In summer so fragrant and gay! And they wither and die in a day. Above all the flow’rs of the field : Still how sweet a perfume it will yield ! 3. So frail is the youth and beauty of men, Tho’ they bloom and look gay like the rose ; For all our fond care to preserve them is vain ; Time kills them as fast as he goes. 4. Then I'll not be proud of my youth or my beauty, Since both of them wither and fade; But gain a good name by performing my duty : This will scent like a rose, when I'm dead. WATTS: SECTION X The Ant. Without our regard or concern : Some lessons of wisdom might learn. And for winter they lay up their stores : They manage their work in such regular forms, One would think they foresaw all the frosts and the storms, And so brought their food within doors. Nor provide against dangers in time. If I trifle away all their prime ! 4. Now, now, while my strength and my youth are in bloom, Let me think what will serve me when sickness shall come, And pray that my sins be forgiven : WATTE A morning Hymn. His proper hour to rise, Does send him round the skies. WATTS. 2. When from the chambers of the east His morning race begins, But round the world he shines. 3. So, like the sun, would I fulfil The business of the day : March on my heavenly way. Nor let my soul complain, SECTION XII. An evening hymn. 1. And now another day is gone, I'll sing my Maker's praise; His providence and grace. My sins how great their sum ! Lord, give me pardon for the past, And strength for days to come. 2. I lay my body down to sleep ; Let angels guard my head, Their watch around my bed. Since God will not remove : And in the morning let me rise, Rejoicing in his love. SECTION XIII. The winter's day. 1. WHEN raging storms deform the air, And clouds of snow descend; No deepen'd colours blend ; Bleak from the north and east, And wealth is at its ease reclin'd, Prepar’d to laugh and feast ; All dubious of his way, And dreads the parting day; WATTS. 4. When poverty in vile attire, Shrinks from the biting blast, Or hovers o'er the pigmy fire, And fears it will not last; Still closer to her breast; Scarce feels that it is press'd ; Its blessings to the poor ; SECTION XIV. Compassion and forgiveness. 1. I HEAR the voice of wo; A brother mortal mourns : My heart his sighs returns. 2. I hear the thirsty cry; The famish'd beg for bread: My hand its bounty shed.3. And shall not wrath relent, Touch'd by that humble strain, Nor will offend again ?" 4. How else, on sprightly wing, Can hope bear high my pray'r, SECTION XV. The ignorance of man. 1. BEHOLD yon new-born infant griev'd With hunger, thirst, and pain; It knows not to complain. And utters, as it can, And speak its nature--man. Life's various sorrows try, That infant, Lord, am I. BCOTT. MERRICK. 4. A childhood yet my thoughts confess, Though long in years mature ; Unknowing whence I feel distress, And where, or what, its cure. 5. Author of good ! to thee I turn : Thy ever wakeful eye Thy hand alone supply. Thy love my footsteps guide That love shall all vain loves expel ; That fear, all fears beside. 7. And oh ! by error's force subdu'd, Since oft my stubborn will Prepost'rous shuns the latent good, And grasps the specious ill; 8. Not to my wish, but to my want, Do thou thy gifts apply: SECTION XVI. The happy choice. 1. BESET with snares on ev'ry hand, In life's uncertain path I stand: To guide my doubtful footsteps right. 2. Engage this frail, and wav'ring heart, Wisely to choose the better part; For joys that never fade away. Let tempests mingle earth and skies: But all my treasures with me bear. 4. If thou, my Father! still art nigh, Cheerful I live, and peaceful die : SECTION XVII. The fall of the leaf. 1. See the leaves around us falling, Dry and wither'd to the ground; Thus to thoughtless mortals calling, In a sad and solemn sound : 2." Sons of Adam, (once in Eden,) When, like us, he blighted fell, Hear the lecture we are reading ; 'Tis, alas ! the truth .we tell. 3.“ Virgins, much, too much presuming On your boasted white and red ; View us late in beauty blooming, Number'd now among the dead. 4. Youths, though yet no losses grieve you, Gay in health and many a grace; Let not cloudless skies deceive you; Summer gives to autuin place. 5. “ Yearly in our course returning, Messengers of shortest stay; Heav'n and earth shall pass away. 6. “On the tree of life eternal, Man, let all thy hopes be stay'd; SECTION XVIII. Trust in the goodness of God. 1. Why, O my soul, why thus depress'd, And whence this anxious fear ? Let former favors fix thy trust, And check the rising tear. And press'd on every side, And was not God thy guide ? 3. Affliction is a stormy deep, Where wave resounds to wave : Though o'er my head the billows roll, I know the Lord can save. He'll reinstate my peace; Can bid the tempest cease. DR. HORNE. |