. 
 
 His children wearied with abuse, 
 Provok'd and driven to despair : 
 
 Of freedom make improper use. 
 And soon forget to love or fear. 
 
 Al length the wretched man becomes 
 A burden to himself and friends^ 
 
 Yet still this sinful race he runs, 
 'Till like a brute, his life he ends. 
 
 Ye who indulge your appetite, 
 
 The laws of temperance daily break .^ 
 
 Take warning by this awful sight : 
 May you this ^tal snare escape. 
 
45 
 
 Will you destroy yourselves and friends- 
 Exchange your honor for disgrace-— 
 
 Expose yourselves to endless pains, 
 And all to gratify your taste ? 
 
 Poor are the pleasures which you gain, 
 At such a vast expense as this ; 
 
 For hours of pleasure, years of pain. 
 If n,ot the loss of future bliss. 
 
 On the Millennium. 
 
 x\.LAS! to what a wretched case 
 Has sin reduced the human race! 
 This world tho' once pronounced good. 
 By sin became a field of blood. 
 
 Ambition, pleasure, lust and pride. 
 With avarice, our time divide j 
 Reserving none for us to spend. 
 In duties to our God or men. 
 
 Thus we discard benevolence. 
 And selfishness in consequence, 
 Its vile oppressive standard rears. 
 And fills the world with blood and tears. 
 
 But for our comfort we're inform'd, 
 A lasting calm succeeds the storm. 
 Events foretell the time is near, 
 When these dark scenes shall disappear. 
 
 When Satan's power shall be restrain'd, 
 And peace on earth in triumph reign j 
 The righteous then shall here enjoy. 
 True happiness without alloy. 
 
 Religion then shall be refin'd; 
 
 From error fr«ed in lustre shine ; 
 
 The Jewish outcasts gathered in. 
 
 And own with Gentiles, Christ their king'. 
 
 Impostures and idolatry 
 Shall cease, and Christians all agree ; 
 The young and old, with one accord, - 
 Delight to serve and please the Lord, 
 
46 
 
 Those weapons which have long destroy'^ 
 The human race, shall be employ'd 
 To cultivate a fruitful soil, 
 And plenty will reward t^ieir toil. 
 
 The fertile plains shall be no more 
 Delug'd with floods of human gore ', 
 For war throughout the world shall cease^ 
 And this creation live in peace. 
 
 The cow, the bear, the wolf and sheep, 
 Together safely feed and sleep j 
 Their young ones shall lie down at rest. 
 The strong shall not the weak molest. 
 
 A little child shall also lead 
 The leopard, falling, calf and kid; 
 And play with safety near the den. 
 Where pois'nous serpents lurk withit>c 
 
 For none shall injure or destroy. 
 But all promote each other's joy; 
 For true benevolence and grace. 
 Shall actuate the human race. 
 
 The weak no more the strong shall dread, 
 And knowledge shall the earth o'erspread^ 
 As waters fill the spacious seas. 
 And gladness fill each heart with praise. 
 
 On Benevolence, 
 
 Oi 
 
 F all the virtues which refine 
 And ornament the human mind. 
 None are of greater consequence, 
 Than genuine benevolence. 
 
 Whatever talents we possess, 
 Are lent us — hence it is but just. 
 Benevolence should be enjoin'd, 
 The common duty of mankind. 
 
 If we a moment contemplate. 
 On our expos'd dependent state, 
 And see how small a part o»esoul 
 Is of the great created whole. 
 
47 
 
 How little does ouv worth appear. 
 As drops of water when compar'd 
 To spacious seas, or grains of sand, 
 To this vast earth on which we stand. 
 
 Hence self cannot with justice claim 
 From us a preference suprenae j 
 Sordid self-love must be suppress'd— ■ 
 Benevolence pervade the breast. 
 
 Then it becomes the grand design, 
 To honor God, and thus inclined, 
 They chuse him as the first supreme. 
 And proper object of esteem. 
 
 And hence rejoice that they can trust, 
 A being so holy, good and just ; 
 To order and decide their lot 
 In this, or in a future state. 
 
 Tho' happiness they always chuse, 
 And misery of course refuse ; 
 Yet their desires, their will and mind. 
 Are so absorb'd in the Jivine— 
 
 That they comply most cheerfully 
 With all that can God glorify. 
 Or benefit their fellow men j 
 To all of whom their love extends. 
 
