Part 9

I plead the cause of Him, at whose command, Thy soul shall one day in his presence stand; And thou for ever may'st lament the change, If once His love be turn'd into revenge!

Of all thy list of lovers finely drest, He told me secretly He was the first; That even in thy youthful frolics wild, His love was on thee, from a very child!

That often he has stood without thy door, While thou did'st other swains prefer before: That oft the tear hath dim'd his eye so bright, His locks all dripping with the dews of night!

He needs not thus admit of rivals, when He is the fairest of the sons of men! He wooes the world, and those who hear his voice, Seldom, if ever, rue their happy choice.

He says for thee He has in battle bled, And carried weighty sorrows in thy stead; To save thy soul from infinite distress, He bruis'd the monster in the wilderness!

Nay, language fails, to say by land or sea, What perils He hath undergone for thee; Yea, many a bitter cup, and piercing smart, His soul hath felt to gain thy worthless heart!

Yes! He who thus demands thy stedfast love, Is highly honour'd in the courts above; He speaks, and sun, and moon, and stars, stand still, And stormy winds and waves obey his will!

His tender care hath been about thy bed, When midnight thunders rolled above thy head! When trembling thou beheld'st the lightning's glare Light up thy room, and cause thee sudden fear!

To all who need Him he is sure to prove The best Physician too, when sick of love; And yet all those who fall beneath his ire, His anger doth consume and burn like fire!

How long wilt thou withhold from Him his right, Or from thyself such permanent delight, As He hath promis'd in His faithful word, Such as the hills of Paradise afford?

When will thine eyes with happy tears o'erflow? And thy fair breast with holy ardour glow? When will thy lips thy dearest friend surprise, By speaking out the language of the skies?

Who thus surrender Him their heart and mind, Through life's vicissitudes are sure to find "Him first, Him last, Him midst, and without end," A faithful Lover, and a constant Friend!

Where will those flee, or what may they expect, Who his repeated overtures reject, Who put in other gods their daily trust, When He shall dash their refuge into dust?

I long to see that lovely face of thine, Beam forth with holy confidence divine; And, fully freed from sin's enthralling chain, No longer seek for happiness in vain!

If then thy love be wandering elsewhere, Thy choice decide, while He doth with thee bear; Lest thou lament thy loss with anguish keen, When Death hath fix'd a mighty gulf between!

TRUTH TRIUMPHANT!

See yon flag of crimson dye, Wave along the vaulted sky! See yon flag, &c. To its hem fair Truth is bound, Blood of martyrs sprinkled round; That earth's multitudes may see, Truth will have the Victory! Victory! Victory!

Wicked men in vain oppose, Babes shall sing of Sharon's Rose! Wicked men, &c. Borne on winds from pole to pole, Like the prophet's flying roll; Ethiopia soon shall see Truth will have the Victory! Victory! Victory!

Some of earth's dark corners shine, With this heav'nly light divine! Some of earth's, &c. Africa's dark sons obey, Pagan temples own her sway;-- Own with us, 'tis God's decree, Truth shall have the Victory! Victory! Victory!

Turks! who will no mercy shew, Mercy is proclaim'd for you! Turks! who will, &c. Men are ceasing to bow down, To their gods of wood and stone; And all nations soon shall see, Truth will have the Victory! Victory! Victory!

Where Truth reigns the work goes on, Christ and Truth are both but one! Where Truth, &c. Saints shall find the promise true, Christ will soon "make all things new;" And rejoice at God's decree, Truth shall have the Victory! Victory! Victory!

Pow'rs of darkness! do your best, Put your prowess to the test! Pow'rs of darkness! &c. Persecution fierce employ, Jesu's kingdom to destroy, 'Tis in vain! 'tis God's decree, Truth shall have the Victory! Victory! Victory!

Jews! the Crucified adore, Objects of his wrath no more! Jews! the Crucified, &c. Own the Galilean King, With your gentile brethren sing; Now obey, 'tis God's decree, Truth shall have the Victory! Victory! Victory!

Hasten, Lord, the glorious day, Let all true believers say! Hasten, Lord, &c. When these frozen hearts shall flow, Each with love and wonder glow; All with one accord agree, Truth hath gain'd the Victory! Victory! Victory!

Soon th' Archangel's trump shall sound, Wake the dead from sleep profound! Soon the, &c. Earth shall melt, the stars shall fall, Men on rocks and mountains call; Christ will then his saints set free:-- What a glorious Victory! Victory! Victory!

