4 'Twill save us from a thousand snares 5 To thee, almighty God, to thee, 6 Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise Employ my youngest breath; Thus I'm prepar'd for longer days, Or fit for early death. SONG XIII. The Danger of Delay. 1 WHY should I say, "Tis yet too soon To seek for heav'n, or think of death?" A flow'r may fade before 'tis noon, And I this day may lose my breath. 2 If this rebellious heart of mine Despise the gracious calls of heav'n, Shall send young sinners quick to hell. SONG XIV. Examples of Early Piety. } WHAT bless'd examples do I find Of children tha began to mind 2 Jesus, who reigns above the sky, 3 Attwelve years old he talk'd with men, 4 Children a sweet Hosanna sung, And blest their Saviour's name: They gave him honour with their tongue, While Scribes aud Priests blaspheme. Samuel the child was wean'd, and brought To wait upon the Lord; Young Timothy betimes was taught 6 Then why should I so long delay SONG XV. Against Lying. 10 'Tis a lovely thing for youth 2 But lyars we can never trust, [true; 3 Have we not known, nor heard, nor read, How God abhors deceit and wrong: 4 So did his wife Saphira die, 5 The Lord delights in them that speak The words of truth; but ev'ry lyar Must have his portion in the lake, That burns with brimstone, and with fire. Against Quarrelling and Fighting. I LET dogs delight to bark and bite, 2 But, children, you should never let 3 Let love thro' all your actions run, 4 His soul was gentle as a lamb ; SONG XVII. Love between Brothers and Sisters. 1 WHATEVER brawls disturb the street, There should be peace at home; Where sisters dwell and brothers meet, Quarrels should never come. 2 Birds in their little nests agree; And 'tis a shameful sight, When children of one family Fall out, and chide, and fight. 3 Hard names at first, and threatening words, That are but noisy breath, 4 The devil tempts one mother's son 5 The wise will make their anger cool, It burns till morning light. 6 Pardon, O Lord, our childish rage, SONG XVIII. Against Scoffing and calling Names, 1.OUR tongues were made to bless the Lord, And not speak ill of men, 2 Cross words and angry names require 3 But lips that dare be so profane, The Lord shall cut them off. 4 When children, in their wanton play, Serv'd old Elisha so; And bid the prophet go his way, "Go up, thou bald-head, go."' 3 God quickly stopt their wicked breath, And sent two raging bears, That tore them limb from limb to death, With blood, and groans, and tears. 6 Great God, how terrible art thou To sinners, ne'er so young! Grant me thy grace, and teach me how To tame and rule my tongue. SONG XIX. Against Swearing, and Cursing, and taking God's Name in vain. 1 ANGELS, that high in glory dwell, Adore thy name, almighty God! And devils tremble down in hell, Beneath the terrors of thy rod. 2 And yet how wicked children dare. Abuse thy dreadful glorious name! And when they're angry, how they [pheme! swear And curse their fellows and blas 3 How will they stand before thy face, Who treated thee with such disdain, While thou shalt doom them to the place Of everlasting fire and pain? But I will praise thee here, and hope 5 My heart shall be in pain to hear Wretches affront the Lord above: 'Tis that great God, whose pow'r I fear, That heav'nly Father, whom I love. 6 If my companions grow profane, I'll leave their friendship when I hear Young sinners take thy name in vain, And learn to curse, and learn to swear. SONG XX. Against Idleness and Mischief. 1 HOW doth the little busy bee 2 How skilfully she builds her cell! 3 In works of labour, or of skill, For Satan finds some mischief still 4 In books, or work, or healthful play, Let my first years be past, That I may give for ev'ry day 4 From one rude boy that's us'd to mock, They learn the wicked jest; One sickly sheep infects the flock, 5 My God, I hate to walk, or dwell With sinful children here; Then let me not be sent to hell, Where none but sinners are. SONG XXII. Against Pride in Clothes. 1 WHYshould our garments, made to hide 3 How proud we are! how fond to shew 4 The tulip and the butterfly Appear in gayer coats than I ; Let me be drest fine as I will, Flies, worms, and flow'rs exceed me still. s Then will I set my heart to find Inward adornings of the mind; Knowledge and virtue, truth & grace, These are the robes of richest dress. SONG XXIV. The Child's Complaint. 