SELECT PSALMSJ CHRISTMAS HYMNS, AND OTHER Devotional and Sentimental Pieces, BY WILLIAM CHRISTIE. Author of Jescs the Messiah, &c. A Sacred Poem in seven Cantos, and other pubUcations in Prose and Verse. While I live^ I will praise the Lord : I will sing praises unto my God, while I have any being. When the fulness of the time was cofue^ God sent forth his \^ Son made of a woman. "^he Memory of the Just is blest. PHILADELPHIA: Printed by M^Carty & Davis, Printers and Booksellers, No. 204, Market Street, 1821, EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, to wit : Be it remembered. That on the sixth day of July, in the forty-sixth ♦♦«+**♦***♦ vear of the Independnce of the United States ot America, I L. S. I A. D. 1821, WiUiam Christie, of the said district, hath de- *********** posited in this office, the title of a book the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit: " Select Psalms, Christmas Hymns, and other Devotional and Senti- " mental Pieces, by William Christie. Author of Jesus the Messiah, •' &c. A Sacred Poem in seven Cantos, and other publications in *' Prose and Verse. While I live I will praise the Lord : I will sing •' praises unto my God ; while I have any being. When the fulness of " the time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman. The " memory of the just is blest. In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, in- tituled, " An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned." And also to the act, entitled, " An Act supplementary to an act, entitled, *An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of de- sifijnine, enei'aving, and etching historical and other prints." D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PREFACE. THE Collection of Sacred Odes or Hymns styled Psalms has been deservedly esteemed by devout and serious minds in all ages, since their first appearance in Hebrew. The ancient Is- raelites had a national music of their own. We find prefixed to several Psalms the following words : " To the chief Musi- cian." At this distance of time we cannot precisely conceive what effect these Psalms must have had upon the minds of the hearers when sung in the original, national language by able performers, and accompanied with every variety of instrumental music. If they appear to us so beautiful in a literal prose translation, or when turned into verse by a good poet, and sung in our churches, either, vocally, or joined with the solemn sound of the organ ; how astonishing, how transporting must their effect have been upon the natives of Judea, when chanted or sung in the manner before described. The Hebrew Bards, excel all other ancient poets, in dignity of subject, sublimity united with simplicity of expression, true pathos, and unaffected elegance. In a word, no man of real taste, and intelligence, can read these animated compositions, with- out discovering at once, that the Nation from which they came must have had an immediate communication with the Deity, that no other nation was favoured with, either before or after. In the Psalms we find express mention made of Moses and his institutions, the plagues inflicted upon Egypt, the passage of the Red Sea, the drowning of impious Pharoah and his host, the wonders performed in the wilderness, the rolling back the river Jordan, the triumphant entrance of the Israelites into the land of Canaan, their taking possession of it, with every other important fact in the early part of the Je.wish history. Nor is this all, I am convinced from a perusal of these Psalms, that the ancient Jews had a comfortable expectation and belief of a future state of rewards and punishments : and this opinion is confirmed by passages in the Prophets, in the New Testa- ment, and in the Apocryphal writers. I conceive also that the ancient Patriarchs entertained this belief, that it existed among good men, before the flood, and was probably revealed by God to Adam himself, after the fall I am well apprized, that this statement has been denied by some very learned and ingenious iv Preface^ men ; no doubt from good motives. To argue the matter would lead me too far : I can do no more, at present, but de- clare my opinion. Farther, I apprehend, that there are in these Psalms express predictions of Jesus the Messiah^ and the glories of his king- dom, in the latter days. I apprehend this assertion is fully confirmed by the words of our Lord himself in a passage re- fen-ed to below.* The absolute denial of the doctrine of atonement in the title I have prefixed to Psalm xxxii. may appear wonderful to some, not acquainted with the discussions that this doc- trine has undergone. I am satisfied myself; though I may not be able to satisfy others. The doctrine of atonement rests chiefly upon some figurative passages in the New Tes- tament, and in Isaiah ; but is inconsistent with the general tenor of both Testaments, is expressly contradicted in the Psalms, by die Prophets, and by our Lord himself, the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession. It is absolutely inconsist- ent with the Doctrine of Free Grace., as stated by the Apostle Paul, and when joined with another doctrine nearly allied to it, it is justification byxvorks in the strongest terms. Perhaps, some pious, worthy persons, in the sincerity of their heg,rts may say. " How can Jesus be called a Saviour, if he did not die for us, and make atonement for our sins." I answer, Jesus Christ, certainly died for you, and all mankind ; that is, he would not have died, if you and others had not sinned : but he did not die to make an atonement for your sins, if you mean by the word atonement., to make satisfaction to God for them. For God is love^ and requires no other satisfaction but sincere repentance, confession, and reformation, even that, god- ly sorrozv which worketh repentance not to be repented of. Farther, Jesus Christ our blessed Lord, is a Saviour in an exalted sense, without making atonement, that is, satisfaction to God, 1. By declaring the will of God more fully than any other Prophet had done before him, and by appointing his apostles to teach .^ (or proselyte) all natiotis ; breaking down the parti- tion-wall between Jews and Gentiles, and uniting all mankind in the common worship of Jehovah ; his Father., and our Fa- ther^ his God., and our God. 2. By setting the doctrine of immortality, or a. JResun-ection from the dead in a cleai'er light than ever it had been exhibit- ed before ; by his discourses on the subject, and above all by his public Crucifixion, and well attested Resurrection. In this and other similar senses he may be said to die for our sins., and to rise again for our fiistipcation.,'-'- QoT) iorhidX that I *^ should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." * Luke xxiv. 44. |*REFACE. V 3. Because, as by man came death^ so by man came also the resurrection of the dead : for as in Adam all die^ even so m Christ shall all be made alive. Had not God been, or acted in or by Christ, reconciling the world unto himself all man- kind had remained under the sentence of death for ever, with- out the possibility of a revival. In this sense, particularly, Crhist is the Resurrection and the life. But observe very carefully, that in this and other passages of the New Testa- ment, Christ is never said to reconcile God to men, but to re- concile men to God. For God requires no reconciliation, he was always reconciled to his creatures, calling upon them, en- treating them, saying, " turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways ; for why will ye die, O house of Israel !" It is only men that need to be reconciled to God, to be cured of all their evil pas- sions, to repent and amend ; and this, Christ will do abun- dantly, if men will listen to his instructions. Much more might be said, even in a brief way, on this high- ly important subject ; and other senses in which Jesus is a Saviour, a Redeemer or deliverer, might be brought forward, particularly, in his present state of exaltation ; by a critical investigation and explanation of some high epithets applied to him in the Revelation. But this I have already done in former publications ; and none of these epithets imply more than what a glorified Man, with a plenitude of inspiration and divine powers may be thought capable of perforn;iing. But I return, from this digression to my proper subject. Soon after the Reformation Buchanan published an elegant version of the Psalms, in every variety of Latin measure, which was greatly admired by the learned in Europe, parti- cularly by the first Scahg-er. Long after, Johnston^ another Scotsman, favoured the admirers of Latin poetry with a new translation in Hexameter verse. Some think there is more of the elegant simplicity of the original preserved in this ver- sion than the former. I have had in my possession, in former days, two French versions of the Psalms, composed by Protestants in that coun- try. The earliest of these, being in old French, I paid little attention to : the latest, I thought elegant at the time ; but could not at present repeat a single stanza, fean Baptiste Rousseau., a Catholic, has rendered a few Psalms in French verse with a great deal of spirit ; but many years have elapsed since I perused them. The oldest English version of the Psalms that I am ac- quainted with is that of Sternhold and Hopkins., still in use, I believe, in the church of England, though that of Tate and Brady has deservedly superseded it in many places. This version is, in general, miserably harsh and unpoetical. Not- withstanding, there are two stanzas in Psalm xviii, which Vi PREFACf;^ have been greatly admired, particularly by Dr. Beattie, and with the alteration of one word would make a lofty sense, in- deed ! ' Having mentioned the name of Dr. Beattie^ I will give an extract from a small Tract, of his *• on the Improvement of " Psalmody, in Scotland, in a Letter to the Rev. Hugh Blair, " D. D. &:c. 1778." The name of Dr. Beattie does not stand in the Title-page ; but I know certainly that he was the author. I knew Dr. Beattie well, his family and connections in Scot- land, and could tell many anecdotes concerning him, not re- corded by, and probably not known to Sir Wm. Forbes, his Biographer. Some part of this letter is employed in a critical disquisi- tion respecting the merits of Tate and Brady's version, and that in use, in the established churches in Scotland. He gives a decided preference