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 ^t*t".«\7iffi5i^^^*"«^' 
 
 MOH^At' 
 
 IK FOUH BOOKS. 
 
 ; Bf K^SHUk M^«S1>1EN. 
 
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 THE 
 
 / 
 
 BACKSLIDER, 
 
 A DESCRIPTIVE MOEAI^ 
 
 POEM, 
 
 f 
 
 IN FOUR BOOKS. 
 
 V** 
 
 BY JOSHUA MARSDEN. I 
 
 Late Missionari/ to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick 
 
 and Bermuda* 
 
 Where is the blessedness ye spake of. Paul. 
 
 PLYMOUTH.DOCK; 
 
 Printed and Sold by J, JO HNS ^ 53, St, Auhyri'-Strtet j 
 
 SOLD ALSO BT 
 
 W. Kent, High-Holborn ; Wiiliam Booth, Duke*Street, 
 Manchester-Square J Bruce, City-Road; Bains, Pa- 
 ternoster-Row ; and by Thomas Bi<ANCii4UU«, 
 City-Road, Londop... ' v , ', 
 
 1815. * 
 
A V 
 
 * * 
 
 
 'Ol 
 
 it'dg 
 
 • t • 
 
 . , ••• • 
 
 • • • 
 
 • ••• 
 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 _. N committing this little poem to the press, 1 hate 
 neither the ignorance to suppose it without faults, nor 
 the vatiity of zsishing it to be admired without exceU 
 lencies ; should it possess but little poetical merit, the 
 subject, to those who fear God, must nevertheless be 
 interesting. Every Christian Minuter and good mm 
 must feel pained, that so viany deluded by sin, should 
 ieave the fold of God, and wander from the path <^ 
 piety : and more so, as it is to be feared, that many 
 wander, who never more return to the Shepherd and 
 Bishop of their souls: Indeed there is no Christidit 
 who does not, more or less, mourn his deviations from 
 the right path: none are above the necessity of caution, 
 or beyond the reach of danger. *' Take heed to thy 
 ways,'' is as necessary to the good man, as to the sinm 
 ner. Hence, a poem that contains cautions to deter^ 
 and counsels to guide, cannot be without its uses, even 
 to those who have not zcickedly departed from the 
 Lord : to those who have in any degree forsaken the 
 right way, I flatter myself, that it will be found a 
 useful little manual. Some poor wanderer may per^ 
 haps, wish to know, ichat the Backslider has to 
 say ; and the' he has forsaken sermons, may be 
 allured by a verse, and profited by a poem : especially^ 
 rchen hr finds that it symbolizes with his own state^ 
 
if 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 f 
 
 1' 
 
 and encourages a return to his heavenly Fa/ltcr. Had 
 the subject fallen into abler hands ^ the uork might 
 have been more worthy of the title : hoicever^ if I have 
 not gold and silver to offer to the Lord's Tabernacle^ 
 i mqy be allowed to bring icool, and goat's hair* 
 This irijief was not mo/e a labour of piety for th^ 
 good of others, than it was a charm, to amuse my own 
 mind. It was the link that sometimes connected two 
 seasons of moderate leather, ihi^ interval of which, 
 teas either a snow storm, or a season of intense cold : 
 when deep snow prevented my travellings and the want 
 of books afforded no refuge from idleness, but such 
 mlternatives as the pipe : then, the pleasure of com. 
 posing this, or some other little fragment, filled up my 
 scrdps of time, 2 hope at least, in an innocent, if not 
 vsefui manner. My Tuscultim, if 1 may call little 
 things by great names, was sometimes the cottage of 
 a fisherman, or the log house of a colonist ; in a word, 
 the Backslider was the child of a cold and severe 
 climate, and was reared amidst the intense frost, deep 
 tnozp, wild woods, and frozen lakes and rivers of 
 NovamScotia. So that my subject, (a loandering from 
 the ever delightful sun of righteousness,) was in some 
 degree of fellowship with my situation; hence, should my 
 verses not possess the sphodron km entiiousiasticon 
 JTATHOS, so necessary to good pmtry^ the above cir. 
 cumstances will plead some little in their favour. I 
 know it may be objected, but why publish them zdihout 
 
 I I 
 
FRFFACE. 
 
 r. Had 
 k might 
 if 1 have 
 
 Vs hair* 
 for thtf 
 my ozcn 
 ted two 
 \f zshichf 
 ise cold : 
 the want 
 but such 
 of com- 
 •id up my 
 t, if not 
 (ill little 
 yttage of 
 I a word, 
 I severe 
 ist, deep 
 ivers of 
 ingfrom 
 9 in some 
 'wnldmy 
 
 ASTICON 
 
 fove cir- 
 
 vour. I 
 
 zuihout 
 
 revising f to this I anszoer, that ac present, preaching 
 seven times a zceek and other duties, allozo me but lit 
 tie time : but a much stronger reason is, I have no 
 inclination. The reader is welcome to the work in itf 
 present state, and with regard to the critic, he wilt 
 hardly deign to look upon a book, the very title of 
 Uhich, as it must appear foolish, will at once consign 
 loth the author and his piece to contempt and oblivion. 
 If any reader is still dissatisfied, I have only to observe 
 in the words of a French author 1 have somewhere 
 read, that "composing it zvas my heaven, (1 speak 
 after the manner of poets) transcribing it was my pur. 
 gatory, and shall I say, that correcting it would be my 
 hell, Strious/y, J fear I ,-innot make it much better, 
 and 2 should be sorry r, • roorse : I hope it wa» 
 
 written in the fear of \ ' , this disposition 1 
 
 send it into the zcorld ; ,,n any wanderer 
 
 the way to his God and Sav... , Ml bless tae day 
 when I zvrole, zcith coU fingers, and my inkstand up. 
 on the stove to prevent it from feezing. Gain is not 
 tny object ; the reader icill have no reason to think 
 that / zcrite at his pockets,~-had that been the case, I 
 might have published this trifle in a five shilling quarto 
 imtead of aizco shilling pamphlet. If there be any 
 loss, it xtill fall upon the author, if much gain, the 
 reader zciU have the greatest share. Go then my little 
 poen. , followed by thij author's prayers, and curry 
 
 u 2 
 

 r 
 
 
 VI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ttiitruction to the hearts of those zcho prefer truth to 
 criticism, and zcho esteem suitable counsels mure thai^ 
 ftll the beauties of zcit and eloquence. 
 
 But all is In his hand whose praise T geek. 
 in vain the poet sings, and the world hcarBj 
 If he regard not, though divine the theine« 
 'Tis not in artful measures, in the chimo 
 
 * • 
 
 And idle tinkiins; of a minstrel's lyre, , 
 
 To charm his ear, whose eyes is on the he -t, . 
 Whose frown can disappoint the prcndest stralii, 
 Whose approbation — prosper even mine. i 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 ; . - '^ Plymol'tii-Dock, October, 1813. 
 
 -TT.,^ ,(*.-.:.•>♦**■■••' 
 
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 W :# = 
 
 r /r«/A to 
 7} ore thai^ 
 
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 COWPER. 
 
 1815. 
 
 n 
 
p 
 
 i 
 
 The Rev. JOSEPH BENSON, 
 
 THIS POEM 
 
 Is most respectfully insGribed^ 
 
 nV lili MUCBt OBMGED, 
 
 4ND TEllV AIIY.CTIONATE SERVANT. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 ■ 
 
 •v.^ 
 
SON, 
 
 ?^/, 
 
 ERVANT. 
 
 TIIOR. 
 
 
 'k* 
 
 'A- I, 
 
 
 THE BACKSJLIBEM, 
 
 J POEM, 
 
 CANTO FIRST. 
 
 ^Viili/e also go away ! John vi. 67. 
 
 ijjT E R N A L S |)i ri t ! source of life divine ! 
 
 Balm of the contrite heart, and bliss of mine ! 
 
 Thy aid I ask, thy holy »id infuse. 
 
 Thro' all my theme, and sanctify the Muse. 
 
 In this cold climate,* where rough Boreas blows. 
 
 Pours his fierce hail, and spreads his dazzling snows, 
 
 Disrobes the green-wood, chills the solar beam, 
 
 And shakes his icy-sceptre o'er the stream. 
 
 Let me beguile stern winter's frigid ire, 
 
 With books divine a friend, and maple fire ; 
 
 Or cheat the night-storm terrible and fierce ! 
 
 With purest sweets of fancy-pleasing verse. ' 
 
 Benson attend ! tho' mighty oceans part, 
 
 Oceans divide the body, not the heart, 
 
 ' • Nova Scotia. . | / 
 
THE BACKSLIDKK. 
 
 To thee, I know the moral muse is dear, 
 
 And no immoral thought shall blossom here : 
 
 Away! ye strains, that pain (he moral sense, 
 
 And flush the snowy cheek of innocence ; 
 
 Thou wilt not deem the sacred verse a crime, 
 
 A waste of talent, or a loss of time ; 
 
 A nobler work, my daily care employs, 
 
 A nobler work, and worthy of the skies ,• 
 
 But holy Writ has taught me to esteem, 
 
 Time more then gold, and moments to redeem ; 
 
 Hence while the stars roll down the silent night', 
 
 Ere blithe Aurora wake the infant light ; 
 
 I visit Siloa'sever hallowed stream, 
 
 And cull the flowers that beautify my theme. 
 
 With those who fall away my theme begins, 
 Who quit bright virtue to renew their sins, 
 The snowy whiteness of their raiment stain, 
 Like luna brighten, and like luna wane. 
 Long as the christian on the Lamb depends, 
 And ardent prayer with grateful praises blends ; 
 Fbc'd on the prize his thoughts, his heart unstain'd, 
 His hope substantial, and his faith unfeign'd^ 
 Long as his filial love and zeal are pure, 
 His walk is steady, and his standing sure ; ' 
 
 Bright comforts too, maintain an equal pace, 
 Woe never blooms beneath the sun of grace ; 
 Perennial joys, extatic views are his 
 And rich supplies of undissembled bliss, 
 
 a-* r J.*Wr^ 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 T ho bliss.right reason, thought, and faith dispense 
 Not blossoms ravish'd from <he plant of sense, 
 Not those that bloom on honour's laurel'd-head ; 
 Not those dull joys, by ease and riches fed. 
 Nor those that wit, and beauty can bestow. 
 Or in the walks of fame, and learning grow : 
 But wishes p-aceful, and a soul within, 
 Mild as the morn, as summer skies serine j 
 Each day, devotion sweetens to delight, 
 While heaven's bright visions occupy the night ; 
 The toys of time are all esteemed as dross, 
 Fast grows his bliss beneath the bleeding crois ; 
 And should a trial pierce, or pain his feet, 
 The throne of smiling grace is doubly sweet, 
 Thence like a stream the purest comforts flow, 
 
 Thence on the soul the gales of Zion blow ; 
 In that sweet ante-chamber to the sky, 
 When man is absent— and Jehovah nigh ; 
 The happy soul can every care dismiss, 
 And in devotion feel an angel's bliss. ' 
 
 Do sorrows sting ? afflictive thoughts oppress ? ' 
 (For ^renuine piety may feel distress ;) 
 A brightening hope of speedy succour cheers, ' 
 And peace serenely glistens through his tears; 
 Or, if a night of darkness should invade, " 
 
 The star of promise glimmers through the shade : 
 I ai(h eyes the welcome light, and steers by (his, 
 Thiough waves, and clouds, to never-fiidiiis bliss 
 
 ii2 
 
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 acr 
 
 '11 
 
 W 
 
THE BACKSLIDEU. 
 
 U, 
 
 3=a« 
 
 f'S- 
 
 Sorrow, the circle of a night may run, 
 And clouds a moment rob him of the Sun ; 
 But soon the rosy morn, in splendours drest 
 Beams, with celestial radiance thro' his breast 
 The clouds of sorrow, brighten into joy 
 The soul is succour'd, and the tear is dry. 
 
 Snch is a christian's bliss ; but if he fall, 
 The beauties wither ; and he forfeits all ! 
 Eden is Eden now, no more to him^ 
 His wine is water, and his silver dim ; 
 As chilling liquids quench the gentle ftame, 
 As envy blasts the fairest buds of fame. 
 As solar beams the glistening dew-drops dry, 
 As clouds dim all the lustre of the sky, 
 Sin will the finest bloom of grace destroy. 
 
 ■ . (" { 
 I 
 
 What deep afflictions date their rise from this ! 
 
 The loss of Jesus is the loss of bliss \ 
 
 From his sweet presence, if a soul depart, 
 
 Who is the centre— anguish cleaves the heart. 
 