REFLECTIONS ON A BACKSLIDER.

How art thou fallen, thou son of the light! How happy the scenes from which thou art driven! Behold! if thy soul can dwell on the sight, Where thou didst once walk and hold converse with heaven!

Then down turn thine eye to yon dreary place, To which with swift steps thy spirit is bound; See the hideous forms which thy spirit shall chase, Ere long in that fire which thee will surround!

In anguish there thy frighted eyes shall roll, While demons triumph at thy overthrow; With flaming firebrands lash thy naked soul, With burning arrows pierce thee through and through!

Thy dying soul still fed with living pain, Shall curse the day on which she first drew breath; Her awful burden she must still sustain, And weep, and wail, and long in vain for death!

Midst hell's deep gloom her portion she must drink, Of double vengeance from Jehovah's ire, And in the burning lake for ever sink,-- That dreadful region of tormenting fire!

Alas! the dreadful stupor still remains, Nor hell can fright, nor heav'nly joys allure; In vain thy self-convicted soul complains, Of constant torment, and of thoughts impure!

In vain the heav'nly harpers tune the lyre, Rejoicing saints perform the three-fold part; In vain believers flash devotion's fire, Or drag the holy harrows o'er thy heart!

That heart enclos'd as in a case of steel, Laments its loss, and seeks for rest in vain! Sighs for that impulse which she once did feel,-- Oh! shall she never taste those joys again.

I know the Lord is mighty to redeem, Of boundless mercy, and unmeasur'd grace, But sin hath fix'd a mighty gulf between,-- Beyond that gulf a Saviour shows his face.

Sometimes thou may'st the keen conviction spurn, Through liquor's magic, or associates gay, But this thy strongest refuge will o'erturn, To think of Death, and the great judgement day.

VILLAGE PREACHING.

"_Speak unto us smooth things._" (Isaiah xxx. 10.)

Far over Cleveland's lofty hills, Water'd by rivulets and rills, A lovely village doth appear, And o'er the trees its chimneys rear

A church there is without a steeple, And several unconverted people; Though not much pious fruit appear, The people still desire to hear.

To chapel oft they go and back, In their old summer beaten track, Where they the Holy Spirit grieve, And pray for what they don't believe.

Those preachers they like best to hear, Whose doctrine is not too severe; Who make no push extraordinary, But tell their tale and let them be.

It happen'd on a certain day, A stranger chanced to stroll that way;-- I'll try to sketch him if I can, Some call him an eccentric man.

One whom God's Spirit had enlighten'd, Whom his own sins had soundly frightened; Who when by strong conviction pained, Did pardon seek, which he obtained.

He knew he then accepted stood, By faith in the atoning blood; But saw the people's sad condition, And offer'd them his admonition.

A door was open in that place, Where long had been the means of grace; The means by many long neglected, For fear they there should be detected.

A worthy woman there did live, Who her advice did gratis give; Who cared for both the flock and fold, Like Deborah in days of old.

Like her she long had wish'd to see, A glorious gospel victory; And gave a friendly invitation, To hear an extra exhortation.

The forms were set, and rostrum fix'd, The preacher went and took his text:-- Sinners! your bleeding Saviour see, He cries, "Ye will not come to me!"

He tried to tell what those shall win, Who come to Christ and leave their sin; How those shall fare in the great day, Who all their life time stay away.

Having as he thought, clear'd his way, They sang, and then began to pray; He left his elevated station, And went among his congregation,

Of the great things he'd dwelt upon, He ask'd them questions, one by one, And if advice or help was needing, For penitents who then were pleading.

They still went on to sing and pray, The good, old-fashioned gospel way; And closer press'd the invitation, Until 'twas time for separation.

But such unusual proceeding, They say completely spoil'd the meeting;-- That preacher's conduct is unstable, Who cannot keep behind the table!

Preachers ought not to come so nigh, Into the soul's affairs to pry; For whether they be saved or no, Is more than they've a right to know.

Such bold presuming impudence, To some might prove a great offence;-- Going and asking one by one, How they for Heaven are getting on!

They say they'll come to preaching still, If she one promise will fulfil; That is as long as she is able, Will keep the man behind the table.

Those hearers now are far too thin, Who like a lusty, loud "Amen!" And folks have now a taste so fine, A semiquaver breaks the line!

Ye men of God, the truth enforce, You cannot press the thing too close, If you would do the people good, Or clear your conscience of their blood.

When your sermon is completed, Then your aid is further needed; To lift up still your warning voice, Nor leave the people to their choice.

