Malvern Hills with Minor Poems, and Essays. By Joseph Cottle. Fourth Edition |
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ADDRESS TO THE MISSIONARIES. |
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 | Malvern Hills |  |
ADDRESS TO THE MISSIONARIES.
WHILE some the song to chiefs and patriots raise,
With nobler zeal, I loftier spirits praise;
Men, who, to please their Maker, and proclaim
To nations sunk in night, a Saviour's name,
Have left the land where pleasure sits and smiles;
Joyous have left e'en Britain, Queen of Isles:
Friends, home, contentment, all that life endears,
Freely renounced, for anguish, toil, and tears;
Endured the scorching waste, the raging flood,
While fearless on the Rock of Faith they stood.
With nobler zeal, I loftier spirits praise;
Men, who, to please their Maker, and proclaim
To nations sunk in night, a Saviour's name,
Have left the land where pleasure sits and smiles;
Joyous have left e'en Britain, Queen of Isles:
Friends, home, contentment, all that life endears,
Freely renounced, for anguish, toil, and tears;
Endured the scorching waste, the raging flood,
While fearless on the Rock of Faith they stood.
Must each be launch'd ere long on death's cold stream;
Each pass away — like a forgotten dream!
Oh! higher thought, and fearful, doth there wait
For all the sons of men, an endless state!
You have believed, and for the deluge wide,
Prepared your ark that, safe, the storm shall ride.
You know there does. While others, till they die,
Deem all things serious, but Eternity;
You, better taught, a future empire raise,
And spend, for God, your few, and fleeting days.
Each pass away — like a forgotten dream!
Oh! higher thought, and fearful, doth there wait
For all the sons of men, an endless state!
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Prepared your ark that, safe, the storm shall ride.
You know there does. While others, till they die,
Deem all things serious, but Eternity;
You, better taught, a future empire raise,
And spend, for God, your few, and fleeting days.
Like your great Master, you, your ease disdain,
And combat with the scoffer, want, and pain;
Instructed in th' inestimable worth
Of that great treasure, Heaven bestow'd on earth;
That precious boon, that Book of Life, and Light,
Which sheds refulgence o'er a world of night,
You your “exceeding” joy would not disguise,
And brood with sordid pleasure o'er your prize.
Truth, noble, generous, longing to impart,
Conveys a genial influence to the heart;
Its element — is to dispense all good;
It feels, for distant nations, brotherhood;
Embraces, with one ardent grasp of soul,
Men of all climes, from Ganges to the pole!
Religion, true, with an Ithuriel touch,
May find the miser, but ne'er left him such.
And combat with the scoffer, want, and pain;
Instructed in th' inestimable worth
Of that great treasure, Heaven bestow'd on earth;
That precious boon, that Book of Life, and Light,
Which sheds refulgence o'er a world of night,
You your “exceeding” joy would not disguise,
And brood with sordid pleasure o'er your prize.
Truth, noble, generous, longing to impart,
Conveys a genial influence to the heart;
Its element — is to dispense all good;
It feels, for distant nations, brotherhood;
Embraces, with one ardent grasp of soul,
Men of all climes, from Ganges to the pole!
Religion, true, with an Ithuriel touch,
May find the miser, but ne'er left him such.
Oh! had the Vision call'd, in that deep dream,
Paul eastward to have borne his Sacred Theme;
With Heaven's rich gifts, to feed the Tartar wild,
And not the Macedonian, Europe's child:
Had no kind Spirit, casting fears behind,
Bless'd with a pulse that beat for all mankind,
(Whose breast the light contain'd) once thoughtful stood,
Framing luxurious schemes for human good;
Beheld where Albion's stately clifts appear'd,
And boldly to the barbarous Briton steer'd;
How had our savage faith its strength maintain'd,
And what e'en here the night that now had reign'd!
