\W": .A 2^vSOT Miftfiiidtfifa m.A utmtffl ,Amaa'''Aa AflflfitoMfli Sm^mm LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, PRESENTED BY UNITED STATES OE AMERICA. fl^.W mMmmm 'torn :.' . 'rnmmmmm^Sm v in ,: *A in a*j fmMM^mmmm faNM\\ aaasBwifflte^Tfflm VAaaM ^aaAaa/VW ?m^ VMWaAA fM/mM fcflfoflHIA MMiMi ^Aa^aAa^aA^, §^^wM ^aaAA AA»**».nA/V A^flW MiM^WMwm f^^mM !MkMiiM^ art AN ORATION m ^~ essiah » iftituiiunti » DESCANT ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY, WITH A VARIETY OF POETRY ON MORAL AND RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS. ROSWEEL RICE, Esq , of Cambridge, WasMngion Vounty, N. Y. PRICE FIFTY CENTS. VOLUME F 1 O It 1875 55 35 ALBANY : MUNSELL, PRINTER, 82 STATE STREET. 1874. z^Otfrn^: $5& m I IsT 3D E X . PAGE. Oration on Messiah's Kingdom, 395 Descant on Time and Immortality, — 416 Scenes of Mount Tabor, 460 Acrostic on William Shakspeare, , 465 Cataract of Niagara and Suspension Bridge,. . . 466 The American Rebellion, 470 Time's Destroying Flight, 480 Burning of Chicago, 485 V Our Father," 490 Boston Conflagration, . 494 The American Republic, '. 499 New York State Capitol, 501 Hoosac Tunnel, 504 Scenes of Calvary and Joseph's Tomb, ........ 507 The- Death Knell,. 511 Farewell to the Ocean, 514 A Night in Gethsemane, 518 ■>"£' d, my Grod, why hast thou forsaken me!" When did I refuse to force thy claims, and sustain thy rights? When did I fail to publish thy name and relieve the hopeless sufferer? When did the poor, the needy, the halt, and blind, ask of me and did not receive ? When did the heart-broken father, the weeping mother, and orphan sisters ask me back their dead, and I did not relume the sightless eye, and pulse the lifeless heart? And is this my recompense ? Must I not only bear the malice of the mob, fury of fiends, desertion of the world, and murmurings of the heavens above, but also have mingled in this dreadful cup the hidings of my Father's face? "My Grod, my Gfod, why hast thou forsaken me ! " Now, when his suffering humanity had uttered its last complaint, and was about to receive its final shock ; when Heaven and earth conspired to recede from the poor sufferer; when the divine intercourse was checked, and paternal presence withdrawn ; when alone, without friend or assistance, he had to contend with the con- flicting and scourging elements of the universe ; at this strange phenomenon, nature could no longer endure tha dread sufferings of her Creator : she vibrated with conscious horror through all her dominions. The sun, shrouded in darkness, rolled back his chariot from the cursed abode of man ; refused to see the Son of Right- eousness, from whom he had received his beams, sinking beneath a horizon of darkness, blood, and death ! The 402 bice's oration rocks rent, earth shook, and trembling mountains pro- longed the terror of the scene ; men scoffed, hell howled, and heaven let fall a tear. Death heard the cry of the world's redemption in his dark dominions, forgot his prey, let fall the chains which bound his prisoners ; they started into life, while revengeful creation, mantled with sackcloth, "hung the heavens with the habiliments of mourning!" And all this for man, for you and me. The human soul was at stake, and by such an altar and such a sac- rifice, it is proved to be of more value than the whole amplitude of insentient worlds. That, upon which Heaven has embarked so godlike an expenditure of effort, must possess the true value of the immortal soul ! But, the tragical scene is over ; the Almighty's wrath seems subsided ; nature has put off her garb of mourn- ing ; the sun gilds the world in prior glory ; the moon ascends her pathway of stars ; the mountains cease to tremble on their deep foundations ; mossy graves retain their remaining dead ; and creation seems to rest over the Savior's tragedy. His disciples have now lost their Master, and become the scoff of Jewish murderers. Death, with hands dyed inHeaven's blood, now sways his sceptre over the grave of Jesus, and holds the chains, that bind in the tomb, the humanity of the Son of God ' Hell exclaims, in a shout of triumph with her countless millions through all the deep caverns of the damned, "the Prince of Life is slain," while earth's demons conspire in the loud acclamation of "Amen." The Savior is yet nailed to the cursed wood ! His head is bowed in the still slumbers of death ! His eyes, once sparkling with life, now sleep in silence ! His face, without spot or wrinkle, is cold and lifeless ! His feet, that bore salvation, have lost their motion; and his beneficent hands, that relieved suffering humanity, are dead in crucifixion. He now remains a spectacle to angels and men, cold and lifeless on the bloody cross! But a friend now approaches the body of Jesus. ON MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 403 Joseph of Arimathea, takes him down from the cross, embalms him in spices, and lays him in his own sepul- chre, hewn out of a rock. His grave is sealed by Jewish priests, and secured by Roman soldiers. He lies "numbered with transgressors," the pale and pulse- less corpse of Joseph's tomb ! What a spectacle was exhibited in this memorable sepulchre. He, who clothed himself with light, and rode in his chariot, borne on the breezes of heaven, was pleased to put on the habiliments of mortality, and press the tomb of the prostrate dead. Who can repeat this truth too often ? Who can dwell on this theme too long ? He, who sustains the thrones of glory, and gives light to the heavenly host, is now a pale corpse, and chained by the Prince of Darkness. But his Divinity only slumbers to prove the claims of his humanity, when he shall tread upon the neck of his last enemy, and raise the banner of the cross over the combined powers of death and hell : then shall his ruthless foes be put to flight, and the song of free grace, by the blood of Jesus, shall redeem the world. In this, the hour of'thy triumph, death! never did thy dark realm contain such a prisoner before. Prisoner did I say? No, he was more than conqueror! He arose from his icy bed more mightily than Samson from a transient slumber ; broke down the iron bars of death, and razed the strong holds of its dark dominions. And this, mortals ! is our security, our only consolation. Jesus has trod the rugged pathway, and smoothed it for our passport. Jesus, sleeping in the tomb, has bright- ened the mansion, and left an odor in those beds of dust. The dying Jesus is our sure protection and guide through the territories of the grave. If we believe in him, he will transmit us to heaven when we pass under the curtain of our dissolution ; for his voice has declared, "whosoever believeth in me, shall never die." Our exit will terminate our sufferings, and our final groan be our admission to everlasting joy; "for, if Christ be risen, then shall we also be raised." "Now is he risen 404 rice's oration from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept." So, in Christ's resurrection, is the consumma- tion of man's redemption. Our lost hope in Christ's death, revives in his victory over the tomb. We turn from the dark picture, the garden, cross and grave, to gaze on the renewed splen- dor of the Prince of Life. When the dawn of the morning broke on the night-watch of the disciples, they felt the whole heaven of their hopes was lost, and the sepulchre of their Master was the grave of immortality. But soon they saw the banner of life waving above the citadel of death, when their Jesus triumphed over his last great enemy. Then our nature took wing, and mounted with him from the tomb. Our faith revives in the retrospect, and the future is full of hope before us. When the "great Captain of our salvation" had met and satisfied the last demands of justice ; had entered, as our surety, the dark dominions of the dead ; had ren- dered grateful the retreat of the tomb ; had perfumed the grave for the believer, and planted the flower of Heaven's eternal spring in the moss of the dark sepul- chre: then, then he rose in grandeur over death's proudest hopes, and in godlike triumph, dragged to his ascending car the captivity of a dying world ! But we turn to another shade in the picture : and we here notice, that the types, shadows, and predictions of the Jewish dispensation, were set forth to show the sufferings, death, and resurrection of the Savior: and now being fulfilled by his victory over the grave, prove, beyond contradiction, that Gfod directed the prophecy. When the victim flamed on the altar, it prefigured the offering of Calvary. When Moses lifted up the serpent, he represented Jesus on the cross. When the prophet smote the rock, it was typical of Christ. When the goat was made an expiatory sacrifice for the congrega- tion, it was done to symbolize him, who "bore our sins upon the tree ;" the atoning " Lamb of Grod, that taketh away the sins of the world." If the paschal blood stayed the drawn sword of the destroying angel, how on Messiah's kingdom. 405 much more snail the blood of Christ "our passover slain for us?" We see prophecy held the same language, and tra- vailed on the same immortal theme. This was the spring of the prophets' action, the goal of their hope, and recompense of their desire. In their describing the great sacrifice of the new dispensation, every word broke with the burden of a special revelation. In whatever course inspiration threw their vision, they saw the cross, in triumph, rising upon the broad horizon of humanity, dissipating the gloom of surrounding millions, and lighting up with splendor, the baneful valley of the shadow of death. In this light our Savior regarded his advent and crucifixion. It was this sustained him. Look at his patience and resolution mid the insults of his foes, and tears of his friends. Even when the former did shout for his execution, and cried, "not this man, but Barab- bas;" and his loved ones, despair-stricken, shed tears of immortal disappointment, with godlike firmness he braved the fury, for he had before him the prospect of his passion. He beheld the period, when all nations shall load the altar of his crucifixion with the incense of piety, and celebrate the grandeur of his mission, and his death ! Having noticed man's creation and fall; the suffer- ings, death, and resurrection of "God manifest in the flesh;" I shall now contemplate his own Divinity, God- head, and reign, by referring to the declarations of inspired prophets and apostles as positive testimony. To be able to confide in the high commission of the Son of Grod in the uplifting our fallen nature to the fellowship of divine, we must reason on the subject, regarding him as the self-existing Almighty, Creator and Ruler of all; the Sustainer of Heaven's rights, and at the same time retrieving the guilt of mankind: and to prove Messiah's claims, we must notice him as do the scriptures, in his pre-existing, militant, and glorified 406 rice's oration* states. In doing this, the New Testament must furnish a key to unlock the Old. Without preface, or anticipated contradiction, these holy expositions tell us that "he came down from heaven;" that he is "God over all;" "God manifest in the flesh;" that "he was before Abraham;" had "glory with the Father before the world began;" that "he was sent," "was given," "was made flesh," was "Alpha and Omega," "the first and last;" "was, and is, and is to come;" "the Prince of Life;" "the Lord of glory;" "all things were made by him," and "by him all things exist." Thus, the pre-existence of Jesus Christ is every where expressly assumed in the New Testament; therefore, we cannot fail to give it due prominence, for this is our safety ; all is sea beside. To the same effect of the New, is the language of the Old Testament. Here he is the expressed God of uni- versal dominion. In Genesis, as " the seed of the woman," he should obtain victory over the powers of darkness. As the "seed of Abraham," he was to invest himself with glory in the gate of his enemy. He is Job's "redeeming" God. David calls him "Jehovah," the "King of Sion," and his throne "eternal." Agur styles him "God's Son." Isaiah proclaims him the "mighty God, and everlasting Father;" "Immanuel, God with us;" the "God of hosts, and only Savior." Daniel declares his "kingdom without end." Joel gives him the name of "Jehovah;" and in Malachi he is called "the Lord God of hosts." Here we have a cloud of witnesses, all conspiring in the supreme glory and infinite power of God's Messiah. In his militant state on earth, he gave evidence that he was "God manifest in the flesh." At his baptism on the banks of Jordan, the powers of the world to come vouched to the Divinity of his mission ! In the Mount of Temptation, he foiled the sagacity of hell by the defeat of her sovereign ! In Cana of Galilee, the elements obeyed his creative mandate, while water, casting off the law of its nature, blushed to wine ! Od on Messiah's kingdom. 