Poems, Moral and Religious (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1814. Excerpt: ... I..-.. PREFACE '-' ' TO THE THIRD EDITION 3POOR MAN'S SABBATH. UL He Sabbath, whether we advert to its origin, its ultimate end, or its immediate effect, is calculated to excite admiration and gratitude in the bosoms of all who are susceptible of religious feeling, or endowed with moral perception. In appointing the manner how, and the time when He will be served, it sets forth the Creator as absolutely sovereign; and in ac B commentating the rule of duty and the commemoration of his works, to the weaknesses and the wants of his creatures--as perfect in wisdom, and abundant in mercy. Descending from general to particular views of the Sabbath, there are perhaps, none more interesting, than as it affects the child of penury and toil. To him whose daily employment is rather mental than corporeal, though it may change the objects of his contemplation, it breaks in but little upon the uniform tenor of his life; and to him whoso every day is ease and recreation, shy reserve, or gloomy severity, is likely to be its most distinguishing feature. - The Poor Man's Sabbath has, in this respect, a delightful peculiarity, growing, like many other blessings, out of his humble situation, the full force of which can only be known by experience. To him it still returns with all the attractions of novelty, enlivening his otherwise uniform existence with the most grateful variety. While it awakens hirft to the duties of religion, it releases him from the drudgery of the world. While it elevates him to the contemplation of glory and immortality, it presents a lively resemblance and a grateful foretaste of that glory, in the refreshing rest which it bestows upon his body. To delineate this particular view of the Sabbath, is the design of the following Poem. It was, as a ...