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JUL 26 1965 
 
SONGS, 
 
 DIVINE AND MORAL, 
 
 BY 
 
 ISAAC WATTS, D.D. 
 
 TO WHICH IS PREFIXED 
 
 A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: . 
 
 SMITH AND PECK. 
 1S44. 
 
S tereotyped by J. Fagan. 
 Printed by C. Sherman. 
 
MEMOIR 
 
 ISAJIC WATTS, D.D. 
 
 The author of this very celebrated 
 and beautiful collection of poems, was 
 a Divine by whose writings almost all 
 classes were equally benefited and 
 delighted. He composed a Catechism 
 for infants of four years of age ; the 
 following series of religious songs for 
 childhood ; and a treatise on the Im- 
 
 (5) 
 
provement of the Mind for youth. To 
 the scholar he gave his Logic, and his 
 exquisite Psalms and Hymns were writ- 
 ten for the "ordinary christian," by 
 which he might express his "peculiar 
 wants or distresses, his joys or bless- 
 ings," at once in the language of King 
 David and of a Christian. 
 
 Isaac Watts was born at South- 
 ampton, in Hampshire, on the 17th of 
 July, 1674, where his father, of the 
 same name, kept a boarding-school. 
 He was the eldest of nine children, and 
 discovered from his infancy such a pre- 
 dilection for study, that he began to 
 learn Latin at four years old ; after 
 
which, he was perfected in that tongue* 
 with those of the Greek and Hebrew 
 by Mr. Pinhorn, Master of the Free 
 School of his native city. His ability 
 at that seminary was so conspicuous, 
 that a subscription was proposed for his 
 support at the University to fit him for 
 entering the Church of England ; but 
 he declared his intention to remain with 
 the Dissenters, and in 1690 entered an 
 Academy in London taught by Mr. 
 Rowe. He was so much attached to 
 verses, that " from fifteen to fifty," as 
 he states of himself, he was accus- 
 tomed to compose them ; and in his 
 youth he was very successful in Latin 
 
poetry. His conduct under Mr. Rowe 
 was so exemplary, that he was often 
 proposed as a model for the other stu- 
 dents, and in his 19th year he was ad- 
 mitted to the communion of the Inde- 
 pendent congregation over which his 
 tutor presided. Watts' s method of 
 study was such as to combine in a few 
 books, the advantages derivable from 
 a large library ; since he used to 
 abridge and interleave them, and am- 
 plify one system by supplements from 
 another. At the age of twenty he left 
 the Academy, and spent two years in 
 study and devotion under the roof of 
 his father, whence he removed to the 
 
residence of Sir John Hartopp in 1696, 
 to become domestic tutor to his son. 
 In the course of the five years during 
 which he remained there, Isaac Watts 
 devoted himself to the study of the 
 Holy Scriptures ; and being selected as 
 assistant to Dr. Chauncey, he preached 
 for the first time on the day which com- 
 pleted his twenty-fourth year. In 1702 
 he succeeded the Doctor in his pastoral 
 charge, but being seized by a danger- 
 ous illness soon after, an assistant was 
 appointed him, and his health return- 
 ing, until 1712 he performed his duty ; 
 but he was then attacked by a fever 
 
of such strength and continuance, that 
 he never perfectly recovered from the 
 effects of it. In this state Isaac Watts 
 was received into the house of Sir 
 Thomas Abney, at Stoke Newington, 
 one of the richest supporters of the 
 Dissenting interest ; and for thirty-six 
 years experienced the kindest attention 
 from the family, for though Sir Thomas 
 died in about eight years time, he con- 
 tinued with his widow and her daugh- 
 ters to the end of his life. 
 
 In this retreat he composed and pro- 
 duced many of his excellent publica- 
 tions ; in which the extent of his 
 
capacity is shown by their variety, his 
 industry by their number, and his piety 
 in every line which is contained in 
 them. His theological treatises are 
 admirable incitements to religion, and 
 his " Improvement of the Mind," a 
 delightful conductor to intellectual per- 
 fection ; but his most universal publica- 
 tion was his Psalms and Hymns, in 
 which the strains of the " Sweet Singer 
 of Israel " were adorned with the beau- 
 ties of the Christian dispensation ; and 
 the pilgrim whose face was set Zion- 
 ward, was furnished with many a 
 melody to sing on his road to the 
 
celestial city. Nor was the ensuing 
 collection of Moral and Divine Songs 
 of any less utility ; since by it youth 
 was furnished with materials for pious 
 and instructive mirth, instead of the 
 baneful or unmeaning verses too com- 
 monly made use of. 
 
 To the end of his life Isaac Watts 
 continued the pastor of a congrega- 
 tion ; and his labours were both popu- 
 lar and efficacious, though his stature 
 was low, and he used none of the 
 familiarity and gesticulation, which 
 were not unusual with the Dissenting 
 Ministers even of his day. His dis- 
 courses, however, were marked with a 
 
gravity and propriety of delivery, by 
 pauses made at the conclusion of im- 
 portant sentences, and by a continual 
 flow of thought and language, graced 
 by a rich extemporary eloquence. 
 
 He contiued for many years to study 
 and to preach ; and in 1728 he received 
 from the Universities of Edinburgh 
 and Aberdeen, an unsolicited diploma 
 constituting him a Doctor of Divinity. 
 At length, his age prevented him from 
 discharging the more laborious part 
 of his ministerial office ; but his con- 
 gregation would not permit him to give 
 up his salary, though the good man's 
 conscience led him to offer to resign it. 
 
As his weakness continued to increase, 
 Dr. Watts became confined to his 
 chamber and to his bed ; and there, 
 gradually worn away without pain, he 
 expired ou the 25th of November, 1748, 
 at the age of seventy-five. 
 
 Few men, says Dr. Johnson — and 
 any memoir of this eminent Divine 
 will be adorned by the adoption of his 
 words — Few men have left behind 
 them such purity of character, or such 
 monuments of laborious piety. His 
 natural quickness of resentment he 
 had softened into gentleness, modesty, 
 and inoffensive conduct ; and his cha- 
 rity resigned to the poor a third part 
 
of his annual income, which in the 
 whole was not £100. The young and 
 the uneducated may safely be pleased 
 with his poems ; and happy is that 
 reader whose mind is disposed, either 
 by his prose or his verses, to imitate 
 him in his benevolence to man, or his 
 zeal and reverence to God. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Song Page 
 
 1 A General Song of Praise to God. .. . 20 
 
 2 Praise for Creation and Providence. . 24 
 
 3 Praise to God for our Redemption ... 28 
 
 4 Praise for Mercies spiritual and tem- 
 
 poral 32 
 
 5 Praise for Birth and Education in a 
 
 Christi an Land 36 
 
 6 Praise for the Gospel 40 
 
 7 The Excellency of the Bible 44 
 
 8 Against Lying 48 
 
 9 Praise to God for learning to Read. . . 52 
 
 10 Against Quarrelling and Fighting. .. 56 
 
 11 Solemn Thoughts on God and Death. 60 
 
 12 Love between Brothers and Sisters. . 64 
 
 13 The All-seeing God 68 
 
 14 Heaven and Hell v 72 
 
 2 (17) 
 
xviii CONTENTS. 
 