 His smile is Eden ; but if vanish'd thpnce. 
 
 Ten thousand hells Ilis awful frowns dispense. 
 
 < 
 
 Who flies his Maker, stamps a curse on all 
 The sweet enjoyments of this nether ball : 
 The more he wanders, still the more undone ; 
 No.sorid comfort blooms beneath the sua ! 
 
 ? _' 
 
 > .•••li 
 
 , - ', i ■ \ 
 
 it 
 
 .» 
 
 (.. . \\ 
 
3=s« 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 Karth's glittering toys, that bear the name of this, 
 Are only seeming, not substantial bliss ; 
 All are not pearls that grace a Lady's neck, i 
 
 Or gold that glitters, on that flashy rake. 
 
 I 
 
 •-i u ■ .1 
 
 I 
 
 vr 
 
 *-; t 
 
 
 
 The sweets of earth, may shine in his esteem, 
 Who never tasted Zion's hallowed stream ; 
 PiUt can a soul, by better knowledge taught 
 Find, in (he sty of sense, a bliss of thought ? 
 Shall he, whose taste is form'd to things divine, 
 Burrow on earth, and mingle with the swine ? 
 He may effect such revolution strange ; 
 But O ! how much he suffers by the change t 
 Who, but a brainless madman or a fool, 
 Would leave a fountain, for a turbid pool ? 
 Part with the purest gold, that in its stead, 
 He might receive, an equal weight of lead : 
 Or who that cares an atom for his ease. 
 Would quit a quiet port, for stormy seas ? 
 Forsake Ausonia's fields, and fragrant bowers^ 
 For Zerabla's rocks, or Patagonia's shores ? 
 Yet he, who from his Saviour's presence flies, 
 Gives bliss for woo, for dross, immortal joys 5 
 A crown in purchase, for a pleasing lust^ 
 And for a dream, a seat among the just. 
 Ah foolish souls ! can earth supply the place, 
 Of the f ich blessings of redeeming grace ? 
 
 b3 
 
 n 
 
 '/I 
 
 ■**. *^- 1 
 
5 
 
 f3 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 f'V 
 
 I 
 
 / 
 
 "Who seeks a God, in aught that blooms belo'W, ' 
 
 Gains a large share of self-created woe ', 
 
 Awhile the cloud-built good, may charm his view, 
 
 Till hope deceived, will sting his spirit through; '> 
 
 Too mean to comfort, and too weak to save, 
 
 He grasps a bubble, dancing on the wave. 
 
 But grant the world, could happiness bestow ; 
 
 How short the date, of every bliss below I 
 
 A moment ends the rainbow's gaudy ray • 
 
 And roses bloom, and wither in a day. ' ' - 
 
 Can the wide world, blue sky, expansive s^ds, • • 
 
 Cheer the sad heart, the wounded spirit tase? * 
 
 Did all their variegated bliss unite, I 
 
 To please the touch, the taste, the ear, the sight j 
 
 Were sparkling diamonds, from " the flaming mine** 
 
 Peruvia's gold, and snowy silver thine; 
 
 They cannot soothe a grief, repress a sigh, 
 
 Or fill thy breast with unembitter'd joy ; 
 
 Put title, learning, wisdom, in the scale ; 
 
 Will title, learning, wisdom, aught avail ? - i 
 
 If Christ, and glory, sway the adverse beam, ^ ■ 
 
 The world is chaff, the universe a dream I . w . 
 
 When the pure bliss of grace, is rightly Laown^ 
 (A gem that seldom glitters on a throne) 
 Down with the world— its fairest gloi ies fade, ' * 
 Its brightest Ittftref, darken into shade. 
 
THIS CACKSLinEK. 
 
 
 • I 
 
 
 So rich a flavourj and so fine abloom, • '- * 
 
 The joys of hope, the sweets of faith, assume : 
 
 Beauty, and splendour, pay their court in vain ; 
 
 Honour, and gold, aie treated with disdain j 
 
 Sink, disappear, if grace her chhriAs unfold ; / 
 
 As stars, before the sun's refulgent gold : - f-* / 
 
 But if the saint, from this high state decline, 
 
 If faith decay, and zeal become supine ; < 
 
 Should he, unfaithful to Emmanuel prove, » 
 
 Forget each vow, and slight redeeming love ; 
 
 Like Demas, east his easy yoke aside, 
 
 And down the stream of ease, and riches glide ; 
 
 Can he unchecked, the sweets of sense enjoy, 
 
 Whose high.born relish, centre'd in the sky? 
 
 Can he, whose soul was ravishM with the cross. 
 
 Quit this high.flavourM bliss, for sensual drosi 
 
 And yet be happy ! — tis impossible ! 
 
 As YfeW might Damien, on his bed of steel : 
 
 For when the sweets, of sacred things decrease, 
 
 And faith, and love, and joy, asid meekness cease | 
 
 The world can ne*er assume its former dress ; 
 
 It may beguile the soul ; but cannot btess ; 
 
 How sweet soe*er its guileful syrens sin^,' 
 
 Each moment brings a message on its wing, 
 
 That tells the wretch, he may the next expire ; 
 
 And sink unpardonM, to eternal fire* 
 
 The soul is on a restless ocean toss'd, 
 
 No peace, no comfort, all his heaf en is lost ; 
 
THE BACKSLlDEIt. 
 
 * 
 
 A weary waste appears, on every baud, 
 Hough rocks, night brooiling sky, and barren laud ; 
 IIo tastes the bitter cup, of haggard Cain ; 
 And finds that guilt is still the heaviest chain ; . 
 At every point, the iortur'd soul is Fore .• 
 
 M'ith kt^enor pangs, than any felt before; 
 A thousand faded sweets, illusive rise ; 
 A thousand visions, of departed joys : .l. . 
 
 'J'hrice happy d^ysj when prayer aspiring flcir, 
 To the blue sky, on every breath he drew; 
 When every moment, in its rapid flight, 
 Dropi)'d from its wings, the balm of new delight! 
 Then all his raptur'd soul was full of bliss, '. 
 
 And life, and death, and earth, and heaven, Were his ; 
 To him the sacred house of prayer how sweet ; 
 When God is present, and his people meet; 
 With vital extacy of soul he fed, . r hr f* 
 
 On the pure sacramental wine and bread ; ' > '. 
 
 *Tuas Kdeo to his soul, when Sabbath cam*; ' 
 And caclj new means renew'd the holy flame ; 
 From the Frifst's lips, he holy knowledge drew^ 
 The word was manna, always sweet and new ; 
 While love, and praise, his hallowM breast iuspirM^- 
 With grace enraptm'd, and with glory fir*il. 
 
 ■ 
 
 Now busy thought alone, the past rctamv* 
 Embitteis loss, aud agravates his pains % 
 
 ).1 
 
 •^Jk 
 
 A 
 
THE HACKSLIOEIl. 
 
 !) 
 
 
 His peace, and vigour, life, and pardoji past J 
 S^ blossoms lose their beauty by a blast : 
 Where opening tints of fair devotion shed, 
 Their living bloom, and fragrance round his head 
 Spring the rank weeds, of levity and vice, 
 And choke the glowing sweets of paradise, 
 Grace, like the lovely lily, or the rose,, t ; , 
 Supreme of flowers I a vivid lustre shows i , 
 But every fatal sin, becomes a worm, 
 The rose to fade, the lily to deform ; ,^ , ., , 
 Now in his breast, corrosive anger burns, 
 Pale care revives, and feverish lust returns ; 
 From reason*s hand, mad passion takes the rein's 
 And o*er the soui, despotic sway maintains ; 
 Tears up each. sweet affection grace had sown; 
 And hurls fair meekness from her placid throne. 
 The moral sense, diifusM through every paft| 
 The sours fine nerre, and dial of the heart, 
 The delegate of heaven, thia God nithin, 
 No longer trembles, at the approach of sin ; 
 Each holy confidence, is cast aside ; 
 Save, what delusion lends, to erring pride ; ^ ^ 
 Lukewarm, and heedless now of others A«al, 
 Dim burn^ (he fire of pnre, seraphic zeal ; 
 Nor can the noblest cause on earth command, 
 The prompt exertion, or the liberal hand j 
 The frost of sin is fallen on his head. 
 And every plant of paradise is dead 
 
 i. r 
 
1 
 
 I 
 
 ■ 
 
 il 
 
 THE llArKr.LIDER. 
 
 ft t 
 
 Or if a soW'inri thouE^hf, his mind engross, 
 
 It stiii;4S him, with his misery and loss ; 
 
 Sharp pangs of guilty dread attend his $w. 
 
 And recent falls inllame the hell within, 't'»''^ 
 
 Fierce o'er his head, the waves ofangufsfi roft 
 
 An;l starless glooms enwrap the guiUy soul j • ■ '* 
 
 Mercy's mild throne, admits of no access, •*' • • 
 
 And poi^rnant grief, solicits no redress, 
 
 The earth is iron, to the languid prayer,- • • ' • 
 
 And heaven, as brass, forbids an entrance tlierr. 
 
 liut cuiild he gain aecess, the roving mind 
 
 Shifts like the Tane, that Tt-er* with every wind j; ' 
 
 The fire of love, ex(ingnish*d in the breast, 
 
 The wish U faint, and formal the reqnest; 
 
 Ji hovah^g ear is never gain'd by those, ■ '-' 
 
 Whose minds wide wander, or whose wishes doze ; 
 
 To mercy*s seat, if we aright aspire. 
 
 Our thoughts must wish, our wishes be on fire ; 
 
 The steps are painttil, and the passage steep ; 
 
 Tears must imp!ore, and words in anguish weep ; 
 
 For life and pardon, every breath should rise, * 
 
 And every nerve, for mercy agonize. 
 
 
 •'t •» 
 
 The soul, that once lilte fruitful Eden smiled, 
 Is now a desert, desolate and wild ; 
 Where the mild sweets of paradise arose, 
 The thorny bi ier, or noxious nighUshade grows ; 
 
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 lllK UACKSMDKll. 
 
 11 
 
 IVaiify is chun^'d for uslies , und the dros* 
 Of comely praise, forsulk'ii heavinoss. 
 Once, lucid truth an opeiiiii;; path display'd ; 
 Now, solemn sadness wraps the mind in shade ; 
 Hope, like a rising bird, is on the winij, 
 And death in terror clad, presents his sting ; 
 Perpetual A-ars his harrassM mind annoy, 
 Perpetual sins, those guilty fears supply . 
 While daily tempted by some dreadful gtist, 
 Of anger, wrath, pride, bitterness, or lust, 
 He cannot conquer, or avoid the snare, 
 Il« cannot conquer, who is dead to pray'r. 
 Weak as a child, and as a leaf decay'd^ 
 Of every touch, of every wind afraid ; 
 His native energies, that promise much, 
 Are, if he try them, like a broken crutch j 
 Vow§, promise, purpose, resolutions are, 
 Untried, the mighty thunderbolts of war ; 
 But let a trial enter on the list, , 
 
 All brt^ak, and vanish, like a morning mist ; 
 Nothing, in feeble man the shock can bear, 
 Of ConlHct fierce ; but soul supporting prayer ; 
 Nothing, oppressive sorrow can sustain, 
 Keen trials, and excruciating pain ; 
 But comfort drawn, from smiling mercies throne. 
 By simple faith, and fervent prayer alone ; 
 Sweet to the soul, are simple faith and prayer. 
 When Deity is felt, and woiship'd there ; 
 
l^Z 
 
 THE llACIiSLtUKK. 
 
 |i I 
 
 all ' 
 
 I 
 
 AVidiin 111 , hidden temple, God reveals, -. . -*i 
 
 That mystic lif;?, the true believers feel ; ;,^ 
 
 Hemr to your father, little children go, 
 
 Nor rest, till you liis vital fullnes'? know ; . << 
 
 By frequent acts, the habitude acquire, ,^u 
 
 Sparks, M'hen united form a sacred lire: 
 
 A thousand times, the unestalilished heart, 
 
 May waver, vibrate, from the centre start , 
 
 Yet s(ill essay to call the rover back, 
 
 iVor till 'tis fix'd on Cod, thy eflorts slack ; 
 
 That point attain'd, thy soul './ill then aspire, . .m 
 
 AVith eagles' wings, and mount as iiames of fire ; , 
 
 Free fram corroding thoui;ht, and anxious care ; .v 
 
 llepose in God; by vital faith and prayer, <• ^ 
 
 Gliding along, for duty now is sweet ; 
 
 The soul's pure acts, in central Jesus meet. , , / 
 
 But if the thought, by many things employ 'd, ..•.,, ^ 
 
 Sho'ild for a moment, rove or start aside ; 
 
 'i he recollected mind, the error sees ; 
 
 And quick recalls, the fugitive with ease : 
 
 Back to it's centre flit the steady soul, . . , 
 
 As the touch'd needle, tren»bles to the pol^, 
 
 Jlence the sweet commerce, of a soul above, , 
 
 Hence meekness, zeal, serenity, and love ; 
 
 Hence the pure streams, of vital comfort rise, 
 
 As springs derive t. eir waters, from the skies. 
 
