2 Let me improve the hours I have,

Before the day of grace is fled; There's no repentance in the grave,

Nor pardon offer'd to the dead. 6 Just as the tree cut down, that fell

To north or southward, there it lies; So man departs to heav'n or hell,

Fix'd in the state in which he dies.

1 THERE is beyond the sky

A heaven of joy and love;
And holy children when they die,

Go to that world above.
2 There is a dreadful hell,

And everlasting pains;
Where sinners must with devils dwell

In darkness, fire, and chains.

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3 Can such a wretch as I

Escape this cursed end?
And may I hope whene'er I die,

I shall to heav'n ascend?
4 Then will I read and pray,

While I have life and breath;
Lest I should be cut off to-day,

And sent t eternal death.

1 HAPPY the child, whose youngest years

Receive instructions well ;
Who hates the sinner's path, and fears

The road that leads to hell.
2 When we devote our youth to God,

'Tis pleasing in his eyes ;
A flow'r when offer'd in the bud,

Is no vain sacrifice.

3 'Tis easier work if we begin

To fear the Lord betimes;
While sinners that grow old in sin,

Are harden'd in their crimes. 4 'Twill save us from a thousand snares,

To mind religion young;
Grace will preserve our foll'wing years,

And make our virtue strong.
5 To thee, Almighty God, to thee,

Our childhood we resign;
'Twill please us to look back and see,

That our whole lives were thine. 6 Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise

Employ my youngest breath;
Thus I'm prepar'd for longer days,

Or fit for early death.

1 Why should I say, 'Tis yet too soon

To seek for heav'n or think of death? A flow'r may fade before 'tis noon,

And I this day may lose my breath. 2 If this rebellious heart of mine

Despise the gracious calls of heav'n, I may be harden'd in my sin,

And never have repentance giv'n. 3 What if the Lord grow wroth and swear,

While I refuse to read and pray, That he'll refuse to lend an ear

To all my groans another day? 4 What if his dreadful anger burn,

While I refuse his offer'd grace, And all his love to fury turn,

And strike me dead upon the place?

5 'Tis dang'rous to provoke a God!

His pow'r and vengeance none can tell; One stroke of his almighty rod

Shall send young sinners quick to hell. 6 Then 'twill for ever be in vain To

cry for pardon or for grace; To wish I had my time again,

Or hope to see my Maker's face.

1 What blest examples do I find

Writ in the word of truth,
Of children that began to mind

Religion in their youth!
2 Jesus who reigns above the sky,

And keeps the world in awe, Was once a child as young as I,

And kept his Father's law.

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