to the latter, and thinks that with some improvements it might be made the best of any. I agree with him in the main ; though I think he rather bears too hard on Tate and Brady's version . He praises exceedingly King James's version, and also a few Psalms that the great Milton translated- But now for the quotation. " I have seen five other ti'anslations of the psalms in verse^ " that were printed in England during the last century ; by " Joshua Squire, Luke Milbourn, Daniel Burgess, George " Wither, and Richard Goodridge ; but I did not find any " thing in them worthy of further notice. Two were publish- " ed a few years ago, one by Mr, Smart, the other by Mr. '•' Merrick. I have not seen these ; but, from what I know of the *' authors, I am satisfied that they well deserve the public atten- ^' tion." " The learned and ingenious Dr. Watts translated the psalms *' into verse ; adapting the sentiments to the language and doc- '-'- trines of the New Testament. His imagination as a poet, " was not brilliant ; and his numbers are rather smooth than *' harmonious ; but his verse is easy, and his expression simple. . " I have great respect for the memory of that good man and " excellent writer, as well as for the judgment of many of those " who approve his translation. But I freely own, that it is not " to my taste, though I cannot here give my reasons. If we *' mean to use the psalms of David in our worship, I humbly " think, that we should take them as they are ; without sup- " posing, either that they are not so good as they ought to be, " or that it is in our power to make them better. I allow indeed, " that new-testament-hymns have at least an equal claim to our " veneration, but I would not make a parody of the Scripture, *' by expressing the sentiments of the one Testament in the " words of the other. However I will not enter into the con- " troversy, which would lead me too far fiom my present " purpose. I shall only remark, that some of Dr. Watts' psalms " are both elegant and literal^ and may be of great use to the " person who undertakes to execute the following plan." I make no remarks upon what Dr. Beattie says in general re- specting Watts' Psalms. But there is one assertion that I can- not let pass. " His imagination as a poet was not brilliant." I am conscious that I was born a poet* as well as Dr. Beattie, and may therefore give my opinion concerning a matter of taste. Dr. Watts when he composed his Psalms and Hymns levelled his superior genius to the conceptions and feelings of those for whose benefit he wrote ; but in his Lyric poems, he gives full scope to his powers as a poet. " Sov'reign of sacred verse, accept the lays* " Of a young' bard that dares attempt thy praise, " A muse the meanest of the vocal thi-ong, " New to the bays, nor equal to the song. " Fir'd with the growing glories of thy name, " Joins all her pow'rs to celebrate thy fame." " And Addison thy tuneful song approves." I have read these lines in a British Edition of Watts' Lyric poems, at least fifty years ago, and have reason to believe, that they came from the pen of Dr. Toung. Dr. Johnson in his lives of the English Poets, speaking of Watts' sacred poetry says, '"'• he has done better than others, what nobody has done well." A great compliment from a high-churchman to a dis- senting Minister. Dr. Johnson, with amiable candour, bestows other encomiums on Watts, which £ must omit. I come now to speak of what I have endeavoured to perform myself. In moral and penitential Psalms I kept as close as I could to the sense and even the words of the Psalmist. In, Psalms that may be called descriptive or philosophical, I have indulged myself in a greater latitude. The only moral psalm, that I have translated with much freedom is the first. What I have done there may be rather called a Paraphrase than a Ver- sion. These pieces were composed in Spring 1818, in the space of three weeks. During this time, I was almost in a state of abstraction from mortality, only intent upon the great work I had in hand. I never felt the vis poetica in so high a degree in my life : nor did it ever continue with me, in force, for so long a period. At the close, however, I became exhausted, and fell deplorably low. " What are we ? " How unequal ! now we soar, " And now we sink. To be the same transcends ♦• Our present prowess." " Our utmost strength, when down, to rise again, " And not to yield, tho* beaten, all our praise." * Poeta nascitur, non fit. — Hor. viii Prefac Three years have elapsed since these versions were finished, yet I have never been able to add any thing to them, that de- serves to be named : and I presume, I shall never be able to tune the harp of Moses ^ of David^ of Asaph^ successfully again. Such as they are, I recommend them to the blessing of God, and send them abroad into the world. The other poems I have published will speak for themselves. I have been obliged to suppress for want of room, and to prevent too great expence, some pieces that I intended to have published. With every good wish for all that name the name o/'Christ, I finish this publication. Philadelphia, WILLIAM CHRISTIE July Sth, 1^21. PSALMS, CHRISTMAS HYMNS, AND OTHER Devotional and Sentimental Pieces. Psalm I. The happiness of the Good Man, contrasted with the mv^ sery and dreadful end of Sinners. 1 What blessedness attends the man, "Whose wise and elevated plan Is measured by the law divine ; Who shuns deceitful paths and vain, Disclaims the wicked and profane, But bends to truth and virtue's shrine. 2 His holy labours cheer the day And make the evening season gay, A source of rational delight ; Keep passion under strict controul, Improve and sanctify the soul, With knowledge pure and heav'nly light Like a well-grown and stately tree. His mind is still erect and free, Enrich'd with pious blossoms fair ; Refresh'd with moisture at the root. The branches full of vigour shoot, And estimable produce bear. B 10 PSALMS. ^ 4 His prosperous course he still pursues, Fill'd with delightful hopes and views, With resignation and content : While Vice its votaries misleads, And hurries on in evil deeds. Till life in infamy is spent. 5 No solid bliss for such remain, Their hopes equivocal and vain. Shall fly like chaff by whirlwinds driven, And leave them helpless, wretched, poor. Torn from their wealth and ill-earn'd store. Strangers to happiness and heaven. • J For guilt in Judgment shall not stand, Nor sinners join the righteous band, But must be sever'd and depart : For God approves the pure and just, Will raise, and bless them, from the dust, While sinners meet their due desert. Psalm viii. The Sovereignty and Infinite Benevolence of God ; and his goodness to Man in granting him Dominion over the Creatures* Jehovah! Architect divine. Both heaven and earth, and all are thine, The glory of thy peerless name Extends throughout the starry frame, And fills the whole creation bright With admiration and delight. Even babes and sucklings learn thy wayS; And magnify thy name with praise. And by thy aid exert a strength Which bears down every foe at length. When I lift up my wond'ring eyes. And view the glories of the skies. PSALMS. 11 The moon and stars in order just, And view myself — poor breathing dust ! With deep prostration down I fall, Before thy face — the Lord of all : Compell'd to say — Lord, What is man ? Whose strength is weakness — age a span, That thou the great Supreme should'st deign. To notice even a thing so vain. Created by thy power and might, A little less than angels bright. With dignity and glory grac'd, And in a sovereign province plac'd ; Thy mercies which no limits know, Have made him Lord of all below, Subjected to his rule and sway. The creatures of earth, air and sea. O Lord ! the glories of thy name Resound throughout creation's frame. Psalm XV. Firtuous Integrity^ or the moral picture of an Upright Man, Lord ! in thy temple who shall dwell ? And occupy thy holy hill ? The Man who upright paths pursues, And Right respects in all he does : Who never will from Truth depart, ^ Assume the base dissembler's part, > But speak the language of his heart. } He will not do his neighbour wrong, Nor vilify him with his tongue ; Meanly applaud before his face. But absent, censare with ill-grace. Detraction's path he hates to tread, And bad reports forbears to spread ; Vice he contemns, though rais'd on high But honours Godly Poverty. %' It PSALMS. His sacred Oath or promise pure, Though hurtful to himself is sure j Of Usury he scorns the plan, Is just and kind to every man. For no bribe or emolument, He will betray the innocent. The Man who keeps this steady course, Undeviating to the worse ; By God accepted and approv'd Shall never from his place be mov'd. Psalm XIX. GOD manifested by the magnijicence of the works of Nature, and by the Revelation, of his Wid ; or Reason and Scripture united. 1 Through the immensity of space, Where starry orbs perform their rounds With constant and unwearied pace ; — The great Ckeator's name resounds : Day speaks to day th' exalted theme, And Night to night repeats the same, 2 No vocal language they possess. Yet reason in persuasive strain. Each region hears their grand address, And every different class of men : From age to age they roll and shine, , And still proclaim the power divine. 3 The Sun in flaming radiance drest, Like a young Bridegroom fresh and gay. Starts from his quarters in the east To cheer and animate the day : Dispensing with unceasing strife,* Light, heat, and vegetable life. * The«|^ord strife is here used in a sense similar to exertion or iiifluencf. PSALMS. 13 4 The silver Moon aiFords her light, And sheds a mitigated ray, To cheer the darkness of the night, Sent to supply the place of day : Presents an aspect clear, serene, While brilliant Stars complete the scene. 5 From the bright view of Nature's frame, We turn to view the law divine, That law, which with well-founded claim, Is perfect sty I'd, and all benign : Converts the soul from, earth to heaven, In mercy great to mankind given. 6 This heavenly testimony prize. In worth, indeed, above all rate, It makes the simple-minded wise, And guides them to a happy state : The Statutes of the Lord are right. Without ambiguous meaning, bright. 7 His precepts clear, distinct and pure, Enlighten all attending eyes. Instruct the rich, exalt the poor. The Fear divine leads to the skies : Founded in equity and truth, Comfort of age, and guard of youth. 