jU "^JlJAINn-JV -f :"i •W' jflAIIfO/^;^ ^Of-C "T) ^^ c: .'liJrlVMJl^ -•VAClVaiJli-i^ .^^ '- V :--' L- c ^i/'AaViiyiiiV^^ 'v;j'l^j^;.i,U\"^' '-/ad]Airiajn> v> ^ C^:zyy^£<^^^:i^-Cr THE SHIP'S CAREER AND mum Piiii, BY G. J. WILLIAMSON. THIRD EDITION i THOMAS MURBY, BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STRHET. 1367. PKIMXJBR BY U. (J. SAVAGE, SUTTON STHEETj C031JIEHCIAL ROAD, EAST. ~?R I COnSTTEIsTTS. TAGE Preface ... ... ... ... ... ... i- The History of my Life ... ... ... v. The Ship's Career ... ... ... ... 1- On the Value of the Soul ... ... ... H- Christ Curcified ... ... ... ... ..• 13. The Pearl of Days ... ... ... ... 16. An Acrostic, by Mr. J. Carr, of Ipswich, to Mr. G. J. Williamson 17. Lines on the Death of Prince Albert ... ... 18. My Much Loved Prize ... ... ..• 20. The Lost Soul's Lamentation... ... ... ••. 21. The Ilotumed Prodigal ... ... ... -2. Lines to the Christian Churches on the Grand Exhibition of LS62 ... ... ... ••• 23. My Redeemer ... .. •■ ... ^^• Lines to my Friend, Mr. John Baxter, or his Fifty-second Birth-day ... ... ^*^' Home, Sweet Homo ... ... ... .•• "^1- Ode on the Marriage of the Prince of Wales ... .32. Ode on the Priuccss Alexander .. ... .•• 33. Sabbath Meditations ... ... ... ••. -^4. My Native Land ... ... ... ... 30. Tempus Fugit ... ... ... ... •• ^^^ Earthly Pleasures ... ... ... ... ^'J. Lines en the Thoologicial Institution, Richmond, Dedicated to the Rev. J. Cunningham, Missionary to India ... ... ... ■• ... "lO. Lines cu seeing two little Gii'ls wocpiug over their Mother's Grave O'Rm''tJ0>*^0 ••• ••• ^'^' iv, CONTENTS. The Christian's Crown .. ••• ••• 42- Christ our Intercessor ... ••• ••• '*'^* On T. C. Pearson, Esq., Mayor of Hull, on the occasion of his presenting a Park 1o the Inhabitants of the Town ... ••■ ••• i,"- Lines on the Poor Outcast ... ••• ^:^- A Tribute of Affection lo tlic Memory of Miis L. ..I. 51. Lines on Time ... ••• •■• ••• ^"• The Dyinp; Christian's Farewell to his wife ... od. Lines on the Death of a Daughter of a Friend ... 55. Lines on the Ordination of Missionaries at Lambeth Chapel ... - ••• ••• •-• ^'• '• Come unto Me, all ye that are weary and heavy laicIcD, and I will give jou rest." ... ••• ••• ^8. Lines on the Drunkard ..• ••• •■• ^1* Lines on Memory ... •■• ••• ••• ^^' Hymn of Invocation ... ... ... ••. ^*' Lines on Garibaldi, Freedom's Hero ... ••• 65. Poor Jack ... ... ... ••• ••• ^'* The Shipwreck ... ... ... ••• ••• ^^• The Dying Child to its Mother ... •■• 'J- Song of the Fishermen .. ..■ ••• ••• ^^• Hymn of Praise to Jesus ... ... ••• ^^' Our Sabbaths of Rest ... ••• ••• ••• °|' O Jesus I am Thine ... ••• ••• ••• °^* Living to Christ, and Adorning our Christian Profession 8fi. Lines on Foreign Missions " I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." The Life Boat °J- Life's Sermons --. ••• ••- ••• ^'■' Hymn for Bermond?cy Ragged School, (Dedicated to Mr. W. Pennv, Secretary) .- .. •• ^2. On tlie Death of His Giace Algernon Percy, the Duke of Northumberland . - - • - • - ^^• Lines to Mr. Isaac Hunler Clark, on the Presentation of a valuable Time Piece •- .. •• ^^' Time Past .. .. .- •• •• ^7. On the Death of Mr. Hawkins, Leader of the Choir, at South wark .. .. .. •• •• ^°- To a Fiicnd who was much cast down, by reason of his Affection .. •• •• •• *'•'• " What shall I JCiider to the Lord, for all His mercies to mc ? ' .. . -• •• •• lui. '•Oh'. Every one tliattl.irstfcth, come ye unto the Waters" 102. The Christian Warrior'^ Welcome to llcitven, (Lines in Rememirance of the late John Vaunor, Esq., -. 102. The Mediator .. -• •• •• •• '^^^■ '•The Grass Withcrelh, the Flowers Fadeth but the Word of God Abidetli for Ever." .. .. •• 105. Pnblic Wor.-lip -- .. •• •• ■\^^- The CLrietiaii'B Victory over Dtalh .. .. .. 10/. 86. 88. CONTEXTS. V. The Rich and the I'oor meet together, thi- Lord is the Maker of them all .. ,. .. ... 107. The Mother's Care .. .. .. .. lO'J. Woman •• -- •. .. 110. Lines on hearing a Sermon, Preached by the Rev. J*mes Mayer .. .. .. Jli'. Rome, Ancient and Modern .. .. .. 114. Gratitude and Depcndance .• .. .. IIG. " Hold ihou me up, and I shall be safe" . . . . 117. The Law and the Gospel .. .. Ii9. The Heroes of our days, (The Indian Mutiny Defeated 121. Lines on the Death of a Medical Friend, who was good to the poor .. .. .. .. .. 122, The Murderer's Doom .. .. .. ]23. The Dignity of Man .. .. .. .. 124. The Contrast . . .. .. .. ., 124. The Autumn .- .. .. .. .. I'27. The Ages of Women .. .. .. 128. Epitaph, in Memory of my Mother, Isabella Williamson 129. Lines on the Dcpartue of a Beloved Minibter, to another Field of Labour .. .. .. .. 130. "Go ye into all the World, and Preach the Gospel to every Creature ' .. .. .. ... 131. The City, whose Builder and Founder, is God .. 133. Lines dedicated to S. Bevington, Esq , on the Re-opening of Bermondsey Ragged Schools .. .. 138. "The Fool hath said in his hca^rt, there is no God" 134. The Dreams of Mankind .. .. .. ., 135. Lines on a Ragged School Boy, who became a Minister and Missionary .. .. ... .. 138. The Goodness of God to man . .. .. 140. An Acrostic •. .. .. .- 141. Un the Desolution of the World .. .. i42. An Appeal to the Beaevuleut .. ... ... 143. Lines on Hope ... ... .. ... 445. An Acrostic ... 146. On the Birth-day of His Graci', Algernon Percy, the Most Noble the Duke of Nortliumberhuid 147. To Her Grace, the Most Noble the Dutchess, on the Duke's Birth-day ... 149. On the Dignity of Labour ... ... 160. On the Death of Agness Pearaf.n ... .. ... 153. Coleortou Hall, the Seat of Sir Geurge Bcuuniunt ... 154. The Dying Christian ... .. 15^. On the Bountiful Harvest of 1M58 .. Kil. The Merry Little Boys ... ... ... 163. Liues on the Re-opening 01" ."iuuthwark ('iia[iel, akcr Repairs ... ... ... 164. Liaes on Sabbath Schools ... 104. Lines on the Death of George J. Williamson, aged 18 mouths ... ... ... . 107. Lines on Dr. Jabez, Bunting, one of the Greatest Champions of Methodism iuid Miseionary Futcrpriee 169. Lines on a .Miser ... ... ... ... ... 173, VI. CONTENTS. " Pray without Ceasing" ... ... ... 176. Lines on tlie Bible ... ... ... ... 178. Pope Day .. .. ... ... 180. Lines to the Rov. R. M. Wilco.x:, on his leaving Southwark Circuit, af'rer a stay of Three years ... ... 182. Lines on the Fast, Present, and Future ... ... 183. On the Worldly Man of Business .. .. ISO. Lines to a Sister, on Giving her a Bible .. .. 18S- Lines on Friendship .. .. .. .. • 181). Ashby-de-la-zouch ... ... ... ,. 191. Lines on Luthor .. .. .. .. 201. The Crucifixion .. .. .. .. 201. The Resurrection ... ... ... ... 208. The Journey to Emmaus ... ... ... ... 214. Lines on the Transfiguration .. ' .. •• 218. Lines on the Bible, dedicated to the Juvenile Bible Society 221 . Farewell to the Rev. R. Sellers, Missionary to Australia 223. All these thinifs are against me .. .. .. 224. Lines on the Brig "Gem,'' .. .. .. 227. Lines on the Death of Admiral Lyons . . . . 228- Lines on Love ... .. ... 234. On Seeing a Majestic Elm Torn up by the Roots, by the Wind 235. Jacob's Dream ... ... ... ... 235. The Exile ... ... .. ... .. 239. Lines written on the occasion of going Pilot in the " Victoria Steamer," to Ramsgate, with a Party of Wesleyans for a Pleasure Trip .. 241. The Idiot iJoy ... ... .. 248. Lines on hearing the Bulls Ringing on the Sabbath -251. Tho Sailor's Grave at Sea ... .. ... 252. Lines on receiving an Inkstand as a Present from a Friend 254. Lines on hearing the Rev. Nehemiah Curuock, Preach a Jubilee Sermon, January 17th, 1864 ... ... 255. A Welcome to Christmas ... ... 257. Laugh and l>e Merry ... ... ... ... 258. Lines on the Death of my Parot ... ... 259. Evening Hymn ... ... ... ... 260. Lines on the Revivals of Religion ... .. 202. " Blessed are they that Mourn; they shall be Comforted'* 204. The Prodi-ill's Rolurn ... ... ... 265. Lines on I lit; old Departed Year ... ... ... 268. Lines on rlie Talk of Invasion by the French ... 2/0. Lines on Thomas Farmer, Esq., . ... ... 271. Lines on the Ragged School ... ... ... 272. On Seeing a .Moth Fly into the Flamo of a Candle' . . 275. The Dream of Heaven ... ... ... 276. Had I the Mind to Will ^Mankind ... ... .. 278. The Rille, the Voice, and the Pen ... ... 279. The Words of the Wife .. .. ,. 1^81. Lines on Mi.'^s Elizabeth C of Hull ... 282. Lines to lay Wife,, on our 21st Wedding Day, November 22nd, 1809 .. .. 284. CONTENTS, VII. An Appeal on Behalf of the Poor ... .. 285 Lines on 8. Gurney, Esq., M. P. Taking the Chaii at Foster Street itasiffed Schools, April 24th, 18U0 ... 287. Essex HallTea Meeting .. .. .. 288. Kotorospection of Life ... ... 290. Lines on the ])eath of my Friend, Rcv.G. P>. Strangways 222. Lines on AUred Hammond, who Died April MOth, 1858, Aged Two Years .. ... ... ... 294. Lines after hearing a Lecture by the Rev. W. M. Punshou 295. On Unbelief .. .. .. .. 296.. Lines on Tears . . . . . . . . 299. Lines on the Horrors of War .. .. ... 308. On Death ... .e. ... ... ... 314. A Kindly Word for All .. .. 315. Lines on the Loss of the Ship, " Royal Charter" . 31 1». Lines on Happiness .. ... .. 818. On God's Love to Man ... .. ... .. 320. Lines on the Annnal Wesleyan Missionary Meeting, at Exeter Hall, April 30tb, 1800 ... .. .. 322 Lines on the liose ... ... .. .. 3'24. Lines on " Bodies'' ... .. .. .. 325. The Tract Distributor .. ... .. 320. Affeetion ... ... ., .. •• 331. A Sinner Saved by Grace . . . . . 3;-5'i. The Vow ... .. ... 333. Lines on our Beloved Queeu s Journey to Leeds, to open the Town Hall ,. .. .. .. 335. The Christian's WarfVi re .. 337. Lines Dedicated to the Teachers of Sunday Schools .. 338. A Prayer on my Birth -day ... ... ... 339. Oar Brave Old Greenwich Boys . . 341. Lines on Class Meetings, dedicated to Mr. C. Cornell. Twelve Years my Leader .. ... ... 343. Trial by Jury .. ... ... 347. The Rifle Volunteers .. .. .. .. 848. Lines on the Resurrection . , . . . . 350. Lines on Mis8 A. B. Coutts ... ... ... 353. On Perfection ... . . 355. Hail the Blest Harvest again . . . ■ . ■ . 356. Lines to Sarah Stoddart Willis, on hor Sixteenth Birth-day . .. .. ... 357. On Decision . . . . . . . . 359. Lines on hearing a Blind Young Lady, Miss Scott, Play upon the Piano .. .. .. .. 360. Lines to Miss Sophia Madams .. .. 362. Lines on the Death of Mr. David Hamblin, at Madras, June 30th, !8o8 ... .. .. .. 3C3. The Village Chui'ch .. .. .. 365. Repentance .. ... .. .. .. 368. Scene from London Life, (Two Children) 369. Lines on the Visit of the New Zealand Chiefs to this Country .. ... .. ... ... 372. Spring ... .. .. .. .. 376. VUl. CONTENTS. Lines to the Ror. Daniel Pearson, on his leavinoj Richmond, as a Jlissionary lo the Britisli Army, in India, October 15th, 1«5'.) ' .. ... " .. 377. The Old Corenanlers , . . . 379. Lines on hearing the -Rev. John S. Workman. Preach from Job the 27th Chapter, part of llie ilst verse — " And now wc see not tho bright light which is in the clouds" .. \.. .. ... 379. Welcome to Garibaldi ... ... ... 382. Charity .. .. .. ... 384. Communion witli God .. ... .. 38.5. A Welcome to Garibaldi Dedicated to John Richardson, Esq., C.C., -Mover of the Freedom of tho City of London, to Garibaldi, and Hon. Sec. and Founder of tho Garilialdi Reception and Testimonial Fund 386. Ever be Cheerful .. ... .. .. 389. Truth shall Conquer All .. ... ... 390. The Security of England, is her Christian Religion 391. The Retrospect . . . . . . . . . . 392. Lines ou the Pulling Down of an Old Chapel, and Erecting a New (Jno on its site ... .. 394. Thoughts on Seeing Children at Play .. .. 395. Conscience .. .. ... .. ,. 396. Childhood .. ... ... ... 397. Candour . . . . ... . . . . 398. Hypocricy ... . . . . . . 399. Our Chelsea Pon=inncrp so P.ravo .. .. 401. Rejoice Oh, my Soul .. ... 408. Lines on tieBible dedicated to f lie Juvenile Bible Society iOJ. Onwasd and Upward . . ... ... 40.j. "Thy will be dene" . . ... 406. I will never leave thee ... . . .. -. 407. Heaven our home ... ... 408. Essay on Freemasonry ... . . 409. F^lIASl' mi StViaith U t'^t Jruu^ji xrf Mtnlqmx ^ti^ohhU EAR CnmsTAiN Friends, In introducing the Third Edition of my humble work, the only apology I can ofFor is, that I have received such encourage- ment from the public and kind friends, as to induce me to write many new pieces, which are added to the work, and the whole have undergone careful rcA-ision with a view to render the work as acceptable as possible, and I trust it may be as favoural)ly received as the former editions. I will take tliis opportunity of tendering my gratitude to my kind friends and the public, for the patronage and encourage- ment they have given me ; and I humbly hope that the present edition will become a soui'ce of good to all who read it, for this is my first and greatest desire in publishing, and not pecuniary recompence. I will venture to say that the sentiments will be found of a beneficial tendency ; thou^^h perhaps roughly written, they point to the paths of Truth, Honour, and Virtue. 31 PREFACE, 33elieving that tlie chief blessings I liave received on earth have flowed to me tlirough the channels of 'SVesleyan Methodism, to that body I feei I o^\-e a large debt of gratitude, — indeed a much larger debt than I can ever repay ; and as a recognition of the benefits I have received, I dedicate my literary efforts to the members of the Wesleyan body, who are spreading themselves and their doctrine through all parts of the world, and are champions of the truth as it is in Jesus. I may be asked, ''Are you not afraid to launch your small craft on the great sea of literature where so many have been wrecked?" I boldly answer, "Xo!" Another question may be asked, "Are you not afraid of critics, and that the waA-es of public opinion dashing over your little boat will overwhelm it ? " I again reply, " Xo ! " for I believe that when they see the author has done his best, and that in a good cause, they will not attempt to sink his frail bark, how- ever much they may differ from him. "NN'ith this belief I launch it without fear, for many small vessels have weathered a storm in which larofer ones have been wrecked. Yet another question may be asked, "Will you put it before the world in a meek and humble manner ?'' I should wish to do so ; but to j^rofess humility when we feel proud is false modesty ; and as I believe there is now far too much hypocrisy in the Avorld, I shall be candid, and ac- knowledge tliat I am proud of my little work, when I con- sider the limited education I have received, and threw myself with my pride and all my other failings upon the generosity of the public, with an anxious "desire that it may be read, and favourably receiA'ed. Though I am conscious the following pages still have many defects, yet I fond!}- hope they have not been written PREFACE. Ill iu vain, but that the work may be kindly taken by the hand by many, and meet with success. But oh, glorious thought ! should it dry up the tears of some mourner, or be useful in giving consolation in the smallest degree to the afflicted, or should some straying Christian find in it a line to cheer him on his journey through life, directing his aifections toward the belter land to which he is jom-neyiug, promised by his Lord, then my end would be answered, and I would humbly desire to shake the hand of that Christian in the spirit, for we are all pilgrims to the same Heaven, and in our Father's house are many mansions. In conclusion, I would add that there will be found in the work several pieces of a loyal and patriotic character. It has been my desire in these effusions to express my deep sense of the inestimable value of the Constitution under which we live, my love and veneration of the exalted virtues and example of the Roj^al Family, and the fullest amount of Keligious Liberty enjoyed by every class of the com- munity. That we may all meet in a better world^ where sin and sorrow are unknown, and happiness reigns supreme for ever, is the fervent prayer of your faithful friend, THE AUTHOE. THE IIISTOEr OF MY LIFE. The following sketch of the history of my life is from memory, consequently it is in many parts very imperfect ; hut the reader may be assm'ed that I shall write nothing but the plain truth, which is stamped upon my remember- ance. I was born of poor parents in the city of Kochester ; my father was a fisherman, and had to labour hard for the bread that perisheth, and my mother helped to support us by binding shoes, but still ii was a hard struggle to keep the wolf from the door. I remember having a kind grand- mother: who, I have heard my mother say, was greatly persecuted on account of her religious principles, being locked out of doors, and having to walk about the yard on many a bitter cold night, because she would continue to go to Meeting, being a Wesleyan — for persecution was carried on openly to a much greater extent at that time (upwards of fifty years ago) than at the present. But Methodism is fast outliving the prejudices once raised against it. All honor to those Christian heroes, both churchmen and dissenters, who have so nobly upheld the sacred banner of the Cross, and transmitted it to posterity unsullied ; such men as Kidley and Latimer, champions of the truth, who could exclaim, when bound to the stake, — *' None but Christ ! K'one but Christ ! " My first days were spent at an infant school kept by a woman, who inspired oiu* little minds with awe under the "^1 THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE. title of '< governess." And I still have it firmly impressed upon my mind, tliat very often a piece of whalebone (part of a lady's dress, I believe,) came in contact with my hand, and. I also remember that these two parties were never on -the best of terms, and I doubt very much whether such chastise- ment in the slightest degree assisted my progress in learning. When I was six^or seven years of age, I remember going down the river Medway on board the frigate "Phaeton," of which ship my uncle, George Knowles, was boatswain ; she was lying off Sheerness for the Admiralty to try the ex- periment of using cast-iron masts ; they could not make them answer then, although in the present day we have iron ships, iron ropes, iron houses, iron churches, and so many other things made of iron, that this may be termed the iron age of the world. After I had been some time with the governess, I was sent to a commercial school for a short time, but as my parents could not afford to pay eighteen-pence a-week for my schooling, I was taken from that one and sent to a charity school, where the payment was only one penny a-week, I was there nearly twelve months, and made some progress in reading, but very little in writing or arithiMetic. I well remember the fights the several schools had wath each other, at which we were drawn up in regular armies with leaders, and fought regular pitched battles ; and w^hen a prisoner was taken we formed ourselves into two rows, and he had to run the gauntlet between us, assisted in his progress by smart cracks from all within whose reach he came. Being taken from school, a situation was procured for me at a milliner and dressmaker's, and, of all the places in life for a boy to obtain, I feel this must be the worst ; I was continually on my feet from seven in the morning, till eleven THE HISTOHY OV my hlFE. TH and twelve o'clock at nig^it, au 1 this I should not have minded could I have given satisfaction, but that seemed impossiblp, for I got a crack from one and a slap from another, until I was almost wearj of my life, but being out one day I received a finishing stroke to my conuesiou with the millinery business. A buy iimch larger than myself, whom I had offended, wreake 1 his vengouce upon the band-box I was carrying and smashed it to pieces, and completely spoilt two bonnets I was taking home to a lady ; the boy's father had to pay for the bonnets, and I received my discharge and a severe reprimand and went home. ^ly parents thought me incorrigible, and tlie only good to be done with me was to send me to sea, as they could not afl'ord to keep me idle. I was sent on board the ship of a notorious smuggler belonging to the city of Rochester, who had lost five vessels in the practice of smuggling ; I did not stay long with him, as my father wanted me in a small vessel of his own, into which I was installed. As we were sailitig down the Medway one cold Xovember morning just before daylight, we saw a boat belonging to H.M.S. " Prince Regent," \vhich had upset, and five men were clinging to it ; we were fortunate enough to rescue them, and not a minute too soon, for we had scarcely got them on board, when the boat went down, and they would all have surely perished, as they were so beuuiubed wiili cold that they could hardly move. I will relate an incident that occured to me during my stay on board the smuggling vessel : — "We had taken a load of oysters to Billingsgate Market, and after Bailing all night we arrived off Greenwich early in the morning, when I was sent to keep watch ; being very tired I though that the best place to keep watch was to get up into the truss of the main- VIU THE HISTORY 0? MY LIFE, sail. I accordingly got up there, and scon fell fast a«^leep and rolled down into the wet mainsail ; I laid there till it ■was low-water, and the boat was about to proceed to Billings- gate. I was soon missedj and a great search was made for me, but I was not to be found ; after a long time, when I had been given up as lost or drowned, on the men letting go the truss of the sail to get the vessel under weigh, I fell down right across the boom fortunately much more freightened than hurt, greatly to the satisfaction of myself and all on board. I had at that time a wen growing on my right eye. It became so large, that it was feared I should lose the sight of the eye. I went to St. Thomas's Hospital with a friend of my father, and having been examined by some of the doctors I was told by a white-haired old gentleman that unless I had it cut I should very soon lose the sight of that eye. This gentleman spoke so kindly to me, that I told him I thought I had courage enough to go through the operation, and I ex- pressed a wish that he would do it himself. lie instantly took ms at my word, but when I was bound to the chair I felt my courage fast oozing away ; yet as I had gone so far, I was ashamed to retreat, and therefore submitted with the best grace I possibly could. I must own that the cutting caused me so little pain, that I scarcely felt it ; but when the roots were extracted the pain was so excruciating that I fainted away, and remained insensible for some time. "\Then I came to myself, I found I had my head bound up, and was then very glad to think that I bad had ihe courage to go through the operation. It left a scar over my eye, but I liave felt no pain since. I must not let this opportunity pass without offering my v^'arm tribute of praise to those valuable Samaritan Institutions — the hospitals of our country. All honour to their noble and benevolent founders ; all honour THE HISrOUY OF MY LIFE. XIX to the rnemory of their past supporters and fiicuds, and also to those worthy men who are still generously using a large share of their means annually to cheer the spirits and ease the pain of their suffering fellow-creatures and provide an asylum for the afflicted, however poor, free of expense. From what I have seen, heax-d, and read T do not believe there is a country in the worll where poor afflicted humanity is so w^ell cared for as in England, thanks to the noble generosity of the more wealthy and benevolent citizens. But to return to my father's little vessel. She was a very old one, and having once belonged to a painter, she was nick- named the " Paint-pot." After it had been raining all night, we got up one morning completely wet through, in consequeuc^j of the deck leaking so much. This reminds me of an incident that occurred to my grandfather's \)rother Frank. He was owner of just such an old boat as my father's ; he had directed his son James to put the bed out to dry on the stern part of the boat, for it had rained the night before, and not only soaked the sleepers, but likewise the bed, upon which they were lying. After the bed had lain there some time, the rain began to pour as it had done the night bfc fore, and, fearing that the bed would become soaked again, the boy asked his father what he should do with it. "Oh ! " replied he, joking, '• if you can't find any other place for it, throw it overboard." The boy thoiight it a strange order, but after consideration he concluded that a I ag of wet straw was of no great value, and accordingly threw it overboard. When the father saw that he had been taken at his word, he very coolly took the boy in his arms and threw him in after it. The boy being a good swimmer, was soon, picked up by one of the pther boatf, but he did not dare to come into his fathers piesen.e agiiu that day. The manner X THE HISTOEY OF V.Y hlTE. in which these fither-boys are treated is in general shameful, auci requires a law to alter it. We have laws for the prevent- ion of cruelty to animals, and surely there ought to be a law to protect these poor fishei"-boys from the inhuman usage inflicted by their unfeeling masters whilst out at sea. My father's only brother perished in a snow-storm : his little vessel being sunk by the violence of the gale, he wrap- ped himself np in the mainsail, to protect him from the snow, and was found next morning frozen to death. JMy grand- father was more fortunate ; for after the vessel went down, he was washed on shore nearly dead, but being picked np by a fisherman, who took him to his home and nourished him, he recovered. He served in one of Nelson's ships after this, and though he fought in several battles, he w\as never wounded. On coming home, however, he was superintending the sling- ing of a butt of rum, which was being hoisted from the hold of the vessel, when the slings broke, and he fell head foremost down the hold, and fractured his skull. He had it trepanned and a plate of silver fixed in it, which remained there till the day of his death. While I was in tlic " Paint-pot," my father had an appointment to sell oysters in London for the Rochester Oyster Company, and my grandfather was left in chai-ge of the vessel. The old gentleman frequently promised me a liberal supply of ropes-endings and pitchings overboard, but luckily for me he never kept his promises ; but he gave me regularly sixpence a week for myself, not, as he said, because I deserved it, but with a view to encourage me to become a better boy. My father had an apprentice, who occasionally was very fond of bestowing a kick or a cuff upon me, which would call forth the interftrence of my grandfather, who seemed to con- sider it his sole privilege to knock me about,J although he THE HISTORY OP MY LIFK. XI seldom exercised it. ^yhcu I had grown to nearly the size of the apprentice, I cliallenged him to a fight, and notwith- standing his superior strength, and the hraising I got, it was declared a drawn battle. Soon after this he went on board a man of war, and is now in Geenwich Hospital. ^Vhilst dredging for oysters off Sharfleet," in the beds of the Roches- ter Oyster Company, I was in the act of throwing the dredge overboard, when it caught in my Guernsey shirt and dragged me with it. I was some time under water before 1 could clear myself from the dredge, and what was most surprising to those on board, I threw the dredge over on the weather side, and I came up on the lee side, which showed that I had gone quite under the vessel's keel— a dredge is a large iron machine with a net attached to it. During the time we were dredging about this place, three whales came into the river Medway, and staid for two days. Several persons tried to shoot them, but without success. About three days afterwards a large one was taken ashore at Gray s, and from the des- cription that was given of it, I considered it to be the largest of the three I had seen in the Medway. I was now about thirteen years of age, when my grandfather died, and left me in charge of the vessel. I have said she was a very old vessel, but she was now usually so bad as to be nearly always half full of water. During an easterly gale she sprung a leak, which gained so fast that we were obliged to run her ashore. She did not require much breaking up, for the bottom nearly dropped out the moment we got her ashore. After this I went on board the "Diamond," for the ma( kerel season, with Mr. A. Smith, now pilot, of Gravcsend. What money I earned, I carried home to assist my fixther in the purchase of another vessel. He bouglit one for six poimds — a very old one of course ; but after he had got it into repair, it proved the best he ever possessed. / / Sn THE HISTOBY OF MY LIFE. After it was fitted out, -which cost nearly seventy pounds, I went ou board as master, with my two brothers, AYilliam and Henry ; and in one season by dint of working hard, we cleared off the debt that was upon the vessel, but met with a heavy misfortune. We were blown away from our anchors during a heavy gale of wind, and despite all our efforts, we drifted towards the shore. Here the waves broke over the vessel so furiously that she veiy soon sunk ; we had to scram- ble as well as we could to the highest part of the marsh, and pile the hatches one upon another to keep us out of the reach of the tide. Here we remained for some time almost be- numbed, for the weather was extremely cold, and- saw no other prospect but drowning ; when, just as our courage began to droop, we saw a small vessel running into a creek, to escape the fury of the storm. "We hailed her, and were over- joyed when she came and took us off from our perilous situat- ion ; had she been a short time later we should certainly have been lost, as the hatches began rising beneath us from the force of the tide ; and this very tide rose so high that the fields and gardens of Eochester were overflowed, and a poor school-master's wife was drowned in her bed on Roches- ter common ; her name was Leader. We were all very kindly treated by our rescuers, and after we had eaten and drank, we fell asleep and forgot our troubles. The next day being fine, we went to see the state of our sunken vessel ; she was deeply imbedded in the marsh, but not so much damaged as we expected ; we set to work at once, and by digging her out and stopping the leaks, we succeeded in floating her out the second day after the storm. We took her to Hochester, and put her into the hands of a shipwright, and I went to sea again to earn more money to a-sfiist my father in defraying the expenses of repairing. I THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE. XIU fitiished my term of appreuticoship, but beiug too young to take up my freedom, I went on board the "Gazelle," the property of Mr. Guston, one of the elder brethren of Trinity House. She was a new vessel and was launched one Saturday from Mr. Meckiff's yard, at the entrance of the canal, Roches- ter, and on the following Saturday she sailed in a match of the Thames Yacht Club, and won by a considerable distance. About this time a considerable impression was made upon my mind by reading some stray leaves that fell into my hands ; they were leaves from that epitome of piety entitled, " The whole Duty of Man " I read them, and trembled for the future ; but the impression did not last long, for when I sailed on a Sunday in our yacht, I laid the flattering unction to my soul that it was no siu for me to do so, but that the whole of the sin rested with the master of the vessel. I much improved myself in writing about this time, by taking copy- books on board, and imitating the written copy at the top of the page. I am very sorry to say that I was also much addic'.ed to gambling, particularly playing bagatelle for money, at which I was rather expert. One night I won a young man's gold watch by play, and he was so overcome by despondency, that I returned his watch to him, and vowed I would never gamble again. After I had been a season on board the yacht, I left her to go on board a brig, on whose books I was first placed as half- man, but I soon get the pay of a full man. I was not long in tlie brig before I accepted an offer of a better situation, as mate of the"Aboyne." During my stay in this ship I got married, and that very economically, for ours being the first marriage the clergyman had performed he did it without any charge. I had a very narrow escape from drowning while in this vessel ; through the violence of the wind, a huge wave XIV THE IIISTOHY OF JJY LIFE. daslied over the deck and swept everything away before it ; but we were luckily all iu the rigging at the time, and so escaped an almost certain death. We had a ftowdng tide at tiie time and succeeded in forcing the ship into deep water at the expense of springing a leak ; hut as we had good pumps, we very soon got the leak under. After this voyage I left the sliip, being tired of the coal trade, and my place was taken by my cousin James. The captain had a favorite dog on board, which my cousin de- lighted in teasing ; but by some mishap the dog fell over- board, and my cousin plunged in after it ; and although he was a good swimmer he sank and was drowned, but the dog was picked up about a mile astern of the ship, having been carried that distance by the tide. So many were the accidents about this time, that out of twelve apprentices with whom I was acquainted, eight were drowned. My wife had some little property left her after I had beeu on my last-mentioned voyage, with which I purchased a vessel. All went on prosperously, and I was able to pur- chase others, and soon increased my stock of vessels, through the goodness of God, to whose divine mercy and protection I thankfully attribute all my prosperity. Whilst running along the shore at Deal in one of my vessels (I had three at that time^ we struck on Deal Rocks, and were advised by the Deal people to quit the vessel, hut we did not think their advice good, and therefore remained. Our boat was soon[^ swamped alongside of us, and the vessel half filled with vater ; the wiud dropping, however, we were able to get her off the rocks into Ramsgate Harbour, very thank- ful to God for His merciful goodness in preserving us. An incident occurred on board this same vessel which I will narrate, vouching entirely for the truth of the circumstance. THE atr^Tonr of mv lifk. xt While crossing the Chaniirfl cue beautiful moonlight uight, my apprentice said, " Master, there is my mother sitting on the windlass." I looked, but saw nothing, and quite rediculed the iiiea, but he still persisted in liis assertion, and I then told him to see what time it was AVhen we arrived at llochestf r, he received intelligence of his mother's death, and on enquiry it proved to have occurred exactly the same night and hour that he declared he saw her sitting on the wnndlass. I now come to an important phase in my life, namely, my conversion. My wife was a constant attendant at chapel, and it was my usual custom to accompany her thither, although I did not benefit by it, until the light burst I prayed very earnestly to be forgiven, hut was still very miserable. Going down the river with a coast-guardsman, he noticed my des- pondency, and earnestly inquired the cause ; as I knew him to be a pious man, I imrescrvedly told him, and proposed prayer. He prayed long and earnestly for me, but I did not feel any better when he left me. The thought then struck me that my own prayers might accomplish my end, and I resolved at once to pray. Acting upon this resolution I knelt down in my boat and began the Lord's Prayer, w^ien light burst upon my soul, and I rose up and shoiited '■ My Father ! " This vy-as the happiest moment of my life, for 1 felt that my sins were pardoned, and my soul was filled with joy. I connected myself with the Wesleyans, and became a Sunday-school teacher and tract distributor. After I had joined them about twelve months, I took the Eethel flag on board my little vessel, and, when opportunity oflered, had prayer-meetings and services on board. T was much annoyed alt being called a hypocrite, and also at the statement that 1 had joined the people of God for the purpose of gain. While painting and repairing my vessel, I IVl THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE. •was often told that it was all gained through joining the chapel I resented these insults, and I am afraid sometimes I used intemperate language, but the more they saw it an- noyed me, the more they persisted in doing it. I next tried another course, and when they annoyed me, I quietly allowed that the chapel was a great benefit to me, and I gave them to understand that the same course was open to them, and that they might all partake of its benefits. By thus reasoning with them, and endeavouring to act as consistently as possible in my profession, I soon effectually stopped their annoyance. It was my custom when we could not work to collect as many men as I possibly could from the vessels about us, many of which carried the Bethel flag, and have divine service performed. I shall never forget the first time I conducted the service. There were seventy vessels in the harbour, and we mustered about sixty men to the service. I e.m sure that any Reverend Divine could not have restrained a smile if he had seen me at my pulpit (which was an inverted oyster-tub covered over with a clean white sail), dressed in my Guernsey frock., expounding the Scriptures to a congregation, who were accommodated with baskets and boards for seats We sang together greatly to our own satisfaction, more especially as we had a young man amongst us who played a clarionet. Although our harmony made no pretensions to rival the choirs of St. Paul's, or Westminster Abbey, it was conducted with earnestness and zeal, and afforded us a degree of holy j)lcasure, such as is not often surpassed by the more pretentious bodies of religionists. One of our congregation has since de- parted this life, and, we hope, has gone to heaven, leaving behind him a glorious testimony of his righteousness. Another is now a fisherman preacher at Colchester, and is labouring very acceptable in the AVesleyan Society. Others are mem- bers of various churches, and I rejoice to find them still THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE. XVU looking ZionwaH, longing for the bcttei* home, an'l though time hath wrinkled their brows aud whitened their locks, their chief regret is that they have not served their Master bette", whom they have found ever good, ever just, ever Joviug, and ever merciful. While at Dunkirk I saw a very beautiful piece of sculpture representing Chi-ist upon the cross ; a great many people kissed the feet of the piece of sculpture, and an irresistable impulse induced me to do the same ; immediately an in- descriable feeling of joy took possession of me. Tiie people seeing a rough fisherman kiss the feet of their Lord, came and shook hands with me very kindly, and though I did not understand a single word of French, nor they a single word of English, yet we understood each other, being servants of the same God ; and I doubt not that, should I ever rea. h heaven, I shall meet many good Catholics there. It is a cue- tom in France to place flowers on the graves of the dead ; and on most of the crosses and tombs are glass boxes con- taining wreaths of small "Immortelles " While sauntering about the churchyard of Basville, a small town about a mile from Calais, I saw two girls decking the grave of some lately departed one ; one girl was about eight years of age, aud the other about eleven ; and as they placed their wreaths of "Immortelles'' upon the grave aud wept, I felt that I should have been glad to have known the French language, that I might offer them some consolation ; and as 1 heard them weep, I could not help weeping myself, and thouglit, Oh ! if that departed mother were able to see the affection of her offspring, it would repay jher for all the pains and cares she had bestowed upon them while on earth. But alas! how few children seem to know the value of a kind parent until they are taken from them by death, and then how many a prodigal Bou has mourned over the corpse of an affectionate father, XVIU THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE. ** whose grey hairs he has brought with sorrow to the grave." How many a gay aud thoughtless daughter has had to shed bitter tears over the grave of an affectionate mother, who taught her the infant prayer, and strove to lead her in the path of virtue ! and when friends are laid in their last resting place, then we remember all their acts of kindness to us ; and if it be a fond mother, who^e heart we have caused to thrill with anguish by our ingratitude, how our busy mind will recall the scene, and make us wish we had acted difterently ; or should it be a father or a wife, how sorrowfully we look back to the time when we caused them pain by our unkindness. Out of twelve young men who wt re my acquaintance^ when I was apprentice, I believe there are but thi-ee now living ; six of them, were drowned, and the other three met with sad and fearfirl ends; one, a very wicked man, was crushed between two ships ; another I visited just before his death and found him in a fearful state, for he was covered with virmin and totally unconscious of everything around him. I merely relate these incidents to show what a debtor I am to God, who has prospered me, and kept me out of the paths of sin and wickedness. I have tried in my humble way ever since I gave my heart to God , to labour in His cause, as Sunday-school teacher, and tract distributer, and I have preached in the Workhouse to the poor. I have been Sociefy Steward at Southwark Chapel, Long Lane, Bermondsey, for three years, and I declare, from the bottom of my heart, in language of ^.-^cripture, that '• I would rather be a door-keeper ' in the House of God, then dwell in the tents of wickedness." I now come to the cause of my first attempt at writing poetry. A young Lady of my acquaintance was about to celebrate her birth-day, and solicited all her friends to send her a piece of poetry as a birth-day present and I was asked among the number. I declined at first, as, although I was THE HiiTOUY OF MT I IFE. XII forty-two years of age, I had never attempted to wrile a line of poetry in my life. However, as the young lady would accept of no denial, I was obliged to comply, and with the idea that my attempt would effectually cure her of asking me again. Judge then my surprise when I was told that mine was the best of the pieces sent. When my wife heard of this ehe told me that we had been married twenty years, and she thought she was entitled lo some, so I wrote her the second piece. Since that time I have occasionly written pieces, sometimes on board my vessel, sometimes in my counting- house, and also when travelling. It is my custom to carry a small book and pencil in my pocket, so that when anything strikes my mind I may note it down on the spot. I cannot say I am desirous of becoming a poet, but I have laboured hanl to write the pieces I now present to the public. I sin- cerely hope that, if they serve no other purpose, they may be the means of saving some immortal soul from perishing. The pieces have all been written since 1 have been connected with Billingsgate, and I feel tlmt this fiict must tend rather to enhance their value than to create any prejuJice against them. It has been my privilege to meet with gen- tlemen connected with that market, who I boldly affirm, would be a valuable acquisition to any company, however h"gh it might be. I am proud to own the many advantages I have derived from the association and conversation of buch men; it has tended very mucli to rub off that roughness of demeanour, which genei'ally characterises men of a seafaring life, which wonld otherwise have attached itself to me. It would be invidious to select individuals, for I have met with respect from every one, except in one or two instances, which have occurred when the parties have been drinking. Ex- perience has shown me that if you treat a man like a dog, he will hate you ; but if you treat him like a man, he will respect X^ THF. niSTOKY CF 51Y LIFE. you, T do uot think vre should have so many strikes among the working classes as we have if employers, would condescend to reason with their workmen, and show them they feel an interest in their welfjire, and recognize as men those whose muscular frames and sinewy arms are hourly building them up inimense fortunes. I say we ought not. and should not, lose the goodwill of any man, no rr.atter how poor he may be. What a deathbed that would be, when, after living three score years and ten, we could not say with truth that we had done a single good deed or action towards our fellow creatures. It is assuredly the imperative duty of every man and woman to leave the world better than they found it. The man who professes to love his country, and does nothing to benefit hit fellow-countrymen, is a hypocrite. If we, in this little sea- girt isle, are blessed with the gospel, it is our privilege — nay, it is our duty — to propagate the glorious gospel to the most remote and distant parts of the globe, that the savage and heathen may be brought to partake of the life-giving fountain of mercy, and raise thsir voices in shouts of gladness for the nation that bi-onght them the glad tidings of everlasting sal- vatioiL Thus England will become the life-boat of saving grace, and God with His mighty arm will ever protect us. From one of the steam vessels crossing the Atlantic was seen a man floating on a piece of wreck ; a boat was dispatched and he was saved. When he recovered he said, " There's another man on the wreck ;" the boat returned and saved him also. Such ought to be the feeling of every man saved through Christ ; he ought to say, " Tliere's another still in the wreck." I believe I am the first fisherman who has written poetry, and therefore claim something iu ihe shape of originaHty in this respect. I do uot know why a fisherman ehould not wi-ite poetry, imless it is that his employment is n«t calculated to engender poetic ideas. But still the fisher- THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE. XXI man has been stamped with dignity by our Saviour choosing the Galilean fishermen for his disciples, and even now He sometimes chooses humble fishermen to preach His gospel^ and though they are generally rough men, they are very earnest, aud often accomplish a largo amount of good. Our captains and sailors too seem to have become a different class of men to what they were — more thoughtful and provident • many captains carry the Bethel flag, and are doing great good for their fellow men by having service on board. May Godt in His infinite mei'cy, grant that every ship may soon become a Bethel, and every sailor's heart His temple ! JNIay they carry abroad the Christianity of England, and thus propagate the gospel all over the world ! I once sailed in a barge with one of the most wicked captains I ever knew ; he was a most awful swearer and drunkard. When I became a visitor of the sick, one of the first persons I had to visit was my old friend the captain, who was so ill that there were little hopes of his recovery. I trembled when I knew I was to visit him but was determined not to flinch from my duty ; so I went ■with a trembling heart, but with a firm conviction that I was to be made a blessing to hirn. When I reached his door, my heart failed me, and my knees almost knocked together. I took courage, and knocked. The door was opened by his wife, who, thinking I was visiting him as an old acquaintance, said, "Ah ! poor Jack is sadly altered, you will scarcely know him." When I told her the object ot my visit, she looked amazed, and called her husband, saying, "Jack, here is your old friend George come to pray with you." He told me to come up stairs; I went up, and if I ever prayed in earnest, it was then. I sincerely trust he was pardoned, and hope to see him in the better world, where we shall join in songs to the Redeemer, who has rescued us from everlasting des- truction. XXll THE HISTOEY OF SIY LIFE. When I was a Ragged School teacher, I was rather fond of dress. One evening I went to the school, wearing a pair of light-coloured Angola trousers, which made me, in my own opinion, look very smart. It happened that I had in my class that evening, about sixteen boys, four or five of whom wera chimney-sweeps ; and while speaking to them about the love of Christ, they where so interested that they kept draw- ing closer and closer around me. Excited bj this best of subjects, I did not observe how close they had come; but when I had done speaking, I chanced to glance down, and saw that my Angola trousers looked as if they had been used to sweep a chimney with. My first impulse was one of anger; but when I looked at the sooty flice of one of the boys, and saw a line where a tear had trickled down while I had been speaking of the love of Christ, I felt that if I had had all tiie trousers in the world, I would have given them up to have rescued a soul from eternal death The first time I went to the Wesleyan Theological Insti- tute, I was inti-oduced to Mr. George Harwood, then the Governor of the Institute, by a student who told him I had been the instrument of his conversion. It appeared that I had been his teacher for four years in Bethel Sunday-school ; he is now a minister in the Wesleyan Connection, and I believe a very useful and acceptable one. Another one, who was in my class at the same school for nearly three years, stated on a chapel platform that I had also been the means of his con- version ; and he has now gone out to China as a medical Mis- sionary. To benefit both body and soul, he has been studying medically ; his attention has been principally directed to "diseases of the eye." May He who opened tlie eyes of blind Bartimeus, assist him by His Holy Spirit to enlighten the Chinese ! What an encouragement to Sunday-school ttachers ! for if they convert one. that one may Ic the rucaiii of the THE HrSrORT OF Mr LIFE. XXUI converdiouofa hunilred, or even a thousaud. It is my belief that if every coaverted sinner would set about converting another one, they would in nearly every instance be success- ful. What large numbers would then ba added to our Church ! The work of soul-saving would go on gloriously. But most of us are for leaving too much far our ministers to do, while we ought to sti*engthen their hands bv brinfjing: all we can under their ministry. It is the small streams flowing from various sources that form the mighty river; so must it be with dilTereut membei-s of our Churches. They must be like the small streams that run into great rivei-s; they must use their influenco both in public and private, until the Wesleyan river becomes a mighty ocean — cleansing with its waters every part of the habitable globe. They must their standard raise. On every clime and shore; Till the sons of Adam's race. Their Saviour Christ adore. For His kin.f^dom they must fight. Like soldiers good and brave; Must spread the Gospel's light. And all men try to save. They must their colours show. And scorn all shame and fear ; And let all others know. They'll do their duty here, Christ's banner of the Cross, They must disi)lay to all; Count earthly things as dross — Set men on Christ to call. His standard they must hoist. Whilst there's a soul to save; A pledge of love to Christ — Till they shall reach the gi-ave. Then they their Lord will meet. When victory here is gained; With love He will them greet. For truth they have maintained. He then to them will say, "Come, of My Father "blest! You've nobly gained the day, licceivc the iiromisod rest!" xxir THE nisroRY of jit life. lu the month of May, in the year 18G1, his Grace Algernon Percy, Duke of Northumberland, honoured me with an invitation to sue him, through the recommendation of Thomas Groves, Esq., his Grace's fishmonger. His Grace's desire was to improve the condition of the fishermen along his own coast, and to furnish them with the means to im_ prove their own condition. Complaints had reached the ears of his Grace, that the fishermen had often to lie still, and could not fish from want of mussels for bait, which caused them great loss, and this his Grace was desirous of remedy- ing, and desired to consult some person who understood the nature and traiinng of mussels and oysters, and to go and make beds on the coast of Northumberland, to carry out the object his Grace had in view. I accordingly went, and at the first interview I had with his Grace, the map of the coast of Northumberland was brought in, and his Grace went through it in a thorough seaman-like and busin-ss manner, and pointed out the most suitable places for the establishment of mussel and oyster beds. I was highly pleased with the cour- teous and kindly manner with which his Grace received and treated me. Alter asking me a few questions he instructed Thomas Williams, Esq., the steward of Northumberland House, to place one thousand pounds at my disposal, to use in the manner I thought most advantageous to make oyster and mussel beds for the benefit of the fishermen. After the interview with his Grace, I immediately set to work, and sent my vessel, " The Perseverance," with dredges and nets, to procure mussels and oysters. I also sent agents to different places to procure them, and sent them on to Alumouth, the place I had visited and chosen to commence operations, and this being a central position on the coast of Northumberland I thought would be the best place for ihe fishermen to get TUB HISTOEY OF MY LIFE. XXV their bait from. Another reason why I chose Alnmouth was, I thought it the quietest place I could lay them iu to grow and hreed, as their were few ships that went into the harbour to disturb them; and the sea could not come in to wash them away, as it bad done on the coast where the fishermen bad laid some before. Another reason that prompted me to lay them there was, that the place is opposite the residence of W. Dickson, Esq , the gentleman who has done a gi-eat deal for the benefit of Alnmouth, by building gas-works to supply the town with gas, and fitted up baths in a beautiful manner for the inhabitants and visitors, and erected other buildings for the benefit of the town. And I must say. that should the oyster and mussel beds succeed, it will be owing in a great measure to the kind assistance I received from this gentleman, who took a very great interest in it, and rendered all the as- sistance in his power to carry out the design. I had previously informed his Grace that I could not be answerable for the success of the undertaking, but that I would do my utmost to make it succeed. I had considered the difticulty of getting oysters and mussels to Alnmouth, as the fishermen had cleared them all away, both small and large, everywhere near the river Aln, so that I could see there would be great difficulty in the undertaking, but as his Grace was anxious to benefit; the fishermen, ho was willing to risk its success or failure. The Northumbrian fishermen are a fine race of men, and looking at these fisheries in a national point of viaw, I fcsl that should the Government at any time be in want of men for the defence of the liberty of our country, and safty of our BhorcB, there is not a better set of men then the seamen and fishermen of the northern coast of England. And I believe it to be to the interest of the legislature, as well as its duty, to encourage all fisheries, not alone for the enormous amount •^-^^'^ THK HISTOnr OF MT LIITE, of food thfy produce for the people of all our inland to^ns; there is also this very important consideration : what excellent nurseries they form Lr our navy, frcm which true British hearts of oak can be procured in times of extremity and peril, to uphold our National Standard triumphant on the main. The first voyage of mussels was sent from Lynn, in Norfolk^ l)ut owing to calms, when they arrived at Alnmouth they were nearly all dead. The next voyage was a schooner load from Scotland, and of these nearly half died, but the next load by the vessel was in good condition. I bad some sent from Belgium by steam ship, and forwarded by rail to Alnmouth but I found it too expensive to have them that way, and was consequently obliged to discontinue having them from Belgium I proceeded to Stockton-on-Tees, froju whence we had some good voyages of mussels, which have formed a large bed at Alnmouth, and are going on prosperously, under the care and. management of AV . Dickson, Esq. Ttie oyster ponds required a great deal more labour in constructing than the mussel beds, consequently they were longer iu making, and more expensive. As soon as they were finished, we began to place oysters in tlie different ponds, of various sorts; we had natives from C ] Chester, oysters from the Isle of Wight, Falmouth, Jersey, and the Cliaunel. We had some also from Portsmouth Har- bour, Scotland, and Wales. AVe made twelve ponds, and luilt a large oyster house over one of the ponds; and after stocking the ponds with oysters, we then, by his Grace the Duke's desire, and under the superintendence of W, Dickson, J'sq , tried the French system of breeding, oystens, and suc- ceeded far enough to find the heathwood we had placed to cutch the spawn, nearly covered with small oysters; but whether it was from the lateness of the season, or the differ- THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE. XXVll ence iij climate, wo couLi not tell, but they did not come to perfection. My own ideas on the suliject are, that owing to the climate being so much warmer in the south coast of France, it would be far easier to produce oysters there artificially, than it can ever be on the coast of Northumberland ; the coldness of the north coast did not give the oysters a chance of coming to perfection. There was another thing that did great injury to the oyster beds at Alnmouth, and this was the river flood that broke over the banks of the ponds, and tilled them all over with mud and sand, destroying a large quantity of the oysters, and caused so much labour to be done a sec- ond time, that in my opinion, drove a great many oysters out into Alnmouth Bay. And if in a few years any should be found in the bay, or round about where the tide could carry the spawn from Alnmouth river, I should attribute the same to our laying down oysters there. As we tried day after day in the vessel with the dredges at differentpartsof the bay, and off by the Coquet islanJ, an I could not find the least sign of the presence of a single oyster, or even an oyster shell, should oysters be discovered in a few years anywhere in the locality, I should at once say that it was owino' to the efforts of bis Grace the Duke of Northum- berland, in trying the scheme of breeding on the Northum- brian coast, and to the assistance receive 1 ftoui W. Dickson, Esq., who manifested the greatest concern about it, and did all in his power to promote its interest. On Thursday, July 11, 1862, we took a party on board tlie vessel, consisting of Dr. Bruce, his wife and daughter, Mr. Brow, his wife and family. Rev J. Stevens and wife, ]Mr. Burnett and two sons, Capts. Clementson and Hickley, Wm. Purvis, and others. We took also a pilot on board, and had a day of inspection \o try to find oysters or mussels or any other shell-fiih in the XXVlll THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE, bay. We caught a few swimming-fish, but no shell-fish of any kind, although it appeared a very nice clean bay, and one where oysters and mussels would grow well. The oyster- house was made so that oysters might betaken from the sea- water, and eaten on the spot, and also to keep the stores required to work with in the ponds. The oyster grounds have not succeeded at present as a commercial speculation, but there have been, and still are, plenty of mussels, and, if left to increase without removing the small ones, there will in time be a very large supply. ^ I have written this, that it might he known that his Grace the Duke of Northumberland was the first person to intro- duce the artificial system of breeding oysters on the French plan into England. This was done at Alnmouth, in Northum- berland, in the year 1861, since that time othei's have tried the plan, but have met with little or no success up to 18G4; thus I consider the French system of raising oysters artificially in England has been a failure up to the present time. During the last four years I have been engaged in deliver- ing Lectures, for Eagged-schools and Sabbath-schools, and Young Mens' Christian Associations I have twenty lectures written, some of which I have given several times, and which have been generally well received, I have also found it de- lightful employment to preach as well as 1 was able, to the poor in our workhouses, and when I have looked upon them have thought their souls as much worth saving, and bringing to the Saviour, as a King's, Queen's, or an Emperor's. If the poor seem to be in a sad condition here as regards their tem- poral state, they may have a rich inheritance in heaven for ever ; God being no respecter of persons has provided a crown of glory, in the everlasting mansions for the poor as well as the rich, and it is their own fault if they will not accept it. THE SHIP'S CAREER AND OTHER POEMS. THE SIIIP'o CAREEn. How noble the structure is that which I view ! Plow fair the proportion and form Of the beautiful vessel, so graceful, and nev,- — • She's erected to weather each storm ! What tongue can foretell her a destiny bright, As she floats on the boisterous main ? Though she flies o'er the waves like a sea-bird so light, Who can say she'll return home again ? It seems as if art had exhausted its store In a form so enchantingly grand ; How proudly she looks, as she rests in her power, And waits to be launched from the strand ! Old England's fair ensign waves o'er her stern, And the Union-Jack over her bow ; The Standard of Royalty's hoisted in turn. Shows all is ia readiness now. 2 • THE ship's cakeer. "Kuock tlie d(*g shores away 1 " the builder hath cried, And lo ! DOW the mighty mass moves, — Sliding downward majestically into the tide, Like a swan to the water she loves Soon thro' her own element nobly she'll ride, See her masts are all ready to rear ; The rigging is also brought up alongside, And her large heavy cannons are near. The masts are put up, the caps fitted strong, The rigging goes forward with speed — The yards are all strung, so tapering and long, All must be a-taut they're agreed. The seamen the eails are beginning to bend, The riggers heave all taugh in place ; And to sea the great vessel is soon fit to send, As a bulwark of Albion's race. The ship is in trim, and the stores are aboard, A^ud now she is ready for sea; The sails are all up, and the anchor is stowed, And ths land is far under the lee. The glorious old colour that flies at the peak. With dishonour shall never be stained j AVhile freedom to all I is the voice it shall speak — Man's freedom it ever maintained. The poor negro slaves that are stolen from home, And sold like the cattle on shore. How dreadful their fate, if a ship never come To give them their freedom once more I "A sail ! Ho ! to leeward ! " the look-out now cries. From the topmost the place of the tar ; A lai'ge slaver schooner from thence he descries, With its Yankee flag looming afar. THE SHIPS CAREER. 