Yet enemies thou needst must find---
True merit raises spite;
Then, think of all the foes combin'd
With which thou'lt have to fight.
Ambassadors, who'll be sent back
From every foreign nation,
With secretaries at their back,
All dying of vexation.
The Post-Office destroy'd will be;
For where's the use of writing,
When back the answer comes by thee
Whilst queries we're inditing?
Let's have a talk, then, quite at ease,
And gossip while we may;
Let's chat awhile with the Chinese,
And jest with Paraguay.
We'll ask a riddle in Peru,
Tell tales at Ispahan,
Just speak a word in Timbuctoo,
And whisper with Japan.
As round the world thy influence rolls,
For one I shall not wonder,
To find, through thee, the very poles
Cannot be kept asunder.
PREPARING FOR THE LORD'S-DAY.
Haste! put your playthings all away,
To-morrow is the sabbath-day;
Come, bring to me your Noah's ark,
And pretty tinkling music cart;
Because, my love, you must not play,
But rightly keep the sabbath-day.
Bring me your German village, please,
With all its houses, gates, and trees;
Your waxen doll with eyes of blue,
And all her teathings bright and new ;
Because, you know, you must not play,
But love to keep the sabbath-day.
Now take your Sunday pictures down;
King David, with his harp and crown ;
Good little Samuel on his knees,
And many pleasant sights like these;
Because you know you must not play,
But learn of God upon
his day.
There is your hymn-book; you shall learn
A verse, and some sweet kisses earn;
Your book of Bible-stories, too,
Which dear mother reads to you.
I think, although you must not play,
We'll have a happy sabbath-day.
JESUS, ONCE A CHILD.
And was my Saviour once a child?
A little child like me?
And was he humble, meek, and mild,
As little ones should be?
O why did not the Son of God
Come as an angel bright?
And why not leave his fair abode,
To come with power and might?
Because he came not here to reign,
As sovereign here below;
He came to save our souls from sin,
Whence all our sorrows flow.
And did the Son of God most high,
Consent a man to be?
And did that blessed Saviour die
Upon the cross for me?
And did my Saviour freely give
His life for sinful men?
What! did he die that we might live?
Oh how he lov'd us then!
GIVE ME THY HEART.
Accept, O dear redeeming Lord,
An infant's humble praise;
Teach me to love thy holy word,
And serve Thee all my days.
GIVE ME THY HEART.
"Give me thy heart," the Saviour cries:
Ye children! hear his voice;
Now in your early days be wise,
And make a heavenly choice.
"Give me thy heart," and let the earth
And all its pleasures, go;
Seek bliss of pure celestial birth,
Where joys for ever flow.
"Give me thy heart," nor linger more ;
Too soon you cannot give ;
Now, on your knees, his grace implore;
Believe, obey, and live.
"Give me thy heart;" should you delay
Till you are older grown,
may refuse another day,
And drive you from his throne.
Come, children, supplicate his grace,
Let this your answer be-
Behold, O Lord, we seek thy face,
And give our hearts to thee.
FOLLOWING CHRIST.
When Peter heard his Master's call,
He stayed not on the sea;
But gladly left his little all,
Dear Lord, to follow thee.
Upon the sea of life I stand,
O, Saviour, call to me;
Help me to yield to thy command,
Leave all, and follow thee.
Oh call me in the days of youth;
And let me early see
How sweet it is to know the truth,
Leave all, and follow thee.
The present hour is still mine own,
Another may not be;
Oh let me, ere that hour be flown,
Leave all, and follow thee.
When sinful pleasures would allure,
How sweet soe'er they be,
Oh give me courage to endure,
Leave all and follow thee.
In sorrow let me not despair,
Oh teach me where to flee;
In faith surrender every care,
Leave all, and follow thee.
And when I reach the gates of death,
Whene'er that hour shall be,
Oh let me calmly yield my breath-
Leave all, and follow thee.
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