8 Compar'd with these. Wealth has no price, Golconda's diamonds, Peru's gold, Splendid possessions, garments nice, Scarce merit to be nam'd or told : Sweeter than honey, virgin pure, Who has them never can be poor. 9 Moreover they with faithful care. Give w arning to our heedless course, Avoiding every hurtful snare, To choose the better, shun the worse : Rewards exuberant attend AU those who keep them to the end. 14 PSALMS. 10 Who can his errors comprehend, From secret guilt Lord cleanse my soul, And from presumptuous sins restrain'd May I be by thy kind controul : That innocent I still may be, Upright, from great transgression free. 11 These words that from my mouth proceed, These meditations of my heart Accept O Lord, for thou, indeed. My Strength and my Redeemer art : Through Life, I, in thy love will trust, In Death, to raise me from the dust, — To bless thy name to see thy face, And evermore adore thy grace. Psalm XXIII. The pastoral care of God over his Servants , in Life, in Death, and for ever. Jehovah is my Shepherd kind, I shall not want, but always find Constant supplies of daily food, With every other needful good. Under his conduct I repose In verdure where mitd water flows ; My soul ennobled by his grace, He leads in paths of righteousness j And for his own name's sake divine, Vouchsafes on me a look benign. Yea, though I walk with panting breath Through the dark vale and shade of death, My heart assur'd shall fear no ill. For thou, my God, art with me still, Thy rod and staff shall there attend To help me near my journey's end. PSALMS 15 My Table thou hast made to stand In presence of a hostile band : My bead's perfum'd with oil in store, And my replenished cup runs o'er. Goodness and mercy all my days Shall follow me, and cheer my ways ; And in thy house O Lord I'll dwell For ever, and thy goodness tell. Psalm XXIV. GOD the sole Creator and Proprietor of the World, Integrity exhibited and recommended. An allusion to the triumphal procession under the conduct of Davids when the Ark OT Goit was replaced in the Tabernacle s The Earth and all that it contains Is great Jehovah's just domains : The World and all that there reside, His power produc'd, his counsels guide, Upon the seas and rolling flood He fix'd it, and pronounc'd it good. Who shall ascend the sacred hill, And in God's house a station fill, — The Man whose hands no stains defile, Whose heart is pure and free from guile , Whose humble, uncorrupted soul, No passions vain, lift up, controul ; Whose stern, confirm'd, integrity Hath never sworn deceitfully. This is the just, the pious race Who seek the God of Jacob's face. Ye gates lift up your shining head, Ye everlasting doors be spread ; Admit the King of Glory great. With his attending "J rain in state ! 16 PSALMS, Who is this King of Glory bright ? Jehovah ! infinite in might : The single, self-sufiicient, Lord \ Who rules, and conquers by a TFord!^ Psalm XXXII. The inexpressible Happiness of the Man, ivho has expiat- edy and atoned for, his Sins, by sincere Repentance and Amendment. The only atonement that God desires or that Man can give, " For thou desirest not Sacrifice, else would I giv6 " it thee : thou delightest not in burnt offering. The " Sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and *' a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.'* David? Psalm li. 16, 17. O State of bliss and joy within, To feel a sense of pardon'd Sin ! To know the Lokd of Earth and Heaven Hath all our numerous sins forgiven ! While on my mind the burden lay. My Conscience smarted night and day : Reflection no relief could bring, But added sharpness to the sting. My prayer I to the Lord address'd, And eas'd the troubles of my breast ; Confessing with a contrite heart My sins, without reserve, or art. The Lord whose mercies never cease, Vouchsaf 'd to me his heavenly grace ; Spoke peace to my afilicted mind. With love transcendent, free, and kind. The Godly man for sin forgiven, Will §till renew his suit to heaven : * The intelligent, inquiring Reader, is here recommended to the perusal of a passage in " Discourses on the Divine Unity." VIII. page 127, 1st Edi- tion, Montrose, 1784. PSALMS. And with acceptance he will pray, And mercy find of God alvvay, When waters great shall overflow, Unhurt by them, he'll come and go : For God will be his sure retreat, His shield from troubles small or great i When adverse events round him throng, DelivVance still shall be his song. God will instruct, and teach the way, And guard him, that he shall not stray^ Will view him with his watchful eye^ And listen to his earnest cry. Wisdom befits the thinking mind, Superior to the brutal kind, Whose savage force must be restrain 'd And from committing mischief, chain'd. Sorrow shall fill the wicked's cup, While righteous men rejoice in hope ; And firmly trusting in the Lord, Find ease and comfort in his Word, Let righteous men rejoice in God, And testify their joy abroad; A cheerful shout becomes the part Of all who are upright in heart. Psalm XXXIII. The Righteous called upon to rejoice in God, and to ce- I lebrate his Name. The glory of the Creator display- ed in the works of Creation and Providence. 1 Ye righteous in the Lord rejoice. For cheerful praise becomes th' upright ; To him lift up your grateful voice. Let sacred strains be your delight : Compose a new and lofty song ; With accents loud the notes prolong, C 18 PSALMS. 2 God's word is purity and Right, And all his works perform'd in truth : V The Earth is full of beauties bright, And goodness in perpetual growth : No where we turn our wondVing eyes, But objects of fresh grace arise. 3 The powerful Jiat of the Lord, Call'd forth the firmament on high. With orbs innumerable stor'd. Which fill and ornament the sky : Establish'd by his breath divine, W ith infinitely wise design. 4 The wat'ry element he guides. And lays together as an heap. In store-house strong it still abides, And must its place and station keep: Nor can it overflow or pass, Beyond the fix'd appointed place. 5 Can the astonish'd Earth forbear, \\ ith such a scene before it spread, The Lord to magnify and fear. And to displease him be afraid : O let its nations stand in awe. Revere his name, obey his law ! 6 When God in majesty direct, Resolv'd the starry worlds to frame , His end and purpose to eifect, Requir'd him but the thing to name: He spake, — and all his will took place, Commanded, — Nature rose in grace. 7 The Heathen tribes consult in vain, Jehovah brings their schemes to nought The People's plans he doth restrain, And disappoints each sinful thought : But his most perfect counsels, sure, Through generations all endure. PSALMS. 19 8 The Nation how supremely blest, Whose God acknowledgi'd is the Lord ; That nation shall securely rest As his, if they obey his word : No hostile force shall them assail, Or daring, shall completely fail. 9 The Lord Omnipotent looks down From heaven, upon our earthly race, The poor, and he who wears a crown. He views with equal eye and grace : Alike he frames their various minds. Reviews their works and their designs. 10 A host of warriors shall not save A King from death or shameful flight ; The strong shall fill an early grave. Who trusted in his skill and might: A courser swift no safety bring. But found a vain defenceless thing. 11 The Lord with pitying eye, benign. Will view all those who fear his name. Trust in his mercy, and resign Themselves, and all they have to him : He will deliver them from death, In famine still preserve their breath. 12 Our souls with fervour wait the Lord, He is our shield, our hope, our fame ; In him we'll joy with sweet accord, Still trusting in his holy name : Thy mercy Lord to us extend, Hoping in thee till life shall end. 20 PSALMS. Psalm XXXIV- The Care and Compassion of Gen for good Men : their Prayers heard and accepted by him. At all times, I will bless the Lord, His Love continually record : My soul shall make her boast in God, And signify the theme abroad ; The humble, when they hear, shall joy, And join me in the sweet employ. O magnify the Lord with me, Exalt his Name in accents free ; I sought the Lord, he heard my prayers^ And still'd all my uneasy fears. They look'd on him and were reliev'd, Nor were their hearts and faces griev'd The poor man cry'd, the Lord did hear, And caus'd his troubles disappear. The Angel of the Lord surrounds His Servants, and their foes confounds. See, taste, the goodness of the Lord, How blest the man who trusts his word! O ye his Saints still fear his Name, And he'll secure from want and shame : The young rapacious Lions may Feel hungry for the want of prey ; But those who truly seek the Lord, To them he'll every good afford. Come children, hearken to ray word, I'll teach you how to fear the Lord. The Man whose wishes and desire To life and happy days aspire. Must keep his tongue from every ill, And guard his lips fn^m speaking guile i From every evil deed depart. Seek l^eace, do good, with all his heart. PSALMS. 