 While such a godlike state of mind, 
 Is beneficial to mankind; 
 The subject of it do possess, 
 The only solidliappiness. 
 
 Which thro' the shifting scenes of time, 
 Can satisfy the human mind ; 
 'Tis always new, will ever last, 
 While other hopes and prospects blast. 
 
 On Spring. 
 
 JljLAIL! joyful Spring ! at thy return, 
 
 The fields and forests ceas'. to mourn 5 
 
 All nature bids thee welcome here : 
 
 The northern winds and snowy squalls 
 
49 
 
 Forbear to blow, and cease to fall. 
 And hills long covered now appear. 
 
 The sun dissolves the ice and snow; 
 The streams their channels overflow. 
 
 To cheer and fertilize the soil : 
 The trees assume their summer garbs— = 
 The earth bedect with flowers and herbs j 
 
 On all her children seems to smile. 
 
 The cattle from the barn releas'd. 
 Partake of a delicious feast j 
 
 The playful lamb and sprightly calf— 
 The stately ox and bounding steed, 
 In flow'ry pastures sport and feed, 
 
 And from the chrystal fountains quafF, 
 
 The feather'd songsters now return, 
 And join^to usher in each morn 
 
 With musick in harmonious lays ; 
 With joy thro' fields and groves they fly, 
 Each with the other seems to vie. 
 
 In chanting their Creator's praise. 
 
 While beasts and birds with insects join. 
 To praise munificence divine ; 
 
 Let man, the lord of all below. 
 According to his station raise, 
 The sacred song of solemn praise. 
 
 To him from whom all blessings flow. 
 
 The plants and trees in gayest bloom. 
 To beauty add a sweet perfume ; 
 
 And form delightful walks and bowers, 
 Protected from the scorching heat. 
 Where friends and lovers fondly meet. 
 
 And sweetly pass their leisure hours. 
 
 The meads with grass and flowers adorn'd- 
 The verdant woods and fields of corn — 
 
 The flocks and herds upon the plain ; 
 Meandering streams and purling rills, 
 Descending from adjacent hills, 
 
 Conspire to beautify the scene 
 
 3477-X^ 
 Lot 69 
 
THOSE who may peruse what is contained in the following 
 pages J and are unacquainted with the author, will probably be grat- 
 ified by the concise account now given respecting him. JuDAH 
 Wright, the author of what is here presented to the public, was 
 born in the town ofHolden, and state of Massachusetts, in the year 
 1774, and still lives in that town. 
 
 He was deprived of sight when an infant, and never could distin- 
 guish a letter of the alphabet. What knowledge he has acquired, 
 has been by the aid of the organ of hearing. He of en speaks with 
 great sensibility of the kindness of those who have read to him— 
 which his friends and neighbors often do. His father died token he 
 was young, about the age of 12. His mother was left a widoiu with 
 slender means of support. She is now considerably advanced in life, 
 resides ivith him j and to her he is no small source of consolation.— ^ 
 His own hands minister to his support in life. His principal occi> 
 pation is making baskets, tvhich are constructed by the sense of feel- 
 ing. 
 
 The reader will not expect in this case, the flowers of the refined 
 poet 5 but may be pleased loith some serious truths and valuable sen' 
 timents, which he may here find, clothed in very decent and intelUgi-^ 
 ble language. 
 
 The request of some friends, and not the amhiiion of being an au- 
 thor, has brought forward these poetic essays to public view ; and 
 the present writer can with pleasure add, that the author is a worthy^ 
 deserving member of society, and most highly esteemed, where he is 
 best known, 
 
 A Friend to the Author- 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Lines to a Lady, - - ' ' " 
 
 On Resignationy . - - ' - 
 
 On Haymaking, - - ' ' ' 
 
 On presenting a Rose to a Child, 
 
 Sin and Misery connected, - - " 
 
 A miscellaneous poem on the Useiof Means, §c. 
 
 On the Pleasures of Sense, - ' ' 
 
 On Gambling, - ' ' ' 
 
 On Drunkenness, - ' ' 
 
 On the Millennium, - " ' 
 
 On Benevolence, 
 
 On the Spring, - ' ' ' 
 
 On the works of Creation and Redemption, 
 
 On Friendship. - ' ' ' 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 ^- ^,^ %, 
 
CONGRESS 
 
 LlBRARY.Of^, 
 
 018 602 004