407 the shore of the Lake G-enesareth, "the mother of Peter's wife" was taught that disease and death obey his voice ! The stormy sea of G-alilee, the surging roll of the agitated Tiberias, felt his presence ; and the one was still, while the other became as adamant under his feet! In the forest of Bethesda, more than twenty thousand heard his voice, and hung on his lips in breath- less expectation, while beholding the supernatural mul- tiplication of bread and fish in the hands and mouth of the eater. By the wayside, a beggar, in rags and mis- ery, directs his sightless balls to the way his Lord was passing; stretched his palsied hands, and feeling for information, he cries, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me;" and straightway he chides the curse of nature, by throwing the light of heaven on the opening eyes of the blind-born gazer ! A female invalid "troubled him in the crowd," and restoring virtue ran through all her frame in the contact ! His rebuke drove life from the fig tree, and anon it withered away ! He said to the damsel, u Talitha cu?ni," and death fled from her bier! He cried, "Lazarus, come forth," and his putrefaction began to tremble with the vital spark, and his pulse of life to beat in the tomb ! He commanded demons to "depart," and they fled to rejoin the damned! Confession, from lips of devils, declared him to be the holy one of Gfod ! The efful-' gence of his Deity shone on the Mount of Transfigura- tion ! In the procession that attended him through the cantons of Jewry, those who had never seen, "opened their eyes;" and the first object they saw, was him who gave thera sight. None but Jehovah could release the woes of suffering humanity, and burst the chains of the death-bound prisoner, as did Jesus, when he took upon him our nature, and dwelt among the sons of men. Behold him entering Jerusalem ! His disciples shouted him as their Gfod and Bedeemer. The throng of spectators rent the skies with their loud acclamations, "Hosanna in the highest." The streets of the Jews, and the bending heavens, resounded with the shouts of 408 rice's oration the multitude; and had they been silent, the stones beneath their feet would have cried in honor to his grandeur ! Again we look at the closing scene of his eventful life. He met death upon the cross, with no aid from earth, save the tears of his friends, amid the scoff of thousands ! and yet there was no defeat in his death. The scenes of the crucifixion confirmed his godhead, and threw "the gazer on his knee." The terrific dra- pery, which, in that dread hour, was thrown around the theatre of nature, proclaimed his dignity, and the god- like glory of his sacrifice. The glorified state of the Messiah, which commenced at his resurrection, and was confirmed by his ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit, includes the range of his administration. His resurrection sealed the Divinity of his mission, when he led captivity captive; spoiled principalities and powers, and fastened to his chariot wheels the conquered millions of death and hell. And when he ascended in his glory through the bound- less concave of the heavens, had earth possessed angelic ears, she might have heard his princely heralds surprise the waiting throngs of eternity with the voice of thun- der, "Lift up your heads, ye everlasting gates, and let the King of Glory in." Earth might have asked, in the language of prophecy, " Who is the King of Glory?" and heaven have replied, earth has crucified him; " the Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory ! " Such was the triumph of the Son of God! Thus, in his pre-existent, militant and glorified states, the Godhead belongs to the Messiah, and all the works of Deity are ascribed to him. He was the appearing Jehovah of the world in the days of Noah ; the uncre- ated acting angel in the Jewish ages ; the resident God of the temple, and Supreme Head of the Christian church ; reigning and controlling the interest and desti- nies of the universe, with a sway steady as the flow of time, and lasting as the years of eternity ! We now consider his humiliation. He was Lord of on Messiah's kingdom. 409 David, yet lie became his afflicted " Son." The "root " became the offspring of David, and "the eternal Father the Son given." Temptation and sufferings are the great sources of human misery; and to these our Lord was subject during his ministry on earth. As our Re- deemer, he humbled himself; as our God, he burst the bands of the sepulchre, and assumed the glory he possessed "before the world was." Infinite was his humiliation in becoming man, yet greater still in dying for man. But in yielding to a death so painful and ignominious as that of the cross, the wonder is magni- fied, and as we pause on its horizon, we only repeat, "he humbled himself." Almighty condescension could stoop no lower. This is the mystery of our faith. The law of heaven seems inverted. The God of angels was comforted in Gethsemane by an angel of God. The Judge of the Universe was arraigned before the bar of Pilate, and compelled to bear the engine of his own death to the place of execution. He, who had received the homage of heaven from everlasting, had his spotless cheek pol- luted by the lips of hell; those lips that sold him, and sealed the compact of his death! Those hands that built the arches of the heavens, and flung through immensity its wilderness of suns; and those feet that trod the sapphire plains of the celestial world, and had the earth a footstool, were spiked in agony to the cursed wood ! His brow, that from eternity shone with immor- tal majesty, was pierced with a diadem of thorns ! He, who led the choir of angels, and tuned their golden harps, was crucified between two thieves! He, who supplies your springs, swells your rivers, and bowls the immeasurable ocean, said, "I thirst," and "they gave him gall to drink!" What a boundless surrender of claim ! He was born in a stable ; was driven by Herod into Egypt ; was obscurely educated in Galilee ; was tempted by the devil ; was derided by his kindred ; was traduced by the Jews, persecuted by the priesthood, betrayed by 410 rice's oration his disciples, and crucified by the world ! Here is the climax of his glory and humiliation. God of eternity, teach us the import of this trans-human mystery, and in our conscious being, penetrate the springs of devout emotion ! In his passion, he drank deep of the cup of sorrow before his exaltation to the throne of hisDivinity. His soul seemed to be engaged in the displeasure of Heaven. Whatever confidence he had in God the Father, it is evident he labored under a suspension of heavenly com- fort. The passion was a severe trial of the natural affections and moral virtues of our Lord, together with a fearful amount of penal suffering. It was the hour and power of darkness, arrived in the plenitude of their gloom and last visitation. During the final engagement, the scales of God's justice seemed to tremble with a fearful equipoise. It was an eventful crisis, because the war comprised infi- nite elements. The hero of the struggle entered into the breach of a world cursed of God, and the strife of contending destinies shook the pillars on which its am- plitude was poised. Universal nature sympathized with the Sufferer, and her avenging administrations rebuked the apathy of earth, as the rocks and mountains con- spiring with the mourning heavens, broke their eternal silence to vindicate his claims. I shall now contemplate Messiah's reign. His scep- tre comprehends "all power in heaven and inearth;" and his administration is universal. He has a two-fold claim upon the children of the world; he made us, and afterwards redeemed us. As "God over all," his right to rule is inherent in his nature ; and he also possesses the same right to his Messiahship by his "obedience unto death;" for which cause he stands as mediator between heaven and earth, administering mercy and justice to the children of men. The constitution of his kingdom was chartered and confirmed before its actual existence over the face of our world. It was the covenant of redemption first published on Messiah's kingdom. 411 in Paradise ; enlarged upon by Abraham ; further un- folded at Sion; announced by prophets, and finally consummated by the advent of the Messiah. This covenant includes the true worshippers of all nations in every age of the world, whether before or since our Lord assumed his humanity. The Jew, the G-entile, the wide world with its teem- ing population, infernal agency and degeneracy of its nature, the pride of intellect and turbulence of passion, these are the enemies of Messiah's reign, and every fifty years of his administration, for nearly sixty centu- ries, has consigned to heaven or hell, from our world alone, some five hundred millions of immortal souls, to live and sing in the one, or sigh and wail in the other ! He holds in his hand the weal and woe of his subjects; and from his throne of thrones, he will defend, main- tain, and extend his rights. His reign mingles joy and grief, and he imparts, by his mighty scale, his just ret- ribution for good and evil, as determined by the char- acter of his subjects. The reign of the Messiah spreads over the expanse of immensity, and comprehends the length and breadth of his empire. It goes back to the throne of Jehovah, when the "sons of G-od first shouted for joy," and em- braces every intelligence, form and grade of being ; it stretches forward until we are lost in the infinities of the future, and only know that the crowned millions of the blest in the central abodes of Deity, find the glories of eternity magnified by "the Lamb being the light thereof." The laws of this kingdom are those of the G-ospel, and relate principally to the manifestations of the divine nature, the medium and method of acceptance with Heaven ; and finally, the laws and rules of morality, which are the great principles in regulating the actions of mankind. To show the past, present, and future extent of this kingdom, we appeal to history, observation, and anal- ogy. And in appealing to history, we know not where 412 rice's oeation to begin. Through all ages, what nation, not utterly savage, is not a debtor to the cause we plead ? Where is it, the lamp of his empire has not been seen penetra- ting the gloom of nature's night? Where is it, that light has not shone in darkness, and gilded the gloom of earth's horizon, to direct her aliens home to God? Where is it, that salvation's morning has not arisen upon the world, as it first broke upon the shepherds' ear, on the hills of Bethlehem ! Every brief term in the calendar of time is adding some new province to the dominions of the Son of God. Every rising sun that gilds the heavens, brings in some new trophy of his reign. At every short interval, the recording angel stamps on the ledger of immortality, that the Gospel has conquered another language of the bab- bling earth, and soon it shall pour its salutary streams of light and life through the channels of every dialect ! East, West, North and South ; through all the zones of earth, the world's moral midnight is struggling for her coming dawn ! Every where, over the vast expanse of nations, light is flashing through the mind, giving direc- tion to the hopes, and shedding its lustre upon the path of humanity. The vast river of the water of life is rolling in heaven-born grandeur, and will soon flood the world in millennial glory, and bear on its bosom the emporium of God. The seed of the kingdom, already sown upon the tops of the mountains, shall yield its fruit in suc- ceeding ages, and wave like the cedars of Lebanon, bending by the winds of heaven. The foundation of the kingdom is already planted in the breasts of millions, and its heavenly breezes are every where inspiring the children of men, and will successively augment in its accumulating triumphs, until "faith" shall become uni- versal, and the world restored to God. In this way, Christianity shall stain the pride of all human glory ; subdue the world with its vile elements, and on its grave raise the banner of Messiah's kingdom. The Prince of Darkness shall lose his reign on earth, ON MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 413 and all men learn to do the will of God. The gilded curse of war shall receive its dishonor in the esteem of nations; and auspicious memory, instead of recounting the vain glory in the battles of slaughtered victims, shall consecrate its hallowed recollections to "peace on earth, and good will tt> men." The subjects of this kingdom are the servants of God, flourishing in the "beauties of holiness." They are free volunteers, ready to obey the commands of their Master, and are influenced by the life-giving doc- trines of the cross. In numbers, "they shall be as the stars of heaven, and sands upon the sea shore." Messiah, in his reign, not only saves his people, but destroys his enemies. Look at the past ages of the world's history, and see the Almighty breathing his just imprecations on the children of men. From his lips our first parents received the sentence of death. Because of unbelief, he destroyed the antediluvian world by the flood of his wrath. With fire and brim- stone he demolished the cities of the plain, while their devotees of Atheism suffocated in death. The ruins of Egypt, Tyre, Babylon, Nineveh, Jerusalem, and Rome remain, to this day, imperishable memorials of the vengeance of Heaven. Look at the Jews, cursed of God, and trodden beneath the insulting feet of an un- grateful world. Look at " the seven churches of Asia," and the cities in which they were found; see their noiseless streets, hymnless temples, and desolated altars. Look at Herod, Pilate, Julian, and many others who persecuted the church ; dark and ghastly are the recol- lections of their madness. Look at the insanity of infidelity in the God-reject- ing republic of France at the close of the last century. See that powerful, civilized, and lettered nation throw- ing the gauntlet of defiance at the foot of God's throne, and waving, as the flag of their national distinction, the standard of Atheism before his face! Look at their combined allies, shrewd, artful, and malignant, leagued in the shape of turbulent propagandists, for the exter- 414 rice's oration mination of all religion. Look at the prince, subaltern, gazetteer, philosopher, and demagogue, uniting in giving organic structure to impiety ; elevating unbelief to the dignity of science, and reducing blasphemy to a trade ! Of Jehovah's retribution, in the progress and sequel of this terrible crusade, we need not describe. The principal actors fell from their skeptic thrones, as if Grod had withered up their being. The minister of vengeance, with his accusing presence, seems to have blasted their gaze, and they perished before the rebuke of him, in whose eye empire is a speck, and man an atom! All this we have seen, and yet we fear the reckoning is but commenced, and that the future will exact a still more fearful atonement. All possible means of torture have been wielded to destroy Christianity. The axe, the cross, the stake, the fire, and amphitheatre, these only threw a resplen- dent halo of glory around the ascending martyr. The fadeless crowns of immortality cheered his vision, and bore him above the waves of Jordan. Every infernal project concerted to extinguish the hopes and being of the true church of Christ, only amplified the sphere, and augmented the number of her triumphs. Such has been the past history of Christendom; and prophecy foretells a corresponding train of events shall appear in the future. The Gospel is already published in more than two hundred languages of the vocal and reading earth. In almost every nation of our globe, " the Son of Right- eousness is" beginning to shine "with healing in his wings." The sons and daughters of Paganism are emerging from darkness into light. The idolater of the Granges, and the savage of the Pacific; the Tungusian ranger of the torrid zone, and the shivering Icelander, amid his icebergs of eternal frost, have caught the radi- ance of redemption's star, and with tears of joy are pressing their way to the unfurled banner of Messiah's kingdom. The imposture of Mecca, whose baptism is blood, on Messiah's kingdom. 