 But if this pure, delightful commerce drop ; 
 
 This Tital spring — the whole machine will stop ; 
 

 4i 
 
 fire ; 
 care : 
 
 ,:'i 
 
 
 ' '•» /:, 
 
 5 
 
 Op : 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 13 
 
 Vahh, bearing, reading, watching, all decline ; 
 
 As plants unwater'd languish, droop, and pine. 
 
 Attest the solemn, painful truth I teli ; 
 
 Ye lost to balmy peace, \vho once ran well! 
 
 Whence did the fatal dirt ful bane arise, 
 
 That blasted, faded, wither'd all your joys ? 
 
 How did you lose, the pearl of innocence, 
 
 How slide from grace, to ruinous offence ? 
 
 How sell your title, to a crown above ? 
 
 How shipwreck faith and quench seraphic loTe ? 
 
 Turn the bright page, of past experience o'er ; 
 
 The time recall the circumstance explore ; 
 
 Say, Avas it riches, poverty, or pride, 
 
 Your inward peace, and purity destroy'd I 
 
 Did wrath, or blasting envy, banish hence, 
 
 The fnio emotions of the moral sense ? 
 
 Did pain (relentless fury) rob your peace, 
 
 Did snake. tongued slander, make your vigour cease ? 
 
 Ah no ! your hearts are witness these did not 
 
 Steal the bright gem, and fix the moral blot ; 
 
 You grew, and Hourish'd long, in spite of thtse ; 
 
 So coral blooms, beneath tempestuous seas, 
 
 So vivid stars, on chilling nights are teen ; 
 
 And spruce in winter, wears a lively green. 
 
 Should we consult, that Oracle Saint Paul, 
 
 To find the fatal secret, of your fall ; 
 
 The faithful oracle, would quick declare, 
 
 Your ruin sprung, from intermitttd prayer: 
 
 G 
 
tX") 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 While Closet opportunities were sweet 
 And fervent prayer, enlivened each retreat ; 
 
 When stated hours renew'd, the precious toil, 
 The lamp of duty blazed, m ith holy oil • 
 
 Wlule man was lov'd, and Deity ador'd' 
 On fervent wing, your happy spirit soar'd; 
 
 No tedious, irksome, melancholy void 
 No vacant moment linger'd, unemploy'd - 
 For grace and nature mutually impart ' 
 A thousand sweet sensations to the heart • 
 How smooth the deep, how blue the vaulied sky » 
 How green the grass, how cool the zephyrs ily » * 
 A sweeter fragrance, issues from the meads 
 A brighter prospect opens thro' the glades •' 
 f " beauties deck, th'aspiring mountains 'side, 
 S'erener far, the river seems to glide , 
 The ripening fruits, a richer tint disclose - 
 A softer crimson, blushes on the rose • ' 
 The mind within, a blooming Eden sees, 
 And all around, has privilege to please, 
 iill SKy earth, ocean, hill, and dale agree, 
 1 o aid the soul's internal melody ; 
 Higher, and higher, as your souls aspir'd 
 On raptures wing I attracted, dazzl'd, fir'd t 
 £ach sacred duty, more delightful grew ; 
 3For erer pleasant, and for ever new. 
 
 And when you linish'd prayer, to mix with man, 
 A holy sweetness, through your converse ran,- 
 
THE BACKSLIDEU. 
 
 J , ~. V..V. ..wjoc ui men, 
 l^ager to snatch a moir.ent would ye fly, 
 And lose yourselves, in commerce with the sky • 
 ^ o time so prized, as that ye spent alone ; ' 
 
 No hours so sweet, as those before the throne ; 
 Where no officious step, or gazer rude 
 I)isturb'd your sweetly pleasing solitude. 
 lo each new place, a moment reconcil'd 
 ' 1 was all a Bethel, if Emmanuel smii'd 
 1 he closet, meadow, dingle, greenwood shade, 
 J he tang'Ung thicket, or the lonel ,lade, 
 
 ihosweetrecess, alcove, or dripping grot, 
 i .le silent garden, or retired spot, 
 
 The dell, barn, hedge.row, or as mean a place 
 
 As he was born in who redeem'd our race ; ' 
 
 C2 
 
 ■»* 
 
16 
 
 THE BACKSLlDEli. 
 
 Alike were welcome, if no eye could sec, 
 
 But the all -seeing eye of Deity . 
 
 Thus ye aspir'd, till pure devotion dies, 
 
 And no warm hopes, no fervent wishes rise; 
 
 For soon alas ! as ye decline in this, 
 
 And stated hours of pure devotion miss ; 
 
 The light of piety is wrapt in shades, 
 
 Her vigour dies, her blooming beauty fades. 
 
 The sweet recess, the solitary gloom, 
 
 The calm retirement, or the private room, 
 
 The lonely grotto, and the forest's shade, 
 
 Whe-c raptur'd angels listen'd while you prayM ; 
 
 Where all neglected ! and forsaken quite, 
 
 Save an unwilling form, at morn and night ; 
 
 That little form in time, became a toil, 
 
 Lamps cannot burn without replenish'd oil, 
 
 And every spring, of energy destroy'd, 
 
 You reason'd, paus'd, and laid the whole aside. 
 
 But does our ruin, all depend on thi? 
 
 Is there no other moth, to fret our bliss ? 
 
 No other path, to lead the soul astray, 
 
 No other lion in the narrow way ? 
 
 Is this alone, the only rock that lies, 
 
 Across our passage to seroner skies ? 
 
 Shall we not meet, on life's vexatious seas, 
 
 Keen storms of passion, and dead calms of ease ? 
 
 Deceitful quicksands of presumptions trust, 
 
 Gulfs of despair and hurricanes of lust ? 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 17 
 
 Fiddios, to draw us from our destined track, 
 
 Lights to decoy, and waves to beat us back? 
 
 Ah yes ! a thousand enemies conspire, 
 
 To kill the life, and quench the holy fire ; 
 
 To choke the seed of virtue ere it grow, 
 
 Or make the growth, immeasurably slow ; 
 
 Hound the saints' path, a thousand dangers meet. 
 
 Goads for his sides, and prickles for his feet : 
 
 Innate depravity will never rest, 
 
 Till that, or grace, be rooted from the breast, 
 
 Till all rcnew'd, the tainted heart will err. 
 
 And lies to truth, and sin to grace prefer j 
 
 'Tis full of evil, and perfidious grown, 
 
 A den of thieves, m ':ere satan has his throne j 
 
 For still where saving grace, triumphant reigns, 
 
 This furious lion, struggles with his chains. 
 
 Though the mind's eye, by faith and love isfix'd 
 
 On God, and hope with purity is mix*d. 
 
 Still the deceitful heart, has some pretext. 
 
 To grasp at this world, and refuse the next; 
 
 To fascinate the soul by some false show. 
 
 Of ease, respect, wealth, happiness below ; 
 
 By these deceitful shadows to destroy, 
 
 The pure intention, and the single eye 5 
 
 And lead the soul, from watchfulness and prayer 
 
 To levity, concupiscence, and care : • 
 
 Hence, many a pilgrim, by her secret' wiles, 
 
 The cunning, cruel sorceress beguiles, '.v 
 
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18 
 
 THE BACKgT.inEU, 
 
 i 
 
 To make the soul an alien from the skies, 
 From satan^s wiles, what oppositions risf. 
 In Eden first, his hellish arts began, 
 To circumvent, seduce, and ruin man. 
 He rules this lower world, without controul, 
 But most opposes, every gracious soul. 
 To wake desire, and make the passions blaze, 
 He»ll importune the saint a thousand ways. 
 By him, each subtle artifice is tried, " 
 The baits of pleasure, and the pomp of pride. 
 In every place, his snares in secret lurk, 
 On every tack, the subtle fiend can work. 
 But if the soul has one peculiar part 
 Expos'd, unarm'd, there satan hurls his dart. 
 He plies our hopes, our appetites, our fears, 
 A*nd now a seraph, or a snake appears. 
 Lays all his plans, with diabolic skill, 
 To cheat the conscience, vitiate the will: 
 For avarice prepares his golden baits. 
 For softness opens pleasure's charming gates] 
 Fills Balaam's bosom with the love of gain, 
 And ciuaws with jealousy, unhappy Cain. 
 Bids envy in the breast of Corah burn, 
 And churlish Nabal, holy counsel spu^n. 
 To David's eye a Bath^sheba displays, 
 Gives Demas riches, Diotrephus praise, 
 Draws Tamer's heart, from virtue's path away, 
 And Judas prompts his master to betray : 
 
 i'l^i 
 
 I 
 
I>ut, if a weeping penitent appear, 
 
 AbashM with guilt, and paralized with fear, 
 
 He hides the promise, tempts to unbelief; 
 
 And wraps his sou! in darkness, doubt, and grief: 
 
 Yet prompts the daring sinner to rebel, 
 
 Nor mind those fables, judgment, wrath, and hell. 
 
 The world around ulth meretricious smiir. 
 Has many lures, th' unwary to beguile. 
 Infections vanities around us crou d, 
 Thick as the rain-drops, from an April cloud ; 
 These, if the soul one moment take her eye 
 Of faith, and love, from everlasting joy. 
 
 Blot out each sweet idea, grace irapress'd, 
 
 And fill with trifles, the devoted breast. 
 
 To some, vain riches spread their glittering snares, 
 
 This mounts to honour, that descends to cares j 
 
 Books, wit, and talents, are a bano to these, 
 
 To those the love of company, or ease. 
 
 The lures of softness not a few trepan, 
 
 The love of fashion, or the fear of man j 
 
 And some forego, their piety for life. 
 
 To please a husband, or to win a wife. 
 
 So fine a web the enemy can spin. 
 
 They please the wmv, but overlook the sin : 
 
 So lawful, pure, and sanctified a state, 
 
 And then so lovely, so belov'd a mate, 
 
 Withal so yielding, pliable, and kind, 
 
 And much (they think) to piety inclin'd; ' 
 
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'20 
 
 THE BACKS LfOElU 
 
 ri y-!^ 
 
 
 ThTis love nn\ fai^cy, hope atu! pas-slori plead, 
 
 And truth is uarpM to juslify the deeJ ; 
 
 A dccdj that writes, the history of all 
 
 Their future lives, in happiness or gull : 
 
 The rosy path becomes, a dismal bog, 
 
 The tie a galling chain the mate a clog ; 
 
 The bed of blooming violets so sweet, 
 
 *A thorny bralvo to lacerate the feet. 
 
 These, — busy men, and busy life invade, 
 
 Bills, crosses, dt bts, tnnbarrassments, and trade 5 
 
 They cannot go to church, they cannot pray, 
 
 The world has stolen all their time awav. 
 
 Tile w orld — they did not apprehend tlic snare, 
 
 Has sold them care for peace, and gain for piavcr. 
 
 Ah foolish souls J to part with grace for trash, 
 
 And sell a future crown, for present cash. 
 
 Too many lose the pearl they should carosf=, 
 
 By boding fears, and blind nn watchfulness ; 
 
 And some whose hearts religion took deep root in, 
 
 Kill the swi t plant, by jangling and disputing : 
 
 These fust grow cold, and wanting a pretence, 
 
 At ministers, or people take offence ; 
 
 While those, to mend th( ir fortune, change their place, 
 
 Lose first the means:^ and then the power of grace. 
 
 Can he da less who hunting after pelf, 
 
 First gains his object, and next damns himself? 
 
 Some thousands fall by that accursed vice, 
 
 Close, grippcn-fistcd, dirt-sprung avarice ; 
 
THE BACKS Ml) EH. 
 
 1i 
 
 rac?e j 
 
 layer. 
 
 of. in, 
 
 ?! 
 
 \r place, 
 
 race. 
 
 f? 
 
 Their Jove of lucre rises to a pitch, 
 
 That, tiaiim <ir save, they nill, thry must he rich ; 
 
 Nor Demas' fate, nor Balaam\s can deter, 
 
 The myriads who ai^ainst conviction trr. 
 