Paul eastward to have borne his Sacred Theme;
With Heaven's rich gifts, to feed the Tartar wild,
And not the Macedonian, Europe's child:
Had no kind Spirit, casting fears behind,
Bless'd with a pulse that beat for all mankind,
(Whose breast the light contain'd) once thoughtful stood,
Framing luxurious schemes for human good;
Beheld where Albion's stately clifts appear'd,
And boldly to the barbarous Briton steer'd;
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And what e'en here the night that now had reign'd!
Kingdoms, for arts and science once renown'd,
As time roll'd on, have plunged in shades profound!
While lands, to ten-fold darkness long resign'd,
Have burst their bonds, and led the sons of mind;
Haply! (Oh, Heaven avert the curse severe!)
Again the Pagan Rite may triumph here!
And regions, now, where men to idols bend,
The Altar reverence, and the Ark defend!
What might so soon God's sleeping wrath awake,
And, o'er our Isle, tempt him his scourge to shake,
His lamp remove, his heritage forsake,
As languor, to extend the Gospel Sound,
The Bread of Life, to starving nations round!—
As that disastrous, graceless, spirit chill,
Which scorns to work, and frustrates those who will!
Soft as the far-off murmuring of the sea;
Sweet as at morn the bird's clear melody,
(Amid the shout of orgies vile) I hear
The still small voice of penitence and prayer!
Sunk as they were in guilt, abased, depraved,
Ten righteous men had once a people saved;
Hope, yet is ours! Though crowds on every side,
Their Maker's Laws disdain, his Threats deride,
England may yet recount her righteous few,
Salt of our land! and not the least, in you.
As time roll'd on, have plunged in shades profound!
While lands, to ten-fold darkness long resign'd,
Have burst their bonds, and led the sons of mind;
Haply! (Oh, Heaven avert the curse severe!)
Again the Pagan Rite may triumph here!
And regions, now, where men to idols bend,
The Altar reverence, and the Ark defend!
What might so soon God's sleeping wrath awake,
And, o'er our Isle, tempt him his scourge to shake,
His lamp remove, his heritage forsake,
As languor, to extend the Gospel Sound,
The Bread of Life, to starving nations round!—
As that disastrous, graceless, spirit chill,
Which scorns to work, and frustrates those who will!
Soft as the far-off murmuring of the sea;
Sweet as at morn the bird's clear melody,
(Amid the shout of orgies vile) I hear
The still small voice of penitence and prayer!
Sunk as they were in guilt, abased, depraved,
Ten righteous men had once a people saved;
Hope, yet is ours! Though crowds on every side,
Their Maker's Laws disdain, his Threats deride,
England may yet recount her righteous few,
Salt of our land! and not the least, in you.
How will the future sons of sires, who now,
In climes remote, to stocks and statues bow —
(Oh, fearful depth of folly and of crime!
Man, even man! endued with powers sublime,
Disclaims his rank, to basest things that be,
Lifts th' adoring eye, and bends the knee!)
How will such, brought to their maturer sense,
Read with delight the page of Providence!
How will such hail (without one faint alloy,)
Their happier state; then, with seraphic joy,
Gaze backward far upon the men revered,
Who first their tribes with songs of Sion cheer'd;
Brought them the Truth; the Book of Knowledge spread,
And, o'er the future, beams refulgent shed!
What gratulations, what transcendent praise
Their hearts to you will breathe, their voices raise,
When, basking in the light, a glance they cast
O'er the dark vale, the dreary desert past!
As, on their race of storms, their night of woe,
Safe, from the Mount of God, they look below!
When waning age on age hath roll'd away,
Since you with earth have mix'd your honour'd clay,
While myriads on oblivion's tide are seen,
Borne downward, lost, as though they ne'er had been,
Still shall your memories flourish, fresh and green;
Of you, the lisping child shall learn to speak,
As the warm tear steals down the mother's cheek:
Yet nobler thoughts than these your hearts beguile;—
Conscience' sweet voice, and Heaven's approving smile.
In climes remote, to stocks and statues bow —
(Oh, fearful depth of folly and of crime!
Man, even man! endued with powers sublime,
Disclaims his rank, to basest things that be,
Lifts th' adoring eye, and bends the knee!)