415 and his eucharist slaughter; and whose gigantic form so long appalled and darkened the eastern world, is fast nodding to its fall; and soon the crescent, no longer beaming upon the standard of bandit legions, shall be seen sinking beneath a horizon of oblivion, blood and death. Instead of Saracen minarets, the banner of the cross shall float on the hill of Calvary, and throw the shadow of its folds over the tomb of the Redeemer, and the homaged birth-scene of the world's redemption. The great martial struggle we have described, is now in a state of evolution, and in every direction, the ad- vance of the Messiah, resistless as the volitions of Deity, is defacing the kingdom of darkness. At this very hour, disciplined and formidable columns, under the blood-stained flag of the cross, are bearing down with invincible steadiness upon the dominions of sin and death. Christianity, with all its prevailing influence, is every where contesting the human mind, by irresistible appeals to all the principles and passions within the vast vortex of human life, and on which character and destiny are made, to turn for time and eternity. On the one hand, we see the strong holds of skepti- cism crumbling beneath the chariot wheels of the Re- deemer ; and on the other, the church in deep travail to obtain the primitive simplicity of Christianity ; that by her pure example, and ardent zeal, she may beat back the waves of darkness, and hasten the universal triumph of Messiah's kingdom, "when a nation shall be born in a day, and all shall know the Lord from the least to the greatest." Finally: In glancing at the last destiny of the church on earth, whether amid the shock of revolutions, or the bloodless triumphs of Messiah's reign, robed in the majesty of moral dominion, and resplendent in the drapery of celestial beauty, the church is seen passing through successive eras of improvement and -perfection, each glowing with increasing splendor, until the burst- ing echoes of a world redeemed, borne off upon the gale, and brought up upon the breeze, shall revive the 416 rice's descant recollection, and realize the burden of the hymn of Bethlehem ; for the shoutings of the last harvest shall be the song that sowed the seed, " Glory to G-od in the highest!" Thought can go no further; emotion rise no higher. It is the last effort of language ; the richest utterance of earth. DESCANT ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. The Author's Excuse — His Prayer to God — Creation of Worlds — Of Adam and Eve— Their Fall— The Flood— Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah — Of Jerusalem — Bonaparte's Career' — The Evils of War — On Death— The World's Redemption — The Resurrection — The Day of Judgment — The Woes of Hell, and Bliss of Heaven. Awake, my soul ! from thy deep slumber rise' Tune well thy harp, ere thou attempt to sing Thy Descant grave, on Time's destroying flight ; And touch the strings of endless weal or woe. My weakness is extreme ! the dark cloud of Midnight veils my spirit in mournful tones ; And this frail barque, stamped with mortality Because of sin, begins to feel the weight Of years, and soon must wither for the tomb. 'Tis true the task is much too hard for me ; Yet I will try this worthy song to sing, Before my harp by death shall be unstrung ; And I of Time shall take my last farewell. thou Almighty One ! thou God of light ! Eternity past and future took its Name from thee ! thou wert the "First and Last : Worlds arose from chaos ; and thou shalt be Through endless future, called God the Father, G-od the Savior, and G-od the Holy G-host. Thou who art the Fountain of life, — Giver Of ev'ry perfect gift, illuminate My mind, that I may behold the' things not seen ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 417 By mortal sight, and justly expose them To a world of aliens, by Thee redeemed. Then shall the lost be better by my birth ; And for this boon their great Creator praise. This is my heart's desire ! for this I burn The midnight oil, and spend my sleepless hours. Were it not for this, my song would cease, — my Muse expire, — my pen would fall, and all my Exertions be for self, and self alone. Time has its tales, unnumbered in their chain , "Various as the ocean's waves, from the Rippling, to the mountain swell that rolls the Mighty deep ; or sundry winds that blow, from The gentle zephyrs, to the sweeping flight Of the hurricane. He utters from his Countless voices, laden with jubilee Or woe, which bear on their tones the height and Depth of earth-born glory, and piercing wails That shake the world. Where shall I begin my Song ? how tune my harp ? what string first strike ? to Tell the wonders of Time's rapid flight, as He bears his living victims to the tomb ? Ye holy angels, lend your wings ! and ye Ministering spirits, servants of the Living God, touch my heart with a live coal From Heaven's altar, that I may tell of Time's Momentous weight, before I tune my harp To strike the notes of Immortality'. The Author of Time is God. He counted In his own right way, when he said, " Thus be Thy circumference, world ! these are thy Revolutions : — the one shall be called year, The other day." Thus our teeming orb counts Time, since first it flew in its revolving Sphere. Its motions are complete ; it knows no Increase, or diminution in its course, Ever since the sun arose, and changed its Gloomy curtain for meridian light. What pow'r is that, which bade such wonders rise ? 418 rice's descant What arm from chaotic embryo brought Forth the planetary worlds, — marked their spheres, Their circumscription gave ? What eye measured Those planets, and saw their revolutions From the beginning ? Who was it that stayed The pillars of the universe, and formed The amphitheatre of Heav'n ? What touch Was that which moved the elements, and the Azure vaults surrounded celestial worlds ? Who said, " let there be light," and merid'an Glory passed through the trackless ether, and Lit up those tapers through immensity Of space ? Who rides upon the wings of the Winds, that surround those countless worlds ; and Worthy of all glory and pow'r throughout His vast dominions ? Frail worm of earth ! this Is thy Father God. What then is man ? What His rank amid this vast machinery ? An atom of an atom world ! a lost Cypher on the left ! a blank of blanks ! a Bubble on the wave. stop, my muse, nor Degrade the works of G-od ! For in man is Planted an immortal soul, that shall live When those worlds shall be purified by fire ! Their heavens roll together as a scroll, and pass Away ! — a soul, that cost the blood of the Cross to redeem it ! and must sow on the Shores of Time the seed of an eternal Heaven or Hell. Angels must soon be its Companions around the throne of God, or Dire demons lost, and Dives in the flames. Having with my muse far into chaos Rode, to view those regions of primeval Night, that brooded o'er the vast expanse ! thence Traveled down the eternal stream, to the Period Time began, when God arose, And with his creative mandate hung out The starry lamps of heav'n, to diffuse their Light to opaque orbs and satellites, like ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 419 The moon-beams on quiv'ring floods of silver ! I now return to my native earth, the Frail mother of my existence, for a Moment's space, in which I must make my bed For an Immortality of Heaven's weal, Or the woes of Hell. Here we see the lost Pigmy tow'rs ; or withers in eternal Future, under the execration of An angry God. What finite mind can scan The Infinite ? What pen describe his pow'r ? As I surveyed the planetary worlds, And viewed the wonders of creation's birth, I, in my flight, far excelled the lightning's Flash, or the telegraph's matchless speed. In One moment I plucked the blooming rose ; the . Next, lit on some distant star, whose swift-winged Light has never reached our globe. 0, what a Miracle is man to man ! If he so Small, and yet so great, — how great the Author Of his being ! Yet still more wonders rise, Towering height o'er height, and strike, with joy Or pain, the deathless, blood-bought soul of man. Here, my muse, let all thy passions roll, And tune thy harp to sing thy Descant true. When God had finished worlds on worlds, and flung Them through the wilderness of space ! and when His plastic arm those countless orbs had bound In their vast courses through the blue abyss ! Those heav'nly globes in perfect order rolled, And felt the pow'r of their Creator's nod. Then back he flew to the abode of man, While yet remaining in his mother dust, And showed the wisdom of his God-like plan, Long made before creation took its birth. By his Omnific wisdom, pow'r and grace, He said, " Let us make man," and man was made : "He in his nostrils breathed the breath of life ; And he became a living soul." Now God Saw it was not good for man alone to 420 rice's descant Dwell ; and he caused a deep sleep on him to Fall; and took from his side a rib, out of Which he woman made. So they were made, male And female, from earth's insentient dust, To dress the garden God for them prepared. All nature has laws, by her Creator Made ; and justice demands obedience To her great Author's name. God has showed his Mercy in the' creation of man, — made him Spotless as the driven snow, — perfect in Holiness, — pure as the seraph, and a Little lower than the angels. He gave To him volitions of his own, with pow'r To revere his Creator, and retain His purity ; or obey the tempter's Voice, — become defiled, and lose the favor Of his God. A law was put before him, And for the disobed'ence of which, was The penalty of death. Soon the Serpent Beguiled the woman, " She plucked, she ate," — the Woman beguiled the man, — he also took Of the forbidden tree. Thus the holy Twain became defiled, — incurred God's wrath, and Were from Eden driven. In that moment All was lost ! — earth felt the wound ! — groaned to her Centre ! Heaven let fall a tear ! while Hell Shouted in triumph through her dark domain. 0, my soul, what a fall was that ! which cursed With two-fold death every victim slain. Since man has trespassed on Jehovah's laws, And plucked the fruit his justice had forbid'n ; Has chosen death, — excluded mercy's voice, And sunk beneath the direful curse of Heav'n ; G-od's holy light has left his fallen soul, To range in darkness, and sadly plod its Way in sin's forbidden path, — laden with Guilt, sorrow, pain, and death. Ev'ry beating Pulse tells him of his fall. Eden's glory Exchanged for midnight gloom, shrouds his mourning ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 421 Heart, and swells his gushing tears. He is now A poor vagrant, — his Paradise lost ! has A frail barque, — soon to be wrecked on life's rough Sea ! and a soul that must cast anchor on The barren strands of Hell ! Theft, murder, and Revenge, rankle in his bosom ! his thoughts Are evil as the sparks ascend ! the bane Of sin beguiles his lips ! he thirsts for blood ! And is lost to virtue, God, and Heaven. Nor does he die alone ! His curse inspires His progeny, and tunes their mournful harps To swell the dirge of their temporal, and Eternal pain. God ! what pen shall paint The ruins of the fall ? What scales shall weigh the' Value of the soul, or tell the weight of Hell's eternal doom ? What numbers count the Wails of the lost, as they plunge the waves of Eire, where groan follows groan, and death binds fast To endless death ? my God ! save from this Gulf of despair ! this bottomless pit of woe. No time to idle here. Awake my muse, And on this holy morning, thy mournful Descant sing. E'er since the fall, the waves of Sin in every form have rolled mountains High, — -sunk the world in wild despair, — scourged the Rebel with wretchedness for guilt ; because God's Wrath arose against his creature man. The Gentle zephyrs, that bore the breezes of Eternal life through the groves of Eden, Have been inspired with baneful vapors ; which Bear to suffering humanity, plagues, Pestilence, disease and death. Ev'ry hour Swells the groans of earth-born agonies, and Bears to Heav'n's insulted Majesty the History of our wrongs, and record of Our sighs. And all this for who ? for you and Me ; — -cursed with double death. Ah, whither shall We flee this load of wrath, which makes our frail Spirits quake, "and turns the good man pale ?" Heav'n's 422 rice's descant Blood shall answer, ere we close our song, when We change the picture of this mournful tale. Goodness belongs to God; — sin to men and Devils, — groaning under chains of darkness. God made the angels around his throne, — tuned [white Their golden harps, — crowned their heads, — wove their Garments, and composed the song they sing to His eternal honor. He made Adam Pure as his own Divinity ; hut made Him in the sphere of man. Freely he stood While he stood, and freely fell when he fell ; So did Eve, and all Heav'n-born angels lost. No immutable decree, passed in some Lost date of eternity, confirmed their Disobedience, and forced their fall. If Not, sin belongs to God, and him alone. Therefore we see his sentence just on men, And angels lost, when banished from his fold. No misery in all the worlds of God, Ever sprung from him without a cause. Sin Is- the cause of misery, and naught beside. Sin drove the bolts of demons, — forged their chains, — Shut them out of Heaven, — secured God's wrath, And rolled the red waves of eternal fire Through all the howling regions of the damned. Sin drove Adam from his Eden, — barred the Gate of Paradise, — expelled the favor Of his God, — caused ev'ry groan of suff 'ring Humanity, and soon will wind oxir chains In death, and make our last damnation sure. Sin is a foul monster, beyond finite Comprehension ; and none but God can solve His pow'r, and tell the number of his slain. Years rolled on, laden with wrath divine ; while Man in folly bent, sought for bliss in earth's Delight, — sought, but sought in vain, — run wild in All the mazes of his soul, — by dreams and Phantoms built his castles, — raised his Babels, — Spurned his Lord,' — slew the innocent, — sought for ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 423 Mammon, — plead for honor, — worshiped gold, — made His gods, — a drunkard was, and showed himself Expert in all the wilderness of sin. Such were the