The fields where armies meet in deadly fight,
Present a horrid prospect to the sight;
But earthly kings' ambition leads to war,
They fight to tell but who the greatest are,
They're rous'd by pride each other to destroy,
And equal guilty of the curs'd employ.
One strives to rule his neighbour to oppress,
In conscious wrong what's not his own possess ;
But here the King of Kings a power display'd
Which conquer'd worlds, and realms in ruin laid;
He woo'd not conflict, nor the battle brought
To seize not His, nor punish acts unwrought:
No enmity, nor foul ambitious feud,
Nor aggrandizement, great Messiah led
To conquest; solely the conflicting cause
Was just protection of His holy laws.
Men were His own, created by His hand,
Yet liv'd rebellious to His just command,
Refused mercy, proffer'd if repent,
Till justice called for just punishment.
Ah, had war perish'd with this fallen race
The earth had reap'd the fruits of happiness!
But men no sooner numerous became
Than hell's curs'd hosts rous'd them to fight again,
Historic pages the foul fact display,
And wo tells 'tis despotic at this day;
Not to benighted infidels confin'd,
Flock to its banners kings, believers nam'd.
Ambition first internal lights the fire
That spreads the flames of desolating jar;
Deceit and lust then lend infernal aid,
And spur the curse the harmless to invade ;
Puff'd and encourag'd thus by hellish sway,
No wonder that destruction marks the way.
Then, we unerring, safely may conclude, Earth's harass'd now, as 'twas before the flood; Its coasts are fill'd with violence and wrong, And men among demonian powers reign.
No wickedness can ever spring from grace, "Tis strict forbidden by the PRINCE OF PEACE, Who, ere time ends, to earth again will come, Sweep off His foes, once more protect His own : O, these momentous lessons strive to learn, A gracious God wills all should truth discern! Then, to her teaching lend attentive ear, And thou from it stupendous facts wilt hear: O may they pierce thy soul, thy heart impress With gratitude and sincere thankfulness; Teach, while life lasts, to fear thy God's command, Thy mind corrupted purge, ill ways amend!
Blest Comforter, upon the guilty soul
Cast Thy bright rays, the night of death dispel!
O let Thy whispering zephyrs waft the breeze
That bears the balm, which gives eternal ease!
Now I return to where the favor'd few
Contemplating were left how to pursue
The path of life; how pressing want supply,
And nourish nature by their industry.
They first erect the humble turfy bower,
To shelter from the cold, or pelting shower;
Then strew the ground with such nutritious seed
As, if want press, will consolate the need.
The grateful Ruler over nature's laws,
The bounteous He, the first Creating Cause,
To earth indulgent sends the placid beam,
And meadows spring array'd in lively green;
In cultur'd fields the thriving blades appear,
And ripen'd grain soon loads the gilded ear.
The flow'ry tribes, reviv'd from partial death,
Diffus'd sweet fragrance o'er the grateful earth,
The pastur'd herds, each yet a lonely pair,
Preserv'd from harm, their species to repair,
Roam'd o'er the wilds and kindly multipli'd,
Still searching that their nat❜ral wants suppli’d.
The woods, in grandeur, rais'd their stately heads,
Mortality enjoy'd their leafy shades;
Kind labour greets again the rosy morn,
Cheers hill and dale with gratitude's sweet strain.
Some till the ground, some tend the grazing flock,
All of industry's bounteous stores partake,
Which overflowing richly fill the barn,
And by the slothful want is only known;
The favor'd family, for such blessings giv'n,
Thus piously raise thankful praise to heav'n.
To Thee, Mighty Potentate,
Gracious, merciful, and great,
At the day's returning dawn,
We renew the grateful song.
When the floods with fury roll'd
By Thy hand we were upheld;
Stretch'd to save, Thy powerful arm
Safely shielded us from harm.
Nature's glories round us shine
Caus'd by Thee to spring again:
Gardens bloom in rosy glow
Fields abundant beauties shew.
How the playful lambkins sport,
While their dams around resort,
Grateful, humble supplicants
Asking to relieve their wants!
Round the wood-land songsters sing, Sweetly hailing blooming spring; And, in nature's charming strain,
Magnify Thy holy name.
Nature flowing from Thy hand,
Nature rising at command,
From her bounteous storehouse gives
More than ev'ry want relieves.
When we view creation o'er,
How amazed at Thy power,
And, with hearts to rev'rence bent, Own Thee God, Omnipotent.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord!
Be Thy Majesty ador'd!
May we still the song of love
Raise till call'd to praise above!
|