1 WHY should I love my sport so well? So constant at my play? [hell? And lose the thoughts of heav'n and 2 What do I read my bible for, 3 How senseless is my heart, and wild! And pardon all my faults: 4 Make me thy heav'nly voice to hear, Since God will lead a gracious ear SONG XXV. A Morning Song. 1 MY God, who makes the sun to know His proper hour to rise, And to give light to all below, Doth send him round the skies. No more shall worms with me compare; 2 When from the chambers of the east This is the raiment angels wear; 7 It never fades, it ne'er grows old, In this on earth would I appear, SONG XXIII. Obedience to Parents. I LET children that would fear the Lord Hear what their teachers say; With rev'rencemeet their parents word, And with delight obey. Have not you heard what dreadful plagues Are threaten'd by the Lord, What heavy guilt upon him lies! 4 But those that worship God, and give Their parents honour due, Here on this earth they long shall live, His morning race begins, But round the world he shines. 3 So, like the sun, would I fulfil 4 Give me, O Lord, thy early grace, SONG XXVI. An Evening Song. I AND now another day is gone, 2 But how my childhood runs to waste! 3 I lay my body down to sleep, Let angels guard my head: 4 With cheerful heart I close my eyes, SONG XXVII. For the Lord's-Day Morning. 1 THIS is the day when Christ arose 2 This is the day when Jesus broke 3 To-day with pleasure christians meet, 4 I'll leave my sport to read and pray, SONG XXVIII. For the Lord's-Day Evening. 1 LORD, how delightful 'tis to see A whole assembly worship thee! At once they sing, at once they pray, They hear of heav'n,and learn the way. I have been there, and still would go : "Tis like a little heav'n below; Not all my pleasure and my play Shall tempt me to forget this day. 3 O write upon my mem'ry, Lord, The texts and doctrines of thy word; That I may break thy laws no more, But love thee better than before. 4 With thoughts of Christ and things divine Fill up this foolish heart of mine; The Ten Commandments, out of the Old 1 THOU shalt have no more Gods but me. 2 Before no idol bow thy knee. 3 Take not the name of God in vain. 4 Nor dare the sabbath-day profane. Give both thy parents honour due. 6 Take heed that thou no murder do. 7 Abstain from words and deeds unclean. Nor steal, tho' thou art poor and mean. 9 Nor make a wilful lie, nor love it. 10 What is thy neighbour's dare not covet The Sum of the Commandments out of the New Testament.—Mat. xxii. 37, WITH all thy soul love God above, Our Saviour's Golden Rule-Mat vii. 12. BE you to others kind and true, Duty to God and our Neighbour. LOVEGod with all your soul and strength, Another deal with you; What you're unwilling to receive, The Hosanna: or, Salvation ascribed to Christ. (L. M.) 1 HOSANNA to King David's Son 2 Let ev'ry nation, ev'ry age, (C. M.) 1 HOSANNA to the Prince of grace; 2 Hosanna to the eternal Word, 1 HOSANNA to the Son GIVE to the Father praise, Give glory to the Son, And to the Spirit of his grace Be equal honour done. A SLIGHT SPECIMEN OF MORAL SONGS: Such as I wish some happy and condescending Genius would undertake for the TH HE sense and subjects might be borrowed plentifully from the Proverbs of Solomon, from all the common appearances of nature, from all the occurrences in the civil life, both in city and country: (which would also afford matter for other divine songs) Here the language and measures should be easy, and flowing with cheerfulness, with or without the solemnities of religion, or the sacred names of God and holy things; that children might find delight and profit togther. This would be one effectual way to deliver them from the temptation of loving or learning those idle, wanton, or profane songs, which give so early an ill taint to the fancy and memory, and become the seeds of future vices. 1. The Sluggard. 1 'TIS the voice of the Sluggard; 1 "You have wak'd me too soon, I must As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed 2 "A little more sleep, and a little more Thus he wastes half his days and his Or walks about sauntring, or trifling 3 I pass'd by his garden, and saw the The thorn and the thistle grow broader and higher; The clothes that hang on him are turn ing to rags; And his money still wastes, till he 4 I made him a visit, still hoping to find, his mind; |