 A many err by prejiKlice and spleen, 
 
 But more by anger iriitabiy keen ; 
 
 Their touchy, squally spirits cannot brook, 
 
 A trivial error, or unpleasant look ; 
 
 Not armM with recollected prayer within, 
 
 They flame and fiilmlgate, they rave and sin j 
 
 Each little cross, or innocent mistake. 
 
 Acts like the squall that agitates the lake ; 
 
 ** Hence in their intercourse those frequent breaks, 
 
 *' That humour inJcrposed, so often makes /' 
 
 A dismal stormy latitude they sail, 
 
 And thousands have been shipwrecked in the gale. 
 
 These make their table a continual snare, 
 
 And lose in luxury their love for prayer ; 
 
 Or tipple at the fascinating bowl, 
 
 Till grace desert, and stupor seize the soul. 
 
 Some grow remiss enquiring after news, 
 
 But more by tailing all religion lose, 
 
 Watch o*er a brother's ways, with jealous heed, 
 
 Their own, thoy never look into, or weed, 
 
 Busy alike, with stranger, friend, or foe, 
 
 They kindle strife, and bitter discord sow. 
 
 Many, thy conduct, Solomon pursuing 
 
 By lovely woman meet their certain ruin. 
 
 m 
 
 I J 
 
v). 
 
 Mi 
 
 THE IIACKSLIDKR. 
 
 il 
 
 h h 
 
 Tlii^ faciiKitiiig spfll will oft surprise 
 
 Tlui yoiiili, that makes no covenant with his eyes, 
 
 'I'ill piMuuM within the pit of sin, ho ttU, 
 
 lUicil pleasure is the porch of hell j 
 
 Whence only deep repentance can reclaim, 
 
 At»(l snatch the burning brand from out the Hame : 
 
 Then i\y the snare, nor toncli it, or be lost, 
 
 Whoever parley's, parleys to his cost. 
 
 Not half sr> fatal roclcy Scylla's shores, 
 
 Kor where ChyribiUs lUurls, and iuams, and roars ; 
 
 As the world's smile ta some, O Syreii co^,.st I 
 
 Where nil who anchor are for ever lost. 
 
 For many that endure each adverse test. 
 
 With brows of brass and adamantine breasl. 
 
 When tides of smiling reputation flow, 
 
 When sunny gales of fickle fortune blow. 
 
 When soft recumbent ease, and plenty shine, 
 
 When polish'd friends, and sparkling grandeur join ; 
 
 Desert the rugged cross— and road to l>liss. 
 
 And grow supine effeminate remiss: * V 
 
 Uelax'd with pleasure's enervating ray, 
 
 Tliey cast the cloak of piety away. 
 
 IS lovely righteousness an eclipse fcets. 
 
 And truth has persecution at her heels j 
 
 If thick the shafts of o])position (iy, 
 
 If bigot men, and bigot devils try. 
 
 Their penal arts of malice, jail, u.ul loss, 
 
 How many soft disciples siain the cross ! 
 
 ■•'i 
 
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 11 
 
 Vc 
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THE BACKSMOER. 
 
 •yes, 
 
 Amti t 
 
 Fly from the camp, and lay their gfory down 
 rip- mk hell fne to calm the worlds dread frawn. 
 J hus thousands aljdicate the holy cross, 
 For present blessings risk immortal loss ; 
 Leave the pure fountain of celestial joy, ' 
 To drink at broken cisterns always dry. 
 Aly soul ! avoid each fasduating Jnare, ' 
 And guard thy steps by discipline and prayer. 
 
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 EBfD OF CAVTO f. 
 
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 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 CANTO SECOND. 
 
 Keep thif heart laith att diligence, Pro v. iv, 23. 
 
 m: 
 
 JL O keep each grace alive we first posscst. 
 Ami guard with holy care the tempted breast, 
 Demands iticessant watching, toil, and care, 
 Incessant solf.denial, faith, and prayer* 
 If we remit — the enemy's at hand ; 
 Shall tlie guard sleep — where all is hostile land ? 
 Christian ! 'tis but a inoment...watch and pray, 
 Not like a coward cast thy shield away ; 
 The prize is certain— pilgrim, linger not, 
 Tho* rough thy journey, and severe thy lot ; 
 Tho' sharp the conflict I terrible the blast ! 
 *Tis but a momeBt, and the warfare's past : 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 25 
 
 tfl'l'* 
 
 . iv. *J3. 
 
 St, 
 
 and? 
 
 pray, 
 
 Let gloomy unbfilicf no more cast down— 
 
 Thy crown is great—let no man steal thy crown, 
 
 Let this SLc least alleviate thy woes, 
 
 The saints of old had passions, they had foes, 
 
 Like thee, they oft a gloomy desert past, 
 
 Like thine, their sky was often overcast, 
 
 Their path thro' darkest dispensations lay, 
 
 And many a fiery trial crossed their way : 
 
 They had their chilling doubts, and gloomy fears. 
 
 Their days of conflict, and their nights of tears ; 
 
 Fighting without, and fears within oppress'd, 
 
 And many a thorn was planted in their breast. 
 
 But they had consolation rich and rare. 
 
 Drawn down by mighty faith and fervent prayer ; 
 
 And hence with giant hearts and strength renew'd, 
 
 The thorny, steep ascent, they still pursu'd. 
 
 Let tempest rage, and furious billows whelm, 
 
 They ne'er forsook the ship nor left the helm 
 
 Till they arriv'd on the delightful shore, 
 
 " Where billows never beat, nor tempests roar," 
 
 Like them press on— thy recompense is sure. 
 
 For every evil, patience is a cure ; 
 
 Tis but a moment, and the strife is o'er, 
 
 Another blast may waft thee to the shore. 
 
 If sorely tempted, bear it— nor complain, 
 
 For Satan has a limit to his chain : 
 
 Let prayer be all thy solace and resource, 
 
 Thou canst not take a more judicious course ; 
 
 
 
 P 
 
 4 
 
 "'"""*'''''* '«IWII|pi»IPM«»w« 
 
'20 
 
 TIIK UACKSLIDFH. 
 
 4 
 
 The winds may howl, waves dash, and night be dark, 
 Courage my brother '..-.Christ is in the bark ! 
 Storms may arise, and billows round thee rave, 
 Thou fitill art safe while Christ is strong to save. 
 
 Then O ! belov'd of God and greatly blest, 
 To wear his royal image on your breast ! 
 Would you the bright immortal tract pursue ? 
 The muse presents you with a sacred clue ;.- 
 First mark the bounds where sin and duty'meet 
 And ponder well the path- way of your feet; 
 Nor dare to step aside in thought or deed 
 Tho' custom, friendship, honour, interest plead : 
 Each heart-emotion guard with constant care, 
 And bend your souls to discipline and prayer; 
 With caution stir, and keep this truth 
 Till ye are dead to sin it lives in you. 
 Still onward to the great salvation press, 
 He loses all his love who aims at less • 
 Your secret enemy is deep within 
 
 Your secret enemy-.your bosom sin ; 
 
 Remote from view the fatal traitor lies, 
 
 And only seen by penetrating eyes ; 
 
 So wily adders lurk beneath the grass, 
 
 And bite th' unwary trav'Iers as they pass ; 
 
 So little clouds that scarcely speck the air 
 
 AVhen the mild day is beautiful and fair, 
 
 Contain the storm that shakes the mighty seas ; 
 
 A»d aesolates the laud, and ')trips the trees. 
 
 Li 
 
 in. 
 
 k-> 
 
THE MACKSLIDER. 
 
 Look deep v/i(liin...tcar of each latent mask. 
 The lamp of truth will guide you in the task.' 
 *' Man knozo th^sdp' Solf knowlcd 
 Of holy science, and the christ 
 
 go is a part 
 
 lan art 
 
 For want of this, a thousand sad mistakes, 
 The mimic saint and mock disciple makes. 
 Hence the green novice deem? the t 
 
 1^ 
 
 e( 
 
 aiise he felt a solitary blast 
 
 t'mi)cst past. 
 
 Or ha\ing borne, unhurt, a trilling shuck, 
 iJolieves his virtues moveless as a rock ; 
 A show of zeal usurps religion's place, 
 And warm ideas pass for real grace • 
 A scrap of knowledge, and th' exterior paint 
 Of pseudo christians, form the tinish'd saint ; 
 Big swelling words of vanity are spoken, ' 
 Ere self is humbled, or the spirit broken ; 
 And some profess fair purity within, 
 
 Clean hearts—but still an Ethiopian skin.. 
 
 These are so careful of a brother grown 
 
 Spy ail his faults but overlook their own. 
 
 The sclf.conceited fancy heaven is sure, 
 
 The self-sufficient need no gracious cure ; 
 
 A rotte.i, threadbare, homespun righteousness,. 
 
 Is deem'd a rich inimitable dress ; 
 
 Tart is reform'd, some sins are laid aside j 
 
 But what is lost in vice is gain'd in pride. ' 
 
 Thus Satan gains his tribute not the less, * 
 And owns his servant in another dress : 
 
 D 2 
 
 /; 
 
28 
 
 THE BACKSLIDKR. 
 
 
 h I 
 
 i 
 
 *' Man know thyfelf," thr safety centres hero; 
 Nor buy this knowledge, as the most, too dear. 
 
 These, and a train of ills the muse could glance 
 
 Spring from the root of mole-eyed ignorance. 
 
 Hence, let the christian prove himself, and try 
 
 With steady balance, and impartial eye ; 
 
 Be every secret fold of nature seen, 
 
 And not a foe to faith or morals screen j 
 
 ]Vot a minute offence or latent stain, 
 
 Or thought that dying would inflict a pain. 
 
 Still on your guard, still on your watch-tower stand, 
 
 Tho' all are friends within, 'tis hostile land ; 
 
 Hence, lest temptation take you by surprise ; 
 
 Like the cherubic flames, be full of eyes : 
 
 All circumspective fear, all cautious grace, 
 
 All living zeal, all active watchfulness ; 
 
 Instinct with eyes, let each idea roll, 
 
 And turn them inward, full upon the soul. 
 
 Fix on thy God an eye of filial fear ; 
 
 On Jesus fix an eye of faith sincere: 
 
 Fix on the fiend a wary jealous ken. 
 
 And guard thy spirit from the ways of men. 
 
 The soul that grows in wisdom, love, and power. 
 
 Looks to the Lamb for help each fleeting hour : 
 
 He looks to Jesus and to him alone. 
 
 For grace to help, and mercy to atone : 
 
 He looks to Jesus in his deepest grief, 
 
 For present comfort, succour, and relief. 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 2« 
 
 In fierce temptation, and corroding care, 
 
 lie looks to Jesus who dispels the snare. 
 
 When glooms surround and thicken o'er his head. 
 
 And rough and thorny is the path to tread 3 
 
 He looks to Jesus, and the morning light, 
 
 Succeeds the horrors of a dismal nifjht. • • 
 
 If worldly friends, and worldly comforts fail. 
 
 And envy bite, and calumny assail, 
 
 lie looks to Jesus in the time of need, * 
 
 And finds the rock a refuge from the reed. ' ' 
 
 By wealth exalted, or by want depress'd, 
 
 By friends forsaken or by friends caress'd, 
 
 He looks to him his comfort hope and guide, 
 
 And all is sweeten'd bless'd and sanctified. 
 
 Let those who fall away thy steps deter, 
 
 Thou too art weak and liable to err; 
 
 If mighty saints from lofty summits fall. 
 
 Like ruin'd castles, or a batter'd wall ; • 
 
 If Salem's Prince, the man of holy fame, 
 Distinguish'd zeal, and memorable name, 
 Whose manners charm'd, whose morals brightly shone, 
 Whose actions were illustrious as his throne, 
 Whose sacred harp could soothing peace infuse, 
 Whose melodies were equal'd by his muse : 
 If David from his lofty state declin'd, 
 If he debas'd his noble, upright mind. 
 From virtue's holy path-way step'd aside, 
 And lost his comfort as he left his guide; - . 
 
 j> 3 
 
 ^ ? 
 
 'it 
 
30 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 Then frailer mortals need to weep and fear, 
 With trembling venture, and with caution 'steer. 
 
 Pilgrim repel the sparks of inbred sin, 
 
 A foe is fatal that has strength within • 
 
 Easy each infant-thought we may controul, 
 
 But not the time.form'd habit of the soul. 
 
 Happy the man who each idea spies, 
 
 And marks emotions how, and whence they rise 
 
 Fosters the good, but curbs the viper race, ' 
 
 By strength, deriv'd from all.sufficient grace : 
 
 He shall from strength to strength delightful rise, 
 
 More clear his light, more pure and sweet his joys. 
 
 But those who from the sacred task decline, 
 
 In fearful barrenness are left to pine. 
 