 Song ^ a S e 
 
 15 The Advantages of Early Religion . . 76 
 
 16 The Danger of Delay 80 
 
 17 Examples of Early Piety 84 
 
 18 Against Idleness and Mischief 88 
 
 19 Against Evil Company 92 
 
 20 Obedience to Parents 96 
 
 21 Against Scoffing and calling Names 100 
 
 22 Against Swearing and Cursing, and 
 
 taking God's name in vain 104 
 
 23 Against Pride in Clothes 108 
 
 24 The Child's Complaint 112 
 
 25 A Morning Song 110 
 
 26 An Evening Song 120 
 
 27 For the Lord's Day Morning 124 
 
 28 For the Lord's Day Evening 128 
 
 29 The Ten Commandments, and other 
 
 small Pieces 132 
 
 A SLIGHT SPECIMEN OF 
 
 MORAL SONGS. 
 1 The Sluggard 142 
 
CONTEXTS. XIX 
 
 Song Page 
 
 2 Innocent Play 146 
 
 3 The Thief. 150 
 
 4 The Ant, or Emmet -. 154 
 
 5 The Rose 158 
 
 6 Good Resolution 162 
 
 7 A Summer Evening 166 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 A Cradle Hymn 170 
 
 The Kite 176 
 
 The Ply 180 
 
 The Beggar's Petition 184 
 
 A Morning Song i 190 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG I. 
 
 A GENERAL SONG OF PRAISE TO GOD. 
 
 How glorious is our,heav'nly King, 
 Who reigns above the sky ! 
 
 How shall a child presume to sing 
 His dreadful majesty ? 
 
 How great his pow'r is, none can tell, 
 Nor think how large his grace ; 
 
 Not men below, nor saints that dwell 
 On high before his face. 
 
 (20) 
 
21 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 23 
 
 Not angels that stand round the Lord 
 Can search his secret will ; 
 
 But they perform his heav'nly word, 
 And sing his praises still. 
 
 Then let me join his holy train, 
 And my first off' rings bring ; 
 
 Th' eternal God will not disdain 
 To hear an infant sing. 
 
 My heart resolves, my tongue obeys, 
 
 And angels shall rejoice, 
 To hear their mighty Maker's praise 
 
 Sound from a feeble voice. 
 
24 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG II. 
 
 PRAISE FOR CREATION AND PROVIDENCE. 
 
 I sing th' almighty power of God, 
 ^ That made the mountains rise ; 
 That spread the flowing seas abroad, 
 And built the lofty skies. 
 
 I sing the wisdom that ordain'd 
 
 The sun to rule the day ; 
 The moon shines full at his command, 
 
 And all the stars obey. 
 
 I sing the goodness of the Lord, 
 That fill'd the earth with food ; 
 
 He form'd the creatures with his word, 
 And then pronounc'd them good. 
 
 Lord, how thy wonders are display'd 
 Where'er I turn mine eye! 
 
 If I survey the ground I tread, 
 Or gaze upon the sky ! 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 27 
 
 There 's not a plant or flow'r below, 
 But makes thy glories known; 
 
 And clouds arise, and tempests blow, 
 By order from thy throne. 
 
 Creatures (as num'rous as they be) 
 
 Are subject to thy care ; 
 There's not a place where we can flee. 
 
 But God is present there. 
 
 Inheav'n he shines with beams of love, 
 With wrath in hell beneath ! 
 
 'T is on his earth I stand or move, 
 And 'tis his air I breathe. 
 
 His hand is my perpetual guard ; 
 
 He keeps me with his eye ; 
 Why should I then forget the Lord, 
 
 Who is for ever nigh ? 
 
28 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG III. 
 
 PRAISE TO GOD FOR OUR REDEMPTION. 
 
 Blest be the wisdom and the pow'r, 
 
 The justice and the grace, 
 That join'd in council to restore 
 
 And save our ruin'd race ! 
 
 Our father ate forbidden fruit, 
 
 And from his glory fell ; 
 And we, his children, thus were brought 
 
 To death, and near to hell 
 
 Blest be the Lord, that sent his Son 
 To take our flesh and blood ; 
 
 He for our lives gave up his own, 
 To make our peace with God. 
 
 He honour' d all his Father's laws, 
 Which we have disobey'd ; 
 
 He bore our sins upon the cross, 
 And our full ransom paid. 
 
29 
 
DIVINE SONGS. dl 
 
 Behold him rising from the grave ; 
 
 Behold him rais'd on high ; 
 He pleads his merit, there to save 
 
 Transgressors doom'd to die. 
 
 There on a glorious throne he reigns, 
 
 And by his pow'r divine, 
 Redeems us from the slavish chains 
 
 Of Satan and of sin. 
 
 Thence shall the Lord to judgment 
 come; 
 
 And with a sov' reign voice 
 Shall call, and break up ev'ry tomb, 
 
 While waking saints rejoice. 
 
 O may I then with joy appear 
 
 Before the Judge's face ; 
 And with the bless' d assembly there 
 
 Sing his redeeming grace ! 
 
32 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG IV. 
 
 PRAISE FOR MERCIES SPIRITUAL AND 
 TEMPORAL. 
 
 Whene'er I take my walks abroad, 
 
 How many poor I see ! 
 What shall I render to my God 
 
 For all his gifts to me ? 
 
 Not more than others I deserve, 
 Yet God hath giv'n me more ; 
 
 For I have food while others starve, 
 Or beg from door to door. 
 
 How many children in the street 
 
 Half naked I behold ! 
 While I am cloth' d from head to feet, 
 
 And cover'd from the cold. 
 
33 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 35 
 
 While some poor wretches scarce can 
 tell 
 
 Where they may lay their head ; 
 I have a home wherein to dwell, 
 
 And rest upon my bed. 
 
 While others early learn to swear, 
 And curse, and he, and steal: 
 
 Lord, I am taught thy name to fear, 
 And do thy holy will. 
 
 Are these thy favours, day by day, 
 
 To me above the rest ? 
 Then let me love thee more than they, 
 
 And strive to serve thee best. 
 
36 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG V. 
 
 PRAISE FOR BIRTH AND EDUCATION IN 
 A CHRISTIAN LAND. 
 
 Great God, to thee my voice I raise, 
 To thee my youngest hours belong ; 
 
 I would begin my life with praise, 
 Till growing years improve the song. 
 
 'T is to thy sov' reign grace I owe, 
 That I was born on christian ground ; 
 
 Where streams of heav'nly mercy flow, 
 And words of sweet salvation sound. 
 
 I would not change my native land 
 For rich Peru, with all her gold ; 
 
 A nobler prize lies in my hand, 
 Than East or Western Indies hold. 
 
37 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 39 
 
 How do I pity those that dwell 
 
 Where ignorance and darkness 
 reigns ! 
 They know no heav'n, they fear no 
 hell, 
 Those endless joys, those endless 
 pains. 
 
 Thy glorious promises, Lord ! 
 
 Kindle my hopes, and my desire ! 
 While all the preachers of thy word 
 
 Warn me t' escape eternal fire. 
 
 Thy praise shall still employ my breath, 
 Since thou hast mark'd my way to 
 heav'n ; 
 Nor will I run the road to death, 
 And waste the blessings thou hast 
 giv'n. 
 
40 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG VI. 
 
 PRAISE FOR THE GOSPEL. 
 