3 «' Bear down, now, my boys I bear down on that craft ! Hoist aloft the true colours we v/ear ! Show that England s brave hearts are prepared, fore and aft, To free slaves wherever they are I" But the schooner flies fast o'er the white foaming main. While the groans from on board are distressing ; The slaves are shut up in the hold once again, And more sail on the ship they are pressing. Hark ! hark ! to that gun, as it sounds o'er the sea — See the shot as it bounds o'er the wave ; 'Tis a voice to the slave, to bid him be free. And tell him tliey're coming to save ! And now the shot strikes the mast with a crash. Which overboard goes with the sails ; The vessel iii ehase comes ou witli a dash. And her captain the slaver ship Lails. "^Ship a-hoy!" he cries with the Irumpet iu Land, ''Didn't yon mai-k the signal to back Your sails to the mast, before reaching the land, And your speed on the ocean to slack r"* "Now lower our boat!" the captain cries out: " This trim looking vessel now board ; His papers examine, and look well about. See what in his hold he has stored!'' He lowers his flag, they step upon deck, And search all his papers with care, From South Carolina, with rice loaded, back ; And all seems straighforward and fair. THE ship's CAEEEE, But a sickening stench from the hold doth arise, When the hatches are moved from their place ; God ! what a horrible sight meets their eyes, Which years can never efface ! There, chained fast together, the helpless slaves lie, Death marking them off for his prey ; How shocking the scene as for water they cry, While they one by one wither away ! Alas ! that mankind should e'er be so base, As to trade in the blood of a brother ! That mammon should bring so vile a disgrace. And God's creatures to torture each other ! The Redeemer He died to purchase us all. No matter what colour of face ; And the Gospel of love has bidden us call All brothers — of every race. Oh ! when shall this horrible trafBcking «;ease, The blood of the .slave washed away ? When America lives out the Gospel of peace. There will soon come a happier day. America's sons, wipe away this disgrace ; From you let it ever be hurled : 'Neath the sway of old England no slave can ye trace When the banner of Freedom's unfurled, See the slaver now being towed to the strand, And hark ! to the groans on the way : While many have died, and gone to that land Where oppressors can never hold sway. TlIK SUIl'.S CAREER. 5 What wonderful sights will meel their eyes there, As heaven's gates ope to their view ! Those poor wretchcl slaves, despised .so niuch here, With gl( trifled bodies made new ! JjuI where the oppressors when they leave the world, And their souls are called from the strife 1 Like Dives, alas I into hell they are hurled, For the woes of an impious life. Now the ship's work is done, for whicli she did sail, And the slaver is sold or destroyed ; And again she starts on with a favouring gale, All hands to make sail are ere ployed, Tiie joke is passed round, as she skims o'er the sea, The tars think of loved ones at home ; The laud is left far away under the lee, And on she flies through the white foam. But see that small cloud rising far in the sky, Coming on like a treacherous friend ; In the deepest repose does the azure sea lie, Hushed and silent the terrible wind. But list ! how the thunder booms over the main, And the winds waken up with dread moan j The lightning darts over the watery plain, Flashing round as the ship saileth on. And see ! the red lightning has struck the lone ship, As she ploughs through the merciless waves ; The gale in rude gusts driving her thro' the deep, While a foaming broad furrow she leaves. The topmast is shivered and split by the fliish. And the wild waves break over the deck ; "While all apprehending the finishing crash, Prepare to abandon the wreck. 6 THE ship's caeeeb. The -R-aters are raging and swelling around, With a terribly threatening roar, While the poor cabin boy sadly kneeling is found. He bewails that he ever left shore He thinks of his home with its peace-giving scenes, Of a mother who pillowed his head. Of a father so good, who laboured for means, Of daily supplying their bread Now he offers to Heaven the long forgot prayer, Taught him in his earlier days — "Our Father in Heaven," be cries, "O me spare I And my life 111 devote to Thy praise." And the sailor ofttimes, at the coming of death, With a swelling and penitent heart, Breathes the prayer of his childhood with soft saddened breath, When about from this world call'd to part. He thinks of the Bible that lies in his chest, — That Bible his mother has given ; Though often neglected, he now will protest. It shall hence be his guide unto heaven. But the storm has increased as the sun has gone down, AVith darkness of dreariest night ; While the skies arc portending with threat'i)iDg frown, They re lit with a deep lurid light, O could we have seen that morning so fair. With a breeze scarcely rippling the sea ; We could not have thought such a danger was near, As the sun rose in bright majesty ! How fair has life's morning too often began, And our path seemed all smiling with peace ; AMth youth's fondest ardour we laid out our plan, Kor dreamt that our pleasures would cease. THE ship's care En. 7 The castle illusive was built iu the air, Fancy tinged with a gorgeous glow ; Till life's sterner lessons that came to our share, Taught us happiness was not below ! And the bright'niug hopes of childhood's first years, Like bubbles, with dazzling hue. We blew from our pipes, with hopes and with fears, Saw them rising, then vanish from view I And as y«>.rs have rolled on iu life's rugged ways, And storms have o'ershadowed our course, Fond memory brings back our childhood's bright days, Rushing on us with fresh vivid force. Our lives seem a span, and our memories die ; Oblivion covers our fame ; Our deeds on the marble attract not an eye ; Forgotten as 't were but a dream. I covet no monument, marble, or shrine, That tim e shall crumble to dust ; The sculptor's fine emblem, the poet's chaste line — Or the praise -that on earth I was just. Much rather in heaven's bless'd book be enroli'd. Having souls to the good Shepherd led ; Eejoicing redemption's grand tale to unfold — How His life blood for them He shed. To be but an instrument in the bless'd place Of God's precious grace to us all, And the means of redeeming our poor fallen race. Are monuments never to fall. The crash of all ages, the wreckage of years, Cannot crumble the working divine ; Each soul that the image of Jesus Christ bears, In His kingdom for ever shall shine. 8 THE ship's career. On monuments ever undying — on these Would I humbly decipher my name ; Eeligion upholding with all its decrees, Which elevates nations to fame, But here I have -wandered away from the plan Of my writing the vessel's career; Your i^ardon I crave, and return once again To mark life as its quicksands appear. O how our life's voyage with storms is beset, Ever tossing ' mankind to and fro, "W hile trials and cares often cause him to fret, How to steer, oft he scarcely doth know. And thus the fine vessel she lurched and she rolled, While the waves mounted over her side ; Tinged by the lightning like shining bright gold, As their radiance shone on the tide. But the gale it still strengthens, the ship rushes on, The storm sails are needed all now ; Each moment more dang'rous it groAvs thus to run, And all hands must be heaving her to. The trysail is set — it has weathered the gale. All headsail is stowed and secure ; To the winds point the yards with tightly furled sail, The helm's hard-a-lee to make sure. The captain now watches the waves as they spend Their strength on the bark as they break; And the mariners all are at their wits' end, — And the ship (to make worse) springs a leak. The pumps are all manned, but the leaking increase, Their lives they work hard now to save ; They think of the loved ones they last saw in peace, Each expecting a watery grave. THE SHIP S CAREER. Hark ! hark to that cry, causing hope to expire, Death seems now awaiting his prey ; An alarm is now given, " The ship is on fire ! '* As they lay-to in Biscay's rough bay. How many brave hearts in those waters sleep ! Biscay's bay their last sorrows could tell, — Of loved ones that rest in its bosom so deep, "\^'ho of home and of life took farewell ! Peace, peace to their bones, where'er they are lai I ! Some coral cave hides them from sight ; But for them the widows and fatherless prayed, — Hope to meet them in Heaven's bright light. Some upon Christ with their last ebbing breath, Like the self-abased publican cried For mercy, free mercy to save them from death, And Jesus spake peace as they died. And they have gone where storms can ne er come, On angel's bright wings soared on high ; To live vdth. archangels in that blessed home, Of glory beyond the blue sky. But my muse seems determined to wander on high, From earth to divine things above ; Leaving all things below, in fancy to ^y, Where angels and saints sing and love Say, who can describe the horrors of fire On board with deep water around ! All hope from frail'men seems there to expire. And help from God only be found. But "Nil desperandum " the motto should be Of the sailor such scenes passing through ; How often in life he deliverance may see, When nought but death seemed iu full Yiew. iO THE ship's CAKEtE. The captain cries '* Courage ! ' aud bravely the crew With redoubled energy try To ifuench the fierce flames^ with hopes rising new That the storm may give place to bright sky. Aud they labour on hard and soon heave to shore; But. the fire, that once threatened to be Their speedy destruction, is burning no more, And they their deliverance see. The winds too are hushed and sunk into rest, And the ship safely holds on her ways ; Again is relieved the late terrified breast, And they shout their Deliverer's praise. And sailoi-s so brave, do the wonders all see Of that God whom all nature controls But how strange it appears that many should be fc-'o careless concerning their souls How mad a thing surely they ever should dare, With a plank only 'tween them and death, To break God's holy laws, without the least fear He should stop their presumptuous breath. The Psalmist declares they should all praise the Lord, That oft see His works in the decD ; J. y And the powgr and the goodness exalt, that afford Sweet protection awake or asleep. Oh, may the time speedily come that's foretold, When the fruits of the sea shall be given ; And God shall have saved our sailors so bold, And each ship be a Bethel to live in. Then, wherever they go, they will loud?y proclaim God's mercy to poor fallen man ; And sound with glad singing their Jesus' name, To accomplish salvation's great plan. ON THE VALUE OF THE SOUL. 11 But see what's the laud that now bursts on thelv sight ! The white cliffs of old England they view ; And home-joys to them that do so invite. They think of with sympathy true, And when they're all safe, to their children they'll tell. Hoy,- oft they deliverance have found ; How God in His love hath done everything well — For they're bock on old England's ground. If every blade of grass that is displayed In the green fields, in every nook and glade — If every leaf iu natures lovely scene Decking each tree and flower in hue of green — Were into emeralds turned, even the Ydiole Would be as nothing to tha deathless soul ! If every sparkling dew-drop seen at morn Glittering in hedge, on flower, or spreading thoru Like pendant brilliants — on each leaf or hough, Like purest crystal they with sunlight glow — Were to bright diamonds turue^l, then the whole Would be as nothing to the deathless soul 3 12 ON THE VALtTE OF TliV. SOVl» If every grain of sand round every sho e, "VN'ashed L}' the ocean, vast as is the store — Though infinite in number round each isle, Could all he gathered up in one vast pile. And to gold ingots turned, — even then the whole Would be as nothing to the deathless soul ! If e^ciy drop of every genial shoTrer That falls on hills, or plains, or lovely bower — That with it rich fertility doth bring, Till plenteous harvests from its blessings spring — "Were into rich pearls turned, even then the whole Would be in value nothing to the soul ! D If every star or planet seen by night, Studding the skies above with beams so bright — Or all we ever heard of — great and grand. From pole to pole^ fr?>m skies of exerj land. Were all together placed, even then the whole Would fail to purchase one immortal soul ! The soul will live when all ha.^ passed away, And time o'er worlds has ceased his mighty sway; Scripture declares these orbs shall all expir."", And earth dissolve in elements of fire: As long as ages ceaselessly shall roll,. God's breath in naan shall live — his deathless soul ! Then let ua aim and do the best we can To save the immortal soul of every man ; If others mock aiwl God's great boon despise. And will rK>t try to gain the glorious prize. But will be fools, rejecting God's control. We will Kis favour seek, and save the souL. 13 CHKIST CRUCIFIED. I often gaze upwards in stillness of night Beholiliug the planets, so glorious and bright. And think of their grandeur and size : And my soul is filled with wonder and fear. As I think of Him who created the sphere, — And to llim my spirit would rise. And I ask, "Can it be, that He who all made, Calling things into being by a single word said, Can e'er look with kindness on me — 14 CllETST CEX-CIFIED. AVealf, simple, and low, rebellious and wild, Oft spurning His love and mercy, so mild, Is or wishing his gloi-y to see ? " I think of the wondei-s attending His birth, When angels sung peace and goodwill to earth, And how that he laboured for all ; I think of redemption — the glorious plan, Stamping God's own image again upon man, To raise him from sin's dreadful fall. I think of the wondrous and great name of old, By saints and by prophets so often foretold, — O, Wonderful Counsellor He ! The omnipotent Grod, and the eternal Sire, The great Prince of Peace, the foretold Messiah, In Jesus the man we all see. I think of the wonders He here did perform, With stilling the waves, and calming the storm f While the devils away from Him fled ;] Of the lepers He cleansed, and the myriads healed, Sight gave to the blind, the Gospel revealed, And Lazarus raised from the dead ! I think of the prophecies now all revealed, And how that in Christ they all are fulfilled, And astonished, I stand at the plan ; That He who created the earth and the skies,— Wonder of wonders I in mercy He dies — On Calvary for lost guilty man, I think of the sun that in dai'kness was veiled, Of the cross on which He was cruelly nailed, W^hen in death He bowed His head ; I think of the temple's veil rent down in twain. Of the dear Son of God then dying in pain, And of some rising up from the dead. cnmsT catrciFiED. L- T thiuk of His love to the rabble and rout, Who repaid it again with their impious shout — "Away "with Him, let Him not live ! " And amid all their scorn, their hellish disdain, He did not of that one moment complain, l^ut prayed thus : *• Oh 1 Father, forgive;' I thiuk of the Eoman centurion's fear, As he gazed on the wonders exhibited there, Exclaming, "This must be God's Son ! '' 1 think of the power divine there displayed, Enough to make sin-living men all afraid ; And of the great victory -won. With stern indignation my heart ever burns, That His goodness should meet with such cruel returns- O could I have e'er done the same ? But alas still for me ! against Him I sin. Opposed to His Spirit the working within, And this ever fills me with shame. I think of myself through sin all undone And how uttei-ly helpless I am to atone. As the law now demands that I die ; But looking to Calvary, joyful I see God's only Son died and suffered for me, And by faith now for pardon I fly. Humble, and yet by faith I'm made bold. On the Saviour's dear cross I fix my firm hold, — If I die it still shall be there ; And as there I gaze, and my Saviour I view. Saying " Poor sinner, this is all for you ! " Faith banishes all of my fear. I think of those mansions oft promised above, Purchased by His beneficent love, And my life seems nobly grand ; 16 THE PEAIiL OF DAYS. His friendship I have while dweLing on earth,. And that makes my life of far greater woi th, — As in Himself perfect I stand. Oh, Jesus, dear Saviour, now reigning above, Oh draw me to Thee by Thy merciful love In an endless communion divine ; In all my works may I lean upon Thee, A humble and penitant sinner to be, And pure in Thy righteousness shine. And when I have done Thy work here below, Oh call me to Thee, Thy treasures to know, And in Thy bright kingdom to rest With all the host ransomed, who love and adore. Ever praising Thy name on the heavenly shore, For ever to dwell with the blest. THE PEAEL OF DAYS. "When first Almighty Power with wondrous skill Called on the earth to demonstrate His will, The mass, then shrouded deep in void chaotic night, Leapt by His command to pure and marvellous light : Ah each day newly dawned, in beauteous order stood. Each work performed, by Him was fair and good, The earth in six days made, the seventh blest. And ceased upon His holy day of rest- O gracious boon to man ! this day so f i eely given, From labours called to rest, and then prepare for heaven ; For this great gift, God ! accept our humble praise, That Thou of goodness gave this blessed pe.vrl of days. AN ACROSTIC. 17 May every one by faith, and prayer's ascending wings, Eealise the blessings every Sabbath brings; In communion holy with Thee our time employ, In soul and body blest on this great day of joy. O wondrous condescension ! that Thou should'st deign to bend To be unto a sinner, Father, Guide, and Friend ; AVhen within Thy courts his earnest vows he pays, And praise Thy gracious goodness for this the pearl of days. Our spirit's strength renewing throughout life's weary road, Still nearer bringing us towards Thy blest abode. When we shall then for ever grateful homage pay, An J live in joy with Thee an endless Sabbath day. AN ACEOSTIC. BY MR. J. CARK, OF IPSWICH, TO MR, G. J. WILLIAMSON, G ood fellowship reigneth wherever thou art, E ver ready thy council and aid to impart ; O n the platform thy presence is welcomed with pride, R evered with warm feelings by friends far and wide, G ivin<^ words of calm solace to mankind oppressed, £ ver pointing the road to the haven of rest. J ustice and truth in thy nature abide, 'or life's rugged path so cheerful to glide ; S orrow ne'er daunts thee, no care on thy brow E ver checks the warm streams in thy bosom that flow, P erseverance has raised thee, aye thousands above, H eaven smiles on thy efforts with bright rays of love. W henever thy presence can banish a sigh, 1 raprove a sad heart— thou art ever nigh : L ike a beacon of hope 'midst the sea of dispair, L io;ht'ning the burden of sorrow and care. I n'humaulty's cause 'tis thy pleasure to speak A mong every class, young, aged, and weak ; M ercy°pvoclaiining the glad tidings of grace, S ends a halo of peace and despondency chase ; O h ! may thy blest works meet a lasting reward, ^ earer each day bringing souls to the Lord. IS LINES ON THE DEATH OF PEINCE ALBEET, O rriourn, England ! mourn, for death assails thy great, A noble one hath fallen from his lofty state ; Loved Albeit, now laid low by death's cold icy hand, He's passed away and left us for the better land. Thou Prince of truth and worth, we wished thee long to live. To thy adopted nation thou didst blessings give ; Pure charity and love with thee their names enrolled, And noble institutions will long thy fame unfold. Through all the time thou dwelt among us here, Thy warmth of heart made all thy name revere; Cherished and beloved alike by great and small, A household word thy name, endeared to one and all. Were it a first stone for some chftrity to lay. Thy hand was ever near, apart from proud display; For many an asylum o'er its peaceful door. Proclaim thee benefactor to the old and poor. LINES ON THE DEATH OF rillNOE ALBERT. 19 Oar numerous Ragged Schools in thee have lost a friend. Thy love was ever re.id j, thy constant aid to lend ; And when the World's Palace of Industry we see, It awakens in our hearts the memory of thee. Our handsome Coal Exchange, with noble motto stored, — " The earth and its fulness belongeth to the Lord ;" Recalls thy form to mind in health and vigour's glow, And bids the saddened tear of gratitude to flow. But thou hast passed away, and mourners^ broken sighs- Arise from every heart, and tears bedim their eyes ; We feel thy absence still, and grieve thy early doom. Our loving aspirations ascend above thy tomb. Our noble Nation weep so soon with thee to part. And for our Queen's bereavement with almost broken heart ; In sadness grieve for him who caused her heart to glow. But now struck down by death to the cold tomb below. They think upon that home where thou didst once presider, "With happy wife and children loving by thy side ; But now bowed by grief and widowed mother's care. And for our Queen, O God ! accept our earnest prayer. And though we mourn thee, Prince ; yet still thy God in love, Hath taken thee from earth to thy blest home above ; Now thou art far removed from evils yet to come, And landed with the blest in thy etenial home. A worthy noble father I 'twas thy manly pride In holy virtue's path to be thy children's guide ; The whole wide world will yet their lofty influence feel, As kings and queens devoted to their country's weal. It oft hath been fair Albion's dreary lot to mourn. For loss of lofty ones whom death hath from her torn ; But ne'er has England's people shewn more real grief, O'er monarch, prince, or statesman, or noble warrior chief. 20 MY MUOH LOVED miZE. O thou great God of mercy 1 who hath thus Lereaved Our Queen, which has our Nation deep and sorely grieved Beneath this heavy stroke we all most humhly bend, And crave Thy loving mercy ror the Queen our friend, Be husband to the widow in her great distress, Father to her children, who now are fatherless ; O Thou most gracious God ! on Thee we humbly call, That Thou would 'st send Thy blessing on the heads of all. O, our dearest Queen, this is thy people's praj'-er, — That God for many years, thy life will deign to spare. To live to bless us all with thy talents given, Then join thy loving husband in the bliss of Heaven. MY MUCH LOVED PEIZE, Be still, fond heart, nor let thy throbbing tell How warm ye beat for her I love so well ; The sigh subdued, the tear and blushing cheek Discover thoughts the tongue can never speak. Why is it thus? 'Tis honour siills my voice, — I'm yet too poor for her I'd make my choice. Yet I'm resolved with manly zeal to rise, •And gain her maiden heart — my much loved prize. When fortune gilds my now aspiring naiue. With others blazoned on the scroll of fame, I'll then declare how oft my heart has beat To lay myself, though humble, at her feet. I'll tell her then how ardently I strove To subdue the flame, the mighty power of love ; 'Twas loving her tliat caused me thus to rise, And then I'll fondly ask my much loved prize. The boon is granted : like music is her voice. It has the power to make my heart rejoice ; My love's retuined with pure aflection fraught. Her blushes tell how oft of me she thought. She now rejoices in love's transcendant bloom, To h& flie darling helpmate of my home ; What gratitude ! I feel my star of hope did rise To send me this life's joy — my much loved prize. 21 THE LOST SOUL'S LAISrEXTATION, What would I give were life's probation, Allowed once more to nic again ; I would not then sliglit iny salvation. Nor treat my Saviour with disdain. For life's allurements I would never Barter my soul — no worlds conld buy, .1 would count loss all things else ever, To gain that mansion in the sky. No more should worldly pleasures blind me In vice to cast my soul away; Life's nothingness should e'er i-emind me To make the most of life's short day. No more should Satan make mo sever From my salvation and the Lord j I'd hourly strive to gain for ever That mansion promised in His Word. Life's course has' past and I am lost, Alas ! in torment doomed to dwell • Call'd by His Holy Spirit's voice, I scorned to heai*, am now in hell. And here for ever must remain. No hope to cheer my woes, no end, For ever waiting rack'd with pain, For slighting thus the sinner's friend, O sinner ! think before too late ; Life back you never can recall ; The next lile is an eternal state, Oh ! now on Christ for mercy call. Then when before the judgment seat. With nations at His bar appear, JBright endless joys you then shall meet. By serving God while dwelling here. t)tf THE RETURiNKD PEODIGAL. See, the Prodigal home is returning, Long fed on the husta of the earth ; On bis brow sbame and sorrow are burning. As he's seeking the home of his birth. Yet over his soul there is beaming, A light shed from calvary's brow ; Though tears o'er his features are &treaming;. And the tide of his grief overflow. A penitent spirit comes o'er him, Now softening his heart, once of steel, An^ he looks with a new light before him, With a conscience awakened to feel. MXKS TO THK CUnjfiTXKS CUViOi YiS. 23 In the dark gloomy silence of night, A voice liiiH liroko i;i on liis ears. Which hu lii'aid with ennipturcd delight. And lie tliiuks 'tis some seraph hi' iiea s. His sonl thrilis with trcmblin<^ and awe "God, save the poor sinner!" he cries, "Thougli offeii I've broken Thy law. Yet mercy still dwells in the skies." A blest wfdcome I now banish thy sadness: A glorious light from above, Now brings consolation and gladness. From the mansions of heavenly Live. Thy petition is heard, and thy fears, Which thy sinning have caused, shall depart; Thy sorrows, repentance, atid tears, Through Christ shall bring peace ^to thy heart. Thou art weighed and found wanting, but though Thy sins as bright scarlet appear, Jesus' blood washes whiter than snow, Redemption through Him we have here, Tl)o Prodigal, once sinful and wild, Through His blood now made spotless and clean. Is adop'ed once move as His child, At His feet a true Christian is seen. LINES TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ON THE GRAND EXHIIHTION OF 1862. *' We do hear them speak in our tongues tliu wonderful works o* God."— Acts ii. wr. U. Awake. Christian churches I arouse from your slumbers ! Many strangers are coming to vrsit this land ; Up then, and be doing, to add to the numbers 24 LINKS TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. Of those Avho've enlisted in Christ's happy band. Up Christians, and at them, till every false system Before the truth falls, like false Dagon of old Fell down 'fore the ark, — boasted God of Philistine,— Was broken in dust and before the ark rolled. Let no Christian shrink from the battle now rarrinjr. But firm for the truth may each boldly stand ; And not be ashamed, in Christ's cause enfragiusr. To chase sin and error away from our land. Haste now to the rescue in your day of living, Death's night will soon come ; when you cannot tell About Christ your Redeemer, on the cross giving His own life to rescue poor sinners from hell. Old England, thy destiny is grand, if revealing, The blest Gospel of Christ — His own hallowed Word ! To thy Saviour be faithful, with Christian lovo feeling, And plant through each land the cross of our Lord. Work on till all nations His sceptre brought under. Till empires and colonies bow to His sway ; Let thy zeal in Christ's cause be a blessing and wonder, And hasten the glorious millenial day. Old England's the life-boat for all men's salvation, Her language is spoken in every clime, Herreligion is best for each generation, Present light of the age and glory of time. Why should we fear in this day of probation. To man this life-boat, and our bright colours hoist i^ Undaunted to show them to each tribe and nation, For salvation of man, and glory of Christ. English pastors and people now all join together, The blest Bible distribute to every one, In their own language, as hero they all gather, LINES TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCUKS. 25 From out of all nalions uncier the sun. Wnile science atid art arc hero each conibinins:. To exalt this great [)alacc in anuals of fame, Work nobly for Christ, with true love entwining, And bring all yon can to call on Ills name. Lot uot this great gathering pass by unheeded. Such may never occur in Old England again ; Show forth the blest Gospel, by this world so needed, Never let it be said your religion is vain. Tis your boiinden duty, and if you neglect it — And your talents are hid in a napkin away, Souls sureley will perish — you may not expect it — Of you be required in God's judgment day. May all Christians in faith, their standards appearing, Now publish with juy the truths of his A\'ord ! And all those who long for His kingdom appearing. Proclaim free salvation througii Jesus our Lord. Christians put on your robes, — radiant and glorious. From thy Saviour received, His righteous robe bright ; Then pray for His spirit, which will prove victorious, To show to all people how Christ is their light. Awake from your slumber put on Christian armour. Let all join together His standard unfurled ; Fight for the truth in tlie ranks of your Saviour, To bring under His cross the whole of the world. Tliis world shall be His, the Scriptures declare it, Subdued to His scepter all nations shall be ; His truth shall shine forth, in rays so refulgent, Fillino- earth as the waters and sands of the sea. Fi^-ht on the side which will sure prove victorious ! Press forward with truth, let it be in the van ! Raise high the blest Cross and show it forth glorious. 26 MY BFDI'EMER. Preach Christ as the only redemption for raan. Do not linng in the rear, but be valiant and true, Undaunted as saints refreshed by His love, And ne'er let your talents be hiden from view, But labour to fill His bright Heaven above. A Pentecost time the blest Spirit invoking, That every stranger may hear the glad k iind, Of the grand Gospel truth in his own Janguygc spukeii, At the feet of the Saviour lie jjeniteut found. Then as they ail listen to litar tlie glad story, '\^hat Jesus hath doiie_. each and all being blest, AVill return to iheir homes all filled with llis glury, With the new beams of life His love hath imprest. Then when He comes with His angels surrounding, "With all heaven's host in His power supreme, His faithful shall find His love all abounfling. To repay them for all their labours for tlim. He will say, "t ome ye blest of my father inherit The mansions prepared for those that I love, Take thy robe and thy crown a reward for thy merit. And enter for ever my kingdom above." MY REDEEMER. See, there ray Lord upon the tree ! 1 hear, 1 feel, He died for me ; Ob, love divine ! how can this be ? Say, dear Redeemer, Oh, say and speak it to n)y heart. That from Thy love I ne'er dci)art, but of Thy fold e er form a part, — Tlou great Kedeemer! TS.r KEDKRMEK. 27 III Tby fond heart sefi p'lty dwells, The gospel Thy compassion tells, My heart with losing rapture swells To our Kedeemerl Upon tlie cross H'Q bore my load, Aud for my sins He shed his blood, And thna disaiiaed the wrath of God, — Did my Redeemer 1 For me His head was crowned with thora, For me H is side was pierced and torn ; He hath my Bins and sorrows borne, — My ikind Redeemer!! On ma He bath compassion shown. For me He breathed the dying groan, For me Re pleads before the throne, — • My blest Redeemer!! My Advocasfee aoid Priest above. Shows there the tokens of Hi^j love Aud this my truest friend doth prove, — My good Redeemer 3 My Saviour, now I trust in Thee, For now my guilty soul is free ; Jesxia, I know Thou lovest me, — M J owii Redeemer !! Atsd when Death comes to seiJse fcis prey. And 1 from earth am called away, May I behold, in endless day, — 3Iy dear Redeemer ! 28 LINES TO MY FRIEND MR. JOHN BAXTER. ON HIS FIFTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY, 1858. Accept, dear friend, this tributary lay Called forth by friendship on thy natal day ; And let the effusions of my niind now raise Aftection's tribute in a Baxter's praise. In social life how oft we try to find A friend indeed just suited to- our mind f One sure and firm in bitter times of trial, To cheer our hours of gloom with friendly smile» If honest worth can claim a note of praise. Accept, dear friend, from me ttese bumble lays;. And let my muse with earnest candour pen The genuine virtues of the best of men. No pomp siHTOUtbds him with the breath of faJU^ Nor trumpets to the w^orld a victor's name ; Nor deeds of valour on the battle field. Where right to might is offceD, made to yield. Heligion guides his way and rules his heart. His lofties aim to act the good man's part, To soften every woe that he may find. And be the generous frknd of all mankind. Years fifty-two have gone and passed away, Since Leigh, in Essex, heard thy infant lay ; Unto thy parents then a child was sent, To bless their hearts with joy and sweet conteirJ^ And in thy future journey on through life, May piety within dispel all strife ; While always feeling thy acceptance sure For that blest mansion Christ died to procasei LIKES TO itu JOHN Baxter. 2^ The poor in thee have often found a friend. To tell them of the joys that never end ; With liberal hand bestowing clothes and food, And leading them to seek the Sheperd good. And as old Time in his resistless flight, Brings thee still nearer to the realms of light, May God's own promised staff thy comfort be — And. all through life may'st thou His mercy see. May smiling Peace, with Plenty by her side. Long o'or thy house with happiness preside ; Pi,eligion w-ith her glorious truths impart ' Her virtue still to adorn thy manly heart. And still long years may'st thou be spared to live. To croM-n thy home with excellence, and give Thy dearest wife love's generous faitliful care. And keep her on her way to Heaven with prayer ! Thus while thou sailest through life's boisttrouB seas, Each striving how the other most shall please ; Bound for the haven of eternal rest — To be with Jesus there for ever blest. But should misfortune, with its fiery dart, Pursue thee on through life and pain thy heart, 'Tis done, remember, by parental love, To fit thy spirit for His courts above. Or should prospei-ity attend thee here, Place not upon it too much thought or rare ; Tliough worldly trifles may the heart allure, Let thy salvation's state be made most sure. W MIfKS TO MR. JOHN BAITIR. May 'at thou have faith Pisgah's top to view The Promised Land as Moses looked it tlirough, And see the Lamb iu His beauties there. The object mind of holy faith and prayer. And may'st thou oft to Calvary turn thine eye, And cry, •' Alas ! and did my Saviour die ? My sins, with thorns, then crowned my Saviour's bead, For me He died, for me Kis blood was shed." Then when in angel-choir thou lift'st thy voice, And with the ransomed blood-bought throng rejoice. This shall thy hallelujah chorus be, "My Lord has bought this fadeless crown for me." There shalt thou meet the friends that went before, Now singing their new songs on Canaan's shore ; 'Mid heaven's high arches shall thy joy notes rise. And grateful praises echo through the skies. Nor shall thy time of praises e'er be past, • But long as an eternity shall last, With God shut in for ever to be blest, And with Ilia eaints enjoy the heavenly rest. And when thou thus shalt join the host above. And sing with rapture thy Redeemer's love. Thou will't acknowledge God dose all things well, .And through eternity His wonders tell. May this dear friend, be thy most happy state When life is ended here with joy elate, To tread heaven's realms, and all thy powers employ 1h praise, iu lovo, in extacy, and joy. 31 HOME SWEET HOxME. There is a little spot on earth. Hallowed by strong affection's tie — It is the home that gave our birth, Where all our choicest treasurea lis How sweet that place at close day. When twilight throws its shades around, To see the children there at play. 'I heir childish toys strewn on the ground. 'Ihe traveller as he journeys far, 1 hrough foreign climes compelled to roam» Ho thinks of scenes where parents ai-e, And dwells with rapture on his home. How memory lingers o'er each scene Made precious by the loved ones there, Where growing hearts and smiles ha^e been,— 'J is thoughts like this his bosom chew. 32 O.N XIIK MAKRAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. Of friends he thinks, now passed away, Gone to more better realms above — Shining with everlasting ray — Made happy through a Saviour's love. 'I heir ransomed spirits though at rest. With joy beholding Jesus' face, 'J'hough far away in glory blest, Seem hovering o'er the hallowed place. But there's a home that never fades, A mansion blest for ever sure, AVhere sin or sorrow never sliades, And bliss for ever shall endure. '• 'J here is a home where all, unite — ■^aved from a fading world like this — Shall live and love, with souls delight, la an eternal age of bliss. ODE ON THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. Hail ! noble Prince, son of a sire so dear, Whose memory England ever will revere ; Hail ! noble son of oiir beloved Queen, The greatest monarch earth has ever seen. To thee our homage we desire to pay, Wo greet thne with love on this auspicious day ; W'e hail thee Prince, as old England's pride. And wish thee happy with thy lovely bride. Lord ! hear Thy people's voice, Through England far and wide, 131ess Albert and his choice — His lovely Danish bride. OnE TO THK PfUVCESS Af.F.XAN'DRa. 53 O God <.>f goodness ! we will Thee implore From heaven on them Thy choicest gifts to pour. Deign, we beseech Thee, this union here to bless. Crowning their lives with health and liappiness. Ileloved Prince, may thy father's pattern lead, Old England then will be blest indeed ; With gratidnde will hail thee England's pride, Having cause to bless thee and thy loverly bride. Lord ! hear Thy people s voice, Through England far and wide, Bless Albert and bis choice — His lovely Danish bride. For thousands will be looking up to thee. Through England's realms their pattern here to be ; And thousands more will elevate their voice 'J o bless thee and the Princess of thy choice. 1 he English and the Danes will together bear Their voices to heaven in humble, fervent prayer, 'J'hat God through life will bless Old England's pride, With Alexandra, his beloved bride. Lord ! hear Thy people's voice, Through Fngland i'av and wide. Bless Albert and his choice — His lovely Danish bride. ODE TO THE PRLNCESS ALEXANDPv.A. Bright star of the Danes ! we hail thy appearance With rapturous joy on our free English shore ; Sons and daughters of Albion greet thee with welcome, And blessings abundant on thy head they pour. 34 SiBBiXn MEDITATIONS. We know thou hast left thy liome and thy kindred. The laad of tliy hirtb, among strangers to come ; But right is the fixith thou has placed in old England, And in Albert's true love, the Prince of our home. Thou hasi come to the heart of a Prince great and noble, i he hopf of our land in its glory and pride, Whose care through this life will be for thy comfort. Who'll rejoice to make happy his owu lovely bride, '1 hou art come to the heart of our virtuous Queen, To our Sovereign, thy mother, who ever will prove A kiud parent and Iriend like those thou hast left, Who will gaiu thy esteem, veneration, and love. T hou art oome to the hearts of a brave loyal people. To the greatest free nation e'er known upon earth, Who welcome thee to them with love's best affection, And rejoice to approve and acknovvledg-e thy worth. And though like a flower from thine own land transplanted. We will cherish and prize thee with true English love. In our own land will tend thee with kindest affection^ Till thou art transplanted to thy home above. SABB.\TH MEDITATIONS. 'I is Sabath day. How calm, how chaste- Seems all around, witli reverence graced A pproach the toil-worn artizan To bless the day God gave to man; SABBATH MEDITATIOXS. 3> To serve Him in Flis house of pmyor. His Precious flowing grace to sli:>i-o. 1 is Word to hear, IJis jicace to ])rove, 'Jo t£^ste the rich manna of His love. Delightful, hlissful, glorioiiia day. How grateful to our feeljle clay, "SV'hen souls in pure devotion meet 'J"o lay their sins at Jesus' feet ; In meekness bent to supplicate For mercy on man's fallen statp. Inspired by Christian faith alone. Before the high eternal '1 hrone. o All nature seems to share the charm, 'J he solace of the Sabbath's calm : What comfort to the heart opprest Is this great boon this day of rest. Oh! that man should live so base. To turn aside from mercy's face. And tread a guilty, headlong way, ' And desecrate the Sababath Day. Alas I alas ! how much we see Of human vice and misery, By worldly gain and folly made, Of those engaged in Sabbath trade ; Whose lives no thoughts of heaven control And thus falls many a youthful soul, "Who else had sought the better way, And blest God's owu great Sabbath Day. 56 MY NATIVE LAND. Old ICugland, my native land, what shall I speak of thee Thou art above all nations, land of the brave and free. The waves that wash thy shores loudly lift their voice. And sparkle in the sunbeams, so freely they rejoice. On the cliffs that guard thy coast around our happy isle, I see bright Freedom's beacon flame, with fadeless splendonr smile. To cheer the hardy labourer's lot, and the more successful home And sweeten all with happiness where'er its beamings come. Old England thou art greatly famed in the annals of the world ; And art renowned for enterprise where'er thy flag's unfurled. The voice of fame exalts thee high through every distant clime; A world thouart within thyself — tliy triumphsswell with time! MT JfAriTft LaXD. 37 The freedom of thj Press and speech sheds mightest influence round, Is fast dispelling ignorance from thy glorious ground ; The tree of knowledge flourishes upon thy happy shore, And shall dispenseits healing leaves when time shall be no more Old England boasts her heroes great in many a battle famed And long as this dear 'isle shall last, a Nelson shall be named "With honour as the nation's pride, who served his country well And in the hour of victory, he for that country fell ! " England expects each man to do his duty !" loud he cried, Then fought the fue,and victory gained, but in that victory died, He nobly did his duty then, aud Eugland morned lier son, For with such a hero's loss the victory's dearly won. Old England mourne her Wellington, whose noble deeds of arms Abased Napoleon's vaunted pride,and stayed his war's alarirs That eagle-cressted hero great, who many a battle won, Yet struck his flag at Waterloo to Britian's valiant son j " Up, Guards, and at them ! ' was the charge our noble soldier gave. And gallantly was he obeyed, for the Guards were nobly brave The grand Old Guard of France, so brave, that ne'er had feared a foe. Before Old England's sons gave way, fled from tlie field of woe! Old England's mourns her Havelock, and posterity will tell Of many glorious heroes' fame, who for their country fell ; But we hope the day will shortly come, when commerce shall be found Bringing peace, and joy, and plenty to all the world around ; While true religion's glorious lawsshallbind the tribes of man In golden links of friendship true, each other's good to plan. Then, then the world shall soon become a family of love. And having donetheir work on earth shall meetin Heaven above 38 PM^#^^^^^-; ^^ TEMP us FUG IT. From Heaven the great Archangel's trump sha'l smmd, Proc'aiming far and wide the dirge of time, And all shall hear, amid the awe profound, Tlie solemn call to earth's remotest clime. The hat of Omnipotence goes forth — "Perish all nations !"— stern, imperious fote. The soul of man, that only gem of worth, Survivis the wi'eck of works and cities great. Whei'c are those towers, those battlements so hii-h. That seemed to bid defiance to the world? Time's all-destroying hand hath bid them ily. And all their glory to oblivion hurled. Where are those cities on the scroll of lame? AVhere those monuments, each t^culptur'd bust I Where the great men, and their long glorious name? All, all are fallen, silent in the dust! Alas ! how sad to think that all must die ! Those, too, we love, who make us cling to life ; Youth, glory, riches, all life s joys must fly, And death, with its own darkness, end the strife ? KAKTIILV I'LI A^T"r:KS. Hut Thoiiglits arise lliat ci!d this theme of voe, And bid us look for liigher joys above : — < Jovs our gr^^at Saviour purchased here below. And made for ever sure by dyiug love. Keiigion, as with angel hands, points up, And drives away the fear that makes us sigh; Our dear Iledeemer drank death's bitter cup, And ope'd the way for us to mount on high, llie pearly gates ef heaven shall ne'er decay; And if through Christ we once have entered there. The golden light of God's eternal day Shall bid us all His heavenly joys to share. 39' EARTHLY PLEASURES. Earthly pleasuies! earthly p'eabures! Vanishing aini lading treasures ; Sparkling, fit eting. fast they tiy, 1 hough to bo':d tbeni still we try ; They shine like dew-drops on the rose, And for a season Iriif disclose A transient beauty that decays. E'en while we on that heauty gaze. Drawn by the sun's resist'ess fire, They droop, they fall, and then expire. Such are earth's pVasures to ottr view', We grasp, and find them only dew- For still is life beset with snares, The world is full of anxious cares ; And all its joys are at the best Foundations false whereon to rest. Fach of its roses has its thorn, Fades in the holding, soon is gone; Blest virtues path is only sure — Its flowers for ever will endure. 40 LINES ON THE THEOLOGICAL INSTHUTION, KICHMOND. Dedicated to the E,£V. J. Cunmnqham, Missionary in India. Tis not of ancient pile my muse wou'd write, Of gorgeous palaces that awe tlie sight. Nor timc-woru temples, calling forth my strain; Neither of armies on the battle field, Where the brave warrior scorns to flee or yield, Shouting, "io Victory or Deatli !' upon tiie plain. Tis not of forts with many a bristling tower, Their armoury of cannon, whose dread power "With still repeating echoes shake the earth; Of kings or queens I here no line indite — Of sun, nor moon, or stars, or planets bright; But of a building of the noblest worth. High upon Richmond Hill the building stands, And growing fame through all the e^rth commands : For thence has come forth many a faithful son To uphold the sacred banner of the Cross, Preach Christ, without regard to gain or los8, And show how heavenly glory may be won. The sacred lessons they imbibe while there They treasure up in mind with anxious care, That they, by faith, this v/orld of ours may raise, Till the time prophesied siiall surely come When all mankind shall seek their heavenly home, And with one heart and voice their Saviour praise. But what devout affections centre there ! Oft for its inmates upraised is the prayer From fondeat mothers, who their sons have given, As dedicate to God in youthful days. That they through life rniglit manifest His praise, By leading sinners in the path to Heaven. ON THE THKOLOOICAL INSTITUTION, RICHMOND 4 1 Its missionaries sent unto the heathen world, With Goppel truth and light, their banner wide unfurled ; Seeking to enlighten the dark and savage race — As shepherds of Chrirt's flock searching out His fold ; To tell them of His love — that tale so often told — To make them all the the suhjects of His grace. Deep pain oft rends the mother's heaving breast, When parting with her son she loves the best, To go where she may see him ne'er again — Where oft the fatal climate hath distroyed The moral hero, who for God employed His hallowed energies, as if in vain. Oft little marks the missionarv's grave ; Perchance some beauteous wild flowers o'er it wave, And shows the spot where rests his hallowed dust ; But still his name is written in deep love On many a heathen's soul, now blest above, Who, through his preaching' did in Jesus trust. Such glorious monuments shall ever stand A portion of heaven's eternal, happy band; In love to chronicle the name of these Who parted with their homes and friends so dear- Ready themselves to off'er — to duty clear — To bring poor sinners to the paths of peace. The crash of ages, and the wreck of yeai-s, Man's works destroying all his hopes and fears, Shall on these monuments possess no power; But in Christ's kingdom they shall ever shine, And bear the stamp indelibly divine, Which sin and sorrow shall defile no more. 42 TWO LlTfLiL GIRLS OVUa THEIR MOTHERS GRAVE.. ^'he pastor there sball see his work again, I'hat oft discouraged him and gave him pain ; There in those glorions reahiis shall it be found — As gems in Jesus" crown the souls appear. He laboured hard to save from hell while here, Wliile heaven shall with their praises loud resound. Then who would hinder us to make our boast Of work like this, and try to raise a host Of Godlike, working, self-denying men ? VYeeley's right glorious principles act out, Shoutiug, 'God is with us !" his last dying shout, And help to renovate the world again. firm may this' building stand to latest age, An honour to our land on history's page ! And from it of: may Christian men go forth To uphold pure _:udliness in all its truth ; While justifying faith be dear to youth, And Methodism spread in all its worth. LINES ON SEEING TWO LITTLE GIRLS WEEPING OVEIl THEIR MOTHER'S GRAVE. Hark to that sound of grief From children young and fair ! At the grave they seek relief— For their fond mother's there. O'er th' grave their tearg are shed Around them all is stilled. All weeping o'er the dead — With sobs the air is filled. TWO LITTLE GIBLS OVER lUEIR MOTHEU's GHAVK, 43 , The sun withdraws his beams, All nature miss his light, Hills, vales, and flowing streams Have lost his glories bright Sad tears were on in_y cheek As 1 g.ized silent there ; And upward looked to seek Her spirit in the air. I thought her form I saw, Oh ! beautifull and bright ; Her guardian course she bore 'Midst rajs of fadeless light I thought how much this scene Had charmed the children dear, CoulJ thej her forui have seen, A guai'dian Angel there ! Shs looked on them with fond love — So lovingly repaid ; In innocence they gazed above, She guards them with her shade A ministering angel bent O'er them with loving eye To salvation's children sent. To lead them forth on high "When here their race is run, Their spirits soar away — And when life's toils are done, They'll meet in brighter day. Ke'er more to part again, But bless'd with parents sing, In heaven's bright shining plain, The praise of their heavenly King. THE CTIRISTIAN'S CROWN. There id a crown, most gloriously bright, Laid up fov those who truly love the Lord — Who here maintain His holy cause, and fieht Most nobly, with the Spirit's powerful sword ; These faithful warriors shall His kingdom share, Wearing that crown of many fadelf-ss gems, And gold and pearls, with costly jewels rare, Shall glittpr in their blood-bought diadems. Warriors their laurels win, and gain renown Tlirongh blood and strife, and ghastly victims dead; Wbi'e kings and queens, too, wear a fading crown, Though gorgeous, to decorate each head. The Christian's diadem is nobler far Than all earth's crowns or glory's wreaths of bay, Shining more brightly than the morning star. And never, never can it fade away. Ne'er will its lustre tarnish or decline, "But deck with lustre eai ; To those heavenly regions or light, For ever to dwell with the bie.st. For a time to her dear parents lent, The joy of their lives she was given ; Till God's holy angels were sent. To bear her to glory iu heaven. But what hand can picture the stroke, That like a sad blight seemed to come, And the heart of the parents most l.