21 God views with a propitious eye The ri^sjhteous, and will hear their cry ; But with displeasure shews his face Against the undeserving race Of Sinners, and will certanly Cut off their noxious memory. The Righteous unto God most high Address their prayers and humble cry : The Lord with approbation hears, Dispels their troubles and their fears. The Lord is ready to impart Safety to men of contrite heart. Afflictions on the righteous press, But God relieves them in distress : Their bones unbroken shall remain For useful service, void of pain. Evil shall slay the wicked all, And desolation on them fall : But God his Servants will redeem, And none shall sink, who trust in him. Psalm XXXVII. Good Men admonished against distrust of Divine Provi- dence j Envy and Impatience. The excellence aud hap- piness of the Righteous ; the deformity and baseness of the Wicked J beautifully contrasted. Let not thy anxious mind repine For each iniquitous design, By evil-minded men conceived. And oft successfully atchiev'd : For short shall be their prosperous state. Calamitous their final fate. Soon shall they be cut down like grass, And wither'd as the green herb pass. PSALMS. Do good, and in the Lord confide, And thou shalt in the land abide, Thy food and raiment be supply'd, And thy just wishes gratify'd. Let God be thy supreme delight. Implore his grace and heavenly light: To gain his favour still aspire, And he will grant thy just desire. Commit unto the Lord thy way, Trust in him, strict obedience pay ; And he thy honest plans will bless, And give thy lawful aims success ; Thy righteousness he shall display, And place thy worth in open day. Rest in the Lord, and wait his will, In patience still possess your soul. Let no invidious thought take place. Rankle thy heart, disturb thy peace ; Because a wicked man succeeds And brings, to pass his evil deeds. From wrath and hostile passions cease, Nor ill attempt in any case : For evil doers strive in vain, Their wicked works shall not remain : To those upon the Lord that wait, On earth he'll grant a happy state. The wicked soon shall cease to be, His very place thou shalt not see : But meek men shall the earth enjoy In peaceful plans themselves employ, The wicked plot against the just, And rage at those the Lord who trust; The Lord on high shall him deride, Confound his schemes abase his pride He sees the future day at hand Prepar'd to crush at his command. PSALMS. Sinners with hostile arras assail The upright poor, but they shall fail; Their sword shall pierce their bosoms all, Their broken bows to pieces fall. The righteous man with grateful heart Receives what God is pleas'd t' impart : His little Stores in worth excel The riches that with ill men dwell. Their arms the wicked shall not hold, But God the righteous will uphold. God knows the days of the upright, For ever lasts their portion bright : They shall not blush when evils spread, In famine God will grant them bread. But wicked men shall fast decay. The foes of God shall melt away ; Like fat all shall dissolve in smoke, Who impiously the Lord provoke. The wicked, with deceitful plan, Borrows, but pays not back again : The righteous in mercy lends. And even gives to help his friends : His blessing lasting good procures On earth : His curse distress ensures. A good man's steps, his conduct rights Are order'd by the Lord of might : For he delighteth in his way, Upholds and cheers him all the day. Though he should fall unguardedly, Not utterly cast down he'll be : The Lord his kind protector will With friendly hand uphold him still. I have been young, now old become, The righteous without a home I've never seen, nor yet his seed Compell'd to beg their daily bread : He's ever merciful, and lends, His seed is blest, and will find friends. -M. PSALMS. Depart from evil, and pursue All good, with steady steps and true, And you for evermore shy 11 dwell, In peace, and love and mercy tell. The Lord our Maker justice loves, Leaves not his saints, but still approves ; Keeps them for ever : but the seed Of impious men shall not succeed. The righteous in the land, as heirs Shall dwell, and find it ever theirs : True wisdom from their mouths proceed, And judgment just in word and deed : The law of God is in his heart. None of his steps from it depart. The wicked with a savage joy Watcheth the righteous to destroy : God will not leave him to his will. Nor punish, but acquit him still. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way. And he shall thee exalt to stay ; To flourish in the land, and see The wicked torn from it, and thee. The wicked in great pow'r I've seen^ Himself spread out like bay-tree green : When lo, he pass'd, and was no more, I sought in vain his place before. Do thou with strict attention scan , The upright, godly, perfect man, Whose pious labours never cease,. For certainly his end is peace. But sad destruction shall befal The group of foul transgressors all : Dismal shall be the wicked's end. Without a God, wichout a friend. PSALMS. But men to righteousness inclin'd, Salvation from the Lord shall find ; In present trouble he's their strength, And will relieve from all at length. The Lord shall them assistance give, And send deliv'rance while they live. From wicked men shall them redeem, And save, them, as they trust in him. Psalm L. The Judgment of God, Hypocrisy censured and coU' demned. The mighty God, th' eternal Lord hath spoke, His long, misjudg'd, continued, silence broke. And summoned all who fill the Earth, to come To hear a pleasing or an awful doom : From where the Sun displays an early ray, Even to the distant clime, where ends the day. From Zion the Supreme, all-perfect Mind, Adorn'd with matchless beauty, God hath shin'd- Our God shall surely come, and shall no more Keep a mysterious silence, as before ; Torrents of scorching fire before him fly. And storms impetuous rend th' ethereal sky : On high, in glorious majesty array 'd. He calls to heaven and earth, and all he made, To judge his people, who profess his Name, He comes, and either will applaud or blame. My Saints collect, and those about me spread. Who by known rites a Covenant have made : The heavens his righteous Judgment shall declare, For God the sovereign Judge himself is there. My chosen people, Israel^ hear my voice, And I will testify against thy choice ; D 26 PSALMS. For God I am, thy God, for ever blest, Confirm'd and ratify'd by every test : For ritual service, I will not reprove. When join'd with holy zeal and fetvent love : 1*11 take no bullock from thy fold or stall, No goat to me in sacrifice shall fall : For every beast I claim by right divine, The cat^e on a thousand hills are i|jine : The fowls on distant mountains all ire known.. The savage beasts of every field I own : Could piercing hunger ever me assail, This pressing want to thee I would not tell : The world itself with its contents are mine, All held by my prerogative divine : Will ever 1 the flesh of bulls partake. Or from the blood of goats refreshment take : To God thy gratitude and thanks present. And pay thy vows to the omnipotent : Then in the dreary day when troubles press, 1 Call upon me, and I'll remove distress, V And thou adoring shall my goodness bless. 3 But to the wicked, God shall surely say. What right hast thou my statutes to display. That thou should'st take my cov'nant in thy mouth, Oppos'd to Virtue from thy early youth. Instruction thou hast hated to obey. And my blest words profanely cast away : A Thief with approbation thou hast seen, And with Adulterers partaker been : Thy mouth to evil-speaking thou hast given, And fram'd deceit before all-seeing heaven : From sordid views thy brother thou hast blam'd, With slanders vile thy mother's son defam'd : These deeds atrocious have thy life disgrac'd. Whilst I kept silence, nor these wrongs redress'd Thy mind presumptuous, blinded and impure, Conceiv'd that I such evils would endure : But I will now reprove thee, and display Thy vicious practices in open day. PSALMS. 27 Consider this, ye that forget the Lord, When I chastise you, none can help aftord. The Man whose sacrifice is humble praise, I hold to glorify my Name always : And who uprightly speaks and acts below, To him I'll my complete Salvation show. Psalm xc. The Eternity^ Perfection, andinfinite power of Goo y com- pared with the fraihy, Sinfulness and ihort duration of Man. Supplications for comfort and assistance in old age, 1 Thou hast through every age and scene, A Refuge to thy People been ; Most gracious Lord of earth and heaven, Eternal praise to thee be given. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Before thy power had form'd the earth. Of Deity supreme possess'd, Thou wast from everlasting bless'd. 3 To sinful Man, prone to decay. With awful justice, thou dost say. From dust I rear'd your earthly frame, Return to dust from whence ye came. 4 A thotisand long successive years, To thee, as yesterday appears : Or like a transient watch at night, Which vanishes at morning light. 5 Our race from the sweet face of day, As floods thou carriest away : Awhile we walk on earth or creep, And then dissolve in dust, and sleep. 2» ^ PSALMS, 6 Or like the short liv'd morning grass^ Which evening withers, so we pass : For we before thine anger fall, And thy just wrath consumes us all. 7 Our Sins appear before thy sight, Our secret faults in open light : Our days from thy displeasure fail, Our fleeting years pass like a tale. 8 Our term of life is seventy years : How short, when past, this term appears : If some see fourscore years, or more, "Weakness and pain afflict them sore ; And soon the thread of life is broke, And they are borne away like smoke. 9 Thine anger's power, who knows, can bear, Thy wrath's according to thy fear : So teach us Lord to count our days, That we may walk in wisdom's ways. 10 Return, O Lord, without delay, Thy Servants help who humbly pray : Diffuse thy mercy's early rays, To cheer our yet remaining days. 11 O grant us days and years serene, For those in which we've evil seen : Afflictive trials we have borne, Let joy and comfort now return. 12 Thy saving work, let it appear, To us thy willing Servants here i Thy glory to our children show ; O may they walk with God below. 13 Thy grace and beauty, Lord, divine, May they upon us ever shine : Our labours condescend to bless, Confirmed in truth and righteousness. PSALMS. 29 Psalm cm. The~ Goodness and Impartial Justice of God celebrated. His Compassion and Tender Mercy to his Children re- corded. All Beings in heaven and earth called upon to praise him. 1 With grateful feelings in full power, The Lord thy Maker call to mind; Whose Love and Mercy, every hour, Prove him benevolent and kind. 2 With constant, unremitting zeal, God's holy name for ever bless ; Whose bounty, sovereign power to heal, Enlivened health and eas'd distress. 3 Whose grace spontaneous, unconfin'd, Pronounces all thy sins forgiven ; Heals thee in body and in mind. And fills thee with the hope of heaven. 4 Wasted with sickness, try'd with pain, Brought to the borders of the grave ; To help thee he did not refrain, But stretch'd his gracious hand to save. 5 His loving-kindness still survives, His tender mercies yet are shown. With food he cherishes our lives. My powers renew'd his goodness own. 6 An equal Judgment God displays. Sends timely aid to those oppressed ; To Moses he made known his ways. And gave his chosen Israel rest. 7 God's mercy is of large extent. His love and favour know no bound ; To anger slow and punishment. Prone to forgive, averse to wound. 30 PSALMS. 8 Eternally he will not chide, Nor keep his wrath for evermore : Mercy with him shall still abide, And loving-kindness in full store» 9 As heaven in majestic height, Exceeds the low terrestrial frame ; So great appears his mercy bright, To those who love and fear his name. 10 Far as the eastern region spreads In distance from the western shore, His love removes from guilty heads, Those sad transgressions they deplore, 11 As a fond Father's care and love, With pity views his infant race, Like pity shews the Lord above, To all who fear him, trust his grace. 