Page images
PDF
EPUB

"These join'd, alone, can form the being man, “Perfect in all-such my design, my plan ;— "And, therefore, now each male, in Heav'n, will find "A lovely partner of the female kind

"One kindred soul, with wishes such as his."Haste then to seek and t'enjoy such bliss;"Yourselves unto yourselves unite once more, "Let heart join heart, be happiness your store;"Such happiness as fills the soul, the heart;"For now you meet for aye-no more to part.”

He spoke, and all obey'd.-No jarring minds
Were here, and each a fitting partner finds :-
Each one receiv'd the fair his wishes sought,
And love, and love repaid, the only thought;-
Though virtuous all, yet all were different ;-
But ev'ry pair enjoy'd a sweet content:-
Had kindred souls of bliss a mutual sense,
So wonderful the ways of Providence.

Not one of all this num'rous host would change
His lot, or from his partner would estrange,
Nor other make the partner of his bliss,
For bliss supernal, lasting, fervent, his.

Th'earth its bless'd inhabitants receives, And all its regions fruitful produce gives ;

These, they possess, yet still pre-eminence
Belongs to such as saw in Providence

A God who lov'd the virtuous and the wise—
Who made Eternal Life their only prize,
And seeking, not in vain, attained to this-
A greater capability of bliss :-

That faithful host who, in Millennium, were
Th'object of the great Messiah's care,
The constant partners of his holy reign,
Salem inhabit-ever there remain.

Their virtue and their worth, by all confess'd,
Entitles them to be supremely bless'd;-
A grand precedence that which they obtain,
Which they, and they alone of man, can gain.
Others, of human kind, though sav'd by grace,
Could not support the glories of the place;-
Nor could they its surpassing brightness bear,
Its constant splendour-for their GoD is there:-
He dwelleth there, of it he is the light :-

Eternal day there reigns, and unknown night;-
But night to all, save those, is needful found,
Who sojourn near, or in the countries round :-
These as they choose visit at Sion's gate-
Adore their GOD, but at due distance wait.
The portals unclos'd stand that all may see
Of Israel's GOD the glorious majesty.

Thus, in eternal round, each wish, each thought, Is gratified in full-nor need be sought :What appetite demands, each bough, each field, Abundantly their ample tribute yield :And, for their thirst, each silver stream glides on, Affording draughts, intoxicating none.

With every closing day, each happy pair
Unto their nuptial bed with joy repair ;-

As Adam erst, and Eve, when God's own ray,
And innocence were their's, so now are they :-
And, to the joys the first fond pair that bless'd,
Is giv'n to know how they may choose what's best;
Known good and evil, they the first embrace ;-
The latter reckon worthy all disgrace

Prefer the good, the evil they disdain ;
Nor in their hearts permit it e'er to reign.
Of Life's Eternal Fruit allow'd all are
Freely to eat-such GoD's paternal care ;-
Such his decree, and such, how blind is man,
From the beginning, th' Almighty's plan.

Messiah and th'elect in state so bless'd, Knowledge superior have o'er all the rest ;For GOD to them reveals these wonders great In which man's mind is now but incomplete ;In which is now in wonder lost man's mind When nature viewing through each various kind

Of tree, of flow'r, of bird, of fish, or beast,
Monstrous in size, to what's consider'd least
Of all creation's works, which naked eye
Sees not, nor microscopic powers descry ;-
Their natures, beings, properties, and end
They fully understand and comprehend :—
Know how the stars in wondrous order move,
Adore their Maker as a GOD of Love;
Whilst all existence opens to their sight,
And crowns each moment with supreme delight.

Thus do the good enjoy immortal life.—
Sorrow is banish'd-far away all strife.
No laws but those engraven on the heart
Know they; unknown to them the selfish part :-
Thus rul'd, their passions and their appetites
Give ev'ry bliss to crown them with delights.
All that the fancy forms of joy's their own,
And whence those pleasures flow is fully known;
The hand from whence they flow in all they see,
From the least insect, up, oh GOD! to thee;-
And as their bliss is endless, so their praise,-
One heart, one mind, one voice eternal raise
In adoration of the GoD of all,

As prostrate 'fore Heav'n's Majesty they fall;
Or strike the golden harp, whose dulcet swell
All other instruments doth far excel :-

--

Touching with joy unspeakable its strings,

To praise the Lamb, the Lord, the King of Kings.

FATHER of all, MAKER of heav'n and earth—

Who was long ere creation came to birth-
Who art the arbiter of human good ;—
Though by the worldling little understood:-
Who shalt be through eternity the same-
All honour, praise, and glory to thy name.

To thee, oh SON! thou bless'd of heav'n above-
Thou, the first object of the Father's love—
Thou, who when fall'n man forsook the Lord-
(Thou ever blessed, ever glorious word,)
Who thought not life a sacrifice too great,
Man's erring race to save and reinstate

In that bless'd favour for which they'd no plea ;–
Redeem'd by grace, and by the blood of thee.
Thou HOLY SPIRIT who alone canst shed
Heav'n's influence o'er the sinner's destined head;
Thou, who proceeds from Father and the Son,
The triune being forms, we worship one :-
To each and all my hommage meet is due,
Inspir'd, instructed, aided still by you;—
Without your aid, in verse, could I essay
To tread the mazes of the mystic way,
Which leads to all that's bright, to all that's high
In nether worlds, or far above the sky,

« PreviousContinue »