Poems on Sacred Subjects (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1834. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... TO AFRICA DELIVERED FROM CAPTIVITY. "He regarded their affliction when he heard their cry."-- Psalm cvi. 44. "The Lord looseth the prisoners."--Psalm cxlvi. 7. Thy tears are wiped, O captive and their stain, The guilt and the disgrace of tyrant lands, Hath left my country. She hath wash'd her hands. Was it thy sigh of anguish burst the chain, When thine heart heaved as doth the swelling main, Amid the pauses of thy long despair? No, --'twas thy suppliant sigh, thy voice of prayer: Cry of thy meekness, --not of thy disdain. Then o'er the chaos of earth's mighty things, The counsels of the senate and the throne, Came down thine answer from the King of kings. Yes, --then his voice was heard, and his alone. He said, and sent the mandate o'er the sea, "Break Afric's exile bonds "-- and thou wert free. THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. "See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath."-- Exodus xvi. 29. O Nation of Jehovah wilt thou dare Despise thy birthright? till the Sabbath rest Leave thy profan'd abodes--thy guilty breast* Then quit thy hope of mercy from his care; The Lord of Sabbaths loves the house of prayer. Shall thy proud senate mock Messiah's state, And o'er the counsels of His throne debate? Lo He shall turn the purpose to despair. Wilt thou pollute His temples with the breath f Of lifeless praises from the weary heart? And give thine immortality to death? And bid the resurrection ray depart? Ah spare thy land a more than midnight doom, Watch, like the angel-guard, beside Messiah's tomb. * Hos. ii. 11. t Matt. ii. 12--13. t Matt, xxviii. 1-6. CONTINUED. "Call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable." -Isaiah lviii. 13. Yes--with its gentle smile thine heart unclose, And call it a delight, a holy day: -- There is a vital gladness in its ray, A d...