 God never gives to man the precious loan 
 
 Of grace and help, to sink him to a drone : 
 
 High on the ^cale of excellence we rise, 
 
 When, what the Lord dispenses mar. employs • 
 
 Pleas'd to receive, assiduous to improve. 
 
 And make heaven's gift the spring of faith and love. 
 
 Shall sky-born goodness make us more remiss ? 
 
 Will squalled sloth augment celestial bliss ? 
 
 Omissions are a bane to peace, tho' less 
 
 Abhor'd than crime or actual wickedness : 
 
 Who hides his talent shall as surely die, 
 
 As he who durst his Maker's laws defy.' 
 
 Not rub'd-the brightest, purest steel will rust, 
 
 Not sweep'd-the cleanest room is soil'd ^ith dust| 
 
THE BACKSLIDE 
 
 li. 
 
 Still wate 
 
 31 
 
 rs soon corrupt and stagnant 
 
 grow 
 
 And those alone are pure thafctasele.ss ilow ; 
 So is the human soul, Mifhont due care, 
 Unceasing vioilanre, and active praje/; 
 A field of noxious weeds, a stagnant lake, 
 A barren desert, or a thorny brake. 
 
 Qrace is more tender than the plant of sense ; 
 Too soon, frail mortals lose its influence, 
 Too soon we pnt Jehovah's candle out, ' 
 By cold negle. t, or unbelieving doubt : 
 Each moment misapplied, each oversight, 
 May dim the lustre of supernal light, " 
 A bolder act of sin, may spurn, controul, 
 And cancel half the vigour of the soul, 
 Rob us of all our purity and grace, 
 And fix the stigma, time cannot erase : 
 So the bleak east winds unaus])icious blast, 
 Lays all the garden's pride, and beauty waste. 
 A thousand foes, the scandal may proclaim, 
 A thousand upright friends uniie to blame, 
 Malice all eager, to divulge the fall, 
 Writes every failing, with a |)en of gall ; 
 Flies thro' the land ; and with an eagle's' speed 
 Resounds the crime, from Dover to the Tweed ' 
 And then, ah then ! what feelings must ensue, ' 
 To make the guilty bosom bleed anew ! 
 Without 'tis scandal, and within regret ; 
 And if another step is wanting y^t^ 
 
 s <\ 
 
32 
 
 THE BACKSLIDEK, 
 
 To give the mournful picture deeper gloom, 
 
 It is II broken heart, and early tomb ! 
 
 *' J3ut can a solitary sin controuf, 
 
 ** The holy bi•^s of a sky bent soul ? 
 
 ** Can one omission make devotion cease, 
 
 " Distract the mind, and spoil supernal peace ? 
 
 ** Shall one improper action, word, or thought, 
 
 *^ On the white robe of virtue, fix a blot : 
 
 " A single act of sin— impossible ! 
 
 ** Habits alone must pave the way to hell 1" 
 
 Stay friend, your moral questions shall receiv<», 
 
 As clear an answer, as the muse can give ; 
 
 First let this solemn truth be studied well,' 
 
 A single sin is half a miracle J 
 
 As sure as sun.rise is the cause of light, 
 
 Each sin has i(s attendant sattelite ; 
 
 A conscience tender, delicate, and nice, ' 
 
 Feels the minutest touch of menial vice ; 
 
 The smallest sins, a sacred sorrow dart*; 
 
 Repentance follows, and a contrite heart ; 
 
 The pleading tear, the supplicating sigh, ' 
 
 Th' uplifted hands, the interceding eye, 
 
 Join'd to a distant glimmer of the cross. 
 
 Relieve the conscience and repair the loss ; " 
 
 A solemn peace, o'er all the bosom steals, 
 
 And he, >vho feels it heaven, and pardon, feels 
 
 Again the flames of pure devotion blaze, 
 
 The heart is warm'd with gladness, love, and praise, 
 
 \i J 
 
THE BACKSLTDEU. 
 
 Hope smiles, the mind is easy ;uid serene, 
 And brightest prospects, gladden all (he scene. 
 But if a new relapse should soon succeed, 
 And this another, and another breed, 
 Till every filial fear is laid aside, 
 And care, and caution, yield to sloth and pride j 
 Till levity and trash, the mind engross, 
 Staining the glory of the bleeding cross ; 
 Till hateful lust a charming aspect wear, 
 Vice please, and foul obliquity seem fair ; 
 The moral sense abused, and stunn'd all o'er 
 Will slightly plead, and quickly plead no more : 
 Each inward admonition now grown less, 
 
 And smother'd every feeling of distress. 
 Returning tides of vicious passions prove, 
 The death of duty, and the grave of love. 
 Each pure intention, sweetly filial fear. 
 Each blooming hope, each rapture-speaking (ear, 
 Meekness, soft transcript of Emmanuel's breast, ' 
 Sky soaring pray'r, and truth with lucid vest, 
 Mild mercy, chastity, with snowy weeds, 
 AndLynx-py'd prudence, queen of comely deeds, 
 Content, and lily-modest lowliness. 
 Firm faith, and flame.bright zeal in reason's dress 
 With quiet resignation, all serene, * 
 
 And patience, suiPring, blooming evcr.green. 
 AH all rich free exhaustless grace bestows, 
 That faintly glimmers or refulgent glows, 
 
 # 
 
 N 
 
 .^^smz, 
 
 «afc.-,^«swt«yi4 
 
; i 
 
 f('i 
 
 3i 
 
 fJlL IJACKSLIDEH. 
 
 Whore siu is lovM-waste, widi.r, c]! . .pp.ar, 
 ^o n nitor spoils the bloom of i.alf tlio year • 
 
 So pain and grief, the fairest forms consnrne. 
 ^o death huris all our glories in the tomb. 
 
 The sour less conscious, of unTmllowM deeds, 
 ^romM-eaktowicked, had, to uorse proceeds. 
 Vico, iH Its progress, gains a (en.fold strength 
 Ak rivers widen by their jTrowin- length. "^ ' 
 i'^ach act of sin, impels the sonfto more, 
 ^^> waves behind, imi^el the waves before. 
 
 l^oth vice and virtue move, by due degrees, 
 As tnigs in time grow up to mighty trees 
 None are all virtuous in a moment's space. 
 
 ISor will an instant stablish us in grace. 
 
 I rogressive virtue, forms the christian tono. 
 
 And v.co repeated, turns the heart to stone. 
 
 A few indeed, have rapidly declin'd, 
 
 Or wore the mask of piety to blind; 
 
 i lH.n ,n a trice, away the wizard threw, 
 
 Cia.m_d their old shape, and shewM their blackmoor 
 
 O. If hop.etythoylongprofess'd, rj,„, 
 
 ''"^^'^^^----^--ofan upright breast, ^ 
 
 A mystic something had decay'd the root. 
 
 I'^ve fell before she eat the falal fruit- 
 
 Iscariot e'er his final damuin^v vice, ' 
 
 Had sold himself to sordid av^irice' 
 
 And Demas, some unhallowed view poss.sf, ' 
 
 ^rctm^vilo world claim'd empire oVrhb breast. 
 
 'L. M^i& A 
 
 \ ■- 
 
warn 
 
 >c'ar, 
 
 « 
 
 le. 
 
 eetis: 
 
 lackmoor 
 [hue. 
 
 aia..m„„„,sll,<. scale f„ heaven or sinks ,„,,„ 
 
 Yo m .heir speed, a striking aiffercL-e lie, 
 
 So on the eareh, since (he first cur«» • ' 
 j;>o-a„f,arren,„„i,«::.;~''--''> 
 
 J -tes grow rapia,,, and notions „e<I 
 L"t slow and gradual rise the cornfu, sJed 
 A .„,„..„ heart is sin's congenial soil, 
 J -0 v,ces bloo. .,th„„t the tiller-; ton . 
 
 Ihe nghteous tree, the plant of par,dis.. 
 ;» --y.u,„,a„ breast, as sin pre' i,"' 
 ''"^,''°y«-'*"--r«dvi,„u.fai ? 
 Be. .rtne lost, unceasing Wees spri;., 
 A I add new feathers to corruption's JL 
 
 i':'''*!"f''''''-<'>'-iersofthe rec^"' 
 
 Truth virtue conscience fairt , , ' 
 
 The soul can ne'er t»o ! """"''""^ "*'''• 
 
 If virtue fdls I """ "'"'"■'"^ «"•", 
 
 If 1 1 ef 1 ' "" '"'S"^ "■« throne • 
 
 II Hateful Vice rp/Tqin fK I . * 
 
 I'hen l„v„r "'""* 'Command, 
 
 ihen lovely grace, is banish'd from th. r t 
 
 Hence, lawless passions rule Jtl. ' 
 
 And gain „e„ stren^rth " ^""' '"'""'"•. 
 
 H-ce fair reli; ?le " "■"' '""^ """ '» ''""i 
 » . •^••b'uiij once the aiiP^n ...•/x.* ' 
 
 I^'ediu triumph b,tH,,^J„,'»;;;-"''K 
 
 
 :ast. 
 
 «:n»> of canto If. 
 
 m 
 
THE BACKSJLIDEM. . 
 
 CANTO THIRD. 
 
 Thine oven backs! idings shall reprove thee. Jer. li. 19. 
 
 SEBEUS, bright in grace, and virtue shone, 
 Thro every church his love and zeal were known, 
 And many an hardy blast, he firmly stood, 
 His life a lovely thread of moral good ; 
 Were any sick,, 'twas his continual care. 
 Beside the sick man's bed, to bend in pray'r ; 
 Whate'er for God his truth-taught judgment plan'd| 
 A generous soul, warm heart, and ready hand 
 Were swift to execute, — his ardent zeal 
 Was prompt at duties call, or woes appeal ; 
 To hateful strife, and blasting envy dead, 
 Peace o'er his breast, her gentle banner spread ; 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 37 
 
 [I. . 
 
 er. ii. 19. 
 
 one, 
 
 own, 
 
 plan'd, 
 nd 
 
 ead; 
 
 A man of love, — for all his kindness shar'd ; 
 
 A man whom e'en his enemies rever'd ; 
 
 Calm, upright, zealous, active, sweetly kind, 
 
 Foe to his own, to others failings blind ; 
 
 Soft as a lamb, — 'twas his unguarded side ; 
 
 And Ihere the tempter his devises plied, 
 
 Turning from Christ his single eye aside 
 
 To other objects, lawful in pretence ; 
 
 But baneful, poisonous in their consequence ; 
 
 Till from it8 centre warp'd, th' unguarded mind, 
 
 In each repeated act of faith declin'd, 
 
 And in a fatal, inauspicious hour, 
 
 lie fell a victim to the tempter's power : 
 
 He fell, but did not quickly rise again, 
 
 Abase himself, and wash away the stain. 
 
 At first, he wist not thai his strength was fled, 
 
 Nor thought himself by sin a captive led,' 
 
 Subtle and fine, the tempter wove the snare, 
 
 A greater shock, had rous'd him into pray'r ; 
 
 Yet sweet delights in duty soon decrease, 
 
 The holy flames of pure devotion cease, 
 
 Omissions multiply the moral sense, 
 
 Starts not with horror at a small o£fence,: 
 
 And now a wider latitude ensues, 
 
 In fancy, conscience, conversation, views, 
 
 Unlawful images the fancy please, 
 
 Tho' st^n'd— the conscience feels an awful ease, 
 
 B 
 
 
.58 
 
 THE BACKSLIDEIl. 
 
 • I i 
 
 Th' unbridled tongue, at silly random moves, 
 And the warp'd judgment, scarcely disapproves. 
 Unchaste desires, and base emotions rise, 
 Barn in his hearty and sparkle in his eyes. 
 False hopes, or gay deceit, his bosom shares^ 
 Pride elevates, or rapid anger tears. 
 Around him, waves of guilty passions roll, 
 And form a tempest in his fallen soul : 
 Or lost in carnal ease, as bad, or worse, 
 He feels no horror, and he dreads no curse : 
 Yet moments in the soothing calm appear, 
 \Vh«n thund'ring conscience stuns his frighted ear. 
 Hark ! from his lips, what keen reproaches dart, 
 When rous'd to feel the baseness of his heart : , 
 O faithless faithless heart ! I know thee now, 
 Of all my foes, the worst, the vilest ; thou 
 Art cause of all my sorrow, guilt aad strife, 
 Source of my sin, and torment of my life ! 
 To harm me all the powers of darkness strove, 
 The world spread every lure to tempt my love, 
 Satan and sin, their gay seducemeuts spread, 
 But I resisted, and the Devil fled ; 
 Tempted, but still I bore Emmanuel's yoke, 
 Till my weak heart its firm allegiance broke. 
 Why did I listen to thy lying creed ! 
 Why trust a rotten prop I a broken reed ! 
 A faithless bow, a cavern of deceit, 
 A painted harlot, an insidious cheat ; 
 
 \' 
 
THE BACKSLIDEU. 
 
