8. Not to my wish, but tu my want, Do thou thy gifts apply: What ill, tho ask'd, deny. SECTION XVI. The happy choice. 1. BESET with snares on er'ry hand, In life's uncertain path I stand : To guide my doubtful footsteps right. 2. Engage this frail, and wav'ring heart, Wisely to choose the better part away. Let tempests mingle earth and skies But all my treasures with me bear. 4. If thou, my Father ! still art nigh, Cheerful I live, and peaceful die: DODDPOROU SECTION XVIL The fall of the leaf. 1. See the leaves around us falling, Dry and wither'd to the ground ; Thus to thoughtless mortals calling, In a sad and solemn sound : 2. “ Sons of Adam, (once in Eden, When, like us, he blighted fell,) Hear the lecture we are reading; 'Tis, alas ! the truth we tell. 8. Virgins, much, too much presuming On your boasted white and red; View us late in beauty blooming, Number'd now among the dead 4. Youths, though yet no losses grieve you Gay in health, and many a grace; Summer gives to autumn place. 5. Yearly in our course' returning, Messengers of shortest stay; Heav'n and' earth shall pass away. 6. On the tree of life eternal, Man, let all thy hopes be staid; Bears a leaf that shall rst fade." SECTION XVIII. Trust in the grodness of God. 1. Wur, O my soul, why thus deprest, And whence this anxious fear? And check the rising tear. 2. When darkness and when sorrows rose, And presed on ev'ry side, And was not God thy guide ? 3. Amiction is a stormy deep, Where wave resounds to wave : I know the Lord can save. He'll reinstate my peace; Can bid the tempest cease. I'll count his mercies o'er; And humoly sue for more. And whence this anxious fear And check the rising lear. 9 Here will I rest, and build my hopes, Nor murmur at his rod; My health, my life, my God! COTTON . SECTION XIX. The Christian race. with vigour on: And an immortal crown. 2. A cloud of witnesses around, Hold thee in full survey: Forget the steps already trod, And onward urge thy way. 8. Tis God's all-animating voice, That calls thee from on high ; 'Tis his own hand presents the prize To thine aspiring eye: Wnich shall new lustre boast, Shall blend in common dust. The glorious prize pursue ; DODDRIDS SECTION XX. The dying Christian to his soul. 1. Vrral spark of heav'nly flame! Quit, oh quit this mortal frame: And let me languish into life. « Sister spirit, co ne away."- What is this absorbs me quite; Tell me, my soul, can this be death ? 3 The world recedes; it disappears i Heav'n opens on my eyes ! my ears With sounds seraphic ring: Lend, lend your wings ! I mount! I fly! O Grave ! where is thy victory? O Death! where is thy sting? SECTION XXI. Epitaph on a poor and virtuous mon 1. STOP, reader, here, and deign to look On one without a name; Ne'er enter'd in the ample book Of fortune, or of fame. Meek virtues fill'd his breast : « An honest heart," his crest. And thus his motto ran : " A conscience void of all offence Before both God and man." Now scorns his pedigree, To this great family. SECTION XXII. Love to enemies. In humble forın was found, He was encompass'd round. Their peace, he still pursu'd; They render'd hatred for his love, And evil for his good Yet, with his dying breath, And bless'd his foes in death. What streams of mercy flow! “ Father, forgive them,” Jesus cries, “ They know not what they do." 6. Let not this bright example shine, In vain before our eyes ! To love our enemies. SECTION XXII up The dangers and snares of life. 1. Awake, my soul! lift thine eyes ; See where thy foes against thee rise, In long array, a num'rous host ! Awake, my soul, or thou art lost Must'ring his pale terrific bands; |