12 For well he knows our earthly frame. Our frail original from dust : A transient blast impairs the same, It perishes before the gust. 13 A flow'r, a creature of a day Which flutters on our earthly scene, Leaves no memorial in the way, To ascertain that it has been. 14 The sovereign mercies of the Lord, Through everlasting age endure ; And children's children shall record His righteousness and goodness sure. 15 Who in his Covenant abide. Mind and perform his precepts just j In heav'n for ever shall reside, Rais'd up in glory from the dust, 16 The Lord in heaven prepares his throne. His Kingdom ruleth over all : PSALMS. 31 His just dominion all must own, Throughout the whole terrestrial ball, ^ And prostrate down before him fall, > The rich, the poor, the great, the small. } 17 Ye Angels that excel in might, And listen to his pow'rful word, In fervent praise to him unite, And in full concert, bless the Lord. 18 Bless him, all his attending Host, Ye Ministers that do his will : Through every land, in every coast, All who his vast dominions fill I 19 My soul and all within me join, In this blest harmony divine : To fear his name, to love his word, And ever celebrate the Lord. Psalm CIV. The transcendent glory and majesty of God, display - ed in the works of Creation and Frovidence^ with de- vout aspirations. My soul the great Jehovah bless, ^ And his exalted name confess, > In humble and devout address. ) Vested with majesty and might, ^ He reigns by his creative right, > In everlasting lustre bright. ) With light as with a robe array 'd, 1 The vast expansive heavens he made, s And like a curtain them outspread. ) The fleeting wat*ry world he guides, And there, us every where, resides : The clouds which float in azure sky A chariot to the Lord supply. ^2 PSALMS. He walks on winds' impetuous wing Gives life and breath to every thing. Angels with energy inspires, His ministers makes flaming fires. The Earth he pois'd in empty air To roll and turn for ages there. Above he plac'd the swelling deep, The waters o'er the hills did creep ; Driven by his awful reprimand And voice of thunder from the land, The mountains they ascend and flow Descending to the vales below. And pass to the determin'd space Appointed to them for a place. Thou to their rage a bound hast set, O'er which, though they may foam and fret With violence, they never can O'erwhelm the world and ruin man. The vales with liquid springs he fills, Which run among adjoining hills: Here quadrupeds of every name, With asses wild, ])artake the stream. The birds which neighbouring branches throng, Express their joy in pleasant song. From reservoirs which God has made The mountains are with waters fed. Thy works consummate and complete, Proclaim thee, Blest Creator ! great ! Thy creatures satisfy 'd with food, With gratitude pronounce thee, good ! The ground in verdant grass array'd. He pasture for the cattle made ; And herbs in rich abundance grants To satisfy all human wants. The fertile earth by labour till'd, A full return will always yield. He cheers man's heart with grateful wine. Gives oil to make his face to shine : PSALMS. But no gift on our tables spread Can equal that of strengthening bread. The lofty trees which God has made Afford us a delightful shade : In Lebanon the Cedar's crest Exceeds in majesty the rest : The birds in safety there repose ; The Stork her nest on fir-trees throws. In hills the wild goat finds a place, Rocks shelter well the Coney race. For seasons God appoints the Moon^ And guides the setting of the Sun. Darkness takes placfe at God's command^ And gloomy night involves the land. The savage beasts who lay conceal'd In forests wild, are now reveal'd : The lions young, with frightful roar, Now hunt their prey, their food explore ; When Sun returns to cheer the day, With eager speed they haste away. And to their dens in silence creep, And spend their time in rest or sleep. A life so indolent and vain May suit the savage race, — iiot men. To labour Man goes forth abroad. Performs the task assign'd by God : Nor does from his exertion cease, Till evening brings him rest and peace. O Lord, omnipotent, and kind, How manifold thy works, we find. In wisdom thou hast all things made, Thy riches through the earth are spread ! So is the great and spacious sea, Where life in numerous forms we see, Some large and frightful, others small, Produced by thee, the Lord of all. E S4 PSALMS. There ships perform their bold career^ To every coast and country steer. Leviathan thou mak'st to roam, And find in Ocean's depth, — a home. These creatures both of land and sea For food in season wait on thee : What thy indul,^ent goodness grants, They gather to relieve their wants ; Thy open hand supplies their food. Partaking, they are fiU'd with good. Dost thou withdraw thy smiling face. For trouble they can find no ease ; Thou tak'st away their fleeting breathy And they return to dust by death. The spirit which from thee proceeds Creates and forms successive breeds : Through earth renew'd fresh beauties shine. All flowing from thy hand benign. Through future ages as the past, The glory of the Lord shall last: With lustre still increasing spread ; God shall rejoice in all he made.* Earth trembles at his awful look, At his least touch the hills do smoke. While life continues, I will sing Unto the Lord, my gracious king ; I'll praise him with my latest breath, And trust his mercy even in death : Sweet shall this meditation be ; I will rejoice, O Lord in thee ! * The Lord shall rejoice in all his -works. This passage alone would almost convince me of th<* truth of that cheenne benevolent doctrine, — the future, universal happiness of all mankind ; and when taken in connection with other similar passages, its force becomes ure- sistible. How God can rejoice in misery and sin, I cannot conceive ! I think it is probable that Thomson had this noble sentiment of the Psalmist in view, when he composed that inimitable line. « taste " The joy of Gou, to see a happy world." I do not believe, however, as some do, that there will be no future punish- ment at all ; but I believe, that all futiu'e punishment will cease when it has effected its proper object, — the Reformation of OfFenders, PSALMS. 35 Let Sinners to conversion come, Or in the earth no more find room : Let wickedness expire and cease, And be exchang'd with holiness. My soul the Lord for ever bless, All praise him and his grace confess. Psalm ex. Jesus the Messiah exalted, by the downfal of civil and ecclesiastical Tyranny, and the universal reception and establishment of the Gospel in its purity y in the latter days, 1 Jehovah, self existent Lord, Who rules in heaven, in earth and sea j By David'' s firm, prophetic word, Thus publish'd his supreme decree : Which none can alter or repeal, Confirmed by an Almighty seal. 2 My Sony exalted ''from the pit. Now by my grace made Lord and King, At my right hand in glory sit. Till ruin on thy foes I bring : And cause them to thy power submit. And prostrate fall before thy feet. 3 The Lord from. Zion shall send forth, Thy rod of majesty and strength, That rod shall rule th' astonish'd earth- Subduing enemies at length : All opposition ^hall be vain, To thy just, salutary reign. 4 A willing people shall appear, In thy great day of power and grace,, To hail thee, and still persevere In the blest paths of holiness : Num'rous as dewy drops of morn, Their youth thy age and church adorn. 36 PSALMS. 5 The Lord hath sworn and will not break, A promise ratify'd in heaven ; In order of Melchizedek, A Priesthood I to thee have given : Which never, never, shall decay, But flourish and remain alway. 6 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike Opposing Kings in proud array ; Display his wrath and just dislike, In this renown'd eventful day The heathen, he shall judge, restrain. And fill each place with bodies slain» 7 The heads which now in grandeur shine, And rule great countries, he shall wound, Shall baffle every vain design. And all their policy confound : The brook divine shall cheer the road, And lift his head to heaven and God. Psalm cxxi. Protection and Security only to he found in God. 1 Up to the hills I'll lift my eyes, From whence my hopes of safety spring; The Lord, who made the earth and skies, Will help me and deliv'rance bring. 2 Thy feet shall still securely stand ; He slumb'reth not who thee doth keep, Who Israel keeps with mighty hand Shall neither slumber take nor sleep. 3 The Lord thy keeper is alway, On thy right hand he shallthee shade ; The Sun thee shall not smite by day. Nor Moon by night afflict thy head. PSALMS. S7 4 The Lord thy guardian shall abide, He shall preserve thy soul from ill ; Thy going, coming, he shall guide. Protect thee now, and ever will. Psalm cxxv. The stability and perseverance of the Godly ; the punish- ment ofApostacy, 1 Who trust in God, by him belov'd. As Zion^s lofty mount shall be ; The base of which shall not be mov'd, But last as long as earth and sea. 2 As mountains on all sides surround Jerusalem^ of ancient fame ; The Lord in mercy now is found About all those who own his Name, 7 And will for ever bless the same. 3 3 The cruel and remorseless rod Of wicked men shall not abide, To gall the Righteous, lest from God They should apostatize and slide. 4 O Lord, all gracious and kind ;— ■ To those who choose the better part Thy goodness shew ; be still inclin'd To favour the upright in heart. 