 Lord, I ascribe it to thy grace, 
 And not to chance, as others do, 
 
 That I was born of Christian race, 
 And not a Heathen or a Jew. 
 
 What would the ancient Jewish kings 
 And Jewish prophets once have 
 giv'n, 
 Could they have heard those glorious 
 things, 
 Which Christ reveal'd and brought 
 from heav'n ! 
 
41 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 43 
 
 How glad the heathens would have 
 been, 
 That worshipp'd idols, wood, and 
 stone, 
 If they the book of God had seen, 
 Or Jesus and his gospel known ! 
 
 Then if this gospel I refuse, 
 How shall I e'er lift up mine eyes ! 
 
 For all the Gentiles and the Jews, 
 Against me will in judgment rise. 
 
44 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG VII. 
 
 THE EXCELLENCY OF THE BIBLE. 
 
 Geeat God, with wonder and with 
 praise 
 
 On all thy works I look : 
 But still thy wisdom, pow'r, and grace, 
 
 Shine brightest in thy book. 
 
 The stars that in their courses roll 
 Have much instruction giv'n: 
 
 But thy good word informs my soul 
 How I may climb to heav'n. 
 
 The fields provide me food, and show 
 The goodness of the Lord ; 
 
 But fruits of life and glory grow 
 In thy most holy word. 
 
45 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 47 
 
 Here are my choicest treasures hid, 
 Here my best comfort lies ; 
 
 Here my desires are satisfy' d, 
 And hence my hopes arise. 
 
 Lord, make me understand thy law, 
 Show what my faults have been ! 
 
 And from thy gospel let me draw 
 Pardon for all my sin. 
 
 Here would I learn how Christ has 
 died, 
 
 To save my soul from hell : 
 Not all the books on earth beside, 
 
 Such heav'nly wonders tell. 
 
 Then let me love my Bible more, 
 
 And take a fresh delight, 
 By day to read those wonders o'er, 
 
 And meditate by night. 
 
48 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG VIII. 
 
 AGAINST LYING. 
 
 't is a lovely thing for youth 
 To walk betimes in wisdom's way ; 
 
 To fear a lie, to speak the truth, 
 That we may trust to all they say. 
 
 But liars we can never trust, 
 
 Though they should speak the thing 
 that's true ; 
 And he that does one fault at first, 
 
 And lies to hide it, makes it two. 
 
 Have we not known, nor heard, nor 
 read, 
 
 How God abhors deceit and wrong ? 
 How Ananias was struck dead, 
 
 Caught with a lie upon his tongue ? 
 
49 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 51 
 
 So did his wife Sapphira die, 
 
 When she came in, and grew so bold 
 As to confirm that wicked lie, 
 
 Which just before, her husband told. 
 
 The Lord delights in them that speak 
 The words of truth ; but ev'ry liar 
 
 Must have his portion in the lake 
 That burns with brimstone and with 
 fire. 
 
 Then let me always watch my lips, 
 Lest I be struck to death and hell ; 
 
 Since God a book of reck'ning keeps, 
 For ev'ry he that children tell. 
 
52 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG IX. 
 
 PRAISE TO GOD FOR LEARNING TO READ. 
 
 The praises of my tongue 
 
 I offer to the Lord, 
 That I was taught, and learnt so young, 
 
 To read his holy word : 
 
 That I am brought to know 
 
 The danger I was in ; 
 By nature and by practice too, 
 
 A wretched slave to sin : 
 
 That I am led to see 
 
 I can do nothing well ; 
 And whither shall a sinner flee, 
 
 To save himself from hell ? 
 
 Dear Lord, this book of thine 
 
 Informs me where to go, 
 For grace to pardon ali my sin, 
 
 And make me holy too. 
 
53 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 55 
 
 Here I can read and learn 
 How Christ, the Son of God, 
 
 Has undertook our great concern ; 
 Our ransom cost his blood. 
 
 And now he reigns above, 
 
 He sends his spirit down, 
 To show the wonders of his love, 
 
 And make his gospel known. 
 
 O may the spirit teach, 
 And make my heart receive, 
 
 Those truths which all thy servants 
 preach, 
 And all thy saints believe ! 
 
 Then shall I praise the Lord, 
 
 In a more cheerful strain, 
 That I was taught to read his word, 
 
 And have not learnt in vain. 
 
56 DININE SONGS. 
 
 SONG X. 
 
 AGAINST QUARRELLING AND FIGHTING. 
 
 Let dogs delight to bark and bite, 
 For God hath made them so ; 
 
 Let bears and lions growl and fight, 
 For 't is their nature too. 
 
 But, children, you should never let 
 
 Such angry passions rise ; 
 Your little hands were never made 
 
 To tear each other's eyes. 
 
 Let love thro' all your actions run, 
 And all your words be mild ; 
 
 Live like the blessed Virgin's Son, 
 That sweet and lovely child. 
 
57 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 59 
 
 His soul was gentle as a lamb ; 
 
 And as his stature grew, 
 He grew in favour both with man, 
 
 And God his Father too. 
 
 Now Lord of all he reigns above, 
 And from his heav'nly throne, 
 
 He sees what children dwell in love, 
 And marks them for his own. 
 
60 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XL 
 
 SOLEMN THOUGHTS ON GOD AND DEATH. 
 
 There is a God, that reigns above, 
 Lord of the heav'ns, and earth, and 
 seas ; 
 
 I fear his wrath, I ask his love, 
 And with my lips I sing his praise. 
 
 There is a law which he has writ, 
 To teach us all what we must do ; 
 
 My soul, to his commands submit, 
 For they are holy, just, and true. 
 
 There is a gospel of rich grace, 
 
 Whence sinners all their comforts 
 draw ; 
 
 Lord, I repent, and seek thy face, 
 For I have often broke thy law. 
 
61 
 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 63 
 
 There is an hour when I must die, 
 Nor do I know how soon 'twill come ; 
 
 A thousand children, young as I, 
 Are call'd by death to hear their 
 doom. 
 
 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. 
 
 Just as a 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 wherein he dies. 
 
64 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XII. 
 
 LOVE BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 
 
 Whatever brawls disturb the street, 
 There should be peace at home ; 
 
 Where sisters dwell and brothers meet, 
 Quarrels should never come. 
 
 Birds in their little nests agree ; 
 
 And 'tis a shameful sight, 
 When children of one family 
 
 Fall out, and chide, and fight. 
 
 Hard names at first, and threat' ning 
 words, 
 
 That are but noisy breath ; 
 May grow to clubs and naked swords, 
 
 To murder and to death. 
 
65 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 67 
 
 The devil tempts one mother's son 
 
 To rage against another ; 
 So wicked Cain was hurried on, 
 
 Till he had kill'd his brother. 
 
 The wise will let their anger cool, 
 
 At least before 'tis night ; 
 But in the bosom of a fool 
 
 It burns till morning light. 
 
 Pardon, O Lord, our childish rage. 
 
 Our little brawls remove ; 
 That as we grow to riper age, 
 
 Our hearts may all be love. 
 
68 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XIII. 
 
 THE ALL-SEEING GOD. 
 
 Almighty God, thy piercing eye # 
 Strikes through the shades of night, 
 
 And our most secret actions lie 
 All open to thy sight. 
 