Though some, alas, are so precise, And God's rich blessings do despise, Others may need your friendly care, And will your counsel gladly hear.

If your advice when managed well, Perchance might save some soul from Hell; Oh think of this,--and if you're able, You may stand still behind the table.

If I should go that way once more, And find the people as before; They must have either chain or cable, If they keep _me_ behind the table.

THE LODGER IN LIVERPOOL;

OR,

THE MASON IN WINTER NIPT BY THE FROST.

While a card party were enjoying themselves in an adjoining room.

While sad I sit, oft musing over Happy days for ever fled; A lonely lodger in a corner, Like some hermit in his shed.

All around seems blithe and merry; _My_ light's dim, and harp's unstrung, While memory turns to yonder valley, On whose flowery banks I've sung.

Dirty, ragged, and down-hearted, Far from country, friends, and home; And as far from kindness parted, Doom'd for work the world to roam.

While the cheerful game hath flourish'd, Gaily the glad table round; From my eye the tear unnoticed, Oft hath fallen to the ground.

Now they sing of female beauty, Or the treachery of men, Or of robbers seeking booty, Like the tiger from his den.

Lovely forms and handsome faces, Serve to gild the gay deceit; Amorous ditties serve for graces, Both before and after meat.

'Tis theirs to share life's fleeting joys, Mine to drag the galling chain; But still a hope my spirit buoys, That the sun will shine again.

If their pleasures were not carnal, I might long with them to share; Did they lead to joys eternal, When they laugh, I might despair.

But when time makes all surrender, Nor permits the least excuse, Happy they, whom time's avenger, Charges not with its abuse.

EDOM.

(Isaiah lxiii. 1.)

O ye muses, assist me to sing, Of the things which by faith I have seen; Of the love of my Saviour and King, While wandering on earth I have been.

That Him I so little have loved, For this I have reason to mourn; And for talents and time mis-improved, In the days of my youth that are gone.

For neglect of the records divine, Which so often did sound in mine ear; My affections they did not incline, I neglected like others to hear.

Like sheep did we all go astray, And left the fair pastures serene; Did wander from him far away, Where terror and darkness were seen.

There in ambush our enemies lay, As we roam'd o'er those desolate plains; We became their unfortunate prey, And were bound in affliction and chains.

We long in that sad plight did lie, Nor had courage nor strength to look up; Yet we oft cast a languishing eye, To the hills from whence cometh our hope.

And there came one from Edom afar, To whom the sad signal we gave; He looked like a champion of war, He was bloody--yet mighty to save!

And as swift to our rescue He came, We related to Him all our grief, He said that heaven heard us complain, And 'twas He that had brought us relief.

"Who art thou?" then we fearfully said, "Why so red in thy glorious array? Like one who is sorely dismayed, Through the burden and heat of the day?"

"I have come from the Father of lights, That you in His glory may shine; Whose throne is on high o'er all heights, And the work of redemption is mine.

In His courts the great question was ask'd, Who would rescue lost man from the grave? I, my love and omnipotence task'd, That the ruined and lost I might save!

Then stern Justice demanded his due, And I looked for help but found none; So my life I have laid down for you, And have trodden the wine press alone.

"Look on me," He said with a smile, "'Twas for you I was bruised as ye see; There was none for this wonderful toil, And the burden fell all upon me!"

Then He lifted us up from the ground, And He broke our tyrannical chain; While His blood stream'd afresh from each wound, And whoever it touch'd was made clean!

"The ransom, though mighty, is paid, Therefore open your hearts to receive; You need be no longer afraid If you truly repent and believe!"

While sweet comfort thus flow'd from his tongue, His visage though marr'd grew more fair; With swift wings and angelical song, He ascended on high in the air!

A bright cloud took Him out of our sight, And our eyes could behold him no more; He arose to the regions of light, And left us to believe and adore!

REFLECTIONS ON ABSENT FRIENDS, GONE TO AMERICA.

The sun had gone down o'er yon lofty mountain, The last golden streamer had left the tall tree; The dwelling below seemed forsaken and gloomy, Its inmates were tossing upon the wide sea.

The rose tree was nodding the lasses had nourish'd, Which oft had supplied them with Sunday's perfume; The wall-flower in sorrowful modesty flourish'd, And wept o'er the beautiful daisy in bloom!

In the track by the river the green grass is springing, On whose flowery bank they were oft wont to stray; No more the still grove with sweet echoes is ringing, To the voice of the milk maid, or children at play.