5 But as for those who turn aside From Virtue, to their crooked way. The Lord shall lead them forth, when try'd. With Sinners in the Judgment-day : But peace to Israel shall be given On earth, and still increas'd in heaven. PSALMS. Psalm cxxviii. The blessings of the rehgious Man, Blest is each one that fears the Lord, Walks in his ways, and loves his word : Thy toil and active industry Shall food procure abundantly : Contented, happy, thou sha'lt be, In all it shall be well with thee. Thy virtuous, kind and faithful spouse, A fruitful vine, shall fill thy house : Thy children dutiful be found, Like olive plants, thy table round : Behold, thus shall the Man be blest Who fears the Lord, his joy, his rest. The Lord from Ze'ow shall thee bless, And grant thy pious plans success : Jerus'lein's good thou shalt behold, In days of youth, and ev'n when old : Thou shalt thy children's children see^ With peace en Israel, and thee. Psalm cxxx. Penitential mourning, joined "with comfortable hope, and trust in divine mercy. From depths of sin, and painful grief, I cry to thee, Lord, for relief My voice, O Lord, most gracious, hear, To my entreaties lend an ear. If thou, with unrelenting hand Should'st mark transgressions, who shall stand? But thine forgiveness is, O Lord, That fear'd thou may'st be and ador'd. PSALMS. ^»$ I wait for God, with anxious heart, His promises sweet hopes impart : More earnestly for God I mourn Than those that watch for cheerful morn ; More anxiously than those, I say, Who watch for the first dawn of day. Let Israel in the Lord confide, Mercy with him shall still reside : Redemption free, and unconfin'd. Is found with him for all mankind : Israel, by grace, he shall redeem, From all transgression, guilt and shame. Psalm cxxxix. The Omniscience and Omnipresence of God : the ad- mirable frame of Man: declarations of sincerity, and 'divine assistance implored. Thy piercing all discerning eye. Hath search'd and known me. Lord most high! My times of exercise and rest. My acts, words, secrets of my breast : Where'er I am, whatever I do, Stands open to thy perfect view : My purposes to thee are clear Before they to myself appear : Before, behind, at sea, by land, I feel and recognize thy hand : Such knowledge all research transcends, In wonder lost my labour ends. Should I ascend the starry sky, To the most distant planets fly ; In Herschel's orb* fix my abode, Ev'n there I find thee, O my God. * Called in England the Geor^um Sidns, in compliment to the late King of Great Britian : but on the continent of Europe, and in America, by the name of that gi'eat Astronomer who discovered it, as inserted above. It is a planet of vast size, and situated at an immense distance from the Sun, 40 PSALMS. Should I to the deep centre pierce Of this terrestrial Universe ; In gloomy caverns there reside, This could not from thy presence hide. If on the wings of morning light, I take my bold, aspiring flight, To penetrate the ocean wide, And dwell where farthest flows the tide ; Ev'n there thy hand shall guide my way, Thy right hand hold me fast alway. If my blind heart should dare to say, Darkness shall screen me, if not day ; The dun obscurity of night Shall change to lustre, heav'nly bright. For darkness veils not from thy sight, But in thy view appears as light : To thy perspicuous eye divine, Both with an equal brightness shine. From thee my reins and pow'rs all come, Who formM me in my mother's womb. I'll praise thee for the skill display'd Through all that frame thy goodness made ; How marvellous thy works appear, My mind well knows, and will declare. The embryo mass unfinish'd lay. Yet obvious was to thy survey ; In parts extreme, divinely wrought, With artifice beyond all thought ; My substance was to thee reveal'd, • While yet in secrecy conceal'd : My complex members in thy book Inscrib'd, from thence their fashion took ; When none of them as yet appear'd, In progress all by thee were rear'd. O God how precious unto me Are all thy thoughts of mercy free ; The sum of all how great, how full. To count them far exceeds my skill : More num'rous than the grains of sand. Found on the surface of the land. PSALMS. 41 The wicked thou shalt surely slay O God : — depart from me, I say, All who a savage pleasure find, To shed the blood of human kind : For wickedly they thee defame. And thy foes falsely take thy name. Do not I hate their ways, O Lord ? Who hate thee and reject thy word : Do I not for their conduct grieve ? Do I not try lo cure, relieve ? As foes to thee, I hate their way, But still for their conversion pray. Search me, O God, and know my heart, Try all my thoughts, — thy grace impart : If any bitter root remain, Be it extirpated and slain : Let me be never led astray, But tread the everlasting way. Psalm cxLv. The greatness of God ; his benevolence and mercy, gratu- itous and universal : the only foundation of hope and trust. 1 I'll praise thee, O my God, my King, And bless thy name for evermore : Thy mercies daily comfort bring, And still remain in endless store. 2 Each day thy goodness grants to me, My gratitude shall still express ; Nor shall this feeling cease to be. But through eternity increase. 3 The Lord, how wise ! how just ! how great ! His greatness all research exceeds, And each successive age, and state, Shall celebrate his mighty deeds. 42 PSALMS. 4 Thy glorious honour, majesty, And vvond'rous works in earth andheav'n Shall still be kept in memory, And be my theme, while life is given. 5 Others shall add their names to mine, When I thy greatness shall declare^ And with abundant utt'rance join To sing thy goodness, justice, fair. 6 The Lord in gracious design, Exceeds whate'er we can entreat; Compassions, far beyond our line, In him, in full assemblage, meet. 7 His goodness he to all displays, W ho breathe the air or tread the ground^ His tender mercies' cheering rays. O'er all his matchless works are found. B Thy works consummate all shall praise Theey Lord ; thy Saints shall bless thy name, Thy glorious kingdom, power and ways. Shall be their known and constant theme. 9 That so the heedless sons of men, May be to close atterition driven, To comprehend thy glorious plan, And own the majesty of heaven, 10 Thy kingdom, righteous and pure, Hath stood throughout all ages past, And thy dominion shall endure While future generations last. 11 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, , The bow'd-down, raiseth up to stand : All creatures look to thee, and call, And find their portion from thy hand. PSALMS. 43 i2 Thy hand unsparing, gracious, kindj To satisfy the pressing wants. Of every living thing inclined ; Their necessary portion grants. 13 The Lord in righteousness excels, In all his perfect plans it shines ; And holiness, which in him dwells. Pervades his works and his designs. 14 The Lord, who dwells in heav'n, most high, To all who worship him in truth Is ever with his favour nigh ; To feeble age and lively youth. 15 He will fulfil the just desire Of those that fear and love him still ; Will hear their cry and humble pray'r, And save them, if they do his will. 16 The Lord preserves with tender care, All those who love him and remain In duty's path, and them will spare ; But wickedness shall end in pain. 17 My mouth, with sacred zeal inspired, Shall speak the praises of the Lord ; And let all flesh, with rapture fir'd. His holy name and grace record, 1 And ever, ever, bless the Lord, > With cheerful voice, and full accord, S CHRISTMAS HYMNS. No. I. AN IMPROMPTU, On the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. — Composed on Christmas eve ; Philadelphia^ 24th of December^ 1812. While others sing the sad exploits of war, The crimson'd deck, and " garments roll'd in blood," The heroes whose exertions have subdu'd Strong bands of proud and pow'rful enemies, On their own element — the sea itself! With signal naval glory and renown ; * I sing the mild and the pacific birth, Of Jesus, friend of frail humanity, By whose kind aid and gracious relief, Man was restored to life — ^inimortal life, And liberty more true than any other. The glorious freedom of the sons of God ; Deliverance from vice and all the passions, Which mangle and disfigure human nature, And fill the world with tumult and confusion, With death, desti'uction, and a train of evils Grievous beyond all measure and expression. Angels fromheav'n with joy announc'd the birth Of this illustrious hero, and pronounc'd In strains seraphic and melodious, " Glory to God, our Father, in the highest, " May peace, the best of blessings, be on earth, *' And great good will to all the human race."f May what these angels sung be realiz'd, And war with all its horrors cease for ever. An Old Scotsman, And a real friend to the U. States of America, and the present administration. * Captains Hull, Jones and Decatur, and the brave officers and seamen un- der their command. t Luke ii. 8 to 14. CHRISTMAS HYMNS. 46 Christmas Day, 1814. No. II. Blest was the day, and glorious was the hour, When God in mercy great did richly pour His choicest blessings, by the joyful birth Of Jesus, Saviour of Heav'n and Earth.* But let Earth blush, so meanly to afford, Accommodation for its gracious Lord ! Born in a Stable, in a manger held. The glorious infant Saviour was beheld, By Eastern Sages, upright men and true, Who came, led by a Star, with joy to view. His sacred person, and forthwith proclaim'd Him Kiiig of Jervs^ and justly Sovereign nam'd. Angels of God, array'd in Heav'nly light, Declar'd the blissful tidings in the night, To humble Shepherds on the rural plain. With acclamation great and joyful strain. To you, in David's city, there is born, A Saviour, Christ the Lord, who shall adorn The Sons of Men, with truth and Heav'nly grace, The greatest treasures of the human race. Glory to God^ the spacious concave rung. Peace be on earthy good will to men^ they sung. Come let us join the sweet celestial Song, And in loud notes the sacred strains prolong : Glory to God^ our Heav'nly Father say. Peace be on Earthy good will, and endless day. f An American Citizen. *Col. 1. 16. &c. "For by him were all things created (or renewed) that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, &c." •}■ Bay, in scripture, is metaphorically used to denote joy, light, happiness, piety, tranquiUty, &c. in opposition to ni^kt, the emblem of darkness, ignor- ance, misery and vice. No. III. Christmas Day. 1815. 1 To great Jehovah's name be praise, Who on this sacred day. From David^.f seed a branch did raise* To rule the Church alway. * Isaiah xi 1 to 9. Jeremiah xxiii. 5, 6 — Acts xiii. 22, 23—2 Tim. ii. 3 — Rev. -xxii. 16. _ 46 CHRISTMAS HYMNS 2 Below the usual degree Of mortals here on earth, The light of heav'n he first did see, And started into birth. 3 The glorious Saviour was rear'd Like any other child, No splendid pomp in him appear'd, But all was plain and mild. 4 Though men in general knew him not, And scorn'd his humble state, Angels on high declare his /o?,j And celebrate his fate. 3 Ordain'd of God to bless each land With truth and righteousness, His kingdom shall for ever stand In equity and peace 4 -j- Luke ii. 11 to 14. i: Having composed and published two pieces for Christmas day before the present, in which I have enlarged on the circumstances which attended our ever honoured Saviour's birth, I have to avoid repetition, touched upon these circumstances very briefly in the foregoing piece. Christmas Day, 1816. No. IV. 1 Delightful day, which first beheld The infant Saviour's face ; For ages promis'd but withheld, Till the appointed space. 