 There 's not a sin that we commit, 
 
 Nor wicked word we say, 
 But in thy dreadful book 'tis writ, 
 
 Against the judgment day. 
 
 And must the crimes that I have done 
 Be read and publish'd there ? 
 
 Be all expos'd before the Son, 
 While men and angels hear ? 
 
69 
 
 
 
 
 
 iig'iifllffili 
 
 
 
 
 lit: 
 
 
 
 
 ftl/l 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 71 
 
 Lord, at thy foot asham'd I lie ; 
 
 Upward I dare not look ; 
 Pardon my sins before I die, 
 
 And blot them from thy book. 
 
 Remember all the dying pains 
 
 That my Redeemer felt, 
 And let his blood wash out my stains. 
 
 And answer for my guilt. 
 
 O may I now for ever fear 
 T" indulge a sinful thought 
 
 Since the great God can see and hear. 
 And writes down every fault ! 
 
72 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XIV. 
 
 HEAVEN AND HELL. 
 
 There is beyond the sky 
 A heav'n of joy and love ; 
 
 And holy children when they die 
 Go to that world above. 
 
 There is a dreadful hell, 
 
 And everlasting pains ; 
 There sinners must with devils dwell, 
 
 In darkness, fire, and chains. 
 
 Can such a wretch as I 
 
 Escape this cursed end ? 
 And may I hope whene'er I die 
 
 I shall to heav'n ascend ? 
 
73 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 75 
 
 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. 
 
76 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XV. 
 
 THE ADVANTAGES OF EARLY RELIGION. 
 
 Happy the child whose tender years 
 
 Receive instructions well : 
 Who hates the sinner's path, and fears 
 
 The road that leads to hell. 
 
 When we devote our youth to God, 
 'Tis pleasing in his eyes; 
 
 A flower, when offer'd in the bud, 
 Is no vain sacrifice. 
 
 'Tis easier work if we begin 
 To fear the Lord betimes ; 
 
 Are harden' d in their crimes. 
 
 the 
 
DIVINE SONGS. I L J 
 
 'Twill save us from a thousand snares, 
 
 To mind religion young : 
 Grace will preserve our foil' wing years, 
 
 And make our virtue strong. 
 
 To thee, Almighty God, to thee 
 
 Our childhood we resign ; 
 'Twill please us to look back and see 
 
 That our whole lives were thine. 
 
 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. 
 
80 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XVI. 
 
 THE DANGER OF DELAY. 
 
 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. 
 
 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 ! # 
 
 What if the Lord grow wrath and 
 swear, 
 
 While I refuse to read and pray, 
 That he '11 refuse to lend an ear 
 
 To all my groans another day ! 
 
81 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 83 
 
 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. 
 
 'T is 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. 
 
 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. 
 
84 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XVII. 
 
 EXAMPLES OF EARLY PIETY. 
 
 What bless'd examples do I find, 
 
 Writ in the word of truth, 
 Of children that began to mind 
 
 Religion in their youth ! 
 
 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. 
 
 At twelve years old he talk'd with men, 
 (The Jews all wond'ring stand,) 
 
 Yet he obey'd his mother then, 
 And came at her command. 
 
85 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 87 
 
 Children a sweet hosanna sung, 
 And bless'd their Saviour's name ; 
 
 They gave him honour with their 
 tongue, 
 While scribes and priests blaspheme. 
 
 Samuel, the child, was wean'd and 
 brought 
 
 To wait upon the Lord ; 
 Young Timothy betimes was taught 
 
 To know his holy word. 
 
 Then why should I so long delay 
 What others learnt so soon ? 
 
 I would not pass another day 
 Without this work begun. 
 
88 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XVIII. 
 
 AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF. 
 
 How doth the little busy bee 
 Improve each shining hour, 
 
 And gather honey all the day 
 From ev'ry op'ning flower ! 
 
 How skilfully she builds her cell ! 
 
 How neat she spreads the wax ! 
 And labours hard to store it well 
 
 With the sweet food she makes. 
 
 In works of labour, or of skill, 
 
 I would be busy too ; 
 For Satan finds some mischief still 
 
 For idle hands to do. 
 
89 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 91 
 
 In books, or works, or healthful play, 
 Let my first years be past ; 
 
 That I may give for every day 
 Some good account at last. 
 
92 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XIX. 
 
 AGAINST EVIL COMPANY. 
 
 Why should I join with those in play, 
 
 In whom I 've no delight ; 
 Who curse and swear, but never pray; 
 
 Who call ill names and fight ? 
 
 I hate to hear a wanton song ; 
 
 The words offend my ears : 
 1 should not dare defile my tongue 
 
 With language such as theirs. 
 
 Away from fools I '11 turn mine eyes ; 
 
 Nor with the scoffers go ; 
 I would be walking with the wise, 
 
 That wiser I may grow. 
 
93 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 95 
 
 From one rude boy that's us'd to 
 mock, 
 
 They learn the wicked jest : 
 One sickly sheep infects the flock, 
 
 And poisons all the rest. 
 
 My God, I hate to walk or dwell 
 
 With sinful children here : 
 Then let me not be sent to hell, 
 
 Where none but sinners are. 
 
96 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XX. 
 
 OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS. 
 
 Let children that would fear the Lord. 
 
 Hear what their teachers say ; 
 With rev'rence meet their parents' 
 word, 
 
 And with delight obey. 
 
 Have you not heard what dreadful 
 plagues 
 
 Are threaten'd by the Lord, 
 To him that breaks his father's law, 
 
 Or mocks his mother's word ? 
 
 What heavy guilt upon him lies ! 
 
 How cursed is his name ! 
 The ravens shall pick out his eyes, 
 
 And eagles eat the same. 
 
07 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 But those that worship God, and give 
 
 Their parents honour due, 
 Here on this earth they long shall live, 
 
 And live hereafter too. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XXI. 
 
 AGAINST SCOFFING AND CALLING 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 Our tongues were made to bless the 
 Lord, 
 
 And not speak ill of men ; 
 When others give a railing word, 
 
 We must not rail again. 
 
 Cross words and angry names require 
 
 To be chastis'd at school ; 
 And he 's in danger of hell-fire 
 
 That calls his brother, Fool. 
 
 But lips that dare be so profane, 
 To mock, and jeer, and scoff 
 
 At holy things, or holy men, 
 The Lord shall cut them off. 
 
101 
 
 
 Blliilfl 
 
 
 
 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 103 
 
 When children, in their wanton play, 
 
 Serv'd old Elisha so; 
 And bid the prophet go his way, 
 
 " Go up, thou bald-head, go !" 
 
 God quickly stopp'd their wicked 
 breath, 
 And sent two raging bears, 
 That tore them limb from limb to 
 death, 
 With blood, and groans, and tears. 
 
 Great God, how terrible art thou 
 
 To sinners e'er so young ! 
 Grant me thy grace, and teach me how 
 
 To tame and rule my tongue. 
 
104 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XXII. 
 
 AGAINST SWEARING AND CURSING, AND 
 TAKING GOD'S NAME IN VAIN. 
 
