Philip Doddridge. 1702-1751. YE GOLDEN LAMPS OF HEAVEN, FAREWELL! Ye golden lamps of heaven, farewell, And thou, refulgent orb of day, In brighter flames arrayed; My soul, that springs beyond thy sphere, Ye stars are but the shining dust The pavement of those heavenly courts ** * * * There all the millions of His saints Shall in one song unite; And each the bliss of all shall view, "DUM VIVIMUS VIVAMUS." "Live while you live!" the epicure would say, "And seize the pleasures of the present day!" "Live while you live!" the sacred preacher cries, "And give to God each moment as it flies!" Lord, in my view let both united be ; I live in pleasure while I live to Thee. Charles Wesley. 1708-1788. MY CONSECRATION. Take my soul and body's powers; FOR THE YOUNGEST. Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee. Fain I would to Thee be brought; Dearest God, forbid it not; Put Thy hands upon my head, Hold me fast in Thy embrace, I shall live the simple life, Oh, that I may never know Keep me from the great offence, Lamb of God, I look to Thee; Thou shalt my Example be; Thou art gentle, meek, and mild, Thou wast once a little child. Fain I would be as Thou art; Meek and lowly may I be; Let me to my betters bow; Let me above all fulfil God my heavenly Father's will; Thou didst live to God alone, Thou didst never seek Thine own; Thou Thyself didst never please, God was all Thy happiness. Loving Jesu, gentle Lamb, I shall then show forth Thy praise, Serve Thee all my happy days; Then the world shall always see Christ, the holy child in me. Thomas Gray. 1716-1771. ELEGY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCH YARD (STOKE-POGIS). The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea; The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me. Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight, Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tower, The moping owl does to the moon complain Of such as, wandering near her secret bower, Molest her ancient solitary reign. Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade, Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep. The breezy call of incense-breathing morn, shed, The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing horn, No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed. |