2 No childish sport, in early youth His serious mind possess'd ; Wisdom, benignity and truth. Resided in his breast. 3 The Doctors in the Temple saw, With admiration fiU'd, A child instructed in the Law, A boy in knowledge skill'd. 4 His mind, maturing as he grew, Fresh graces still display'd. Favour from God, his virtue drew And men attention paid. CHRISTMAS HYMNS. 47 5 When thirty years had fiU'd their rounds, To Jordan's flood he came, And ent'ring in the wat'ry bounds, jfohn dip'd him in the stream. 6 From op'ning Heav'n now fill'd his eye, A beam of sacred light, The energy ot God Most High^ Descending on him, bright. 7 A voice was heard, in solemn tone, And words express and clear : *' This is my well-beloved Son, " Approv'd, and ever dear." , 8 This Heav'nly voice, let all inspire ; Let all with firm accord, Embrace with joy and warm desire, Th' anointed of the Lord. 9 While Sun and Moon in Heav'n do roll. Shall stand his righteous cause. And nations plac'd from pole to pole, Shall hail him with applause. Christmas Day, 1817. No. V. Glory to God in the highest^ and on Earth peace^ good xvill towards men ! "Sing Heav'nly Muse" the Saviour's birth, The day of jubilee to earth ; Reversing guilty Adam's fall, Restoring life and peace to all, Announcing love divine to men, In accents of Angelic strain ; Proclaiming universal grace, Without reserve of time or place. The blessings promis'd why delay'd ? v Why ling'ring in the Covenant made ? Wily are destruction's flags unfurl'd, And horrid wars defile the world ? Tyrants assume the pow'r divine. And cause men worship at their shrine '' 48 CHRISTMAS HYMNS. Presumptuous words ! to God alone, Are his wise plans and counsels known With reverence read the sacred page, Let prophecy your mind engage ; There you will see as in a glass, The scenes of pride and empire pass. Destruction fall on lawless pow'r, The short-liv'd triumph of an hour ; The king dethron'd and servile priest. And all who venerate the Beast To desolation brought, and driven From every country under Heaven ! Meantime let all the Sons of Grace, Possess their minds in love and peace ; Relieve each others' wants and shew A Heav'nly temper here below. Columbia's land, " the mercy-seat,'' Be open as a safe retreat To shield the wretched, and afford '* A rest to all who love the Lord. Christmas Day, 1818, No. VI. Unto us a Child is bom : unto us a Son isgiven^ ^c — Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. t To us, this day, a Child is born : To us, a promis'd Son is given, Whose lustre shall the earth adorn, And fill the vast expanse of heaven. 2 A Messenger of great Design ; His counsels truth and grace display ; Father of future age divine ; The Prince of Peace, mild as the day 3 His sway pacific shall prevail. Through circling ages safe remain. On David's throne and kingdom still, He Right and Justice shall maintain, 4 What pow'r benignant shall reveal. This King sublime on all our coasts r Jehovah's favour, love and zca/. The God of Grace, and heavenly hosts CHRISTMAS HYMNS. 49 Christmas Day, 1819. No. VII. Vbi amatur^ non laboratur ; Et si laboraUa\ Labor amatur. THAT IS, " Where Love is, there is no labour ; and if there be labour, the labour is loved." — Augustine. O for a song of sacred mirth, To celebrate the Saviour's birth ; Who at his heavenly Father's call, Brought life and liberty to all. Gloiy to God, the LORD Most High, Who fram'd the earth, and starry sky, Whose wisdom form'd the gracious plan, To renovate degenerate man ; And Jesus sent our race to bless, Richly adorn'd with truth and grace j — To burst the barriers of the grave, Omnipotent to heal and save. Let Homer from Parnassus' mount. His Grecian heroes' acts recount, Exhibit fierce Achilles' rage, Style him the champion of the age. Let l^rgil in rnajestic verse, Renown'd ^Eneas' deeds rehearse. Let Horace tune the Pagan lyre, Enraptur'd with poetic fire. And hail Augustus Caesar's name, With others of distinguish'd fame. My task be, to my latest breath. To sing the man of Nazareth ; Who still the paths of virtue -trod. Gentle, humane, approv'^d of God. Christmas Day. 1820. No. VIII. 1 When Abraham with prophetic eye. The future Saviour did descry. The pleasing prospect did impart The purest joy to his fond heart. G 50 MISCELLANEOUS PIECES 2 In him he saw all nations blest, Grace publish'd, sacred truth confest ; The idol-temples overthrown, Jehovah own'd as God alone. 3 David in grand poetic strain Foretold the great Messiah's reign ; Isaiah hail'd him Prince of Peace ^ By whose controul all wars should cease, 4 Did the delightful foretaste charm These Saints, their breasts with rapture warm : Shall our cold hearts remain unmov'd. Nor love the Man^ who all men lov'd ? ■5 Hail ! Son of David, Abra'm, God, Who seal'd his doctrine with his blood ! Rejoice O ! Heavens, be glad O ! Earth, At this exalted Saviour's Birth ! ODE FOR THE NEW TEAR, 1815. A WISH FOR PEACE. Pax est optima rerum. Foiirteeji is finished, pfteen now comes on, What may take place, to mortals is unknown ; But known to God, to whose imperial sway. All things in Heav'n and Earth of right obey. God grant the op'ning year, before it cease, May bring about the best of blessings, peace. •May sheath the bloody sword the soldier's pain, And give tranquility to earth and main : May Commerce flourish, Manufactures grow, And Agriculture bless the earth below. Mav justice, truth and equity preside. And wisdom, virtue, all our counsels guide, Religion flourish, and in all hearts reign. And vice be bound with adamantine chain. Verses for GOOD FRIDAY, Aprill2, 1816 On Friday, strange and wonderful to tell ! Jesus, the wise, the just, the Saviour fell, A sacrifice to Jewish hate and pride. Which prompted them with malice to deride Hi's suff'rings sad and agonizing pain. In speeches ludicrous and impious strain MISCELLANEOUS PIECES. 51 The Priests and Rulers to reflection blind, Hardened in guilt and reprobate in mind, Vainly imagin'd they had overcome His pow'r divine, and fix'd his lasting doom. But God whose plans are matchless and sublime, Unchang'd by events, unconfin'd by time, From Jesus' death made endless blessings flow To all the human family below : Forgiveness free to all the penitent. Attested by his blood in covenant ; A Pattern great of firmness to maintain The cause of God before the face of men, And to give up our lives and all we have When duty calls, a victim to the grave ; Secure that all we lose shall be restor'd In life eternal, by our gracious Lord.* A SALUTE TO PHILADELPHIA, After an absence of near txvo months. Hail Philadelphia, happy seat. Where beauty, health, convenience, meet ! Apart from thee my health declin'd, Feeble in body and in mind. With joy I visit thy domain. And see a thousand graces reign. Here, Schuylkill rolls its gentle waves, There, Delaware its billows heaves : Thy streets in even angles end; No crooked turn, distorted bend. How many stately structures rise, To greet the Sovereign of the skies :. No privilege of sect is found. All stand on fair and equal ground. Thy Stores of neat and ample size, Are full of useful merchandize ; Provisions of all kinds abound, And ever in thy markets found- Science and taste, mechanic arts. Here flourish, and maintain their parts. Thy wharves a numerous fleet display, With hardy seamen fresh and gay. * For a full relation of the particulars of our Saviour's Crucifixion, see a Poem, entitled, Jesus the Messiah, &c. Canto V. 52 TO THE MEMORY OF Go on, and prosper, still increase, Under the fostering hand of peace ; Look up to Heaven, implore its aid, And trust in God, who all things made. Philadelphia, December 13, 1819. ELEGY On the the late Benjamin Smith Barton, M. D. Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, and of Natural History, and Botany, in the University of Pennsylvania. Nee prosunt Domino, qux prosunt omnibus artes ! Ovid " No longer his all healing art avails ; *' But every remedy its Master fails !" 1 Death has arrested Barton, now no more. In full career of life's meridian stage ; No more his penetration shall explore Arts salutary both to youth and age. 2 The hand which oft administei-'d relief To patients sinking in disease and pain, Wasted with sickness and worn out with grief. Lies stiff and torpid in the dreary plain. 3 The brain in which ideas clear and just. In brisk and lively currents quickly rose, Disorganiz'd and broken in the dust. Can nothing now exhibit or disclose. 4 The tongue which manna dropt and sweetness led To sooth the languid sufferer's distress, Lock'd up and still among the silent dead. The tender feelings can no more express. 5 Long did he struggle to retrieve his health, Try'd every art that medicine can yield, But life can not be bought by skill or wealth, By learning's light or heroes in the field. 6 When Am'ric's land no succour could afford, To foreign climes he hasten'dto repair His wasthig strength, and to confirm the cord Of brittle life, by change of scene and air. DEPARTED MERIT. 53 7 But all in vain, France could no safety bring, Nor Britain high in medical renown, Both lands he left, return'd on naval wing To his blest native land and pleasant town. 8 He linger'd out the last remains of day, In Freedom's mansion and in friendly arms, Retain'd his faculties without decay. And bid adieu to earth and mortal charms. 9 Now, change the scene, anticipate the hour, When Death shall yield his spoils and Grave its prey, By the resistless force and conqu'ringpow'r Of Christ descending in aheav'nly ray. 10 Then Barton shall appear, I humbly trust. In form superior to his mortal dress. And rise triumphant from the crumbling dust To spend eternal age in perfect bliss. Philadelphia^ Thursday evening-^ December 21st, 1815. TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE Mrs. MELLISH. Blessed are the dead zcho die in the Lord, — that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. — Rev. xiv. 13. Farewell the wife, the mother and the friend ! A sweet domestic comfort at an end : Thy mind was gentle, candid, calm, sincere. True to thy husband, to thy children dear. A tedious state of pain, for some time past. Thou didst support with patience to the last : A future day will bring, I fully trust, A recompense to thee and all the Just. Philadelphia^ Tuesday^ Feb. 4th ^ 1817. •**■■ To THE MEMORY OF THOMAS M'KEAN, Late Governor of Pennsylvania, this day interred. An honest man^s the noblest work of God ' Pope, M'Kean no more ! the wise, the firm, the just, Committed for a time to rest in dust : 54 TO THE MEMORY OF His name shall live in Pennsylvania's State, Be celebrated to a period late ; While Independence glows in every heart, And Right, and Liberty their joys impart.