Two little naughty boys one night And tried to cross the hedge of thorns, But on the other side a pit Of mire and mud they found, And, trying to pass over it, These naughty boys were drown'd. Attend, my little child, so dear, To what I now shall say- For if thou keep in virtue's way, Thy life will happy be; But if thou stray from its good path, Destruction waits on thee. THE SLUGGARD, "Tis the voice of the sluggard, I heard him complain, "You have wak'd me too soon, I must slumber again." As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed, Turns his sides, and his shoulders, and his heavy head. "A little more sleep, and a little more slumber;". Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number: And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands, I pass'd by his garden, and saw the wild brier, I made him a visit, still hoping to find He had taken more care of improving his mind; Said I then to my heart, here's a lesson for me, VALUE OF TIME. OH! while this clock attracts thy sight, Thy reason let it warn ; And seize, my dear, that rapid time That never must return. If idly lost, no art or care The blessing can restore; And Heav'n will call us to account For ev'ry ill-spent hour, Short is our longest day of life, Yet on that day's uncertain length Yet equal to our gaining good The time to virtue's given, LINES BY DR. DODDRIDGE. LIVE while you live, the Epicure will say, I live in pleasure when I live to Thee. SOLEMN THOUGHTS ON THE CREATOR AND DEATH. THERE is a God that reigns above Lord of the Heav'ns, and Earth, and Seas, I fear his wrath, I ask his love, And with my lips, I'll sing his praise. There is a law which he has writ, To teach us all what we must do : My soul to his commands submit, For they are holy, just, and true. There is a gospel of rich grace, Whence sinners all their comforts draw; Lord, I repent, and seek thy face, 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, Just as a tree cut down, that fell IMPROVEMENT OF TIME. SLEEP by night, and cares by day, Lo! in onder eastern skies The sun appears, and bids me rise- And has no returning spring: Shining Preacher! happy morning, Blissful path, with safety trod, The end of which is Heav'n and God. A FATHER'S ADVICE TO HIS DAUGHTER. Wherein all young persons, especially those of the Female Sex, are directed how they may obtain the greatest beauty, and adorn themselves with an holy conversation. DEAR child, these words which briefly I declare But in the secret closet of thine heart, Lock them up safe, that they may ne'er depart. D |