 Angels, that high in glory dwell, 
 Adore thy name, Almighty God ; 
 
 And devils tremble down in hell, 
 Beneath the terrors of thy rod : 
 
 And yet how wicked children dare 
 
 Abuse thy dreadful, glorious name ! 
 And when they 're angry how they 
 swear, 
 And curse their fellows, and blas- 
 pheme ; 
 
 How will they stand before thy face, 
 Who treated thee with such disdain ; 
 
 While thou shalt doom them to the 
 place 
 Of everlasting fire and pain ! 
 
105 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 107 
 
 Then never shall one cooling drop 
 To quench their burning tongues be 
 giv'n ; 
 
 But I will praise thee here, and hope 
 Thus to employ my tongue in heav'n. 
 
 My heart shall be in pain to hear 
 Wretches affront the Lord above : 
 
 'Tis that great God whose pow'r I 
 fear ; 
 That heav'nly Father whom I love. 
 
 If my companions grow profane, 
 I'll leave their friendship when I hear 
 
 Young sinners take thy name in vain, 
 And learn to curse and learn to 
 
108 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XXIII. 
 
 AGAINST PRIDE IN CLOTHES. 
 
 Why should our garments, made to 
 
 hide 
 Our parents' shame, provoke our 
 
 pride ? 
 The art of dress did ne'er begin 
 Till Eve, our mother, learnt to sin. 
 
 When first she put the cov'ring on 
 Her robe of innocence was gone ; 
 And yet her children vainly boast 
 In the sad marks of glory lost. 
 
 How proud we are ! how fond to show 
 Our clothes, and call them rich and 
 
 new ! 
 When the poor sheep and silk-worm 
 
 wore 
 That very clothing long before ! 
 
109 
 
DIVINE SONGS. Ill 
 
 The tulip and the butterfly- 
 Appear in gayer coats than I : 
 Let me be drest fine as I will, 
 Flies, worms and flow'rs exceed me still. 
 
 Then will I set my heart to find 
 Inward adornings of the mind : 
 Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace, 
 These are the robes of richest dress. 
 
 No more shall worms with me compare; 
 This is the raiment angels wear ; 
 The Son of God, when here below, 
 Put on this blest apparel too. 
 
 It never fades' it ne'er grows old, 
 Nor fears the rain, nor moth nor mould ; 
 It takes no spot, but still refines ; 
 The more 'tis worn, the more it shines. 
 
 In this on earth should I appear, 
 Then go to heav'n and wear it there ; 
 God will approve it in his sight ; 
 'T. is his own work, and his delight. 
 
112 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XXIV. 
 
 THE CHILD'S COMPLAINT. % 
 
 Why should I love my sport so well, 
 
 So constant at my play ; 
 And lose the thoughts of heav'n and 
 hell, 
 
 And then forget to pray ? 
 
 What do I read my Bible for, 
 But, Lord, to learn thy will? 
 
 And shall I daily know thee more, 
 And less obey thee still ? 
 
 How senseless is my heart, and wild ! 
 
 How vain are all my thoughts' 
 Pity the weakness of a child, 
 
 And pardon all my faults. 
 
113 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 115 
 
 Make me thy heav'nly voice to hear, 
 
 And let me love to pray ; 
 Since God will lend a gracious ear 
 
 To what a child can say. 
 
116 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XXV. 
 
 A MORNING SONG. 
 
 My God, who makes the sun to know 
 
 His proper hour to rise, 
 And, to give light to all below, 
 
 Doth send him round the skies. 
 
 When from the chambers of the East 
 
 His morning race begins ; 
 He never tires, nor stops to rest, 
 
 But round the world he shines ; 
 
 So, like the sun, would I fulfil 
 
 The business of the day ; 
 Begin my work betimes, and still 
 
 March on my heav'nly way. 
 
117 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 119 
 
 Give me, O Lord ! thy early grace, 
 
 Nor let my soul complain, 
 That the young morning of my days 
 
 Has all been spent in vain. 
 
120 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XXVI. 
 
 AN EVENING SONG. 
 
 And now another day is gone, 
 I '11 sing my Maker's praise ; 
 
 My comforts ev'ry hour make known 
 His providence and grace. 
 
 But how my childhood runs to waste ! 
 
 My sins how great their sum ! 
 Lord, give me pardon for the past, 
 
 And strength for days to come. 
 
 I lay my body down to sleep ; 
 
 Let angels guard my head, 
 And through the hours of darkness keep 
 
 Their watch around my bed. 
 
121 
 
DIVINE SONGS* 123 
 
 With cheerful heart I close mine eyes, 
 Since thou wilt not remove ; 
 
 And in the morning let me rise 
 Rejoicing in thy love. 
 
124 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XXVII. 
 
 FOR THE LOKD'S-DAY MORNING. 
 
 This is the day when Christ arose 
 
 So early from the dead ; 
 Why should I keep my eye-lids clos'd, 
 
 And waste my hours in bed ? 
 
 This is the day when Jesus broke 
 The pow'r of death and bell ; 
 
 And shall I still wear Satan's yoke, 
 And love my sins so well ? 
 
 To-day with pleasure Christians meet, 
 To pray and hear thy word ; 
 
 And I would go with cheerful feet 
 To learn thy will, O Lord. 
 
125 
 
DITINE SONGS. 127 
 
 I '11 leave my sport to read and pray, 
 And so prepare for heav'n ; 
 
 may I love this blessed day 
 The best of all the sev'n. 
 
128 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 SONG XXVIII. 
 
 FOR THE LORD'S-DAY EVENING. 
 
 Lord, how delightful 'tis to see 
 A whole assembly worship thee ! 
 At once they sing, at once they pray ; 
 They hear of heav'n, and learn the 
 way. 
 
 I have been there, and still would go, 
 'Tis like a little heav'n below: 
 Not all my pleasure and my play 
 Shall tempt me to forget this day. 
 
 O write upon my mem'ry, Lord, 
 The texts and doctrines of thy word ; 
 That I may break thy laws no more, 
 But love thee better than before. 
 
129 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 131 
 
 With thoughts of Christ and things 
 
 divine, 
 Fill up this foolish heart of mine ; 
 That hoping pardon through his blood, 
 I may lie down and wake with God. 
 
132 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, 
 
 Out of the Old Testament, put into short 
 Rhyme for Children. Exodus, Chap. xx. 
 
 1 Thou shalt not have more Gods 
 
 but me. 
 
 2 Before no idol bow thy knee. 
 
 3 Take not the name of God in vain. 
 
 4 Nor dare the sabbath-day profane. 
 
 5 Give both thy parents honour due. 
 
 6 Take heed that you no murder do. 
 
 7 Abstain from words and deeds un- 
 
 clean. 
 
 8 Nor steal, tho' thou art poor and 
 
 mean. 
 
 9 Nor make a wilful he, nor love it. 
 10 What is thy neighbour's, dare not 
 
 covet. 
 
133 
 
 I If ||§| 
 
 I 
 
DIVINE soNas. 135 
 
 THE SUM OF THE COMMAND- 
 MENTS, 
 
 Out of the New Testament. Matthew 
 xxii. 37. 
 
 With all thy soul love God above, 
 And as thyself thy neighbour love. 
 
 OUR SAVIOUR'S GOLDEN 
 RULE. 
 
 Matt. vii. 12. 
 
 Be you to others kind and true ; 
 As you 'd have others do to you ; 
 And neither do nor say to men 
 Whate'er you would not take again. 
 
136 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 DUTY TO GOD AND OUR 
 NEIGHBOUR. 
 