 39 
 
 Whoe'er with wily llosh, and blood confers, 
 Like me alas ! that awful moment errs, 
 Who listens here, will pay, with many a sigh, 
 And knowlcdijo rare by sad experience buy. 
 Jjoauty is a bewitching, syren snare, 
 Hiclies, and ilattering friends, deceitful are ; 
 A hone ''d tongue may hide a world of gall, 
 But a deceitful heart out-vies them all. 
 Fool that I was, to tempt the faithless brake ♦ 
 He's sure to smart who trifles with a snake. 
 Why did I, for the short delights of sin. 
 Sell peace and joy, and purity within ! 
 His anger risk, whose mandate can destroy, 
 Our creature comforts ere we taste the joy 5 
 Make each lov'd idol, bitterly chastise, 
 And plague us in the measures we devise. 
 Me long his pity sav'd, his love caress'd, 
 lis smile delighted, and his presence bless'd ; 
 But ah ! those blessings, are for ever lost I 
 The sick man's refuge, and the good man's boast. 
 And now alas ! I wander to and fro. 
 My guilly bosom is the throne of woe ; 
 Without a hope that pardon will relume, 
 The mora! darkness of my mental gloom, 
 Or lift my feet up, from this miry pit. 
 In li;j;ht and love w ith Christ once more to sit I 
 For if abused mercy would restore 
 The real bliss which absent I deplore, 
 
 e2 * 
 
40 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 And I retrieve my forfeit peacp,^as swift 
 As thro' neglect, I lost the precious gift ; 
 The blessed loan, I might abase again, 
 Plunge into sin, and feel a deeper stain. 
 8ore tempted, fiilllng, lost, betray'd, undone, 
 Too weak to conquer, and to fond to shun : 
 I know that sin is bane, and virtue bliss. 
 Vet strange I I follow that, abandon this. 
 This moment lo I fall, the next repent. 
 Curse my base heart, and in the dust lament ; 
 iSincerely weep, condemn, abhor and pray, 
 Yield the next hour, relapse and fall away. 
 See tiie big tear just starting from my eye, 
 Mark the deep anguish of that inward sigh ; 
 But all are lost, nor sighs nor tears can win, 
 Tho mighty bias of my soul from sin : 
 Coudemn'd a thousand times without avail, 
 JVTy bosom pleads, I listen to the tale ; 
 The tempter lays the bane and gilds the cup, 
 And I unguarded diink the poison up. 
 
 A thousand flaws my resolution mar ; 
 
 And like a p ssing cloud or shooting star. 
 
 Each holy thought is now a transient guest, 
 
 That flits, but does not settle in my breast. 
 
 Some glimmering vestiges I often trace, 
 
 The mournful remnants of my former grace ; 
 
 But these alas I are languishing and few, 
 
 Like (juivering leaves just dropping from the bough, 
 
 ».** 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 41 
 
 Or the morn's blue mist and Ephemeral dew. 
 For me no comforts from the Spirit flow, 
 It's i i tie gales on me no longer blow ; 
 No c ' ring smiles EmmanuePs face adorn, 
 My gloomy night has no reviving morn : 
 No blooming sweets of paradise I taste, 
 No springs of living pleasure glad the waste, 
 Summer is gone, and copious harvest past, 
 And I unsav'd must brave the winter blast. 
 For not alone my comforts are decay'd, 
 A dismal cloud has wrap'd my soul in shade, 
 All inward power, all inward life is lost, 
 Each heav'h-born vigour the devout man's boast; 
 Gay lucid hope, fair daughter of the sky, 
 No longer lifts my rapture-speaking eye ; 
 Celestial love, bright jewel of the breast, 
 Of all our bliss the richest and the best 
 Glows in my heart no more, no more inspires, 
 Serenest joy, and corvsocratcd fi: ?s : 
 Love's fairest daughters, prayer and praise decline, 
 So grapes decay when sap forsakes the vine. 
 And faith's bright vision of a world unseen 
 Where trees of pleasure bloom for ever green 
 Is past — a cloud of darkness guilt and sin, 
 Has dim'd the brightness of that light within. 
 In this dilemma all bcreflf 'of aid. 
 By Cod l\)rsakeii, and by fiends betray 'd, 
 
 e3 
 
 i It 
 
 bough, 
 
42 
 
 THE BACKSLIOEll. 
 
 Whither for peace and refuge shall I turn ! 
 My heart that sickens and my eyes that mourn I 
 Had I in this sad school of deep distress, 
 A soothing friend to comfort and to bless, 
 To counsel, warn, encourage, and reprove, 
 To bear my load, fulfil the law of love : 
 It might assuage my grief, it might repress 
 The pangs I feel, and make distraction less. 
 The voice of love a lenient balm affords, 
 Of sweetest counsel and consoling words. 
 Dear to the suflfering soul when much oppress'd, 
 Is the soft pillow of affection's breast ; 
 Grief pours her sorrow in the list'ning car, 
 Sigh follows sigh, and tear descends for tear. 
 Mild words and soft expressions well applied, 
 Like beds of roses scatter fragrance wide. 
 And as the oil Samaria's son conveyed, 
 Heal the torn heart, relieve the throbbing head : 
 Friendship, divinest bond of sweet delight, 
 Is bliss unrival'd when the just unite. 
 The pure in heart foretaste the joys above, 
 In the mild sweets of undissembled love. 
 
 But me deprived of this divine relief, 
 Must feel the pangs of solitary grief ! 
 Brother and friend, my hat«d path forsake. 
 And shun my converse as tbey shun a snake. 
 
Tin: BACKSLIDER. 
 
 43 
 
 al 
 
 Hence (laom'd to bear the reprimanding look, 
 
 And blotted from afVection's Iioly book, 
 
 I wander desolate, forlorn, alone. 
 
 Sigh to the winds, and to tlie desert moan. 
 
 n 
 
 a, 
 
 id: 
 
 Thus full of silent grief and real woo, 
 
 Where shall the cross'd desponding sinner go ! 
 
 To God he does not lift his aching eye, 
 
 O 
 
 s languid wishes to the sky ; 
 greatness of his moral stain, 
 
 raise 
 Lost in t 
 
 He deems the best expedient prayer, in vain : 
 And like a broken vessel on the wave. 
 Without a helm to guide or port to save, 
 His harrassM soul is sorely toss'd about, 
 The sport of sorrow, sadness, fear, and doubf. 
 On this hand gulfs of hideous ruin glare. 
 There yawns the roaring whirlpool of despair : 
 But no mild Saviour walks upon the tide. 
 To bid the winds be still, the waves subside. 
 Sometimes he sees a peaceful port at hand, 
 He gains a glimmer of the promis'd land. 
 But sin and nature with resistless sway, 
 Bear him in spite of all the other way. 
 Ask him to read the word of life, and there 
 Obtain a peaceful haven from de^air ; 
 Fix'd unbelief starts up the common plea, 
 Such boundless goodness cannot reach to me ; 
 For me no portion in the gospel shines, 
 For me no blessingFi fill the sacred lines. 
 
 t its 
 
 1 
 
44 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER, 
 
 I'-.' 
 
 Tho page of promise is a rich repasf. 
 Sweeter than purest honey to the taste ; 
 Yet I no peace in all the scriptures feel, 
 I cannot loose the promise hiding seal, 
 Of wrath, and death, and penal -.voe I read, 
 And meet a curse where I a comfort need, 
 But not a text to animate my breast, 
 Or set these vexing weary doubts at rent. 
 How rash, how wild, how sore a thing it is, 
 To quit the source of never-failing bliss, 
 And for a moment's pleasing sin forego 
 Months of sweet peace, and risk eternal woe : 
 ilow easy God in righteous judgment may, 
 Tear every idol from our hearts aM'ay, 
 Turn the delights that issued in our fair, 
 To teasing cares, and rivulets of gall. 
 Who leaves his Maker for the lure of gold. 
 Who for a friend forsakes Emmanuel's fold, 
 Who to procure a reputable name, 
 Puts out the vital Sjark of holy flame. 
 May fin-l the glitt'rtng gold a shining curso, 
 The r*icnd belov'd a broken reed or worse : 
 The smiling reputation not exempt 
 From sad reverse, may issue in contempt : 
 Or God in pity to eft'ect his euro, 
 May blast his property, and leave him poor .- 
 And by a penal stroke, his soul to save. 
 Consign the friend he doats on to a grave : 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 45 
 
 Permit a Shim^i's malice to asperse 
 
 Ills name, and all his weakness to rehearse; 
 
 Till every hope of creature comfort fliesj 
 
 And every flower of consolation dies, 
 
 Kach cistern drain'd, each darling Josepli lost, 
 
 ISach gourd consumed, and each prospect cross'd^ 
 
 He feels his error, owns the dreadful rod, 
 
 And trembling sinks upon the arm of Gixl* 
 
 But if these means of rigid mercy fail. 
 
 Restraining mercy may recall his bail : 
 
 And if the wretch is madly bent on til, 
 
 God may give up the sinner to his will : 
 
 May grant him all his wicked heart requires^ 
 
 His thought encircles or his eye desires ; 
 
 Till prospects smile, and summer friends abound^ 
 
 Till riches flow, and oil and wine surround, 
 
 Till curs'd with every blessing nature lends, 
 
 Health, honour, gold, ease, luxury, and friends^ 
 
 No hand to stop him, and no rein to check, 
 
 The loos'ned bridle laid upon the neck, 
 
 He scours the lawn, or courses o'ei the plain, 
 
 Or with favonian breezes skims the main. 
 
 Nor marks the dismal shoals beneath his lee, 
 
 Nor heeds the gulf of deep eternity, 
 
 Till on the gloomy coast his bark is tost. 
 
 Ho strikes, and sinks, and is for ^vcv lost. 
 
 ' 
 
 
*;5 
 
 46 
 
 THE BACKSMDEK. 
 
 -i.tj 
 
 Hoavcns ! shall we linger, trille, anil exjject,' 
 
 Got! and our hearts will wink at each neglect t 
 
 Shall we the line of lawful things extend, 
 
 And rashly venture to its farthest end ? 
 
 O blind to danger ! and a point so nice, 
 
 Virtue's last limit is the verge of vice : 
 
 Fiiie are the lines that good and ill divide, 
 
 Virtue on this, vice on ihe other side ; 
 
 A thought, a wish, a warm desire may stroll 
 
 Across the bounds, and desecrate the suul, 
 
 So easy past — but with unceasing pain 
 
 And tears of woe, we find our peace again : 
 
 Or if perchance we should regain the bliss. 
 
 Which more than three to one that wander miss , 
 
 Will our eternal crown as brightly shine. 
 
 As if we ne*er had left the path divine } 
 
 The saints might long suspect us insincere, 
 
 Our friends would tremble, and our pastor's fear: 
 
 The sacred cause thro* every vein might bleed, 
 
 And fues in triumph blaze abroad the deed ; 
 
 While many a painful thought would pierce the brcasf. 
 
 And many a bitter hour disturb the rest. 
 
 How ni edful 'tis, to pray and watch and weep, 
 
 And steer with care...we sail a faithless deep ; 
 
 When all is peaceful as a summer's lake, 
 
 Fre zephyrs blow or little billows break ; 
 
 When not a motion, not a cloud is seen, 
 
 Or breath of wind to trouble the serene ; 
 
 A 
 
THE BACKSLlDEll. 
 
 47 
 
 t: 
 
 ircasf. 
 
 Be on thy guard^ the fatal storm is nigh, 
 
 Still moves tlie tempest that shakes all the sky. 
 
 Who would a moment lay him down and doze^ 
 
 AVith death before him and eternal woes I 
 
 And is he less the dupe of folly ? say 
 
 Who dare be trifling, jocular, and gay, 
 
 While life, and death, and wrath, and glory strive, 
 
 To keep his solemn thought and just concern alive. 
 
 See the Messiah in our vale and trace, 
 
 A smile of mirth on that mild sorrowing face, 
 
 No he was thoughtful— 'Twas a solemn deed 
 
 For sin to sutfer, and for man to bleed. 
 
 Shall man be trifling at the vast expense 
 
 Of prayer reflection time and penitence? 
 
 When death with all his^ solemn train is near, 
 
 The grave, shroud, coffin, mattock, pall and bier P 
 
 The land unknown, th' irrevocable doom, 
 
 Th* eternal world of terror and of gloom ? 
 
