Thus cries the preacher, and he adds, "their sheep "Satan devours at leisure as they sleep. "Not so with us; we drive him from the fold, "For ever barking and for ever bold: "While they securely slumber, all his schemes "Take full effect,-the devil never dreams: "Watchful and changeful through the world he goes, "And few can trace this deadliest of their foes; "But I detect, and at his work surprise "The subtle serpent under all disguise. "Thus to man's soul the foe of souls will speak, "—" A saint elect, you can have nought to seek ; Why all this labour in so plain a case, "Such care to run, when certain of the race?" "All this he urges to the carnal will, "He knows you're slothful, and would have you still: "Be this your answer,—_Satan, I will keep "❝Still on the watch till you are laid asleep.' "Thus too the Christian's progress he'll retard:- "Ten thousand workmen cannot wrench them out.' "To this deceit you have but one reply,— "Give to the father of all lies, the lie. "A sister's weakness he'll by fits surprise, "His her wild laughter, his her piteous cries; "And should a pastor at her side attend, "He'll use her organs to abuse her friend: "These are possessions-unbelieving wits Impute them all to nature: They're her fits, "Caused by commotions in the nerves and brains;'"Vain talk! but they'll be fitted for their pains. "These are in part the ills the foe has wrought, "And these the churchman thinks not worth his thought; "They bid the troubled try for peace and rest, "Compose their minds, and be no more distress'd; "As well might they command the passive shore "To keep secure, and be o'erflow'd no more; "To the wrong subject is their skill applied,— "To act like workmen, they should stem the tide. "These are the church-physicians; they are paid "With noble fees for their advice and aid; "Yet know they not the inward pulse to feel, "To ease the anguish, or the wound to heal. "With the sick sinner, thus their work begins, "Do you repent you of your former sins? "Will you amend if you revive and live? “‹ And, pardon seeking, will you pardon give? "Have you belief in what your Lord has done, "And are you thankful?—all is well, my son.' "A way far different ours-we thus surprise "A soul with questions, and demand replies; "How dropp'd you first,' I ask, the legal yoke? "What the first word the living Witness spoke? "Perceived you thunders roar and lightnings shine, "And tempests gathering ere the birth divine? "Did fire, and storm, and earthquake all appear "Before that still small voice, What dost thou here? "Hast thou by day and night, and soon and late, "Waited and watch'd before Admission-gate; "And so a pilgrim and a soldier pass'd "To Sion's hill through battle and through blast? “Then in thy way didst thou thy foe attack, "And mad'st thou proud Apollyon turn his back?' "Heart-searching things are these, and shake the mind, "Yea, like the rustling of a mighty wind. "Thus would I ask:- Nay, let me question now, “How sink my sayings in your bosoms? how? “Feel you a quickening? drops the subject deep? 66 6 Stupid and stony, no! you're all asleep; "Listless and lazy, waiting for a close, "As if at church-Do I allow repose? "Am I a legal minister? do I "With form or rubrick, rule or rite comply? “Then whence this quiet, tell me, I beseech? "Ye times of burning, when the heart would burn “Now hearts are ice, and you, my freezing fold, "Have spirits sunk and sad, and bosoms stony-cold.” “Oh! now again for those prevailing powers, "Which once began this mighty work of ours; "When the wide field, God's temple, was the place, "And birds flew by to catch a breath of "When 'mid his timid friends and threat'ning foes, "Our zealous chief as Paul at Athens rose: "When with infernal spite and knotty clubs "The ill-one arm'd his scoundrels and his scrubs; "And there were flying all around the spot "Brands at the preacher, but they touch'd him not; "Stakes brought to smite him, threaten'd in his cause, “And tongues, attuned to curses, roar'd applause; "Louder and louder grew his awful tones, "Sobbing and sighs were heard, and rueful groans; "Soft women fainted, prouder man express'd "Wonder and wo, and butchers smote the breast; "Eyes wept, ears tingled; stiff'ning on each head, "The hair drew back, and Satan howl'd and fled. “In that soft season when the gentle breeze "Rises all round, and swells by slow degrees; "Till tempests gather, when through all the sky “The thunders rattle, and the lightnings fly; "When rain in torrents wood and vale deform, "And all is horror, hurricane, and storm: 66 So, when the preacher in that glorious time, "Than clouds more melting, more than storm sublime, 66 Dropp'd the new word, there came a charm around; "Tremors and terrors rose upon the sound; "The stubborn spirits by his force he broke, 66 Fear, hope, dismay, all signs of shame or grace, "Chain'd every foot, or featured every face; "Then took his sacred trump a louder swell, "And now they groan'd, they sicken'd, and they fell; 66 Again he sounded, and we heard the cry "Of the word-wounded, as about to die; "Further and further spread the conquering word, "As loud he cried- the battle of the Lord.' "Ev'n those apart who were the sound denied, "Fell down instinctive, and in spirit died. "Nor staid he yet-his eye, his frown, his speech, "His very gesture had a power to teach; "With outstretch'd arms, strong voice and piercing call, "He won the field, and made the Dagons fall; |