 Love God with all your soul and 
 strength, 
 
 With all your heart and mind : 
 And love your neighbour as yourself, 
 
 Be faithful, just, and kind. 
 
 Deal with another as you 'd have 
 
 Another deal with you ; 
 What you're unwilling to receive 
 
 Be sure you never do. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 137 
 
 Out of my Book of HYMNS I have here 
 added the Hosanna, and Glory to the Fa- 
 ther, &c. to be sung at the end of any 
 of these Songs, according to the direction 
 of Parents or Governors. 
 
 The HOSANNA; or, SALVA- 
 TION ASCRIBED to CHRIST. 
 
 LONG- METRE. 
 
 Hosanna to king David's Son ! 
 Who reigns on a superior throne ; 
 We bless the Prince of heav'nly birth, 
 Who brings salvation down on earth. 
 
 Let ev'ry nation, ev'ry age, 
 In this delightful work engage ; 
 Old men and babes in Sion sing 
 The growing glories of her King ! 
 
138 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 COMMON METRE. 
 
 Hosanna to the Prince of grace, 
 
 Sion, behold thy King ! 
 Proclaim the Son of David's race, 
 
 And teach the babes to sing. 
 
 Hosanna to th' eternal Word, 
 Who from the Father came ; 
 
 Ascribe salvation to the Lord, 
 With blessings on his name. 
 
 SHORT METRE. 
 
 Hosanna to the Son 
 
 Of David and of God, 
 Who brought the news of pardon down, 
 
 And bought it with his blood. 
 
 To Christ th' anointed King, 
 
 Be endless blessing giv'n ; 
 Let the whole earth his glories sing, 
 
 Who made our peace with heav'n. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 139 
 
 GLORY TO THE FATHER 
 AND THE SON, &c. 
 
 LONG- METRE. 
 
 To God the Father, God the Son, 
 And God the Spirit, three in One ; 
 Be honour, praise, and glory giv'n, 
 By all on earth, and all in heaven. 
 
 COMMON METRE. 
 
 Now let the Father and the Son, 
 
 And Spirit be ador'd, 
 Where there are works to make him 
 known, 
 
 Or saints to love the Lord. 
 
 SHORT METRE. 
 
 Give to the Father praise, 
 
 Give glory to the Son ; 
 And to the Spirit of his grace 
 
 Be equal honour done. 
 
A 
 
 SLIGHT SPECIMEN 
 
 OF 
 
 MORAL SONGS. 
 
 Such as I wish some happy and condescending Genius 
 would undertake for the use of Children, and perform 
 much better. 
 
 The sense and subjects might be 
 borrowed plentifully from the Proverbs 
 of Solomon, from all the common ap- 
 pearances of nature, from all occur- 
 rences in civil life, both in city and 
 country ; (winch would also afford 
 matter for other Divine Songs.) Here 
 the language and measures should be 
 (140) 
 
MORAL SONGS. 141 
 
 easy and flowing with cheerfulness, 
 with or without the solemnities of reli- 
 gion, or the sacred names of God and 
 holy things; that children might find 
 delight and profit together. 
 
 This would be one effectual way to 
 deliver them from the temptation of 
 loving or learning those idle, wanton, 
 or profane songs, which give so early 
 an ill taint to the fancy and memory ; 
 and become the seeds of future vices. 
 
MORAL SONGS. 
 
 SONG I. 
 
 THE SLUGGARD. 
 
 T'is the voice of a sluggard ; I heard him 
 complain, 
 
 " You 've wak'd me too soon, I must slum- 
 ber again ;" 
 
 As the door on its hinjres, so he on his bed, 
 
 Turns his sides and his shoulders and his 
 heavy head. 
 
 " A little more sleep, and a little more 
 
 slumber;" 
 Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours 
 
 without number; 
 And when he gets up he sits folding his 
 
 hands, 
 Or walks about saunt'ring, or trifling he 
 
 stands : 
 
 (142) 
 
143 
 
MORAL SONGS. 145 
 
 I pass'd by his garden, and saw the wild 
 
 briar, * 
 The thorn and the thistle grow broader and 
 
 higher ; 
 The clothes that hang on him are turning 
 
 to rags; 
 And his money still wastes till he starves 
 
 or he begs. 
 
 I made him a visit, still hoping to find 
 
 He bad took better care for improving the 
 
 mind ; 
 He told me his dreams, talk'd of eating and 
 
 drinking, 
 But he scarce reads his Bible, and never 
 
 loves thinking. 
 
 Said I then to my heart, " Here 's a lesson 
 
 for me ;" 
 That man 's but a picture of what I might 
 
 be; 
 But thanks to my friends for their care in 
 
 my breeding, 
 Who taught me betimes to love working 
 
 and reading. 
 
 10 
 
146 MORAL SONGS. 
 
 SONG II. 
 
 INNOCENT PLAY. 
 
 Abroad in the meadows, to see the 
 
 young lambs 
 Run sporting about by the side of their 
 
 dams, 
 With fleeces so clean and so white ; 
 Or a nest of young doves in a large 
 
 open cage, 
 When they play all in love, without 
 
 anger or rage, 
 How much may we learn from the 
 
 sight ! 
 
 If we had been ducks, we might dab- 
 ble in mud ; 
 
 Or dogs, we might play till it ended in 
 blood ; 
 
147 
 
MORAL SONGS. 149 
 
 So foul and so fierce are their na- 
 tures ; 
 
 ut Thomas and William, and such 
 pretty names, 
 Should be cleanly and harmless as 
 doves, or as lambs, 
 
 Those lovely, sweet innocent crea- 
 tures. 
 
 Not a thing that we do, nor a word 
 that we say, 
 
 Should injure another in jesting or 
 play; 
 For he 's still in earnest that 's hurt : 
 
 How rude are the boys that throw peb- 
 bles and mire ! 
 
 There's none but a madman will throw 
 about fire, 
 And tell you, " 'tis all but in sport." 
 
150 MORAL SONGS. 
 
 SONG III. 
 
 THE THIEF. 
 
 Why should I deprive my neighbour 
 Of his goods against his will ? 
 
 Hands were made for honest labour, 
 Not to plunder or to steal. 
 
 'Tis a foolish self-deceiving 
 
 By such tricks to hope for gain ; 
 All that's ever got by thieving 
 
 Turns to sorrow, shame, and pain. 
 
 % 
 Have not Eve and Adam taught us 
 
 Their sad profit to compute ? 
 To what a dismal state they brought us 
 
 When they stole forbidden fruit ! 
 
151 
 
MORAL SONGS. 153 
 
 Oft we see a young beginner 
 Practise little pill'' ring ways, 
 
 Till grown up a harden' d sinner; 
 Then the gallows ends his days. 
 
 Theft will not be always hidden, 
 Though we fancy none can spy ; 
 
 When we take a thing forbidden, 
 God beholds it with his eye. 
 
 Guard my heart, God of heaven 
 Lest I covet what 's not mine : 
 
 Lest I steal what is not given, 
 Guard my heart and hands from sin. 
 
154 MORAL SONGS. 
 
 SONG IV. 
 
 THE ANT, OK. EMMET. 
 
