A poem on divine revelation being an exercise delivered At the Public Commencement at Nassau-Hall, September 28. 1774 |
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 | A poem on divine revelation |  |
In reformation bright; cheerful she hails
It from her snow-white cliffs, and bids her sons,
Rise from the mist of popery obscure.
Her worthier sons, whom not Rome's pontiff high,
Nor king with arbitrary sway could move.
Those mightier who with constancy untam'd,
Did quench the violence of fire, at death
Did smile, and maugre ev'ry pain, of bond,
Cold dark imprisonment, and scourge severe,
By hell-born popery devis'd, held fast
The Christian hope firm anchor of the soul.
Or those who shunning that fell rage of war,
And persecution dire, when civil pow'r,
Leagu'd in with sacerdotal sway triumph'd,
O'er ev'ry conscience, and the lives of men,
Did brave th' Atlantic deep and through its storms
Sought these Americ shores: these happier shores
Where birds of calm delight to play, where not
Rome's pontiff high, nor arbitrary king,
Leagu'd in with sacerdotal sway are known.
But peace and freedom link'd together dwell,
And reformation in full glory shines.
Oh for a muse of more exalted wing,
The christian church in these remotest lands;
From those high plains where spreads a colony,
Gen'rous and free, from Massachusett-shores,
To the cold lakes margin'd with snow: from that
Long dreary tract of shady woods and hills,
Where Hudson's icy stream rolls his cold wave,
To those more sunny bowers where zephyrs breath,
And round which flow in circling current swift
The Delaware and Susquehannah streams.
Thence to those smiling plains where Chesapeak
Spreads her maternal arms, encompassing
In soft embrace, full many a settlement,
Where opulence, with hospitality,
And polish'd manners, and the living plant
Of science blooming, sets their glory high .
Lib'ral in sentiment, and breathing high,
The noble ardour of the freeborn soul.
To Carolina thence, and that warm clime
Where Georgia south in summer heat complains,
And distant thence towards the burning line.
The author has a principal reference to an infant Seminary at Back-Creek Somerset County Maryland, where a handsome building is erected, capable of accommodating with the greatest convenience, near 100 Scholars.
This institution, though of few years standing has risen to considerable eminence, and is still carried on with a spirit, which does honour to the Province. It is situated in a part of the Colony very distant from the Seminaries of reputation to the Northward, and near the Bay of Chesapeak into which many rivers empty themselves from Maryland and Virginia on the Western shore and afford an easy communication. It was very much wanted and is of real service to the advancement of virtue and science in that part of America.
It may not perhaps be impertinent to give some view of the general plan upon which this School is conducted. A board of Trustees consisting of 15 Gentlemen of the first reputation in the county, convene once every three months, or oftener if necessary, in order to inspect the situation and regulate the affairs of the school. A steward is chosen by them who lays in provisions of the best kind and at the lowest rates, for which he brings in his bill at the expiration of a year: This with the wages of the servants and principal Cook is equally assessed on the students. From the great plenty and cheapness of provisions in this settlement, and the œconomy of the Trustees in managing the School, the expences of education seldom amount to more than £ 18 per annum— Board £ 13—Tuition £ 5.
The plan of education is the same with that pursued in other schools of character, and therefore needs not be mentioned. With respect to the internal regulation it may suffice to observe, that the Bell rings for prayers generally at sunrise; for study at the interval of half an hour. The remaining part of the day is divided between study and vacation. In the evening the bell rings for prayers, after which the students retire to their chambers.
The school is placed in a genteel neighbourhood, having in view the dwellings of several Gentlemen of considerable property, who are constantly attentive to its wants, and ready to do the students every good office in their power.
It may now be asked why so particular in the account of this institution, and what has it to do with an exercise delivered at Nassau-Hall in the province of New-Jersey? The author has principally this to reply, that on residing some time in the county of Somerset, he became acquainted with the merit of the school, and thought himself under an obligation as a wellwisher to mankind, to recommend it to the Public.
| A poem on divine revelation | |