>roke, When they missed her loved prosem-e f. om home. As each little momeuto they view. Of one to their hearts very dear. Its rembei-ance their sorrows renew, They silently olt shed a tear. Yet they hope, free from sorrow and pain Their spirits shall one day arise. To meet their dear daughter again, United to dwell in the skies. 5-2 lt:ses on tlme. "Life let us enjoy," some recklessly say, "We know it is short and will soon pass away; Let us eat then and drink, and banish all sorrow, And live well to day, we may die to morrow." This is what the gay and the worldling oft sav, As life's generations pass quickly away; Only cumbering the earth as onward time flies, — In uselessness lives and unhonoured dies, • But the Christian says always, "I will work to-day. Improve every moment that's passing away; Probationers here while dwelling below, The seed of the gospel delighting to sow. THB DYI.NG CHIUSTIAN TO HIS WIFE. 53 The world by our lives something better should be, For all our actions our Master will see ; Endeavouring the good of our fellows to prove, Laying up for ourselves a rich treasui'e above. If we labour in love for God and for man, While living do always all good that we can, Working hard in the vineyard laid out by our Lord. He will give us a bright and a lasting reward." fo make the world better is the duty of man, Each one in his sphere to do all that he can. And those who do nothing as on the hours ily, Like fools only live, and like the brute die. THE DYING CHEISTIAN'S FAREWELL TO HIS WIFK. The time is come for me, dear wife. To pass by death from thee away ; From this cold earth of care and strife, To brighter realms of endless day. But ere we part, my own true wife, My dying tongue to thee shall tell, That thou hast proved my joy of life, And shown to me thy love full well. I am passing away to a better home. My Saviour calls and bids me come ; 1 am going above in heaven to roam, I am passing away ! passing away I Thou ^ast been a fond and faithful wife, And thou hast kindly borne with me '. Thou'st crowned my days with blessings rife, Life's sweetest joys I owe to thee. 54 THE DYING CHRI8THN TO HIS WIFE. But now to die I hear the call. My soul through death above shall rise ; And I must leave my wife, my all, To join the ransomed in the skies. I soon shall join the holy band. Before the throne for ever stand, Singing the hjms of the better land, I am passing away ; passing away 1 Now let me hold thy hand, dear wife, Long as my beating pulse sVall last. Till death comes in to end the strife, Untill life's battle's o'er and past. Let my last look be on thee, love, Thy voice the last on earth I hear; Then join the heavenly host above. To sing with saints and seraphs there. I am passing away to my Saviour's breast. Where my soul for ever shall rest, Eejoicing still in the home of the blest, I am passing away ! passing away ! Then banish all thy tears, dear wife. Ere long in heaven we meet again j To live for ever the endless life, And sing a pure melodious strain. Soon as you die I will you meet. Go hand in hand to realms of light ; And kneel at our Redeemer's feet, T© receive a crown of glory bright. lam pasaflng away, O happy state ! To heaven's bright and pearly gate. Angels now at my bedside wait; I am passing away ! passing away 55 LINES ON THE DEATH OF THE DAUGHTER OF A FRIEND She is gone from our sight ! our loved one's departed, And we weep for her loss almost broken-heai'ted ; Thus link after link in life's chain we sever, Earthly unions are broken to be blended for ever. She is gone from our sight ! the delight of our eyes, Severed from us by death to her home in the skies ; Prayed as the purest in miment so bright, She shines like an angel in that world of light . Though our loved ones before us often are taken, Our heavenward thoughts it but tends to awaken, Adding still to our treasures stored up by God's love In the blest realms of glory, the bright world above. They are transplanted flowers removed from earth's s*d. And will blossom for ever in the garden of God ; And though on earth we may ne'er meet again, We «nce more shall meet her in heaven's bright plain. Yet her voice and her features in memory will last, Eecalling to mind those happy days past ; The joy of our home, aud the pride of our life Is taken for ever froaa this world of strife. 66 OV THE DEATH OF A FKIENd's DAUGHTER^ Though her body now rests within the cold tomb, She has gone to a better — a heavenly home ; She dwels now in peace, having gained the rich prize,, Like a blossom all pure where love never dies. Like an auge! of ligiit she looks down from above On friends left behind, with feelings of love ; Our hopes become bright when we think of her rest, Our spirits mount up to the home of the blest. Then dry up your tears, ye fond parents, awhile, Yield your treasure to Christ, He has taken your child; Though heavy the loss, view it all for the best, Thy loved one now dwells in His promised rest. O moum not nor sigh, but comfort receive From God's blessed word, which all Christians beleive ; Have faith, strong and sure, in His promises given, Though here you have pain, you will have joy in heaven. O sweet consolation ! O life giving balm ; To think of thy loved one now freed from all harm ; From Satan's temptations and sins luring snares. Now the glories of Jesus her Saviour she shares. Then let us improve each bei'eavement we meet, And bow with submission at Jesus' feet ; ^^'hen heavily laden, with sorrow oppre se'd. He invites us to Him and has promised us rest. '•Come to me." there's a volume of love in that word, I'Come to me, and your burden I'll bear," said the Lord • Come to me, Come to me," O hear the glad call, And low at His feet in humility fall. ( ), Christ ! with glad hearts 1 by call we obey, Still Lie 'I'hou our guide, our light, and our -way j We bless Thy compassion which calls us to prove Thy glorious salvation, Thy fullness of love. ON THB ORDIXATIOX OF MISBIOvARIEg, 57 "Fade then, our beloved ones, from earth fade away, Lay them low in the tomb in the dust t > decay ; But remember, Christ's victory o'er death and the tomb, 'He shall raise us to heaven for ever to bloom. LINES ON THE ORDINAlL »N OF MISSIONARIES AT LAMBETH CHAPEL. In Lambeth Chapel solemn silence reigned, When at communion young men meekly knelt As missionaries there to be ordained. Their grave responsibility they felt. , Ibeir calling, how solemn, yet how grand ! In heathen lands the Gospel forth to preach— 'Christ's love lo magnify unto a foreign land, His mercy to the savage race to teach. And now the hands laid on with solemn prayer, That these young men should firm and faithful prove To Christ, and work with earnestness and care, To bring poor souls enlightened to His love. In solemn song the congregation join, A nd tuneful anthems fill the holy place ; Christ's flock around, with voice of praise divine, And prayer for God's protection and His grace. Around God's glorious throne of grace on high Silence there reigneth while the hymns ascend, And human praise arise unto the sky, And God in mercy deigns to ccndescend To bless these young men with His Spirit's might, Of grace a double portion to the:n given. To be a burning and a shining light, 1 lead poor heathens safely home to heaven. 58 « COME UNTO ME ALL YE TH\T ARE WEARY AND- HEAVY LADEX AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST." Amidst scenes of trial and numerous foes, where shall 1 go to seek for repose, Dear Saviour, I come unto Thee ; Weary with sadness the sound of 7 hy voice, Oft causes my trouble-wurn soul to rejoice Taat happy with Thee I may be. Tky voice, dearest Jesus, is oft heard to say, '• On me your cares and your sorrows all lay, In me find a haven of rest ; For envy and pain, tribulation and strife, You'll meet and endure through the course of your life,. In my love you still shall be blest. COME TTNTO MB. 59 Come now to the life-giving waters, come. And find in me your peace-giving home, Your long sought solacing place ; Drink of the life-giving stream that I give, Stoop, thirsty soul, drink fredy and live, From the streamlets of God as they flow ; If the way be as dark and as black as the night, Look faithfully up to thy guide for the light. And rest upon me, weary soul. Draw from the pure living streams from above, The fountain o'erflowing with thy Saviour's love. And thou shalt then be made whole." We certainly know there are many a one, Have proved Thee often their shield and their sun, Ihrough this lale of darkness and tears j They come unto Thee to heal every wound, And quickly revived their souls they are found, On Thee they could cast all their cares. Our great and good Shepherd has promised to keep In safety His ransomed and purified sheep. On the bread of His love they may feed ; His love to them all He daily will show Thaoughout all their pilgrimage dwelling below, Then all to ijis green pastures lead. There is nothing can move from the Almighty hand. Those w ho on His rock of all ages shall stand. For in Him their dwelling's secure ; On this firm foundation strongly they build. The rock that no storm can loosen to yield. Their defence and their holding is sure. O fix me, dear Saviour, on this solid rock, 'Ihat I may be fiee from each <'artlily shock. Let me in His sweet image rise ; 60 COMK UNTO ME. Each day help me on to live unto Thee, From all repining and murmuring free, To press on for ray heavenly prize. Before Thee in holiness joyous to walk, Continually" anxious of Thy love to talk, Nor ever Thy Spirit blest grieve ; With what Thou bestowest, make me content, My life for Thy church shall ever be spent. While here upon earth I may live. And oft I will drink of the heavenly stream, And feel all my joy come only through Him, Rich full in the beams of His light ; And glad of the staff of His friendship below, To lea* upon here as forward I go, Till faith is all changed unto sight. Feeling earth's afft^ctions no pleasure afford. Like the ^dories in store for our final reward, ^^'hen Christ our Redeemer shall come To call each weary worn soul to His rest. To repose in peace upou His holy breast, In the promised mansion's bright home. Then let the world move at the Almighty's will. We're journeying onward to Zion's bright fiill, The glorified saints blest abode ; And soon we shall see that His ways they were best To lead us by love to the land of the blest, The promised abode of our God. For thousands have gained that glorious land. Though sorely tried here, did firmly withstand, Made strong through almighty love ; 'J hey conqiiiTt'd all through patieuce and faith. And victorious proved over sinning and death, ^ow rt-igniug in glory above. Gl LINES OS THE DRUNKARD. How many men, with talents rare, Oft plunge into a dangerous snare, Through insatiate love of drink ; rt drowns their senses, and still worse. It proves to hearth and home a curse — Can ever drunkards think ? Of all the men on earth accurst A drunkard surely seems the worst. Who thus himself degrades ; When drunk what fully he'll commit, While in his beastly sottish fit A laughing stock is mode. His character, his health and time. Destroyed by this debasing crime, Death's in the fatal bowl ; The poison lures him from the right — Whoe'er would s^^ek in it delight Endangers life and soul. He in the tempter's snare is cough t, His peace of home is gone to nought, His life a wretched blight ; ITow down destruction's path he goes, A prey to grief and stung with woes, Robs wife and children's right. He still keeps on his fearful course, And headlong goes from bad to worse. The gin-fiend drags hira on ; Inflaming body, soul, and mind, To ruin all he seems inclined — His 8o\d hath Satan won. -- ON THE DRUNKABD. Say, who can the jovs of the drunkard see He swallows his vilest enemv. Is like a bondman led ; | And when th' inflaming spirit dies, • " A shaft of agony through him flies, ' And racks his throbbing head. To think of home, and fond wife there. Lonely and sad iu deep despair. How he performs his part ; Her at the altar lie vowed to love, Protector and guide through life to prove. But now he breaks her heart. Within her home she sits and weeps, "With scalding tears her pillow steeps, Alas ! her sorrow's vain ; Her patient care he 11 oft abuse. Her sinking form with blows ill-use Till life's one scene of pain, He wallows like a beast in mire. Drinks till his body seems on fire, And all his sense is fled ; Then when his money is all gone, His looks most abject and forlorn, "With shame he bows his head. Oh, drunkard ! think before too late • What ! what would be thy awful state. If a drunkard thou did'st die ] For such as thee the Scriptures tell, Shall have their portion low in hell, Throiigh all eternity Then turn at once, poor drunkard, turn, Repent of this thy sin, and mourn, The wasted life thou'st passed ; LINES ON MEMORT. G2 Turn now to Christ without delay, For He can cleanse thy sins away, And save thy soul at last. Haste ! fly to His atoning blood, And there be washed in mercy's flood. Ere time shall cease to roll ; Bid drink, the alluring fiend, depart, And yield the Saviour all thy heart — He'll save thy precious soul. LINES ON Mb:MORY. What wondrous powers our memory shows- Retains the much-loved forms of those Whose image tells of scenes long past ; Of childhood's joys, and hopes, and fears. With youth and manhood's riper years — Of scenes too bright and fair to last. How memory still delights to trace Some by-gone scenes, some well-known face — Dear relics of our life's joys past — Which it delights to bring to view, Again pass life-like in review, Imprest on memory's tablet fast. I rejoice that memory will retain Love-enshrined forms to bring again. Friends' image stamped upon our breast ;. Restores them with all by-gone joys. When memory sweet her power employs, 1 hose who have gained the promised rest. W^e call them back, and then pourtray Their vivid scenes in bright array, From forth the stores of memory borne ; ■64 HTMN OP INVOCATION. What magic power have those wrapt there. Beyond the scenes each hour so near, That all is not to oblivion gone. Is memory soul's connecting chain Linking us to earth, scenes to retain, In all their powerful form and force ? If so, how careful should we be, That memory only scenes should see To bring delight with our past course. lipt conscience now here have the sway, Do good in this our life's short day, For trnth determined e'er to fight. Like champions bold let us nobly stand, ■Chase siu and error from our land And fill it with heavenly light. HYMN OF INVOCATION. Come, Holy Spirit, with light divine^ On us with beams of mercy shine ; "While we with penitence draw near. With heartfelt love and mind sincere, And humbly bow before Thy throne, Crreat (iod ! to us Thy ove make known, And while W9 at Thy footstool bend, 0, show Thyself the sinner's friend. We do not in our own strength come. For works of merit we have done : We come invited. Lord, by Thee, Through Christ, the sinnar's only plea. We come, because the Saviour died And ope'd the foimt of mercy wide ; We come, because we feel our need Of pardon for each act and deed. ON GAKIBAI.W. 55, Lord, we believe Thee just and true, Thou cau'st our stubboru will subdue : Thy Spirit can bow down our pride, JBring us to Jesus' wounded side. Beam on us. Lord, with heavenly light, And let us feel Thy Spirit's might ; While in Thy house we humbly pray. Grant us to feel and own Thy sway. Father, hear our earnest prayer, And for the sake of Jesus spare ; In honour of our Great High Priest, Let us partake of mercy s least ; And let each feel the atoning blood. And that we all are born uf Uod ; INI ay we now feel our sins forgiven, And shout, " This is the gate of heaven." LINES ON GAEIBALDI, FREEDOM'S HERO. Brave Garibaldi, whose wide-spread name Throughout the world illumes the scroll of fame ; Brave advocate of liberty, in whom we trace Desires of freedom for all the human race ; Posterity shall bless thee, thou hero 1 rave. "Who strives to rescue eveiy human slave, God of goodness ! Garibal li bless. His work of freedom crown with great success. '€6 ON GARIBALDI May Italy, that country long opprest, By his great mind with freedom now be blest, Religious liberty exert its peaceful sway, And Italy's children see a brighter day. May the banner of the cross be wide unfurled, And wave in beauty o'er this sinful world, Each child of Adam rescued from sin's thrall, Find freedom in the Lamb who died for all. And may the time arrive mankind to free. Blest with glorious heaven-born liberty, "When not a nation's flag again shall wave In all the world above a down-trod slave. When Poland — fettered Poland — breaks her chain From Russia's yoke and lifts her head again. O €rod ! for Poland work with power and might. Chase slavery's darkness — give her freedom's light. For America, great God ! warm our pulses beat, That Thou wilt give them freedom we entreat, And may her blood-stained soil peace soon have War at an end, and freedom to each slave. Their stars and stripes no more be a disgrace. To wave so proudly e'er a bond aged race . In liberty's great cause soon may we find America a blessing to all the human kind. dear Old England, what shall we say of thee. Who leads the van to bid the world be free 1 Thy flag of freedom wherever wide unfurled. Offers the boon of liberty to the world. God prosper thee in this thy mission grand, To break the oppressor's chain in every land ; Blest land, in freedom's cause still lead the van. Till liberty blesses evciy race of man. G7 POOR JACK. A STOBT FOUNDED ON FACTS In a seaport town, some twenty summers past, My lot iu life for some few months was cast ; Where scenes I saw that filled my heart with pain ; Vice raged around, and following in its train Were drunken brawls, 'midst loud and fearful oaths, Made sad each day, and broke each night's repose. One home I saw destroyed by drunken strife, Where cheerless sat the pale heart-broken wife ; One pale affrighted hoy in terror shrank To hear his father's tread along the bank, Whose reeling steps too plainly told the tale What made both wife and child so deadly p^ile. (j8 I'l.OK JACK. They listening sat one night, no father come ; " Go child," she said, " persuade your father home,"^ For sad experience still had left the trace Of the drunkard's hlows upon her pallid face, Too well his violence she had often known, That made her fear to meet his angery frown. 'Twas near midnight, the waves broke o'er the pier. The darkening sky forebode a storm was near ; From out the western sky the lightning flashed. As the sea waves' foam against the breakers dashed,. Large drops of rain fell pattering on the shore As the child departed from his mother's door. The rays wer« shining from the pier-head light, That darted flickering, through the darkening night. Forth ran the boy with looks of deep concern, While his fond mother prayed his quick return j His little feet went bounding o'er the sand, As fast he hastened e'er the shingly strand. Until at length his drunken father spied, Along the pier, just by the water side. High words and cursing met his trembling ear, That filled his mind with dark forebiding feai", He found his father staggering to and fro, His eyes all fire, and dark his angry brow, " Come home, dear father," said the anxious child,. He spoke in gentle accents calm and mild ; That would have brought the hardest heart remose. Had not strong drink polluted reason^s coui'ge, Foul imprecations left the father's tongue As the poor boy persuasive round him clung, PUOB JACK. 69 He crying pleades of this sinful worlds applause Living hourly in Christ's precepts given 'Neath Calvary's Cross advancing towards Heaven. 74 1 .^0 THE SlilPWHICK. IT ark ! ! ow the storm is laging, The sea rolls mountains high; The elements' war seem wag-ino-. The vivid lightnings fly. Borne on the winds are heard The cries of deep despair; And fro II the sinking ship Ascends the voice of prayer. For succour now they look, But seem to look in vain; They cannot see the shore, Through storms of drifting rain. Their sails to atoms torn. The ship strikes on the rock ; She surely soon will sink. So fearful is each shock. THE SHIPWRECK. 75 Now iu the waters roll, She's bilged and on the strand ; The sea breaks o'er lier deck, How can they get to land ? As hope begins to fail, A boat appears in view, Tis the gallant Life Boat, Manned with her noble crew. They come to save or die, With these poor shipwrecked men All through the raging waves, They pull with might and main. And through the foaming surf, They strive the ship to reach ! Around them roars the storm. And wild the sea-birds screech, Undanted on they pull, And reach the ship at last. And lescue all the crew, Despite the roaring blast To land them now they haste, Upon the rocky shore ; Secure in safety placed, The hardy crew once more. Then up ascends their prayer. For the Life Boat's gallant crow , * G od ! for ever bless them, To them our lives are due, H ad they not come to save us, "NVe soon had sunk and died ; 76 THE SHTPWRRCK. Our holies lost and driftinor. About the rolling tide. Thy hlessing give tliem now, Let life to them be given, aSTumbers more to rescue, Then land them safe in Heaven. The sailor perils brave. Of ocean rough and wide ; Its wonders and its grandeur, Its ebb and flowing tide. Friends he leaves behind hi n. His children and his wife, Who anxious mourn his absence, And pray God spare his life. "^Vhen homeward bouud he comes, '\Yith. honest joy and pride. His heart with fervour yearns, 'I'd view his own fire-side. "When landed home he bounds, And bi-ings his hard earned store, His perils all he te Is. Since last he left the phore. Then thankfully they join, In humble earnest prayer, 7'o God for ' is great love. Their parent's life to spare. And thus on life's rou2;h sea. They sail in peace and love, And brave its every storm, 1 il called to Heaven above. 77 THE DYING CHILD TO ITS MOTHER. Oh I rnotlier dear I'm weary, and here I cannot rost, Sharp racking pains are on me but all is for the best ; But soon it will he ovei*, and I shall pass away. To that glorious better land, where there is no decay. But O I would not leave you so very sad behind, Without some words of comfort to dwell upon your mind, 'J hat when I go and leave you to soar to realms above, You'll thinkagaiu upon your Cliild with all a mother'slove. I know I oft have vexed you and pained your mind full sore, But now if you forgive me I'll never do it more ; •Come take my haud dear mother, and on my lips impress, 'I he sweet kiss of forgiveness, once raoreyourchild nowbless. And though my pulse is feeble, and fluttering is my heart. Give me but one more token ere I from the depart, T hat thrilling pressure tells me that love you still do feel, . Ou all my faults forgiven thy kiss haih set the seal. But mother, dearest mother, pray do not sob and cry, I'll be your guardian angel till you shall come to die, Around your earth'y pat'i I'll like an angel wait. Till the summons comes for you to quit this earthly state, 'Then then my dearest mother Jesus you wi'l save ; And he will give the victory over the silent grave. And to the glorious mansions He has for you prepared, These mother you shall enter, and have a rich reward. mother, dearest mother, then pass away I must, And this frail dying body will mingle with the dust, And O my dearest mother, you have been kind to me, And taught my infant lips to pray as I sat on your knee, 1 lisped tl e word's " Our Father " and now he bids me come. He s sent his holy angels to convey me safely home, 78 THE DTING CHILD. There I shall dwell for ever in that glorious better laud, Be crowued with radiant glory before His face to staud Then open now the wiudow and let me see the sun, Whose golden beams on earth he shows when 1 1 is days, course is done Sure mother, still more beautiful than this that land must be, I wonder then wliat heaven is like when here such light I see- And oft before I've seen the clouds all fringed with golden light,. And thought of the Great Maker who dwells where allisbright And then the glorious rainbow with its vast mighty span. Showing the blessed covenant that God hath made withnnn. But surely mother he will save me sinner though I be, And I shall when 1 leave you be a pardoned siuner free, In leaving those I dearly love it grieves me I confess, And yet my dearest mother, I am bound for worlds of bliss Where I shall dwell for ever in my dear Saviour's sight, Tn God's own heavenl}' temple the Lamb to be the light. There shall he gently lead me to taste of living streams. The waters of eternal life which though that City gleams. There robed in whitest garments amoung the blessed throng,. I cast my crown before i lim and mingle in their song, IMy sorrows changed to gladness, my grief all turned to praise,. With the grand inin.ortal host my voice shall loudly raise» I there shall dwell in happiness, and love that blessed clime. And shout how Jesus loved me with all His love sublime, And this shall be the echo, I le has done all things best, And safely home has brought me to his promised rest. --^Ui^_(^^i 'Sir-- 79 SONG OF THE FISHERMEN. We are bound away, at the close of day, Far off on the briny sea, All hearts are brave, as wo leap the wave,. And joyous as mortals can be AVith favouring gale, we onward sail. And over us flies the spray, And Zion's song, as we sail along. We sing at the close of day. The stars above, seem heralds of love, And the moon with silver light. Awaken the fire of fond desire, To dwell in heaven so bri:^dit. Our sails are spread, no fear or dread. Appal each manly breast, Our songs arise through glittering skies. To God our Fountain of rest. We i-emember of old how Jesus told, The faithfull fishermen then, Their nets to forsake and he would make Them preachers and fishers of men. They heard His voice, and their hearts rejoice. To leave their earthly store, The message of love, he brought from above, To preach it on every shore. He often had told His disciple fold. That trials and sorrows would come, Though cares should increase, in Him was their peac©>. And this cheered away all their gloom, Him they believed, and Bis word they received. Did the meek and foithful band. '90 MTMxV OF PKAISK. Then in Christ's praise our songs we ^111 raise, As our boats glide far from the land. How oft we are made, most sorely afraid, While viewing seme trial to brave, But to each wave of ill Christ saith be still, My power each loved one sJiall save, In the darkness of night, when gone is the light, ' With souls bowed heavy with care, Our voices we've raised, and His love lie praised, He has answered our supplicant prayer On the storm crested de-jp. he knoweth no sleep. But peace to our souls doth he send, This voice soundeth still "fear not any ill, I'm your hrm unchangeable friend." Though life may be short, you may i-each the high port> All your sins by His mercy forgiven, Here partake of His grace, now see His bright face. And gain the brigiit harbour of Heaven. We will think of the time, in a happier clime In the glorious land of the blest, We shall sing in the song of the triumphal throng, In the heavenly haven of rest, 'Looking back on the past, and each stormy blast, Shall own that His doings were right, Hiii mercies repeat, with love at His feet, For ever to dwell in his sight. .HYMN OF PRAISE TO JESU" Groat King who reigns in glory. Upon thy dazzling Throne ; We'll come and bow before I bee, Our refuge Ihee alone. HYMN 6» PKAISK. Aii.l tliough thou urt c^xa'ted, BejuuJ our loftiest thoiiglit ; Bj I hee we are invited, Aud by Thy spirit brought, Tht'u listen dearest Saviour, While to I liy praise we sinw • O listeu we beseech 'IIxq, Thou glorious heavenlj King, Aud though all angels praise Thee-, Crying Holy, Holy, Lord! And by the brightest Seraphim, Thou art gloriously adored. Yet wheu their songs are sweetest^ When sound their harps of gold ;. 'i ha love thou bear'st thy people, By tongue can ne'er be told. For everlasting mansions there, Thou hast prepared so bright, For all who ]ove Thy holy name, To dwell with Thee in li'^ht. And therefore we draw near Thee And praise with one accord, 'J he wondrous luve and raercv. Of our exalted Lorr*. He shall like a shepherd lead. His flock to crystal streams. To drink of lifx pure wsters. 'J hat in His city gleams. And from those heavenly fountains,. "We shall gain fresh supplies. And God our heavenly Father, Wipe tears from all our eyes. 8i S2 OUR SA1>BAIH or RKST AVith beau'y Ho shall clothe thee, i^nl set thee by [lis side, Crowned with Him then in glory, There ever to ubide And all that hath been ever To wondering ears foretold 3 His love so good and precious, >*^hall excel a thousand fold. To thee shall all this bliss be given. With love divine and free ; And thou shalt e'er His goodness praise, To alleter. ity. OUR SABBATHS OF REST. Ye toiling hearts prize the sweet mnmpnts of leisure , One blest da}"" in seven so need full to man ; Defend it — uphold it- for ! 'tis a treasure ! The gift of our God when creation began This divine institution of 1 lis great affection, Decreed as a solace and boon to our race, A sweet respite gives us for holy reflection. To pour out our heart- at the fountain of grace, How sweet are the moments of pious communion, To engage with the Spirit in prayer and in prai-e, When the faithful for worship assemble in union. And their voices to Heaven in thankfulness raise. Let pure aspirations ascend fi-nrn each dwelling, The fullness of gratitude lig' ten each breas% "W'ith joyful devotion, and thankfulness s'elling, For our foretaste of lleavtn, our '""abbaths of re-)t. OVR SABBvTH OF RKsT. 5^3 Let not the designing mislead oi* deceive us, With winning allurements our senses to blind ; When once we're enslaved and undone thev will leave us, In bondage alike both in body and mind. Beware of those men who with plausi'de phrases. And sophistry preach about ' food for the brain," Would lead the unwary through sceptical ma:5es. To end but in cold desolation and pain. We have food for our souls in the blest Revelation, God's word to sust;iiu u^ our comfort and guide, — That cheers us with hope of eternal Salvation, Forever with Jesus in bliss to abide. Then ne'er let us swerve from the truths of His teachins:. By Satan's dark wiles be enslaved or 0])prest; But steadily on to the high calling reaching. And jealously watch o'ur our Sabbaths of Rest, O yi^-ld not an atom, denounce every feature, That tend to deprive us of God's Holy I'ay, Tear away the false mask, and expose the vile creature, The demon of mammon that ,urks in our way, 'Tis a truth, sad tho' real, that many are living. Who grudge us the rest that our Sabbaths aiford. Who to gain's ruUug passion their whole lives are giving, And scorn the blest precepts of God's Holy AVord, 'Tis such who compl cently view a 1 t'e sc' eming. To darken the Sabbath with worldly pursuits. Who vainly let's prove, are delusively dreaming. Of ignorance and folly t > gather t!ie fruits. Let this be our solace, tho ;gh destined to abour, A bright home awaits us to dwell with the blest. By our lives let us seek for the Heavenly favour. And reverence as Holy our abbath's of rest. > 84 I AM THI.NK. lu sabbath amusements where solfishness reve's And rank ile-socrntioii pollutes tlio bright hours; Man's miud to the tone of the iufidei levels, And >atai) the thouf,'htle.s^ with vicf overpowers- O ! is it not piteous th;it thousanJs are strivinp, To yield up their birthright so sacred and free, Of life's greatest treasure their fellows depriviuo-. Let us boldly protest that it never shall be ! Let us scorn all attempsto impair or disfigure, 'Vhe sanctified moments we cherish and love ; Our claim to the sabbath defending with vigour, The claim that we own from the Father above. United lets firmly r* solve to be doing, And gi-asp the great subject with dignified zest ; Our love for our God and Mis ordinance showiutr. And bravely let's fight for our Sabbaths of Kest. O JESUS I AM THIXE. O there are thousands now this day. Whose care is for this world alway, Who cannot join with me and say, Oh ! Jesus I. am thine. Seme who profess great love for Thee, This world their idol — may they see Their error — and cry out with me, Oh ! Jesus I am thine. Wiih pilgrims to the better land, May I seek Thy directing hand. And through Thy grace and mercy stand, Oh ! Jesus I am thine. I JHSIT3 I aK TUIAB. 8-3> help me now to seek ! liy face, Help me to win the christiuu's race. And fill my soul with heavenly grace Oh ! JeBUs I am thine. And when temptation vex my mind. And troubles through life's path I find^ In Thee I'll trust and be resigned, Oh ! Jesus I am thine. When I am racked with care and pain, Oh Saviour, then my soul sustain ! And never of Thy grace complain, Oh ! Jesus I am thine. . Ko other help have 1 but Thee, When troubles press — help me to flee To mercy's throne, I'hy face to see, Oh ! Jesus I am thine. 1 once was sinful, wayward, wild, Tut through i hy blood am reconciled,. And now Ihou own'st me for Thy child. Oh ! Jesus 1 am thine, . The sinner and the Saviour meet, 111 love Ihou draw'si me to Thy feet, what a gracious mercy seat. Oh ! Jesus I am thine. And here I taste the sweels of love. In richest streams from heaven above. And soon its glories I shall prove, Oh ! Jesus I am thine. . / 8C .^LIVING TO CHPJST, AND ADORNING OUR CHRISTIAN PROFESSION. Oh may we in our lives express, The love of Christ that we possess ; In Him may every Christian shine, A nd show to all the world the sign. : I . The sign that rules by grace and love, And does its heavenly doctrine prove ; Here live according to His word, Looking to Christ for the great reward. This living to the Word proclaims. The honour of our Saviour's name ; Tells Christ's Salvation reigns within, And grace subdues the power of sin. if Our sinful lusts must be denied, With passion, envy, pomp and pride ; While justice, temperance truth and love. Show all the new birth from above. LINES ON FOREIGN MISSIONS. Great God what offering shall I bring, To aid our missions' righteous cause — That makes dark heathen lauds to rinor. With joy beneath Ihy glorious lawe ? How many an Indian once so wild, Have now been taught to read and pray ; And Thou hast owned him for Thy child. And brought him forth the hearenly way. ON FORI EON MISSIONS. 87 And many a lost benighted race, Had sunk in darkness 'neatb the sod ; ^ow own their priceless crowns of grace, To the Gospel pioneers of God. Who, braving clime, dissease and pain, Mid'st burning heat and withering cold ; Salvation for the lost to gain — A home in Christ's redeemed fold. Each torrid zone, and frozen pole. Have heard the blessed Gospel's sound ; Oh may its gladdening tidings roll, And everywhere with light abound. And still the glorious Gospel's rays. Shine forth to bless and cheer the world ; Till every land exult in praise, Beneath Christ's banner wide unfurled, iFor God hath formed the human race. Of soul and flesh and blood the same ; All free to gain the sovreign grace, Whate'er their colour, caste or name. Then let us do our duty here. And towards the heathen show our love ; Let each one labour in his sphre. To guide their souls to heaven above. Great God the offering I would lay, Low at Thy feet, is one poor heart. Who humbly seeks from day to day. The warmth of gladness to impart To soothe the erring wanderer's breast. To bring him to the christian fold ; To guide his steps to peace and rest, When Christ, with Saints communion hold. • 88 "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHICH SrREiXGTHENErH ME." Ah ! is it so St. Puul ? what can you mean ? Strange statement this is, in our earthly scene, Is it not vanity for you to say, You can do all things in your pilgrim way ? Jiut stay ! I see its not in your own might, But C hrist the living way the Truth and Light. Ah I Paul ! in this with you I will agi-ee, For in His power the weakest saint can be Made mighty by His allsufficient gncc, And valiant be in this his earthly i-ace ; By good works here he may in Christ abound. In fruits of righteousness be ever found. There we may listen to his loving voice, And in His strength may evermore lejuice; And we may always hear Him kindly say, My strength is given equal to thy d;)y ; And glad may be although in deep distress. And rest in Him who surely will us bless. And thus we may, just like St. Paul of old. Journey on towards the heavenly fold ; Still doing all things with our earnest love, 'Jill He transplants us to the fold above ; Living to J-im we shall find all secure, This Rock of ages ever shall endure. THE LIFE BOAT. The winds lash the waves, the surge mouuts on high. Still the crew of the life boat the tempest defy ; The blasts of distructiou they brave. 'Neath the thunder's loud roar and the lightning's flash, "With stout british hearts on they fearlessly dash ; 'Midst the cries of distress, and the ship's breaking crash I The hopeless and drowning to save. Huzza ! man the Life Boat ! and let the storm rave, Our watchword is rescue — we'll perish or save ! O'er the white crested billows she manfully sweeps, Like an angel of mercy she gallantly leaps ; Rejoicing all terrors to brave. Now lost to the view and now mounting on high 1 As flash after flash ! illumes the dark sky ; Through the death-dealing torrents and breakers they fly, As thi> hapless they hasten to save. Huzza! man the Life Boat ! ami let the storm rave, 'Our watchword is rescue — we'll pi-nsh or save. Hark, hark ! that wild shout— u w h'jard 'mi 1 the blast, Huzza ! now they board her — the grapnel is cast ; 'lis joy fz'om the wreck that is heard ! 90 THE LIIB BOAT They rescue her crew from the rigging and mast, Of the ill-fated bark, and on they speed fast ; To the shore the boat fles like a bird. Huzza ! man the Life Boat ! and let the stonn rave ; > Our watchword is rescue — we'll perish or save. Like sea dogs they shake the wet spray from each vest. The fears of the rescued are past and at rest ; "While a sobbing and heart-touching prayer,. From a fond mother rose, as her sailor boy prest In safety once more to her joy beating breast ; And a husband again by a fond wife caress'd And joy takes the place of dispair. Huzza ! maa the Life Boat ! and let the storm rave ; Our watchward is rescue — we'll perish or save. Haste hither ye wreathed ones with victory crowned, Say where in creation rich gems may be found To sprinkle on honour's bright pile. All worthy of your's in a wreath to be bound, What jewels too costly their brows to surround ; "What praise is there equal their meiitfc to sound ! The men who dare death for a smile ? Huzza ! man the Life Boat ! and let the storm rave ; Our watchword is rescue — we'll perish or save. Then build them a home where old age may glide, 'Twould redound to our country's honour and pride — Till they reach the confines of the blest.. Where kind mercy hovers, where justice would chide, And win them a prize oft to greatness denied ; Blotting out all their follies from life's erring tide, As they journey in peace to their rest. Huzza ! man the Life Boat ! and let the storm rave ; Our watchword is rescue — we'll perish or save. 91 LIFE'S SERMONS. Our preachers they are always teaching,.. That life is subject to decay ; As bubbles perish they are preaching, That all shall die and pass away. Each fragile flower in its decaying, Each summer's shower that passes by ; To all of us the truth is saying, The time will come when you must die. . The fallen leaves in autumn lying, Bestrew the ground and plainly say; ! let us each while time is flying, Now make the best of life's short day. It is a solemn thought — how fleeting, Is our existance here on earth ; But Jesus calls us with love's greeting. Unto a brighter, holier birth. Yet God — our God — our Father dearest, A throne on high for all hath made ; 1 hrough all the earth His love appearest, . In lustre true, time ne'er can fade. His every work our earth adorning, A sermon teaches to mankind j The starrv niojht, the beams of mornins: Instruct the calm and thoughtful mind.. And sickness preaches to our hearing, A sermon bidding all prepare ; Passing our lives in Heavenly fearing, That we the promised rest may share. But let us all each hour improving, Whilst here on earth time flies away ; To feel that onward we keep moving, To heaven above where s no decay. 92 iSYMN FOR BERMONDSEY RAGGED SCHOOL. (Dedicated to Mr. W. Penny, Secretary.) We priiise Thy name O God our King, For 'I Lee our grateful songs we slug. For all Thy care and love, Though very poor we are on earth, We know our souls of wondrous worth — Shall dwell in Heaven above. O ! God of good our praise shall rise. To Thee whose gh-ry fills the skies, We raise our youthful songs ! Our teachers show Thy way of truth, And lead us in our early youth — To Thee all praise belongs. We often find we'er prone to stray, From Christ our Shepherd King and way. Great God of love forgive ! Let Thy good Spirit lead our mind, The righteous path in Thee to find — And to Thy gloi-y live. May we our Blessed Saviour know, And in our lives His virtues show. As children of His fold. And may we in His image shine, And bear the stamp of Love Divine — In Heaven's Blest Book enrolled. ^O bless our teacher.s' labours here. Prosper their work their hearts to cheer, Let souls through Him be blest. And wheu thcy"vo done their work below, - May they, and we Thy glories know — In Heaven Thy promised rest. 93 •ON THE DEVTH OF HIS GRACE ALGFRNON PERCY, THE DUKE OF NORTi lUMBEllL \ND. Alas '. He is gone and left this earthly scene, His christian virtues shone in ra3's serene, Though high exalted in this earthly sjiherp, He studied well the poor to bless and cheer ; His chief deliglit to form some noble plan, To benefit and help his fellow man. No self-love dimmed his calm benignant days, His generoiis deeds inspired all hearts with j)raise I And countless blessings showered upon his head, Throughout the land his noble fame was spread ] And now his mission's done, his spirit flies, To endless realms of joy beyond the skies. And though he's gone, yet as we gaze around, On good and holy works his name is found ; He passed from earth, his soul hath soared away, But still he lives in deeds that ne'er decay. And thousands yet imborn shall laud his name, While history's page perpetuates his fame ; And truth's pure words bear record of his worth ! And spreads his fame abroad through all the earth, 04 ON THE DUKE 0J> NOHTHUMBERLA>D. Eecording how a Percy nobiy stood, A pattern bright to all the just and good ; Inciting peers among the rich and great, To bless and cherish all of low estate. His princely wealth he summoned to his aid. And all the fullness of his heart displayed ; Kaised stately temples, dedicate to God, For in God's fear he ever meekly trod. The ship-wrecked sailors' stedfast friend was he, His life-boats braved the perils of the sea ; Gidd tidings bearing o'er the furious wave, Rescuing souls from many a watery grave. And though his death on all hath cast a gloom, Yet will his deeds survive beyond the tomb ; Hib numerous tenents, all, his loss deplore, And grieve to think they'll find him here no more. He has passed away to Heaven to meet his King, There with cherubim and seraphim to sing ; He has landed safely on th' eternal shore, Joined the redeemed his Saviour to adore. Ours is the loss and sorrow, — ours the pain. The change to him is everlasting gain ; From heights of bliss, he can with joy look down, His Ducal gems resigned for Heaven's bright crown. With holy joy he joins the glorious throng, And sings in I^eaven the Hallelujah song; ^Vith golden harp before the throne he'll stand, And sing God's praises in the better land. 95 LINES TO MR. ISAAC HUNTER CLARK. On the presentation of a valuable Time Piece bearing the followin inscription. "A Jubilee Testimonial to Mr. Isaac Hunter Clarke, from the Ministers, Trustees, Stewards, Leaders, Members, Frienrls, Teachers, and Scholars of Southwark Wesleyan Chapel, London, in grateful recognition of Fifty Years of happy membership aad useful service, March Srd, 1865."— "To God be all the Praise." Hail ! noble vetran, thy Jubilee we greet, Thankful that thou art spared with us to meet ; Hail ! worthy Clark we give thee hearty cheers, For labour in Christ's cause for fifty years. We meet in crowds to celebrate this day, That God will bless thee everyone will pray ; AVe give thee honour and are glad to see, Thee look so well on this thy jubilee. May God thy useful life still longer spare, And ever keep theeneath His guardian care. Bat in the past what changes thou hast seen, In half a centui-y — hosts of miglity men Have gone to their reward ! mpn thou hast known, Who left the earth to take their heavenly crown. But God's great goodness kindly leads thee still, Climbing life's mazy thorny ragged hill; In every storm He kindly shelters thee, Beneath the wings of His Benignity, And here amidst thy friends thou still dost stand. A pillar of grace kept by His mighty hand. Still thy heart throbs with warm desires to plan, Fresh means by which to save thy fellow man ; Thou labourest still in every useful sphere, A blessing made to all while dwelling here. With gratitude thy zealous care we trace, 96 LINKS TO MR. ISAAC HUNTl-B CLAKK, Thy earnest efforts for thi^ rising race ; Thy labours in the school worth more than gold, Bringing the tender lamlj* into the fold, And for thy patient toil thy Saviour Lord, Will give to thee a glorious rich reward. How often at the sick-bed thou'st appeared, And blest the dying, and their spirits cheered ; Many dear infants to the font were brought, By thee first registered and after taught. Again as Steward faithful to thy trust. Thy liberal hand bestows where'er'tis just , And many will thy righteous labours bless. For tm'uing them from sin to righteousness, Many through thee will join the glorious throng Near the bright crown, and sing the heavenly song. How many now there are on beds of pain, While health flows i-ichly through t'ly every vein, How many are in want throughout our land. While thou hast plenty by God's goodness planned, 1"hy fa teriug tongue unable to express, Thy gratitude and love and thankfulness ; S'or mercies far tuo numerous to count, While every moment swell the vast amount, And here thy grateful heart anew would raise, A fresh memorial to 11 is glorious praise. Around thee now, how many friends we see, Rejoicing all in this ihy juliilee ; United with one heart their joy to prove. By offering thee this token of there love ; Long may this *' Time Piece" as its hands go round, TIME PAST. -.GS A token of their true esteem be found ; And every moment as time fiies fo fast, He happier than thp one already past, Till in a b*tter world when Time's no more;, For ever thou thy Saviour Christ adore. TIME Past It is gone, it is gone ! it has vanishod away, '1 he time I have spent of my life's fleeting day- And I look on the past like a feverish dream, With its quick rushing flight to eternity's stream. And I start quit^ aghast at the path I have trod. And prodigal like I return to my God ; He met me, fJe kissed me with loving embrace. While tears of repentance rolled down o'er my face. And I humbled to think of the love I had slighted, ■ When he fell on ray neck and in mercy delighted ; Is there mercy for me who spurned the love gi^o ? yes to tlie penitent I mercy in heaven. ( ) come now and taste of my bounty so free, And drink of the life-given stream shed fcr thee 3 1 have come and found how mercy still blesses, And strews our life's path with blissful caresses. I have come and have found the stream in commotion, I have come and have drank of love's purest ocean ; Though black in times past was the stain of my sina, Yet the merit of Jesus for me pardon wins. I now gaze with joy as on Pisgah [ stand, In my glorious home in the bright promised land ; I perceive now with gladness my sins all furgis-en, And look forward with hope for a bright home in hcaveo. 98 ON THE DEATH OF MR. HAWKINS, LEADER OF THE CHOIR, AT SOUTHWARK. Alas ! he's gone, his voice no more he'll raise, To lead God's people in their hymns of praise ; To thank the Great Supreme for mercies given, And join with them to seek for peace and heaven. He sang as Leader, long in Southwark Choir, His zeal and constancy did all admire ; But now his voice is hushed — his spirit's fled, And in the grave now lies his weary head. But though the body's laid in mouldering earth, We trust his soul hath found a brighter birth ; And dwells on high before the celestial throne, Where sin and care, and sorrow are unknown ! Upon the brink of death he trembling stood, Andviewed with anxious thoughts death's streaming flood ; Then raised his voice to Heaven in earnest prayer, He sought for mercy and the Lord was there. There to impart bright Gilead's healing balm. To grant him pardon, and his fears to calm ; To sooth his sorrow and to give him rest, And call him home to dwell among the blest. LINES TO A FRIEND. O'J From seats of bliss the shiuing angels come, And bear him forth to Heaven's eternal home j In blood divine washed pure from every sin, And clothed in raiment white he enters in. 'Cheered on by them he passes death's drear flood, Made pure and clean by Christ's atoning blood ; And soon he gains the everlasting shore, "Where earthly sorrows shall be known no more. A nd now his voice makes Heaven's high arches rin|;. With Love adorning towards the Heavenly King ; Where nought but bliss and bright eternal joy, In glorious lustre free from earth's alloy ! Resplendent reigns throughout the boundless space With hosts of angels meeting face to face ; All journeying clothed in glory's dazzling rays, Raise lauding anthems in their Maker's praise. Tis there again he sings with rapture sweet, All all the choir hia voice and presence greet ; There meekly bows with thanks for pardon given, And blesses Christ, through whom he entered Heavea, TO A FRIEND WHO WAS MUCH CAST DOWN, BY REASON OF HIS AFFLICTION. Why is your heart so full of grief. What ! cannot Jesus bring relief— And ease your troubled mind ? *' Oh yes," methinks I hear you say. If I had but a heart to pray — I soon should comfort find. loo LINKS TO A THlENn. Put now alas ! I cannot pray, Can only just look up and say — Quicken my simple heart. make me what T hou'dst have me h&, 1 would not live so far from Thee, Nor from I hee more depart. Jehovah hears when thus you groan, And when you make the heavy moan — He knows your every sigh. Though long His mercy seems to stay, Hell not forsake, he may delay — Your faith and p .tience try. Acknowledge then His tender love. You soon will meet your Lord above — Beyond the reach of fear. May Jesus"s smiles attend your days, And all youi- future life be praise— Until you're landed there. And when your Spirit takes its flight, To yonder realms of life and light — And at the Throne you bow. Then you'll adore His lovely face, And doubt no more the power of grace- Though all is darkness now. Like some tall ship with crowded sail, That runs before a prosperous gale — O may you ent^r there ! Triumphant may you join the throng,. And join with rapture in the song — From sorrow freed and care. 101 ««WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO THE LORD-, FoK ALL HIS MERCIES TO WE?"': For mercies countless as the sands, Which daily I receive, From God's, the bounteous Giver's hiiods^ My soul what can'st thou gi/Ve. Mercies that make my cup run o'er,. Por every blessing given ; Drawn from God's all bounteous storC;- And glorious hopes of Heaven. Alas ! from such a heart as mine, What can I bring Him forth? My best works stained with deadly sin,. Myall is nothing '.vorth. The best returns for one like me. So sinful and so noor ; J. ' Is from His gifts to draw the plea, To ask Him still for more. And then when I shall see his face. And bow before His throne ; I'll sing the wonders of His grace. And bless the Great Three-One. I'll tell of mercies gone and past, That led me in His way ; This ! this will be the song to last. Through an eternal day. --uj^fg^^jw- 102 •Oil! EVERY OjS^E THAT THIRSTETH COME YE UNTO THE Waters." Oh ! Ye that pant for living stream?, And piue away and die, Here you mar quench your raging thirst, With streams that never dry ; Rivers of Love and mercy here, In a rich ocean join, •Salvation in abundance flows. Like floods of milk and wine, riiese streams of bliss shall ever flow. From Heaven's abundant sea ; J>>own to the depths of human woe, Alike for you and me. ^'Whoever will," O ! gracious word, Shall of this Stream partake ; Come thirsty souls and bless the Lord, And drink for Jesus' sake. T HE CHRISTIAN WARRIOR'S WELCOME TO HEAVEN. (Lines in Remembrance of the late John Vanner, Esq.) Hail ! Hail ! valiant soldier of Jesus thy Saviom*, Thou'st fought the good fight for thy Master and King, Victorious returned to the light of His favour. All heaven with gladness thy welcome shall ring. At the portals of heaven a host is in waiting To greet thee with loving affection divine ; A host thou hast zealously helped in translating To that blissful abode where in glory they shine. THE CHBISTIAN WARRIOIl. IC" 'Hail ! Glorious old veteran thy labours and honoura Have shewed thy sincerity holy and true, And great was our joy to have thee among us, Iniquity here found a foeman in you ; And for evermore now in bright Majesty's presence, In love, peace, and joy, thou shalt ever remin Sustained in God's grace by the Spirit's blest essence, Heaven greets thee with welcome again and again. When sinking to rest there was glory around him, It was joy on this Christian warrior to gaze, 'The angel of Death as in fetters he bound him, Heard him break forth in accents of praise ; He leaned on that Rock no temp.st can shiver, And relied on the truths of God's holy word. He drank of the stream that flowed from His river, And rejoiced in the prospect of seeing his Lord. God's angels were thei-e around his death pillow, And seraphs hung over his fluttering breath ; Jesus softened the pains of death's turbulent billow, And was with him while passing the valley of death, The chariot was waiting, the angels attending, His spirit is freed and sings a glad strain, All heaven is waiting the warrior ascending, And rings with the welcome he's safe home again. Around him now gather pure beings of glory, And loud anthems swell the celestial dome ; "While saints fair and lovely and patriarchs hoary, Peal forth loud hosannas and welcome him home. O sweet salutation of sanctified greeting To arise from the whole of that wonderful choir, Unspeakable joy there was found in the meeting That filled his brave soul with celestial fire. 104 THB MEDIATOR. He gazes around and sees arms wide extending. To clasp him in fond recognitiou's embrace ; Old friends with rapture iu their hearts lending An ecstacj' grand to their heavenly face : While glory to God and the Lamb they are singings. Hallelujahs peal forth in melodious sirain, The arches of heaven with rapture is ringing, And welcome re-echoes again and again. The archangel summons with love all abounding The saints to appear before the white throne, In the holy of holies' midst light all surrounding The great seat of mercy of godhead alone ; The wan-ior advances with rapture beholding The brightness of Majesty, glory, and love, Where Christ at the right hand of God is unfolding The fulness of grace that is centred above. A sweet voice is heard of love all inviting And the warrior trembles with ecstacy sweet, A pure blaze of light on his form is alighting, And the Saviour is waiting His servant to greet. Well done good and faithful and blessed arise In the joys of thy Lord thou shalt ever remain, Thou'st fought well and conquered gaining the prize. Heaven greets thee with welcome again and again. THE MEDIATOE. Jesus thou source of Heavenly light, 'I'he image of thy Father bright ; From whom we all derive our might. On us Thy Spirit send. Hear Jesus now our humble lay, Whi]e at Thy feet we kneel to pray ; And sei 1 from fTeaven a glorious ray. On us Thy Spirit send. THE ORA&3 WITHERKTH. 105 For Thou art full of grace and love. And all our sins Thou cari'st remove ; Our pleader at the ! hrone above, On us Thy Spirit send. Let Tliy bright beams around us shine, The beams of love with light divine ; And prove to us that we are Thine, On U3 1 hy Spirit send. And let it all our sins efface, And fill us with Thy Heavenly grace ; And stir us up to seek Thy face, On us Thy Spirit send. And when at last our death is nigh, O then be near to hear our cry ; And teach us Lord the way to die, On us Thy Spirit, send. 