 Go trifler to the dying sinner's bed ! 
 
 Or when the vital spark of life has fled, 
 
 Ask the lost spirit, ask the lifeless clod, 
 
 If levity and trifling lead to God! 
 
 Who greedily imbibes a mortal pest, 
 
 Who puts a deadly scorpion to his breast; 
 
 Acts not so rashly mad, and desper«t«| 
 
 As b« who trifles on the brink of fat?. 
 
 i 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 1 1 
 
 i 
 
 f 
 
 V 
 
 a 
 
 h 
 
 
48 
 
 TIIK UACKSLIDEK. 
 
 Wild owns a thought, would sure his footsteps guard^ 
 
 If near a Tiger's tlen or raging I'ard ; 
 
 And have we not a roaring lion tiear, 
 
 To wake our caution, stimulate our fear? 
 
 A thousand fieudij surround us in disguise, 
 
 Of I'very horrid name and giant size; 
 
 Foes to his peace, the good man's path they tracky 
 
 Allure tho himple, turn the unsteady back ; 
 
 And ply their arts at that peculiar place, 
 
 V>y nature weak, till fortified by grace i 
 
 They look thro' man, his inmost essence spy, 
 
 Form the wild wish, and feed tU* unhallowed joy ; 
 
 Tile tender buds of infant grace deform, 
 
 And raise the blasts of ang •' to a storm. 
 
 To give the timid sinner wider scope, 
 
 To cheat the conscience with a lying hope; 
 
 They hold a magic glass before the sight, 
 
 That show s each object in a different light : 
 
 He nee thirst of money, avarice of praise, 
 
 The love of fashion, and the love of ease, 
 
 Appear as lawful innocent and good, 
 
 As sprightly health, and life sustaining food : 
 
 Soft, needless self indulgence steals the name 
 
 Of balm for health to wash away the blame ; 
 
 When duty calls, *tis silenc*d with a plea 
 
 'Tts damp, I'm sick, or have not been to tea : 
 
 Here O ye faithful danger chiefly lies ; 
 
 These are the wiles the cunning tempter tries ; 
 
TIIC BACKSLIDER. 
 
 An angi'i^s bcatiilc form lie wears, 
 
 AVhilc truth perverted baits his hellish suares ; 
 
 Iteneath the veil of unforbidden things. 
 
 As bees in buds he hides his poisonM stings ; 
 
 We taste, we dally with th* ensnaring bait. 
 
 And often find our danger when too late. 
 
 49 
 
 EMD or CA!«TO Iff. 
 
 >♦» 
 
 
 *. • 
 
 
 ' ■•'•$••• •'.♦'. 
 
 ■■ -.>-A 
 
 l'' i^ 
 
 f 
 
THE BACKSMDEM. 
 
 CANTO FOURTH. 
 
 / will heal their BacksUdings, Hos. xir. 4. 
 
 
 The first emotions of the human will, 
 
 Are like descending from a lofty hill j 
 
 We go a little, but as we proceed, 
 
 Towards the bottom, feel a quicker speed ; 
 
 Swifter and swifter, lo we run we fly, 
 
 Till choice is chang'd to sad necessity. 
 
 If roving fancy eye th' ensnaring bane, 
 
 Thought may admit and court the moral stain 5 
 
 Nature is tinder and will easy catch, 
 
 If we or Satan but apply the match ; 
 
 From warm to warmer quick the flame proceeds, 
 
 From thoughts to wishes,— frgm desires to dteds ; 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 51 
 
 ■r* 
 
 Till the soul start as from a dream and miss, 
 All but the memory of her former bliss. 
 Stoni justice quick demands her full arrears, 
 Of death aud hell, but pitying merry spares, 
 And grants the ruin'd rebel longer space. 
 To bend repentent at the throne of grace ; 
 III deep abasement to confess the deed, 
 Or that, or vengeance, makes the sinner bleed : 
 Weeks, months of pain succeed the vile offencei 
 Keen sorrow, burning shame, and penitence ; 
 So dear the short»Uv'd sweets of sin we buy, 
 Risk endless glory for a guilty toy, 
 That toy a plague and torment when posses*t, 
 Stings like an adder and corrodes the breast* 
 
 Kut some who fall are soon restor'd again, 
 
 To all they lost with unexpected gain. 
 
 Ere the soft heart be harden' d into stone, 
 
 Ere virtue be subverted from her throne, 
 
 Ere the last check of conscience die away. 
 
 Ere evil habits gain despotic sway. 
 
 They w^eep their fall, pray, supplicate, and groan, 
 
 l)*'op in the dust at the all -gracious throne ; 
 
 Till mercy heal their woes, their sins forgive^ 
 
 And bid the weeper shine, arise and live. 
 
 
 I ' 
 
 s; 
 
 fiome often fall and still as oft repent, 
 yiistable SIS the wiit'ry element; 
 
 f3 
 
52 
 
 THE BACKSTADril. 
 
 Xot firmly grounded on the mighty rofK, 
 
 Sot like the beaten anvil to the shock ; 
 
 'Twixt good and ill they vibrate too and frt>, 
 
 Like tender osiers when the breezes blow ; 
 
 So weak the rapid tide they cannot stem, 
 
 Xor bear the fiery foes that harrass them ; 
 
 Yet so sincere, that in some happy honr, 
 
 The Lord redeems them from the tempter'^ pijwei. 
 
 Confirms and fortifies, with grace and zeal, 
 
 And makes them steidy as a wall of steel. ' 
 
 Some, all the power of fair religion lost, 
 
 A lifeless form, an empty shadow boast ; 
 
 Faith, love, and zeal are blotted from the breast, ' 
 
 Yet conscience sleeps serene in carnal rest ; 
 
 Knowledge, and barren duties still suppIy^, 
 
 The place of holy love and holy joy ; 
 
 Fill'd with a false Laodicean ease, 
 
 Serene, tho' cold, and settled on their lees^ 
 
 They jog along without a care to gain. 
 
 The solid bliss they lost without a pain. 
 
 1 
 
 But some who deviate and deeply *rr, 
 
 Shut the bright gates of bliss and woo despair, 
 
 Tiu» night and day in misery arc past ; 
 
 Ij^ch more acutely painful than the last. 
 
 The body's ill wc may awhile sustain, 
 
 Smile on tho rack, and triumph over pain ; 
 
 IJut who can bear the spirits keen distress, 
 
 \Vh;U mind couc»'ive it. or \^hat words exprcs? ; 
 
riiK itAi KSi.inr.u. 
 
 bA 
 
 Thf M;ir.miul«» wiilnw may fi)ri;ot lior grlrf, 
 Tt'iKs snath hor u«m», and hopo aU'ord ri'licf. 
 A m«»(hor\s sorrow lik«» a (onvnl wild, 
 Whon doath has roh'd hrr of au only child, ^ 
 YioUis to tin* hopo ofnu'otini;; in (lu* hky, 
 ^Vhovo ros»'S novor fado nor children die. 
 l*ain \'vv]ii a ri'spito of sevrrost wix*, 
 AVhi n opiai<'!« lull and cheorinu; cordials glow ; 
 And still nmiitst t'xcruciating sinarl, 
 Hojio soolhrs (hr panp; that tears th»' (lirohbini; hoar<, 
 l>»'4uilos tho ills tliat m cM-ping mortals feel, 
 And greatly lessens what she cannot heal, 
 AmiiNt the furious storm that round him pours, 
 The u ind that whistles and the sea that roars ; 
 *J lie hardy tar upon j-omi* foreign shore, 
 Jlr'.m-broUe card washM away a«id canvas tore, 
 II ix mast o'erboard, his vessel a mere wreck, 
 And surging billows rolling o'er the <leck ; 
 Feels hope support his anxious mind, and hark! 
 Jle cheers his shipmates, tries to save his bark. 
 Thus every ill with which frail mortals cope, 
 Is mix'd with drops of life.inspiring hope, 
 I»ut who can sooth the s|>irit's keen disease, 
 What balm can heal it or what gifts appease ? 
 Woe is th" tnotto of our mortal state, 
 And ills on ills for ever round us wait. 
 Thick as the leaves of autumn on the plain, 
 And fierce as storm-lash'd billows of the main. 
 
 r 3 
 
 :i.-~:'-<-^ 
 
64 
 
 THE BACKSLIDEU. 
 
 H 
 
 1^' 
 
 I 
 
 ilii 
 
 But all the evils erring mortals ftel, 
 The Wftcd axe, the dislocating wheel, 
 i'he fever's rage, the stone's exquisite smart. 
 Are nothing to this demon of the heart. 
 
 In terror clad the Deity is seen, 
 
 But no mild interce.ssor stands between - 
 
 The guilty soul, and sin avenging God, 
 
 To calm his fury and arrest his rod ; 
 
 AVith terms of peace fierce wrath to rcroncile 
 
 And bid red burning justice wear a smile. 
 
 On guilt alone this deadly night-shede grows, 
 
 Guilt, fruitful mother of our many woes. 
 
 fears spring from guilt, and unbelief from fear. 
 
 That deems all lost, this reads no mercy near. ' 
 
 To hapless souls endued with passions strong, 
 
 These hateful mental maladies belong. 
 
 Sin swells immense, the mountain magnifies. 
 
 And blots the star of mercy from the skies 
 
 Each fault the stamp of aggravation bears. 
 
 Each stain a tint of deepest crimson wears - 
 
 Each slip in fancy, action, thought, or word. 
 
 htings like an asp, or pierces like a sword, 
 
 While dread without and terror from within, 
 
 Annex a direful curse to every sin. 
 
 Now Satan every hellish art essays, 
 
 T' increase the storm and swell the angry sea^i 
 
 And shifts his fatal tack from side to side, ' 
 
 Xo raise the wretch's fear or swell his pride. 
 
 ' 
 
THE IIACKSMDCli 
 
 05 
 
 f'od might a liitle huh or hvo pass l,v, 
 «ii'^ yours, (cbsorvo the wily f.-mptor's li<.) 
 i'xoM'd the limits of almighty crracf, 
 ( 'l.risrs blood can't cleanse th.m, nor thy tears efTacc ' 
 .^o dire th' onence, the stain as deep us hell, 
 And pardon is a thinj^ impossible. 
 'i''io promise shines, but still new doii! {., .snq.Tosf^ 
 (Jrace never will relume the sinner's breast T 
 And here's the dreadful worm that gnaws m ithin 
 riio doubiful, dismal, deadly, damping sm. ' 
 Donbls rise on doubts, and fear to fear succeeds, 
 D.stress'd, appal'd, he trembles while he reads : 
 JJeholds an angry curse on every leaf, 
 While every scripture aggravates his grief. 
 
 Sin after grace !— and after pardon falls ! 
 
 The fatal fearful blasphemy he calls ; 
 
 And many a text the wily fiend M'ill'cite, 
 
 To justify the lie and prove it right. 
 
 All comfort from the sacred volume lied, 
 
 'Tis cast aside and seldoin ever read • 
 
 Or only read to aggravate his case, 
 
 And drive the exile from the realms of grace. 
 
 Silent and sad the live-long day he sits 
 
 Absorb'd in thought like one bereft of wits : 
 
 Lost in a maze of dark intricate doubt 
 
 No star to cheer, no path to lead him o'ut ; 
 
 Kmba rass'd, craz'd, bewilder'd, and perplex'd 
 
 I^eace bleeds, hope dies, and wild despair comes ne.^t 
 
bQ 
 
 THE I}ACK.SLIJ)Klt. 
 
 
 •Hu 
 
 
 .» / 
 
 'J 
 
 With frightful Ihoughts his foar-struck fancy teems, 
 
 Aiiil images of woe perplex his dreams. 
 
 I'r.ixcr is abandouM, can the mind aspire 
 
 M hen hope no longer feeds the sacred fire ? 
 
 No friends, no consolation can beguile, 
 
 Or t,ild his gloomy features with a smile, 
 
 Lo^t to the useful world and ail \i> cares, 
 
 Lost to his honour, profit, and aliairs ; 
 
 Lost to the sinless sweets of tranquil life ; 
 
 TiOst to his parents, children, home, and wife. 
 
 I! is hollow eyes with wild expression stare. 
 
 His haggard looks bespeak corroding care : 
 
 His soul is on a restless ocean tost. 
 
 His heart congeal'd with everlasting frost. 
 
 Without an anchor, pilot, star, or helm, 
 
 'J'remendous billows threaten to overwhelm : 
 
 The scene is dismal and the sky overcast. 
 
 Loud roars the wave, and fiercely howls the blast. 
 