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Read with delight the page of Providence!
How will such hail (without one faint alloy,)
Their happier state; then, with seraphic joy,
Gaze backward far upon the men revered,
Who first their tribes with songs of Sion cheer'd;
Brought them the Truth; the Book of Knowledge spread,
And, o'er the future, beams refulgent shed!
What gratulations, what transcendent praise
Their hearts to you will breathe, their voices raise,
When, basking in the light, a glance they cast
O'er the dark vale, the dreary desert past!
As, on their race of storms, their night of woe,
Safe, from the Mount of God, they look below!
When waning age on age hath roll'd away,
Since you with earth have mix'd your honour'd clay,
While myriads on oblivion's tide are seen,
Borne downward, lost, as though they ne'er had been,
Still shall your memories flourish, fresh and green;
Of you, the lisping child shall learn to speak,
As the warm tear steals down the mother's cheek:
Yet nobler thoughts than these your hearts beguile;—
Conscience' sweet voice, and Heaven's approving smile.
Ye Great of Earth, arise! — at once appear
Cæsars and Pompeys, men estranged from fear;
Whose warlike feats the porphyry column bears;
Who view'd the world, and proudly call'd it theirs;
Who lived to tread the steep, to build the name,
Whilst slaughter'd thousands track'd their road to fame:
What grateful heart, slow from the dying bed,
E'er call'd to heaven for blessings on their head?
Crowds, rather, in their pangs, with death in sight,
Deplored the hour that gave them to the light.
These are not Great! Illustrious men and wise!
You are the Great, whose deeds to glory rise!
You, distant realms have sought, with untold pains,
Not to explore fresh marts, or count new gains,
But, with benign delight, your joys to share;
To free the captive, smooth the brow of care,
Throw back the veil, the Star of Hope display,
And guide benighted souls to endless day.
Cæsars and Pompeys, men estranged from fear;
Whose warlike feats the porphyry column bears;
Who view'd the world, and proudly call'd it theirs;
Who lived to tread the steep, to build the name,
Whilst slaughter'd thousands track'd their road to fame:
What grateful heart, slow from the dying bed,
E'er call'd to heaven for blessings on their head?
Crowds, rather, in their pangs, with death in sight,
Deplored the hour that gave them to the light.
296
You are the Great, whose deeds to glory rise!
You, distant realms have sought, with untold pains,
Not to explore fresh marts, or count new gains,
But, with benign delight, your joys to share;
To free the captive, smooth the brow of care,
Throw back the veil, the Star of Hope display,
And guide benighted souls to endless day.
Such once was Brainerd, whose ambition, high,
Aspired to teach the Indian “how to die.”
Such Schwartz was found, who, 'mong the heathen, long
Despairing roam'd, yet lived to hear the song,
From the wide Banian's sylvan altar, own,
In concords loud, Jehovah, Lord alone!
Such Wesley, Whitfield were; both labourers tried,
Who find, above, the peace which Earth denied.
Such Trowt, and Chamberlain, who, (truly wise!)
Fought the good fight, and early gain'd the prize!
And such was Vanderkempt, (his ransom paid,)
Who now looks down, nor mourns the choice he made:
But, at the name of Martyn, every eye
Glistens, and turns, instinctive, to the sky!
Aspired to teach the Indian “how to die.”
Such Schwartz was found, who, 'mong the heathen, long
Despairing roam'd, yet lived to hear the song,
From the wide Banian's sylvan altar, own,
In concords loud, Jehovah, Lord alone!
Such Wesley, Whitfield were; both labourers tried,
Who find, above, the peace which Earth denied.
Such Trowt, and Chamberlain, who, (truly wise!)
Fought the good fight, and early gain'd the prize!
And such was Vanderkempt, (his ransom paid,)
Who now looks down, nor mourns the choice he made:
But, at the name of Martyn, every eye
Glistens, and turns, instinctive, to the sky!
