There is a dreadful hell,

And everlasting pains;

There sinners must with devils dwell,
In darkness, fire, and chains.

Can such a wretch as I

Escape this cursed end?

And may I hope, whene'er I die,
I shall to Heaven ascend?

Then will I read and pray,

While I have life and breath: Lest I should be cut off to-day, And sent to' eternal death.

THE

ADVANTAGES OF EARLY RELIGION.

HAPPY's 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 prepar'd for longer days,
Or fit for early death.

THE

DANGER OF DELAY.

6

WHY should I say, "Tis yet too soon
To seek for Heaven, or think of death?"
A flower may fade before 'tis noon,
And I this day may lose my breath.

If this rebellious heart of mine

Despise the gracious calls of Heaven,
I may be harden'd in my sin,
And never have repentance given.

What if the Lord grow wrath, and swear
While I refuse to read and pray,

That he'll refuse to lend an ear
To all my groans another day!

What if his dreadful anger burn,

While I refuse his offer'd grace, And all his love to fury turn,

And strike me dead upon the place?

'Tis dangerous to provoke a God!

His power and vengeance none can tell; One stroke of his Almighty rod

Shall send young sinners quick to hell.

Then 'twill for ever be in vain

To cry for pardon and for grace: To wish I had my time again,

Or hope to see my Maker's face,

EXAMPLES OF EARLY PIETY.

WHAT bless'd examples do I find

Writ in the word of truth,

Of children that began to mind
Religion in their youth.

Jesus, who reigns above the sky,

And keeps the world in awe, Was once a child as young as I, And kept his Father's law.

At twelve years old he talk'd with men, (The Jews all wondering stand)

Yet he obey'd his mother then,

And came at her command.

Children a sweet hosanna sung,

And bless'd their Saviour's name;

They gave him honour with their tongue,
While scribes and priests blaspheme.

Samuel the child was wean'd, and brought
To wait upon the Lord:
Young Timothy by times was taught
To know his holy word.

Then why should I so long delay
What others learnt so soon?
I would not pass another day
Without this work begun.

AGAINST LYING.

O 'Tis a lovely thing for youth
To walk betimes in wisdom's way;
To fear a lie, to speak the truth,
That we may trust to all they say.

But liars we can never trust,

Though they should speak the thing that's true; And he that does one fault at first,

And lies to hide it, makes it two.

Have we not known, or heard, or read,
How God abhors deceit and wrong?

How Ananias was struck dead,

Catch'd with a lie upon his tongue ?

So did his wife, Saphira, die,

When she came in and grew so bold As to confirm that wicked lie,

That, just before, her husband told.

The Lord delights in them that speak
The words of truth; but every liar
Must have his portion in the lake

That burns with brimstone and with fire.

Then let me always watch my lips,
Lest I be struck to death and hell,
Since God a book of reckoning keeps
For every lie that children tell.

AGAINST QUARRELLING AND
FIGHTING.

LET dogs delight to bark and bite,

For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature too.

But, children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made
To tear each others' eyes.

Let love through all your actions run,
And all your words be mild;
Live like the blessed virgin's Son,
That sweet and lovely child.