The dog in the night time now howls discontented, Of its master and mistress but lately bereft; I listen'd and look'd to the place they frequented, Of them not a sigh, nor a whisper is left.

How strong the emotions of friendship were glowing, When towed by the steamer the ocean they braved; Their force was evinced by the tears that were flowing, As the hat, or the hand, or the handkerchief waved.

From the shores of old England we anxiously view'd them, A cargo most precious, and dear to our sight; Far o'er the blue surface affection pursued them, Till the ship was conceal'd by the curtain of night.

They have left us,--their absence wakes mournful reflection, As the fast sailing Arundel bears them away; We can only consign them to heavenly protection, To Him, whom the winds and the waters obey.

He who roves through the wood may quickly discover, Their affection in tokens which there he will see; Where with sorrowful heart each friend or each lover, May sigh o'er their names in the bark of the tree.

THE LAST JOB OF AN OLD TRAMP;

OR,

REFLECTIONS ON BURNING A MASON'S MALLET

FOR A YULE CLOG, ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

O thou once highly valued piece of wood, By him who best that value understood; Whose purse so often thou didst help to fill,-- Whom bed and board, Thou didst afford, Attended by thy train of sharpen'd steel!

True to thy task throughout the changing year, Thy fellowship was to thy master dear:-- Whether at work, or o'er his shoulder slung, Or near his side, Thou wast his pride, While with his friend he cheerful sat and sung!

Without a murmur at stern winter's frown, Or summer's heat, in country or in town, The stone hath yielded to thy sturdy blow:-- Thy day is gone, Thy task is done, And thou art own'd by thy last master now!

While careless I thy destiny survey, And see thee down to ashes waste away; Thy crackling whisper seems to shew to me, The frailty clear, Of all things here, To earth allied, and man's mortality!

Since first on thee the tender bud appear'd, Or on thy branch the birds the woodlands cheer'd, What strange vicissitudes have roll'd between; Since thou wast nurs'd, With care at first, Or in the forest flourish'd gay and green!

There was a time when high thy top did wave, In mystic triumph o'er the woodman's grave, Whose stroke had ceas'd, worn out by course of years; Where undismay'd The breezes play'd, Whose peaceful shade remembrance only bears!

Ah! thou wilt never, never bud again, Thy ashes lost in field, or flood, or lane; No more the sun will on thy substance shine: It would, at last, I fear, Be well with many here, If life's last spark might be compared with thine!

GLOSSARY.

Aboon--_above_ Ageean--_against_ Ah--_I_ Ah'v--_I have_ Airm--_arm_ Alang--_along_ 'At's--_that is_ Awd--_old_ Awn--_own_ Awlus--_always_ Ax--_ask_

Baable--_bible_ Bairn--_child_ Beck--_a brook_ Beean--_been_ Beeans--_bones_ Beean't--_be not_ Beeath--_both_ Beelds--_builds_ Berreed--_buried_ Besaads--_besides_ Blaw--_blow_ Bleead--_blood_ Boo--_bow_ Booast--_boast_ Boorn--_born_ Boon--_going_ Bon--_burn_ Bonny--_handsome_ Bowght--_bought_ Breeght--_bright_ Brigg--_bridge_ Broo--_brow_ Bukes--_books_

Cawd--_cold_ Caps--_puzzles_ Cheeans--_chains_ Childer--_children_ Chimler--_chimney_ Clim--_climb_ Clivver--_clever_ Com--_came_ Congker'd--_conquered_ Convarsion--_conversion_ Cooat--_coat_ Coorn--_corn_ Coorse--_course_ Cubburt--_cupboard_ Cum--_come_

Daft--_weak in mind_ Dee--_die_ Deea--_do_ Deeal--_dale_ Deean--_done_ Deed--_died_ Deein--_dying_ Desaun'd--_designed_ Doon--_down_ Doot--_doubt_ Draave--_drive_ Duffil--_kind of coarse cloth_

Ee--_eye_ Een--_eyes_ Efter--_after_ Ey--_aye_

Faanly--_finely_ Fain--_glad_ Fand--_found_ Fause--_false_ Feeat--_foot_ Feead--_fed_ Feight--_fight_ Finnd--_find_ Flay'd--_afraid_ Fleead--_flood_ Fleer--_floor_ Floor--_flower_ Foark--_fork_ Fooas--_foes_ Fooaks--_folks_ Fooam--_foam_ Foond--_found_ Forgeean--_forgiven_ Fower--_four_ Fra'--_from_ Freeat--_fret_ Frev--_from_ Froon'd--_frowned_ Fund--_found_