'THE GRASS Wll'HERtTH, THE FLOWER FADEIH, BUT 1 HE WORD OF GOD ABIDE TH FOR EVER." All all is fleeting here on earth, Subjected to continual change ; Their value is of little worth, With all the things that men arrange. But those who build their hopes on '.igh, And seek to lay their treasure there ; On faith's strong pinions upward fly, And live above this world of care. lOG ITBLIC WORSHIP. On Christ their Blessed Saviour rest, On this rock they shall bviiki secure ; And with His Spirit here tiity're blest, And thus their happiness is sure. The mansion promised by His Love, Firm as Eternity shall stand ; The christian's glorious home above, Jerusalem the better land. PUBLIC WORSHIP. What sweet delights, what heavenly joys, What glories fill the place ! Where Jesus manifests Himself In streams of flowing grace. 1 he sweet refreshing streams on earth His people feel of lore. And onward they rejoicing go, To see His face above. And though above in lofty strains,^ Archangels sound His praise ; Yet in His mercy still He deigns, To list to earthly lays. And thus through life we travel on, And in His worship join ; Our sou's rejoicing in the hope, That we in Heaven shall shine. And when we see our Saviour there, Whom we unseen adore ; With rapturous joy shall on Him gaze,. And praise Him evermore. 107 THE CHKISTIAN'S VICTORY OVER DEATH, Death vanquisheil they'll sing, despoiled of hid sting Who have conquered through Christ from above > On the plains of delight, with thousands in white, They shall walk and converse of His love How blessed a thing Hallelujah to sing, When earth's meetings and partings are o'er ; In Jerusalem grand the saints shall all stand. His goodness behold and adore. In that wonderful place, in the light of His face. They for ever in glory shall dwell ; No more the sad tear, on each face 6hali appear. When bidding each otlier farewell Each harp struck with joy the praise shall employ, Christ the Saviour each note will be given; Of Jesus' blest grace, they will sing in that place, And increase the great glories of Heaven. THE HIGH AXD THH PO >R MEET TOGETLiER, THE LOED IS THE MAKER OF THEM i^LL. I saw the poor beggar wliile asking for bread, Unheeded by many passed by ; The chill dews of winter encircled his head. And a tear trickled down from his eye. His form told of hunger and withering want, I lis visage of sorrow and care ; His heart that gioaned under many a taunt, Seemeil breaking with hopeless despair. He wrapped his old garments his bosom around. And in speechless but agonized woe ! Looked wishfully up to tlie mansion he found, Thought the master mij^ht something bciitow. lOS THE EICH AND THE POOR •He approached, but was thrust as a thief from the door, "Ivo vagrants T^ould there be supplied" He pleaded his cause, he was hungry and poor, Said O pray do not have me denied. He pleaded Thy barns may be full to o'erflow, And fruitful tliy flock and each field ; Which God in His bounty on you duth bestow. That some to the poor you may yield. Thy clothing the finest, and silver and gold. Thy goblets all costly and rare ; But 1 have no clothing my limbs to enfold, And hunger drives me to despair. If it be but the cruml;s that fall from your board.. E'en to feast with the dogs I would crave ! Then sure thou wilt some of thy plenty aff'ord, 'Nor let me sink into the grave. If deniedvthen may plenty be loathsome to thee ! Thy wine cup soon poison thy breath ; Thy frieuds every one prove faithless to thee, And disease soon strike thee with death 'God's mandate perchance may be sent "thou shalt die'' And the messenger stand at thy door ; The voice of the poor mi^ht be lifted on high Against thee, for witholding thy store. Yet forgive me Lord, this curse oa him here, He exclaims "I will give unto thee I •Come hither ye needy your hearts I will cheer, Take a part of my plenty with thee. JFor I know that before the great Judge I must stand, 'I'his record I le left upon earth ; The souls of the poor and the meek of our land. He says are of infinite worth. Jind whate'er of your treasure on them you bestow. Its the same as if done unto me ; Then blessings for yon up to heaven shall go, As a treasure from moth and rust free. 109 THE MOIHER'S CARE. Hear all kind mothers of our Isle, Nor scorn my humble homely style; You judge it of important weight, 'To keep your lovely daughters straight. For this such auxious care you feel, You almost case them up in steel ; In fashion's style you wish them seen, In pompous flow — of crinoline. For them is brougth the foreign cane, For them the monster whale, is slain 3 To the body is your care conhned, You leave the nobler part — the mind. Why not adorn the better part. With truth and virtue light thuir heart ; X'eformity of soul T call, The worst deformity of all. Bid their young minds in time forego, The treacherous paths where pleasures flow ; Save their young minds from folly — save, Rid them in virtues cause be brave. Bid pleasure cease its evil sway, That makes pure virtue fade away ; Beneath the aduring snaring chain, V\ hose end is everlasting puiu.' When virtue leaves a woman's mind, And honour scorns to stay behind ; All noble principle s destroyed. And vice filis up the t-mpty vuid, Like syrens they perform their part. To weaken and corrupt the heart ; • It is a shock to virtue's sight. Oft proves their everlasting blight. 1)0 WOMAN. Then suuk in vice of foulest dye, "With father, mother, no oae nigh ; "What anguish racks the erring breast, She night or day can gain no rest. Till maddened by remorse or shame, The maniac's thrill strikes through the frame ; Beyond the power of aught to save, She leaps and finds a watery grave. Then mothers pray of those take care, Those tender maidens chast and fair ; With whom thy God hath blest thy life, The pride of every virtuous wife. O guard them, tend them, watch them well. That virtue in their bosoms dwell ; So that wfth life's last setting sun. Thou cans't exclaim my duty's done ! "WOMAN, Bright star of our being in sorrow and gladness. Lovely woman, so precious, so charming and dear ; Thy warm breathing words chase the bleak air of sadness^ Like a message from heaven they tall on the ear. Thy love like the rock standing firm in mid-ocean, Brings the richest of bliss man can know upon eartk. And fills all cur bosoms with joyous emotion, We will h'.nour thy virtue thy beauty and worih. When dark disappointment hath filled us with sorrow, Who so anxious to buoy up our spirits anev? ; And. lead us to hope for the beams of to morrow. With love's melting accents, so cheering and true.. IVOMAN. 111. O what would life be were woman not near us, A cold cheerless wilderness, wretched and drear ;" Kg smiles, no embraces, no soft words to cheer us, Man's existance a maze of desponding and feai*. When prostrate we lie on the couch of affliction, What balm is so potint our pains to assuage ; As woman's kind tending that wakes the conviction, That our ease and our comfort her thoughts all engage^ And when ruddy health once again is returning, From whom doth the prayer of pure thankfulness rise? 'Tis from woman, sw^et woman whose bosom was burning,.. With anguish while watching with tear flooding eyes. Alas ! iu the world how oft we discover, What wrongs heaven's creatures are born to endure; When libertines foul around innocence hover. To crush the bright jewel created so fair. Oh heaven's ! 'tis frightful to know the dark casing. Of fiends w'ho about in society crawl ; How grievous to feel liow sad and appalling, The fair mould of woman to vice should e'er fall. But when her whole life hath been crushed with disiionour,. How firmly she clings to the object she loves ; Though wrongs upon wrongs are inflicted upon her, Her quenchles> afloction she const mtly proves. Alas ! how often remor.se overcomes her, In madness her feelings for deatli's coming crave ; The last spark of shame now distracts and benumbs her,. She I'ushes on wild to a seucide's gi'ave Stand forth noble ladies, whose graces and beauty, Both charm and adurn the tiign lanks of our land; To rescue thy sisters strive as a duty, Show forth a Samaritan's bosom and hand. <]12 LINBS ON X SKKMON. O think of those forms now in infamy dwelling, Who once were dear innocents pure as the light ; T he youthful emotions each bosom was swelling, Now wanderers lost in the mazes of night. O think of the time in their life's gayest morning. When they bloomed in the prid e and the hope of their home ; With virtues and graces that home then adorning, Spread joy and delight whenever they come. Then Oh ! think again on their fallen condition, Be determined like Jesus your sisters to raise ; And save the frail creatures from lasting perdition, And saints shall aHend thee with honour and praise. LINES ON HEARING A SERMON, PREACHED BY THE REV. JAMES MAYER. On Peter's denial of Christ. "And the Lord turned and looked npoa Peter and Peter remembered the word of the Lord — how He had said unto him before the Cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice; and Peter went oat and wept bitterly." — Luke XXII, Chap. 61st & 62nd Verses, Vain boasting Peter, whose self-righteous cry, Declared thy master thou would'st ne'er deny ; But on thyself thy flxith was fixed strong. And founded thus, thy faith did not stand long. In this he showed how w^eak the faith of man, Without strength divine how feeble is each plan ; If in this life a man desires to stand, He must rely on God's Almighty Hand. Now doubtless Peter loved his master well, A fervid impulse caused his heart to swell ; He felt the words he uttered were sincere, On self-faith trusting, saw no cause of fear. LINES ON A 3KEM0N iia; He doubtless felt with Christ he could have died, But Oh ! How weak our faith wheu sorely tried ; Oh ! Weak indeed ! as it in Peter proved, In one short hour, denied the Lord he loved. But Christ his heart knew well, — and had foretold. That Peter would deny Him — though so bold; The Blessed Jesus knew man's best resolve. Is doomed before temptation to disolve. And melt away the more when self-esteem, Throws in its false and proud vain glorious beam ; . And Jesus said "before the Cock shall crow, Thou wilt say that me thou dosi not know." He followed Jesus to the Judgment Hall, And on him soon were fixed the eyes of all ; A maiden said : — "this man I surly saw, Thou wert ^ ith him in Gallilee before." But he denied : — O Peter was it so ? And didst tliou not thy Lord and Master know ? "He knew Him not: — he said — although he knew — His conscience heaved— the cock then loudly crew. Another said — "you with him I have seen," Your tongue bespeaks you are a gallilean, *'I know not the man" ! He thus denied again, And falshood dared in Peter's breast to reign. Oh Simon ! was that not thy Saviour— He "Who saved thy life from drowning in the sea ? But at the man a look of scorn he threw, And now again the cock distinctly crew. Again being pressed "thou wert with him to day, 1 saw thee following talking by he way" But Peter t«till denied with angry stare, And at the man began to curse and swear. The man declared that he was one of them. Whose speech and looks would surely now condemn But Peter's falshood seemed to be in vain, He stood aghast— the cock crew shrill again. .114; BOMB, ANCIF.HT AKD MODERN", Xow Jesus turned and look in Peter's face, A look of mingled pity love and grace ; And Peter quailed before his master's eye, His tears fell fast he breathed a bitter sigh- Grief wrung his heart, he wept now like a child, And worshipped Him whose truth he had denied ; His boasting words now rankled in his breast, With deep remorse, and penitence opprest. •God help thee ! Peter ! send grace to all mankind, And keep viin boasting from each sinner's mind ; He Starches all our hearts' tries every thought, And by His mercy on our way we'er brought. Xict's humbly strive with earnest prayerful care. To serve our God, His precious grace to share ; Then shall we not deny, but seek His face, Upheld by God with His preserving grace. HOME, AKCIENT AND MODERX. "When I think of the glory and grandeur of Eome, Of her ancient historic renown ; Where science and liberty found a bright home, And monarchs all quailed at her frown. When I think of her senators' wisdom and power. When the nations all bowed at her feet ; And her warriors covered the earth like a shower. And the ocean was swept by her fleet, I gi'ieve for her mournful decadence and gloom, The light of her grandeur's decline ; And mourn her abasement to slavery's doom, At Popery's idolatrous shrine. M}' feelings revolt at the souls of mankind. By antichrist fettered and bound ; To the regions of darkness by terror consigned, Where priestcraft encumbers the ground. nOKK, ANCIEKT ANP MODBRN. ll-i Thou city once hailed by the nations the Queen, When a Roman was proud of his birth ; When thy temples' and palaces' splendour was seen. And thy glory spread over the earth. How changed is thy state, since the Ceasars of old. Issued mandates to govern the world ; When thy seven-hill'd capitol glistined with gold, 'Neath freedom's broad banner unfurled. O why art thou fallen thou city so grand ? And why are thy children in chains ? O why are thy dungeons a stain to the land — A blight to thy once sunny plains ? And why art thou prostrate so low in the dust, Why cringe to the power of thy foes ? Thou'st forsaken the faithful, the true and the just, Sunk deep is thy anguish and woes. 'Twas the foul brand of Popery darkened thy fame, And brought all thy power to decay ; Cast a stain on thy children their honour and name, And banished thy freedom away The blood of the martyrs so tortured and slain, By the black inquisition's decrees ; Shall live unforgot, and confront thee again. Till the demon of Popery flees. Rise again noble City ! 'I'hy past deeds efface, Banish all thy corruption from sight ; Of dark superstition renounce every trace. Grasp the banner of Jesus so bright. Let the Bible of 'J ruih be your peoples' guide, True Eeligion your buckler and shield ; And soon shall you stem false idolitry's tide. Superstition's dark forces .shall yield. 116 GHATITUDB AND DKPEMBENCE To a crucified Saviour in purity turn, And gladness shall reign in thy land ; The clear lamp of grace in thy City shall burn, And freedom return to thy strand. Thy sons and thy daughters by priesthood opprest. Shall emerge from their bondage again ; And find in Christ Jesus a heaven of rest. Papal terror shall haunt them in vain. Far and wide shall the tidings of gladness be spread. Every christian shall join in the song ; " For our fetters are hurst — false Popery's fled," Shall be echod by many a throng. O bright consummation ! to worship and pray, Unfettered untrammelled to be ; And the nations shall shout in the light of the day, Brave Italy's Children are iree 1 GRATITUDE AND DEPENDENCE. My Father, God, help me to raise, My soul to Thee in love aud praise ; "With deeply grateful heart I own, How constantly Thy help I've known. Whate'er may be ni}^ future course, "Well stayed by Thee I shall rejoice ; And this should set my heart at rest, Thy will ordains all things for best. Oh Lord ! Had I more faithful proved. And loved as I have been beloved ; AYhat heights of glorious joys divine, Throughout this life would have been mine. O Saviour ! by Thy mighty power. Guard mo in fierce temptation's hour ; O let Thy kind aud watchful care, Preserve me safe from every snare. HOLD THOTT MB Vrl 117 Oh ! let Thy pure refining fire, Purge me from every low desire ; O let Thy love to me be given, A foretaste of the joys of IJeaven. Help rae to consecrate to Thee, My time and talents — let them be : ^11 labouring in thy sovreign plan To save the fallen race of man. Let all my now remaining years I3e spent for 'I hee, all free from f ars ; And through the merits of I hy Son, The welcome sound shall come — Well done. And when shall come the closing scene, Let all he tranquil and serene ; And as T sink from rarth awnr. Soar up to realms of endless day. Grant me, O Lord, this one requ st, JRver on Thee mj rock to rest ; And both in life and death to prove, The comforts of Thy gracious Love. "HOLD THOU ME UP, AXD I SHALL BE SAFE,' Great God ! to 1 hee what gratitude I owe, For all Thy mercies shown me here below ; Bought by Thy Son's most precious blood divine, All that I have — consecrate it thine ! But O how weak are all my vows to I'hee, In myself such sinful weakness I see ; Hold thou me up O God ! shall be my cry, Though weak I am — on Th<'e I can rely. For Thou hast power and gracious love to save, Me from all sin — the power of hell to brave j And wither should I go. but unto 1 hee — •-0 Rock of ages — unto Thee I flee ! Fixed on the Rock I have my faith assured, 'J hou hast for me eternal Hfe seemed ; Aud feel tlirough Faith iu the aton'ng blood, Thou ai't my Christ, the Glorious Son of God.. Viewed iu ihe light of heavenly things divine, How little earthly things appear to shine ; Eiches and fame "with all their earthly joys, The mind of man soon satiates and cloys ; The pleasures all, that o'er our minds hold sway. Are fleeting all, and fading fast away ; For this world holds so many burning snares, "Dangerous to man," — the Word of God declares. Lord help me to find Thee, in thy Gospel Word, And rest my soul on Thee my gracious Lord ; Have all my functions by Thy grace renewed . All sin in me by Thy great love subdued. May mighty grace in me its power display, To save me in Thine own appointed way ; And in my heart delight to rule and reign, 'Nor of Thy absence ever more complain. Hold thou me up by Thy own truth and love, Send forth Thy powers horn cut I'hy courts above ;, And O in sinful me deign to show, "What thine Almighty grace can for me do. Thy Gospel here can all our souls revive. May I obey its voice, and in Thee live ; My sins all pardoned clothed by Thee afresh, My heart of stone, turned to a heart of flesh. Hold Thou me up, and my whole soul renew. That all may see and love my Jeslis too ; The love that saveth me doth here engage, A. Eafe defence for all from Satan's rage ; THE LAW AM) THE GOSPEL. 110 Be Thou my pattern, make me hei*e to bear, Thy gracious image, and Thy Inva declart ; Then God, my Judge, snail own my humble name, Among the followers of the glorious Lamb. Enlighten with thy Spirit's heavenly ray, My shades and darkness, turn ihem all to day ; Thy Spirit's whisperings make me ever know. Be thou my I'efuge while I'm here below. And let my conscience hear Thy gracious voice. And trembling, in its mighty Lord rejoice ; Fix on Thyself, my faithful stedfast mind, And all mj springs of blessings in Thee find. Enter my soul with all Thy lovely train, Let it the JMaster's richest love contain ; For others' souls I'hj'^ loving pity feel . And fill them all with pure and earnest zeal. Be thou my portion, and my happy choice Hold thou me up, in Thee may I i-ejoice ; Help me to bear from Thee each earthly rod, fill my soul with Glory Gracious God ! . THE LAW AXD THE GOSPEL. "The Law was given by Moses, but gi-ace and truth came hy Jesus Christ."- -John : l^t Chap. 17ih verse. To Horeb's Mount God's angel came, "Where Midian's Shepherds watched their Sheep ; Spake from the Bush of fiery flame, High holy words of import deep. For God had heard from Egypt's land, His chosen people's cries and chains ; And came to save with mighty IkuiI, And leadthem forth to Canaan's plains. 120 THE LAV AND THE G 8PKL. God sent His servant Moses forth. To set His bonded children free ; And Egypt's t/raut felt His wrath. And perished in the deep Red Sea. Soon aftei* God revealed His word, To Israel gave His ancient Law ; Which Moses took with trembling hand, And to the priests the message bore. On Sinai rang the tempest loud, The lighnting flashed, the thunder pealed ; When God came down mid'st fire and cloud. His laws to Israel's tribes revealed. Well may they stand in awful feud never seek for Heaven ? Can mortal man the horrurs tra«e, Upon that pallid dying face— Who finds now to his cost, That from the world he's forced to go, To sink mid'st anguish pain and woe— Witli those for ever lost. O language fails and is to weak, C'f the impenitent to speak — Whu'r filled with sad dispair. No ray of hope, now can they gain, On their past life they look with pain — The future dreads to dare. THB COKTBAST. 1*25. A painful sight, glad would they fly, To Christ for mercy e're they die — But fixed now is their doom. The harvest past their mercies tnd, And now their guilty souls descend — To everlasting gloom. The judge arrayed in glorious power, Thu' long delayed th'avenging hour — Kow on each guilty head. The summons comes without delay, " Depart to punishment away — On thee my wrath is shed," Their sins now stare them in the face, How they despised God's loving grace — And pleading now is vain. For Hell's now open to each eye, Now racked with dark despair they cry In anguish and in i)ain. And there in deepest misery placed. Among the lost by fiendi* embraoei — Yet never to expire They once would jeer at things divine. In evil with companions join — Now dwell with them in fire. My muse would now a contrast show, And leave these solemn scenes of woe — And sing a holier strain. Of others, saints that graced our earth. Whose pure religion, truth and worth — Chased sin, and care and pain. And thus we leave the fallen throng, And turn to one whose dying 8:)ng — Was Faith and Hope so bright. Whose sins through Christ were washed away. Who fought Faith's fight in life's short day — Then soared to endless Sight. 126 THE CONTRAST. As his last lingering momeuts come, He's waiting to be gathered home — Just view his radiant smile. Xo sting of conscience cause alarms, Embraced within his Saviour's arms, He rests now from his toil. His troubles here for ever cease, He longs now to depart in peace According to Christ's word. I have done with earth and dot- I feel, My anchor's cast within thp veil, I'm waiting for my Lord. Come angels hosts fetch me awaj, To brilliant realms of endless day, To join with you in song. To chant of Christ's redeeming love, Amidst triumphant hosts above. With the holy happy throng. The summons comes — by death released, His joys for ever are increased; He joins the holy band. While all the saints their voices raise. He joins with love his Saviour's praise In the upper — better land. Loud hallelujahs he will sing, Before the Throne of Heaven's ' ii?h King, In lovely meekness crowned. His joys will never have an end. For Christ will ever be his friend, At his right hand be found. 127 V-^ AUTUMN. When Autumn comes with golden grain, And gladness tunes the reaper's strain ; Amid the ricli ripe sheaves. Our barns are filled with honnteous yield, With produce stored from every Held ; But left are withered leaves But death when he tlie harvest reaps, The young and oid lor sheaves he keeps ; And all to )ii>n liow down. O pray that when death comes for thee, Ttou'lt he prepared from ea' th to flee, And waiting for thy cro vn- And then with joy tho'i'lt pass away, To brighter realms of endless day ; A sheaf for Heaven's floor. Where comes no blasts or winters cold, But safe withia liis heavenly fold, And gathered to God's store. 128 • THE Aai S OF VOMAN With all Thy sheaves O God we'll raise,. Our Hallalujah songs of praise ; Astonished at I hy Love. With i-apturous joy low at 'I hy feet, "We'll sing the song so grand and sweet. And dwell with 1 hee above. THE AGES OF V.OMAN. In childhoods tender years, We love those accents sweet ; That please our listening ears With sounds we love to greet. How be uteous then to hear The tiny daughter's prayer ; In words of trust and fear, She asks for future care. O little does she know, The pits and snares of life ; W^hat crime the world doth show — What cares what pains and strife !' O well it were that all Should early pray for aid ; To shun each sinful fall, And vice's dreary shade. At school her mind expands, And learning's treasures gain ; To virtue true she stands, Her prayers are not in vain. Then home from school returns,. A blooming maiden fair ;. Where fond affection burns, To greet her welcome there. EPITAPH. 129 In woman's brightest hour, With joyous feelings bright ; A sweet uprising flower, With hearts all pure and light. Ere marriage her hopes all gay, Rejoicing in maiden pride ; She gives herself away A beauteous blushing bride. How happy are those days ! Alas ! how soon they're past ; Comes Autumn's finHng rays Her life is gliding fast Of fancy's charms bereft, JrJow splendid they appeared ; Have gone and sadly left, But little to be cheered. But though time quickly fles, And onward moves apace ; Her soul with love may rise, Moved by the power of grace. Then though her life decay, Above her soul shall soar ; To a home of endless day. Happy for evermore. EPITAPH. In memorium of my mother, Isabella WilliamBon- The frail weary body now rests Its pains and its sorrows are o'er ; She is gone to the laud of the blest, And safely arrived on its shore. Through Jesus her baviour and friend, Who blest her on earth with His Love ; She was meekly resigned to the end, Now she reigns with Him ever above. 130 DEPARTUKE OF A BELOVED MINISTEE, TO^ ANOTHER FIELD OF LABOUR. Farewell beloved "Workman, God's blessing be thine, Into whatever part of Christ's vineyard ye go ; Wc regret that to leave us has now come the time, Still pray God may bless all your labours at Bow. We pray that His Bow may your pathway surround, That thousands of souls be your seals of reward ; Sottls that through you shall in glory be crowned, In thee you shall hail your triumphant Lord. your ministry here hai e been years of great labour. And many have been by your preaching imprest ; With penitant hearts they have come to the Saviour, And sought through His blood Salvation and rest. Our Circuit has flourished with help from above, Success hath attended God's all-powerful word ; The Saints have been filled with heavenly love. And wanderers brought homeward again to the Lord. God gi'eatly hath blest you, your labours hath crowned. His Vineyard hath prospered from toil without rest; Your hands were upheld by true workers around, A new Chapel is raised all in Peckham to bless. CO YK INIO ALL TIIK WOKLD, 131 My pen would endeavour thy Virtues to praise. For labour which beareth the signet divine ; But surely no muse of mine can o'er raise, The " Workman" who has in each bosom a shrine. Go herald of Truth on thy mission of peace, Thy life e'er be bright with God's covenant bow ; When in thy new Circuit, may His love increase, Till each heart their Jesus their Saviour shall^know. Go disciple of love, the gosple wide sow, And souls for thy Master continue to win ; Seek His glory alone in going to Bow, And souls out of number be saved from sin. And when Heaven's harvest bright ending shall come. Your zeal and your labour so cherished and blest ; Shall appear in the hosts of Spirits brought home. For ever arrainged in the mansions of rest. «« GO YE INTO ALL THE WOKLD, AND PEEACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY GEE ATURE." 1 he word shall win its widening way. For God hath said the word ; Then let each one be valiant still. In fighting for their Lord. For sure the victory we shall gain. If for Him we shall fight ; And earth shall shout His praise again. For sending peace and Light- Though clouds and darkness o'er our camp> Hans thick in dread array : T he Sun of Kighteousness shall rise, And make a glorious day. GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD. Lord he]p thy servant s where they are, Thy radiance let us see ; And bless Thy missionary sons, And give them victory. The combat of the living truth, Kight well our fathers' fought ; Though many years have passed and fled. Since first the Word was taught. And still we grasp within our hands, The weapons they used well ; Armed with the blessed Bible Truth, We'd beat the hosts of Hell. Though many years have passed away Eeligion's still the same ; As when the Patriarch Abraham, Felt Faith's enkindling flame. And we too by the help .of God, Its living light shall raise ! And plant the Cross in every land, And labour all our days. Long lines of Saints are looking down, A wliite robed host are they — Our fathers in the Faith, and lived To light an evil day. And we will follow in the track, Of those who've gone before, When life is j)ast again we'll meet. Upon the eternal shore Then children of the Saints arise To follow those of old ; Who now have gained the glorious prize, And strike their harps of gold. God calls oil us to trample down-, The dras on-monster Sin ; 'Heaven's hrigiit gates before us shine. And the victor's Crown we'll win. 133 THE CITY WHOSE BULLDER AND FOUNDKR IS GOD. Ihere is a glorious City — O how wondrous bright ! God Himself the Builder, — Christ His Son, — I he liglil; It stands unchanged for ever, in beauty to behold, Its walls of Stone most precious ; its Streets of purest gold. And there the saints for ever, shall in the mansion blest, With all th' adoring angels enjoy the glorious rest ; There robed in purest lustre, they shall His praise declare. With cherubim, and seraphim, adore Him ever there. No sorrow there will meet them", or sound of jarring strife, For God will wipe all tears away, in that blest land of Life ; To living streams will lead them, audfiUthem with His Love, In pastures green will feed ihem, in the happy home above. Oh, land of fairest beauty ! our souls to Thee aspire, The thought of Thee enkindles a holy chaste desire ; ' O Saviour be our Pilot ! our strength and holy guide, Till we are safely seated, in glory by Thy side. LINES DEDICATED TO S. BEVINGTON, ESQ., ON THE KE-OPENING OF BERMONDSEY RAGGED SCHOOLS. We hail Great God this bright auspicious day. And ask Thine aid to help us on our way ; We thank Thee for kind teachex's to us j^iven. To train the young, to seek the path to heaven. Let blessings on our benefactors flow ? And sanctify the seed they daily sow ; A holy mission theirs to teach the young, To inspire with truth the helpless wanderer's tongue. 134 THE F lOL HATH SAID IN HIS HF.ART. Thou Gracious God ! o'er ruling earth and space, O consecrate this work with thy blest Heavenly graoe. And may this school for many ages stand, To bless the young of this our flavoured land. Father, we thank Thee for Thy loving grace; 'i'hou'st helped our friends to gain the better place, Jesus, we pray, on us Thy blessing send, l^^e thou our kiud Shepherd, and our constant friend. Guide us we pray Thee by Tky Spirits mi^*t, I'utill we reach the heavenly world of light. Then with our friends, we shall Thy name adore, For ever praise Thee, on the eternal shore. 'J hen we shall sing the glad triumphant song— And dwell for ever with the angels throng, Midst hallowed light we shall Thy face behold With the Good Shepherd in our Father's fold. THE FOOL [lATH SAID IN HIS HEART "THERE IS NO GOD" Fools may say that my Faith is deception, "A doctrine of priests — a fable -a lie, And the sceptic refu'^es to give it reception. And says 'tis all foil}' on such tu rely," But I envy not thi-m of tlieir boasted opinion, And lau;;!! at th'.'ir folly when faith they deny. In life ic gives peace by the sweetest dominion, And teaclies tiie Christian in triumph to die. The foul t"i!gne of slander may try defamation. And seek by injustice each good to revile ; But those fl'lio have seen Faith's power and affection, Will say that no malace its nfirae can defile, THE DREAMS OF MANKIND. And this is the balm of our sweet consolation, That soothes the sad heart when with sorrow distrest ; The hope of the Christian in his contemplation ; Some day he will dwell in the land of the blest. Let them say what they will of our glorious foundation, The Rock of our safety — despise it who may; Fixed on this Kock is our certain salvation, Secure it shall stand when earth fades away. €>ur religion through life we surely may cherish, And glorify God, with lives just and pure ; For the secptic shall in his unbelief perish. While the Christi m's Salvation shall ever endure. THE DREAMS OF MAKKINH. \Vhat a strange and mysterious state do we find "When slumber encircles the powers of the mind, What fanciful forms are presented to view. So vivid and clear, as if real and true. All ranks and all races and sects are the same — When sleep hath surrounded and conquered the frame. How rapid the changes of life's running stream. What sights are revealed in one single dream ! What a solace doth innocence briug to the heart ! Through the dark shades of sleep the keen piercing dart Of truth will assert her imperative sway. Show the blackness ot crime in its frightful array, AVhile carmly reposes the innocent breast, And its sweet visions picture the land of the blest. Like celestial existence the bright moments seem When the angels' soft whispers are heard in a dream. 13'3 THE DREAMS OF MANKIND. Though downy the couch where an Emperor hes. The flitting night prompter incessantly flies Around the rich tapestry o'er the soft bed, 'Wh'^re imperial riches and grandeur are spread; Brilliant Victories' charms, cause his bosom to heave, , In fancy he hastens his sports to receive. "\Miile in glory enthroned as a noonarch supreme, He wakes and finds all is a flattering dream. The Statesman retires to his chamber each night After gracing the Senate with wisdom so bright^ Eeclines on his pillow, when lo ! to his view Come the years that are past, fresh, vivid and new; He labours aspiring to win a great 'name, To inscribe his renown on the records of fame, A nd quick beat the pulses of life's glowing stream, Ab the ardour of boyhood comes fresh in a dream. In the still shades of night, amidst calmness and love. When all is resigned to the Father above; The i aster's meek eyelids droope calmly and close, Released from the world he is lulled to repose j But Oh ! what a glorious vision is there. The new land of Edon, and Paradise fair, Where Christ and His Angels sound forth the blest theme. While the man of God prays in the midst of a dream, 1 he fond dreams of love, how charming they glide, As in sleep by the brink of its murmuring tide; 'J he bright bank of pleasure is Vv^a/ted along Midst smiles and caresses, and music and song. At length love awakes to the stern liying truth ! What cares will o'er take us emerging from youth? Still let us rejoice in loves holy stream, Preserve all we can of its first happy dream. THK DREAMS OF MANKIND. 137 ' When the battle field's covered with wounded and dead, The brave weary soldier reposes his head, He dreams of his wife, and dear children at home, Of the fields where in youth he delighted to roam. In fancy embraces his wife's darling form, Feels her breath on his cheek, all glowing and warm; At length he awakens with a desolate start ! His dreaming hath left but a void in his heart. When the waves of the ocean are mounting' on hio;h. And the white crested billows shoot up to the sky, The brave hardy sailor in peace in his berth, Oft dreams of his love, and his dear native earth, Of the old folks at home, in the cot by the shore, Whose beauties perhaps he may never see more, But O ! in that vision how sweet are those ties That twine round his childhood, so dear to his eyes. When the hard flinty miser his shrunken limbs stretch, Where truth could inscribe " Here liveth a wretch," He rolls and he tosses throughout the lunij nio-ht On the cold cellar floo;-, no food, and no light; His treasure he clutches, his glassy eyes roll, H« dreams that he's filling a rich jewelled bowl. With the gold he hath wrung from Mammons dark stream But he curses and raves, when he finds its a dream. The cold hearted libertine, haughty and proud. Who trumpets his conquests of virtue aloud ; And because he is rich escapes the world's frown, He is called a gay spark, of the fashion and town, But follow him home, to his night's solitude, Where conscience unbidden, will dare to intrude, He is racked in his sleep by his victims loud scream, -He finds no escape from his hai-rowiug di-eara. 188 LTNVS ON A liAliGKI) SCHO L BOY. Through the long iiours of night with feverish brain, While dreaming of suffering horror and pain, The drunkard's eye lights on some hideous form ; Fancy calls forth a tempest, he quails at the stornj. While legions of spectres sweep over his bed ; His blood rushes madly distracting his head, His eyes wildly roll, he utters a scream ! And terrified wakes from his horrible dream. There is joy in the cottage where labour and love — And contentment abide, to raise us above ; 1 he vices and follies, disgracing we find So largly dispersed through the ranks of mankind; How sweet are the dreams of the labourer's bed 1 No craving ambition discomforts his head, His dream's are contented, he loves the green sod. His neighbours he loves, while he praises his God. LINES ON A RAGGED SCHOOL BOY, WHO BECAME A MINISTER Ai>iD MISSIO:f^ARY. Our Ragged Schools have bravely stood. And rescued souls from sin ; Framed children to be chaste and good. To Jesus' fold brought in, They've been a blessing to mankind, To spread the Gospel truth, To cleanse the heart, and light the mind, Of many a ragged youth ; Made many hate the haunts of vice, Good Christian "s they've become ; 1 hrough teachers' prayers, and good advice^. Have sought their Heavenly home. LINES ON A HAGGKIi .SC lOiiL lir.Y. V^') When Pwagged urchins throng tlie Street, ifow little do we know, The gems there are in some we meet. They little care to show, But speak to them one word of love, Ignite the slumbering flame, The virtues soon will sliiue above, None thought could dwell in them ; That, cheers the Christian teacher's heart. Shows him — his toiling days Are blest, while here he does his part The fallen here to raise. Poor children reared -in dark recess Of ignorance and sin. Where love of parents do not bless, And thera to virtue win ; But from the cradle nauglit is known. But precepts sad and vile, And such examples to them shown. Which tend them to defile ; But ev'en with these, Almighty love. Can light the wanderer's bresist, And by His Spirit from above, Lead them to seek His rest. One boy I know, who mischief loved, • A most unruly lad, Who often had rebellious proved. By conduct always bad ; I spoke to him, and told him plain Such pranks 1 could not have, He laughed at me, went on again, My rule he dared to brave, I told him he must leave the school ; Nor spoil the other boys, He stared ! and jeer'd me to my faci*, And revelled in his noise. 140 THE GOODNESS OF GrD TO MAK. I called the School around rae then, And went on to explain The fate of wanton wicked men. Their lives of sin, and pain ; My lect'.xre short he did not like, And vowed he'd searve me out ; Next day he brought a stick, to strike, And flourished it about ; I went to him, and kindly told, , If he would order make, I had a coat which was not old. He for himself might take. This kindness won his heart at once, He was an alter'd boy, Ko mo)-e a rackless noisy dunce To len-n, his greatest joy. And blest, by Gud he forward went — A nd spread an honoured name ; To foreit^n missions he was sent, And gained a wurld-wide fame. And thAusands by his righteous, life And fervent words were saved ; Thev left this land of tears and strife. Death's terrors meekly braved. THE GOODNESS OF GOD TO MAN. Vain are my efforts, and weak is my praise. When God's goodness to man is my t'fienie, Yet I wish to acknowledge His goodness, and raise An offering of love, and my poor muse obeys With gratitude, in his best scheme. Upheld by His power, by His tenderest care, Through this world of temptation aid sin, O Father I Thj' love and Thy mercy I share, Which presei'ves me from falling in many a snare. Preserved often, and rescued I've been. AN ACROSTIC. 141 But alas ! iu return for these mercies all shown, "When my heart should with gratitude swell. Oft times "tis as cold and hard as a stone, My aflrections seem lost, as I wander alone From my God, with the worldling to dwell. But I will not fear, for God's ever nigh, All things are upheld by His hand. His mercy that gave the dear Saviour to die Shall blot out my sins from His recoi-d on high; Jesus died for redemption of man. And He who controls the world by His word, Who stilleth tlie tempest and waves of the sea, He careth for me, and my prayers are all heard, Which shows Him to me as a merciful God, By His kindness and care shown to me. Then why should I doubt, though the world seemeth dark With sorrow ? O ! why should I grieve 1 My trust is in Thee, Thou shall pilot my bark Through the breakers of life, though fearful and dark To Heaven for ever to live. AN ACROSTIC. A round your path life's sweetest joys be spread, G athering blessings on your youthful head; N ever evanescent, like some ;^ipsing dream, E ver cliangiug through life's tieeting stream — S olid, sacred happiness ever on you beam. M ay you be loved by every one around, A nd prove a blessing "wherever you ai*e found ; R ejoicing fi.-ieiids' hearts with affection's tone — Y ou prove the comfort of your peaceful home. S trive to he useful through life's fleeting way, N ever trifle it, like the butterfly, away; E ver sipping from pleasure's flowers the dew. L et this never have to be said of you, <' S he lived in vain. ' More noble be your aim. O t past time, if wasted, try some to reclaim, N or let life pass without honour to his name. 14-2 ON" THE DISSOLtTiON UF THE WORLD. Shall it be so? Shall this earth ever fall, With what it now coutaius ? destroyed withal By its own elements'? dissolved by fire. And into nothing shall it all expire ? Shall all the works so great by man designed, That show the power of his ingenious mind' — The warlike battlements, an,d piles so grand — Cathedrals and temples that rise in every land — • Shall all his works, of which he makes his boast, To oblivion sink, and be for ever lost ? Worlds and planets, all shall cease their race. The sun be blotted out from mighty space ; The silvery moon, queen of nature's night, In darkness quenched, no more shall give her light ;. And our bright earth, man's native place below. Shall be destroyed, and into nothing flow ; And every planet from their spheres shall fall — Annihilation then shall be the fate of all Shall the bright sun, wi.h its illumirg ray. That through creation holds it mighty t-way — Shall it through space for ever cease to roll. And darkness shade again creation's whole ? Shall the moon, with its sweet silvery light, All orbs and planets, with their grandeur bright. Be all annihilated with the world— Into chaotic night again be hurled ? It must be so ! God's word hath passed so great — His imperial fiat hath decreed their fai:e. Revolving ages cannot stay their doom — Darkness again shall cover all with gloom. Except the soul of man : for that is sure — ■ It shall through all eternity endure. AX .M'l'KAli TO TIIR RENEVOLENT. 1 43."- Time ou that can ne'er exert its power, To live for evt-r Ood hatli given its dower, And though all nature's rent from pole to pole, And oibs, and planets vanish with the whole. Yet shall the soul live free from earthly clod, An emanation h-om Omnipotence — a part of God * AN APPEAL TO THE BENEVOLENT. Dear friends, how noble is it here The poor and sick to help and cheer, To bless those hearts who crave your aid. Help needy souls now wanting bread. Dreary they sit, their hearthstones cold. In wretchedness both the young and old ; No food have they, nor table spread, Their cupboard scant ; with scarce a bed 3 They're pining cold in sickeuiug gloom- All onwax'd hastening to the tomb. How many dwell sunk low in pain "Who call your aid and call in vain ? Poor wandering souls, who can provide A home, but in our streets abide In poverty, and cold despair — O sympathise with kindly care ! While eyes are dimn'd with misery's tear. Be your delight their hearts to cheer ; "While you from himger and from cold. Are free ; O cheer them with your gold I 1A4 AX APPEAL TO THK BENEVOLENT. May I know, -^hose hand and voice Delight to make poor souls rejoice. Who often on a winter's night, Leaves comfort, home, and fireside bright ; And wend their way to misery's door, Kesolvei to cheer the needy poor. Who've passed the night in bitter cold. What scenes of misery they behold : Worn down with sickness, care, and grief, lliey search them out^ and bring relief. These good Samaritans warm each heart, Oft with the poor their comforts part, They give them bread their want to stay. And chase desponding fears away ; Then read aloud God's Holy Word, And tell of Christ the sinners' Lord ; Oft by their bedsides kneel and pray — That Jesus will His grace display; The prayer of hope ascends to Heaven That all their sins mav be forgiven. And those enjoy their own much more— Who give as Christians to the poor ; The want and hunger they releive. Will never cause their hearts to grieve. Thi-ice noble those, who daily go To visit souls in sin and woe ; Who labour in Christ's hallowed cause — To proclaim the beauty of His laws. O deign, Great God their works to bless, Their efforts crown with full success. LINES ON HOPB. 14& Then wheu the glorious day shall come, May these poor souls iu H eaven their home Eejoice, and raise salvation's song, And swell tlic bright angelic throng ; And bless those hearts whose Christian love Did lead them to the courts above. And Christ shall say to all around, To all who have His mansions found, Come faithful of my Father's blest, Rise ! enter now, my promised rest. LINES ON HOPE. Hope on admidst the storms of life. Through all its comforts sever. And valiant wage the battle strife — Hope on and hope for ever. Per if dark clouds to-day appear, The bright will dawn to-morrow ; The sunny beams may come to cheer. And drive away all sorrow. For many a care and pain we know. While through life's path we tread ;. And many a storm as on we go AVill break around our head ; But if we look for help abdve, To have faith iu God endeavour. We may with confidence and love, Trust Him and hope for ever. AN ACROSTIC. I-IC Let life's battle never daunt thee, Be a warrior true and brave ; Show forth a hero's bravery, lu thy march towards the grave. And when troubles fierce assail thee. Meet them bravely, falter never ; Though spirits fail, press manfully, Let hope still cheer your path for ever. If life's fiirest dreavns have vanished, (.'ur frieads departed, lost, and g^ne ; Yet let despair be ever banished, Let U8 bi-avely still hope on. For if friends and com forte perish, And each pleasure from us sever, This hope our hearts shall warmly cherish— We shall dwell witii them for ever. And when death shall come to free us. Then our souls shall not despair. For God's angels shall surround us. And us to Heaven in triumph bear ; < And there our Saviour we shall see, And sorrow then assail us never ; And happy through eternity, Shall live and bless His name for ever. AN ACROSTIC' ■i 'G reat and glorious beams of love, E ach hour shine radiant from above, O ur course of light to cheer and- bless, JR. eplete with heavenly tenderness ; G race — the rich balm to hearts oppress'd, E ternal peace our promised rest. ON THE DUKD OF XORTHUMBRRLAND. 147 J oyous ancl brill -ant the ravs that shine, 'er all creation's works divine; S uch bliss is found in truth's sweet words, E ach line inspired such calm affords, P oor souls delight to hear their sounds, H igh Heaven's best hope their life surrounds. W ho can then despise the way 1 n which our helpless fallen clay L ooks npward towai-ds the realms of Smht. L amenting sin's distressful sight, I n pious tranquil grateful mood, A spiring towards the j ust and good ! M y friend, I grieve so oft to finl, ■ S atan enthralls the human mind ; O may your efforts firm an 1 bold, N ew converts bring to Jesus' fold ! ON THE BIRTH-DAY OF HIS GRACE ALGERNON PERCY, THE MOST NOBLE THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND. Most noble duke ! accept this my humble lay, As a tribute to commemorate thy natal day ; 'Tis a vain effort to record thy worth, Thy benevolence is so well known to all, Who pray for blessings on thy head to fall — Thy bounty has bless'd many on the earth. " Long live his Grace !" we often hear them say, " May he live long to bless us through each day. Loved and revered by high and low around ; May every day his happiness increase. His happiness and life be spent in peace, And health's richest blessings to him abound." 148 ON THE DOKE OP NOKTHUMBERLAND. May sere old age so gently o'er you steal, While faith and hope the better world reveal. That you scarce feel time's decaying hand. In doing good may each day pass away, A benefit to others through life's short day, While on you journey to the better land. ^ May each sacred church endowed by you, A blessing prove to thousands, Christians true, Abiding frail mortals on their road to heaven; And as they march to Canaan's happy land, Pray heaven to bless the liberal donor's hand, Who hath these sacred shrines so kindly giveu. May each life-boat by you placed on our coast, Be the means of rescue to a grateful host Of Mariners, who b\it for them "would drown. They trembling watch the life-boat leave the shore. To bring them save to land again once more. Ask God the donor with His love to crown. Then as the sailor's home meets each one's view. The gift of a noble sailor good and true, That when once landed they may happy bej Their hard-earned wages there they will not waste. But all the sweets of shore they there may taste, And soon forget the dangers of the sea. Onward your grace ! may your life's every page Bring blessings unto this, and coming age, And prosperity have cause to bless your name. Then as the sculptured tomb thy virtues show, Thousands who read it will most surely know, The record of truth showing forth ihy name. TO HER GRACE THE MOST NOBLE THE I>TJCHF'5=. l-i.) And when your grace's work on, earth is doiio. May the blest voice of God's beloved Son Say, " Come, faitliful servant of my Father blest. Come, and receive the reward of all thy love, And share the glories of the realms above, In my everlasting kiugdom now to rest." There join in happiness with the countless throng, And sing with the heavenly host the joyful song, With angels, saints, snd seraphim how down ; Clothed in spotless white with harps in hand, And bid thee welcome to the heavenly land, Exchanging earth's coronet for hea^ en's crown. TO HER GRACE THE MOST NOBLE THE DUCHESS, OX THE DUKE'S BIRTHDAY. Most noble Duchess, may this my humble lay To greet thy loved husband on his natal day, "Win a welcome from thy generous breast. Thou kind promoter of thy good lord's plans. In every good work strengthening his hands, — May God's choicest blessings ever on thee rest. For self alone thou dost not care to live. But the poor do of thy wealth receive. Blessing with bounteous gifts the peasant's cot ; Thou dost delight to banish pains and cares, For thou are raised many earnest prayers, That thou through life may'st have a happy lot. May heaven preserve thy life lor many years, Thy husband good, to comfort, soothe, and cheer. And help him use the talents God has given ; 'J hen when thou hast done with earth below, May he call you home His joys to know, And then to crown thee both in heav( - 150 1HE DIGXITY OF LABOUE. There's dignity in the labour of every working man, His brave and sturdy hand employed in works of every plan That science brings to light, or architect designs ; He raises lofty palaces, and borrows in the mines : The mechanics of our country, they are its greatest pride, How vast their field of labour spreads, extending far and wide; Their aid we cannot do without, they help in every way To raise our country high in fame, in this our glorious day. How useless would be capital without their active hand, They break the soil, and sow the seed, and cultivate the land. God bless their arduous efforts with Thy all-gracious smile, And grant them all Thy comforts here, these hardy sons of toil. THB DiasiTT OF LABOXJB. 151 Both bards and pnets write and sing of dignity of race,. And heroes of the battle-field their pages often grace, But seldom cast a thought towards the toiling busy thrjng, Or make the sons of labour the burden of their son"- • But mine shall be the noble task, mine the good design, To cheer the sons of labour with my poetic Ime — To show forth their achievements throughout each passinc' day, Ko difficulties daunt them or hardships o'er dismay ; But on they plod with patience in every work they try With persevering energy their talents to employ. God bless their arduous efforts with Thy all-gracious smile, And grant them all Thy comforts here, these hardy sons of toil The shepherd tends ihe pastures and labours for the sheep ,. And brings them all into his fold ih safety there to keep ; ■^yith kindly zeal he watches them and makes them all his care. And shears their fleeces when they're grown, for raiment that we wear ; And then the weaver weaves it into cloth of richest hues, To make our clothes the tailor then his hindiwork persues : The Prince's costly flowing robe with elegance he'll form, Or shape the labourer's working suit to keep him dry and. warm ; And thus they work together supplying clothes and food, In mutual labour joining to work each other's good, God bless their arduous efforts with Thy all-gracious smile^ And grant them all Thy comforts here, these hardy sons of tolL 'Tis labour moulds the brick and tile, and quarries out the slate. Cuts out the stone far churches and other buildings great. And monuments most lofty in gorgeous pride it rears. Cathedrals most noble too each tapering spire appears, The merchant's splendid residence with grand and stately domes, 152 THE DIGNITY OF LABOUR, Likewise the dwellings of the poor the cotters' humble homes ; Labour drives down deeply into the solid earth, ^nd brings to light the coal we burn, that hidden store of ■worth, To feed our thousand fires and keep us from the cold. And heat our many furnaces producing wealth untold. God bless their arduous efforts with Thy all-gracious smile. And grant them all Thy comforts here, these hardy sons of toil. Labour smelts the iron ore, the silver, and the gold, And turns them to a thousand shapes delightful to behold ; The ponderous, massive anchor, and shafts of mighty size, With tlie powerful steam engine along the rail that flies. With its strong and whirling wheels, its fine and threadlike wii-e, Likewise the molten furnace with fiercely roaring fire ; Driving on so rapidly it draws its heavy load. With luggage cars, and goods, and grain, along the iron road ; Goods despatched at wonderous speed, all by the power of steam, What multitudes of blessings now to every quarter stream, (jod bless their arduous efforts with Thy all-gracious smile. And grant them all Thy comforts here, these hardy sons of toil. Labour hews the lofty oak. and builds the noble ship. And fits it up with sail or steam to bear it o'er the deep, To wrestle with the tempest throughout its loudest roar. To bear the produce of each clime towards our peaceful shore ; Fi'ora India, the richest silks, with stores of corn and rice And precious other merchandise, most cosily in their price ; From China it conveys unto our shores the teas, AVith all the choicest spices every one to please ; And sugar from the is ands of the sunny distant west, .Supplying us with what we need of quality the beet. God bless their ardu )'.s efforts with '1 by all-gracious smile, A ud giant them al' Thy co^iiforts here, these hardy sons of toil. OM THE DEATH OF AGNES FEAESO.V. 153 Labour from the flint-stoue produces brilliant glass, And moulds it into ornaments that nothing can surpass; And melts it into plates and sheets to admit the light, Or places it in spectacles to improve the sight. Labour spans the river, likewise the valley green, And builds the massive bridge o'er the deepest rivers seen ; It hollows out the tunnel beneath the mountain strong, While millions travel through it borne by steam along ; It links together by the rail the nations of the earth, And brings to light in every place the hidden stores of worth, God bless their :irduous eftbrts with Thy all-gracious smile, And grant them all Thy comforts here, these hardy sous of toil. Labour sends its messages along the electric wire. Coursing o'er its joui-ney with wings of brilliant fire ; A mighty chain of network running through'the world. The grandest scheme that science ever yet unfurled ; 'Tis labour takes the thought, commits it to the page, Man's intellect to keep alive through every comii)g age. The dignity of labour our time would fail to tell, Yet shall its daily triumphs our history's pages swell. And monuments of genius reared by labour stand, As ornaments and blessings around our native laud. God bless their arduous efforts with Thy all-gracious smile. And grant them all 1 hy comforts here, these hardy sons of toil. ON THE DEATH OF AGNES PE.\RSON. She has gone to her rest by bright angels surrounded. All tears from her eyes are banished and gone ; All sorrow is vanished that here much abounded. Now bright is her robe, and radiant her crown. 