Poems on Serious and Sacred Subjects Part 4

Saviour! pure source of life and zeal intense, Whose words were peace, whose deeds benificence, Around thy servant ever may I see The suns.h.i.+ne of the soul deriv'd from Thee.

While their true faith enlighten'd Christians prove, By mutual aid, and evangelic love, By sins environ'd, may we strive alone To pardon others, and repent our own.

So may we, comforted by words from Heaven, That clearly prove the penitent forgiven, With trust beyond the confidence of youth, Rest on our guardian G.o.d--the G.o.d of Truth!

TWO HYMNS

Written for the Asylum of Female Orphans.

I.

Parent to those, whose infant days No human parent know; To thee, O Charity! the praise Of filial love shall flow.

Base want, and vice, a foe to all!

Round us their snares had thrown.

Had not thy arm, at pity's call, Embrac'd us for thine own.

O blest the land! where all to Thee A tender homage pay!

Where indigence and wealth agree To venerate thy sway!

That land the wrath of Heaven may spare.

When ruthless nations groan; Her guarded orphan's grateful prayer May rise to mercy's throne.

Parent to those, whose infant days No human parent know; To Thee, O Charity, the praise Of filial love shall flow.

II.

We have no parent but our G.o.d; Yet will we not in grief despair; For He this vale of sorrow trod, To make the desolate his care.

The voice of innocence and youth, To Thee, meek Saviour! may ascend; Thou G.o.d of Tenderness, and Truth, Of Infancy Thou art the Friend.

Thro! tears, that fill the orphan's eye, With humble confidence we see Calamity, an holy tie!

That binds our helpless tribe to Thee.

For charity, angelic power!

Thy fav'rite delegate below!

Makes industry, our peaceful dower!

A guard from indigence and woe.

We have no parent, but our G.o.d; In Him we trust, who reigns above: Children He blest, when here He trod, And we are children of his love.

_A Morning Hymn._

Awake my soul! in cheerful mood, Thy matin thanks to pay!

The G.o.d, who gives thee rest, and food, Directs thee to be gay.

The Jewish world was dark, and cold, There doubts and fears annoy: Thy Shepherd to his happier fold Brings light, and peace, and joy.

Cease then, O Christian! cease to grieve In tempest, or in calm!

Smile on affliction, and receive Her consecrated palm!

_A Collection of Hymns._

Hymn written for the Rev. Mr. Walker, of Chichester.

Where may zeal due succour find, Man, for thy unguarded mind?

To s.h.i.+eld thee, when temptations reign, From folly's snare, and vice's bane?

The law of G.o.d, a Saviour's law, Justly heard with grateful awe, That alone pure light supplies To the simple, and the wise.

He, whose heart, however tried, Keeps the word of G.o.d his guide, He walks secure, and undismay'd Amid misfortune's darkest shade.

He, tho' tempests round Him roll, Feels a sacred calm of soul; Breathing, to his latest breath, Joy in life, and hope in death.

_Hymn._

Since the Evening of Life will soon close, While I live, may I justly incline To diffuse peace of heart among those, Whose lives may be guided by mine!

To Christ may I lead them to own The charms of his tender controul, And with grat.i.tude gaze on His throne.

Whom to serve is the joy of the soul!

_Hymn to the Creator._

Source of all kind, all potent thought!

Thou G.o.d of Goodness, and of Power!

In Thee my soul, by trouble taught, Shall trust, as in protection's tower.

The surest friend, the safest guard, In thy sweet mercy may I see!

And solitude itself regard, As blessed intercourse with Thee!

Lord! in whose hands are life, and death, So let me live, so let me die, That love may grace my vital breath, And faith, and hope, my final sigh!

_Hymn on Charity._

Nor faith, nor hope, whate'er their force, Can aught avail the soul, Should charity not guide its course To glory's heavenly goal.

The songs of wisdom, tho' they soar To notes that seraphs swell, If she be wanting, are no more Than folly's tinkling bell.

A thousand shapes, as bright as morn, Sweet Charity a.s.sumes, And all the hues of Heaven adorn Her variegated plumes.