 These Emmets, how little they are in our 
 
 eyes ! 
 We tread them to dust and a troop of them 
 dies, 
 Without our regard or concern : 
 Yet, as wise as we are, if we went to their 
 
 school, 
 There 's many a sluggard, and many a fool 
 Some lessons of wisdom might learn. 
 
 They wear not their time out in sleeping 
 
 or play, 
 But gather up corn in a sun-shiny day, 
 
 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. 
 
155 
 
MORAL SONGS. 157 
 
 But I have less sense than a poor creeping 
 
 ant, 
 If I take not due care for the things I shall 
 want, 
 Nor provide against dangers in time : 
 When death or old age shall stare in my 
 
 face, 
 What a wretch shall I be in the end of my 
 dajys. 
 If I 'trifle away all my prime ! 
 
 Now, riow, while my strength and my youth 
 are in bloom, 
 
 Let nig think what will serve when sick- 
 ness shall come, 
 And pray that my sins be forgiv'n : 
 
 Let me read in good books, and believe and 
 obey, 
 
 That when death turns me out of this cot- 
 tage of clay, 
 I may dwell in a palace in heav'n. 
 
158 MORAL SONaS. 
 
 SONG V. 
 
 THE ROSE. 
 
 How fair is the rose ! what a beautiful 
 flow'r ! 
 The glory of April aud May ! 
 But the leaves are beginning to fade in 
 an hour, 
 And they wither and die in a day. 
 
 Yet the rose has one powerml virtue to 
 boast, 
 Above all the flow'rs of the field : 
 When its leaves are all dead, and fine 
 colours are lost, 
 Still how sweet a perfume it will 
 yield ! 
 
159 
 
MORAL SONGS. 161 
 
 So frail is the youth and the beauty of 
 men, 
 Tho' they bloom and look gay like 
 the rose ; 
 But all our fond care to preserve them 
 is'vain, 
 Time kills them as fast as he goes. 
 
 Then I '11 not be proud of my youth or 
 my beauty, 
 Since both of them wither and fade ; 
 But gain a good name by well-doing 
 my duty ; 
 This will scent like a rose when I'm 
 dead. 
 
162 MORAL SONGS. 
 
 SONG VI. 
 
 GOOD RESOLUTION. 
 
 Though I'm now in younger years, 
 Nor can tell what shall befall me, 
 
 I'll prepare for every place, 
 
 Where my growing age shall call me. 
 
 Should I e'er be rich or great, 
 
 Others shall partake my goodness; 
 
 I '11 supply the poor with meat, 
 
 Never showing scorn nor rudeness. 
 
 Where I see the blind or lame, 
 Deaf or dumb, I'll kindly treat them ; 
 
 I deserve to feel the same, 
 If I mock, or hurt, or cheat them. 
 
 If I meet with railing tongues, 
 Why should I return them railing ; 
 
 Since I best revenge my wrongs 
 By my patience never failing ! 
 
 When I hear them telling lies, 
 Talking foolish, cursing, swearing ; 
 
163 
 
MORAL SONGS. 165 
 
 First I '11 try to make them wise, 
 Or I '11 soon go out of hearing. 
 
 What though I be low and mean, 
 I '11 engage the rich to love me ; 
 
 While I 'm modest, neat and clean, 
 And submit when they reprove me. 
 
 If I should be poor and sick, 
 I shall meet, I hope, with pity ; 
 
 Since I love to help the weak, 
 Though they're neither fair nor witty. 
 
 I '11 not willingly offend, 
 
 Nor be easily offended ; 
 What 's amiss I '11 strive to mend, 
 
 And endure what can't be mended. 
 May I be so watchful still, 
 
 O'er my humours and my passion, 
 As to speak and do no ill, 
 
 Though it should be all the fashion. 
 
 Wicked fashions lead to hell, 
 Ne'er may I be found complying ; 
 
 But in life behave so well, 
 Not to be afraid of dying. 
 
166 MORAL SONGS. 
 
 SONG VII. 
 
 A SUMMER EVENING. 
 
 How fine has the day been, how bright 
 
 was the sun ! 
 How lovely and joyful the course that 
 
 he run ! 
 Though he rose in a mist when his race 
 
 he begun, 
 And there follow' d some droppings 
 
 of rain ! 
 But now the fair traveller's come to 
 
 the west, 
 His rays are all gold, and his beauties 
 
 are best ; 
 He paints the sky gay as he sinks to 
 
 his rest, 
 And foretells a bright rising again. 
 
167 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 H I Bfilii 
 
 
 - W\P\ fcJIti 
 
 |M|| 
 
 
 rfj 
 
 m 
 
 --J 
 
 1 
 
MORAL SONGS. 169 
 
 Just such is the Christian ; his course 
 
 he begins, 
 Like the sun in a mist, while he mourns 
 
 for his sins, 
 And melts into tears ; then he breaks 
 
 out and shines, 
 And travels his heav'nly way : 
 But when he comes nearer to finish his 
 
 race, 
 Like a fine setting sun he looks richer 
 
 in grace, 
 And gives a sure hope at the end of his 
 
 days, 
 Of rising in brighter array. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 A CRADLE HYMX. 
 
 The word brother, sister, nurse, neighbour, &c. may be 
 substituted in this Hymn, instead of the word mother. 
 
 Hush ! my dear, lie still and slumber, 
 Holy angels guard thy bed ! 
 
 Heav'nly blessings without number 
 Gently falling on thy head. 
 
 Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment, 
 House and home thy friends provide ; 
 
 All without thy care or payment, 
 All thy wants are well supply'd. 
 (170) 
 
171 
 
APPENDIX. 173 
 
 How much better thou 'rt attended 
 Than the Son of God could be ; 
 
 When from heaven he descended, 
 And became a child like thee ! 
 
 Soft and easy is thy cradle ; 
 
 Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay : 
 When his birth-place was a stable, 
 
 And his softest bed was hay. 
 
 Blessed babe ! what glorious features, 
 Spotless fair, divinely bright ! 
 
 Must he dwell with brutal creatures 1 
 How could angels bear the sight ? 
 
 Was there nothing but a manger, 
 Cursed sinners could afford, 
 
 To receive the heav'nly stranger? 
 Did they thus affront the Lord ? 
 
174 APPENDIX. 
 
 Soft, my child 1 I did not chide thee, 
 Though my song might sound too 
 hard ; 
 
 'Tis thy mother sits beside thee, 
 And her arms shall be thy guard. 
 
 Yet to read the shameful story, 
 How the Jews abus'd their King; 
 
 How they serv'd the Lord of glory, 
 Makes me angry while I sing. 
 
 See the kinder shepherds round him, 
 Telling wonders from the sky ! 
 
 Where they sought him, there they 
 found him, 
 With his Virgin- Mother by. 
 
 See the lovely babe a-dressing, 
 Lovely infant, how he smil'd ! 
 
 When he wept, the mother's blessing 
 Sooth'd and hush'd the holy child. 
 
APPENDIX. 175 
 
 Lo ! he slumbers in a manger, 
 Where the horned oxen fed : 
 
 Peace, my darling ! here's no danger, 
 Here 's no ox a-near thy bed. 
 
 'Twas to save thee, child, from dying, 
 Save my dear from burning flame, 
 
 Bitter groans and endless crying, 
 That thy blest Redeemer came. 
 