154 ON COLEORTON HALL. She has joined the blest band who proved here victorious. Through much tribulation and sorrow they came ; Now, free from all trials with the spirit made gloriouf*, She rejoices for ever through the blood of the Lamb. No more her fond heart shall with sorrow be swelling, No more shall her eyes be with tears dimmed again ; She has gained the bright mansions, and now she is dwelling-. With her Saviour for ever in heaven's bright plain. Then let us rejoice that her crown was gained early, Removed from earth soon and all sorrows to come ; Let us think of her waiting at the gates bright and pearly. To welcome her friends to their heavenly home. COLEORTON HALL, THE SEAT OF SIR GEORGE BEAUMONT. Oh, lovely Coleorton ! thy fine hall is seen, Midst glowing rich verdue, and woodlands so green ; Here nature shines lovely in scenery so bright, 1 hat fills each beholder with nameless delight. Here bloom the rich flowers, their blossoms so neat, The air around filled with their odours se sweet ; New beauties each moment arise into birth, It seems like a paradise here upon earth. The sun now illumes with its radiant light, All tinged are the clouds so golden and bright ; How merrily carols the bird's cheerful voice, All nature in harmony seems to rt-'joice. The sky a rich arch of celestial blue, As the bright orb of day his brilliant rays threw. Variegating each object, each landscape, and flower, VVith gorgeous hues by its dazzling power. OH COLEOBTOlf HALL l55 Gaze whitUer we will o'er mountain or plain, O'er hill or o'er valley, we'd fain gaze again ; Each scene that we view seems again to invite, And as we behold them increase our delight. Coleorton was decked like a lovely young bride, Majestic and grand in its glory and pride ; So Ancient, so fine, no dwelling for gloom, Amidst the most choice and richest perfume. The roses so gay with their bright crimson hue, All floral creation so fair to the view ; The fruit rich and luscious inviting the taste, With clusters of grapes the hothouse was graced ; Competition or rivals they seetaed to defy. In colour so splendid, in flavour so high, There's nought could surpass them, so rich and so fine, As they gr;!Ct:fully drooped from each bearing vine At Coleorton we trfad upon high classic ground, And view the mementoes displayed here around, Of men of great genius who in their own day O'er the mind of mankind held wonderful sway. With Wordsworth th<' poet we here live again, And wander with bim o'er tiie flower-studded plain ; We view the fine trees as stately they stand. Planted many years since by the Poet s own hand. If we go on to Wordswortb's rock seulptur'd seat. What celebrities of fame there often did meet — Mrs. Siddous, the actres:>, who played well her parts So much as to please all ears and all hearts. With Coleridge and Hastings who here we may find, Once met aad disclosed to each other his mind ; Whilst Wilkie and Constable painted each scene Of the loveliest picture that ever was seen. 1-j6 on coleokton hall Here ReynolJs the painter lies silent and low, At his monument here we re^^pectfuUy bow ; And the tribute we read of his worth from a friend — Sir George Beaumont, the author, by hirh it was penned- Who with warm kindly feelings here gushing forth, This tribute hath left of his genius and worth ; And here midst the lime trees' silent still shade, Uprears the stone pillar by his friendship made. And here midst the waving trees' sha'ly green bowers; On all sides surrounded with fragrant flowers. Sir Walter Scott here mediated, and wrote His Ivanhoe, famed as a great work of note. He wrote here of knights al! fierce for the fray, Near this place they would meet in battle array, And urge on their steeds to the tournament field. Determined to conquer but never to yield. Here is Shakespeare's bust ' no praises of mine Can add to his fame that ever will shine ; And Michael Angelo, that sculp<-or of fame, Whose works seem to throw o^ a life-breaihing flame. And Eaphael the painter, who-.e exo, Jsite art, Santa mirror of nature direct to the heart; These to the memory such emotions will give, That each seems again among us to live, Though great are the beauties that here doth abound^ 'Tis very well known the whole country round. The Hall is the son's of a fine noble race, Whose father the pages of history grace. One was with Exmouth in front of Algiers, His ship into action undaunted he steers ; By his courage so brave on the boisterous main. He greately assistel the victory to ^ain. THK DYINO OHRISTIAN. 157 Another, whose paintings the people oft view As they traverse the National Gallery through ; Of the fiue arts a patron, to the poet a friend, His assistance was ever mosc ready to lend ; To genius distress'd in the time of theirneed, A friend he was always — a friend too indeed ; A genius himself on the bright scroll of fame, He rich laurels earned, and a much honoured name. Giver of all good, let Thy gifts now abound, About this fine mansion let peace still be found ; Let Ihy choicest love on its inmates e'er rest In blessings of others may be doubly blest. May peace, joy, and plenty their portion be here. Every blessing attend them, life's pathway to cheer ; May they ever live in their people's love, Till called by God to His blest home above. THE DYIXG CHRISTIAN. The sun that sinks in the far distant west. 1 intiug the sky with golden radiance fired ; Fit emblem of the dying Christian blest, Who laboured for Christ, and in His cause expired. Go visit his ropm, see life ebbing out. With sickness his powers enfeebled decay ; While strong in the faith, I hear him now shout— " The victory's won, I am soai-ing away !" Come, infields, come, and see one Christian die : What safety could he now find in your creed ? If now l;e was from his loved Lord to fly. Would it support him in death's hour of need ? loS THK DYING CHRISTIAK I have heard of infidels when in death's grasp, Crying to Christ with despair in their sight ; But never of Christians returning to clasp Infidelity in his life's latest flight. But Christian sought truth in God's blessed book, />nd searched for treasures in that glorious mine! The Holy Spirit's light for guidance he tocx To unveil the gems in tbe Volume divine. Soon he found gems an MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE. Descend, poetic muse, with hallowed fire. Into my heart with sacred love descend ; Help me with judgment sound to strike my lyre In praise to him, the Wesleyans' true friend. 'Tis Jabez Bunting — noble-minded man. The friend of all who truly loved our Lord ; Well worked he in the Methodistic plan, A ud well therewith did his pure life accord. In freedom's cause he lifted up his voice, That sacred source whence all rich blessings flow. To free the slave and make his heart, rejoice, Employed his time and labour while below. Around his brow the wreath of pious fame Shall like a beauteous evtrgreeu be placed, And many souls shall bless his honoured name, And think of him who every virtue graced. 170 0!T DR. JABEZ ECNTING. The record now is borne away on high. How hard he for his sacred Master toiled, With heavenly love and warmest sympathy, And loving-kindness like a little child. To such a man 'tis real joy to raise The voice of friendship, so that it may sound A grateful tribute in this hero's praise, Who ever in his Master's work was found. His highest joy to elevate mankind, With judgment sound and earnest love sincere ; With energetic zeal and thought refined, The good of all he sought wliile dwelling here. The fight of faith he manfully hath fought, And conquered boldly with his vaMant heart ; Christ's honour conscientiously he sought, And when called hence was ready to depart. Pastor and friend, thy loss we all deplore, The Lord on high beheld thy truth and love ; Thou art not dead, but only gone before. And now art blest eternally above. Taught by thy life may we from sin refrain, And honoured Him who took thee to that shore, And gi'ateful own that Christ alone is gain, Till life is past and sin can stain no more. Shall we then mourn when God's great heroes die — Shall naught tfut sorrow fill the tender heart- Shall only tears be seen, and heard the sigh — When from such honoured ones we're forced to part ? ON DR. JAREZ BUNTIKG 171 Forbid it, faith ! though memory holds them dear, And shrines their image fondjy in our breast, We should not mourn, although -we drop a tear. For they have gained the everlasting rest. This our Elijah is gone f-irth on high, And passed the bourne that leaves the world behind, To th' blest abode where sin and sorrow die. And love, and peace, and holy joy's entwined. The righteous crown he's summoned to receive, The glorious crown that ne'er shall fade away. Laid by those for who in their Lord believe, In that blest world where there is no decay. But, praise to God ! his mantle falls on those Who still are left, in zeal to labour here, 'Who the blessed portion of the spirit chose, To keep them in the cause of Christ so dear. We see not now his well beloved fac^, But still rejoice with holy joy to know, He has gone home to that delightful place, Where there is neither grief, nor pain, nor woe. But still there stands the same, his old arm chair. And the Holy Bible which he used to read, Where oft has risen his spirit's earnest prayer For help to come from God in greatest need. We can no longer hear his well-known voice, .Now heard amidst the joyous host of heaven, For with that noble throng he doth rejoice, In the bright mansion that his Lord hath given. 172 ON DE. JABBZ BUNTING. His mortal frame will very soon decay. Soon from the bones the withering flesh must sever; But the last trump shall call to glorious day, Where th' immortal soul shall bloom for ever. O, what would life and all its joys be worth, If perished here the body and the soul ; If blank annihilation reigned henceforth, And foul corruption seized upon the whole 1 Thanks to our Father, such is not the case — The immortal spirit boldly death defies ; The changeful body, in that narrow place, AVhen we give up the spirit, only dies. Though " Tempus Fugit" s' stamped on all below. And the swift minutes fi-om us quickly fly, Yet loving God we may rejoice to know. He has prepared eternal homes on high. faith whispers to our souls that we shall rise, And soon our hearts with holy joy shall glow ; The starry crown shall gain, O, glorious prize ! Unfailing bliss on us shall God bestow. Then let that faith be ours, that scatters wide All fear or doubt of Jesus whom we love ; For feoon the veil between He'll draw aside, Ajid saints shall view their glorious home above. And so, although we deeply mourn his loss. And sleeps his body in its earthly bed ; As Clirist hath conquered death upon the Cross, AVe are assured his spirit is not dead. OS A MISER, 173 No, he has ouly gone awhile before, And looks down from his blest abode above. On those whose minds he filled with gospel store. To see if they siill worked with God in love. O, what would he now say to those still left, Could but his voice speak to us from the sky ; How would he urge them to improve each gift, By winning souls each day for Christ on high. How would he \irge to labour in the cause, And the pure seed of Gospel truth now sow ; To pluck from ruin those who break God's laws. For whom the Saviour suffered while below. And if in faith they sow the holy seed, O may it e'er a hundredfold bring forth. Of souls from whom in mercy Christ did bleed, That priceles are, beyond all things on earth. And soon the ear shall hear the gladdening sound, " "Well done, thou servant true, thou faithful friend ; With Bunting come, and at thy home be crowned. Where rest, and joy, and glory ne'er shall end." LINES ON A MISER. What form is that which walks along. With head bent down amidst the throng, And shuns each gaze he meets. Of busy men who're labouring on, From rising moon to setting sun, At work in crowded Streets ? 174 0^ A. MISEE. W hat anxious cares seem on his ^ce, No jojs are in his earthly race, He lives to hoard up gold. Tis the miser — yes, that wretched elf, Who thinks of no one but himself, And want will not behold. The starving child he passes by, H olds out her hand in vain to try To move his heart of stone. He passes on, heeds not her pi-ayev, Although in accents of despair, Nor e'en her dying gi'oan. The blind appears with hat in hand, And begs an alms where he may stand ; He's dead to each appeal ; Dead to all sense of others' woe, And when from hence is forced to go, Ifb friends around him kneel. Once feasted Dives in regal state, Who spurned the beggar at his gate Denied the crumbs that fell. How soon his days of joy were past, And from his splendour he was cast To tortures low in hell. And there in torment lift his eyes, And Lazarus saw above the skies, C n Abraham's bosom lay ; *' 0. Father Abraham, Lazarus send, In water to dip his finger end. And cool my tongue [ pray." ON A MISEB. 175 But Abraham told him when on earth, Of good things he'd received from birth. And Lazarus nought but bad ; Ko more the dogs shall lick his sores, No more he'll lie at rich men's doors, His heart is now made glad. Ye tyrants ! why oppress the poor, And load them with such burdens sore, And grind them in the dust ? The reckoning day must surely come, And vengance sure will be your doom, With all your mammon's lust. O what in history shall be said Of one who ne'er would lend his aid. Or fellows' woes assuage j Metkinks his history soon is told, There on his tombstone you'll behold, His date of birth and age. A wretched tale he leaves behind — Likewise the curse of all mankind, That near around him live. Doing good's a joy he never knew, And passed his life in mis'ry too, No heart had he to give. And when he stands at the .Judge's bar, His trembling soul will fly afar, ; And shun his Maker's frown. Mercy from God he can't expect. The poor's appeal he did reject, And ne'er had mercy shown. ^7G "pbay vithout ceasing." Many, ouce poor, will then receive The welcome glad," Come ye and live With your Eternal King ; • You had but little when below, But still with that did mercy show. Which caused sad hearts to sing.'' But O ! a different sound you'll hear, As you stand before the Judge severe ; " Depart to endless fire, With fallen angels there to be. In racking pain eternally, Your soul will ne'er expire." If I have, reader, told thy case. Thank God thou art not in that place, There's time still to repent. 0, let the horrors of that state, Eefoi'm thy heart before too late, Thy life be wholly spent. O turn at once, put off no more, God's Holy Spirit ; and adore His wondrous saving love. Though hard thou'st been, now mercy show;, And humbly walk with God below, That thou may'st rest above. "PRAY WiniOUT CEASIXG.'* What is prayer ? 'tis the soul's desiring ; It is the spirit's commune rare. In wishes to our God aspiring, — A tear is oft the loveliest prayer, "pray -without ceasing" 177 What is prayer ? 'tis converse with Heaven j Wings to soar from earth away ; Most precious boon to mortals given ; Christ charged us all to watch and pray. Oft hath grief my heart been rending, For it knew not what to say ; Mind strove to rise, but swift descending, I groaned to feel I could not pray. But my trembling soul that fluttered, Dark, disconsolate, dismayed, O'ercame and conquered as it uttered. For in that sharp deep groan it prayed. Then Satan fled, the Spirit entei*ed. Gloom and doubt were chased away ; And all my soul on Christ was centred- Then 'twas pleasing work to pray. ' Thus praying, we resist the devil, ; Near praying breath he cannot stay : It keeps and guards the soul from evil— think on this and ever pray. When vain and worldly cold professors With stumbling blocks shall bar thy way, Heed not their words — become professors, But look to Jesus — watch and pray. In him feel all your consolation, Look up to Him to clear thy way ; Select Him for your great salvation. Love to go through Him to pray. When in waves of sorrow sinking, When your brightest hopes- decay, -Still on former mercies thinking. In spite of feelings strive to pray. 178 ON THE 13IBLK. Oft in hours of fierce temptation Satan triumphs, faith gives way, Search what cause for condemnation. Look to Christ, believe and pray. When a selfish world is frowning, When its thi-eats would cause dismay, And its cares your thoughts are drowning;^.. Close your hearts to all and pray ; When near death your fabric sinking, The spirit parting from the clay ; When you feel life's bowl is breaking, Oh in that solemn moment pray. LINES OX THE BIBLE. Blest book divine ! of old wert thou inspired^ A light to all in each succeeding age ; With holy love thy sacred lines are fired, And sacred wisdom fills thy heavenly page. His comfort from thee every Christian draws. And Bteers through life by thy imerring chart Thrice happy they who keep thy happy laws, And love their Maker with a perfect lieart. ON THE nir.hK. 179 Though infidels, a fable they may call — A priestly fabrication made for gain ; If it were so, it must be clear to ail Its rules are good — who can of them complain ? Surely they'll own that men who could devise A book for others with so good a piai-', Must beyond all have been men truly wise, And general benefactors been to man. If men are only to be known by fruits, Where can the infidel, so boastful, show The benefit to man of his pursuits ? — What has he done to lessen human woe ? But Christianity may take its stand, For the great blessing it has ever been : Its institutions ornament our land. And homes of mercy everywhere are seen. Then ought not Christians, who feel fully sure It is God's word, to save and bless the land. Hardships for it like soldiers good endiu-e. And of the cross of Christ true champions stand ! Christ's colours nail they boldly to their mast, And of their Saviour never be ashamed. But fight His battles long as life shall last, And not draw back till victory is gained. If we pursue the Bible's straight good \v;iy, Traced by the loving hand of jnercy there. Bugged the road may be, but tiuili's biight ray Our path of life is ever sure to chcci't 180 POPE DAY Though dark and narrow oft that pathway be, If faithful we victorious shall prove Unto the end, when we shall surely see All was directed by our God through love. Then let us nobely hold our course and brave The world's temptations, every snare and frown, And never sti'ike our colours till the grave Tring colours, mast and hull together down. POPE DAY. Tva^ pope diy, 'twas loja day, huzza ! for its mirth, Wi s the wildest our i earts ever knew, Ard though but a mite to the great ones of earth, Was the trifle we owned, yet, 'twas of great worth ; To joy unalloyed in our young hearts gave birth, For our sorrows were short-lived and few. Wc j.aused not to ask why so named was the day, Xor what our dead idol pourtrayed, 'Twas joy as we puffed at the noisy old horn. And shouted our speech, with a yelling huzza. At some well-known door in our ogred array, lill our toils by their hands were repaid. POPK DAT. 181 The rich and the poor assembled to gaze, The cliild and the greA'-hair'd old man ; As the fiei'y-mounted serpeut illumined the hax-^. Or the wild hissing rocket sped forth in its blazj To toy witli the clouls, and lend them its rays, Oar glorious paMtimt." to scan What was honour to us and the garland of fame, Or the glittering garments of prirle. The deeds of the hero or patriot name 1 Our old sw'ivds, like their owners, discarded in shame. Held a charm o er our hearts in youug life's giddy game. Worth the world and its baubles beside. And where are those forms whose hearts with mine own Hail this day as their flood-tide of joy. And know not the anguish which gnawed to the bone In the bosoms of chose who battled alone For us in life's conflict, uneheered and uuknown, - \\ hile we danced round our ogred toy ] O tLat time had not changed, and the curtain where care Hid its lean haggard form, ne'er been drawn, To tempt our youug hearts, and lure with the glare Of its poor painted pleasures, each armed with a suare, By want, grief, misfortune, or gloomy despair, All strangers to boyhood's loved morn. And what are the great ones of earth but the boys 1 I'hey toil for the charms of a day, 'Jo build them an idol a breath may destroy, And gloat with delight o'tr tlicir poor tinsel toy, "Which to-moiTO\v some o;her as a curse may employ To embitter life's dark checquered way. 182 LINES TO THE EEY. R. M. WILCOX, ON HIS LEAVING SOCTHWABK CIRCUIT, AFTER A STAT OF THREE YEARS. Beloved Pastor ! must we now say adieu ? Have three years gone, for ever passed away, That each must take a fond farewell of you. And with us now you can no longer stay ? It must be so : the rapid flight of time Compels ns now to breathe the word farewell ; Though we at your removal may repine, For you our hearts with pure affection swell. But there are scenes tliat memory brings to view, Scenes on wliich the mind will love to rest ; Of holy hours we've oft enjoyed with you, In which our spirits have been greatly blest. And there are those who'll one day join the throng, Through arduous labours you have had while here, Shall raise their voices in th' immortal song. With blood- washed saints they shall in Heavea appear. ViTith grateful hearts we have our oflFeriug brought, To record our sense and honour of your worth ; But to souls compared it is a thing of nought, — Souls you have won for Christ while hei-e on earth. Our prayers for you, they shall to heaven ascend, A blessing to each circuit may you prove ; Where'er you go our blessings shall attend, For God to bless you with almighty love. And may you, by His Holy Spirit's sway With earnest loving zeal perform your part, Uj)rai.sing mankind in your life's short day, JJirecting lleaven-ward many a drooping heart. OS THE PAST, PRESENT, AND ITTURB. 183 May God's best blessing ever on you flow, And in His Church may you have great success, Spend many a year of usefulness below. And thousands more have cause your name to bless. Though other scenes your labours now invite, And other flocks require your watchful care ; Yet Souihwark's flock will olt think with delight, Of your love to them, your zeal and earnest prayer. And when your labours here on earth are o'er, And God shall call you to your heavenly rest, May all your flocks join with you on that shore, And with your Saviour evermore be blest. LINES ON THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, I asked the aged man, whose head is bald and grey. Whose fading form is bent with hoary age, About his time for ever passed away. And what concerns should most his life engage ? He parts aside his snowy whitened locks, And mildly, earnestly looks in my face. And says ; " If you would wish to shun the rocks 'I hat often bring to others sad disgrace. You must avoid the evil paths of sin. And in your own strength never put your trust ; But trust in God, and in this earthly scene Resolve in all things to be true and just. Let all your actions be correct and gooi. To bear reflection, chaste as morning dew. As you would wish they should be if chey stood In heaven's pure light before you in fall view. IHi ON THS PAST," P.IESKNT, AND FUTUItK. And like a traveller take the unerring chart Of God's most holy word — that heavenly guide — And hhid its noble precepts to your heart, And from its laws of truth ne'er turn aside. Have faith in Christ, and follow after those AN ho now possess the glorious promised land ; They while on earth had very many woes, I'ut now before His throne they happy stand.. If called to suffer while on earth below. With patience suffer — 'tis God's holy plan The vanity of earthly things to show, Make you a good, a holy happy man. I^ut do not rush along life's road to meet 1'rouhles that haply ne'er may come to you ; But fi^^ht life's battles like a man discreet. And Conquer sin and keep thy end in view, Like Moses try and mount to Pisgah's top, And there by faith behold the promised land, ! And never in your heavenly progress stop, 'J i.I near Christ's throne you ever take your stand.' 1 aslv-ed the young man in the prime of life, Whose hardy vigorous frame and healthy look, ^'ee^led truly formed fur every pleasure rif-, Ar.d lie bade proud defiance' to the Book. That 6i>eaks of earthly changes and his end, And tells him time will quickly pass away; He looks not at it as a faithful friend, Becuuse it warns him life's joys all decay. ox THE PAST, PKESENT, AND FUTUKK. 165 With vigorour step he seems to spurn the foe, That steals on man unknown and unperceived ; -And seldom thinks of Death who deals the hlow, Glad by a treachei'ous world to be deceived. As health sits glowing on his manly brow, I ask him what should best my life engage ; "Enjoy," says he, "life's pleasures here and now, And leave all serious thoughts for riper age. ■Quaff the o'erflowing bowl of ruby wine, And join the merry dance and festive throng, With jocund mirth in the gay circle join, And sing with them the bacchanalian song. Let all your life be like the flowers in May, That deck' the earth and beautify the spring — Like a fair gai-land with its hues so gay, For this to you will present pleasui'e bring."' I turn, and ask the future if in truth It can reveal aught good that I have done 1 'Or will it prove I have misspent mji youth. When for all this there must a judgment come ? And as a part of time's already gone. On me bestow as sojourner below, Whether that future bids me to atone, ^ov trifle longer with the subtle foe ] He says, " Put off; for time enough there's yet, You can repent and seek for mercy here j" "Satan, depart ! me you shall never get ; Come Saviour, then, and be for ever near. 186 ON THE "WOBLPLY MAN OF BUSINESS. Come Thou, and guide my erring feet that stray Away from paths of righteousness and truth ; O Thou who art the light, the truth, the way, Lead me aright and guide my early youth ! Thou glorious pattern of what man should be, Direct my steps and path with love divine Help me with humble love to follow '1 hee, And all my lifetime in Thy lustre shine. When old age comes. Thou wilt not me forsake, Nor let the King of Terrors me affright ; But angels send my happy soul to take, Ever with Thee to live in realms of light. OX THE WORLDLY MAN OF BU^INESS►. Can it be fully true what preachers say, That life is but a probationary day, Given for trial to each mortal here ; And that each moment spent will surely prove Great with impoi-tance while on earth ue move. To fit our souls for an eternal sphere ? And do the lioly Scriptures tell the truth — Man's heart is evil ev'en from earliest youth, And only tends to lead his feet astray 1 He bows to mammon as to a sacred shrine, Only f .r riches does his heart incline. For these he labours hard both night and day« Unheeded is reason's voice, his head and brain Are full of plans how he can get most gain, And thinks but little of the end of life. For his soul's safety seemeth not to care, And if i^erchance he utters words of prayer, 'Tis for more gains in this our worldly strife. ON THB WORLDLY MAN OF BUSINESS. 187 It is a fearful thought, how chained to earth. Are men of business, while their souls are worth More riches far than this old world can buy ; -And never seem they conscious of their state, Unless o'ertaken by afflictions great, Or told by their physician they must die. Then, how vain do all their gains appear. When on a sick bed laid they're made to bear The constant racking pain, the throbbing brow. The pearl of greatest price they have despise*!, Have quenched the Spirit and have never prized The Gospel, they'd give all they have for now. The mart and the exchange engrossed each thousht, "With studious care his goods were ever bought. His greatest joy has been to store up wealth ; And while he made it thus his greatest care, Each faculty of mind it would ensnare, Alike regardless of his ease or wealth O man of business ! what would it be to thee If thou couldf-'st gain the world, or owner be — Or part, thou ne'er could'st gain the whole, — And found, when all thy earthly I'ace was run. Thou hast a shadow grasped, and wert undone, And lost for ever thy immortal soul ? Dear reader, have I here described thy case ? If so, look up, I pray thee, now for giace Ere 'tis too late, and ere God's Spirit leaves, Saying, " He is to idols joined, let him alone, In him no more shall Jesus' blood atoiv, VN ho often thus the Holy Spirit grieves." 18S LINKS 10 A SISTBR. I cannot tliiuk of a more fearful state, 'J'hea he who on his death-bfd cries too lute, "I've trifled all my precious life away ; For when G d called and warned I would not hear And now I fe grieves, and sorrows for my fear ; My heart is haid. I cannot, cannot pray." It is a fearful thing God's love lo grieve, -And all oiir life without its influence live : God surely will in time give up that man. '! urn sinner, turn, His mercy now implore. Strive ne'er to grieve His Holy Spirit more. Resolve to love and serve Him all you can. Dear Sister, accept this inspired book of old, A book of more value than rubies or jrold : A volume most precious, in rich mercy given, Bj God sent to man to prepare him for heaven. LINES ON FKIENDSHIP IgQ Then sister, dear sister, dig deep in Uie mine, Made blest by its i^recepts may you ever sliine ; May you find tlie pearl, that one of j;reat price, Salvation for you tlirough the mercy of Clirist. A\'heu this life is over may you and I meet, Eejoicing for ever at our loved Saviour's feet ; May this Bible through life your best comfort prove. And lead you safe home to His glory above. LCXES OM FPJENDSiriP. Friendship ! what is it ? is it an idle word, Oft in the mouth of those who would deceive ? A thing of hollow meaning, which has oft deterred Others from forming it, lest they should after grieve That they had such a union sought with those Whose constant aim seemed how they best could get All that they had, and that whene'er they chose, Leaving at last just cause for deep regret ? Frienship ! what is it ? is it the flatter's voice, The lying tongue of him who seeks for gain ? Who would your downfall plan and then rejoice That he had been the cause of all your pain ? One that would have signed a liond for him. With earnest pleading would assail your heart Until you have signed it — would surely seem The best of friends, yet act the villain's part. Friendship ! what is it 1 it is the spurious thing Of fiend-like men that, entering a happy home. With the seducer's subtility would bring Deep wretchedness and woe where'er they come ? 190 LINES ON FRIENDSHIP. One that would grasp the hand of trusting friend And plot to ensnare his daughter or his wife, And, like a cunning serpant, to gain his end Would sting the hand that warmed him into life? A friend — who is he 1 not the man who fails To tell his friend if he discern a fault. Or him who suffered others to assail, And with vile calumny his name assault. I hate the man whose tongue is ever found Slandering his neighbour's character and fame ; But love the man whose friendly words abound, Who ne'er speaks evil of another's name. A friend, who is he.^ is it he who clings Fast to his friend while he's with plenty blest. But quits him soon as dire misfortune brings Its troubles, and he is with woe opprest ? Counterfeits these of w'lat a friend should be. And like base coin they never stand the test, Are soon detected : soon may others see, Of all mankind they love themselves the best. True friendship is a bright and holy flame, Which all might have if they were so inclined ; Even a cup of M^ater in Christ's name Given to the needy a sure reward shall find. It is adversity that tries one's friends, And no prosperity, when all is peace : The true man faithfully his friend defends. And happy should he feel to give release. True friendship is to dry the mourner's tears. To alleviate the sorrows of the poor, 'J'o have compassion on the orphan here, And heavenly comfort bring to the sick ones' door ; A'-HUY-DK-LA-ZOUCH, To help the widow iu her time of need, Aud all console who feel affliction'^ rod, The beggar that is starving ha>te to feed, And mercy love, and be the friend of God. Him thou canst have as friend, to whom Thou canst make known the secrets of thy heart ; One that is tried and true. O to him come, And fully all thy joys and fears impart. He will uphold thee through life's chequered scene. And lead thy pilgrim steps in t' e right way, Help by His power to fight life s battle keen, And when 'tis o'er take thee to endless day. 191; A.SHBY-DE-L.\-ZOUCn. In Leicestershire there stands a town, An ancient place of great renown, As chronicles still vouch ; Old manuscripts record the same. That " Ash trees" to the place gave name^ Called " Ashby-de-la-Zouch. ' VJl ASHBY-DI.-LA-ZOUCH. Firpt settled there some Paxons bold, And Dauish men in search of -.L.an] Among the annals of those mighty uiou Who were pre-eminent in their native laud, And in great deeds have always foremost been. 202 ON LrTHF.R. Wi-tli noble coui-aorc for the truth didst stand, With mighl unwavering didst denounce the creed That sold indulgences throughout the land — Wolves in sheep's clothing thus their flocks to feed. Whilst Papal gloom was lowering all around, And martyrs died for Jesus and His truth; Christ's heroes to the fiery stake were hound, And not a few whi'st in their early youth, — Then boldly cam'st thou forward in Flis cause, His standard bearing with a spirit bold, Against the Pope's anathemas and his laws — A valiant protest thou didst ever hold. And when at Spires before the priests and king, That protest famed, of which our boast we make. Thou didst not fetir before them all to bring : Which caused the Pope and papal power to shake. 8till does that protest like a beacon shine. Dispensing V>lessing8 o'er the human race, Entwines round Eng'and like a beauteous vine. With holy fruits our noble country grace. What blessings to us have this time come down l!y thee, thou ciiampion of rights so dear ; And ag s yet unborn thy faith shall own, And u'er thy dust shall shed the huhowed tear. There was a time when onr forefathers paid Dire j>enalti<'S for faith — their Idood was shed ; ]jnt now we worship, and are not afraid Of our religion bringing evil on our head. ex LUTHEK. 203 Time pa-^t the Bible was a sealed book, — Was ehaiued to altars, or in Latin read, ■And artful priests alone could at it look : The people learning only what they said : But now, tiiank God ! it is sent everywhere — Published in every tongue is now the plan Of Gods salvation ; sent to every sphere, Showing His love to helpless fallen man. And England's tailed by pi-ovidential l)ve To gpi-ead the gospel o'er the whole wide world, That fits believers for the home above. Where its glorious doctrines are unfurled. •Luther ! thy name shall ever honoured be 'Mid freedom's sons shall shine with glory bright, Ayhile our posperity have cause to see Thy protest with a cheering ray of light. Long as the life-blood through our hearts shall flow. We'll think of blessings that through thee came, ^Ve'll bless thy memory while our bosoms glow, And deck thee with a deathless wreath of fame. Though ceuturies with rapid wing have passed. Since thou wert laid within thy grave's low bed ; Yet long as memory o'er this earth shall last, Ifchall men esteem thee one of the mighty dead. 204 THE CKUCIFIXION. 'Twas the dawning of day And the morn in splendour broke over Jerusalem, And busy men pursued their labours. But there were vast masses of men, women, and children Pursuing their way to Mount Calvary. The mighty God was on His way to sufter for the redemp- tion of the world He had made. The ungrateful people who had seen His mix'acles in Jerusa- lem and rownd about its environs, Were shouting, "Away with Unu — crucify llim!" 'I hose wlio had seen Him give eyesight to the blind. And cause the lame to walk ; THE CKUCIFIXI9N, 205 Who heard f lim at the grave of Lazarus wake the dead to life ; Who had heard of His stilling the tempest And the wonderful miracles He performed, "Were crying out, " His blood be upon us, and on our children." And thus amidst the execrations of the people whom He had loved, And whom He had come on earth to die for, He went on His way bearing the rugged Cross. He that had wept over Jerusalem. And who would have gathered her children together, as a hen gathereth her chiekens under her wings, Was now toiling and sweating up Calvary's height. Guarded by Komau soldiers, the God Man who could have annihilated the world with His word, Was guarded like a guilty felon to die a criminal's death. He who with His voice had stilled the tempest into a calin^ Kow suffered Himself to be led away to execution by the vile rabble ! They gained Calvary's summit ; The Cross is reared ; The God Man is buffeted, and scourged, and spit upon ; He is nailed to the Cross and His head crowned with thorns^ The sins of a guilty world are on His shoulders, felis quivering limbs, and racking joints. And painful thii'st, all tell the agony He suffered ! He is reviled by the people, forsaken by Hi3 Father, And in the midst of His agonies cries out, " My God, my God ! why hast 'i'hou forsaken me ?" Fainting under the weight of His sufferings. He drank the cup of agony to its last dregs. How astonishing His great love that would allow Him thusi to suffer ! 206 THE CRUCIFIXION. He who is to 1)0 tlie gi-and Judge and arbiter of the eternal destiny of millions, Suffered between two malefactors ; He who was in the bosom of the Father, and the King of eternal glory, Had the tinsel robe of an earthly king placed on Him ; He who swayed the sceptre of the universe, had a reed placed in His hand, Whilst the mockers eried, "Hail, King of the Jews !" He who shall come again in glorious majesty, T\'ith all His holy angels with Him, as a Judge of quick and dead, Was taunted by them, saying, " Save Tliyself, comr^ down from the Cross and we will believe on Thee ;' J^nd the Eternal Word through all ages, decreed by infinite wisdom to be our Saviour, Kow was paying penalty of the world's transgressions. The pure unspotted Lamb of God, who knew no sin, was made sin for us, That we might be made the righteousness of God through Him ; The Victim was now fulfilling the prophecies ; The Lamb of God was now, in the sacrifice of Himself, carrying out the designs of His heavenly Father, And, on die blood-stained, hallowed Cross was completing t4ie typical ceremonies of the Jews, Who otFered for their sins the lamb without blemish and without spot. Who was taken to the altar and slain, and whose blood fsprinkled the mercy-seat. Surely on that day the burning tongue of the seraphim was hushefl. anr] the angelic choir, whose golden haips made melody in Heaven, were silent. THE CRUCIFIXION. 207 It mi^'ht 1)0 tliat tears fell from their eyes upon the strings of the harps and stopped them from sounding, as they gazed on the sufferings of their Lord and Master ; For one day it might have been that there were mourning chcrubims in Heaven, As they beheld Immanuel fxpiring on the Cross. But ! what wonders took place on earth : The veil of the splendid temple rent ; The graves were opened : a great eartliquake shook the foundation of Jeru^^alem, And darkness covered the flxce of the earth. W ell might the Centurion exclaim on seeing these wonders, " Truly this was the Son of God !" O Spirit of wisdom, come from above and teach us how to appreciate the great gift ; O eternal Spirit of truth, open our minds to understand the mystery of the Cross ; O Thou, who on Mount Sinai gave the law, and fulfilled tlie prophecies by Thy death on the Cross, And who orderest all things, speak to our hearts with Thy miglity love, and say, "Be not faithless, but believing." O Son of the living God, the brightness of Thy Father's glory. Hasten the time when the benefits Thou didst purchase for mankind on the Cross, Shall V)p fully realized in the salvation of the whole human racp. and Tliy own glory. Thy miglity arm shall* surely accomplish the great work. For Thou hast said, " If 1 be lifted up I will draw all men unto Me." But earth's time is passing, And whole generations are passing away witli it, 308 THE KBSUKRKOTION. And we fear the greater part unsaved, As we only see. here and there, a tew rays of light from Thy Cross beaming on our earth. O hasten the time when the benefits of Thy death shall fill the whole earth with light, And fill shall call I'hee blessed, and Thou shalt see the travail of Thy soul and he satisfied : Gird Thy svrord on Thy thigh, O glorious King, And ride on till the whole world is subdued to Thy sceptre. The apostles, the prophets, and the martyrs and saints, Have all gained heaven through the Cross of Christ, And now sing the song of the heavenly choir, of " Unto Him that loved ua and washed us in His own blood. To Him he glory and dominion for ever." The Cross is to them the blest emblem of love. And it ought to be of our gratitude. O man, lay thine hand upon thy breast, and ask thyself, " What have 1 to do with the crucifixion ?" And if thou hast found Him precious to thy soul, And realized in thy heart the blessings Christ came to pur- chase for thee. Be thankful, and go on thy way rejoicing to the mansion He has prepared in Heaven for you. If not, tremble, sinner, for thou must appear before Him as thy judge. THE KESUKRECriON. Thk tragic scene of Calvary was over. • The bo ly of Christ, taken from the_ Cross," and wrapped in fine linen and spices by His faithful and devoted servants. Me was borne to the rock-cut tomb — A now tomb in whick man had never lain. THK K:.:suiiiu.crio.v. 209 A great stone was brought to rover it, And a seal was placed upon it ; 'Ilio Roman Soldiers were there to guard it. And they watched it with a vigilance that defied mortals to rob it of its sacred treasure. All was silent till the third mornintr. On that eventful morning they were startled by a visit of tlxe Angel of Gol, And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men ; They fell to the ground lost in astonishment ; Terror seized them as the bright dazzling robes of the Angel flashed before their vision. And they fell and hid their faces in the dust, Not daring to look on the glorious Messenger from en hifli • Then the seal of death was broken, The stone rolled away, And our Jesus came forth the triumphant victor ! Til the garden the fiiithful Mury was weeping ; And a voice spoke to her and said, '* Woman, why weepest thou ? w!iom seekest thou?" ITow astonishing she did not know that voice ! But though the stranger was the gardener ; And with tones of thrilling anguish replied, 'Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Hi»i." " Sir, if thou hast borne FTim hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, atid I will take TTim away." Poor Mary, weak in faith, yet filled with love ! But the voice comes again, and now she is called by her name, — Now she recognizes the voice she had often heard, And which thrilled through her heart like beautiful music, 210 THE KESUUKKCTII N. Crtiisiug every nerve and faculty she possessed to vibrate when she saw the Lord ; And with a tearful eye. and quivering lip, and faltering tongue, Aiid heart overflowing with love. All she could utter was, ' Master !" Aud sunk at His feet to embrace Him. But He sail', " Touch Me not," but go tell My disciples ^ which she did. Bi.t ler words were as idle tears to them, until He after- wards appeared in their midst, And glad enough were the disciples when they saw the Lord Thom;.s not being then present, all the others with one accord told him they had seen the f ord ; But Thomas would 'not have believed if it had been a thou- sand that told him. JSot he : nothing would make him believe, unless he jmt his f.Dgers into the holes the nails had made iu His hands, Aiid thrust his hund into the hole in His side made by the f^pear, He would not believe — not he; and during the week the disciples tried to convince him, but all iu vain. But see, on the fu:st day of the week they are assembled again, And Thomas with them, and they are again fastened in : How, then, does this stranger appear among them 1 He lool.s upon Thomas and says to him, " Keach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side ; and be not ''aithless, but believing." Well might poor Thomas, overwhelmed with shame, and love, and gratitu le, cry out, " My Lord and my God 1" And hear the Saviour's answer : " Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed : blessed are they that have not . THE RKSUKlihCnoN. 211: seen, and yet have believed." Faith , mighty faith, grasps the risen Lord, and believes the promise, •' Where T am there shall ye be also." He has led captivity captive, ascended on high, and receives gifts for men : Heralded by the pomp and splendour of the host, And surrounded by majesty and glory such as the men of' earth have no conception of. And such as ihe Angels themselves, though accustomed to- celestial scenes of brightness, Had never viewed before. How different His position now to what it had been on the Cross ! Here He trod the wine-press alone, and all His disciples for- sook Him ; But now millions of i^ngels, Cherubim and Seraphim, await His command. On that glorious head where the crown of thorns had been. placed, There now glitters with the brightest radiance a crown of wonderful glory. The Ci-oss, once so despised, is now exalted ; And its victory so great, that it forms a theme vast anct mighty for the choirs of Heaven to celebrate through ali eternity. And well it might ; For it was a love worthy of a God to die fur His rebellious creatures, — A love the fullness of which no angel mind can fatliom ; It was a love that passeth all knowledg*e ; It wys a love of immeasural le dimensions,- - A love whose subjects were innumerable : -1- THE RTSUHRECTIiiN. ' For tlicy consist of a multitude which no man can numljcr, redeemed out of every tribe and nation. On- hhiZQ of stainless white flashes from tlie garments of that Imjipy company. They (lid not jmrchase those robes with money. They wero given as the reward of faith : For the wearers of those garments came out of great tribulation ; They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, All Heaven rejoiceth to meet the Conqueror ; The angelic host sang, " Glory, honour, praise, and power, be unto the Lamb for ever !"' And the host of the redeemed answered, with sublime acclamation, '•' Jesus Christ is our Redeemer ! Hallelujah 1 Praise ye the Lord !" O the solemn grandeur of that scene, when the Almighty Father welcomed the beloved Son again to His kingdom, Covered with honourable scars gained in the great battle against sin, hell, and death ! Well might all the redeemed strike their golden harps, and shout, *'L'nto Him that loved \is and washed us in His own blood, and hast made us kings and priests unto the Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever I" Methinks it must have been a glorious sight "When the Conqueror of death and hell returned to Hig glory again. All Heaven was ready to receive the Conqueror. Methinks the gates of Heaven, in their pearly brightness, Were eclipsed by the host who stood ready to shout, <' Lift up your heads, ye gates ; BESXJBRECTION. 213 And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come iu/' And then the multitude of the choirs of the blessed shouted back, " Who is the King of glory ?" Again the shout was heard. " The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory." And again was heard, " Lift up your heads, ye gates ; and be ye lift up, ye ever- lasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come in." And from the wall of precious stones, Whose tops were covered with Heaven's host ; And splendid banners, emblems of the Cross, waved over them. Again the shout was heard, "The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory ; the Conqueror of sin, hell, and death ;" And as He entered in, all the harps of Heaven united with the triumphant song of the redeemed, who sung, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive glory, honour,, and power ; For He hath redeemed us out of every tribe and kindred of the nations of the earth :" And they cast their crowns before Him and shout, ** Glory, honour, praise, and power, be unto the Lamb for ever !" O the long cloud of witnesses that have gone before ! But they have been ready ; for they have longed to depart ; They have met death triumphant ; They have gone down like the sun, leaving a light on the mountain top of death that has made them appear lovely. The chamber where the Christian meets death is a hallowed- place. 214 JOURNEY TO fMMAXJS, Hark what he says : *' I have fought the good fight ; I have finished the faith ; and henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous- ness." He has nought to do now but to clap his glad wings, and tower away, and hasten to the blaze of day. the difference between Christians and infidels dying ! So sure as there is a resurrection of all nature, And Spring comes forth in its loveliness and beautiful flowers, So sure shall our vile bodies be raised from the dust. I'hough that dust shall be left in the different parts of the earth, Yet it shall be raised and stand before the judgment bar of the Almighty God, And myriads of assembled Angels, And the innumerable company of the spirits of the just made perfect. Sinner, ask thyself the question, the most important that can be asked in this life, — " What sentence shall I hear at the Kesurrection ?" THE JOUKNEY TO EMMAUS. The shades of evening were gathering around Jerusalem. The setting Sun was gilding with a fiery gold-like refulgence the riven Veil of the Temple. And throwing its departing radiance on Mount Calvary — The light on ihat mountain-top was beautiful then. Far different from the scenes that had lately taken place there, when all nature seemed in convulsion ; Now all was calm and Berene, and the Sun was fast sinking to rest beneath the horizon. JOURNEY TO EMMAUS. 215 Ou that eveniug two of the disciples were returning from the City of Jerusalem to the Village of Emmaus, They were travelling along slowly and pensively, a deep grief appeai'ed to be settled upon the countenances of both : They were engaged in deep and earnest conversation it was a most astonishing subject that formed the theme. They had placed Jesus the wonderful Prophet of Nazareth in the Tomb, but he was not to be found where they had lain him, , His body was gone, and some of the disciples who had been early at the tomb had told them of the vision of angels they had seen there, but they did not understand of His rising from the dead, And they were exceeding sorrowful, they trusted He was to redeem Israel, But where now was the Grreat Prophet, where now was the wonderful Miracle Worker ? Who had performed such feats in Jerusalem- — Alas ! they said he is dead. The sick no more will feel His healing power, The tempest no more be calmed at His word. The dead no more will he raised at His call ! Where now is the Great Sin Foi-giver who could speak peace to the most troubled heart 1 And as they ask wliere P the tears course down their cheeks. Revealing their grief But suddeulv a stranger draws near and asks them why they are sad ? And why care seems to set so heavily on their brows, — ■ Surprised they answer, — Art thou a stranger in Jerusalem and know nothing of the deeds done there P 216 JOURNEY TO EMMAUS. How one Jesus of Nazareth a Prophet went about doing' good to all ? A man of such wonderful power that could cure all manner of diseases, and ever raise the dead to life — But alas ! He is gone for ever, — And we shall never see his like again ! And then the tears flowed afresh, it was then the traveller looked upon them with awful and majestic dignity, and with eloquence and power that would have made a seraph's heart thrill with emotion : — He unfolded to them tbe plan of Salvation, and the prophe- cies concerning Himself. But their eyes were so blinded by tears that they did not know H im. Although he showed them how the Scriptures told with their- prophetic utterance how one must die to atone for the sins of man. How Moses ihe great law-giver had said, *' God would rise them up a propLet from among their brethren." How David the sweet psalmist sung of the Messiah's con- quering glory, and everlasting reigu — How Isaiah with lofty poetic strain tuld of His birth — and with Loly rapture sung ** Unto us a child is born, — unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders," And His name shall be called wonderful counsellor, The mighty Grod, The everlasting Father, '1 he prince of peace of the increase of His government, and peace there shall be no end. And all the prophets have fortold His life and deeds. And brought before the Nation. JOURNEY TO EMMAU8. 217 Jesus offers, as Prophet, Priest, and King, Offering Himself as a willing sacrifice for the sins of the people. Descendant He of Judah's favoured tribe, — From Abraham the friend of God, — the branch, — the stone, — the shiloh ot your race has come with power of language, but blind unbelief fails to discern in Him the Sun of God and man. But this same Jesus — late of Nazareth, whom ye termed a prophet, He is the prophets' God ; Behold in Him the slaughtered paschal lamb, whose blood shall sprinkle the soul of man and cleanse it from its iniquity ; And He shall rise again according to prophecy, and shall judge the world in Righteousness. Oh ! foolish man why cannot ye believe the Truths of Holy Writ and its prophecies ? For know assuredly that He whom thy people have crucified is both Lord and Christ ! They listen to His sublime discourse on the depths of revel- ation, almost breathless they hang upon His every word, and their hearts are now burning. His words have been so very sweet they would like to know more, They constrain Him to abide with them, He enters their humble habitation, he breaks the bread, — in that act he makes himself known ; prostrate they fall before Him, and would have clasped His feet, but he was gonej They look upon each other and both exclaim with reverented love, awe and gi-atitude— It was our Jesus ! He is risen ! 218 ON THE TBANSFIGURATIO.V. "We have seen Him agaiu ! He is gone to g'ory and reigns a King for ever, and says to each of His followers, " Be thuu faithful unto death, and I will give thee the Crown of Life." ** Amen, even so, our Lord Jesus " LINES ON THE TRAXSFIGURATION. One splendid evening, the sun going down "Was tinging the earth as with a radiant crown, Completing his wonte 1 daily race ; When near a high mountain some travellers strayed, And with them was One, of whom oft they'd sought aid And glad were they to see Jesus' face. He said to them, " Let us to that mound repair, There will I wrestle in all-powerful prayer, And my Father in earnest will seek ; . Men's sins have fallen on me with terrible weiglit. And the burden of human transgressions so great. To the Father in Spirit I'll speak. ON THE TBANSFIOURATION. 219' And whilst He was praying His features became More radiant far than the sun's brilliant flame, PJis raiment efFulgently gleamed ; While both, two shining forms to Him now appear. Clothed in white, from the heavenly sphere, Moses and Elias — men highly esteemed. On the errand of mercy they came from above, To talk with Him of His redeeming love, And that the sufferings he must endure : How on the cross He must be lifted up, And drink the dregs of death's fearful cup, b^alvation for men to procure. But while they were talking, sleep, overcame The disciples, Peter, John, and James, For a time they sank into repose. But what a bright vision over them broke, When from their slumbers they were awoke, And their eyelids in wonder unclose. What a scene it was that met their gaze. Filling their wondering souls with amaze — It was an enrapturing sight To behold their Lord in glory there shine, Beautified radiance with light diviue — The mountain was covered with light. The glories of Heaven appear to come down. As Christ appeared on that mountain crown. And the saints of old with Him talked About men's redemption, that glorious i^lau, — God giving His Sou as a ransom for man ; So discoursed they on as they walked. -220 ON THE TBANSFIGURATION, But transient short was their visit, and transient their stay. Their mission done they ascended away To join in the songs of the skies. •And with their dear Lord no longer did ?tay, But leaving the sacred mountain upward away To the portals of heaven did rise. But hark to the voice that sounds on the ear — **This is My Beloved, and Him ye must hear Before ye descend to the grave. This alone is Messiah, Priest, Prophet and King, With His loved name heaven's high arches ring, Your souls He is pleading to save. 'Tis Jesus of whom the old prophets spoke, He is come to break asunder the yoke Of Satan from souls that ax-e bound : This is the bright and fair morning star, That was to come, as the Scriptures declare, In no other salvation is found." The disciples trembled nor knew what to say, Though Peter said, "Lord let us build straightway Three tabernacles to be ever here ; For O 1 how delightful for us it would be, And with Thoe ever be near. Glories like these for ever to see. But the Master said, " Here must we not stay ; To the lost busy world we must hasten away, With the people to mingle below, I've a work to accomplish, an end to fulfil, A chalice to drink ; 'tis my Father's will. That He justice and mercy may show." ON THE BIBLE. 