(Far back, excursive vision loves to gaze
On one, associate of my younger days,
A sainted spirit, Pierce! who long'd in vain,
The Missionary Martyr's crown to gain;
With one, just pass'd to the celestial sphere,
Urguhart, of kindred mould, for whom, the tear
Uncurb'd, unbought, will long and pungent flow,
Who left no loftier, holier soul below!
Both still promote the cause that fired their mind—
They left their efficacious prayers behind!
On one, associate of my younger days,
A sainted spirit, Pierce! who long'd in vain,
The Missionary Martyr's crown to gain;
With one, just pass'd to the celestial sphere,
Urguhart, of kindred mould, for whom, the tear
Uncurb'd, unbought, will long and pungent flow,
Who left no loftier, holier soul below!
Both still promote the cause that fired their mind—
They left their efficacious prayers behind!
297
Though these to Heaven have soar'd, (a glorious band!)
In the same cause, new heroes forward stand:
Aspirants march to conquest, all endued
With unction from above, zeal, fortitude.
In long perspective galaxy, I trace
Spirits, the glory of our age and race!
Jowett, and Coultart, Holbeck, Richter, Shaw,
Whom Love divine to dangerous realms could draw;
Fox, Carver, Ousely, known and praised afar,
With Morrison, so long a radiant star;
Hartley, and Wolff, instructing on that shore,
Where once the Lord that bought them, taught before!
While Carey, Marshman, Ward, that veteran train,
Show, in their turn, what victories Faith may gain.
And if remembrance of the host beside
Here find no place, who equal toils divide,
On nobler records such serene rely,
Theirs is the grand memorial in the sky.
In the same cause, new heroes forward stand:
Aspirants march to conquest, all endued
With unction from above, zeal, fortitude.
In long perspective galaxy, I trace
Spirits, the glory of our age and race!
Jowett, and Coultart, Holbeck, Richter, Shaw,
Whom Love divine to dangerous realms could draw;
Fox, Carver, Ousely, known and praised afar,
With Morrison, so long a radiant star;
Hartley, and Wolff, instructing on that shore,
Where once the Lord that bought them, taught before!
While Carey, Marshman, Ward, that veteran train,
Show, in their turn, what victories Faith may gain.
And if remembrance of the host beside
Here find no place, who equal toils divide,
On nobler records such serene rely,
Theirs is the grand memorial in the sky.
Their post, by dangers compass'd, now may be
Where no observant eye, but God's, can see,—
Around steep Caucasus, or on the shore
Of ice-bound Greenland, or bleak Labrador;
Or in Columbian Isles; 'mid Afric's land,
Warring with dews of death, and burning sand;
In Palestine, (where soon the Crescent foe
May see, once more, the Rose of Sharon blow)
Or where, mid India's tribes, like some vast sea,
Soul-bondage reigns, till Christ the slave shall free:
Nor must we lightly deem those spirits, brave,
Who, o'er the wide Pacific, souls to save,
Have sail'd, with richer freight, and costlier aid,
Than, from Potosi, ever bark convey'd:
Whose triumphs, (which each day and hour appear)
Silence the scoffer, while the just they cheer:
And thus shall Idols vanish, like a dream,
As Truth, o'er earth, extends her healing beam.
Where no observant eye, but God's, can see,—
Around steep Caucasus, or on the shore
Of ice-bound Greenland, or bleak Labrador;
Or in Columbian Isles; 'mid Afric's land,
Warring with dews of death, and burning sand;
In Palestine, (where soon the Crescent foe
May see, once more, the Rose of Sharon blow)
Or where, mid India's tribes, like some vast sea,
Soul-bondage reigns, till Christ the slave shall free:
Nor must we lightly deem those spirits, brave,
Who, o'er the wide Pacific, souls to save,
Have sail'd, with richer freight, and costlier aid,
Than, from Potosi, ever bark convey'd:
Whose triumphs, (which each day and hour appear)
Silence the scoffer, while the just they cheer:
298
As Truth, o'er earth, extends her healing beam.
New scenes, like spring, with flow'ry wreaths advance;
New prospects rise, no cloud to overcast.
