2 Oh grant me to desire the pain s Then, tho' thou bend my spirit low, The very hand that strikes the blow, EDMESTON. THE CHRISTIAN IN THE PROSPECT OF DEATH. 10 most delightful hour by man The hour that terminates his span, 2 Worlds should not bribe me back to tread 3 My home henceforth is in the skies, All heav'n unfolded to my eyes, 4 So speaks the Christian, firm possess'd Then breathes his soul into its rest; COWPER. NEW YEAR'S HYMN. 1 He lives, who lives to God alone, 2 To live to God is to requite 3 But life, within a narrow ring Is falsely nam'd, and no such thing, 4 Can life in them deserve the name, For what poor toys they can disclaim 5 Who trample order, and the day 6 If scorn of God's commands, impress'd 7 Such want it, and that want, uncur'd Till man resigns his breath, Speaks him a criminal, assur'd 8 Sad period to a pleasant course! COWPER. THE SAME. 1 Thankless for favours from on high, 2 But he, not wise enough to scan Would gladly stretch life's little span 3 Strange fondness of the human heart Strange world, that costs it so much smart, 4 Whence has the world her magic pow'r? Why deem we death a foe? Recoil from weary life's best hour, 5 The cause is conscience-conscience oft Her tale of guilt renews: Her voice is terrible, tho' soft, And dread of death ensues. 6 Then anxious to be longer spar'd, Man mourns his fleeting breath: All evils then seem light compar'd 7 "Tis judgment shakes him; there's the fear 8 Pay!-follow Christ, and all is paid; COWPER. ЕРІТАРН. 1 Forgive, blest shade, the tributary tear, That mourns thy exit from a world like this; Forgive the wish that would have kept thee here, And stay'd thy progress to the seats of bliss. 2 No more confin'd to grov'ling scenes of night, No more a tenant pent in mortal clay; Now should we rather hail thy glorious flight, And trace thy journey to the realms of day. ANON. UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE. 1 Man like a flower at morn appears, And blooms perhaps a few short years: r The flatterer, Hope, still leads him on It soon takes wings and flies away. 4 A better hope the Christian cheers, 6 Tho' worldly pleasures here should fail, |