221, How often Christians on Faith's mouncain top Would be glad if they for ever could stop, But stern duty calls to the world ; Though desirous with Christ their Lord to stay there. Family and business their time claim to share. And their hopes again to earth hurled. But fight on, good Christian, the battle of faith, And conquer, for thy Lord and thy Master saith, " Thou must the world tread down." Hold fast, then, that which thou hast attained — The heavenly wisdom, so nobly gained, And press on for thy heavenly crown. Soon will this short life of ours be done, And Heaven for ever be lost or won — How precious our time, then, here ; For we shall either our souls destroy, Or fit them to live with Christ in joy. When we at His bar must appear. Then, however others may hate God's cause, And set at defiance His righteous laws. Let us determined for Heaven prepare ; Be that our chief desire to gain. That we from our Saviour may hear the blest strain Of " Come, ye blessed, my kingdom share. ' LIIsES ON THE BIBLE. DEDICATED TO THE JUVENILE BIBLE SOCIETY* Glorious old Bible ! The Best Book on earth, It showeth how great is the soul's precious worth ; 'Tis a gi-acious charter where we may all see Ood's mercy and goodness to all men are free ; 900 ON THE BIBLE. A lever whereby man is helped to arise And seek for a mansion of bliss in the skies |-. For a patriot band are those noble youths, "Who seek by all means to publish its truths. This is the book that has made England great. Dispelling our ignorance, raising our state ; C iven to England to spread through the world, . Diffusing its truths where our flag is unfurled ; And if we desire true freedom for man, VVe shall give all our aid to this glorious plan For a patriot band are those noble youths, ^^'llO seek by all means to publish its truths. Sometimes we hear enemies talk of this land, — They tell us that armies will come on our strand ; But true to the Bible we at them m£y laugh, With God our protector we d beat them to chaff ; If faithful to Him, we'd invaders defy, Yet will send them our Bible — to save them we'll tryi. For a patriot band are those noble youths, Who seek by all means to publish its truths. Go on then, young friends, in this work engage For the glory of God and the light of the age ; Do all that you can God's love to reveal, M'ake your lives glorious, and labour with zeal To spread the blest Bible wherever you can. And be benefactors to perishing man. For a patriot band are those noble youths, Who seek by all means to publish its truths And be well assured if you w^ork for the Lord, Your labour and zeal He will early reward; And Hell be your guide through all the world's strife. Will bless you with favour through this earthly life ; And after you've done with the mission of love, Will call you all home to His glory above.' For a patriot band are those noble youths, W ho seek by all means to publish its truths. 223 FAREWELL TO THE REV. R. SELLERS, MISSIONAKT TO AUSTRALIA Farewell, friend Sellors ! we grieve to part with thee, 1 hy form on earth we never more may see ; Eut yet our earnest prayers shall still ascend For God's protection, till thy missions end. Thy home and friends in zeal thou'st left behind, A more extended sphere of work to find ; A new and rising laud thy voice demands To preach the Gospel through Australia's lands. Q hough hard it is to part fi-om those we love, Thy solace and reward are stored above ; That God hath called thee to a better part Shall bring the rays of gladness to thy heart. Ordained hy Him to swell His courts above, And thousands bringing to partake His love, May God's high hand surround thee all thy days, And shower the beams of bliss through all thy ways^ May fire from His high altar touch thy tongue, Converting sinners all, both old and young, 'J ill thousands feel the Gospel's purest flame, And bow their knees, and praise His Holy Name Proclaim the Saviour's love Avith Christian fear, And shout salvation's glory far and near ; And may that lund thou art approaching now, Before the light of truth with grateful spirit bow. '2*24 ALL THESE THINGS AUK AGAINST MB. Go forth as did the holy meu of old, Redemption's tidings to the world unfold, Till all those trackless regions loudly ring With loud hosannahs raised for Zion's King. May countless blessings rest upon thy head, And peace and love around thy path be shed ; And when thou'st ended life's short fleeting day, Thou'lt find a home that passeth not away. « ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME," When over life's path shadows gloomily fall, And Affliction and sorrow attend on our steps, How cheering to think One's above ruling all, Who over H is children a constant watch keeps ! And works, too, in wonders, for their good He loves. And controls every thing by His almighty power ; And a well-tried friend He constantly proves. Dispensing His love in a glorious shower. " All things are against rae," the patriarch said. When from Egypt his ten sons again had returned ; " My Joseph is gone ; I know that he's dead," And all consolation from them he thus spurned. " And you would take away Benjamin too, My youngest, best comfort, and joy of my life — The dear cherished boy of life's short day of woe, All that's left me of Rachel, my best belov'd wife. O ! do not of him my sad soul bereave, Or let him from me, his father, be torn ; Nor leave me for him in lone sorrow to grieve, Lest in sorrow my grey hairs to the grave shall be borne." ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME. 225 He little thought, theu, he his Joseph should see. Or that Providence had him ordaiued to be sent Into Fgypt, the family preserver to be — There fixed by his God with the kindest intent He little knew either, the ruler who spake To his sons so roughly as spies, when they came. Was the son, for whom his heart did ache — The second in Egypt, and Joseph that same. But the corn was soon gone, and they must go again To Egypt's full store-house, to purchase some more ; To let Benjamin go caused their father great pain, As feai"ing they never his son would restore. " But, if lie must go, t!ien a present you take Of spices and fruits, for the governor there ; And Gou grant you favour, and me ne'er forsake ;" So bowed he his spirit in reverent prayer. Nor thought he the governor's steiymess would me't. When into his huuse his brethren were brought Kor ever thought he what his son Joseph fcU, When, melting to tears, his chamber he sought. But the brethren before him began not to f ar. As conscience to memory brought the blaclf deed. When they Joseph's pleading refused to hear. Nor cared how they made his fond bosom to bleed. They thought of the time when his raiment they took J their sorrowing sii'e, as his clothing he rent , *' Some beast iiath devoured him," they said with sad look, When bold with this falsehood, they unto him went. 226 ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME. He never thought Joseph again he should see, Or that God had him sent, his own life to preserve ; And had any one said that his son e'er would be A ruler, the nation of Egypt would serve. He'd have said that it could not possibly be, Nor anything of it could he have believed ; The ways of his God he could not then see, Or he would not so hardly for Joseph have grieved. The waggons are sent, they make him revive. And he longs to go down from Canaan's land ; " I will go," he said, " And while yet I live. The goodness will own of God's mighty hand." How weak is our faith when to trouble we're brought And on a sick bed in sorrow are laid ; Think, when we're cast down, that we serve God for nought. And of being abandoned are sadly afraid. In many a case this, a' as ! is the way, And we cry, " All this now is against me ;" }Mit it is to bring low to His feet, and to say, " () G«d ! our help and our trust be in Thee !" 'I'lien let us break off that harrising chain. That burdens our mind so oft with despair ; And ne er at His ways with us pining complain, Hut cast, all throu-li life, on !!im every care^ ^27 LINES ON THE BRIG "GEM." > Which was nearly lost in Robin Hood Bay, on her passage from Ham- burg, getting almost on shore on the rocks, when a friend of mine Mr. W. Storm, was the means of saving the ship and Crew. Loud roared the winds as the ship *■ Gem'' lay Near the great south rocks of Robin Hood Bay : From Hamburg they'd sailed, and mistook the land, And were near being lost on that rocky strand. William Storm was up on the heights, and saw The ship's fearful danger, as near she did draw ro that rocky shore where scores have been lost, A nd to Whitby for help away did he post^ But when he got there the pilots did say, •■' It blows so heavy, we can't go to-day ;" But he pleaded hard that some should e'en try, And not these poor sailors abandon to die. Then on they went to that fine noble pier Of Whitby — famed for miles far and near ; There saw the captain of a steam-boat afloat. Who offered to go with Storm in their boat. o He determined to go, and they got up the steam. And loosed from the pier, and into the stream ; With brave valliant hearts, they long much to save Those poor sailors bold from a watery grave. 228 ON THE DEATH OF ADMIRAL LYONS. Out bravely they went, but the sea it ran high, And broke o'er the steamer, and seemed very nigh To overwhelm her and sink them while going out ; But well they all knew what they were about. And soon from the harbour they got clear away. And steered to the rocky and dangerous bay ; And glad were the sailors when watching them come To save them from shipwreck's deplorable doom. They steer to the ship, and a hawser they take — The anchors are weighed, and now in the wake Of the steamer are towed to a safe harbour near, And grateful they're left at Scarborough pier. Then, success to Storm and the other brave men. Who adventured their lives for their fellows then ; And every danger and hardship they braved, That the noble ship from wreck might be saved. Long may they live, and their time thus employed In doing others good, and still more employed ; And always be ready to venture and save All that they can from a watery grave. LIKES ON THE DEATH OF ADMIRAL LYONS.;; The gallant old Admiral's gone, Who the guns of a foe never feared ; A sailor who victories won, No matter to what point he steered. From Westminster School he set out On board the " Koyal Charlotte ' he went ;, At eleven years old, or about. As midshipman foith he was sent. ON THE DEATH OP ADMIRAL LYONS. 221>' A sailor's life thei*e he began. That called into action this boy ; His corn-age had hououred a man, When serving his country with joy. When after a twelvemonth he'd served On the ship " Eojal Charlotte" at sea, His practical skill was observed, And then to the " Maidstone" went he. Nearly five years in her he r niained, Beloved by each one he knew ; He the friendship of officers gained, — • Was the idol beloved by the crew. Kext to the frigate " Action" removed, By the Dardanelles' passage so famed. Where Duckworth so eminent proved, With honour young Lyons he named. His promotion he soon here obtained. To the " Baracouta" lieutenant was sent : In tliis little brig honour he gained. Prized and welcomed wherever he went. Here success first rewarded his skill. When the Castle of Belgie was stormed ; To succeed he dashed on with a will, And feats of bright daring performed. In this great exploit he displayed A true sailor's courage so bold j Though the channel was bad, haste he made. And took the foe's wily stronghold. O'er the Castle a flag was soon waved, Placed there by England's brave son ; Cried " Come on !" while all danger he braved,. And soon showed the victory was won. :230 ON THE DEATH OF APMIBAL LYONS. The uews soon reached his native land, His bravely met a quick reward ; Warm greetings showed ou every hand, A braver youth ne'er drew the swurd. With Admiral Drury next set sail To Java, in the "Miaden" bound. As flag lieutenant ne'er did fail. To make it honoured wherever found. As the ship at Java was lying off, From a prisoner on boar ' he learned They thought an action wuu'd come off, And then witli ardour's fire he burned. "With action prompt in midnight hours, He planned hia scheme to cai ry out ; Two boats and five and thirty tars, Soon put the foreign ioe to rout •He saw fort Marrack with its guns For battle, fifty-four arrayed ; Though the moon showed England's gallant sons, 'J'hey w^ere not daunted or atraid. The sea was rolling up the shore, As they were landing ou the beach ; Undaunted firmly under fire. They pressed and nobly scaled the breach. Thus onward went the gallant lar And charged the fue and gained the fort ; At dawn of day was seen atar Old England's colours o'er the port. With victory, commander he was made, In the ship " Renald" was S'-nt away, And o'er to Franct^ a king conveyed, A monarch's sceptre there to sway ON THE DEATH OF ADMIRAL LYONS. 231 Then back to Engl and he returned. To bear the allied Sovereigns here, And for this servic:^ honours eai-ned — 'J'he treaty of peace did also bear. In eighteen hundred and fourteen, he Eeceived Post Caj^tain's rank ; his fame A terror proved to foes at sea, — Like Xelson's they feared to hear is name. A time then came —he stayed on shore — A time of peace — e'er ready he To fight, and in the " Blonde" once more On active service went to sea ; And soon his mind was called to play Tn the " .Morea" an active part ; Allied to France he won the day, And caused the Turks with fear to start. Twelve nights in trenches was exposed To the lurk's great guns and muskets' fire ; His bravery the French disclosed. And St. Louis' order gave him to admire ; To reward his merit Grt-ece then gave The order of the lledeemer rare 1 hat many a Grecian great would crave, The much-loved honour for to share. For the many services performed He knignted was in *' thirty five," In " forty" then he was informed Forth vith a baronet would live Again he hears his country's call, A lofty office of the state He takes, and on his shoulders fall A foreign mission high and great. 282 OK THE DEATH OP ADMIRAL LYONS. When ambassador at Athens, he Upheld his country with his voice, Of England's glory speaking free, It made his countrymen rejoice. At Berne he still upheld the praise Of Briton's virtues, and her laws ; At Stockholm too, his voice did raise, Which gained his country's loud applause. A sain he braves the azure main, He then the British fleet command, And to the Black Sea sails again, From Russia justice to demand : In the " Agamemnon" led the way, And with the fleet the foe defied ; The Russian fleet all hid away Behind stone walls, the coward tried. To get them out, he tried each scheme ; Behind Sebastapol's stone walls Sent shells, all pouring in a stream, Which sorely then their fleet appals For country always did his best, Its rights and honours to maintain ; He sacrificed his health and i-est. For the laurels of the watery main. Brave Lyons upheld England's fame, Attack'd Sebastapol so strong. In that good ship of glorious name He fought with courage firm and long ; Accomplished all that head and heart Could do against such walls of stone. And played a dauntless sailor's part, With brilliant skill, as all must own. ON T 'K PKATH OF Al)Mr«AI. LYONS. *233 Twas liy this skill, aud knowledge too, '1 hat many a thousand lives were saved, And sheltered many a valliant crew, I'he raging storm couM ne'er have braved j In Balaclavas harbour they Securely rode throughout the gale, While those without, f. .r mi'es away, Could tell a frightful mournful- tale Some store-ships foundered in the roads. And all on board were sunk and lost ; The beach was strewn with stores ia loads ; And many lives of priceless cost ; But Lyons' wisdom there was pi*aised, By those who lay in harbour safe ; When outside other s cries were raised, For succour, shelter, and relief. But that fine youth his gallant son. Young Mowbray Lyons he was named, Was struck ere Sebasfcapol was wou, And died a youth for ever famed And after peace had been proclaimed. Our queen across the Channel went, To Cherbourg fortress now so famed. The French alliance to cement And here Lord Lyons held command. And honours freely crowned his worth With every good from fortune's hand, That men can know or feel on earth ; But England has this hero l<»st. All in the blossom of his fame ; But while she can a navy boast. Shall honour blazon o'er his name. 234 LINES ON LOVE. Love ! mighty love ! Ah ! who can tell lis powers ; 'tis kuown on earth to dwell j It mocks all language to unfold ; Its full delight can ne'er he told. It dwells in glances of tlie eye ; Is borne on zephyrs from a sigh ; It penetrates the guarded heart, And gladness to the Soul impart. Love works its wonders on mankind, Exaults us and refines the mind ; The star of hope to our fond youth, And maidens' guiding star of truth. A feeling chaste, whin used aright, To worthy hearts it brings delight : With pure emotions evfr rife, It decks with flowers the path of life. Its hallowed joys, its anxious fears, Hope's richest boon our life endears; Bright gems of feiliog o'er us cast, Holy the flame that life-long last And after death immortal given, /•s foretaste of the jiys of heaven ; Then let us enjoy the full of this love To improve us en earth, to partake it above. 235 ON SEEING A MAJESIIC ELM TORN UP BY THE ROOTS BY THE WIND. I sa^r it uprooted and torn to the ground, With its leaves and its branches all scattered around. The majestic fine elm brought low by the storm, Its foliage all withered, and shattered its form. This tree had stood centuries by the loadside — A-ges — year after year, in its bpauty and pride; Through numberless storms it still had stood fast, Sheltering its kind from the power of the blast. And ofc in the storm it hath bowed down its head, When the hurricane came and the gale through it sped ; But the more the tree shook — the more the wind blew — The wider it spread, and the stronger it grew. A mysterious power of mightier strength, Humbled its greatness and verdui-e at length ; 'Twas the power of the wind — by mankind unseen, Rushing on in its might- the destroyer had been. Thus man seemeth firm in the flower of his age, And earth seems the most of his thoughts to engage, Allured by its follies — his roots wildly spread, Says " Take now thy ease, joys round thee are spread, JA.COb'S DREAM. A traveller once did leave his home, And journeyed on his dreary way ^ Wearied and fatigued he'd come. Close to the eve of that spent day. 236 jacob'js dream. The sun in solemn giaudeur set, 'I'inging the earth with splendid rays Of golden hue, its beauties met That lonely wearied traveller's gaze. 'Twas Jacob : with his journey tired He for his pillow took a stone, And fell asleep, and was inspired By vision of the Holy One. He dreamt a ladder to the skies — Up from the earth whereon he lay — To heaven above did brightly rise, With angels up and down its way. And there above that ladder's height, Stood Heaven's great Almighty king, Encircled round with beams of light, And seraphs on their azure wing. Swift to perform His bidding they Flew unto this sleeper blest ; For though he on a hard stone lay, Yet sweetly he reposed to rest. Bright guardian an ;^ els watched him round, Whilst Grod His promise did reveal; As long he lay upon the ground, God's presence holy did he feel. • He little thought when down he lay, That God to him would deign to show His love in such a gracious way, And let him thus His goodness know. Jacob's i>rkam. • 237 He heard His voice in silent night, These promises to him did give ; His seed should be as stars of nigiit, And on that very spot should live, And he believed God's promise given, In faithful Abraham's fo tsteps ti'od ; He felt there was the gate of heaven, And to him the house of God The pilgrim then awoke from slet^p, And said, " How dreadful is this place i' And vowed if God his soul would keep He would for ever seek His face. And on that spot a temple raise, And this he would the Bethel name, To celebrate his Maker's praise, And show to all mankind His fame. He vowed that each year he would bring A tenth part of his worldly store, A present to his heavenly King, And His great goodness there adore. ,^ And it is right for all Christ's fold Their grateful offerings to bring ; Their ta'ents, health, and gifts and gold, With free will to their glorious King. This earth is God's and all therein ; And He can give to whom He will ; To the righteous, or to those who sin. That His intents they may fulfil. 238 Jacob s dream. Earth's greatest monarch on the throne. Likewise the poorest in the land ; He guides and leads them every one. By His All-great, Almighty hand. And Jacob, when he had to meet Esau with an armed baud, In prayi r went to the mercy seat, For favour with Esau to stand. And when they met with fond embrace, Each to the other thus did tell, How God had bless"d them with Hia grace,. And guided both so safe and well. He'd wrestled with his God in prayer And after would not let Him go ; Though weak in body held Him there, Till he God's gracious love did know. What wondrous power thus Jacob had, Over his Maker to prevail ; Now, Christians, let your hearts be glad 'J hat earnest prayer can never fail. Lift up your heads, and bend your knees, You cannot ever pray in vain ; God listens when a child He sees. Pour fourth its wailing piteous strain. His great arm is not shortened now, Dull nor closed His loving ear ; Pray on, and feel H is Spirit glow, Meek, humbl'^, lowly and sincere. THE KXILS. -'SO Pray on ! pray on ! now your God hears, He answers promptly from above, To banish all thy feeble fears, And (ill thy soul with righteous love Prayers' blessings holy shall flow down To every flock He sees in need, Until they gain a heavenly crown, And in rich heavenly pastures feed. And God there altered Jacob's name To '" Israel" — which means a Prince — The blessings which he then did gain, Have flowed to mankind ever since. And all the family of man, In Jesus shall find peaceful rest ; Fulfilling God's own gracious plan — Through Jacob's seed be ever blest. And Christ shall be adored by all, And all the nation of the earth ^ Before His scepti-e low shall fall, And glorify his wondrous worth, Thus Pagan, Turk, Hindoo, and Jew, Of every tribe and race and clime, Shall worship the only God and true, Till the remotest bounds of time. THE EXILE. Ye scenes of my childhood, O nought can dissever The bond that eml races thy charms to ray heart, Though early lifes moments are vanished for ever, There's nought from my memory thy 1 eauties c; n part 240 THE EXILR. Long absence but strengthens the tide of my yearning, And summons each picture in freshness to view ; Old scenes and old faces and friendships returning. In cherislied remembrance, warm, welcome, and new. Full oft |(;A^sing objects recaJ to my senses, Kic'i glaidening thoughts of some happiness past ; In those seasons of life ere its trial commences. Those unalloyed seasons too fleeting to la-t. The mignonette's fragrance, the lilac's chaste blossom, Awaken the charm of past innocent joy ; While soft soothing rapture creeps over by bosom, And calmly I wish I were yet but a boy, In silence I wander, as night closes o'er me, Wlien the sun sinks aw ay in the far distant west ; Wi:h n ■■ hope of peace on the morrow before me — No prospect of Fatherland's solace and rest. Enchanted, 1 pause, as sweet tones meet my hearing ; ^\'llll8t a glow of affection swells full my each vein, As distant bells chiming bring feelings endearing, Of home and its joys all returning again. I reverence as holy those treasured reflections That bring to my vision the features of yore ; That twine like the ivy o'er mind's recollections Of loved ones departed from life's busy shore. O call it not weakness of age unbefitting, That thus to the scenes of my childhood I cling ; Each hour 1 prize dearer through life's wane is flitting The emotions that by-gones to memory bring. The cold-hearted stoic may laugh in derision, Who knows not the warmth of humanity's bloom ; In wliose chilly slumbers ne'er comes the sweet vision Of paradise passe 1 in sweet infancy's home. Oh ! could I but feel that when life had departed, And p ace with my God and the world I had made, Wnat tolace 'twould bring the exile lone-hearted, That my dust would repose where my fathers are laid. 241 LINES. Written upon the oocasion of going Pilot in the '• V.c'oria'' S-fa.mcr to Ramsgate, with a party of Wesleyans fur a pleasure trip. Some Wesltyan friends agreed one day Forth flora their native town to stray. All on a trip of pleasure bent, On board the boat 'Victoria" went ; And a,.\ was joy 'tween friend and friend, To Kamsgate steered the day to spend. The steamer lay at Chatham pier, Friends flocked on board with hearty cht-er ; To see provisions come on board In hatnp'-rs large i^o nicely stored. You would have t ouglit our friends, at leaMt, \Vere going a voyage to the Kast. The hampers stored with beef and hams. Mince pies, and tarts, and lots of jams, With piles of cake, and fruit, and wine. 242 PLKAStTRE 1KIP. Cfi which a king would like to dine ; Aijvl me whole party seemed to be Determined they would pleasure see. And then to see how all were drest, Sure every one were in their hest : The sun shone out in bright array, All sparkling on the waves so gay, Which threw a gladness o'er each scene, Pilled every heart with joy serene. With smiles our friends each other greet, AVarm salutations as they meet ; But time flies fast — tlie clock points eight, Cur cptain can no longer wait; J^u^e some will be too late to-day, For time and tide will never stay. So after they a hymn had sung, Off from the pier the steamer swung, And with fair wind and favouring tide, They down the river Med way glide ; In social friendship close they sat, Engaged in lively friendly chat. Said Mrs. A to her friend Miss B — '•A nice mau is our preacher C- — — He's ever in the path of du'y — My dear I tliink him qui e a beauty! He tends his floe': with anxious care, To God he oflers earnest prayer. But there's Miss G she cuts such capers, Enough to give a friend the vapours ; To see her dress and mincing walk — PLEASURE TRIP. 243 ]N"o wonder that some people talk, To see her crinoline and flounces. As she into the chapel bounces. But still in her there is some good. For the children she did all she could ; When our Sunilay School was raised, Her conduct good was highly praised. Collecting money from her friends, To carry out good Christian ends And Mrs. M ,who there you see — I'm told a termagant is she, And leads her Jbusband such a life, He wishes oft he had no wife ; But all I hear I don't believe, I think she would not so deceive " Such words as these, and othf r matters, Each friend unto the other chatters ; The steamer now is going ftist, And very soon Sheeruess is past ; But as they drew towards the Nore, Old lioreas loud began to ro.ar. The rain began in drops to fall ; Into the cabin one and all For shelter ran, but sad to tell. Found everything below pell-mell, For as the steamer rolled and tumbled. The hampers all got sadly jumbled. Poor S sat in some apple pies, With others tliere were heard loud cries ; One for the bucket loud did call "Who wished he'd never come at all, And promised he would next time fast. Or else this trip should be bis last 244 PLKASUBE TRIP. Said Mrs. J to J , ' INly dear. Pray hold my head— I feel so queer, I know, in spite of all my wishes. My breakfast must— O !— feed the fishes ;- O, husband dear, pray be my nurse— dear ! I'm getting worse and worse." Poor J was in the self-same plight, Could nothing do, poor helpless wight, To help his kind and loving spouse — • Both wished they had not left their house ; For stern old Neptune never wavers, But shares to all his briny favours. The steamer now took such a lurch, That sent poor .! from off his perch, And there were such shrieks and bawling As 'midst the crockery he lay sprawling. 1 he sailors cried, " O, what's the matter ?'* On hearing such a noise and clatter. The weather now began to clear, /3 near we came to Heme Bay pier ; The glorious sun began to shine, Inviting all on board to dine. The sailors up the awning got, And soon all troubles were forgot. The hampers from below were brought, All fe^l to work as quick as thought ; Their breakfasts lost, as I'm a sinner. They touk a double lot f r dinner, AVith weather fine became quite jolly,. And bid adieu to melancholy. PLEASTJBE TEIP. 'J45, With freshening wind and favouring tide, The steamer on did gently glide. And very soon Heme Bay was passed, Likewise the buoy they call " West Last ;" Next the Keculvers soon were seen. About which so much talk has been. This church was by two sisters founded Where near a brother dear was drowned ; The ship, all hands, and all things in it, Went down and vanished in a minute. To hold in memory his sad lot, They built this church upon the spot. We steamed away now through the " Gore,** And kept our distance from the shore ; And here some porpoises did play, And gambolled, throwing up the spray ; Some time our company they did keep. Sporting about on the briny deep. And thus we went the passage down, Passing by fair Margate town. We kept in closely to the pier, To see the company walking there ; And soon came to that headland famed. The extreme of Kent, " North Foreland named." This place is known through many lands, For on the cliff a lighthouse stands ; 'Tis seen by sailors -when at sea, Though twenty miles from land they be ; They're ever anxious first to sight. This ^veIl known welcome beacon light. 546 PLKASURE TRIP. And as the Foreland we went round, The wind was getting high we found, For hats and caps were blown away — We saw them roll along the spray ; " What flats," said they, whose hats were gone» " To think we did not tie them on." Proceeding, oft", Bi-oadstairs we came, A fishing place of note and fame ; Soon as this place we'd quickly past. Then Ramsgate came in sight at last. The Goodwin Sands are seen from here, Where ships are wrecked — aye, every year. And many a gallant sailor brave, Has found therein a watery grave ; When after a prosperous trip hath come Towards these sands, so near his home ; And ofttimes been his fatal lot To meet his death upon this spot. And many a gallant ship lies there, Been wrecked upon these sands so drear, And many a cargo has been lost, Though purchased at enormous cost. I have no doubt these treacherous sands Are richer far than many lands. Into the harbour now they came, And all were bound to have a game ; Some went on to the bather Foat, In Kamsgate waves to have a float ; •Some of the party walked the sands, Whilst others went to hear the bands. PLEASURE TUIP. 24«7 Some into the bazaars did stray, Some went up Jacob's Ladder way ; Whilst others on the chfts did stride — Some on the sands the donkeys ride ; And every one was blithe and gay, It turned out sucli a pleasant day. But time, that never will stand still, The sun going down behind the hill Told all, on board their way must find. If they'd no wish to stay behind ; Now on the steamer's deck they stand, Keady once more to leave the land. The sun was quickly going down, When we left fair Ramsgate town, The people on the shore did shout, To see us joyfully steaming out. Another steamer got on shore, — She never had been there before. But for her then we could not wait. And for the F'oreland ateered out straight ; And as we progressed on our way, The band began to sweetly play ; And as we round the Foreland steered. The music ashore was plainly heard. We now repassed famed Margate's pier, Our homeward way direct to steer ; It then came on so dark that night, That we could scarcely see the light ; Onr compass we'd to uss and lea 1, We could not see our way a-head. 248 THE IDIOT BOY. The sailor at the lead cried out — " By the mark three ! ' we heard him shout ; And as our rapid course we sped, One cried out. " There's a light a-head !" This light is proved to be the Nore, And then we stood in for the shore. Then up the river Medwajr went, And every one seemed quite coctent ; And when we got to Chatham pier, And spoke the friends who met them there^ They ecjoyed it so, they all did say They'd go again some other day. THE IDIOT BOY. I passed an idiot boy one day, He looked at me with vacant gaze, And was so childish in his way, His antics caused me much amaze. I thought on God whose guardian care, Ihrough all creation is displayed ; And wondered why a form so fair, Without a mind should e'er be made. I never passed the Asylum gate, Where dwell the poor, the lost insane. Eut thank my God for bounties great, For intellect of heart and brain ; While thousands live who never can Lift up t' eir hear s and prayers above,. Tor God's great goodness shown *o man. The countless blessings of Ilia love. THii IDIOT BOY. 245 What mystfiiries all His works appear,— How little can the mind discern Of God's Great laws and purpose here. The wonders found at every turn ? Oood hast thou been, O God, to me ! For reason's blessing to my mind ; Whilst others void of stnse I see,[ I've felt Thy love, I'hy mercy kind. Eeason, tlie gi-eatest, noblest gift, ■J hat God has unto man bestowe I, That we to Him our souls may lift — Ou ' voices raise in praises loud. Wondrous to us when deep in thought, To think how soul and body blend ; The soul that life to Adam brought. VS'hich God unto His clay did send. What is our life without the mind. Where reason holds its mighty sway ? 'Tis but a blank, to feeling blind, That withers and departs away. We wonder how such things can be j As God o'erroles the universe, His wise intents we fail to see. In what appears to man a curse. Thus earthquakes seem an awful blight, Destroying thousands in the earth j The cholera too, midst human fright. Brings misery oft to many a hearth. And fearful shipwrecks on the main, ^ . With howling storm's destroying rage ; While many a b lilor brave is slain, AMio on the sea his life engage, 250 '•"'"■ iniOT liOY. We think of fields where thousands fall, Throughout the battle s deadly strife ; AVe think of tyrants crushing all, And think how vaiu a thing is life. Hush ! mortal, hush ! and learn to trust In Him thou canst not understand; And bow down humbly in the dust. And learn how wise all nature's planned. He guides the planets in their course. All natiu-e feels His severing sway j ; The winds from Him receive their force, ■^ And at His word they calmly stay. His lightnings flash along the skies, And through the earth His thunders roar ;. And when His works we'd oft despise, They ought to lead us to adore. His servant Job He told to stand In front of Him, to charge his mind ; That he God's works might understand- But still 'twas little Job could find ; Attached to nought in endless space, 1 he orb move round our glorious sun— 'Tis He appoints each one its place, As through the air they quickly run. Men must be idiots who'll not see His power as shown in works below ; 'Tis Ho directs the things that be. To man His love does richly show. » His works are all in wisdom made, And glorious in our eyes appear ; We see His goodness eer displayed, In bounteous harvest every year. ON HEARING THE SAUUATH HKI.I.S. 251 From Ilim we all our gifts receive, '■ The Benefactor let us owu, And may we to His glory live, And bless and make His goodness kuovn. With solemn awe His works behold, And view His reign in all supreme. Adore Him and be of His fold. While round us His rich mercies stream. Forgive, O God ! our prying thought, That seeks in vain Thy paths to see ; O grant we ever may be brought, Humbly on earth to trust in Thee. O fill our souls with Thy rich love, let our faith in Thee abound; Our finite minds Thy goodness prove— The infinite cannot be found, LINES ON HEAEING THE BELLS RINGING ON. THE SABBATH. Hark ! how the sabbath bells are pealing, So sweetly o'er my senses stealing ; Mercy to man they seem revealing — Blest Sabbath day ! To-day from myriads anthems rise, To swell the music of the skies ; And God to man His love applies — Blest Sabbath day ! God's children to His house repair, And offer up their earnest prayer ; God's gracious blessing meets them there- Blest Sabbath day I , -252 ON HEARING THE SABBATH BELLS. Our souls mount up on wings of love, To meet our glorious King above, And there His heavenly presence prove — Blest Sabbath day ! Hark ' from God's houses all around, The hallelujahs loud resound : With prayer and praise they each abound — Blest Sabbath day ! Blest day of rest to mankind given, To fit his soul to dwell in heaven ; The best by far of all the seven — Blest Sabbath day ! Each Sabbath brings us nearer home, And soon His voice shall bid us come. In eternal glories ever roara — Blest Sabbath day ! We soon shall gain our portion fair, Which Christ ascended to p.-epare; To spend an endless Sabbath there — Blest Sabbath day ! Press on, my soul ! though rough the road. That leads thee to that blest abode, To dwell for ever with thy God — Blest Sabbath day ! THE SAILOE'S GRAVE AT SEA. He died far from home in the ship, As she Bailed o'er the watery main ; He has taken his last homeward trip, To yonder bright heaven'y plain. THK sailor's grave AT SHA. 253 1^0 parting fond words from his friends, N"o dear wife to wipe his fond brow ; Released, his soul soon ascends, Triumphant he dwells above now. The poor sailor's for ever at rest. He sleeps low in some coral grave, And the wild waves beat over his breast, No more the rough storms will he brave. Though the place where he lieth be deep, To mortals for ever unknown. Bright Angels watch over his sleep. The Omnipotent guardeth His own. Though we cannot bend over his grave. Or. hallow his dust with our tears ; Assured that he now is moored safe, ' f is that which allayeth our fears. Moored safely from all this life's harms, Sleep tranquilly, thou sailor bold ; Through storms, winds, and peace giving calms. Through summer and winter's drear cold. The wife as she walks the sea shore, And sighs for his loss morn and eve, Thinks of him she will never see more. And mournfully doth her heart giieve. ; There's a time thou sha't see him again, In that glorious dwelling above ; '■' i There they'll sing in a loftier strain, That God did all in Hie love. 254 LINES ON RECEIVING AN^ INKSTAND AS A. PRESENT FROM A FRIEND. To my tnble thou art ■welcome, new friend of my muBe> As the donor from whom thou art come ; A new link of friendship thy sight doth infuse, That will gladden my heart and my home. Thou remind'st me of one ever generous and kind, Whose friendship is firm and sincere ; ft ho loves to do good with the stores of his mind. With a conscience exalted and clear. And while my poor verses in peace I indite. While I study the learned and the wise, Happy moments thy presence shall bring to my sight Thee, my Inkstand, I ever shall prize. Heside thee my fond aspirations shall fiow. To the high, and the holy, and good ; . As of old the bright vein of my muse shall o'erflow. As through the night musing I've stood. I'll think of those days when adversity's gloom Cast the mantle of sadness around ; When sorrow and sickness o'ershadowed our home. When solace nor peace could be found. And then I'll regard thee with gratitude's gaze, Whilst thankfulness beams from my eyes, To think that I'm spared thus to write in the praise; Of him whose great friendship I prize. What solace an object, though simple, may bring. In our bosoms awaking a theme 'I hnt about ihe domain of our memory will cling,. Like the features impi-est in a dream. Associations will gather — the object around, Though inanimate, calls forth our love ; ON HEARING A JUBILEB SKBMON. 255 The chfirms of a fond veneration are fouud That will draw our afiections above, To loved ones departed whose presence we feel, 'Ihat we see in the oVjject arise ; But between thee and me, in woe or in weal, Thee, noy Inkstand, 1 ever shall prize. LINES ON HEARING THE REV. NEHEMIAIJ CURNOCH PREACH A JUBILEE SERMON, Jakuaet 17tli, 1864. Come, Christians, rejoice, and lift up your voice, "While the praise of Emmanuel we sing ; The glad dawn appears, and onward it cheers Us to labour for God our Great King. O, what hath He wrought in the multitudes brought To accept o f His gospel divine ! His banner's unfurled, and through all the world With beams of efiulgence will shine. These are glorious days, which His goodness displays j He is with us as onward we fight ; His bow spans the heaven, with promises given. This earth shall be filled with His light. God's heroes with toil have sown on each soil The seed of His heavenly word — It was watered with tears, and hallowed with prayers^ And great shall be their reward. O, Father ! we pray let Thy heavenly ray Fill this earth, and claim for Thy Son ! Eide on with Thy sword, Emmanuel our Lord, 1 ill mankind to Thy sceptre is won. ^56 ON' HKARING A JUBILEE SBRMON. May Thy spirit now fall on Thy servants all. Like Elijah's mantle descend ; May our Eiishas be blest, with Thy Spirit imprest, Bringing sinners to Jesus their friend May each Church now awake, thf> kingdoms to shake, In their beautiful garments now shine ; Let their trnm pets peal forth, e'^st, west, south, and north, Proclai;iiiugthe message divine. Let them echo the tale, o'er mountain, through vale, That the Jubilee morning arose — That the gospel's blest word has won earth for our Lord, And it blossoms again like the rose *&'• May thy children soon see the great jubilee, By patriarchs and prophets foretold, When this world 'neath His sway, His word shall obey. One family — one Shepherd — one — fold. May Heaven -born bands unite in all lands Their Hosannas to Jesus here raise ; May ail seek His love, and His kingdom above, And this earth be filled with His praise. O, come from above, Angel-heralds of love. As he did on that glorious morn, Proclaiming free gi-ace to the whole of our race. On the day that our Saviour was bom. y Let the message of peace our joys here increase. Through Thy mercy and love to us given. And the bright glowing rays of millennial days Unite all the aationa with Heaven. 267 A WELCOME TO CHKISTMAS. Here's a welcome to thee, Old Christmas ! We will greet thy presence here ; Thou art come again to cheer us, At the happiebt time of yeai*. This is our family gathering, And we'll ioin once more with glee. . , , To celebrate thy loved return, ■■ ^. -•. And a welcome give to thee. Chorus — Here's a welcome, ${< Poor invalid I while he was dwelling here, Alternating long 'tween hope anrl fear, How meekly borne by him the ^aviour\s crfiss, Without which counting all things here but loss. In judgement good, in taste was most refined Serene and chaste his high and polished mind ; With glowing zeal and ever-earnest prayer He laboured here for souls with yearning care. On learning e'er his studious mind was bent — To become a missionary his intent ; But while his studies hard he thus pursued, Disease his sinking wasting form subdued, And o'er his friends it cast a chilling i,'loom ; They grieved to see him hastening to the tomb. He is now gone ! as we look back we trace His memory decked with every virtuous grace. Most eloquent was he in Scripture's might, To preach Christ's merc;y was his chief delight; His graceful manners all with love did blend, Delighting all to know and call him friend. Blest spirit ! this accept, my humble lay— The only tribute that I now can pay for all thy friendship and thy love on earth, Is to record just homage to thy worth. And oft from earth my thoughts will upward rise. To think of thee now blessed in the skies ; And looking forward to that blest reward, Purchased for us by our Saviour Lord. j?'ollowing in thy meekly footsteps blest, To attain like thee the promised heavenly rest ; United then our thankful voices raise. And sin<^ for evw in om- Saviour's praise. -294 ON ALFKED HAMMOND. Now of eternal life hast thou made sure. Thy happy spirit dwells among the pure ; Any every falling tear is wiped away, In those bright realms of everlasting day. Cease mourning, friends ! weep not for him again ! He is now freed frorh every care and pain ; Wish him not back from forth his high abode, He rests now in the glories of his God LINE'S ON ALFRED HAMMOND. DIED APRIL 20th, 1858, AGED TWO TEARS. The lovely flowers of spring are blooming raund, And nature smiles, all clothed in verdant hue ; But Alfred's lovely form lies in the ground, Awaiting the Resurrection, to arise anew. The mother, as they lowly laid him down, Wept at the thought of his once fond caress ; No more will he on her fond bosom bound. His happy spirit dwells among the blest. O could his voice be heard from Heaven above, He'd tell his parents now to weep no more ; The little angel sings the song of love, And joins with rapture the angelic choir. "Rejoice, father ! mother, shout for joy ! Give thanks that God away has taken me ! Praise the dear Saviour, with your darling boy, That where I am ye both may ever be ! And when earth's scene for ever oloao with yOH, And death releases you from every care, ' As Heaven's bright gates unfold before your view, To receive and welcome you, I shall be there. ON THE HEY. "Vr. M. VUNSHOX. 295 And as the plains of Heaven we roam along, We'll talk of Him and of His love we'll tell ; ' Sing loud hosaiiuahs with the heavenly throng, And shout, ' My God, Thou hast done all things well.' " LINES AFTER HEARING A LECTURE BY THE REV. W. ]\t. PUNS HON. Gi*eat lecturer, and preacher, thou art inspired With eloquence ! thy tongue seems always fired, And thousands listen to each glowing word That pleasure to the minds of all aflford. From out thy lips the sacred force of truth Inspires the mind of many a wavering youth ; Thy words hath caused them ever to leave siri, And quick set out eternal life to win. Into Christ's Church thou hast many brought. To make all converts earnestly thou'st sought ; It is surprising, also nobly grand, To see thee 'fore a crowded audience stand And hear thy eloquent and flowing tongue Enchant thy hearers, all both old and young : They listen to thy powerful words intense, Thy oratory chains both thought and sense. Thou can 'at before our minds such pictures draw. To thee we listen with a breathless awe. And wonder how it is thou can'st so bind yfith potent spell the cultivated mind. How didst thou gain those mighty thoughts sublime, To bring forth in thy lectures every time, To Bway our judgments and our thoughts refine — A masterpiece is found in every line. 296 OK UNBELIEF. Virtue in such forms thou canst pour tray That makes us wish it ever held the swaj ; That 'neath its spell our lives might all be brought. Its peaceful sceptre o'er each act and thought. And vice thou picturest with hideous glare — Its base allurements which so oft ensuai'e — That makes us tremble for the worldly gay, "Who shun truth's path and fritter life away. How faithfully thy preaching doth reveal God's love to man, and makes each conscience feel Christ's saving grace to all thy flock convey, Or warm with terrors of the judgment day. Punshon ! we bless thee, trusting thou mayest see Saved souls above converted here by thee ; At Heaven's pearly gate may angels come With heavenly greeting, " Welcome, brother, home." And enter with them to thy Saviours joy. Through all eternity thy voice employ, Which was thy pleasure ever here to raise, So nobly in thy glorious Saviour's praise. There may'st thou raise in far nobler strains. And make it echo through the heavenly plains ; With thy seals of majesty — blest souls above, Kejoice for ever in a Saviour's love. ON UNBELIEF. TV hen Calvary's scenes were all past and gone, With all its dark sorrows and sickening gloom ; Forth by His disciples the Saviour was borne, And buried in silence within the cold tomb. ' ON UNBELIEF, 207 But when the third morning so glorious broke Calm o'er the earth, in its radiance bright, Our Saviour from death's icy fetters awoke And soared high afar to the realms of light. For Him His disciples full often would mourn. When together they met in that upper room ; To the sepulchre went but returned forlorn, Found Jesus not there, He was gone from the tomb. Now as they are grieving a bright form appears. Though doors were all closed and barred secure, Which filled every one with trembliug fears, — The light of its presence could scarcely endure. Some spirit they thought it must have been fled ; Most affrighted they were to S30 it there come ; They supposed it a spirit arose froTi the dead, Permitted on earth again once to roam. But when they all heard H is kind gentle voice Speaking thus, " Dear children, have you any bread f ' It made every heart with gladness rejoice. As their dear Lord and Master once more with them fed. But Thomas at this time was gone far away, When the others their new risen Saviour did see. And when he was told the glad news the next day, He would not believe that such tilings could e'er be. Although they affirmed no credencj could gain, And all protestations were of no avail ; They told him their Lord He had risen again, Yet o'er unbelief they could not prevail. But to them he said that he would believe. If Christ, his dear Lord, would to him appear, And show him the wounds He did there receive On the Cross — that He did on Calvary bear ; 298 ON TJKBELIB?. Unless Christ before Him would ouce again stand. And show unto him the wound in His side, That into the hole he might thrust his hand, To prove what they saw, he all there defied. A week had passed by, when again He did stand Among the disciples, and in the same place; How truly delighted were that little band, When again they all saw their dear Saviour's face. Now Thomas v^as there and Christ to him said, " Here, see in my hands the print of each nail : Thrust now your own into my wounded side, And over your unbelief let sight prevail." Poor Thomas was filled with joy, and some fears. When Christ unto him the sight did afford ; Then fast down his cheeks there rolled joyous tears. He cried out with fervour, " My God. and my Lord !"" Christ said unto him, " Thou hast now believed, But only believest because thou hast seen ; But blessed are they who by faith have received Me, whose presence with them ne'er has been." And how much like Thomas full often we've seen. In doubts and in gloom our faith is quite lost j To Grod's mercy and goodness how blind have we been I In unbeliefs sea how often been tossed ! But again we have gone with meek earnest prayer, By trouble again to our Saviour been driven, And while we were kneeling, beseeching Him there- By faith we have gained a glimpse into Heaven. The doubts and the fears we have often met here. Have vanished away while praying we strove ; And Christ, in His mercy, did shining appear. And filled all our souls with His perfect love. ON TBABS. 299' Whilst others discern, we have been in the mount With Christ as in His bright image we shine, Drawing streams of love from His blessed fount, Ari'ayed all in righteousness — clothing divine. Save us, O Lord, when earth gloomy uears, Be then our strength when the loud trumpet roars, Bid almighty faith smother all anguishing fears, And help us to look to the heavenly shores. And while we now through this wilderness stray, "Whatever may come of care or of grief, Keep us, we beseech Thee ! while in this our day, From ever being wrecked through dark unbelief. LINES ON TEARS. While passing through this earthly sphere, Full often there is shed a tear ; The rugged path of lifi^ we know Is wet with tears as on we go. Here first we find the infant's tears. When in the world it first appears ; Its helplessness the tear declares, For it requires the mother's cares. When into live begins to grow, The mother's tears will often flow, To hear her child in wailing strain, Cry pitifully when in pain. As onward then in life he goes, He's subject to so many woes : Sheds tears when he to school is sent, Though done with parents' best intent. 00 ON TBAK5. And theu in learuiug's path severe Acquiring knowledge brings the tear ; Through life how oft 'tis cleai-ly shown No easy road to learning's known. And then there are fond lover's tears, Who often is depressed with fears, When his desired and lovely maid Smiles not on him and he's afraid. He thinks some rival's gained her heart, And from her he'll be forced to part ; There's jealousy within his breast, The green-eyed monster breaks his rest. He sees no sunshine in the skies, He wants the sunshine of her eyes ; All joy and gladness from him go, Love's passion make? nis tears to flow. And when in gentleness she turns. With rapture his fond bosom burns, And tears of joy by him are shed, Invoking blessmgs on her head. Soon partners they become for life. Together hlest as man and wife ; Together blending hopes and fears, And sharing in each other's tears. And there are too the mother's tears. When near the close of life appears : Her form his wasting fast away, She feels her health and strength decay. Then up to Heaven ascends the prayer, " Oh, God ! do for my children care !" Around her couch she hears their sigh, 1 hey for their kind good mother pray. ON THAFS. Her husband at her bedside stands, With kindest words he clasps her hands ; Around her bed they all then kneel, To show the love they for her feel. They pray to God who always hears, -In broken words with sobs and tears 'Through Jesus' blood to give her peace — To send her happy soul release. i^or her to mount above the sky, Whereat she never more will die ; Where her dear J^aviour she will see, And there for ever happy be. Then for our friends we shed the tear. Who meet with trials most severe ; And when we see they are bow d down. And fortune on them seems to frown — When all against them doth appear, 'Tis then we shed soft pity's tear ; Nor can refrain when them we see Borne down by want and misery, 'Tis no dishonour to the wise, If oft a tear bedim their eyes, For suffering virtue, when distress'd, ■Down many cheeks a tear is press d. Or when we follow some loved form, The burial ritual to perform, Can we restrain when o'er his bier, In frieudsiiip then to shed a tear ? All scenes like these will cause a sigh. And draw the tear from many an eye ; ■Death touches our hearts' chords and brings Cold sad vibration on its strings. 301 S02 ON TBABS. Then there are the poor widow's tears,. When thinking, in her fading years, Of him who was her prop and stay, By death from her now torn away.) Her kindness lavished could not save His life from hastening to the grave ; But where could he have found a friend;. Like his fond wife his wants to tend ? How softly through his room she goes, And tries in vain to soothe his Avoes ; Ne'er of his fancies did complain. Did all she could to ease his pain. How faithful doth he find her now. She gently wipes his fevered brow I And as the vale of death he nears, She leaves his bed to vent her tears. His spirit takes its heavenly flight, And wings its way to realms of light;. His widow leaves to mourn him here, And o'er his coi'pse to shed a tear. She thinks of happy days now past, And o'er her mind a gloom is cast. Some valued relic meets her sight, Left by her loved one — taken flight. Beholding it she sheds her tears. Her comfort lost, no hope appears ; And fast the crystal drops o'erflow. She's lost to a'l but care and woe. Her heart seems breaking now with grief,.. In tears she seeks her best relief; She opens her Bible, finds it there — God always hears the widow's prayer. ON TXAR8. 303 In trouble He will ne'er forsake. Has always promised care to take Of those who trust in Him with faith ; And to the widow, thus He saith : " Come, trust in Me — all's for the best — Thy husband's gone to heavenly rest ; Keep on awhile this war of life, Soon you will quit this worldly strife. You'll meet again on that bright shore, For ever blest, to part no more ; Then throw off all thy gloomy fears, Thou'rt going where there are no tears. Then there are the penitent's tears. Whene'er the wrath of God he fears ; When on his knees he's meekly found, As they lift up their happy voice. They shout aloud in highest Heaven, " There is another soul forgiven !" With joy the courts on high resound, " The dead's alive ! the lost is found !'