crimes that called God's vengeance forth, To scourge the world with fell disease and death. Now when Jehovah from his lofty throne, Looked down upon the wickedness of man, His eyes were pained, — his very soul grew sick, — Repentance moved his bosom ; but not for Himself, — for sinners lost. Now God arose In the vengeance of his might, — girt his sword Upon his thigh, — his thunderbolts prepared, And swore by his Almighty power to Destroy the world. The flood of his anger Was his besom ; — he drew the sword of his Wrath, — his thunderbolts made ready, to burst In fearful roar, for the retribution Of sin, and vindication of his law. Summer and Winter came, and passed away ■ — Years revolved in their primeval rounds ; — the Sun smiled upon the world as in the days Of yore ; — the moon ascended her pathway Of stars ; — the crystal lakes rolled their clear waves To the tune of the' piping winds ; — the oceans, Moved by gentle gales, swelled in primitive Grandeur ; — the rivers that swept along the Shores of the sublime highlands, still bore theii Traffic to the briny deep ; — the stars of Heav'n, with their gushing fires, shone on the world In the meridian of night ; and earth Smiled with abundant harvest, in ev'ry Ample round. And all this for who ? for man, — The' vile offender, — a poor lost vagrant, — a Robber of mercy, and rebel to God. But suddenly the heav'ns became darkened, — Nature assumed a strange appearance, — the Fountains of the great deep were broken up, — God's flood-gates began to open, and his Torrents fast descended on a drowning 424 rice's descant World. The vile infidel, long warned by Noah Of his fate, began to believe like lost Dives ; but too late ! for Noah was shut In, and the ark was floating on the vast Ocean, fast rising to surround the globe. For forty days the flood increased, — swelled the Rivers — the rivers the oceans, until The highest mountain was overflowed, and All mankind, with ev'ry living substance Found a watery grave, save Noah, and The household of the ark. Here the skeptic, When he had passed the bounds of mercy, felt His guilt, and the dread sentence of his God. Noah, and all his colleagues in the ark, Were borne above the element of death ; And saved to see the sun absorb the flood, And populate this curse-doomed earth again. The rainbow, God's bright token in the clouds, Declares the world shall be destroyed no more, Until the day the worthy bard has sung, " That day for which all other days were made." Now men increased, and as their numbers grew, They grew in vice, and learned to sow the seed Of death, — to vex the Lord, — increase his wrath, And call his curse once more. Sodom, that God Forsaken city, save by his ire, ran Swift in every form of sin ; but soon Felt its sting, and in oblivion wound Its chain. Gomorrah, the twin city of The plains, nor least in treason dyed, did rank With foes to God, — soon lost its date among The sons of men. For those cities, Abram Plead ; and had there been ten righteous found Therein, the salt had saved them from the flames. Now God arose, and in his anger whet His flaming sword, to drench it in the blood Of his stern enemies ; where mercy long Had plead, but plead in vain. Before the scourge, He sent his angels down, to warn once more ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 425 That sin-devoted race, and sunder wide The right'ous and the wicked. They dwelt with Lot 'til near the break of day, and as he Lingered long to plead his friend's escape, they Forced him, wife and daughters, from the city ; And with a stern command, bade them flee for Life ! the wife of Lot looked back, — became a Lasting monument of sin ! while he, and His two daughters fast fled for Zoar's hill. Scarce had they left the cities of the plain, Ere a storm of brimstone, surcharged with death, Swept all their numbers to one common grave. Now while my muse descends the stream of Time And of God's judgments takes a faint survey; In rapid flight I hasten on my course, And cast my anchor on Mount Calvary's hill. Time is too short to mention Samson's death, Or tell the number of Philistines slain ; To show the folly of Goliah's threat, When he defied the armies of the Lord. I therefore bid those ancient scenes farewell; Though their vast numbers meet my passing eye, And hasten onward to Jerusalem, When Jews by Titus with their temple fell. Ever since the fall, War, the foul product Of the' monster sin, has shook the world, — destroyed Thrones and dominions, — taken and giv'n crowns, — Lavished silver and gold, — spread contagion, — Poisoned disciples, — made orphans mourn, — caused Widows' tears, — spilt rivers of blood, — destroyed Cities and temples, — scourged the innocent, Forged chains of slav'ry, — set free the pris'ner, — Invaded peace, — took virtue's flag, — hardened The heart, — poisoned the soul, — silenced the pulse, — Destroyed good morals, — made man a demon, — Caused the wide world to groan to its centre, And clothed mankind in mournful weeds of woe. War first commenced in Heaven, then took its Abode in the breast of man ; and has proved 426 rice's descant Itself, to be the foulest whelp of sin, That ever invaded the worlds of God. Ye holy Bards, — baptized sons of Levi,— Born of the seed of Abraham, who have Sung the dirges of your Father's wrath and Praise, from the days of Adam, to the date Of Jerusalem's fallen grandeur ; draw Kear with your solemn songs of weal and woe, — Compose my Descant, and aid me to strike The mournful music of Salem's final groan. This frightful theme makes my sad heart to bleed, — My soul to quake, — and drowns my eyes in tears. 0, that my pen were able for this task ! To paint in full the Jew's untimely doom. To the Jews God gave his holy law, — made His covenant, — inspired them with light, — called Them his people, — blessed them with his favor, And gave to them all the rich graces of The sons of God ; while the poor Gentile, was Left to wander in the labyrinth of Vice, and error, — a stranger to virtue, Beason, hope, and Heav'n. But God's mercies were Slighted : — the Jews were often scourged for guilt ; But sinned again. These are they that killed the Servants of the living God, and at last Slew the Savior in their curse- doomed city. In the superstition, and blindness of Their hearts, they incurred Jehovah's wrath, to Fall on them according to the presage Of his Son, until their streets were crimsoned "With their own blood, and not one stone in all Their walls and tow'rs was left upon another. The temple's veil was rent, — its key-stone was Broke, and ere that generation passed, by The forbidden fire-brand of the Roman Soldier, it fell beneath its burning flames. Ere the destruction of the Jews the bright Harbingers of God left the celestial City, and with signs and wonders foretold ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 427 Their doom. For the space of six months a drawn Sword hung over Jerusalem ! martial Chariots with their charioteers, and Horsemen with trumpets, were seen in the heav'ns, Maneuvering as on the battle field ! The pond'rous gates of the city walls were Found unbarred by angels ! an heifer in The temple for sacrifice, brought forth a Lamb ! a prophetic Jew, stood on the walls Day aiid night, and cried, " woe be unto this City !" and last of all, " woe be unto Myself also !" and he fell by the dart Of his enemy. But this is not all, A Savior, after he had wept over Jerusalem, plead for their salvation With his groans and tears, and after all he Could do, being unable to move their Hearts, he exclaimed, " behold your house is left Unto you des'late ! and ye shall not see Me henceforth, 'till ye shall say blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." In spite of all these warnings, the lost Jews Bent on evil, and veiled in unbelief, Remained strangers to salvation, until The flames of their Jerusalem portrayed Their certain doom, and forged their pond'rous chains At last they cried to God for help ! but in Their prayer there was no cry, i( Jesus save." The Jew in his own esteem, could like the Giant condor, ascend the heavens above Mortal sight, and leave the poor G-entile in Regions far below. But soon the Heathen Took the flight of the eagle, and left the Lost Jew to feel his curse-bowed grandeur, and Smoulder beneath the ruin of his flames. Now the Jews believed Jehovah, as in The days of yore, would still their city save. Though there had been signs in heaven, and the Predictions and warnings of (rod's only 428 bice's descant Son, to confirm their overthrow ; yet they Feared no evil. As the dreamless sleeper Lays down in quietude, fearless of his Danger near ; so with the Jews, blinded in Their zeal, until Titus them did beseige. The dread conflict now begins ! the Jews are Shut in ! the ponderous engine beats their Walls ! the columns remain firm at their posts ! The Jews full of confusion have lost their Strength ! starvation weakens their ranks ! and Threatens greater slaughter than their foes ! while Titus, steady to his trust, is forcing His way through the walls ! he enters, and now Begins the scene of death. The trumpet sounds The charge ! the colors are flying ! and the Roman eagle is waving over the Ranks of the enemy. Now is one wild Scene of battle ! the poniard, sabre, and Spear, spill the blood of the Jews. Some fall on Their own swords ! others cast lots to see who Will slay their number, rather than be slain By their foes ! while through the streets the crimson Stream of life's rich torrent flows. A strange light, In the merid'an of day, begins to Ascend the heavens ! Jerusalem is On fire ! — the temple flames in terrific Grandeur ! while every surviving Jew Begins to tremble through all the' Holy Land. 'Tis done ! the scene is over ! — the city Of God in ruins ! and her des'lation Alone has destroyed the hope of the Jew. All the power, glory, and affluence, Of which the Jew could boast, have passed away, And left him forsaken of his God, — in Wild despair. The land of Judea is Now without temple or altar ! and the Wandering Jew, branded and scorned for guilt, Yet remains the enemy of Jesus ! — His only Redeemer, and only God. • ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 429 On the plains of Syria, and the Mount Of Calvary, the horuaged birth-place of The world's Redemption, instead of the flag Of the Cross, the Saracen banner spreads Its sable folds, and their minarets and Bastions ascribe to Mahomet's glory, — The vile impostor, and the Pagan's god. The warrior, that vindicates his prophet's Heav'n, treads careless on the sacred dust of Departed saints, as if the Lamb of God Had never preached his free salvation there. Having briefly touched upon the scenes of yore, When God poured forth his ire on aliens lost ; I hasten onward down the stream of Time, To sing of Corsica's triumphant son ; Who with his martial glory fired the world And made all Europe tremble at his nod. Frenchmen, I speak of your departed king, Whose high ambition raised him to his throne , But pressing pow'r beyond its worthy bounds, Destroyed his sceptre, and his glory fell. British and Prussian sons, combined to clip His wings, — forge his chains, and dispossess him Of his martial reign. The tyrant fell at The siege of Waterloo, amid the roar Of cannon, booming on the midnight air. Bonaparte was the monster of his age ! He lit up the world with the flames of war ! Conquered kingdoms,— destroyed thrones,— extinguished Crowns, — razed monasteries, — enfranchised nuns, — Made the Pope tremble, — set his prisoners Free, — diffused moral poison, — made widows And orphans, — involved kingdoms, — spilt rivers Of blood, — lavished mammon, — burnt cities, — made Deists and infidels, — scourged the world, — drove his Char'ot over groans and death, — sailed on seas Of blood, — trained his soldiers for a two-fold Hell, — slew the innocent, and strode like a Demon over the empires of Europe. 430 rice's descant And all for what ? for that desire of fame, Which forged his chains on St. Helena's isle. We now trace this murderer in his course Through the Russian campaign ! We begin at The siege of Smolensko, where a hundred Cannon from the stern ranks of the Russians Poured upon the French columns with dreadftf Slaughter ! while in return they sent back a More terrible carnage ! The battle raged in Desperate fury ! but in spite of the Russian force, the enemy passed over The entrenched suburbs, and fought at the point Of the bay'net ! The earth was strewn with the Dead and dying ! — blood in torrents ran ! — the Shrieks of the wounded rent the air, while the Russians returned to Smolensko, to meet A more terrible doom ! The French pursued Them to the city, and recommenced the Work of death ! Yast numbers in both armies Fell, ere Napol'on's standard triumphed in The cap'tal, mid the ruins of the flames. We now approach the scene of Borodino, On that mem'rable day, when thousands for The last time beheld the light ! The moment Had arrived, when the awful discharge of Two thousand cannon, was to break the deep Silence of expectation, and arouse In those mighty armies all the terrors Of war ! The charge of the French columns on Bagrations ranks, made a horrible slaughter ! Yet Napol'on pressed the battle to his Lines, over the bastions of the dead, which Had fallen to rise no more ! The conflict Raged with terrible carnage, while thousands Of cannon answered cannon, the smoke of Which shut out the sun from the field of death ! The sabres of forty thousand dragoons Clashed in horrid gloom, while countless bay'nets, Bursting through the sable vapor, strowed the ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 431 Eattle field with blood, and mountains of the slain. The approaching night closed the scene of that Sanguinary day, which swept to the grave Near eighty thousand soldiers from the field. Napol'on's thirst for blood and fame increased ! He looked forward to the treasures, towers, And min'rets of Moscow, with an eagle's Eye, and pulse high bounding for victory, — Expecting a refuge from the scourging Element! On September fourteenth, his Army appeared before the city ! — his Guards entered the gate in hope of conquest! — His troops moved for the Kremlin ! — the Russians Had taken refuge there, — closed their gates, and Struggled for defence ! — The French found their way through, — Sacrificed their innocent victims, and Soon spread over the city, committing Ravages beyond expression ! The streets, Houses, and cellars flowed with blood 1 — manhood "Was lost in the French soldier ! — he was like The lion in search of prey ! — was dyed with Every crime ! for Napoleon had Promised his troops the treasures of Moscow. To destroy the asylum of the French Army, the Russians fired their city ! The Soldiers enraged at the sight, increased their Outrage and slaughter like fiends incarnate ! The flames enraged ! — the Kremlin took fire ! and The glory of Moscow sunk in ruins. Bonaparte, with disappointed hope, left The city, to meet the scourge of freezing Elements, — the swift descending snows, and Approaching frosts of Winter ; which threatened Death and despair to his army ; while the Russians pursued him in his retreat with A horrible slaughter. . The dogs with their Frightful howl, and clouds of ravens bov'ring Over the dead, presaged their doom, and struck 432 rice's descant The boldest hearts with terror. Their supposed Refuge at Srnolensko had been destroyed, — All their provisions consumed, — the ninth corps Had gone, and those soldiers without shelter That encamped in the street, were found dead at The fires they had kindled. For the space of Three leagues from this point, the road was strown with The dead and dying around the green boughs They had sought to inflame. Already since The retreat, Napol'on had lost by the Russians, fatigue, and famine, near eighty Thousand men. And for what? to satiate The vain ambition of his mad career. We now approach the' scene of Beresina, The climax of the campaign, in which were The' vilest acts of sin, and deepest stains of Human guilt. Close pursued by the Russians the' French were in haste to cross the bridge ; — a strife Rose between the foot soldiers, and dragoons, To see which should first secure their passage, And thousands were slain in this sore conflict ; "Which formed a mountain of the dead at the Mouth of the bridge, that were crushed by horses, And wheels of artillery. At length the Enemy hove in sight, and the struggle Beggared description. Thousands despaired of All hope, plunged into the Beresina To die. Having passed over, they burnt the Bridge, and left in the hands of the Russians More than twenty thousand of the sick and Wounded. The enemy approached their prey !- — The night w; s dark and wild ! but a darker Night veiled the hearts of those dying soldiers. We still pass on and behold Napol'on Struck with fear and guilt, made his desertion. His soldiers cried, " is he who lavished our Blood afraid to die with us ?" Expiring Warriors still continued to fall, and their Flesh was often eaten by their starving ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 433 Comrades. Some sat down on lifeless bodies Around the fire they had kindled, and when It was extinguished, being unable To rise, they fell by the side of the dead. Others plunged themselves into the flames, and Died in horrid convulsions. When a worn Out soldier fell, the next would rob him of All he possessed. His cry was, " help ! they Rob me ! they murder me !" but they heard not His prayer. Naked amid the freezing Elements, wild beasts, and vultures of prey They left him in all the horrors of war, To weep and die in deep-toned agonies. my God ! are these the savage acts of Thy creatures, amid the Gospel of light, And the regen'rating blood of the Cross ? I might mention the battle of Waterloo, The last conflict of Napol'on ! I might Tell of the twenty thousand, that strowed the Field of the slain, on that mem'rable day ! 1 might show Bonaparte's fierce ambition, As he poured fresh columns on the English Lines, when Wellington wiped the sweat from his Face, and prayed that Blucher, or night would come . I might tell of the dire curse shown on his Brow, and the fearful emotions of his Heart, when he saw the Prussians bursting the Distant wood ! I might display his spirit's Wrath, when he sent his imper'al guard, to Pour fresh slaughter on the British columns ! I might tell of Napoleon's last hope, When the Prussians gave the second discharge Of artillery on the enemy, As they wheeled and flew ! The battle is lost ! And Wellington has taken the field ! The French Tyrant fled, pursued by the cannons' roar. Bonaparte is bound to rage no more ! Like The wild tiger caged, he may thirst for blood, But he shall thirst in vain ! As the king of 21 434 rice's descant Birds, he could soar the heavens of his martial Glory, and behold the storm, and lightnings Play below ; but he shall not soar again ! The distant island of the sea has caged Him, and he has become a doomed pris'ner ! His soldiers that have survived their dangers, Shall no longer fear his voice, or tremble At his nod ! Never again shall he breathe The pure air of freedom, or terrify The world with his sanguine revolutions ; For his stronger foes have chain'd him, and in His fetters he shall die. Amid the wild Tempest, and the waves lashing themselves far Upon the island, the last stages of A corroding cancer drink his blood, while His spirit in its expiring struggle Is watching the current of battle. His Sun is about to set in darkness, mid Fountains of tears, — streams of blood, and oceans Of woe ; — caused by the ambition of this Expiring conqueror. The nations shall breathe free For his sun has gone down to rise no more. The man that sheds the blood of his fellow For envy, — ambition, or gold, is a Murderer, — the brother of Cain, — the vile Slave of the devil ; and will so be judged At the last great day. The reason why the Gospel is so dormant in flooding the World with its light, is because Pagans look On Europe and America, and say, " How these Christians murder one another ?" There is no evil this side the regions Of eternal despair, that compares to War. It is the fruit of demons, and their Colleagues incarnate. On this theme I say No more ; but drop my pen, and sigh farewell. Having sung of the besoms of God's wrath, And of war. man's vilest instrument for The untimely destruction of a world ; ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 435 I now hasten to the angel of death, That drives the chariot of the ire of God over the vast millions of his slain. My muse once more awake, still strike thy harp In tones of woe, that rend the heart, and scourge The world. My Descant now is death, — written On the flag, borne by the pale horse and his Rider, in sable capitals. He makes All flesh to kiss the dust from whence it rose. His vast dominion is the known empire Of a fallen world ; — his commission is From Him who gave the sentence, and his pow'r Shall never cease 'till all mankind are slain. He has no mercy ; — to him pardon is A lost stranger, since justice wove his crown. This stern king has waved his banner over All flesh ever since the fall of Adam ; And will ride forth in victory, until The trumpet of the first resurrection. Ye sad victims of this conqueror, can You tell me what it is to die, and pass The River of Jordan ? Can you unfold To me the frightful sensations, when the Clay building begins to sink beneath the Throes of convulsive agony, and the Chills of death to freeze every flowing Vein ? Can you explain to me the deep woes Of the mind as the' heart begins to faint, and The gangrene to destroy the extremities Of life ? Can you show me the internal Strife of soul and body, indicated By the ghastly visage writhing in the ( Groans of dissolution ? Can you tell of The solemn farewell of the departing Spirit, as she sits on the quiv'ring lips Of mortality, ready to close her Accounts with earth, and take her flight to God ? I pause for a reply ; but receive no Answer. The beholder may sympathize his 436 rice's descant Dying friend, and be moved to tears ; but to Him this is not death. No finite mind can Convey to the human understanding The vast weight of expiring agonies. Death has no respect of persons, but makes Universal triumph o'er his victims. The black and white, rich and poor, young and old, King and beggar, are all destroyed by the Same tyrant. The youth, in the fashions and Amusements of life, glorying in the Theatre, or dark dens of pollution, Must fall a prey to the same conqueror. The man in life's meridian, seeking The vain riches and honors of the world, Or rejoicing in its vanities, shall Drink the sad cup of death. The king on his Throne, who extends his arm of pow'r, must fall By the sword of this grim monster. The slave, In chains of bondage, shall feel his sanguine Streams of life expiring, and sleep on the Same dreamless bed, as that of his master. Ye frail sons of earth, robed in glory, or "W ading the depths of penury and pain, Come reason with death ! — meditate the hour When you must bow down under your last strong Agony, — the world recede from your sight, — Your friends take their long farewell, — your eyes close For the last time, — the wheels of life stand still, And your barques founder in the dreamless tomb. Forestall your fate ! — for there is no escape ! — The shroud, — the coffin, — the funeral pall, — The narrow house, and gnawing worm are yours. Look upon the sun, moon and stars with their Gushing fires ; — behold the lake, — the island, — The river, and mountain, and remember That ere long you shall see them not again. Your earth or ocean graves, that have received You with many tears, shall your images Deface, and the mould that has nourished your ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 437 Growth, to return to prior dust, will soon Transform you to the sundry elements Of nature, to be brothers of briny Waves, — flinty rocks, — mountain oaks, — the food of Man, or the isentient clod, turned by The planter's slave, or ploughshare of the swain. But in your last slumber you shall not rest Alone. You shall lay down with the ancient Patriarchs, — with kings that swayed their golden Sceptres, — the stars of earth, — the wise and good, And the holy seers of gone by ages. The lakes and oceans with their rolling waves, — The murmuring brooks that flow the verdant Meads, — the swelling rivers that sweep along The sublime highlands, — the vales extended Between the lofty hills, and the mountains Iron-bound, — ancient as creation's birth, all Conspire to adorn the vast tomb of man. The sun and moon, and all the lamps of heav'n, Have shone on earth's common grave since Adam "Died. The legions, that now tread this wide earth. Are few to those that sleep in its bosom. Let your souls take wing, and the African Desert pierce ; — view Iceland's eternal frosts ! Then light on the Bocky Mountains, where the Missouri hears no murmur but its own ! Yet in those dark regions, millions since Time Began, have laid them down in their last sleep. So shall you rest amid earth's revolving Ages, while the thoughtless ones will cease to Think of your departure : but there is no Loss in that ; for weeping cannot raise the Dead, or save the living from the tomb. All That breathe must share your fate. The careless, in Folly bent, will laugh o'er your dust, and sport In the phantoms of their brain ; — the vain pomp Of earth shall swell their songs, and drive from them The solemn thoughts of death ; yet all these gay And simple ones shall forget their wine and 438 rice's descant Mirth, and make their bed with you. As the length Of Time revolves away, the race of men, — Son and sire, — maid and matron, — prince and slave,- The fair infant and giant form, shall be Borne along to join the departed dead, And swell the bosom of earth's common grave. The pains of death are greatly enhanced, or Mitigated, according to the prospect Of a future state. Some have died in the Full expectation of Heaven, others Under the most frightful prospects of Hell. Such was the case of dying Altamont. His disease indicated approaching Dissolution ; but more terrible was The disease of his mind. His unkindness Had murdered his wife ; his dissipation Beggared his boy ; and his sins destroyed his Soul. His confession was, " I have neither Life nor hope. I have spurned my God, — denied His Son, and plucked his ruin. Oh Time ! Time ' Thou art lost ! forever lost in the swift Madness of my soul. Oh for a month ! a Week, to wash away my sins ! But I plead In vain. Time has wove my winding sheet, and Made my grave in Hell. To me all Heaven Is lost. Already I begin to feel The gnawings of the worm that never dies. This soul is full mighty to reason, full Powerful to suffer ! and must soon survive The pangs of death, and prove itself immortal. And as for God, nothing less could cause the Pains I feel. Didst thou endure the mountain Of guilt upon me, thou wouldst struggle with The martyr for his stake, and bless Heav'n for Those flames that are not an eternal fire. My principles have poisoned the world ! And Is there yet another Hell ? Oh ! thou most Indulgent God ! Hell is a refuge, if It hide me from thy frown." Soon after his ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 439 Reason failed ; — his frightful appearance told Of horrors not to be repeated, or Ever forgotten! And ere the sun had Gilded the eastern horizon, this gay, Noble, and most wretched Altamont died. We now invert the picture, and portray Another personage, that fell in the Days of her youth by fatal consumption. Her form was the symmetry of beauty ; — She was the object of her parent's love ; — And the fair rose of the morning glories. Health smiled upon her cheek, and long life was Her prospect. But suddenly her fond hopes Were blasted ; — the' destroyer came, and in his Assault, chained his victim with the disease Of death. Aid was called for, but in vain was The arm of man ; for her case was mortal, And knew of no reprieve. But thank God, she Was not like the dying queen, that cried, "a Million of money for a moment of Time" ! but stood firm on the Bock of Ages. Her parents had taught her Jesus, and she Found her Savior. She felt her sins all washed Away in the blood of atonement, and Like Paul she was ready to die. Truly Through the Jordan of death, was a dreary Passport ; but when she saw her Savior had Perfumed the grave for the believer, and Planted the flow'rs of Heav'n's eternal spring In the moss of the dark sepulchre, her Soul shouted for joy, and triumphed o'er her Last en'my. Death steady to his purpose, Pursued her close through ev'ry lane of life ! At length she felt the fatal moment near, When, like a bird freed from his cage, she should Burst her clay prison, and go home to God. She called her parents around her dying Bed, — thanked them for those lessons that preached the Savior, — admonished them to adorn their 440 rice's descant Profession by a holy life, — then bade Them her last farewell. And after making A solemn preparation by pray'r, uttered The last groan of mortality, and the Swift winged angels bore her home to God. Having worn out my harp on the sad dirge Of a dying world, and much exhausted The harper's strength, I will attempt to string It anew for a brighter theme, and by The grace of God, give the pleasing tune of The world's Redemption by the' blood of the Cross. The bound prisoner, sentenced to his dark Cell without hope of future exemption, Is an object of extreme despair. But Mercy revives his hope, — his reprieve is Granted, — is borne to his ear, — he shouts for Joy, — leaps like the bounding roe in the fresh Breezes of heav'n, and imparts his gracious Thanks to his liberal benefactor. But how faint the emblem ? I see the lost Sinner in his mire and pollution, with His sentence from the lips of the' Eternal, Which bound him in the first and second death Thus without God, he was lost in the gloom Of night, where no ray of light could beam on His pathway, — no created arm burst his chains. There dwelt the mournful prisoner alone, Doomed by that law which knew of no reprieve. But a God began to move in mercy For an apostate world. A voice was heard Through Heav'n, " lo I come " ! At this the harpg of Angels were mute, and they stood amazed, that God the Son should cast off his crown. Amid The throng of seraphim and cherubim, He laid by the raiment of his glory, — Bade farewell to Heaven's shining millions, And with the flight of a God descended From his throne, — made the manger his cradle, And his birth place the' stable of Bethlehem. ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 441 By this condescension, — his subsequent Sufferings on the Cross, and his triumph Over the grave, — he trod upon the world's Last en'rny, and fastened to his char'ot Wheels the conquered millions of death and Hell! To describe the Savior's sufferings for Man's redemption, my soul takes wing to the Garden of Gethsemane, and beholds His agony as he fell on his face And prayed to God. There the blessed Jesus, With blood pressing through ev'ry pore, bore the Pond'rous load of human guilt, which would have Crushed a world to Hell. In his midnight woes, With his soul sorrowful even unto Death, and his human'ty sinking under The load of guilt he bore, an angel drew Near, and strengthened the suff 'ring Son of God. We now hasten to Calvary's horrid Eminence, — to the Savior's dying hour. He was condemned by his own creation, And spiked to the cursed wood. They reared him Up, a spectacle to Heaven and earth, Amid the sneers of the Jew and Gentile Throng. His temples were mangled with a crown Of thorns, — his hands and feet cleft with rugged Irons, — his body covered with wounds, and his Soul pierced with extreme agonies. At this Phenomenon, nature could no longer Endure the suff 'rings of her Creator She vibrated with horror through all ner Dominions. The sun shrouded in darkness, Rolled back his char'ot, and refused to Shine for the space of three hours, on the curs'd Abode of man. The mountains quaked, — the rocks Rent, — the earth trembled, and the temple's veil Was rent in twain. Lost angels heard the cry Of the world's redemption, and they howled through All their dark domains, while death let fall the Chains that bound his pris'ners, and they started 22 442 rice's descant Into life. Jesus knowing that all things Were accomplished, he cried with a loud voice, " It is finished, and he gave up the Ghost." Glory to God ! that redemption by the Cross was not confined to Jews, or a part Of the Gentiles; but was made for "the sins Of the whole world." That when Jesus cried, " It Is finished, and bowed his head and died, 1 ' he Then made an atonement for all mankind. Here we see the Savior's sacrifice has Made it possible for ev'ry slave, to Burst his chains through faith in redeeming blood, And escape the woes of the second death. Ye potentates, that wield your vast sceptres Over empires, and fare sumptuously Ev'ry day, come lay your honor at the Feet of this King, who spilt bis blood for your Souls' redemption. Ye nobles of the earth, Whose chariots bear you above the wants Of penury, come drink the healing streams, And feast on the rich banquet of Calv ry. Ye vile murd'rers, that drove the spear into Your Savior's side, repent of your deepest Stains of guilt, and through faith receive pardon In his blood. Ye lost vagrants, bowed by the Scourge of poverty, having neither home Nor friends, come find a refuge in your Lord. Ye disappointed ones, whose hearts have been Wounded by the blasted flowers of Time, Pluck the fair rose of Sharon, and your lost Hopes shall wound no more. Ye that seek for the Falling crowns of earth, forego your doubtful Toil, and take the rich garland purchased by The sad Victim of the cross. Let ev'ry Lost one forsake his way, and believe in The sacrificial death of the Son of God, and he shall be found of him in the Great day of God Almighty and the Lamb. When the Savior had given up his life ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 443 Upon the cross, and entered the dreary Sepulchre, his disciples believed his Tomb to be the grave of Immortality. But soon reviving hope inspired their hearts, When the guard were palsied by the pow'r of G-od, — the stone rolled back from the door, — the grave Opened, — the body of Jesus not there, And a well known voice said, " Mary " ! then his Loved ones rejoiced in hope, to see their Lord ; And they embraced their triumphant Savior. Caesar's seal, and Pilate's men of war, could No longer bind the Prisoner. Death gave Up his chains into the hands of Him by Whom death itself shall die. As a man he Humbled himself to enter the grave ; but As a G-od he burst the tomb iu vict'ry, — • Took the keys of death and hell, and placed them In his wounded side, — rose immortal, — was Death's last plague, and the grave's exulting King. Nor has Jesus risen alone. By his Exultation he has secured the last Triumph of ev'ry saint from his bed of Dust! " For if Christ be risen, then shall we Also be raised." There will be a period In the history of Time, when the sun Shall be darkened, — the moon turned to blood, and The stars fall from heaven like leaves of Autumn. Then shall the trump of the archangel sound, And the right'ous dead shall burst their marble Shrines, to die no more. Nor they alone ! For The last trump is yet to sound, at the voice Of which, the wide earth must tremble to her Centre, — the oceans swell with tremendous Commotion, — the elements melt with fervent Heat, — the heav'ns roll together as a scroll, And the flames of conflagration destroy This heinous abode of man. Then shall earth's Cemetery give up the millions of Its wicked dead, — never to sleep again. 444 kice's descant my God ! into what terror would it Strike our frightful souls, should thy dread lightnings Now begin to thwart these heavens above, And thy rending thunders to shake the world ' But I hear a voice from unbelief, " the Dead shall never rise." Infidel wisdom Denies the pow'r of God to raise the dust Of man, — combined with sundry elements. The skeptic, bound fast to nature's laws, is Forgetful of her Creator's power, — Expels the act of miracle from his Faith, — limits Jehovah's might, and rides in His car of oblivion to future life. But we are not of those that close the door Of Heav'n, — deny God's omnipotence, and In eternal annihilation sleep. That voice which said, "let there be light, — let the Worlds revolve, — let stars bedeck the heavens, — Let Adam live," and in type of what shall Be, said " Lazarus come forth," shall awake Our dust from the sleep of ages to a Life of Immortality. Nor shall we Live alone ! The Savage wild, — the polished G-reek, — the Tongousian ranger, — the dwarf Icelander, — the Amazonian, and Scottish chief, that for gone by ages have Sunk in death's embrace, and through the changes Of Time, exist in the curly vapors, — The blades of grass, — ocean's waves, or earthly Clods, shall hear the resurrection trumpet, And live to die no more. Nor they alone ! All the race of Adam that have died, or Will, before the trump shall sound, shall hear the New creating fiat, shake off their chains And rise in triumph o'er their vanquished king. My Descant now approaches the final Day of retribution for a risen, And congregated world. The vast millions Since the days of Adam, have already ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 445 Heard the angel's trumpet, and burst the bonds Of their dreamless sepulchres. They now wait For that voice which calls to judgment. The judge Assumes the glory of his pow'r, — he sits On his brilliant throne, — is surrounded by Clouds of angels, — is clothed with flaming fire — His eyes sparkling with light exceeding the Blazing meteor, — his head encircled With brilliancy surpassing the mid-day Sun, — his feet like unto fine brass, holding In his hands the seven stars, — he wears a Royal diadern, — he appears ! " But how Unlike the man that died on Calvary." His mandate now assembles the countless Millions around his majestic glory ; — Waiting in awful suspense to hear their Final doom. This is the day for which man Was made, — for which the sun has shone, — for which Time has been, and for which Heav'n's blood stained the Soldier's driven spear. The great day of dread Decision, that drives the unshaken bolts Of Hell's dark domain, which bind the sinner With lost demons in the red waves of fire ! And crowns the saint with the blood-bought garland Of the Cross, — the fadeless robe of Heav'n, — the Golden harp, and song of eternal life. This the day of God Almighty's wrath, and Of the Lamb. At thought of this, each mundane Wish lets go its eager grasp, and catches At the faintest hope of Heav'n. The earth had Never seen a larger host than when the Foe of Greece spread o'er the land ; but this was Small compared to the army of the skies. Mid this clould of witnesses, the redeemed of The Lord will lift up their heads rejoicing ; While the wicked, stung with keen remorse, shall Linger in wild despair to meet their doom. The waging warrior, whose glory has been For vict'ry and honor, — who steeled his heart 446 rice's descant Against the prayer of his victim, — assumed The right of God to scourge the world without His mandate, — drove his chariot over Thousands of his slain, — showed himself a fiend Incarnate, is now caught in the judgment Sentence, to inherit the dark world of woe ! The foul murd'rer ! the vilest object of a Fallen world ! who for the love of gold, and The want of humanity, has taken The life of the innocent ! and what proves His guilt of the blackest dye, he has laid In ambush, and buried himself in guile To shed blood. But an Almighty arm has Bound him, " hand and foot !" and the deputized Angel of the Judge casts him into fire, Where red waves of sorrow shall follow wave ! The poor drunkard, that wallows in the mire, — Makes a beast of what God made man, — poisons Soei'ty, — degrades his wife and children, — "Wastes his scanty living, — disturbs the peace, — Destroys his health, — blasts his mind, and becomes A nuisance to God and man, is found at The judgment far on the left, while the voice Of Jesus proclaims his verdict, " depart," And he plunges the flames of " wrath to come !' The alcoholic vender, that spreads the Bane of death among the masses, — for love Of gold makes inebriates, — beggars their Helpless offspring, — inverts peace to war, — weaves The pall of despair, — digs untimely graves,— Shortens the day of grace, — blasts the parent's Hope, — makes youth and age insane, and tremens With forestalling woe, to shake its victims Over the yawning gulf! — now stands aghast, To wail his doom in " everlasting fire ! " The vile Deist that spurned the sinner's Hope, — The world's Redeemer, — the Rock of defence, — The Oblation for guilt, and the only Star that ever shone on a fallen world, ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 447 Void of prelibation has appeared at This final scene. What phenomenon meets His sight ! He beholds a Man* he never Knew but to spurn, — the despised Nazarene That prayed in Grethsemane. But justice Has caught him, and his retribution is At hand. The dark veil of unbelief has Fled; — death has failed to be eternal sleep; — The son of Mary is now the Son of Gfod ; — immortal weal or woe belongs to Man ; — miracles were by Messiah wrought ; — He raised a Lazarus from the grave ; — the Widow's son, — healed diseases, — stilled the waves,— Cast out devils, and arose triumphant O'er his tomb. All this he now believes, — but Too late ! for his faith makes lost angels quail, And sinners mourn that died in unbelief. The Judge displays his wrath, — his lightnings gleam, His thunders roar, and his expedition Binds fast the skeptic in "the second death." For he that spurns the Son, dispels a crown, And plucks a thorn his withered soul to sting. The vain Atheist, raised from the grave of Centuries amid the burning fires of The resurrection morn, stands aghast at This mournful scene, and wails the sentence of His final doom. A God he doubts no more, — His unbelief is gone, — his faith is now Complete ; but such as devils feel in chains Of woe. No more he spurns the notice of The sun, — the gushing stars, — the silver moon, — The satelites opaque, and nature's book As proof of God. No more his voice shall swell With serpent hiss, and foul revenge, to mar The great Supreme, and list disciples to Weave their pall for death. Never again will He G-od's book a fiction call, — his Lord an Imposter vile, with obdurate heart and Eyes excluding light. Poor man ! with frantic 44R kice's descant Sliriek he sinks beneath Jehovah's ire, and "Waits in dread despair to take the shroud, that Veils the spirit for the tomb. Hark ! I hear His sentence ! " Gro," saith the Judge, "bind him Hand and foot," to share the fate of demons lost. Too late he pleads ! for mercy's day is past, — His verdict given, and his spirit damned. Such is the fate of those, who wisdom drive From sight, when in Glod's holy balance weighed. I see another cloud of ghastly fiends, Gathered from the grave of ages, wailing Mid this countless throng. They stand before the Avenger of blood ! the Man they reviled, — Buffeted, — spit upon, — scourged, — mocked, and crowned, With a thorny wreath. But how changed ! He is No more the incarnate son of Mary, Arraigned before Pilate's bar ! No more he Intercedes for the Jews that clamored for His blood ! No more he pleads for his murd'rers Mid the groans of his crucifixion ! No More with tears he endures the burlesque of Sinners ! but claims the glory he possessed Ere the world began. The Jews no longer Spurn their King ; but own his scepter as lost Spirits own. He now assumes his pow'r, — calls His angels forth, and with a dread command That makes the guilty soul shed tears of blood, He drives them out, where "utter darkness" weaves Their pall, — where tears fall on tears, — sighs follow Sighs, — groans tell of groans, and sorrow treads on Eternal sorrows. No longer justice Waits for these, who cried a Barabbas free, To crucify the only Son of God. The worldling vain, for terrene glory bound; — Aspired his gods in all their sundry forms ; — Drank from the wells of earth's polluted fount In filthy draughts that never quenched his Thirst : — but still he cried for more. Perchance in ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 449 Madness he arose the hill, the miser Scaled ; and with nerves of steel, and iron grasp, His char'ot drove o'er suff'ring poor, with ears Closed, — a marble heart, and eyes that never Wept for woe. Perchance he run to gain a Crown of some terrestrial birth in honor's Field ; and by his treaeh'rous course he soared to Cabinets of fame, or presidential Seat, with heart unconscious of his country's Weal, as if no higher courts his deeds in Requisition called. He may be one that Reveled in the midnight hour at the viol's Alluring chant, — the gambler's sad resort, — Pollution's foulest den, — the drunkard's vile Retreat, or the vain fashions of a lost World's delight, in all its blandish forms. Such Are the gods that blind the worldling's heart, till Mercy's eyes have ceased to weep, and judgment Fires send forth their flames to blast his dying soul. He mourns ! but too late ! — Heav'n'sgate is closed! the Books appear! — his doom is sealed! — his sentence Giv'n! — which digs his grave mid lost angels' tombs, The sanguine king, that gloried in his shame, With trembling nerve, and craven heart now meets His Judge! that Judge who lives to die no more. Death took his fading crown mid revolving Empires, — streams of blood, — the saint's expiring Groan,' — the'pris'ner's galling chain, — his hostile reign O'er subjects of his charge; — and when, Nero Like, he drove his martial steeds through widows' Tears,— the Christian slew,— spurned the King of kings; Then with a foundered barque, and hellish groan, He cast his anchor in a demon's grave. But by the trump his vault was shook ;— -his ear Deaf was called to hear; and his mortal dust Immortal made, now meets the Monarch of The skies. Amazed he stands with scepter lost, Mid earth's vain kings that held their dying crowns. *37 450 rice's descant. But how sad the scene! No more he shuns his Retribution just ! — no more evades the Sentence of his Judge ! for the great day of His wrath has come! in which the' monarch, stained with Blood, shall die to kill no more. This is he, Who slew the saints in God's redeeming light ; — Drew his sword against Messiah's claims ; — saved The guilty in forbidden sins ; and braved The terrors of the judgment day. As the Fool he died amid the Gospel's sound, — the Pure blood of the Cross, and Jesus' triumph O'er the tomb. Such is the fate of him, who For terrene scepters of mortal pinions Born, sold a crown lost "worlds want wealth to buy. Another monster born in human shape, Bearing the stamp of hypocrite by name, In lone despair now meets the judgment fires, And wails the sentence of his final doom. This is he, who on the shores of Time for Love of gold, assumed the right God's flaming Truth to preach, and call forth aliens to the Shepherd's fold. In circumvention skilled, he Played his game full well ; — from the flock he drew His chosen gods ; — to affluence rose ; — in Char'ots swept the higher courts ; — stood first in Fashions vile ; and in the sacred desk, with Marble heart, — oft swelled in gaudy form, to Rob his soul, — the liv'ry of God ; and as Lost angels, wove his shroud of mournful dye, To plunge the lake of siDS eternal ire. His heart is veiled no more ! — the Judge has broke His spell! and the harvest due to him shall Now be rept in ample sheaves, — laden with Fruit , — such as dying spirits only share. Had he the solar system made of gold, And countless stars that gem the distant space ; He'd give them all his day of grace to buy, That hope might claim lost Paradise again. ON TI31E AND IMMORTALITY. 451 Too late his eyes expand, — his soul takes heed ! For the door is shut ! and the false virgin That had no oil, shall enter in no more. Sinners of all grades, surround the white throne ! The' swearer, — reviler, — miser,— tattler, — thief, And all Adam's race that died in sin, have Met in this countless throng. The Judge now reads Their solemn sentence, " depart ye cursed Into everlasting fire, prepared for The devil and his angels," while saints and Seraphim confirm the righteous verdict, With the loud acclamations of " amen!" Once more I sweep my lyre in tones of woe. Hark ! I hear the victim's wail as she sails The flaming sea, — bound in the serpent's coil Of baneful fangs, and tail of venomed dart. And as he wounds her dying soul, with sting Imbued in God's eternal ire, I hear Her shrieks and bitter groans that chime the dirge Of angels lost, — uttered in deep-toned wails Through all the howling regions of the damned. Made fast in chains of wrath, and devils' fangs, She struggles to be free ! but strives in vain. On either side o'er this vast lake of fire, I see spirit war with spirit, — demon War with demon, — serpent coil with serpent ! And onward sweep in combat sore ! dying By their wounds the sad death lost spirits die. But in demise they live ! for spirit has No end ! survives all life but Grod's ! This tells The climax of their doom ! and buries hope, Once free to gain, in Hell's eternal grave. Still gazing on this sea of fire, dire sights I see, — dread sounds I hear. As the flaming Pit of damnation deep expands its jaws Of liquid fire ! throwing its curly waves Of calid flames, and smoke of sulph'rous fumes, O'er the deep gulf of woe! I hear the lost Spirit shriek, but shriek in vain ! see scalding 452 rice's descant Tears distil, " but not in Mercy's sight!" hear Sighs that ever sigh ! groans that ever groan ! And dashing waves of endless ire in dread Succession follow wave ! and most wretched Beings curse their birth, — the scorching flames, — the Serpent's fangs, — his deadly coil, — their day of Grace expired, — their father's pray'r, — their mother's Tears, — their sister's kind reproof, — the blood of Jesus, — the groans of Calv'ry, — the wails of Gethsemane, — the Book of Life, and God who Their existence gave. Then comes a voice of Utter woe, saying " this is eternal death !" Thus the calid flames o'erspread the lake of Fire, such as the lost spirit only feels. In what consists, and where the justice of The sinner's doom ? What forged his chains amid Those demons bound, and swelled those waves that roll In endless fire ? What treason bar'd the gate Of Heav'n, — spurned the favor of God, — kindled His wrath, — drew scalding tears from victims lost, And chained them fast in Hell's eternal ire ? Let Dives tell, and God his truth confirm. His tongue was parched in flames, — for water he Cried in vain, — no telegraph conveyed his Admonition to those he loved on earth ; — Mercy had fled, — the second death his doom. He looked on Time, which tells of endless weal Or woe to ev'ry son of Adam; and He the jewel lost ! — worse ! for it wove his Last winding sheet, and made his grave in Hell. Reflection stung his soul with guilt, — on what ? The Gospel, — the garden, — the cross, — the pray'rs Of God's loved ones, and resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. All these he spurned, — rushed On in folly's path, — despised the blood of His redemption, — the' cries of Gethsemane, And all the mercies of the Son of God. These are the darts that pierce his dying soul, And tell the justice of eternal pain. ON TIME AND 1MMOKTALITY. 453 Horrible sight ! — his day of grace expired ! — All Heav'n lost ! Never again shall the sound Of redemption salute his ear, with crowns Of angels and the fruit of Life's fair Tree ! But his groans shall follow groan, as he sails In the barque that plo'ghs the red waves of fire, While G-od is Judge, and justice guards his throne Jesus ! take the blood-bought sinner, — shake Him over Hell with eyes unveiled, ere the Gangrene of death shall end his probation ; And the bolts of endless perdition, bind Him fast in " the bottomless pit" of woe. Let arrows dipt in blood divine pierce his Heart, that he may die unto sin while there Is hope in the resurrection of his Soul, — believe in God, — live by faith, — pluck fruit Immortal, and scale the highlands of heav'n. If so, demons shall become his strangers, And saints his guests amid the thrones of light ! — Hell shall lose his wails, — devils lament his Weal, as he basks in the sunbeams of God, And swells the anthems of the blood-washed throng. But the fallen sons of Adam, void of The second birth, shall not die alone. A Higher order of revolting ones, that Stood first among the stars of light, in their Creation wore an angel's crown, — played on Golden harps, — like Gabriel and his train fed On seraphs' food, and with cherubs' wings swept The city of our God, shall share their doom. For them was Hell prepared ; but not for man. Marvel my soul ! that angels in their Creation pure, — the first born of Heav'n's sons, — Bearing the stamp of God, and by him crowned, Should with treason vile confirm their chains of Everlasting death. 'Twas done ! All Heav'n lost ! The door of Mercy closed ! and the prince of Darkness, with his fallen train, was bound for The judgment day. That day has come, a world 454 rice's descant Assemble ! — the aliens of God appear ! — His flaming sword is unsheathed ! — his book of Records revealed ! and the revolting stars Of light hear his sentence, "Depart !" and with Those tears expiring angels weep, they sink To feed the flames of " everlasting fire !" At this great day of despair to the lost Sinner, the right'ous ascend to fields of Light. The Judge has declared their reward to Be " life eternal !" and they now receive It in the full glory of the upper Temple. They are clad in the drapery Of Heav'n, — have wings as angels, — sing the song Of Moses and the Lamb, — walk the golden Streets of Paradise, — triumph over the " World, — pluck fruit immortal, — drink the waters Of everlasting life, — see the purchase Of redeeming blood, — feel pain no more, and Shall never expire. While the lost millions That waded through a Saviour's blood to Hell, Utter their cries with Dives and Devils Damned, these angelic saints shall fly through the Midst of Heaven, saying " glory to God In the highest," for his Son hath redeemed Us from the " wrath that was, and is to come !" As the mariner at sea, rocked amid The ocean's tempest, rejoices when he Enters the port of safety ; so the saint, After passing over the dangerous Sea of life, gives thanks to the Captain of Zion's ship, for his safe landing in Heav'n. Here stands the servant of the Lord, who once Appeared on Mount Moriah with his son Clothed in white, — with honored crown, — the purchs Of that Savior, buffeted in the streets Of the Jews. Lo the prophet, once in the Flaming bush, has bid his grave farewell, and Like an angel sings the song of rapture To the Lamb ; while Phar'oh, with his colleagues ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 455 Deep in art, descends to feel those flames, lit Up by wrath divine. Here the blest Psalmist Stands with golden harp of angels' tune, to Chime that song a Savior bought when on the Cross he hung. Isaiah the prophet of the Lord, whose lips were touched with fire, shall sound no More the dread alarm on Zion's walls, and Be exposed to die ; but songs seraphic Move his soul with joy. Stephen, the'first martyr From our Savior's death, now reaps the harvest Of redeeming blood, — with Paul at whose feet The raiment lay, — inspired by light divine, Will join to praise that King who saves from dark Despair. Peter whose humble heart reversed His posture on the cross to that of his Dear Lord's, — sealed his pardon by his blood, now Basks in the sunbeams of celestial skies. From Palestine's infantile vaults, where the Mother's wail was born of dying groans, a Cloud of innocents appear, who on the Flight of speedy pinions, with unnumbered Since the fall, soar aloft to mansions far On high. Christians of all grades now join the Choirs above, — feast on angel's food, and chant On golden harps their King's undying crown. Again I rise, and view the martyred throng, Who sowed in tears while on the shores of Time. They watched and prayed, — hoped and feared, mid foes of Dangerous chase ; who sought their blood to spill, And take from them their well begotten crown. But with sure " anchor, cast within the vail," And Captain skilled in life's revolving sea, They braved the tempest of the faggot's flame ',— The axe, — the rack, — the prison and the stake, In hope of mansions in a brighter sky. Their strife is o'er, — they died for martyrs' crowns To die no more. As their foes chime the dirge Of the lost, — fast bound in " the second death," 456 rice's descant These loved ones rise higher, and still higher On pinions of golden hue, to vie with Cherubim of light, and pluck immortal Fruit from Life's fair Tree, bought by the bloody Sweat, and dying groans of the Son of God. I see another class of beings mid This mighty throng. Poor scavengers of earth, — Bearing burdens of grievous kind, to gain Their bread life's blood to feed. But their sorrows Have passed away, — their graves have given up Their dead, and their souls and bodies meet to Part no more. In chariots, borne by steeds Such as angels use, they sweep the streets of G-old, mid Heav'n's tow'rs of light, — view the Temple's Jasper walls, — the ambrosial city, — the Seraphim of God, — the fair Tree of Life, And all the glories free-born spirits feel. No more with friends they part ; — no more shall grieve To weep ; for their eyes have lost their tears mid Cherubs' lyres, and Heaven's eternal strain. Again my soul takes wing, — soars up the stream Of Time, — scans revolving ages, — surveys Transpiring scenes ; but one of wondrous Height, — surpassing numbers to compute ! 