University of Virginia Library

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181

EPISTLE to the Rev. Mr. SELLON, ON HIS WEEPING IN AN ADDRESS TO YOUTH.

Oh! would all Pastors copy Christ, and Thee!
Inform their Flocks, and let their Lives agree.
From Wolves and Foxes guard their Lambs and Sheep—
O'er Salem's Sons and Daughters watch and weep—
Secure their own, while seeking others', joy,
And colonize, with crowds, the shouting Sky!
And, oh! to answer this extatic end,
Were each, like Thee, their Father and their Friend;
In sacred Truth to feel efficient shares,
While issuing from the heart, 'twould actuate theirs.
Not smooth-ton'd Orators with silvery tongue,
Whose warbled tinklings tice a thoughtless throng;
That, pleas'd behold how well they act their parts,
And hear soft notes that never reach their hearts,
But charm their eyes, and soothe their itching ears,
And silence all their doubts, and all their fears,
Lulling their nerves and intellects to rest,
By emphasis and acts that look like jest—
Not the dull Drone, who, stock'd with opiate stores—
Half sleeps Himself while half his Audience snores;
Who, unconcern'd, 'mid ignorance and mistake,
Heeds not how Souls, immortal, sleep or wake,
So he can thrum his heavy half-hour through,
And gain a title to his dole and due:
Like a slow River, rank with muck and mud,
With little rivulets fed, ne'er knows a flood;
Disturbs no Neighbour, plays no desperate pranks,
But Man and Beast may slumber on its banks—
Not the wild Maniac who in rostrum raves,
With noise and nonsense frights poor Souls, not saves,
But pours forth foaming floods of eloquence
To gain applauses, or to grapple pence;
Like a strong Torrent, which, with thundering sounds,
Tearing up roads and landmarks, rights confounds;
But while the waters roar, and surges chafe,

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182

None can be sure that Soul or Body's safe—
But pure, persuasive eloquence, like Thine,
That wins the Soul with sentiments divine,
And fills with flowing thoughts each heavenly theme,
Like the clear waves of Thames's fruitful stream;
Or like the still small Voice, in burning bush,
That sav'd the Thorn, and yet a World could crush,
That all, like Moses, from their God might learn,
Those Truths, and Duties that their Souls concern.