* And now he feels he's blest indeed, And from all punishment is freed ; By failli he views his Saviour nigh, Can " Father ! Abba, Father I" cry. But oft he'll shed the repentaut tear, When far from Christ he'll wauder hf re, Whom he has vowed he ne'er will leave. Or never more His spirit grieve. But weak when dark temptation came. And some there are deny His name ; They hear it treated oft with scorn, — His name, who hath their sorrows borne. SOi ON TEARS. They stray sometimes like yrandering sheep, Till Christ looks on and makes them -weepy And like Peter sadly mourn, Who make His love so base return. f hen there's the desparing tear, 'Of him who slights salvation here , When with wan cheek and hollow eye, He feels he is about to die. B e knows that he is near the grave, And never tried his soul to save ; An awful task to look within, A nd feel the cursed sting of sin ! He thinks of mercy oft despised — The love of God he never prized ; Through life His counsel set at nought, And now is to his death-bed brought. His body's racked with pain and care, His soul is filled with deep despair ; 'lis now he feels the bitter rod Of a justly angered God. His tortured soul would like to fly Away from God's all-seeing eye ; His deep lelt anguish who can tell ? Forewarning of the pangs of hell. O may we never feel the smart Or anguish of a broken heart ! To look back on a life mis-spent-^- And lose the .soul, for which I was lent. KATH. And may our soldiers here be found To fight for faith on Christian ground ; And after death victorious rise, To join blest armies in the skies. And let us pray for country's peace, That true religion may increase, And ghastly war keep from our land, By God's all-wise protective hand. Till landed safely by His side, For ever 'ueath His care abide ; When v.ar is hushed and coniiicts cease ; In the land of happiness and peace. ON DEATH. Life's golden bowl's part broken When its silvery cords decay ; They warn with solemn token How we must pass away. How quickly life hath flown ! It seems almost a dream ; To each of us hath shown We hasten down life's stream. Death hastens now to grasp — On us will soon lay hand ; Our souls away must pass _ Before God's bar to stand. Then let us all now try A Heaven, through Christ, to gain, And then, when called to die, Feel we've not lived in vain. 31o A KINDLY WORD FOR ALL. How seldom mankind stay to think, Or, thinking, care to feel, The power possessed by kindliness The pangs of woe to heal ! How carefully ought we guard the tongue, • Considering well withal, To have always upon the lips A kindly word for all. Pure kindliness, by narrow minds. Too oft is laid aside As something lowering to their state, Their dignity would hide ; But pitiful must be those hearts, Who thus ignobly fall Before false pride, and cease to hold A kindly word for all. Tell me, ye connoisseurs of joy, — Ye searchers after bliss, — Who roam the world in pleasure's quest, The cheeks of peace to kiss : Tell me, I say, do there exist, Throughout gay pleasure's hall. Bright gems that equal souls that breathe A kindly word for all ! But as the noblest minds on earth Have shown and lead the way To live and'love in truth and peace, Our homage let us pay To each warm heart where goodness finds An echo at its call. Who ever does as sacred hold A kindly word for all. 3lG THB LOSS OF THE "ROYAL CHARTER." Though harshness may confront us oft, With cold relentless stare. Let's still be wise, and calmly show How man can breathe, " forbear," In whispered accents to himself. That nought can e'er appal ; Christ's path he treads, and, like Him, has^ A kindly woi'd for all. LINES ON THE LOSS OF THE SHIP, « ROYAL. CHARIEE" Friends mourn for the lost on the dark rocky coast Of the rough Moelfra's bay, For shipwreck'd there were the brave and the fair, "Where the ship " Royal Charter " did lay. We feel for those left, of their comforts bereft. The loss of their sires and their sons ; We would banish the feai-s, and dry the sad tears. Of the widows and fatherless ones. 'Twas here the rough surges howled funeral dirges Of sailors both hardy and brave ; And as the ship creaks heard the passengers' shrieks As they sank to a watery grave. How solemn the thought ! this noble ship brought Many so near to their home ; Then with awful shocks, was dashed on the rocks, There soon a wreck to become ! The ship was well known, and her speed it was shown, . In each voyage so quickly she sailed ; Each heart beat with glee, as they put out to sea, Hoping England quite soon would be hailed. THE LOSS OF THK " ROTAL CHARTIBR." 317 But how little we know, while dwelling below, What ills are about to befall. When we leave the fair shore no friends to see more Till the last congregation of all. Some had laboured for wealth, and sacrificed health, To spend it in comforts at home, They thought of the place, and each smiling face With welcome to meet them would come. , But on came the gale — they reefed in their sail, And strove to make everything sure ; In tatters they blowed, and could not be stowed^ — Unable the storm to endure. They the anchor let g > 'midst confusion and woe, To keep the ship off from the shore, But the wind rent in twain the stout massive chain, And we have her loss to deplore. One Rogers a sailor bold, worth all his weight in gold, With daring ashore he did swim ; The rough waves he braved, and some, by him saved, For life are indebted to him. We cannot now see why such things should be. And often may think them a'l wrong ; One day God will prove He did it in love, — Such mysteries to Him belong. They now praise each hour His love and His power. They're now free from every snare ; Where time is no more on that happy shore- Eternity's fullness is there. 318 LINES ON HAPPINESS. Is happiness nought but an empty sound ? And our whole lives d© they abound With nought but sorrow and pain ? Must toil and labour our portion be, And we on earth no pleasure see, And ne'er contentment gain ? Is there on earth no magic ground Where peace and happiness can be found ? Oh, where is this sweet place ? Through every race and tribe of man Are any known who have a plan To cheer the human race ? Exists there a sequestered spot Hid from us, and we know it not. Amongst us here below, Where favoured friends together meet, Enjoy true happiness complete, — Say, who doth this place know ? Is it found 'midst sunbeams bright, Or 'neath the silvery moon's pale light, At all around the world ? Shall we seek it in the silent glen. Away, afar from haunts of men, [n still seclusion furled 1 Or shall we seek where violets grow. Or where the fragrant roses blow In gardens' lovely bowers ? Is it found in earthly friendship sweet, Iri worldly love do we it meet 1 — Thorns grow on earthly flowers ! ON HAPPINBgS. 319 Or doth it dwell ia the palace gay, Or in the lowly cottage l Say Where, O where is it found ? In the parterre where gay flowers bloom, That shed around their sweet perfume. Or on some enchanted ground Shall we seek it where the ocean roars, Dashing their waves on the island shores, All sparkHng in the sun 1 Or seek it by some rippling rill, Meandering gaily down a hill , As glittering crystal run ? Shall we seek it where the hawthorn blow:?, Or where the rich sweet-briar arrows. That scents the evenino: air ? Or in the ball, 'midst fashions gay, Where mirth and pleasure hold the sway. Where dance the young and fair 1 And is it found in music's strains ? In the fair one's glance that thrills the veins And chains the lover's heart 1 Or search the miser's heart so cold For happiness, while hoarding gold, And from each comfort i art ? O seek for it in none of these They wither as the autumn trees. The storm the sunbeams hide. The violets' perfume's waft away By zephyrs breeze that o'er them play ? Day throws the moon aside. 320 ON cod's love to man. The full rich rose that glads our eyes, When plucked, it withers fast and dies — Fit emblem of our sphere. In love and friendship bright and gay, Though oft in life we own their sway — True happiness is not here In the palace high, and humble cot The gem you'll seek but find it not ; It dwells in higher ground. Where Faith and Hope and Charity With pure religion's light we see : 'J here happiness is found. And Thou, great Father ! who sur-veys This earth and man, teach him Thy praise; To soar with heavenly wings ; Inciting his best thoughts to rise To happiness beyond the skies, Above all earthly things. ON GOD'S LOVE TO MAN. Come, Holy Spirit, my soul inflame With love divine — my sense inspire ; Help me to magnify His name, And fill my soul with hallowed fire. Thou great Almighty King ! who reigns Supreme through heaven and over earth ; . Stupendous Majesty, who deigne To bless men's souls of priceless worth. My daring muse would try to fly, And mount the blest abode of God ; With eagle pinions soar on high, To mark the footsteps He hath trod. ON god's lovk to man. 321 Vaiu, vain desires ! my grovelling sens6 Can never trace His wonderous ways ; The glories of Omnipotence Are far beyond my feeble lays Yet I would, trace His wonders here, In every tree, and plant, and flower ; The lovely beauties of our sphere, Are emblems of Almighty power. These gifts to man all clearly show He still is loved, though he hath strayed j If love supreme you wish to know, In His own Word, 'tis best pourtrayed. There in full mercy it is seen What has been done for fallen man ; Although rebellious man hath been, For him's devised a saving plan. His own dear Son a ransom gave For the fallen sons of Adam's race ; And gave Him up their souls to save. And freely offered all His grace. 'lis here our God His love makes known, 'Tis here we view Him as our friend, 'Tis here His mercy best is shown, 'Tis here we see llim condesend. And though we can His goodness trace In all earth s beauties rouud us spread. ; His love shone bright on Jesus' face. When on the Cross I lis blood He shed. All nature shows H is care and love ; What gloiious gifts around we find ; 'Bove all He sent His Son to prove He wished the good of all mankind. 322 WhSLIVAN MrsSlO.N'AET MEETING. Most mighty God ! was this for me, Foi- wretched me, by sins undone? — 1"he Saviour died to set me free. For me God gave ir\ is only Son ! Oh, wonderous love ! how my heart glows AA'hen thinking of I hy love divine ; Oh, wonde:ous love ! 1 o v rich it flows Throughout the earth in fullness shines. And still shall shine throughout all time, And shower its blessings on our race, Till every soul, in every clime, Are subject of His saving grace. LINES ON THE ANNUAL WESLEYAN MISSION AEY MEETING AT EXETER HALL, APRIL 30th. 1860. I'hey come from all quarters to this favoured land. To the meeting at Exeter Hall, in the Strand ; 'i advocate missions all over the world. The Cross of their Saviour — their banner unfurled. fhey meet all united in solemn conclave, To use their best eflb^-ts the heathen to save ; From the Wt sleyau bcdy has gone forth the sound. And is spreading its glories the whole earth around. True patriots of men, with love their hearts glow, Pioneers of salvation wherever they go ; Their delight and their glory while sojourning here, Is to preach Christ a Saviour without any fear. The Excelsior motto of Wesley reads thus, — " The best of all is, God is working with us;" And still will work with us if faithful to Him, "Who died on the Cross the whole world to redeem. "WESLKYAN MIsSlONAKT MEETIija, 323' Glorious sight ! see the learned and wise, In Christ's vineyard labour to gain the high prize, Converting poor souls with the water of life, And sowing blest peace in this world of strife. O band of blest warriors ! nobly thy cause Extends the great blessings of God's holy laws ; How happy thy labours to bring to His fold All hearts sunk in darkness and horrors untold. Glory be to His name, the morning star beams. And over this earth is diffusing its streams ; May earth's darkest parts be restored to the light. And beam in its fullness the gospel so bright ! May the Missions' good seed so abundantly sownj. Made mighty by Thee, all idols dethrone ; May every god Dagon before Thee decay, And Christ be exalted our worship to pay. "We thank Thee for light to the wretched Fejee, Thou hast caused many there Thy mercy to see ; The cannibals once who each other would eat. Now in their own mind sit at Jesus' feel. May the millions of China enveloped in sin, To the great Christian family soon be brought in ; May India, Japan, and the whole himian race, All soon be made heirs of Thy kingdom of grace. Banish all the false systems invented by man, Make bare Thy right arm in Thy own blessed plan ; For well we do know 'tis Thy changeless decree. That earth shall be filled with the knowledge of Thee. Let Thy glorious truths still brilliantly shine, And hll all mankind with Thy love divine ; Let Christ be exalted and His people see His love cheer the earth, wherever man be. 324 ON THE BOSE. Haste forward the time for the whole earth to be With righteousness covered, as earth by the sea j Maj Wesley ans prove the light of the age, In war against sin as they boldly engage. May sin vanish where their doctrine's unfurled, And Methodism prove a light to the world ; Sun of righteousness ! rise, dispel all the gloom That over this earth as a fo^; seems to loom. ■Girt Thy sword on Thy thigh, victorious King ! Hide prosperously on, and to Thy feet bring Man, through the uttermost earth to Thee given, And lighten this earth with glory from Heaven. LINES ON THE EOSE. Beautiful rose, broken from thy parent tree, How sweet thy fragrance falls upon our sense ; The balmy odour we inhale from thee Brings our thoughts to Scripture's frankincense. T hough, fragile flower, thy life is very short, Thy beauties fade and wither all away, And vanish like a dream of passing thought : Thy lovely blossoms wither and decay. And such is life, with .ill its vaiieil cares, Short and transient like the dew of morn ; And all our paths are oft beset with snares. Surrounded like the rose with many a thorn. ON " BODIES. " 325 Although the rose be crushed, it will not lose Its sweet perfume, thougli withered it may be ; Sweet ou our car will fall tlie voice of those Whose lives wore spent iu works of chariij. All those who strive to do what good they can, '1 hougli death may come their names shall ever live, And they shall leave behind to living man A fragrance lasting far beyond the grave. LINES OX "BODIES." Some folks there are who can witli eaaj Twist words and meanings as tl.ey please ; But let their taste be what it may. On "boilies" now 111 weave my lay. How many curious thirjgs we hear. Take place around us everywhere ! And some we find so lost and weak, Against all otLer bodies speak. And you would think, to hear them rail, Their slander vile about retail, That to please them none where able, Like the ass aud old man in the fable ; Who tried all ways to please each one, But left off worse than he begun, As nothing found he, but abuse, To try to please he found no use But still to please some friends I'll try. And to the task ray thoughta apply ; Of bodies earthly in this sphere I'll write, a.s often they appeal'. 326 ON ''BODIES." On learned bodies 111 not dwell, Of such 'tis nought I know to tell ; But human bodies is my theme, With some odd ones my muse shall teem. There are some very silly noddies, Who think that they are " everybodies ;" But men discerning often find They've shallow heads and little mind. Some bodies think that they inherit All that's in this world of merit; Determined in their own dear mind, Of others piiit for the future, to give myself up, unreseivedly to 'i hee. May the love of Christ constrain me to live not u A' o myself, but for the glory of Ilini who died for me, and for the Salvation of others. Grant Most Merciful Father, that the year upon which I have just entered, may be more fully and entirely devoted to Thee, than any year i f my past life ! may I become more humble — more prayerful, and more watchful against sin, so that my life may be pure and holy. " Guide me O I hou Great Jehovph, pilgrim, through this barren land. I am weak, but i hou art mighty, guide me by Thy powerful hand" And so teach me to number my days that I may incline my heart unto wisdom, till I shall come to Thine Eternal joy, and dwell with Thee for ever, and sing with the glorious host of Heaven, unto Him who loved me, and washed me, in His own blood : to Him be glory and dominion fur ever. Help me to live that I may be able to look to Heaven as my future home, — to the Father's House of many Mansions, and give all diligence, to make my calling and election sure to gain it, ^lay nothing earthly be able to prevent me from attaining to Thy everlasting joy. May I hold fast that whereunto I have attained, that no man take my crown. May I each day, have hallowed communion with Thee, till Thou shalt see fit to call me from this state of being, to a far higher land, brighter*, and glorious sphere. And when the summons comes, may Jesus be with me, and His everlasting arm of mercy around me, that I may have Him for my Friend and Guide, through the dark valley of the shadow of death : so that my spirit may have nought to fear, but to clap its glad wings, and soar away, and mingle with the blaze of day. O Lord, God, let this prayer be ratihed, that I may dwell in Ihy House, for ever to behold Tliy beauty, and Thy Glory^ and Thou shalt have all the Traise, Amen, Amen, 341 OUR RKAV^E OLD GREEXWICFi BOYS. The naval frame of Britain stands Supreme throughout the world ; Her hearts of oak, and dauutlesa hands ^till hold her flug unfurled Our sailors' uohle deeds of yore, No lapie of time destroy.-*, Their fame resounds on every shore, t)ur brave old G/e.ir.violi boys. 342 OK OUR ERAYE OLD GREENWICH BOYS. Our sea-girt home they've held secure From dark invasion's dread. They've kept our envied freedom sure, And sounds of terror spread. Those staunch old hearts I love to sing, Who midst the battle's noise Have victory borne on honour's wing, — Our brave old Greenwich boys. Their hoary locks I love to see. And hear their tales of war, Of stirring scenes of strife at sea, And listen to their lore. Their veneration for their chiefs One hears, and oft enjoys, They boast of guns, and yards, and reefs — Our brave old Greenwich boys All honour to our nation's name Who noble deeds allaud, While grateful to her sons of fame, Forgets not to reward. When strength and health wi h age decays. Where nought their ease allo\ s, A home they find to end their lays, — Our brave old Greenwich boys. O, may this monument so grand Benignly near its head, An honour to our native land, When years on years are fled. And may Old England's rising worth Maintain her glory's prize, And enoulate thf pride of earth, Our brave old Greenwich boys. 343 ■ LINES ON CLASS MEETINGS. Dedicated to Mr. C. Cornell, t^telve teahs my leader. In readlog God's blest Book of truth, We find the history there of Ruth ; An example good is set us there. That we should with God's people share, And boldly each take up his cross, Decide for Christ CDme gain or loss. *■ This people shall be mine," she said, ' " And from their God I'll ne'er be led ; Nor from Naomi, she's to me A mother been in misery. When my young husband, struck by death, Departed and gave up his breath." She could not now Xaomi see In trouble, without sympathy ; She'd lost both son and husband dear, And for them oft had shed a tear : Now journeying towards her native town, With grief and sorrow stiicken down. But faithful RuHi still c'eaved to her. No troubles could lier mind deter From following thus her faithful friend, On whom she could in truth dep3nd. And whom she knew would kindly guide Her through the shoal's of 1 fe's rough tide. She'd battled hard with life's rough storm And trials gi'eat. yet did j)erfurm Her duties all with patient hand ; She looked to God i is help t < find ; Though lost were husband dear and son, She said, " O God, Thy will be done." 344 CLASS MHETIKG. And Ruth's example I will show, Is what we want our young to know ; (There's something wanting oft I fear, Our scholars losing every year, From Sabbath schools just at the age) When first they in life's w^lks engage. We lose sight of them for a time, Now see them in their youthful prime In classes, that the Church may throw Her shield around them here below j A nd having raised them in good ground, In th' Church we love to have them found. To see them labouring for the Lord, With joy our leadei-s aid afford, To improve and light each other's mind, For this class meetings wei'e desi^^ned ; To tell God's love to our own souls, His mercy teach as on time rolls. iSome think we go tbere to confess, — To speak of our own wickedness; But I would ask of such to say. If there are i;ot iu this our day, Good Bil)le classes, young and old, Where ministers attend each fold. With Christ's l<»ve many have .been warmed. And good af^iociiiticnj formed. Where ( hristixu yoar,l s oft . eek their peace In Christ, tlieir hii] piue.i.s to increase, To withstand the evils of the world. When at them Satan's darts are liurled. CLASS MEETING. 345 John Wesley with his keen foresight, Felt sure class meetings would work right ; Established them a boon so great To worshippers of every state ; To impartial Christians all they show That countless blessings from them flow. And thousands now in every land, Led on by God's protecting hand, Have oft acknowledged their great good, When there they've met as Christians should ; To tell (rod's goodness and lo raise' Their voice in solemn songs of praise. The leader then with pious care, Pleads for his class in exrw st prayer, That God his little band will bless. And on their hearts His truth impress, To make them wise, and seek the way To abandon sin, and watch and pray For Him to guide them by His han<3. To seek the better heavenly land ; And then from every heart doth raise Prayer, God's holy sacrifice ; Our faith is raised to bliss on high. And truth divine beams on fluth's eye. Our liyes are here of sterling worth, A heaven we here enjoy on earth ; While blessings through the spirit flow, That bring us joys no earthlings know; Bright charm divine I we're on the road That leads us to our gracious God. 346 CLASS MEETING. In the Prophet Malachi we read . Of some of God's own chosen seed ; How oft they to each other spoke, And from their gi*ateful hearts oft broke Expressions of their love ; 'tis clear, To offend Him was their greatest fear. " And these shall be mine " saith the Lord, *' Who love delighting in my word ; Within my book their names I'll write, For righteousness is their delight ; And in that last great day of mine, Bright in my kingdom shall they shine. " I'll spare them as a dearest son, And say to eacfi ' thou hast well done ! ' The reward receive of all thy trials. For ended now are thy self-denials ; The starry crown thou shalt receive. In happiness for ever live." O Father ! while on earth we stray. Be thou our guard, and guide our way ; O keep us in the paths of right. And hold us by Thy power and might ; And help us still to be Thine heirs. To cast on our best Friend our cares. We can raise our Ebenezers then. And tell what good Thou hast done for men ; Believing all is for the best, To bring us to Thy endless rest ; Heaven's glories soon beam on our sight. To behold the pearly gates of light. Come with us, friend, we'll do thee good, For the Wesleyan cause has nobly stood Persecution's test ; in history's page It stands the glory of the age ; The gauntlet through the earth has hurled— 'Tis destined to convert the world. 347 TRIAL BY JUEY. England, beloved country 1 who.^e just laws Uphold the right of truth and aonour's cause ;. Trials by jury prominently stand A lasting honour to our native land. The noblest scheme that ever man devised, And by us all it should be highly prized ; Oppressors rich, however great in might. Can never trample on the poor man's right. An English jury never will be sold, They value honour deai-ly, more than gold ; And English judges like Sir Matthew Hale, Impartially will balance Justice's scale. Those who uprightly their decision give Among their fellows, honoured men will live ; A star of liberty to leave each son — The Magna Charta which their fathers won. "o' An heirloom right securely handed down, A brilliant Jewell rare in freedom's crown ; The right of Englishmen supremely free, That girt our island like the mighty sea. To other lands a pattern through all time. If copied 'twould bless every other clime ; Till slavery, wherever it may be, Would break its chains, and every man be fi*ee. O haste that time, thou God of nations ! bless Those patriots good who never will oppress Their fellow man, but striving all they can For freedom's rights to every race of man. 348 THE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS. Oar native soil so blest, so free. First nation of the world, Whose standard fair on land and sea, Is ever wide unfurled. Whose every sou would yield his breath, Than lose one spot of ground : Where loyalty in life and death, With every rank is found. When foes designed against oar shore, And raisoi the nation's fears, Uprose a new and ardent corps, Our rifle volunteers. Though doubts and obstacles at first, ■ Were scattere I in their way. Nought damp'd enthusiasm's burst, And loyalty held sway. In face of resolutions i-trong, Opponents changed to friends, OK THE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS, 349 And now united march alonsf. And bright success attends. High emulation lights each breast, Excelsior is the word, They all con' end with manly zest, Whilst friendship's voice is heard. "^Vhene'er they meet their presence calls Forth loud and hearty cheers, In spacious plain or stately halls — Our gallant volunteers, And may the day be distant far, When duty's voice shall call To scenes of deadly strife and war, (^ur country to appal. JFor peace has been our joy for years, With commerce, art, and trade ; But woe betide him who appears, To bring invasion's shade. And should a base invader's tread. Once {vress upon our shore, Our arms would make them flee with dread, And dare to come no more. And show that Britons, every man, Are jealous of their right ; Alive to every means and plan To assert their country's might. Then let us join with heart and voice, And give three loyal cheers, For Queen and country let's rejoice. And our brave volunieers. 350 LINES ON THE RESURRECTION. When the tragic scene of Calvary was o'er. The Saviour's body from the Cross they bore ; 'Midst balm and spices, and fine linen round. His body, ready for the tomb, was bound. They bore His body then to that new tomb, Which Joseph gave — in the dark rock of gloom ; And when His weeping friends at length were gone. Unto the sepulchre they rolled a stone. And Roman guards around the tomb did pace, And then a seal upon the stone did place, With every care, to make the whole secure, — To keep Him there they thought they had made sure. For they said, ' This Deceiver told us plain, Within three days that IJ e would rise again ;" For they had seen His miracles, and knew The wonderous works that He had power to do. His power, again, called Lazarus from the grave, And showed His might the widow's son to save; The mourner poor He cheered with Gospel light. And at His word the blind received his sight, He made the lame to walk, the deaf to hear. The leper from disease he rendered clear ; The tempest's raging wrath His voice could still. Subdued the sea, and calmed it at His will. His life in doing good on earth was spent, To bless mankind about each day He went 5 And in return for good that he had done, They crucified God's own beloved Sou. They scoffed at Him, and on Him basely railed, When on the cross to sufter He was nailed ; They jeered Him, saying, "Thou didst others save. Why not preserve Thy body from the grave — ON THE RESURRKCTION. 351 And from the cross come down, and we shall knew Thou art the Christ — and we'll believe on you !" But though, poor sinners, they did thus deride. And knowing not 'twas for their sins He died. His poor disciples, to, they also feared He might not be what He to them appeared ; "We hoped He would save Israel,' they sail, "And rise the third day, now we see Him dead.'* And when the third eventful day did dawn, Christ rose triumphant early on that morn ; When to the sepulchre disciples run, They saw the angels brighter than the sun. Arrayed were they in robes of spotless white, Which shed around a pearly radiance bright ; The disciples learnt their glorious Lord had risen, And burst the barriers of death's gloomy prison. The angels told them He bad gone on high, To reign triumphant ever in the sky ; And had the power o'er death's cold earthly gloom, To raise men's dust eternally to bloom. Though infidels at resurrection sneer. They see new resurrection daily here; Year after year this earth by winter bound- All fruit seems dead within the frozen ground. But when the sun shines forth with cheering beams, It warms the earth, and melts its ice-bound streams ; All nature quickly feels its induence mild, Up springs a garden from the desert wild. The trees begin to bud, the flowers to bloom, Kaised by the sun from out theii' wintry tomb ; And all around seems plainly then to sac, That Spring is Nature's resurrectiou day. 3o2 ON THE EESUKEECTION. Aud is it liarderfor Almighty God To raise our bodies from the eai-th's cold sod ? God forbid the thought ! we will depend Ou Him for joys vre know will never end. "When the patriai-ch Job was in great pain, Said he was certain he should live again, Tho' decay and worms might his flesh destroy, Yfct his Redeemer ho should see with joy. And though his body was so much diseased, God could refine it whensoe'er He pleased ; Give Him a body that would ne'er decay, To live throughout an everlasting day. Eut Sadducees in every place there be, Denying almost all they cannot see; Many a one now living in our day, Laugh at the future — '-ihere is none," they say. Should we allow that argument, what then ] Would their opinions help their fellow men ? And should we not our own foundation lose, By thus adopting vile pernicious views ? If Christians' highest hope they take away, "What in return they gi-ve us as our stay ? For no equivalent can any give That we may rest upon e'en while we live. And then, most awful, when we come to die, They'd have us trust in an accursed lie, — That death would be our last aud final doom, With nought beyond the cold and earthy tomb. What can it be that thus possess their mind ? — Like moles of earth they try their way to find ! Where can the wiseacres knowledge get ? On what philoaophy are their eenees set ? ON MI83 A. B, C0UTT3. 353- In sin they burrow, knowing not God's Son, And when too late they rind themselves undone ; But earnest Christians, with their hearts elate. Expect a happiar and a blest estate. Which, then, has the advantage of these two. Christian or Infidel, when death's in view; The unbeliever has no hope at all — The Christian, he can ou his Saviour fall. Who conquered death and victory obtained. O'er hell and death His mighty power maintained ; To all His saints His love will e'er be shown. When they shall gain their everlasting crown. Begone our doubts, away with all our fears. Nature's resurrection every year appears , That proves God's power our sinful dust to raise To heavenly bodies, ever Him to praise. LINES ON MISS A. B. COUTTS. Most noble Lady, though not of ihe titled great. Thy deeds of charity exalt thy name. And lell of worth's benevolent estate. United with thy good and virtuous name. Thou'rt one amongst us of the pious few Whom wealth hath favoured, ever duiug good To soothe the ills of life with love so true, And cause religion to be understood. 354 ON MISS A. B. COtTTTS. Home missionary, we hail thee in the cause ; Thy country's welfare ever near thy heart, To uphold the honour of its righteous laws, Thy wealth and talents with the needy part. Honoured is thy name throughout our land ; In every humble school in England's realm, Witli ragged and with Sunday schools shall stand Till chaos comes, and all the world o'erwhelm. Open is thy hand to those who need, To lend thy succour to the poor distress'd ; Thy bounty often hungry souls doth feed. When by poverty they're sore opprest. Columbia's sons shall hail the noble deed That gave the means a bishop there to send ; To the good Shepherd many souls to lead. That proves how great thy wish to be a friend. Thy talents for thy Lord thou dost employ, In mercy's path thou dost perform thy part ; The widow's heart thou dost make leep with joy. Whilst cheering up the orphan's sorrowing heart. <5o f(jrward, lady, in the way thou art, Nor heed the titles of the great and vain ; As a Christian heroine perform thy part. The time will come to meet thy acts again. !No marble shrine shall be required then To spread thy deeds or chronicle thy fame ; Thy virtues here historians will pen, And tell to those unboni thy virtuous name. 355 ON PERFECTIOX. Absolute perfection ! none can, I fear, Presume that mortals can obtain it here, The very noblest acts of best men show 'lis not obtainable while here below . — A state that's found in God's own works alone. Wherein alone perfection's light is shown. Yet unto Al.>raham our God did say, *' K'ow walk before me ia a perfect way ;" And Abraham his firm obedience proved By offering unto God the son he loved ; By faith and works he ever strove to be What God desires his children all to see. For He would have mankind aJl daily prove The high and glorious traits of perfect lova ; That love which always casts away all feai*, And makes us all His still small voice to hear ; Our hearts to be His own Love's blest abode, Bright temples pure of love to man and God. And God Himself delights each hour to bless His children all with perfect holiness ; To fill their longing souls with Love Divine, And make them all in His bright image shine ; To make their souls a calm abode of peace, And make their liappiness and love increase. O sanctif}', great Lord, 1 hy people here, In seeking holiness make all sincere ; And may we ne'er within ourselves gain rest, Till of this blessing we are all possessed : And ever try, in every way, to prove We love our Maker with a perfect love. *i> jfti^-^:,^. ~^^^mi,V'i >''*">^'i,-^^vv -^^-^■"'^ %%, ^h^g^tf>- HAIL THE BLEST H\EVEST AGAIN. The spring has departed aud summer has come, The corn is all full in the ear. The birds are all singing, the bees gaily hum, And ripe fruit in abundance appear Let us lift up our hearts aud our voices in praise. For this plenty's all-bouutiful reign, To the God of Creation as thankful we gaze, And hail the blest harvest again. The husbandman looks now, with pride and delight. On the fruitful reward of his toil ; The sun in rich brilliancy dazzles the sight. And gladness o'ercovera the soil. '1 he pruvisions tiius sent by the Almighty band \M11 remove all discomfort and i)aiu, And rouse every soul in our much favoured land.,. To hail the blest harvest again. ON SARAH STO&DART WILLIS. 357 The ve?ipers all joyous'y liie to tiie field To bring in the year's luscious store. Unto every dwelling subsistauce to \ ield, And banis'j distress from the p)or. What a glorious treasure our earth, yieldhig food Like a beautiful gold spangled plain 1 While our praises arise to the Author of good We will hail tlic blest harvest again. The God of our being, the great God of nature, Traascendaut in mercy, in bounty aud love. Every moment provides for the wants of each creature And nourish their souls for the bright home above. O, let not His bounty and Fatherly care Be extended so largely to mortals in vain, But still His great gooiness in thankfulness share, And hail the blest harvest again. LINES TO SAR \H STODDART WILLIS, ON HER SIXTEEN 111 BIRTHDAY. Dear mai'l, to thee I try my muse again, In lines of poetry my song will make : Ihy natal day in friendship's joyous strain, Shall be the subject for my mini to take. Sixteen years have rolled their annual round. And thus to thee each birth-day fully brought ; Thou shade and sunshine many times hath found. As afler happiuess thou hast often sought. How oft in infancy thy mother kind, lias, like a guardian angel, watched her child, And as thou'st grown in years iuformed thy mind Of holy thiugs, iu accents soft and mild. ■,358 ON SAKAU 8T0DDART WILLIS How oft thy light elastic step rejoiced Thy parents' hearts ; they have been glad to see Thy merry gambles, as thy happy voice Sounded through the house iu cheerful glee. Thy parents round thy path with kindly care From dangers thou hast saved, by filial love, Who looked with pride upon their daughter fair, To see her midst the youthful circle move. Thy father's care how oft has been bestowed — To his loved child how many gifts has made — As she advanced, how many symptoms showed His love in various ways would be repaired. She fondly loves her parents, for she sees They have been guardians of her infant years ; Had it not been lor such kind friends as these, Her rising path might have been strewed with tears. And may thy spring of life thus happy prove, In virtue's path may'.st thou for ever tread; And all thy friends around have cause to love. And pray for blessings on thy youthful head. And when thy youth is, like a sunbeam, flown, And age, like summer, follows after spring- May buds of early life in fruit be shown, And to old age its virtues comforts bring. And as old I imes keeps on its annual race, Thy birth-days, ever joyous, still increase ; May fond affection, twined with every grace, E'er lead tliee on in virtue's path of peace. And when, beloved by all. old age may come, While round the friends in number still increase, And happines be written on every page, And after life have everlasting peace. 359 ON INDECISION. How many and great the ills that flow From indecision, which often show Man blest with large and powerful mind, In all good works far, far, behind ; By want of proper courage shown, To take the right path to them known. How many live in this our day. Who love to walk in error's way ; They, when admonished by some friend. Their path will in destruction end, Like Felix, say " Let conscience be. And when convenient I'll seek thee." 'Tis strange man should be such a dupe. And let his mind so lowly stoop ; Like th' drunkard hark to virtue's strain, Admire its truths, but fall again ; To drown his conscience vainly tries, Unhapp}'- lives and wretched dies. The gambler knows the wretched fate His lawless deeds so oft await ; He knows his wicked coui'se must tend To bring a dark untimely end ; But still presists and risks his all. By his own baud at length doth fall. And oft we find the forward child Pursues his course, unchecked and wild ; Oft good advice falls on his ear From parents kind, whose love is dear ; He still pursues his wicked ways, Till ignomiuy ends his days. 860 T) MiS> ^C0T^. And many a daugliter, brought uj) well, Spurned good advice — she sunk and fell ; Her mother's counsel heard with scorn, By vice and folly onward borne ; She thought she could all conscience brave Her end has been a self -sought grave. We might go on, of uumbers tell, Nought could induce them to live well Passed undecided all their days, Kesolviug still to mend their ways ; By death they undecided fell, Their lives but paved the way to hell . They might have lived and loved the rig]it. And left a name both pure and blight. Their good deeds handed down to fame, A pure life, and unsullied name ; To lead the minds of rising youth In duty's path, midst love and uuth. Dear friends, one life is all you have, Probation time your soul to save ; If life's allowed to pass away All reckless, 'midst the worldly gay ; You'll surely find that, to your cost, That Ind* eision your soul hath lost. LINES ON HEARING A BLIND YOUNG LADY^ MISS SCOTT, PLAY UPON THE PIANO. Dear maid 1 and is thy sight for ever fled ? To seeing hast thou bid a last farewell ? la nought but memory left to thee instead ? In darkness now art thou consigned to dwell ? TO MISS SCllTT. 361 Again no sun can ever cheer thine eyes, Or nature's chaste and beaiitiful array ; Xot once again shall bright meridian slcies, Their brilliant glories to thy sight display. Ne'er more beneath the radiant beams of dawn. Thy bosom warm with ecstacy shall heave ; Farewell to all the blushes of the morn, The silent twilight of the lingering eve. Farewell the sweet and opening buds of spring, And nature robed in mantle pure of green ; The shining flowers their fragrance sweet will bring, But for thee they'll pass away unseen. Thyfrienda with wrinkles may wax dim and old. And all their former beauty wither'd be, And all such changes thou wilt ne'er behold And age will still be beautiful to thee. Yet with thy fingers gentle sound can wake The glowing music dwelling in our souls ; AVhen the piano's tuneful notes you shake In chastest melody thy sweet voice rolls. May time, tlms pleasing gently pass away. The approach of age upon thee softly steal ; Mjiy'st thou ne'er feel the wane of life's de. ay, lie ever blest with holy joy and weal. f And may the sun that gilds thy memory's field. Dispense to thee a bright per[ietual day. The springs of roaming tnucy never yield To dreary winter's cold and barren sway. And may the flowers that once so bright appeai-ed, Long live within thy memory's early bloom. And those thy musing fancy since hath reared, Gild all thy path approaching towards the tomb. 362 TO MISS SOPHIA MADAMS. And may thy life, like one short fleeting dream, When closed in Death's cold mortal earthly night, Expand and reach the bright eternal stream, And wake to lustrous brilliant heavenly light. When Heaven's high beauties spread thou shalt behold. What glorious wonders then shall meet thy gaze ; Eich beauties dazzling shall that time unfold, — May'st thou rejoice for ever in its rays. Those things to us our Saviour will explain. Which here our souls have times and oft opprest ;. Then we shall shout with loud and rapturous strain,. And tell that God hath done all fitr the best. LINES TO MISS SOPHIA MADAMS. October 9th, 1858. You have asked me, Miss Sophia, to write, 'Ihat for your album I'd indite, Which I will endeavour to do. Thrice happy the task to write in your praise. And in your favour my poesy raise — So with pleasure I'm writing to you. W^ith every virtuous grace you're arrayed. And modesty decks your features, fair maid And youth with its loveliest charms. They seem to display the morn of'youv life In richest contentment, without any strife. And free from all cares and alarms. And thus through life may you ever pursue All virtuous objects, and ever renew The vows unto Him yuu have raised ; And all vice-alluring shadows loraake, And hold «jf the life-giving Iniuuer now take,-. Which shall for ever be praised THE DEATH OF MR. DAVID HAMBLIN. 868"' May your forthcoming life ever bring you sweet peace. And day after day your joys may increase Throucfh life's charming varied round ; May God the great giver of all blessings new, Who sends the fair rainbow with dazzling hue, Your friend for ever be found. And when old age cometh creeping apace, When nearly done is your now earthly race. May you view that heavenly land, Where saints and angels all joyously sing The glories of God, the hetivenly King — May you join that heavenly band. LINES ON THE DEATH OF MR. DAVID HAMBLIN, AT MADRAS, JUNE 30th, 1858. Alas ! luy husband for ever now is gone, His spirit s fled away to happier spheres ; His eartlily cuui'se and race on earth is run — His helpuiate's fate we mourn with bitter tears. In a foreign laud my dear beloved dierl, Far. far away fi'om all the friends he loved ; At .Madras his life waned in its ebbing tide — His soul has mounted up to joys above. His wife with kindly hand could not atteud The partner of her life, nor wipe his brow From the culd sweat that told full well his end — Strange hands perfuruied the act of kindness now. No monumental marble marks his grave, O'er his remains perchance some wild flowers bloom. And shows whore lests in peace the sailors brave. Waving witii wild luxuriance o er the tomb. Borne away by strangers to his rest. Who paid to him the last sad funeral rite ; Ab the sun in golden lines sunk in the west, Gilding thd earth with beams of golden light. •v3(]4 THE DEATH OF MH. DaVID HAMBLIN. If any stranger wanders uear that spot, And o'er the dust in pity drops a tear, His wife and children from liis humble cut, Shall offer up to Meaven an earnest prayer. How little thought he when he left liis honae. The town of rpswicli, hio dear native place, That back from India he would never come, His wife and children lu!d in fond embrace. 13ut as his vacant chair now meets our view, Where oft he sat with fc^miling happy face, ■ It causes tears of love to flow anew, Though hope reminds he's in a happy place. O, Hamblin ! how we sorrow fur thy loss, And friendship mourns thy sud and earl}* doom ; The eneath the aged yew tree's bloom. Who in this church had oft engaged in prayer. How calm he rests, the holy, reverend sire ; The voice is hushed that once its precepts gave, But there are those his precepts did inspire. And led to seek a home beyond the grave. 'Twas not ambition lured him in liis toil, Twas not to gain a worldly sounding fame ; For souls' salvation laboured here awile. And others left to gaiu an earthly name. We think of former years for ever fled, How fervently he tilled midst hopes an fears ;. We show respect for him, the worthy dead. His grave we reverence with our silent tear* In memory fancy paints his saint-like smile. When God in mercy did his labours own, In gratitude his voice rang through the aisle. As ripening were the loving seeds he'd sown. *Twas his delight God's mercy to declare, I he sacreil trntlis revealed iu Kis word. The vili.iye flock euL^xged his earnest care. While on he taught the love of (Jurist his Lord^ THK TfLUGE CHURCH. S(>7 The village poor could of his labours tell, How oft he hastened to the bed of pain, Pointing to Him who loves the sufferer well, And Heaven will prove belaboured not in vain. For many a sinner, by his teaching blest, Sought after mercy from the Lord of love : And now they've gained the everlasting rest. And with the Saviour dwell in peace above. The flaggy greensward covers rich and poor ; Death spares not wealth or title on his way, Though sculptured arms record great deeds of war, Beneath the turf all sink beneath his sway. There's no distinction now 'tween high estate And humble poverty within the grave ; The unknown mound is equal with the great, From which a soul may rise for Christ to save. The rustic porch vibrates a hollowed sound, ' Wherein we feel in contact with the dead ; The faintest whispers through the place resound. The sun's bright rays are through each window shed. There is a something in a holy placj That falls upon our senses fixed aal keen, And holds us firm engaged in thought's embrace, And fills our souls with loftiness sjreue. For ages past the dear old pile hath .slood, A beacon mark to souls now passed .iway ; Who first in childhood sought the fount ufgood. And tottered there in age's last decay. The bells' familiar tones recall to miu I Old scenes and faces now for ever fit d ; Who up the path to Hymen's court would wend. But now they sleep among the silent dead^ 3G8 RKPENTA^TE. Oh that past days of probation On earth were allowed me again. The oft slighte 1 gifts of sa'vation Xo more v,-ould 1 treat with disdain. For sing never more would I barter My soul to which gold is as dross ; I would fly to the great gospel cliarter, •And huibbly bow down at the cross In vain should the arms of frail beauty Allure me to pathways of shame, Nor pleasure entice mo frum duty, Till dishonour had branded my name. The cup with its liquor should never Spread over my soul its dark spell. From my Maker to cause me to sever, And hasten the hurrors of hell. O Father, it is thy compassion That hath spared the poor sinner so long. When I eedless and blinded with passion, I join d in t!i'- drunkard's lewd song. And now as in mercy t'len'st spared me. And not in thy wrath cut me do-sn, J will grasp at thy olitr of mercy, And Eeek for a lieavenly c^'own. Arise, (.) my soul, there is l^earuing On Calvary's summit a dome, The prodigal starts from his dreaming, And speeds to his father and home. The father, his prodigal viewing, All rags, and in desperate plight, His love to his lost one renewing, It brings him increasing delight. SCENES FROM LOXOON LIFE. 369 Bring forth the best ruiic and put on him, On his huger the loviu_f riu_' place And shower all affectiun upon hina — He hears the sweet message of grace. The walcome glad tidings of peace Descend to his soul from above, 'Tis msrcy that, grants him release, Receives his bewailing with Ijvc. Thy sorrow, repentance, and tears, Are weighed and found wantinj, but, lo ! Jesus' blood in the scale now appearS; That washes a'l whiter than snow Mercy smiles on the penitent's grief, The sign of redemption doth raise ; A look to the cross brings relief, And sorrow is turned into praise SCENE FROM LONDON LIFE.— TWO CJILDllEiN Poor Hannah Southgate told her griefs To little Fanny Moore, One Monday night as Fanny stood Beside her mother's door. In touching accents spake the child, V>''ith sense beyond her years, I overheard each word she said, Her eyes were filled with tears. Now Hannah was a thoughtful child, All free from sinful guile, Her countenance was always sad, It never wore a smile. 870 SCENES FROM LONDON LITE. Still no complaining passed her lips, In hope she seemed, to dwell, Though hard her lot, her sorrows keen, She bore her burden well. Her little friend had often asked What made her always so, And strove to cheer her drooping heart And chase away her woe. This night her little face assumed An almost ghastly hue ; The gaslight burning in the street, A paler o'er her threw, • O Fanny dear, did you but know What cause I have to fret. The dreadful sights T see at home, You never would forget. That poisonous, foul, accursed drink. Brings all our want and pain. Makes father like a madman rave, And wholly turns his brain. All yesterday my father toiled, And mother did the same, Though 'twas God's holy Sabbath day ; — Now was it not a shaiue 1 And I was dirty all the day ; Not like you, fanny dear, Your parents love the house of God, My life is allways drear. Ko comfort have I in my life. Have blows and kicks beside ; I often wish I d gone to heaven When brother Jimmy died. SCENES FROM LONDON LIPB. 37X At night all unwashed as they'd worked, They went across the road. Got quarrelling at the gin-shop's bar, While we were wanting food. A cry of murder there was raised ; A crowd drew round the door ; I ran and saw my mother lay All bleeding on the floor. 'Twas now the gin-shop's closing time, There rose a general shout, 'Midst which the landlord bawling cried, — "Come, turn these drunkards out." Her eyes were blackened, and her face Was fearful to behold, Wnich showed the landlord how accursed The poison that he sold. Said litt'e Fanny, ''Hannah dear," While tears ran down her cheek. And sobbing choked her utterance, Till she could scarcely speak, — *' I am so grieved I cannot tell, A cruel fate indeed, To see a tender heart like yours So soi-ely made to bleed. A lady will be here to-day, I'll tell her of your cage, She is a pious Christian soul, And b.essd with mercy's grace. She knows and works hard for a home Where children are received, ' '^ 1 a-uught up in truth and cleanliness, And ;.li lueir wants re.ieved." ti7'2 VlsilT OF TlIK NKW ZEALAND CHIEFS. 8aid Hannah, -while her eyes grew bright, *'Pray Fanny speak for me, If I cou!d only live in peace, IJow grateful 1 should be." The lady came, her case was told. And she to School was sent ; Her parents kept on drinking still And all their money spent. "] he father died a maniac, The mother's corpse was found One winter's morn, all stiflF and cold, Half naked on the ground. LINES ON 'iHE VISIT OF THK NEW ZEALAND CHIEFi TO l HIS COUNTRY. Awake, poetic muse ! and with thy earnest lays, Tell of Old England in her ancient days ; \^'hen Ler sons lived in rude barbarous style, And naked danced around the burning pile, — 'J hey iuimolated victims to Woden's heathen god, 1 he idol then of Britain, our then benighted sod : i'or midnight darkmss then rested on our land, Lcfjre the lioman armv landed on its strand. liut Britons then preserved their ancient valour good, For years the Roman army gallantly withstood ; At length, o'erpowered by numbers, they sufler'd a defcat> And to their native woods they mostly did retreat ; liut some were taken i)ri;ioners and sent away to Home, Leaving for a time their sea-girt native home. Caractucus, their chief stood there and gazed around, *i8tonishcd at the bui'diitgshe in that city found, TISIT OF THg KKW ZIALAKD CHIKfS. 373 Excltiirat^d : " O why — O why should such A mighty natioo ©ring to our English shores the fire of desolation ! With all this splendour round them, vrith all their pomp and pride, They could not leave in peace our island to abide. Surely such a people, blessed with wealth so great, Could never wish to envy our poor and rude estate ? And surely they must see there's nought for us to gain, Theu they desire to bind us within a captive's chain 1" Such were the feeling woi'ds of this brave warrior chief : He made his feelings known in hopes to gaiu relief. Soon after this the Emperor made him free, onoe more Returned this nob'e Briton unto his native shore. Glad tidings soon were spread, when St. Augustine's band first brought Christianity into our goodly land ; The Tree of Knowledge planted upon the British soil. From which such endless blessings have flowed upon our isle. And men have gone from England to many a foreign shore, To propagate the Gospel among the heathen poor ; To each benighted land who've lived in darkness long, The lamp of life is lighted with its all-joyful song. The labour of our missionaries have been greatly blest, And ope'd the way for thousands to find the promised rest ; And now throughout the world their sacred anthems ring, In praise of blessed Jesus, our Sovereign Lord and King ! New Zealand now has heard the Gospel's joyful sound. And thousands there rejoicing in Jesus now are found ; And from that distant land there hourly doih arise Praises loud and earnest ascending to the ekies. 374 VISIT OP- THE KfW' ZKAIAND CHIEFS. And soon shall come that bright and long-eipected day When all the earth shall bow before His mighty sway ! Shall all acknowledge Him, and to His sceptre bend, And shout their songs of praise unto the sinner's Friend ! Once Lord Macaulay said, '• that it may be the doom Of England to decay and sink in shades of g^oom ; That in that day a traveller on London Bridge may stand ,. Sketching from the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral grand ; And on this fine old City may rise another race, And build a greateV city on London's ancient space.' But that will never be long as the Gospel stands, God's bulwark to protect all favour'd Christian lands. For on the English nation our God hath set His .-'eal, Bestow'd His blessed Gospel, His servants to reveal ; Increabed our nation greatly in dignity and might, To send to heathen lands the Gospel's precious light. And if we're only faithful unto His blessed cause, Ever striving to uphold the honour of His laws, Beneath H is high protection at enemies we'd smile, For God is sure to guard our gloiious Christian isle. Many battles have we fought and made oiur foes retreat,. Or bow down in the dust, most abject at our feet ; While empiies great have faded and -fallen to decay. That time hath all destroy'd and swept them all away. 'i he desert now resounds with s;id anil bitter wail^ Its funeral dirge is heard upon the midnight gale ; Idolaters there were, but now their tiuie is past. While England's Christianity ever more shall last. TIJIT OP THB NSW ZKALAND CHIKFS. 375 And over all the nations Christ shall reign supreme, And all mankind shall drink salvation's healing stream ; For we have seen New Zealanders from their own native shore Their chiefs arrived in England and His great name adore. Once they were but cannibals, but now they've learnt the way, To sing the songs of Zion, before Him kneel and pray; On Southwark Chapel's platform meekly they did stand To tell the wonders God had wrought within their native land. And our beloved country shall more and more increase. If faithful to proclaim the blessed word of peace. " Excelsior" be our motto — higher and higher still, Whilst the blessed message sounds aloud from hill to lull ; We'll firmly serve our God and have no cause to fear, For Ho shall bless us all, and all our labours cheer -. Where'er the flag of England in freedom is unfurled, Our Christian principles may prove a blessing to the world. Then listen, noble patriot, who loves thy country dear. Its noble Christian principles throughout thy life revere ; Those precepts ever cherish that make thy country great. And everything debasing chase away with hate ! Then shall our favoured country, with all its power and might, Bless the whole wide world with all its Christian light : With heavenly pointing flame her pioneers shall shine. Until the whole world's filled with love and truth divine. 370 SPEIXG Hail, hail, lovely spring ! we greet thee again, With thy offerings of beauty and flowei'S ; Thou appearest to gladden and cheer us once more [n this beautiful dwelling of ours. Sweet nature her tributes of gratitude brings And empties her lap at thy feet ; Through mountain and valley sweet melody rings With the songs of thy warblers so sweet. To soothe and to cheer us, and banish away Tlie dark clouds of gloom and despair ; Thy face woos the sunbeams to gladden the day, And the sweet flowers to perfume the air ; The scenes of our childhfiod, life's earliest spiing, In memory we wander them o'er. And remt^mbrance displays the sweet days of our youth, When we drank from each spring's joyous store « TO TUB XkT. 9AMIRX. VEAKtOt. 