In Heav'n he shines with beams of love;
With wrath in hell beneath! "Tis on his earth I stand or move, And 'tis his air I breathe.
His hand is my perpetual guard;
He keeps me with his eye;
Why should I then forget the Lord,
Who is forever nigh?
Lo! the bright, the rosy morning,
Calls me forth to tak the air:
Cheerful spring, with smiles returning,
Ushers in the new-born year.
Nature now in all her beauty,
With her gently-moving tongues
Prompts me to the pleasing duty,
Of a grateful morning song.
See the early blossoms springing!
See the jocund lambkins play!
Hear the lark and linnet singing,
Welcome to the new-born day!
Vernal music, softly sounding,
Echoes through the verdant grove : Nature now with life abounding, Swells with harmony and love.
Now the kind refreshing showers,
Water all the plains around:
Springing grass, and painted flowers,
In the smiling meads abound.
Now their vernal dress assuming,
Leafy robes adorn the trees:
Odours now the air perfuming,
Sweetly swell the gentle breeze.
Praise to thee, thou great Creator!
Praise be thine from ev'ry tongue:
Join, my soul, with ev'ry creature ;
Join the universal song!
For ten thousand blessings giv❜n,
For the richest gifts bestow'd,
Sound his praise thro' earth and Heav'n:
Sound Jehovah's praise aloud!
How happy is the man who hears
Instruction's warning voice;
And who celestial Wisdom makes
His early, only choice.
For she has treasures greater far
Than east or west unfold; And her reward is more secure
Than is the gain of gold.
In her right hand she holds to view
A length of happy years;
And in her left, the prize of fame
And honour, bright appears.
She guides the young, with innocence,
In pleasure's path to tread :
A crown of glory she bestows
Upon the hoary head.
According as her labours rise,
So her rewards increase;
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
RISE, honest muse! and sing the man of Ross
Who hung with woods yon mountain's sultry brow?
From the dry rock who bade the waters flow?
Not to the skies in useless columns tost,
Or in proud falls magnificently lost;
But clear and artless, pouring thro' the plain
Health to the sick, and solace to the swain.
Whose causeway parts the vale with shady rows?
Whose seats the weary traveller repose ?
Who taught that heav'n directed spire to rise?
The Man of Ross," each lisping babe replies.
Behold the market-place with poor o'erspread! The Man of Ross divides the weekly bread. He feeds yon alms-house, neat, but void of state, Where Age and Want sit smiling at the gate. Him portion'd maids, apprentic'd orphans blest; The young who labour, and the old who rest. Is any sick? the Man of Ross relieves, Prescribes, attends, the med'cine makes, and gives. Is there a variance? Enter but his door, Balk'd are the courts, and contest is no more. Thrice happy man! enabled to pursue
What numbers wish, but want the power to do.
WHILE some in folly's pleasures roll,
And seek the joys that hurt the soul;
Be mine, that silent calm repast,
A peaceful conscience to the last :
That tree which bears immortal fruit,
Without a canker at the root;
That friend which never fails the just,
When other friends must quit their trust.
Come then, my soul, be this thy guest,
And leave to folly's sons the rest:
With this thou ever mayst be gay,
And night shall brighten into day.
With this companion in the shade,
My soul no more shall be dismay'd;
But fearless meet the midnight gloom,
And the pale monarch of the tomb.
Tho' tempests drive me from the shore,
And floods descend, and billows roar;
Tho' death appears in ev'ry form;
My little bark should brave the storm.
Amid the various scene of ills,
Each stroke some kind design fulfils ;
And shall I murmur at my God,
When sov'reign love directs the rod?
Peace, rebel thoughts-I'll not complain;
My father's smiles suspend my pain:
Smiles, that a thousand joys impart,
And pour the balm that heals the smart.
Tho' Heav'n afflict, I'll not repine;
Each heart-felt comfort still is mine;
Comforts that shall o'er death prevail,
And journey with me thro' the vale.
Blest Saviour! cheer that darksome way,
And lead me to the realms of day;
To milder skies and brighter plains,
Where everlasting sunshine reigns.
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