* * The late Mr. M'Kean, with many other Patriotic Delegates subscribed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, &c. and the Constitution of Pennsylvania. He came forward in his old age, at a dange- rous crisis, in the late war, in support of his coiuitry, and for the defence of Philadelphia. Philadelphia^ June 26th^ 1817. TO THE MEMORY OF THOMAS FYSHE PALMER, '* Clergyman, sometime residing in Dundee, and commonly " designed Unitarian Minister,"* a native of Bedfordshire, in England, who died at Guam, an island,m the South Sea, on his return from Botany Bay, in the year 1802. There sleeps the brave^ now g'one to rest^ With every Patriot'^s wishes blest/ Palmer! thou Christian Hero, friend of Man, Whose life was dulv form'd on Virtue's plan ; The God of nature did to thee impart, A firm, undaunted, yet a feeling heart ; Soldier of Christy who zealously profess'd. The faith of Jesus, openly confess'd. A system salutary, clear and true. Founded on Reason and on Scripture too. Where these two perfect principles unite, Truth then shines forth with beams divinely bright. Attracts the candid part of human kind. And captivates the fair, discerning mind. ^ In' England's church, born, bred, instructed, plac'd. He might with Fortune's smiles and gifts been grac'd. But these rejected wei-e, and thrown away, Yielded to Conscience call and rightful sway- A period equal to the siege of Troy, In Caledonia's land he did employ. Exerting strenuous labour, faithful care, To storm the citadel of error there, * So Mr. Palmer is styled in his indictment, and in the verdict of the Jury who condemned him. See the trial of the Rev. Thomas Fyshe Palmer, &c. taken in court by Mr. Ramsey, an eminent short-hand writer from London, .ind published by W. Skirving. DEPARTED MERIT. ss Without the hope or prospect of reward, To sweeten mental toil, contention hard ; All he desired, expected, was to gain Converts to Christian truth, a numerous train. In this humane and estimable plan. Some success did attend this active man. Who lo ! in his tenth year of labour great, The people's minds were turn'd t' affairs of State ; Parties were formM, some for reform exclaim'd. The Friends of Government oppos'd, defam'd. My generous, open, unsuspecting friend, His help gratuitous did nobly lend To those who did espouse the people's cause, The side of liberty and equal laws : For this was try'd, condemn'd, and sent away. In Exile for seven years to Botan' Bay. This term expir'd, he hastened to return. Died by the way, and rested in his urn. To mortal views this Providence seems strange. If forward with the eyes of faith we range, — The Judge Supreme of this great universe Will every partial, cruel deed reverse. To suffering Virtue will award a crown, And Martyrs compensate with just renown. Philadelphia^ Friday evening y June 15 th^ 1821. TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE Mrs. AGNES CHRISTIE, Who died on Friday, the 26th of January, 1821, in the 73d year of her age, Jesus wept. " IVhen such friends party " ' Tis the Survivor diesP " Yes, while remembrance hold its seat, " This breast shall feel regret ; " The wounded heart may cease to beat, " But never can forget." Friend of my youth, and partner of my life, My much lamented, venerated Wife ! 56 TO THE MEMORY OF DEPARTED MERTl Sweet modesty and unaffected grace, Brightened thy features and adorn'd thy face : The sympathetic feelings filled thy breast, Good will to all, pity to the distrest ; No base, malignant passions fir'd thy mind. To purity and innocence consign'd. Train'd in the paths of virtue from thy youth, With veneration for religious truth. The precious fruits of piety appear'd In early age, and thy blest bosom cheer'd, Charm'd all thy friends, and with instructive force Made others imitate thy virtuous course. Happy for me, that I was quickly moved To see thy merit, and thy plans approv'd ; That I, of others, did succeed alone, To make such worth and excellence my own. When first conjoin'd, I found her closely bound In Orthodoxy'' s chain and doctrines sound. With tenderness and skill I then began To intimate a pure and liberal plan : , To sacred Scripture made a strong appeal, With prudence join'd with a becoming zeal. At first, mdeed, with very small success. But Heav'n at last was pleas'd the work to bless. All prejudice and error did give way Quite overcome by Truth's superior ray ; Unclouded views broke in and heavenly light. And SHE shone forth, an Unitarian bright : Fix'd, rivetted, unshaken she remain'd. And sacred truth with fortitude maintain'd. To friends and relatives though ever kind, She followed still the dictates of her mind : Where Conscience pointed she pursued the road, Alone, Christ master^ Father none^ but God! In Scotland, more than thirty years, ago. For six long niiles unwearied she would go To join in worship pure, and calmly hear. The Truth maintain'd by reasons strong and clear. When in the course of Providence she came. To Xb\?>free land^ oi'yx^\\y glorious name^ No greater joy occurred on other ground. Than in the Unitarian Church she found. Even to the latest period of her life. She shewed the Parent kind ; the faithful Wife ; OLD AGE CONTRASTED W^TH YOUTH. 57 And with increas'd activity pursu'd A course of usefulness and doing good. Though at the time of death depriv'd of speech, Her patience, gentleness, did more than preach. In calmness she gave up her mortal breath, And sweetly sunk in the cold arms of death. Dearest of Women^ now I bid farewell, Till we shall meet again where pleasures dwell Pure and untainted, subject to no change, But lasting through eternity's wide range. Increasing and improving in full store, And never to be separated more ! Still I will love thee to my latest breath, And be a constant Widower^ till Death ! Philadelphia^ Saturday, January 27th, 1821. A wise and useful Old Age contrasted with the too frequent pursuits ofTouth. *' That the aged men be sober, (or vigilant) grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience." Titus ii. 2. Omnium aetatum certus est terminus : senectutis autem nul- lus certus est terminus : recteque in ea vivitur, quoad munus officii exsequi et tueri possis, et tamen mortem contemnere ex quo fit, ut animosior etiam senectus sit quam adolescentia et fortior. Old Age I sing, with long Expeiyence join'd, Source of good sense, and rectitude of mind ; If wisdom in the compact join its part. Inform the head and regulate the heart. In Youth too oft the passions rove at large ; Reason is weak and heedless of its charge : Passion assumes the reins and rushes on Like Phaeton in the chariot of the sun. On this side Pleasure spreads her Syren charms, Corrupts the mind and fortitude disarms : On that, Ambition fires the youthful soul, Impetuous, fierce, forbidding all controul. Panting for fame, distinction, wealth or pow'r, Vain pageantry and creatures of an hour. How often do the votaries of fame Perish obscurely, fall without a name ; Or it some portion of renown they gain, How dear the price, what endless toil and pain ! H 58 OLD AGE CONTRASTED WITH YOUTH. When Wealth, a darling object, is pursu'd, And sought by every method bad and good, If not attain'd the character is lost, Contempt succeeds and mei'ited distrust. If Mammon smiles, and heaps on heaps are roll'd, What dignity can rise from yellow gold ? If Virtue, precious Virtue, stand apart And neither fill the head, nor warm the heart : Fools may admire, and sycophants may paint, But brave and honest minds refuse assent. When now the term of giddy youth is past, And cool reflecting age succeeds at last, With sad regret and anguish we survey Time infamously spent or thrown away. Happy the man who can look back on time Enjoy 'd in innocence, unstain'd with crime. But happy next, who with repenting heart, Grieves for the past and takes the better part. Corrects his faults and regulates his ways, And spends in virtuous deeds his latter days. How precious is Old Age when thus employ'd, Each vicious tendency curb'd or destroy'd : The mind awake to Reason, every sense Inspir'd with virtue and benevolence, A bright example on this earthly stage To form the manners of the rising age, Join'd with instructive lessons, fit to move The youthful mind, when seconded by love. Devotion too must fully bear its part, To cheer the mind and sanctify the heart. Without this antidote and cordial charm, Age must be languid, death create alarm. Devotion points to heav'n, dispels the gloom Of sinking nature, ready for the tomb. With joy and hope we view the promis'd land. And leave the world resign'd at God's command. Philadelphia^ Sunday evenings January 28thj 1816, 059) ADDENDA. Mr. Palmer and Mrs. Christie were lovely in their lives ; but in their deaths, they were very much divided. The for- mer died in a strange and distant land, without an attendant that he could unbosom himself to, except his friend Mr. Ellis, whom he had adopted as his son. The latter, though depriv- ed of the faculty of speech, was in possession of her senses, and expired in the presence of her husband, who endeavoured to catch her last breath. Her other affectionate friends (for obvious reasons,) had retired some hours before her death. Mrs. Christie expressed, at different times, much esteem for the characters and labours of the two Ministers, "who have discharged their duty with such exemplary fidelity in the Jirst Church of Unitarian Christians m this city ; and I have a real pleasure in exhibiting her sentiments before the public. In a Note annexed to the Preface of Dissertations on the Unity of God, &?c., I expressed myself to this effect. " Mr. " Palmer (after he was settled in Scotland) made one excur- " sion into England, and preached powerfully at Newcastle, ••' and other places. It should have been zuritten " two ex- " cursions." Philadelphia, July 7th, 1S21. W. C. FINIS.