Religion, who so long “on tiptoe stood,”
Hath past, indeed, o'er the Atlantic flood.
Our Brethren of the West, for greatness born,
Whom fools defame, and then affect to scorn,
With step, intrepid, send their worthies forth
To cleanse and fructify the moral earth.
May offspring of one Parent, favour'd, free,
Display the sight of “Brethren who agree:”
And, hence, one rivalry pervade their breast,—
Who most shall honour God, and serve him best!
New prospects rise, no cloud to overcast.
Religion, who so long “on tiptoe stood,”
Hath past, indeed, o'er the Atlantic flood.
Our Brethren of the West, for greatness born,
Whom fools defame, and then affect to scorn,
With step, intrepid, send their worthies forth
To cleanse and fructify the moral earth.
May offspring of one Parent, favour'd, free,
Display the sight of “Brethren who agree:”
And, hence, one rivalry pervade their breast,—
Who most shall honour God, and serve him best!
If, sometimes, while through distant lands you roam,
You cast a lingering look toward friends and home,
Restrain the tear! Behold the blissful state!
The palms, the crowns, which for the pilgrim wait.
Should pain assault you, still in God believe;
Should sorrow reach, Oh, think for whom you grieve!
Should want, in lonely climes, your steps pursue,
Dwell on his Name who suffer'd more for you.
Guiding the Gospel Plough, gird up your mind!
Heed not the chaff which you have left behind!
Look forward, courage take, behold the end!
What can your heart deplore with God your Friend!
You seek not earth's reward, nor man's applause;
You all are champions in your Maker's cause;
And round your arduous path, though sad, the while,
Crowds of admiring angels watch and smile.
You cast a lingering look toward friends and home,
Restrain the tear! Behold the blissful state!
The palms, the crowns, which for the pilgrim wait.
Should pain assault you, still in God believe;
Should sorrow reach, Oh, think for whom you grieve!
Should want, in lonely climes, your steps pursue,
Dwell on his Name who suffer'd more for you.
Guiding the Gospel Plough, gird up your mind!
Heed not the chaff which you have left behind!
Look forward, courage take, behold the end!
What can your heart deplore with God your Friend!
You seek not earth's reward, nor man's applause;
You all are champions in your Maker's cause;
And round your arduous path, though sad, the while,
Crowds of admiring angels watch and smile.
The hour must come, perchance it draweth nigh,
The fast unfolding dawn of prophecy,
When the first-born to Zion shall return,
And look on Him whom they have pierced, and mourn;
When o'er earth's verdant fields, one flock shall stray,
One Shepherd lead, and all his voice obey:
When holiest love shall every heart inflame,
And every tongue confess Immanuel's name!
Warm'd with such hopes, though vain to feeble sense,
Be Heaven's eternal word your confidence!
With zeal, around, your glorious mission spread,
And make your Father's will your daily bread.
May He, in every hour of need provide,
In sickness cheer you, and through dangers guide:
Make smooth and plain your path, where'er you go;
Whilst you, like Paul, the Gospel Trumpet blow,
Who, with a crown in sight, a heaven, a home,
All things could bear, stripes, bonds, and martyrdom.
The fast unfolding dawn of prophecy,
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And look on Him whom they have pierced, and mourn;
When o'er earth's verdant fields, one flock shall stray,
One Shepherd lead, and all his voice obey:
When holiest love shall every heart inflame,
And every tongue confess Immanuel's name!
Warm'd with such hopes, though vain to feeble sense,
Be Heaven's eternal word your confidence!
With zeal, around, your glorious mission spread,
And make your Father's will your daily bread.
May He, in every hour of need provide,
In sickness cheer you, and through dangers guide:
Make smooth and plain your path, where'er you go;
Whilst you, like Paul, the Gospel Trumpet blow,
Who, with a crown in sight, a heaven, a home,
All things could bear, stripes, bonds, and martyrdom.