'tis Calvary's bleeding thief, — expiring mid The dying pangs of the Son of God. The Wonder tow'rs ! for it was the last hour of Grace when the cry " remember" was heard in His Savior's ear, — his soul saved from the pit, And borne on mercy's wings above the groans Of crucifixion to the Paradise of God. Amazing change ! One hour with the mob Reviling Christ ! — the next an heir of grace, — The friend of Jesus, — a native of the skies, — A songster of Heav'n to vie with angels In celestial strains, and swell redemption's Anthem on the supernal hills of light. Once more I gaze ! and lo a choir of saints On angels' steeds, with garments white, and harps ON TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 457 Of gold, pass round the throne ; and with a song The ransomed spirits sing, give praise to Him Who sits thereon. These are they, who stood on Zion's walls mid earth's revolving sea, — braved The raging storm, — the darts of demons, — man's Incarnate foes, and sinners warned by truth And tears, to flee God's flaming "wrath to come." Their joy is now complete. Some speed in cars, Propelled by power supreme, — decked with crowns As Mazing sons of God ; — some with wings in Golden fusion dipt, — glitt'ring in sunbeams As they sweep the skies. These are they that shine In courts of light as stars in heaven beam ; For by their zeal the lost with angels sing. But these Christians have just begun to live. Their course is onward, until they take the Flight of Gabriel, — with him wing the ether Seas, — measure the fields of supernal bliss, — Scale the highlands of Heaven, — explore the Immensity of space, — Jerusalem Sean, — survey realms of the lost, — the serpent's Deadly coil, — the spirit's wail, — then upward Soar, and crop the flowers that bloom in Heav'n's Eternal spring on the elysian fields Of light. The Time will come, when the infant Soul in her progress, will have enjoyed more Than all the angels from their creation Down to the present hour. And at this point Human numbers fail to measure, she may Stretch her wings and follow the lost spirit Through ages of intense agony, — through Fires sufficient to melt down revolving Worlds, and exclaim in her onward flight, " My Blood-bought song has just begun." God! save Us for this immortality of joy! In those bright realms the sons of light are free. No more shall they distil their scalding tears, In view of their digression from the path, That leads from Time to Heaven's golden streets, 458 rice's descant. And angels glitt'ring crowns. No more shall their Frail hearts in sunder break by death's strong grasp ;— Tearing from them the objects of their choice, And blighting hope in earth's remorseless tomb. With them the scene of life is o'er, — their woes Exhausted ; — their probation ended ; — their Turmoil passed away ; and their expiring G-roans exchanged for Heaven's eternal lyres. Ye sons of God, from death and Hell redeemed, Begin your endless song divine, praise the Lord in numbers Heav'n born ! and ye holy Angels swell the choir that surround his throne, And the notes of glory that tell for him, Who was and is, and shall remain the God Of praise by all the holy throng. Extol Him ! for he is life,' — light, — beauty, — wisdom, — Mercy ! tho uncreated, infinite Jehovah ! — the true God ! — Creator and Governor of all! — the Omnipotent, Immutable Deity! — exhaustless Fountain ! — boundless affluence ! — sustainer Of Immortality ! — the greatest good ! — the Alpha and Omega !- — the all seeing, Hearing, and knowing God ! yet not seen, heard, Or known ! — above all glory, or deepest Thought ! — proprietor of eternity ! — Bliss without origin ! — glory in the Highest ! — the hope of Heav'n, and fear of Hell. Far back of chaos he built his holy Throne, ere the morning stars his praise began. He laid eternity's foundation deep ! — Gave all existence ! — on his golden throne Embossed, alone he wore his crown, beaming With light, such as eye shall not see and live. What scales shall weigh Jehovah ? what numbers Compute his love, or flaming wrath revealed ? This is the being we call God, — the holy One, — plastic Father, — our eternal All ! — The source from whence we came, and where return !— ON TIME AND IMMCRTALITY. 459 Who made our souls, — bodies, — birds and beasts, — rills And oceans, — all things created, — sustains The universe, — holds the waves, — walks upon The winds ; — at whose dire nod thunders obey, — Fires enrage, — lightnings flash, and tempests howl. As sparks ascending from the smitten steel, The starry worlds from our Creator flew ; But like the dust that hovers o'er the scale, Have those bright tapers fallen in his blast ! Vast to create, nor in destruction less Is this our God who spans creation round. Praise him for his attributes, ye holy Sons of light ! and ye daughters of Zion Tune your harps ! — extol him above all kings ! Burn on Heav'n's altars fragrant incense of Eternal love ! — with hearts and voices swell The rapture of the new-born song ! for he Has redeemed you from the fires of Hell, — Clothed you in garments white, — crowned your heads, and Made you kings and priests of God. Sing aloud ! Let your banners float o'er lost angels' waves, And Adam's race that died in unbelief. Sing, O Death ! where is thy sting, where is thy Victory Gfrave ! give thanks to God, who gave You victory through Jesus Christ your Lord. Ye angels shout ! and loudest ye redeemed ! Glory to God the Savior ! to God the Father ! and God the Holy Ghost ! Amen. My mongrel song must ever fail to meet The finer touches of the poet's lyre ; It has no rhyme, in prose is incomplete ; Yet sings God's mercy, and his flaming ire. Go and receive the critic's scourging hiss ; If he draws blood, thy truth shall be the same : By thee some skeptic may ascend to bliss, And swell the glory of Messiah's name. 460 rice's poetry. Live, if thou canst, when baneful winds shall roar, And tell the wonders of redeeming grace ; Help the lost soul on faith's strong wings to soar, And spread that virtue which redeemed our race. My Descant fly, ere millions more be slain In battle field, or in the Serpent's band; Then shall I feel thou wert not made in vain, Whether in Time, or in the spirit land. SCENES OF MOUNT TABOR. What contrasts strange o'erspread our guilty world, Noon day and night, caused by our planet whirled, Stand less opposed than earthly scenes that pass In sundry forms through time's reflecting glass. Virtue and vice are walking side by side, The pauper's hut stands near the castle's pride, And Dives' chariot with its shining wheels, Throws dust on Laz'rus who starvation feels. Illness and health in the same mansion lie, Sorrow and gladness in one spirit vie ; The infant's cry and dying groans arise, While tears are falling from the mourner's eyes ; The fun'ral throng tread closely on the heels Of bridal parties, in their nuptial weals; Here joy and woe, here life and death conspire, To fill the world with glory and with ire. What strange events from the same spot appear ? Where Ind'ans lived, the panther's tread to hear, Where forest trees with shades the lawn o'erspread, There stands New York, its living and its dead! Where once was Tyre, the seas exalted queen, The surges roll, and fishermen are seen, Their nets to cast, where lucid waters spread Their curly waves o'er temples of the dead. rice's poetry. 461 In fallen Edom is the foxes' den, And desert sands sift o'er Palmyra's glen. The hooting owl, and winds of summer's night, Make sad their notes, where palace, hall and light, Once in their pow'r and full orbed glory shone, "Where man a Grod revered, and gods of stone. In ancient Salem the vile Arab's scorn Is seen, as Christian pilgrims walk forlorn, With weary footsteps to their Master's grave, To worship Him who rose a world to save. The Muezzin's voice floats o'er the prophets' bones, While desert winds heap sand in their sad tones, O'er Asia's seven churches, long gone down, Mid death of queens and kings of mortal crown. Thus light and darkness, good and evil chase The world's vain phantoms to their last embrace. But lo ! a form upon Mount Tabor stood, The Frenchman's king, intensely bent on blood. Kleber's three thousand troops in combat sore, Now fight, where lances play and bullets pour, Nine times their number of a Turkish band, Whose horse and riders bow to kiss the sand. Their cannons' thunder make the earth to quake, And mortal wounds the dying victims shake. Round Kleber's square the Turkish troops appear, But balls of cannon from the French do steer, With death for thousands of their rushing foes, A scene that battle carnage only knows. From horse and riders sudden ramparts rise, By which the Turk is trembling with surprise. For six long hours did this fierce battle rage, And yet, both parties in the fight engage, Pour'd forth their death balls in their rapid flight, Which shut the eyes of thousands from the light ! Yet fiercer still roll'd on death's rapid car, For on Mount Tabor sat their leading Star. At this melee, Napol'on's steady gaze, Beheld his army by their cannons' blaze; His foes, vast squadrons, with their bugles' sound ' And sabres bright, to scatter death around ! *38 462 rice's poetry. The chaos of battle spread over the plain, "Where thousands of warr'ors lay bleeding and slain. Napol'on now from Tabor's height descends, His cannon's thunder news to Kleber sends, He and his guard rush to the plains below, And in their wrath make sanguine streams to flow — Vanquish their foes, who in confusion flee To Jordan's stream for life and liberty. The slain and wounded trampled on the ground, Cause man to weep, if man on earth is found. They fled ! Murat was waiting for the flight, And with his tigers fresh commenced the fight ; As lions rage they sallied on their prey, And with their sabres drank hope's faintest ray! No mercy showed to that ill-fated band, Who fought to save Mahomet's promised land. Murat was nerved by many scenes of yore, Which made the streets of Salem run with gore ! Which to the cross nailed fast the Son of God ! Sundered the vail, — made envy kiss the rod ! Caused the vile Jew to feel the Roman's spear, The spurning eye to drop the scalding tear ! The Heathen's voice the Christian's God to own, When the pure Ghost was from Christ's temple flown.' Called saints to earth from Heav'n's ample height, To visit Tabor with celestial light, And mandate angels to disband the tomb, Where nature's God was held in nature's womb. When all these scenes in Murat's mind arose, He bowed the crescent with his bandit foes. Roll back my song, to ancient ages roll, On Tabor's summit take thy seat my soul ! With eager gaze view lakes and landscapes round, And weigh the seas of blood that stain the ground ! The sun seems bright as when at first it shone On Kleber's men, where Turks by death were strown! See Jordan's teeming waters wend their way, And Naz'reth smiling in merid'an day. 'Twas on this Mount the brave Napol'on stood, And saw beneath his soldiers wade in blood j rice's poetry. 463 Where Kleber's army, but three thousand strong, Drove from the field Mahomet's mighty throng : But still the Sar'een banner is unfurled, Where once He stood, the Savior of the world. Again I look, and lo, how changed the scene ! There stands a man, the peaceful Nazarene, A God incarnate, whose effulgent face Illumes Mount Tabor with celestial grace. With Him are three, the chosen of his love, To whom appear two strangers from above, Servants of God, who long before had flown, To gather fruit hard by their Father's throne ; The friends of Him, from whom salvation came To ancient bards that loved Messiah's name. Mount Tabor's glory dims the human sight Of God's disciples by supernal light ! Beneath the cloud they greatly fear and quake, As Moses did when Sinai's Mount did shake ! They fall amazed in nature's feeble strife With God immortal, seen by mortal life. All terrene beauty is to them withdrawn ; No more they view Mount Carmel and the lawn ; No more behold the waves of Galilee, 'Till waning light shall make their vision free. From holy ones, bright shining as the sun, On Tabor's height strange converse was begun ; Hard by the Lamb Moses the prophet spoke, Where soon Elias in sad accents broke, "As sent from God we on swift wings have flown, To meet his Son with notice from his throne." The theme rushed on, — the garden and the grave ! The sweat, the blood, the spear, the death to save. To save a world, whose guilt creation shook, Pure blood must spill free as the water brook. The Son replied "My Father's will be done; By sanguine streams the alien shall be won." These holy agents in their flight return, While words of fire their sainted bosoms burn ; And leave the Savior full of pensive gloom, To wend his way through tears to Joseph's tomb. 464 rice's poetry. But who is this, that superhuman shines With Godlike grandeur in these earthly climes, And holds sweet converse with those shining ones, "Whom angels call the Father's chosen sons ? Who, fills Mount Tabor with angelic light, So mortal man has failed to view the sight ? That voice did tell, which from the cloud descended, "This is my Son," before the Scene was ended. 'Tis Mary's Son ! 'tis Naz'reth's Holy One ! A God incarnate for a world undone ! 'Tis he, who in the rugged manger lay, To fill the world with songs of endless day ! 'Tis he, whose sandals meager pressed the dust Of Jewish streets, inspired with Jewish lust, To bear his message, for salvation born, To those lost ones, who spurned his love to scorn ! 'Tis he, who stilled the waves of Galilee, And spoke the vile and weeping sinner free ! 'Tis he who bid lost demons to depart, And fierce disease that rends the human heart ! 'Tis he, who spoke and water blushed to wine, Who raised a Laz'rus from his mortal shrine ! Who dried the tear that wet the widow's eye, And healed the pensive mourner passing by '. 'Tis he, who had not where to lay his head; Yet made the world and raised the sleeping dead ; Whose fiat stills the ocean's bounding wave, And saves the spirit from her gaping grave ! 'Tis he, whose groans made earth's strong pillars shake When mid-day darkness caused the earth to quake ! 'Tis he, who cried upon the cross and died Before the spear plunged deep his bleeding side. But lo ! he burst the grisly tyrant's chain ! And on Mount Zion shall forever reign. How wide the contrast in those objects twain, Who stood on Tabor far above the plain : The first a God, in human nature shown, The next a man, whose sword the world must own ; Who spread destruction in his martial strife, An^ rA^i-in