There is a Gospel of rich grace,

Whence sinners all their comforts draw:

Lord, I repent, and seek thy face,
For I have often broke thy law.

There is an hour when I must die,

Nor do I know how soon 'twill come : A thousand children, young as I,

Are call'd by death to hear their doom.

Let me improve the hours I have,
Before the day of grace is fled:
There's no repentance in the grave,
No pardon offer'd to the dead.

Just as a tree cut down, that fell
To north or southward, there it lies,
So man departs to heaven or hell,

Fix'd in the state wherein he dies.

Song XII.

THE ADVANTAGES OF EARLY RELIGION.

HAPPY the child whose youngest years. Receive instructions well;

Who hates the sinner's path, and fears The road that leads to hell.

When we devote our youth to God,
'Tis pleasing in his eyes;

A flower, when offer'd in the bud,
Is no vain sacrifice.

'Tis easier work if we begin
To fear the Lord betimes;
While sinners, that grow old in sin,
Are harden'd in their crimes.

'Twill save us from a thousand snares
To mind religion young:

Grace will preserve our following years,
And make our virtue strong.

To thee, Almighty God, to thee
Our childhood we resign:

'Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.

Let the sweet work of prayer and praise
Employ my youngest breath!
Thus I'm prepared for longer days,

Or fit for early death.