Not o'er a sea, unruffled, calm, and clear,
Must you your venturous bark expect to steer;
The sun sometimes may soothe, your fears subside,
And soft, and sweet, the tide of feeling glide;
When, like th' alternate changes of the deep,
Tempests and storms, the lowering skies may sweep;
Expect, nor be deceived: alike prepare
Hardships or ease to meet, the soldier's fare.
If friends protect, on God the praise bestow;
If foes assail, with meekness bear the blow;
Nor hope to root out errors, save with toil
Resembling his, who, patient, tills the soil.
Hell, roused from slumber, in his dread array,
Ere long, in rage, may rise to meet the fray;
Call up foul spirits, to himself allied,
And yield, with mortal throe, his empire wide;
But he who leads you forth, for your defence,
Will screen you with his own Omnipotence.
Must you your venturous bark expect to steer;
The sun sometimes may soothe, your fears subside,
And soft, and sweet, the tide of feeling glide;
When, like th' alternate changes of the deep,
Tempests and storms, the lowering skies may sweep;
Expect, nor be deceived: alike prepare
Hardships or ease to meet, the soldier's fare.
If friends protect, on God the praise bestow;
If foes assail, with meekness bear the blow;
Nor hope to root out errors, save with toil
Resembling his, who, patient, tills the soil.
Hell, roused from slumber, in his dread array,
Ere long, in rage, may rise to meet the fray;
Call up foul spirits, to himself allied,
And yield, with mortal throe, his empire wide;
But he who leads you forth, for your defence,
Will screen you with his own Omnipotence.
300
Truth's Harbingers! receive from one unknown,
Passing advice, that springs from love alone,
Be not, at aught, too joyous, or too pain'd,
Fear must be check'd, and Hope herself restrain'd.
Our sight is but a point, our life — a day!
Grief soon subsides, and pleasures, where are they?
Though with our own dear schemes our bosoms swell,
What might be best, at last, we cannot tell;
The clouds that rise so fair, may waft distress,
The tear, the pang, the cross, be sent to bless.
That Sovereign power, to whose pervading eye,
All times, the past, the future, naked lie;
Whether he walk conspicuous, clothed in light,
Or, round his footsteps, cast the robe of night,
Still carries on (though Folly oft repines,)
His wise, but his inscrutable designs.
Passing advice, that springs from love alone,
Be not, at aught, too joyous, or too pain'd,
Fear must be check'd, and Hope herself restrain'd.
Our sight is but a point, our life — a day!
Grief soon subsides, and pleasures, where are they?
Though with our own dear schemes our bosoms swell,
What might be best, at last, we cannot tell;
The clouds that rise so fair, may waft distress,
The tear, the pang, the cross, be sent to bless.
That Sovereign power, to whose pervading eye,
All times, the past, the future, naked lie;
Whether he walk conspicuous, clothed in light,
Or, round his footsteps, cast the robe of night,
Still carries on (though Folly oft repines,)
His wise, but his inscrutable designs.
As on you go, declaring as you can,
Redemption for the captive race of man;
Freedom that breaks the fetters of the mind;
Ears to the deaf, and vision to the blind,
Should hosts, with bounding heart, your tidings hail,
Should Satan's kingdom fall, and Truth prevail;
Converts from heathenish night your footsteps throng,
Acknowledge Him to whom all hearts belong;
Yet, should but here and there a blade be found,
While weeds, in rank luxuriance, wave around;
Should they be foes to you, who were before
Foes to the God whom you unseen adore,
Let not Egyptian gloom your souls dismay,
Faint is the dawn that ushers in the day:
But should no consecrated fruits ascend,
O'er the wide scene should naught but tares extend;
Let faith, unshaken, still support your feet,
Heedless, though torrents roar, and tempests beat.
What though no wreath, victorious, crown your race,
And scarce one flower beside your path you trace,
Seed, sown by you, long 'neath the ground may lie,
Water'd of God, unmark'd by human eye,
Ordain'd, in the appointed hour, to rise,
And with majestic verdure fill the skies.