Gaain--_going_ Gamlin--_gambling_ Gang--_to go_ Gangin--_going_ Gat--_got_ Geean--_gone_ Geean'd--_gained_ Geen--_given_ Gie--_give_ Ginnes--_guineas_ Gitten--_got_ Gooan--_gone_ Graw--_grow_ Greeatin--_groaning_ Greeave--_grave_

Hawf--_half_ Heeame--_home_ Heearth--_earth_ Heeigh--_high_ Hennut--_have not_ Hev--_have_ Hez--_has_ Hezzen't--_has not_ Hods--_holds_ Hoo--_how_ Hoor--_hour_ Hooivver--_however_ Hoose--_house_ Hoosin--_household_ Hoss--_horse_

Iddicated--_educated_ I' noo--_soon_ I' t'--_in the_ Iv--_in_ Ivvery--_every_

Keease--_case_ Ken--_to see_ Kesenmas--_christmas_ Kest--_cast_ Kirk--_church_ Knaw--_know_ Ky--_cows_

Lahtle--_little_ Lee--_a lie_ Leeak--_look_ Leeatly--_lately_ Leeght--_light_ Lie--_to lay_ Lig--_to lie_ Lood--_loud_ Loore--_learning_ Loss--_lose_

Mack--_make_ Mah--_my_ Mahle--_mile_ Mare--_more_ Maund--_mind_ Mebby--_may be_ Meead--_made_ Meeasons--_masons_ Meeght--_might_ Meer--_a mare_ Misteean--_mistaken_ Mitch--_much_ Mooan't--_must not_ Mooat--_mote_ Moont--_mount_ Moorning--_mourning_ Mud--_might_ Mun--_must_

Natches--_notches_ Neea--_no_ Neean--_none_ Neegh--_nigh_ Neeght--_night_ Neen--_nine_ Nivver--_never_ Nobbut--_only_ Nooas--_noes_ Nooatice--_notice_ Nooation--_idea_ Nowght--_nothing_ Nowther--_neither_ Nowthern--_northern_ Nut--_not_

Ommost--_almost_ Onny--_any_ Oor--_our_ O' t'--_of the_ Ower--_over_ Owerton--_overturn_ Owght--_ought, or aught_ Owther--_either_

Pearted--_parted_ Pertend--_pretend_ Pleeace--_place_ Pleugh--_plough_ Plissures--_pleasures_ Poosts--_posts_ Praaze--_praise, or prize_ Preear--_prayer_ Preeav--_prove_ Prisance--_presence_ Prooan--_prone_ Prooase--_prose_ Prood--_proud_

Raise--_rise_ Rath--_wrath_ Reeace--_race_ Reeght--_right_ Reen--_reign_ Rint--_rent_ Rowlin--_rolling_ Rum--_room_

Saain'd--_signed_ Sal--_shall_ Sare--_sore_ Sarten--_certain_ Sawn--_sown_ Screeve--_mark_ Seea--_so_ Seeaf--_safe_ Seean--_soon_ Seeaven--_seven_ Seeght--_sight_ Seer--_sure_ Shanks--_legs_ Shaw--_show_ Sheeape--_shape_ Shoat--_short_ Shoo--_show_ Shoothers--_shoulders_ Sike--_such_ Sin'--_since_ Skoors--_scores_ Snaw--_snow_ Soorce--_source_ Sowl--_soul_ Spak--_spoke_ Steead--_stood_ Steeaks--_stakes_ Steean--_stone_ Strang--_strong_ Strave--_strive_ Stond--_stand_ Stour--_drift_ Sud--_should_ Sum--_some_ Sute--_suit_ Swap--_exchange_

Taame--_time_ Tack--_take_ Teea an' fraw--_to and fro_ Teeables--_tables_ Teeak--_took_ Teeal--_tale_ Teean--_taken_ Tegither--_together_ Te t'--_to the_ Thah--_thy_ Thee--_thy_ Theer--_there_ Thenk--_thank_ Ther--_their_ Thof--_though_ Thowght--_thought_ Thraving--_thriving_ Thruff--_through_ Thunner--_thunder_ Tiv--_to_ Ton--_turn_ Toons--_towns_ Towght--_taught_ Treead--_trade_ Trimmel'd--_trembled_ Trist--_trust_ 'Twad--_it would_ Twea--_two_

Ungker'd--_strange_

Voo--_vow_