THE RIGHT AND DUTY OF PRIVATE JUDGMENT,

I

IMPOSTURE shrinks from light,
And dreads the curious eye:
Thy doctrines, LORD! the test invite,
They bid us search and try.

II

O! may we still maintain

A meck, inquiring mind; Assur'd we shall not search in vain, But hidden treasures find.

With understanding blest,
Created to be free,

Our faith on man we dare not rest,
Subject to none but thee.

IV

O LORD! Our spirit lead,
With soundest knowledge fill;
From noxious error guard our creed,
From prejudice, our will.

The truth, once learnt, impress

On our obedient hearts;

And help us firmly to profess

'Gainst all seducing arts.

LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND.

I

O GOD! my father, and my king!
Of all I have, or hope, the spring;
Thy choicest gift send from above;
And warm my heart with holy love.

II

May I from ev'ry act abstain,
That hurts, or gives another pain;
And ev'ry secret wish suppress
That would abridge his happiness.

III

With pity let my breast o'erflow, When I behold à brother's woe; And bear a sympathizing part, Whene'er I meet a wounded heart.

IV

And let another's prosp'rous state
A mutual joy in me create ;
His virtuous triumph let me join;
His peace and happiness be mine,

V

Let love in all my conduct shine,,
An image fair, though faint, of thine;
Father of men! great GOD of love!
Let me thine humble foll'wer prove.

JUSTICE.

I

If high or low our station be,
Of noble, or ignoble name,
By uncorrupted honesty,

Thy blessing, LORD! we'll humbly claim.

II

Enrich'd with that, no want we 'll fear, Thy providence shall be our trust; Thou wilt provide our portion here, Thou friend and guardian of the just!

Oh! may we, with sincere delight,
To all, the task of duty pay;
Tender of ev'ry social right,
Obedient to thy righteous sway.

IV

Such virtue thou wilt not forget,
In worlds where every virtue shares
A fit reward; though not of debt,
But what thy boundless love prepares.

SINCERITY.

I

O GOD! thou spirit, just and wise,
Who seest our inmost mind:
In vain, to thee we raise our voice,
And leave our hearts behind.

JI

Nothing but truth before thy throne
With favour can appear:
The formal hypocrites are known
Through each disguise they wear.

Their lifted eyes salute the skies,
Their bending knees, the ground;
But thou abhorr'st the sacrifice,
Where not the heart is found.

IV

Lord! search our thoughts, and try our ways,
And make our hearts sincere:

Then shall we in thy presence stand,
And find acceptance there.

SINCERITY AND PERSEVERANCE IN RELIGION.

I

Thou art my portion, O my GOD!
Soon as I know thy way,

My heart makes haste t'obey thy word,
And suffers no delay.

I choose the path of heav'nly truth,
And glory in my choice;
Not all the riches of the earth
Could make me so rejoice.

III

The testimonies of thy love
I set before mine eyes;
Thence I derive my daily strength,
And there my comfort lies.

IV

Whene'er I wander from thy path,
I'll think upon my ways;
Then turn my feet to thy commands,
And trust thy pard'ning love.

V

Thou hast inclin'd this heart of mine
Thy statutes to fulfil :

And thus, till mortal life shall end,
Wou'd I perform thy will.