 Blue guilt quick (lashes thro' the tortur'd soul, 
 
 And deep the peals of angry vengeance roll ; 
 
 Like swelling seas blasphemous thoughts arise, 
 
 And dash their impious billows 'gainst the skies. 
 
 No hand to help, no peaceful haven near, 
 
 Fear chills, and sullen hate succeeds to fear. 
 
 Mercy is past, the wretched sinner cries, 
 
 Mercy is past, the wily fiend replies ; 
 
 Mercy is past, my rebel soul is curs'd, 
 
 Justice strike home, and vengeance do thy worst. 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 67 
 
 as, 
 
 liilej nal demons round thtir victim wait, 
 i^ir-iuo and vox him with unceasing hate, 
 lie feels the earnest of an awful doom, 
 Solicits death, but dreads the wrath to come. 
 Pride, horror, rage, sit hateful on his face, 
 flis words express a fix'd disdain of grace ; 
 flencc, scorning mercy with his latest breath, 
 lie sinks blaspheming to the shades of death. 
 So Spira died, so died unhappy Pope,^ 
 Rejecting mercy and renouncing hope, 
 Rushing unpardon'd, thro' the d'smal gloom 
 Of restless death, to a more dreaded doom. 
 While those alas, in hideous gulphs are lost, 
 On rocks of bold presumption these are tost ; 
 O'erleap a fence, the work of many years, 
 Resign their scruples, and repress their fears. 
 'Tis true, an inward falling must precede, 
 The heart's emotions form the outward deed } 
 Conscience affrighted at the awful brink. 
 Of guilt and ruin, will a moment shrink, 
 But lull the wakeful monitor asleep. 
 The vsinner fearless takes the horrid leap, 
 Down the deep direful gulph wit.iout remorse, 
 So to the battle springs the head-strong horse. 
 Now sins couceal'd, extinguish'd, or suppress'd, 
 Rise, swell, encrease, and deluge all the breast ; 
 
 * William Pojie, of Bolton, In Lnncatihirc. — Sec Mothotli'^t 
 
 .Miiii'izitii*. 
 
 Wt 
 
68 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 I *t n 
 
 The passions own the change, and now a gust 
 
 Of hellish rage impels or foaming lust. 
 
 Foul demons quench the glimmering sparks of grace, 
 
 And vices bloom in each vacated place : 
 
 Till finally, the last restraint thrown olT, 
 
 Religion meets his ridicule and scoff? 
 
 Wiser than what is written, now he needs 
 
 ^'0 stupid parsons, or fanatic creeds, 
 
 Cut hopes,— for conscience is not quite at rest j 
 
 Hell, and the bible, are a sacred jest. 
 
 To infidelity he flics for ease, 
 
 And gulps its fatal, dire absurdities. 
 
 Shame, guilt, remorse, bright hope, or filial fear, 
 
 The pious sigh, the sin-relenting tear. 
 
 Alike are foreign to his soul, and now 
 
 Tho' stain'd with guilt, no blushes din his brow : 
 
 Or if a little qualm should intervene, 
 
 Or on a ha7y day the gloomy spleen 
 
 So call it, give Ids breast a sudden bite. 
 
 Infuse a doubt, and whisper he's not right, 
 
 Sly conscience twinge him, or new fears disturb, 
 
 And vidous passions feel a partial curb, 
 
 Indignant nature spurns the feeble yoke ; 
 
 And dashes all to pieces with a stroke. 
 
 So a sw'oln Hood with agitated force, 
 
 bursts every bound, that checks its rapid course, 
 
 Roars, dashes, foams, and pours thro' every vent, 
 
 ?Jorf^ fif I'cely for tlu? short imprUimc-nt. 
 
THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 69 
 
 race, 
 
 ar. 
 
 y 
 
 Callous, unfeeling, and without a fear, 
 JIcll in the f.out, and justice in tlie rear, 
 He rolls in sin till vengeance with a frown. 
 Draws the red sword, and cuts the rebel down. 
 
 Thus many leave the path, but few return, 
 To mercy's feet and past offences mourn, 
 A prodigal may here and there bo met, 
 Who sighs for home and names it with regret ; 
 And tost about, the sport of many a blast. 
 Enters the haven of repose at last. 
 'Twas thus Usebeus, after many a squall, 
 On life's tempestuous sea retriev'd his fall ; 
 But e'er his wand'ring soul from guilt was freed., 
 A thousand conflicts made his bosom bleed 
 With racking doubts and keen, exquisite smart, 
 Fear bodeing glooms, and heaviness of heart. 
 All the sweet love and peace that once he knew, 
 Long lost, now rise afresh before his view, 
 And sting him with his misery aud fall, 
 Reproach his guilt, and dash his cup with gall. 
 To him no charms from tasle or vision flow, 
 All things receive the colov^r of his woe ; 
 So the fair beauties of this florid ball, 
 Are lost, when gloomy night envelopes all. 
 The setting sun, mild walk, inviting glade, 
 Cool crystal stream, and honey.suckle shade, 
 The op'ning morn, fair minister of light. 
 The blue serene of star bespangled night, 
 
 .■ 
 
CO 
 
 THE ItACKSLIDER. 
 
 '4 
 
 Possr-ss no more the happy power to please. 
 
 He has HO pleasure now in things like these. 
 
 Not a!l the joys vain worldly minds possess, 
 
 Wit, beauty, riches, company or dress, 
 
 Can to Ills mind sweet balmy peace impart, 
 
 Or calm the sad disquiets of his heart. 
 
 For now deep roused from his awful state, 
 
 And brought to tremble on the brink of fate ; 
 
 lie feels a thousand fears the die is cast, 
 
 He views a thousand calls for ever past, 
 
 He mourns a thousand pure emotions dead, 
 
 A thousand, thousand, golden seasons lied ; 
 
 These pierce the soul, and on the conscience frown, 
 
 Like hostile bands before a rebel town, 
 
 Whose waving bannerets and flashing arms, 
 
 Fill every breast with horror and alarms. 
 
 While Satan all his goods in safety kept, 
 He gaily chatted and he sweetly slept, 
 Nor saw the awful gulph that roU'd beneath. 
 Nor fear'd the terrors of eternal death. 
 But now affliction lifts his iron mace, • • 
 And death and judgment stare him in the face ; 
 No hopes on earth, nor treasure in the sky ^ .^ 
 His life uncerta'.n, but alarm'd to die : 
 All dark within, his heart a very stone, 
 Nor can he lift a wish to heaven's throne* 
 Woes croud on woes, and fears on fears rush in, 
 And peace lies bleeding at the feet of sin. 
 
THE BACKSLIDEK. 
 
 61 
 
 own. 
 
 ass 
 
 So one awaking from serene repose. 
 Where sleep has drawn oblivion o'er his woes, 
 Display'd a richer state, and sweeter lot, 
 WJtere many a lovely garden grove and grot 
 Rise to the raptur'd eye, in prospect gay, 
 Till the scene fades, evanishes away ; 
 And starting up, he views around his room, 
 A deeper darkness and a wilder gloom. 
 
 A glimpse of light, a ray of hope may dart, 
 Across the dark, dark dungeon of his heart. 
 Till guilty fears and keen reflections rise, 
 Hence every new-born hope;,within him dies ; 
 For short the glimmering star of grace is seen. 
 And long and sad, the intervals between. 
 Grace still allures him, and designs to bless^ 
 But leads him thro' a thorny wilderness, 
 Gives him the wormwood and the gall to drink, 
 And brings him to, and shakes him o'er the brink 
 Of the dark gulf, but holds him in her hand. 
 Then plucks him from perdition like a brand : 
 Hence the soft buds of tear wet penitence, 
 Spring from the knowledge of his past offence ; 
 But from that knowledge too, reflections flow, 
 Which give the deepest colour to his woe. 
 Who keeps his eye on the bright star of grace, 
 May peace and hope, and consolation trace ; 
 
 ■ ' a ■ ■ 
 
 !: 
 
fi2 
 
 THK BACKSMDKft, 
 
 f 
 
 Hi: 
 
 But who to gloomy unbelief gives scope, 
 
 May peri*:)! exil'd from the realms of hope. ' 
 
 Tho life's fair tree allure him to draw mar, 
 
 lie makes a flaming cherub of his fear, 
 
 Afraid to venture, yet afraid to waif, 
 
 Tho* truth invite, and grace expand the uate • 
 
 Tho» richest promises his pathway strew. 
 
 Thro* the deep valley of severest woe, 
 
 Tho» sweet melodious strains of goodness sound, 
 
 Tho* pardoii court him, and tho* peace surrouady 
 
 Tho» writ on all Jehovah*s works appears. 
 
 Sweet consolation to beguile his tears. 
 
 Yet still Usebens shivers on the shore, 
 
 Afraid to launch away and God adore. 
 
 A strong emoCion oft impels hm< on. 
 
 But ah ! how soon th* anspicious g;ilc is gone ! 
 
 Ready he is to snatch the blissful prize. 
 
 Ready, when some new obstacles arise : 
 
 So the long absent, eager mariner. 
 
 From climes of commerce or the walks of war, 
 
 Keturning to his native shores ^^gain, 
 
 A thirst for peace and weary of the main, 
 
 Sees thro' the peering glass his port at last. 
 
 And deems his stormy toils for ever past. 
 
 Anticipates with joy his future lot, 
 
 His wife, babes, parents, friends, and little cot ; 
 
 But soon the vision flies, the bliss is o'er, 
 
 A gale sets in aod blows him from the shore, 
 
 Si 
 
'■^MtiWMka^piMpi 
 
 r\ 
 
 F 
 
 *.,__«,. ^ .„»._, ,^.,, .^— .».. 
 
 TIIK nAlKSriDI.Il. 
 
 63 
 
 Th.^k mists descenc!, the poit he seeks in vain, 
 Drove (leviijus on the \\id*i wave swelliug umin. 
 
 Se#» mercy point to tlu» atoning bloaj, 
 But Satan rolls upon him as a Hood 5 
 A roaring lioii on his path he steals, 
 Or as a furious adder bites his heels, 
 Now like a w ily t')K his art he plies, 
 With I'raudful speeches and with glozing hVs, 
 Next in the creeping snake he ac(s his part, 
 Winding his sophistry around the heart, 
 Then artful to deceive, by seeming right, 
 He wears angelic robes of spotless light. 
 But should the soul repel his subtle snares, 
 A dragon fierce, the lyin? monster clarcs. 
 And threatens horribly to swallow up, 
 All who reject his soul-bewitching cup. 
 But all his Miles are ineffectual, where 
 The soul is screen'd by agonizing prajer • 
 Each moment sees the wily fiend subdu'd. 
 And now Usebeus feels his strength renew 'd • 
 Firm confidence returns, and hopes ari^c 
 Which warm his heart, and lift it to the skies • 
 The brooding horrors of his conscience cease. 
 And all within is sweetness, love and peace • 
 The Saviour's voice has calm'd the raging tide 
 And bid the winds be still, the waves subside ; 
 Pride, wrath, concupisence, each moral pest, 
 Uesigu their empire, abdicate his breast. 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 

 64 
 
 THE BACKSLIDER. 
 
 There stands a limit, — now sin cannot pass, 
 The wall of faith is mightier far than brass ; 
 Faith can the moral turpitude repel, 
 That fills the city, palace, cottage, cell, 
 Tlu* power of faith, sins empire can controul. 
 The power of faith, the bulwark of the no\\\. 
 
 THg two.. 
 
 * r i ; 
 
 J. Johns, Printer, 
 St. Aubyn-Street, Dock. 
 
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 The WpBt of thk P6«|i Atw in the Pf«w, 
 sad will speedilfpublidh 
 
 THlRTEiN YEARS MISSION 
 
 ' ■ .'.■•' ■'-' '■ -'^ ' 
 
 and tke S<0^s I^md^; 
 
 A ]ViISSldN4*Ry TOUR 
 
 TO THE ,/■ • 
 
 S^ ]L A M E S ■ OF,. ; A.H4 B Ai 
 
 
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 In 'tii« ^j0f©--. tV^fc .ffttc^i Iafe*ma4ion will li^; 
 
 Hints aoa o?igitia| A#cao«es| 1 He Whofetpr «i^ a 
 Manual of Hisj^iift|^ Iftfoipda^ott, eoUecteu row 
 ActlilA 0b«^«So^j l&safOed to efitertdn th^>.ri^ 
 
 tiAiH and dist atitf eaij*r- "^ ^^^^^'^^ m;^^...^ 
 
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 ^ caodJiKpej iiimg m octavo Voi»to«; emlK^M sh«d Mj 
 
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