Witness Taheite whose shades have pass'd away,
So long where fiends maintain'd unbridled sway;
Her Idols to the Bats disdainful hurl'd,
The prelude to a renovated world!
Redemption for the captive race of man;
Freedom that breaks the fetters of the mind;
Ears to the deaf, and vision to the blind,
Should hosts, with bounding heart, your tidings hail,
Should Satan's kingdom fall, and Truth prevail;
Converts from heathenish night your footsteps throng,
Acknowledge Him to whom all hearts belong;
Yet, should but here and there a blade be found,
While weeds, in rank luxuriance, wave around;
Should they be foes to you, who were before
Foes to the God whom you unseen adore,
Let not Egyptian gloom your souls dismay,
Faint is the dawn that ushers in the day:
But should no consecrated fruits ascend,
O'er the wide scene should naught but tares extend;
Let faith, unshaken, still support your feet,
Heedless, though torrents roar, and tempests beat.
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And scarce one flower beside your path you trace,
Seed, sown by you, long 'neath the ground may lie,
Water'd of God, unmark'd by human eye,
Ordain'd, in the appointed hour, to rise,
And with majestic verdure fill the skies.
Witness Taheite whose shades have pass'd away,
So long where fiends maintain'd unbridled sway;
Her Idols to the Bats disdainful hurl'd,
The prelude to a renovated world!
Soul reverenced men! receive th' applauding strain,
Which kings and conquerors might desire in vain.
To you, a distant brother leads the song,
Which thousands join, in chorus loud, and long.
Mid climes that never heard Messiah's praise,
Aspire the standard of the Cross to raise,
With new delight, proclaim their ransom near;
Go, and a Temple to your Maker rear!
Whilst there are lands, and tribes, that countless be,
Who never joy'd to hear our jubilee,
Who never knew the Christian's rich repast,
Pardon and Peace, and hope of Heaven at last,
Strive in the glorious conflict undismay'd,
March boldly, in supernal strength array'd;
Still fearless on the Word of Promise rest,
And trust the more, for doubts that haunt your breast.
Which kings and conquerors might desire in vain.
To you, a distant brother leads the song,
Which thousands join, in chorus loud, and long.
Mid climes that never heard Messiah's praise,
Aspire the standard of the Cross to raise,
With new delight, proclaim their ransom near;
Go, and a Temple to your Maker rear!
Whilst there are lands, and tribes, that countless be,
Who never joy'd to hear our jubilee,
Who never knew the Christian's rich repast,
Pardon and Peace, and hope of Heaven at last,
Strive in the glorious conflict undismay'd,
March boldly, in supernal strength array'd;
Still fearless on the Word of Promise rest,
And trust the more, for doubts that haunt your breast.
Where is the generous fire, the spirit gone,
That once in Cranmer glow'd, in Luther shone?
Shall petty sights alone attract our eye,
The rise and fall of mortal majesty —
Kingdoms and men, that, in perpetual round,
Blaze and expire? shall these our prospects bound,
And not your cause — the glory of your age,
(Grandest of all which human thoughts engage!)
Awake our highest interests, hopes and fears,
The heart that vibrates, and the tongue that cheers?
Those who, beyond the present, see combined,
The mighty Future, trampling time behind,
Feel, with still kindling warmth, in every vein,
Ardour to burst the heathen's mental chain —
To waft to them our pearl of matchless price,
And wider throw the Gates of Paradise.
Where is this Spirit? Lo! she lives and reigns!
Now we behold her, not mid ravaged plains,
Where Demons scream for blood, but on thy shore,
Oh! Albion, dear, my country, evermore
Loftiest of nations! With proud garlands crown'd,
Sending the Truth wherever man is found.
Go on, triumphant! spreading Life and Light!
Check not the courser with the goal in sight!
May you, who wage the warfare with the foe;
May you, who nobly of your wealth bestow;
May you, whose hearts implore that Heaven would shield
The tender germ from storms, and increase yield,
Strive in your different ways, more prayerful be;
Not fainting, you secure the victory.