 May'st thou live to know and fear him, 
 Trust and love him all thy days ; 
 
 Then go dwell for ever near him, 
 See his face and sing his praise ! 
 
 I could give thee thousand kisses, 
 Hoping what I most desire ; 
 
 JN^ot a mother's fondest wishes 
 Can to greater joys aspire. 
 
176 APPENDIX. 
 
 THE KITE, OR PRIDE MUST HAVE A FALL. 
 
 Once on a time, a Paper Kite 
 Was mounted to a wond'rous height, 
 Where, giddy with its elevation, 
 It thus express'd self-admiration : 
 " See how yon crowds of gazing people 
 Admire my flight above the steeple ; 
 How would they wonder, if they knew 
 All that a Kite, like me, could do? 
 Were I but free, I 'd take a flight, 
 And pierce the clouds beyond their 
 
 sight ; 
 But, ah ! like a poor pris'ner bound, - 
 My string confines me near the ground; 
 I 'd brave the eagle's tow'ring wing, 
 Might I but fly without a stri?ig." 
 It tugg'd and pull'd, while thus it 
 
 spoke, 
 To break the string — at last it broke ! 
 Depriv'd at once of all its stay, 
 In vain it try'd to soar away : 
 
177 
 
 12 
 
APPENDIX. 179 
 
 Unable its own weight to bear, 
 It flutter'd downward through the air; 
 Unable its own course to guide, 
 The winds soon plung'd it in the tide. 
 Oh ! foolish Kite, thou had'st no wing, 
 How could' st thou fly without a string ! 
 
 My heart reply'd, " Lord, I see 
 How much the Kite resembles me .' 
 Forgetful that by thee I stand, 
 Impatient of thy ruling hand ; 
 How oft I 've wished to break the lines 
 Thy wisdom for my lot assigns ! 
 How oft indulg'd a vain desire 
 For something more, or something 
 
 higher ! 
 And but for grace and love divine, 
 A fall thus dreadful had been mine." 
 
180 
 
 Prithee, little buzzing Fly, 
 Eddying round my taper — why 
 Is it that its quiv'ring light, 
 Dazzling, captivates thy sight ? 
 Bright my taper is, 'tis true : 
 Trust me, 't is too bright for you. 
 'T is a shame, fond thing beware ; 
 'T is a flame, you cannot bear : 
 Touch it, and 'tis instant fate ; 
 Take my counsel ere too late ; 
 Buzz no longer round and round, 
 Settle on the wall or ground ; 
 Sleep till morning — with the day 
 Rise and use your wings you may , 
 Use 'em then — of danger clear — 
 Wait 'till morning ; do, my dear. 
 
 Lo ! my counsel nought avails, 
 Round, and round, and round it sails ' 
 
181 
 
183 
 
 Sails with idle unconcern — 
 Prithee, trifler, canst thou burn ? 
 Madly heedless as thou art, 
 Know thy danger and depart. 
 Why persist ? — I plead in vain ; 
 Sing'd it falls, and writhes in pain. 
 
 Is not this, deny who can, 
 Is not this a draft of man ? 
 Like the fly he rashly tries 
 Pleasure's burning sphere, and dies. 
 Vain the friendly caution : still 
 He rebels : alas ! and will. 
 What I sing let Pride apply, 
 Flies are weak ; and man 's a fly. 
 
184 APPENDIX. 
 
 THE BEGGAR S PETITION. 
 
 Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, 
 
 Whose trembling limbs have borne him to your 
 
 door, 
 Whose days are dwindled to the shortest span, 
 Oh 1 give relief, and heav'n will bless your store. 
 
 These tatter'd clothes my poverty bespeak, 
 These hoary locks proclaim my lengthen'd years; 
 And many a furrow in my grief-worn cheek 
 Has been the channel to a flood of tears. 
 
 Yon house, erected on the rising ground, 
 With tempting aspect drew me from my road ; 
 For plenty there a residence has found, 
 And grandeur a magnificent abode. 
 
 Hard is the fate of the infirm and poor ! 
 Here, as 1 crav'd a morsel of their bread, 
 A pamper'd menial drove me from the door, 
 To seek a shelter in an hnmbler shed. 
 
 Oh ! take me to your hospitable dome ; 
 Keen blows the wind, and piercing is the cold ; 
 Short is my passace to the friendly tomb, 
 For 1 am poor and miserably old. 
 
185 
 
APPENDIX. 187 
 
 Should I reveal the sources of my grief. 
 If soft humanity e'er touch'd your breast, 
 Your hands would not withhold the kind relief, 
 And tears of pity would not be represt. 
 
 Heaven sends misfortunes ; why should we re- 
 pine 1 
 'Tis heaven has brought me to the state you see; 
 And your condition may be soon like mine, 
 The child of sorrow and of misery. 
 
 A little farm was my paternal lot, 
 Then like the lark I sprightly hail'd the morn; 
 But, ah ! oppression forc'd mo from my cot, 
 My cattle died, and blighted was my corn 
 
 My daughter, once the comfort of my age, 
 Lur'd by a villain from her native home, 
 Is cast abandon 'd on the world's wide stage, 
 And doom'd in scanty poverty to roam. 
 
 My tender wife, sweet soother of my care. 
 Struck with sad anguish at the stern decree. 
 Fell, ling'ring fell, a victim to despair, 
 And left the world to wretchedness and me. 
 
 Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, 
 
 Whose trembling limbs have borne him to your 
 
 door, 
 Whose days are dwindled to the shortest span, 
 Oh ! give relief, and heaven will bless your store. 
 
188 
 
 A MORNING SONG. 
 
 Once more, my soul, the rising day 
 
 Salutes thy waking eyes, 
 Once more, my voice, thy tribute pay 
 
 To him who rules the skies. 
 
 Night unto night his name repeats, 
 The day renews the sound, 
 
 Wide as the heav'n on which he sits 
 To turn the seasons round. 
 
 'Tis he supports my mortal frame ; 
 
 My tongue shall speak his praise ; 
 My sins would rouse his wrath to flame, 
 
 And yet his wrath delays. 
 
 On a poor worm thy pow'r might tread, 
 And I could ne'er withstand ; 
 
 Thy justice might have crush'd me 
 dead, 
 But mercy held thy hand. 
 
189 
 
APPENDIX. 191 
 
 A thousand wretched souls are fled 
 
 Since the last setting sun ; 
 And yet thou length' nest out my 
 thread, 
 
 And yet my moments run. 
 
 Dear God, let all my hours be thine, 
 
 Whilst I enjoy the light ; 
 Then shall my sun in smiles decline 
 
 And bring a pleasant night. 
 
 THE END 
 
MINIATURE 
 
 Jiff VIE WHILES, 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 SMITH & FECK, 
 
 PHILADELPHIA. 
 Each, containing 48 Plates* 
 
 LITTLE PICTURE BIBLE. 
 
 LITTLE PICTURE TESTAMENT. 
 
 LITTLE ROBINSON CRUSOE. 
 
 THE LITTLE ESOP. 
 
 WATTS' DIVINE AND MORAL SONGS. 
 
 LITTLE POEMS. 
 
 CHILD'S NATURAL HISTORY OF 
 
 BEASTS. 
 CHILD'S NATURAL HISTORY OF 
 
 BIRDS. 
 
 Hi* Several new volumes of this popular 
 series are in active preparation.