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From small beginnings, sure, but slow,
The trees of righteousness thus grow;
While false professors quickly shoot,
And quickly die for want of root.

This tree, without a prop, secur'd,
Has many a winter's storm endur'd ;
Because the roots, though out of sight,
Are well proportion'd to its height.

Believers thus still thrive and grow,

"Midst all the storms that round them blow; The world expects to see them fall,

But Christ, their root, supports them all.

Pleasing, tho" solemn, is the gloom

With which the shade o'erspreads her room; In summer's overwhelming heat,

Here she enjoys a cool retreat.

So may her spirit shelter'd be,
By dwelling, Saviour, near to thee;
And find affliction's heat allay'd
Beneath thy love's refreshing shade.

But as the tree conceals the sky,
And hides the landscape from the eye,
Another lesson it imparts

To our deprav'd, deceitful hearts.

Thus every gift the Lord bestows,
To cheer us in this world of woes,
Is apt to prove ensnaring too,

And hide the Giver from our view.

This tree, though now array'd in green,
Will soon without a leaf be seen;
Yet will again, we trust, in spring,
Invite the birds to build and sing.

So we, by Time's unsparing hand
Bereav'd, like leafless trunks, must stand;
But when our earthly joys are dead,
We hope for better in their stead.

Yes, we shall quit this scene of strife,
To dwell beneath the tree of life;
To praise and worship near the throne,
Where loss or change are never known.

TO MISS ***** **

WHY should you wish a name like mine Within your book to stand;

With those who shone, or those who shine, As worthies of our land?

What will the future age have gain'd

When

my poor name is seen; From knowing I was entertain'd By you, at Cowslip green?

Rather let me record a name

That shall adorn your page;
Which, like the sun, is still the same,
And shines from age to age.

JESUS, who found me while I stray'd

In Afric's dreary wild,

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Who for my soul a ransom paid,

And made his foe a child.

He taught my wild blaspheming tongue
To aim at prayer and praise;

To make his grace my theme and song,
And guided all my ways.

A pattern now of mercy's pow'r
Where'er I stand is seen,

Such as I think was ne'er before
Beheld at Cowslip Green!

TO MY DEAR ELIZABETH.

I THANK you, dear, as I am able,
For such a cover to my table;
In colours purple, white, and green,
I read with pleasure all you mean.
The canvas, once a barren spot,
Till by your cultivation wrought,
Appears now beautiful and gay,
As meadows dress'd in flowers in May,

May grace from Him, whose precious blood
Was shed for us, a purple flood,

Keep your profession always green
As fruitful trees in spring are seen ;
Till call'd to join the saints in light
You stand before him cloth'd in white.

So prays your affectionate and obliged J. N. January 22, 1795.

TO THE

REV. MR. JOHNSON,

GOING TO BOTANY BAY.

THE Lord, who sends thee hence, will be thine aid;

In vain at thee the lion danger roars; His arm and love shall keep thee, undismay'd, On tempest-tossed seas, and savage shores.

Go-bear the Saviour's name to lands unknown Tell to the southern world his wondrousgrace An energy divine thy words shall own,

And draw their untaught hearts to seek his face!

Many in quest of gold, or empty fame, Would compass earth, or venture near the poles;

But how much nobler thy reward and aim,
To spread his praise, and win immortal souls!

FINIS.

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