That once in Cranmer glow'd, in Luther shone?
Shall petty sights alone attract our eye,
The rise and fall of mortal majesty —
Kingdoms and men, that, in perpetual round,
Blaze and expire? shall these our prospects bound,
302
(Grandest of all which human thoughts engage!)
Awake our highest interests, hopes and fears,
The heart that vibrates, and the tongue that cheers?
Those who, beyond the present, see combined,
The mighty Future, trampling time behind,
Feel, with still kindling warmth, in every vein,
Ardour to burst the heathen's mental chain —
To waft to them our pearl of matchless price,
And wider throw the Gates of Paradise.
Where is this Spirit? Lo! she lives and reigns!
Now we behold her, not mid ravaged plains,
Where Demons scream for blood, but on thy shore,
Oh! Albion, dear, my country, evermore
Loftiest of nations! With proud garlands crown'd,
Sending the Truth wherever man is found.
Go on, triumphant! spreading Life and Light!
Check not the courser with the goal in sight!
May you, who wage the warfare with the foe;
May you, who nobly of your wealth bestow;
May you, whose hearts implore that Heaven would shield
The tender germ from storms, and increase yield,
Strive in your different ways, more prayerful be;
Not fainting, you secure the victory.
Once more, from sickening scenes that strike my view,
Good men, and great, refresh'd, I turn to you.
The Star of Bethlehem, from night profound,
Emerges fair, with sun-like splendours crown'd;
Vision, on vision kindling, I survey,
Till with o'erpowering beam it dies away.
And can it be that who the brunt sustain
Should call aloud for aid, yet call in vain?
Bent by the weight, you arduous burdens bear,
The field is vast, but labourers few are there.
Amazed, the Powers of Darkness stand and feel
Their temples tottering, while their idols reel,
And shall the valiant strive, and only hear
Voices from friends far off that feebly cheer?
With such a prize in view, in such a fight,
May kindred souls spontaneous spring to light,
Sent, and endued with graces from above,
Wise as the serpent, harmless as the dove,
Proud to support your hands, and to extend
O'er boisterous seas, to earth's remotest end,
Salvation, tidings of the Sinner's Friend.
Good men, and great, refresh'd, I turn to you.
The Star of Bethlehem, from night profound,
Emerges fair, with sun-like splendours crown'd;
Vision, on vision kindling, I survey,
Till with o'erpowering beam it dies away.
And can it be that who the brunt sustain
Should call aloud for aid, yet call in vain?
Bent by the weight, you arduous burdens bear,
The field is vast, but labourers few are there.
303
Their temples tottering, while their idols reel,
And shall the valiant strive, and only hear
Voices from friends far off that feebly cheer?
With such a prize in view, in such a fight,
May kindred souls spontaneous spring to light,
Sent, and endued with graces from above,
Wise as the serpent, harmless as the dove,
Proud to support your hands, and to extend
O'er boisterous seas, to earth's remotest end,
Salvation, tidings of the Sinner's Friend.
Again, farewell! and, Oh! while thus you preach
Of Faith, and Righteousness, in every speech,
And your whole walk confirms the truths you teach,
Fearless, the path pursue, though men revile,
On which th' Almighty smiles, and still will smile.
Confusion them shall follow, whilst our eyes
Shall see the Tree of God's own planting rise;
Wide shall it spread, and adverse storms disdain,
Fed by Heaven's dew, and nourish'd with his rain;
And let all cry — Wherever shines the Sun,
Thy Kingdom come, O Lord! thy will be done!
Of Faith, and Righteousness, in every speech,
And your whole walk confirms the truths you teach,
Fearless, the path pursue, though men revile,
On which th' Almighty smiles, and still will smile.
Confusion them shall follow, whilst our eyes
Shall see the Tree of God's own planting rise;
Wide shall it spread, and adverse storms disdain,
Fed by Heaven's dew, and nourish'd with his rain;
And let all cry — Wherever shines the Sun,
Thy Kingdom come, O Lord! thy will be done!
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