37/ But changing is life like the seasons of time. Or like the gay rainbow it fades ; What is brilliant and gay at the dawn of the morn, Ere evenings all tinged with deep shades : Then as all things below are subject to change, And rapidly time from us flies. Let us build upon Christ, our unsearchable friend, Till He pilots us home to the skies. LINES TO THE REV. DANIEL PEARsON. Ok HI9 XEAVINQ RICHMOND, AS A MUSIONART TO THE BkiTISH ArMT IN India, OcxoBia ].5th, 1859. Farewell, dear Richmond. I soon shall pass away From thy Institution dear, and every lovely scene ; Farewell for many a long and far off distant day, ^ To all thy dear sweet valleys and all thy meadows green. Yet shall my memory still dwell upon the past. The many happy hours I've spent while staying here ; But now to climes away my lot in life is cast, To labour for my God in a far distant sphere. Long time shall pass away e'er I shall stray again Across thy flowery meads, or by thy rippling streams ; Or roam at dawn of mom, along thy lovely plain — All scented with sweet hawthorn — as the morning beams. Full often I have mounted up thy verdant hills, And gazed with fervid rapture on thy river bright ; Now happiness and health my glowing bosom fills But I must now depart where other scenes invite. Yet often shall my memory conjure up the name. The countenance and form of some beloved friend, With whom I've often studied, or enjoyed some game When o'er the verdant fields our wayward steps would wend. 878 TO THK REV. PaNIFL PEAESoN. Ob ! blessed are the scenes where memory loves to rove, And bring before the mind the scenes of early youth ; Some angel's, sister's voice, or dear fond mother's love, Who ever strove to lead us in the path of truth. And long as memory holds her seat and power with me, I'll love to think of those that I have left behind : And when'er, Miss Wylde, my thoughts shall turn to thee, I ever shall remember that tijou hast been most kind : For thou hast e'er been anxious, as a mother would, To make me always happy with each kind gentle plan; Conducing to my comfort with feeling kind and good, To render me through life a happy, useful man. For governors so kind and true 'tis hard to part, And all my brother students v. horn I dearly love ; And while I bid adieu with sorrow-swellincr heai't, I feel a consolation I shall meet them all above ! But if with health and strength we boldl}' labour on, All winning souls to Christ, and each one ever tries To do his best to serve God's dear and only v'^on, We shall then increase the armv of the skies. Glad then shall we be that our life had been spent W ithin the Wesleyan College, which we all love most dear ; Of learning gained while there we never shall repent, I'ut try to use it alwijs poor drooping souls to cheer. And when each one hath run his mortal earthly race, And having preached through life the blessed Gospel Word, The glad sound he shall hear, " Come, and take your place ; Fnter, faithful eervants, the joy of your dear Lord !" •ox nEAKINQ T3E EEV. J, S. WOHKMA.V I'ttEACH. 379 TIJE OLD COVEXANTERS. O loug be remembered thy patriot band, Who scorned thy religion to yield. And set at defiance the monarch's command, Left home for the mountain and field. Strongly thou'st fought against darkness and blight, Though oppression laid heavy on thee, And borne the blest Bible, thy armour of light, Thy sons and thy daughters to free. And thou didst fall along the dark moor. Yet the blood that then hallowed the soil Struck a blow from the freedom of Albion's shore. Shed a liffht to illumine our isle. Though thou wert cut off in the midst of thy days, Yet thy deeds have enkindled a flame That shall burn through all time in thy patriots' praise, All Christians revering thy name Such brave men as thee are a boon to the earth, Thy lives and thy virtues shall shine, Proclaiming such men from heaven had birth, To establish the Kingdom Divine. Thou art the men that bid conscience soar free, Spite of monarchs' and tyrants' command ; 'Tis such as thou wert, though oppressed they maybe, V\ lio're the glory and pride of our land. LINES On hearinp: the Rkv. Jonx S. Workman Preach from Job, 37th chapter, part of tlie 2 1st verse: " And now men see not the bright light which. is in the clouds." How numerous the clouds that darken our course. As we journey through life on our care-bestrewn way j That will threaten at times to shade with remors"^, And o'erwhelm oar existence in gloomy array. But although they may threaten we will not despair. And cheerfully through all their terrors will roam ; •For each cloud has a lining of silver so fair, That will guide every Christian on safe to his home. 880 ON HIABINO THB RBT. J. I. WORKMAN PBEAOHw 1 lie clouds of our childhood when parents' hopes waver,. In fear lest the beautiful bud should decaj ; While appealing to Heaven fur merciful favour, To remote the dark cloud that endangers our way. 'Midst paternal affection, and hearts fill'd with gladness, They watch the last shade of the cloud that departs ; Now the bright lining glistens and chases their sadness, Bringing rays of sweet peace and delights to their hearts.. The clouds of our youth, when the storms of temptation Encircle our footsteps our souls to enthrall; That darken the road to eternal salvation, 'Midst scenes and transactions enough to appal. But through the dark shadows a kind hand extended. Disclosed the beams of brightness and love ; By pastors' kind teaching our lives are amended, And cloudless we view the brisht mansions above. \V hen faltering in manhood, in worldliness waging, The clouds of backsliding embitter our path ; M'hile mammon and pride all our ihoughts are engaging, Thinking nought of God's mercy. His justice, or wrath. At length comes an hour when sickness and sorrow The latent spark kindles and fans to a flame ; 1 he cloud flies away, and we're brought ere the morrow To supplicate mercy, and call on I J is Name ! What clouds will come o'er us when friends prove unfaithful . 5 Wjiat temptations of evil encircle our mind, — When our bounty relieved them in the times most needful, 'I hey've proved most ungrateful and vilely unkind. But, oh ! when a true friend once gladdens our dwelling, Who proves in his heart and his dealings sincere, How soon the clouds vanish, our pain all dispelling, And our heart's best emotions in fuhiess ai)pear. ON HEABIKa THE iKV. 3. 9. ▼OnKMAX PRBAOH. 881 The clouds of calamity gather around us, When grieving to part with a dear treasured friend, To whom ths sweet ties of affection have bound us, As over their last parting moments we bend. But, oh ! what a halo of brightness surprises And chases for ever the dark cluuds of gloom, When we feel that the glorious spirit arises, That the earthly alone is consigned to the tomb ! Dark clouds chill the frame as the aged decayeth, ^^'heu affliction with tottering steps maybe seen, As the brink of death's river the spirit approacheth. With a slight single thread of existence between. But how the cloud changes from shadow to sunshine. When memory can bring no remorse for the past ; When the last term of life spent resignedly praying, In calmness awaiting the bliss that shall last. Thus 'tis only when life has been frittered away, While the bright clouds of mercy have ever been near,. And the world's poor allureaients have firmly held sway, That death shows the clou Is of 'ies(Jondicg and fear. No clouds chill, or b.eak or (iarksoiue soevt-r, In the breast of the lowest that treads the earth's sod. Can terrors awaken, or coniideace sever. Who walks a.l his life in the favour of God. None ever need fear, for God is e'er near us, He rides on the clouds and the wings of the wind ; Sends the beauty of nature ;uid plenty to cheer us, With a Father's lienevoKiice loving and kind. If clouds for a season seem darkening above us. And complaining essays in our bosoms to dwell ; Cast away the foul tempter, theie s brightness before U3, Ee sure that our Maker dotli every thing well. S82 A WELCOME TO GARIBALDI. God's promise is faithful His goodness unswerving. To all who wil! seek Him and trust iu His word; Through the clouds of deception His eye is observing, The true Christians' pleading is sure to be heard. Think not to deceive Hitu by faithless pretending, The clouds of men's falsehood He pierces all through ; But rather press on to salvation, transcending The brightest of happiness mortals e'er knew. Let preachers and people now all work together, The black clouds of Satan and sin to dispel ; Till all shall rejoice in the bright coming weather, Where the host of redeemed in pai-adise dwell. With earnestness meekly proclaiming salvation, To cheer on the suffering, the toil-worn, and poor ; Till all erring souls iu our much favoured nation March onward with gladuess to reach the blest shore. Then vain all the clouds that come over our being. The side of their brightness alone we shall see ; In sanctified radiance before the All-seeing, A crown with the blessed our portion will be Again let's remember whatever may i-adden. What clouds may come o'er us as onward we roam, Each cloud has a lining of silver to gladden And shed a bright light over every sad home. WELCOME TO GARIBALDL H?il, hail, nob'e patriot, a heart proff'ered greeting! Humanity welcomes and blesses thy name ; Every soul in our island receive thee with gladness, All honour iky virtue, thy worth, and thy fame. A TVELCOMK TO GARIBALDI. 383 Not alone for the mighty exploits of thy darinf^, All standing unrivalled iu brilliant relief, That have borne their fair banner of freedom unsullied. And immortall'd thy memory as liberty's chief : 'Tis the pure sterling truth of thy stedfast devotion, That rouses our country to honour thy worth, And moves the whole soul and the voice of our nation, Thy presence to greet as the noblest of earth. Thy love for thy country inspires veneration. And blessings warm freely shovver down on thy head; Jn thy advent we bow at the shrine of true freedom. Whilst tyranny ti'embles and shudders with dread. With hearts overflowing we feel in thy presence Emotions no language hath power to pourtray, The path that thou tread'st seems invested with goodness, The sun's line of truth seems to hallow thy way. ■Garibaldi, thrice welcome ! the prayer of thy brothers. Whose chains thou hast broken and bid them be free, Of the captives once dying in tyranny's dungeon, ]n gratitude rises to heaA'en and thee. The babes of thy country in lisping sweet acceuts 'Neath mothers' fond teaching shall prattle thy name ; Historians and p lets s-hall count it an honour, To bear thy renown on the annals of fame. long mny thy life, still snrr.nuided with grandeur. Be spared to partake of the fruits of thy toil, To see thy dear country united iu freedom, No foreign oppressors to darken lier soil ; And Italy rise once again in her beauty, Send her sons and her daughters to gladden the world ; Again may her hearts and her muses still flourish Beneath the bright banner of freedom unfurled. 384 CHAillTY. Hail, glorious work ! Jehovah views thy toil, And mercy wafts each echo to the skies; Thine alms dispensing throughout Albion's Isle ; Let thy good works as holy iucense rise. Do all thou canst to benefit the poor ; The widow's mite was welcome to the Lord, He saw her heart, He knew her scanty store, And bade her mite receive its God's reward. The rich man's bams were full, on Him bestowed To feast himself, but not the poor refuse ; Yet unto Lazarus no charity he showed, To him refused the crumbs he could not use. Self was bis God : he bade the wine cup flow. But poison lurked within the fatal bowl. And death was hovering round this feast below, And God that night sent for his selfish soul. Not so the gentle Saviour of mankind. He sought the wretclied but to soothe each sigh ; Bade children in his heart sweet peace to find. And owned them cherubs tor liis court on high. Take Christ's example all friends of the poor : The bread ye cast upon the waters now, Though small, shall be uu perishing in store, And meet you when at Jesus' throne you bow. Then shall tho^e who did vour bounty feel, With tears of joy around their Father's throne,. Your deeds of love and mercy there reveal, And hail th} entrance into bliss unknown There too shall lueicy suind with humid eye, And blot thy sin.s awuy witli tears of juy. And sign thy passpori to tiiC realms on high — Where bliss eternal reigns without alloy. 38o COMMUNION Willi GOD. My Father God ! I call on Thee ! And Oh ! in mercy answer me, Oh ! Let me feel Thy Spirit's power When Peath assails, and faith is small, hear me when on Thee I call, Be with me — in each trying hour. My Father God ! Thou knowest all That in this world will me befall, O grant that I may feel Secure while resting in thy love ! In Christ thy Son on earth to prove, Thy love to me reveal. Thou knowest that life's a thorny road, And sin oftimes our souls doth cloud ; Thou my protector be. When enemies surround the sod, And try to lure my soul from God, Draw me, O God to Thee I Dispel the mists that darken life, And help me iu this earthly strife In thy communion still ; All evil thoughts by I hee removed : May I walk with Thee, — Best Beloved, Preserved from worldly ill. And when upon me though shalt call. May I be ready thetj to fall Into thy arms to rest ; In death let me feel mercy's l)eam, And taste the everlasting stream. And be for ever blest. 8«6 A WELCOME TO GAEIBALDI. Dedioaled to John Ricuakdsox Esq., C.C, mover of the freedom of the City of Londoa to Gaeibaldi, and Kon. Sec. and foandar of the Gaeibaldi Reception and Testimonial Fund. Here';3 welcome to thee, Garibaldi 'J'bou bravest of the brave The friend of glorious liberty, Liberator of the slave ! As Freedom's sous through England's Isle, ^■e hail thy coming here ; And give thee a glowing welcome With heart and soul sincere, Ihou patriot pure and noble, Unrivalled on the earth ; For thy virtues true and lofty, We love thee foi- thy worth. Id bright and sunny Italy Thou'st made her children free ; Mankind through various nations Their homage pay to thee. Bright as a beacon-light of freedom Where'er thou hast appeared ; Thou hast liven the chains of slavery. Thy fettered brothers cheered. 'Tis not for thy own self-grandeur Thou hast fought thy way ; Ho, 'twas for thy suffering nation Thou battled through the fray. It w-as for grand religious liberty Thy bravery has been displayed ; Opening the Inquisition prisons Where captives long were laid. Thou opened each dark dungeon. The prisoners thou didst release, And bid them go and serve their God With freedom and in peace. A VELCOMa TU oaribaldi. 38;r And 'tis such noble men as thee The great pioneers have been, As foremost ranking with the free. Best friends the world has seen ; Who opened tlie way for the L'ible And its glories to display; May all the sous of J taly Be cheered by its brightening ray. Let no nari-ow-miuded bigots' creed. Or church zeal, however rio-hf. Twiit God and raau ever interfere, Let his conscience be free as lio-ht ; L«t that be free as heaven's pure air. Blessing each benighted sod, Hia right is freedom everywhere In his own way to worship God. In vain shall despots' minions voice Be raised to cause thy foil ; For Freedom's sons shall thee sustain. Defiant to them all. Of thy fair glory all shall hear, It flies from pole to pole ; While British hearts all bless thy name, Fear fills each tyrant's soul. And all whose deeds forth nobly stand The great, the wise, and good — Shall hail thee as a kinsman true. In lofty brotherhood. They'll hail thee great among them all, And warmly grasp thine hand ; And give thee a brother's welcome here. To our free native land. And England now will gladly greet The man whose dauntless toil Has planted Freedom's banner oft On many a blood-stained soil ; •"588 A ViCLCOMF. TO GAUIBALDL Whose efforts all unswerving firm, Whose every scheme and plan, Where formed to crush all tyranny, And free his fellow man. All hail thee, lihevator jrreat ! With pure affection greet ; With warmest hearts both small and great, Come forward thee to meet. Thy self-denying lofty soul Leads thoupands to aspire To emulate thy brilliant fame, ' And freedom to desire. Foremost thou in every l)attle, Thy powers swayed the fight ; Ever in the tausp of justice Firm to uphold the right Thy soldiers all to thee devoted. A faithful, loving band ; Well they helped thee win thy laurels, And free tlieir native land. What crown of gems however bright, Is meet to grace thy brow ; <3old and diamonds all would fade, Thy glories forth to show. The granite pile, or marble reared, \\'ould fail to show thy worth ; Long as man shall value freedom, Thy fame will live on earth. May Heaven's abundant blessings Kest on thee, hero brave ! Whose soul, fired with devotion, Risked life to free the slave. Thine has been a bright example Of deeds most nobly planned ; And Italy may well be proud Of the hero of h(^r land. BVKR BK CHEERFUL. 389c"5 May peace be thy happy portion ! And free i'rom battle's strife, Around thee gather all good iiien, ■ And angels guard thy lite ! May thy glorious bright example, Thy actions n(;i)ly done, Fire the patriotic bosom Of each Italian soa ; Let all tyrant despots tremble, And hate thy honoured name ; But all the sous of liberty Shall hand it down to fame. Thy virtues they will emulate Through every land and clime, And Gakibaldi's name shall last Till earth's remotest time. EVER JiE CHEERFUL. Ever be cheerful, 'tis good fo;' the mind, "With a countenance beaming with tenderness kind Be ever forgiving, delighting to show TIow lovely the streams of atfection will flow. Let no evil feelings disturb your career, Pursuing }our duties ■with couscipiices clear; Ever be cheerful, and hold to the truth, 'Tis the charm of our childhood, our manhood, and youtlu Ever be cheerful, encourage all good. And smoothen the sorrows we meet on our road ; To leave the world better let all of us try, That we may be cheerful when summoned to die. Let our lives be all free from dishonour and guile, That reflection may ever return with a smjle ; Ever be cheerful and open as day, And banish all sorrow and frowning away. Ever be cheerful, and trusting in Him, Who passed through ihe grave with its terrors so grim^ To atone for our sins, with the life He had given, And open the portals of mercy in Heaven, 590 TBUTH SHALL CONQUEK ALL. Keep steadily treading the bard narrow path, For the broad one allures to destruction and wrath • Ever be cheerful, life soon will be past. You will gain the brig};t diadem promised at last. Ever be cheerful, no terrors hath death, For the saint who in Jesus resigneth his breath • WTiere reflection and conscience together will blend Hie pillow to soften with peace to the end. When a smile decks the features now soaring away To the realms of an endless celestial dav • Ever be cheerful, and banish all doubt For Heaven will open with welcoming shout TRUTH SHALL CONQUER ALL. Through all life's varied passing scenes, Deception haunts our way, And o'er the world's designing craft We stumble day by day. For falsehood's made to look like truth, The memory to enthrall, Though baseless proving in the end, For truth shall conquer all. The gaudy surface often hides A spurious thing beneath; As gilding cloaks the counterfeit, And covers base deceit, That will not bear the honest test, But into fragments fall, Which fills the false heart with dismay, For truth shall conquer all. A single hour scarce pass away, But cause have we to find That to escape from falsehood's snares Requires a subtle mind. For lies will stare us in the face, Behind our backs will crawl. Our names and honour to destroy ; But truth shall conquer alL x.< THB SECUKITY OF ENGLAND. 391 One half the bulk of Mammou's wealth,' That glitters all so bright, Is gained by means, if rightly traced. Would shrink from honour's liarht. Duplicity and wrong oft lie Beneath its gilded pall ; When death approaches, conscience stings ; Thus truth shall conquer all. THE SECUKITY OF ENGLAJsD IS HER CHRIS riAN RELIGION. If war should come to mar our peaceful land, And cause the orphans anil the widows" tears to flow, Still that firm base on which secure we stand, bhall bid defiance to each mighty foe : And for our fiiith have martyrs bled and died. Strong in the power of Him who made them free. His presence with them, they have death defied, And champions been of glorious liberty. And Britain then would from the flame rise out, And nations hear her powerful voice once more ; "With freedom's voice again her sons would shout Religion's voice re-echo to each shore. Ten thousands thousands liberated bands. Whose sires feudal bondsmen born to be, Would rouse the world and rise their loosened hands, And aid great Britain's power the world to free. The traitor foul might rear his serpent crest, Unfurl the blood-stained revolution's flag, And try the sceptre from her grasp to wrest : Before the face the tongue of scorn to wag. Yet lofty would her dauntless spirit tower, With freedom's flag triumphantly unfurled, And laugh at every haughty tyrant's power, And shake her stainless trident o'er the world. 3D2 THE BETRCjSPECT. Her faith shall blossom till the end of time And 'neath her flag shall never dwell a slave ; Her rule shall men admire in every clime, And her religion's power tlieir souls to save. In the rause of liberty weve forward stood And from her path all olistacles have liu/ded ; A fadeless title built, approved by Gol, And deeds have wrought to magnify the world. For God and true religion on we roam, This, this our motto for each soul shall be, For faifh we'll fight that lle^fe? hearth and home, Ani] makes us all so happy a-il so free. And ne er will we our birthright sell for aught, But worthy followers of our fathers prove, Who with their blood this precious freedom bought, Till we join them in glory's walks above. THE RETROSPEfJT. The retrospect of former days, Is solacing and sweet employment, It makes our providential ways — Both food for profit and employment. I muse in silent ecstacy, On many a happy friendly meeting j And while I feel a lively joy, I mourn to prove those joys were fleeting. No ! uot fleeting — tlieir still sweet breath Remains oer time and change victorious; Their odours shall receive in death. And make eternity more glorious. Hope dies not while at Jesus' feet ; Our faithful spirits hold communion. And by anticipation sweet, Look forward to eternal union. THE RSTEOSPKCT. :i^'d Though hid the ways of Providence, We'll acquiesce iu calm submissiou, We walk by faith — by sightiz-iior sense, And bow and bless His wise decision. We know our Father's hand controls, We trust He will approve and love us ; 'On Christ we build our fxithful souls Nor from this rock shall aught remove us. Past hours df social intercourse, Are fraught with many a bright reflection. And though we often mourn their loss, I'hey fondly cling to recollection. And while we take a calm review. We feel a sacred consolation. The hand that's gnided hitherto Will end the glorious consummation. And as we view His gracious care. In adoration meekly bending, Ascends to Heaven our grateful prayer, Like incense to the Throne ascending. It rises to yon sapphire Thi-one, Where Heaven's High Priest appears before it. And mingles with our prayers His own. And breathes sweet holy incense o'er it. He brings it in His hands to God, The Holy Spirit o'er it hovering ; Points to His wounds and streaming blood, And all sin's cleansing fount discovering. I'he heart it moves of God on high, 'I'he hosts of Heaven are all in motion ; The love that sent His Son to die. Fills all their souls with deep devotion. The countless company are there, There with the blest they hold communion ; Departed is all earthly care, With Christ they're joined in endless union. BiK THB PULLIKG DOWN OP AN OLD CHAPEL. Who would not here then bear His cross, And ask for help here to be given, To count no sacrifice a loss, To gain a brilliant crown in Heaven. How happy then the man whose life Can bear a retrospect untiinchiiig, Where truth's gems shone through ills and strife, And all the snares of earth unquerichiig. LINES ON THE PULLING DOWN OF AN OLD' CHAPKL AND ERECIING A NEW ONE ON ITS SITE. Thy days are all numbered, for Time's iron hand Lies heavy, ( Id chapel, on thee ; But long be remembered the patriot baud, Who braved even death and each monarch's command, Till they won for their children the boast of our land. That mau's conscience should ever be free. Eut thoui,'h thou must fall, from thy ashes shall rise A more costly aud beautiful shrine, Whei'e our children may worship Jehovah, and prize The memory of those who to yonder bright skies Have been called for their worth from all eartlily ties, As stars in His presence to shine. When the chosen of old, to their \5aker would rear A toiny>le wherein to adore ; The rich geld of Ophir they held not too dear, Ni.r the wealth of their kingdoms, His name to rev.Te, Of Him who in visions had deigned to appear ; They deemed all an offering too poor. Then let not our dwclings be decked aud arrayed. With grandeur ami pride to behold, ^\ hen houses of (Jod are i)iiploriiig uur aid, W'hen time-honoured .strrcti.res have sunk and decayed ;, if you give to his cause you shall he repaid. And become the bright sheep of His fuld. THOUGHTS OM SEElKO OHlI.DBEN AT PLaV. -ifTi* Cast fearlessly, then, on the waters thy bread. And He who sees all with His eyes Ere the days of thy life shall bave vanished and fled, Shall return in bright blessings tenfold on thy head. And thon through life's valley in safety be led To thy glorious home upon high. THOUGHTS ON SEEING CHILDREN AT PLAY. Dear children play on, 'tis thy joyous time now, Thy young hearts are strangers to guile, For the finger of care hath not passed o'er thy brow, Nor soiTOW yet clouded thy smile. All is pleasing and fair to thy innocent eyes, No grief can thy pleasure destroy ; For the tear that one minute thy sorrow supplies, In a moment is changed into joy. But I think of the days of thy manhood to come. When each scene shall be chequered with care, And the visions of childhood, and loved ones at home. Are passed like a bubble of air. Like phantoms departed, and left but their name, Our memoi'ies' page to enshrine ; Still the bright beams of Hope on our hearts have a claim?- Too dear lor us e'er to resign. Reflect on thy pleasures though parsing away, 'I'hy frail bark is launched on life's sea ; Take Christ for your pilot o'er earth's rocky way. He your guide to the heaven shall be. And oh, when the storms of adversity lower, May the clear beach i f reason arise, And faith grasp the he!ui — till sin's luring shore Is passed — and hope beams from the skies. In adversity's hour, when sorrow and puin Wring thy lieart, may it still liud a balm In God's pages of truth till life's stormy reign. Is exchanged for eternity's ca m 396 CONSCIENCE. Man's conscience is his monitor, A mirror just and true, "Where every action of his life Is placed before his view. In characters effaceless stamped, No sophistry can hide, Or self-deception dim its light, A' or stem its searching tide. And why 1 " Tis Grod's own gracious means,' Is sternly written there ; •It evei*y shade of vice condems, But«loves the just and fair. -Amidst the pleasures of the world, Men oft seem gay and bright, And every thought and care beyond Seem banished from their sight. But 'tis not so! for conscience holds Its empire ever near, Bring consolation to the just, I'he worldling fills with fear He's forced to hear the waraing voice, Though racking heart and brain; Thoiigh hard he strives to still reproach. His striving's all in vain. Forewarned and checked is every man, \\'ho meditates a crime, The monarch or the ragged thief. In every land and clime. 1 here's no escape, no gold avails, For conscience none can cheat ; The criminal fears at every turn, The avengers hand to meet. But to the just a comforter. Will conscience ever prove ; Its admonitions, when obeyed, Bring peace, and joy, and love. CHILDHOOD 397 Then, oh, let conscience be our guide, Let's cease to be unwise, And shun the path where ruin lurks So plain before our eyes. CHILDHOOD. childhood, childhood ! happy stage ! How oft does faucy roam Amidst the cares of riper age, I'o trace on memory's faithful page The scenes of boyhood's home. When doom'd in other lands to dwell. Through scenes all strange to roam, 'Tis then we feel the magic spell Steal o'er the soul, and fondly tell Of boyhood's happy home. Though pomp and splendour call me guest. Beneath ambition's dome, A liallowed grief as-ails the breast, The weary spirit sighs to rest Again in boyhood's home. Though wealth may crown the exile's schemes, And monarchs seek his smile ; Yet the brightest of his earthly dreams Are those, when fancy's golden beams Those happy dreams beguile. If sorrow or dismay arise. To blight each earthly tie, The wanderer turns his weary eyes, To those bright scenes and sunny skies. With longings there to die. Though tyrants drag the swarthy slave. Far from his darling plains. Behold the dangers he can brave ! The felon's doom, a nameless gi-ave, To burst his galling chains ! 308 GAKPOVR. O'er pathless wilds and burning sands, Untiring will he roam Through hostile tribes and stranger lands, Until amidst those scenes he stands Of happy boyhood's home. Home ! home's the watchword, home's the prayer. Where'er our footsteps roam. The bright, the beautiful, the fair, In vain may spread the gilded snare, We turn from lordly halls to share A humble cot at heme. CAKD;>UR. I iove the man whose open heart And countenance the rays impart ()f sterling truth and worth : Who scorns to flatter or deceive ; And fears not tho^^e who disbelieve, Where cringiujr ne'er had birth. 'Tis he, 1 m^an, who never shrinks From telling plainly what he thinks Our faults' or merits' due In whom we can our thoughts confide; Who sternly will our case decide Impartial, just and true. Pure candour ranks a virtue high : 'J is formed the mind to dignify, Alike with friends and fots, — It thx'ows a halo round our path, Courts no forced snaile, shuns no man's wrath^ But dwells in calm repose. Though little favoured by the world, And oft about us worthless hurled, From graj'ping love of gain : It still preserves its priceless fame, — Sets honour's signet on each name That grace its noble train. HYPOCRICT. 399 Home's peace for years is oft destroyed. With pain and sorrow life's alloyed. By hiding trivial things ; Which when discovered oftimes lead To words, and even blows indeed. And sin and mieery brings ; 1 hat had the truth at once been told, By mean deception uncontrolled, Had led to peace and love. The light of truth our path will cheer. And candour banish dread and fear, And life's firm guardian prove. Then let us strive with manlj grace, To meet the world with honest face, And no man's fav>UL. Rejoice, O my soul ! the glad dawn now appears. The bright Son of Righteousness comes and he cheers ; Tis the wi-ath of His presence that here I now feel. While mercy and love His rich goodness reveal, 'Tis my shepheard now leads me to drink of the stream, Tis His life-giving blood, I am happy turough Him ; ' lis His blood that has washed me whiter tha,n snow, AVhich now makes me love Him, and makes my heart to glour, "' Twas on Calvary's cross that He suffered for me, S ilvation was gained when He died on the tree, He with grief bowed His head, " ' lis finished !" He cried, For my soul's salvation He groaned there and died. I grasp at the mercy thus purchased and given. And my soul seems warmed with bright beams from heaven; The Covenant of promise, the bright bow above, I see and rejoice in the fulness of love. Thus shall I go on through Jesus my might. My strength and my guide and mj glorious light ; His grace to me given will lead me to prove His gracious salvation in bright realms above There I with raptures His goodnes?; shall tell, And acknowledge how here He did all things well; Then bow down before Him amidst the great throng, Redeemed by His mercy to join Heaven's song. LINES ON THE BIBLE. DEDICATED TO THE JUVENILB BIBLE SOCIETT. Glorious old Bible ! The Best Book on earth, It showeth how gi-eat is ihe soul s precious worth ; Tis a gracious charter where we may all see Ciod's mercy and goodness to all men are free ; A lever whereby man is helped to arise And seek for a mission of bliss in the skies ; For a patriot band are those noble jouths. 404 ON THB BIBLE This is the book that has made England great. Dispelling our ignorance, raising our state ; Given to England to spread through the world. Diffusing its truths where our flag is unfurled ; And if we desire true freedom for man, We shall give all our aid to this glorious plan For a patriot hand are those noble youths, Who seek by all means to publish its truths. Sometimes we hear enemies talk of this land. — They tell us that armies will come on our strand ; But true to thg Bible we may at them laugh, With God our protector we'd beat them like chaff ; If faithful to Him, we'd invaders defy, Yet will send them our Bible — to ssrva them we'll try. For a patriot band are those noble youths, Who seek by a 1 means to publish its truths. Go on then, young friends, in this work engage For the glory of God and the light of the age ; Do all that you can God's love to reveal, Make your lives glorious, and 'abour with zeal To spread the blest Bib'e wherever you can, And be benefactors of perishing man. For a patriot land are those noble youths, Who seek by all means to publish its truths. And be well assured if you work for the Lord, Your labour and zeal He will early reward ; And He'll be your guide through all the world's strife,. Will b'ess you with fiivour through this earthly life ; And after you've done with this mission of love, Will call you a'l home to His glory above. For a patriot band are those noble youths. Who seek by ad means to publish its truths. 405 ONWARD AND UPWAKD. Our lives are great and noble, If ve live for deeds sublime ; And thus impress our footsteps, Upon the sauds of time. And while we run our earthly race, Work well in God's great plan ; And be a valiant Hero, For the benefit of mau. 'Tis thus the noble hearted, Pass on through every strife j Labouring for the oppressed. And consecrate their life. They love the cause of freedom, And round her altar's fire, They raise their voices high, With heaven's enraptured choir. For peace and home and duty, They lift their thoughts above ; For Religiou in its beauty, To bless this earth with love. When tyrants are oppressors. And do the people wrong ; Their voice is raised against them, Bold, faithful, earnest, stroug. 'Tis thus the reign of darkness, Is banished from our earth ; And flowers of glorious freedom, Thus bloom with heavenly bui;h. 'Tis thus that earth's great temples, With beauty shall be crowned ; And peace and liberty with joy. Through the whole world abound. 406 THY -WILL BK DOKK. Thus men of uoble valour, Armed in the cause of right ; Do battle with the evil. And for the good they fight. Thus do these blessed heroes, Win for them-ielvea a nanje ; Bequeathing to posterity, A bright and lasting fame. Each year of theirs is passed, But they noble triumphs win ; 'I'rampling down oppression, Conquerors over sin. And they shall gain the crowu. Promised by their Lord : For their valinnt fin-htiuir. And Heaven be their reward. "THY WILL BE DONE." My Father, God, to Thee I humbly bend, Convinced in Thee I've ever found a friend ; Parent I live by Thy power supreme, And grateful love still shall be my theme. To Thee I bow at the evening hour, To praise I hy goodness and extol Thy power;. Thou art luy Friend and I have lived to see Thy gracious bounty shower'd down on me. Oh ! help me now with grateful sense imbued,. To offer up to Thee my warmest gratitude ; Thou art Love, Thy nature does reveal, And Thy benevolence I daily see and feel. 1 vriLL NKVER LKAV8 THBB. 407 Oh ! keep me in the narrow path I pray, Leading aie on in Thine appointed way ; Save I beseech '1 hee through Christ Thj only Son,. Help me to gain the plaudit of well done. Help me each day Tliy mercies to rehearse, Ju songa of love, offer up each verse ; Take from me all tliat feeds my pride. Help me to cleave to Thy loving side. Help me by Thy good Spirit trained, In Thee to find my Paradise regained ; Help me iu every trial through 'i'hy Son, To 8ay I am my Father's, and His will be done. I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE. Hast Thou naid Thou will not leave me ? Oh ! th»u Gel of truth and love ; Hast Thou promised Thou will ever, Faithful to that promise prove 1 Not to me alone Thou speakest. Oh ! Thou gracious loving Lord ; But to all in Christ — the weakest, 'ihou proclaim'st the wonderous word. I will never leave thee, never ! I thine all efficient Lord ; I thy shield and buckler ever, Thy exceeding great reward. I caa well preserve thee ever, All thy foes and dangers see ; And will suffer nought to sever. Thy confiding soul from me. 408 HEAVEN OUR HOMK. Lord thy goodness thrills my ppirit, 'Tis enough Thy word so passed ; I thy presence shall iuheret. Long as eternal ages last. Thou wilt never leave me, never, God of love on whom 1 call ; God, my God and mine for ever. And for ever all in all. HEA.VEN OUR HOME. Blest thought to have a home above. Where all is joy, and peace, and love; To have a home among the blest, And in our Father's mansion rest. This mansion, christians all survey. And keep in view through life's rough way ; The blessed end ihey keep in view, Which cheers them all their journey through. Blest home when at life's journey's end, From eai'th triumphant to ascend Then all life's cares and battles o'er. They strive to gain the heavenly shore. And oh ! what wonders meet their sight, The glorious city dazzling bright ; The Throne— the Saviour — God is seen, Without a ray of cloud between. No sickness there shall e'er invade. Nor sorrow cast its gloomy shade ; But in that home so bright and fair, Peace and love dwell ever there. ON ]PRXEMA80NRY. 40»» Oh ! let me keep this home in view, Whilst I life's jouruey still pursue ; Press on my road to reach the shore My home above for ever more. ESSAY ON FrvEEMAS::)NRY. (Written to please a friead of mine, who is a Mason, and Captain of a ship.) •^^ Van \va.s never intended in the all-wise dispensatiou (>ljAkvof (iod to be an isolated and solitary being, but he was formed with au intellect and capacity to improve his fellow man, and faculties to g'orify God Wise men with a desire to do good, and to get good form them- selves into sects and societies, and amongst the different societies or coiupanies in this world, Freemasonry occu- pies the first poHitioii, and stands out boldly pre-eminent a benefit to ujankiud; and some of the most noble men that have ever lived in our world and who have done a vast amouut of good in it, whose desire has been to glorify God aud to be a biutfit to their fellow men have- been Freemasons. It would be a long line of worthies^ -410 ON FRKKMASONRT. we might select from the masonic scroll of fame, but as the task would be herculean, we must leave that and turn to its general principles, and the good it is doing in our world. After the great deluge of the world by water for man's wickedness, it was thought by men if they could com- bine together and build a tower whose height should almost reach the heavens, that then they could defy Omnipotence, and if a second deluge were to take place, they could run into this strong tower and be safe. But God in his infinite wisdom frustrated their designs and confounded their language, so that men have gone abroad into all the earth but have different manners, customs, and languages. But still there are links in the gi-eat chain of society, whereby men are a benefit to their fellow men, and are endeavouring to carry out the golden rule of lovimr their neijihbours as themselves, and like true philanthropists, are endeavouring to do good in their day and generation, and seeing they have only one life to live, are desirous of handing down to posterity au unsullied name; and if perchauc- tiieir survivors should look upon the stone that marks U;eir last resting place, they may be enabled to say, "there lie the ashes of one whom I knew to be a good man, and who in acts of be., nevolence wus always doing his fellow creatures good." Men in all ages have congregated together, society of the right kind being the best thing to polish man, and rub off that roughness and ignorance that men have been .found to possess who did not mingle with society. Man's pursuit is after happiness— from infancy to old age he pursues different plans that he thinks will most conduce ON PRKKMASoNnY. 411 to the gaining of the object of his pursuit — but experi- ence discloses the fact that uualloyeii happiness is not allotted to man in this world, inasmuch as health i:i constantly liable to be disturbed by sickness, joy with sorrow, hope by disappointment — the calm and content of mental deligiit by the tortures of anxiety, and the ordinary course of mortal happiness, destined to be even- tually extinguish' d hj death. Some have thought that they could serve God best and their fellow men best, by isolating themselves and shutting themselves up in a monastry away from tlieir fellow men, but this has always proved a great mistake, a man to do his duty must mix with societyj and must take care that he car- ries about with him and shows to otl ers those principles that shall do good to others, and leaven the mass of society in which he mixes, and raise not only his fellow- man who comes in contact with him, but should like a good patriot and lover of his country, disseminate those principles that should like a moral lever raise all who come in contact with him, and that the world may have to say after he has passed his three score yea: s and ten, that he lived to some purpose and did some good while he lived among mankind. There are several societies bound together by laws formed among themselves f-.r their own good, and known to each other by dllTei-nt signs, known only by them- selves, and of all the difiorent societies that have ever been formed, none stands so forward — so proudly pre- -eminent among ircn as the < roema^ons, wlio are known to each other all over the world ; and it would be •difficult in any part of tlie world not to find a Freemason, 412 ON ritHEMASONRY. from the burning plains of India, to the snowy regions of Liberia, you will find Freemasons, and whenever a man is in distress, in any part of the world, if he is a Mason he will find some goo J brother ready to lend him a helping hand, and though I am not a Mason myself, yet 1 believe it to be a general benefit to those wlio are, and I believe if their principles were carried out, man- kind would be generally benefited by them : and surely it needs in this world that we should do all that we can to promote the peace of mankind, and endeavour to link them together in unity, especially when we look back on the past history of man, and see what war has done to desolate our world — when we think of thousands of men meeting each other in deadly conflict, and of the horrors that war entails upon man. It seems to me that nny man or any society that would try to bind men in the bonds would be general benefactors to any land or country, and would be carrying out the golden rule *' whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them :" — and again, as the Bible unfolds to us there is to be a time of universal peace under the reign of the Messiah, aU who endeavour to bring about this glorious time for the benefit of the human race, must be considered as benefactors in their day and gene- ration, and will leave their footprints on the sands of time that can never be obliterated, but shall help swell the grand chorus of the angelic host, who ushered into this world the Prince of peace in the song of ' Glory to God in the highest, on earth jieace, and good will towards men ' I shall endeavour to show in this little treatise some of the benefits of ^Masonry to man. In the fii-st place ON FREEMASONRT, 413 the art of building among men is one of his greatest blessings and comforts, and we are often led to think of men who live in a city according to the buildings of the city. Masonry has been in all ages a science tending to elevate the ideas of men, and has been sent down to earth unto men's minds by the Great Supi'eme and Almighty Architect, who by His wisdom laid the foun- dations of the earth, and by His power upholds, guides, and governs all the planets in their different courses. I believe architecture has been greatly improved by Free- masonry — many a noble building we gaze upon with its exquisite sculptured stone work its massive pillars, capitals, cornices, corbets, and pinnacles — owes some- thing of its beauty to Freemasonry. The mountains and hills, the valleys and mines have brought their marble and granite, and silver and gold, and the forest its trees ; but it is in the mind of man to design the goodly edifice, and to bring forth by his energy and perseverance the noble temples of art and science, and out of the rough materials of nature to Wing forth beauty, order, and harmony. 'Ihe majesty and beauty of nature is wonderful, and. shows the power and wisdom of God — but His love is manifested to man in the gift of His dear Son — He is a" living stone, the sure foundation — He is the living stone and those that love Him are living stones also. The foundation — the rock of ages, and these who by skilful masonry build upon that rock — growing up into a living temple whose builder and founder is God And to His creature man alone has He given those exalted talents to improve his mind and made him what he really is — the mighty master-piece of His vast creation. 414i ON FREKMA.«ONRT. I cannot help stopping here to notice what some mea with debased intellects have affirmed, that man is only a superior order of the brute creation. I for one pity such weak minds, and would eimply ask such men— what has the brute ever done to better his condition, they still live in caves and dens o{ tlie earth as tl.ey have always done since they were first create!, and have done nothinc^ towards improving their condition ; but man with his gigantic intellect is continually improving his condition and the wonders of science he is continually briueiuo' to light mu>t be a matter of surprise even to himself. When we think qf the genius of man, that he can employ steam as he does to propel mighty ships, and also to the most minute machinery — when we think of his mighty intellect devising and currying ont plans whereby the electric fluid carries his nie.'^i^ages to the distant parts of the earth, under and aljovc wartr — we almost wonder there is any men so deliased and wilfully ignorant as to say anil a.ssert such a vile and pernicious opinion — but men who assert sucfr things are generally infidels, who do not believe in a Supreme Being who governs and directs all things in infinite wisdom — how I pity such men, and am led to look back to what such men do for the benefit of their fellow men, and must candidly con- fess 1 cani'ot find they do any good in their lives, and when they come to die they generally turn coward and abjure their principles and call upon God to have mercy upon them : hut the man who takes the word of God for hi* stauilard — and I am thankful to say, masonry like a beautiful edifice is built upon this .'■taudard — is doing good to his fellow man and erecting noble and benevolerjt institutions, and is endeavouring to employ ON FREP MASONRY. 415 the talents God has given him — to alleviate the sorrows of others, and often causing the widows' and orphans* hearts to sing with joy — this I believe masonry does in .an eminent degree and thousands have great cause to be thankful after having experienced its benefits, and thou- sands more will I feel assured till the latest posterity, have re.'ison to bless the benefits of Freemasoniy. I am not sure I am right in tliinking masonry took ■its first rise from the building of the Tower of Babel ; I have been informed it was at an earlier period, and may be traced to the garden of paradise when our first parents sewed the fig leaves together and made them- selves aprons, and frotrx them may be traced onward in the marcli of time, through Seth, h'noch, and Noah to the il.ood. Tbeu onwards throu. h >hem and Japheth to the time of Abiahaiu and Sarah ids wife, where the dis- tinction was made between the slave Ishmael and the free born son Isaac. Ihit it arrived at its greatest glory "in the days of Solomon, who, at-sistetl by the king of a 'neighbouring country, erected that glorious temple at • Jerusalem lur the worship of Jehovah, which for splen- I 'dour au'l magnificence has never yet been equalled ; and according to the scriptural account of it I thiak im- possible ever to be surpassed. There are in the world multitudes of noble Masons, doing good in their day and generation, and leaving their footprints on the sands of time — squaring their lives by the square of righteousness, and sounding some -of the tleptbs of human mtstry by the plummet of love. They liave noble institutions for the poor orphans, which ■ are open to t\ u inspection of vi&itors, and I am sure any 410 ON FKKF.MAS »NRY. one wliether a mason or not. if he has right feelings; ■will feel his lieart swell with delight to see the children trained in these institnti >ns — trained in the knowledge and precepts of the Bible — to lead them to the grand lodge of heaven to meet their parents. 'I hen there are the asylums for the aged and decayed Freemans and their vives, where they may dwell together in peace and com- fort and spend the remnent of their days in preparation, for the Grand Lodge above. Tlien there is the Annuity Fund for those Brethren and Sisters who may require it. Then there is the Fund of Benevolence, to which I am informed no distressed brother if he was worthy, ever applied in vain. These I think are abundant proofs that they love like brethren, and that it is a great advantage to belong to the ntble ancient fraternity. From my lieait 1 wish that Christians had some means to distinguish each other, surely they might be- proud to acknowledge their Christian brethren. I regret to see such conformity to the world and wish some of these who are ashamed of Christ — had to exhibit the standard of the cross in some way that could not be misundei'stood "Ashamed of Jesus, yes T may. When I ve no sin to wash away." There may be some Masons that are no benefit to the Lodges, as well as some Christiaus who are no benefit to. the Churuht'S ; but I again say I wish the Christians bad some sign that they could distinguish each other by, 80 that a brother meeting them in a railwav carriage, or- on board fcliip or anywhere, might take counsel together instead of pasbiug their time unprofitably. But I feel ON FREEMABOKRY, 417 assured a good Masou must be a good man, as Free- masonry teaches him how to live and how to die — it leads him to contemplate the final destiny, and enables him to triumph over death and to trample the king of terrors beneath his feet, and to await with a hope that maketh not ashamed the morning of the resurrection. Thus; Freemasonry may become to some the handmaid of Christianity, and lead its gi-eat Architect's works to be admired, and its possessor to make one of the great lodge above and dwell in the happy abode for ever. Then it is a noble theme for the mind of man to en- •deavour to elucidate the beauties of science, and to bring to light its mysteries to improve the condition of man- kind. Such an employment is a right one and wortliy •of his most exalted talents, and it is a service of hap- piness to himself that his Maker has given him the talents, and he is improving them for the good of others. Then I believe that Masonry is calculated to make man happy, wise and good in an eminent degree ; and we T3Rist all know and feel and acknowledge there is misery •enough in the world, and anything tending to alleviate the sorrows and woes of man should be encouraged, and men of learning in all ages have iucoutestably proved that man is a being peculiarly formed for society, and that he is entitled to all the pleasnres and benefits that flow from society, and draws a vast amount of happiness in life from the pleasures of true friendship. And he also improves his moral and intelectual condition, by mixing in society that has for its object and pursuit the glory of God and the benefit of his fellow man — in «uch pursuit alone real happiness is to be found, and I 418 ON' FKBKMA80KRT. assured masonry is calculated to improve and cultivate- the nnderstfinding — men -who enter it have to go through their I'egular degrees as an apprentice and workman be- fore they can arrive at the elevated position of grand master ; and it must make men more wise as they pass through this ordeal, as masonry comprises within its ample circle every branch of useful knowledge and learning I here is no science hovrever deep that is not known, or knowledge however profound that it does not grapple with and lay hold of, and the minds of those •who belong to masonry will never want for lofty themes to study, a-s they are all contained within its mighty grasp, from the mechanic and artificer tip to the most profound philosopher, there is something for each one to study and c 'Utemplate Tlie builder and architect may learn ]dans of wisdom and beauty, and compass iu his mind Vast and useful improvements in the art of build- ing. The geometrici»n may plan his problems and trace the points, the line, the ang es, and the circles, till he ai rives at perfection and is capable of giving to the world solutions of the mos'. difficult problems. The geographer by the use of chax-ts and maps may travel bea.s and compass continents, and explore empires ; and is enabled to trace the 'jistory of bygone days — the rise and fall of empires — and the history of his own beloved country. Astronomers who delight in beholdiLg the planetary system, and looking up through nature to natures God, will find masonry assist him to investigate the wonders of the sun — that great luminary of vast size and matchless grandour, round which the planetary orbs perform their annual revolutions, delighting and astonishing the most j,'igautic minds with wonder and. ()5 f::beMasonkT 419 astonisliineut n.t the .imaziug velocity and regularity of their courses : shewing to man a portion of that great Being's works who stoopa to call the good man his friend, and promises in His word that all things shall work to- gellier for good to him that loves his great Creator, and endeavours in all things to do hia will and please him ; and there is nothing that will tend to elevate the mind of man and make him do what is right, more than the conviction that God ia always present with and behold- ing his every action — and the lodges of Masons I am informed have plenty inscriptions from Uie best of all books — the Bible — and it is impossible when in a lodge with all those noble inscriptions around him. but that his mind must be improved by them. Then again there is the brotherly affection with which all are greeted when at their lodge, or if they meet in the street, caus- ing those who witness them to exclaim, " Behold how good and pleasent a thing it is for brethern to dwell together in unity :" and they are preparing daily for that glorious heavenly world, to which all the most Bjilendid scenes on earth is as nothing to the glories which are to be revealed to them that love God. Solomon's temple was perhaps the most glorious place that Avaa ever built upon earth, but how humbly did he dedicate that splendid piece of masonry to God. I al- most think in my mind that I hear him exclaim — " But will God indeed dwell here — the heaven of heavens can- not contain him — how much less this place which I have builded." And then when we pu* in comparison with this what is revealed of the i>ew and heavenly Jerusalem how all earthly buildings sink in comparison as we read 420 ON FRKEMiaONRT. of its gates of pearls, its walls of precious stones, and its street of gold ; of the happiness of its inhabitants, and its never ending duration — all things here are passing awaj, and man is passing with them. The preparatory chai-acter of human life which is founded upon scripture invites man to use every possible eflfort^to fit himself for that exalted state of existance to which he is authorized by revelation to diract his hopes and aspirations — in his exertions with this object in view he must be guided by his thoughts, words and precepts, a^d the animating promises revealed in the Bible — and from this source he must learn with a view of practicing — first his duty to his Maker, and then the several moral duties which he owes to himself and to his fellow creatures ; and his duty to his Maker can only be fulfilled by strict obedience to His Divine will. Permit me then as a friend to wish you may pass your life use- fully here, squared by the square, and ruled by the plummet of your masonry — till God sees fit to call you home to your reward in heaven — where I hope to meet you and your Brother Masons in that better world, where we shall be clothed with the white robe and have the crown of gold and the beautiful harp — to sing the praises of the Divine Architect for ever and ever. Amen, and Amen. This is the humble prayer of Yours very respectfully, GEORGE JOSEPH WILLIAMSON. H. G. Satage, Stiam Psintes, Sutton Stksst, £a8t. '^^m. ■ "^^.i/OdllVD-JO^' 1^ %a3A!K ]\^ , nr.r;,!'- ■"W'VERS/^ %a3A! ^ -4 -^ J ! i • ^ »^ ■-' .^ ^ 1)1 ) vV- 1 -;.lUJ/\. T ^^„, , k 111 A IttV^ ^--> O so <=! ••^•LIBRAfiY' lO mmim iiiiiii i iiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiim CAIIFO/?^ CAIIFOff^, L 006 670 09 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 386 790 ;^^\^t ?^ 3liY J 3V ICtI fr. ^0: ^