TO

Miss S**** G******

ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HER BIRTH-DAY.

FLIRTILLA, born to dress and dance,

To catch the roving eye,
Seems, more and more, as years advance,

A trifling butterfly;
Can I rejoice on her birth-day?

I see more cause to weep
For her who only lives to play,

And laugh, and eat, and sleep.

Unmindful of the gracious pow'r,

Who gave her life and breath,
She wastes in folly every hour,

Nor thinks at all of death,
Her wishes all confin’d to earth,

Sad scene of sin and thrall,
I cannot celebrate her birth,

Why was she born at all.

The little birds may well look gay,

And spread their plumes and sing, They neither fear a future day,

Nor feel remorses sting,
But oft her joys are overcast,

By a distressing gloom,
She dares not think of what is past,

Much less of what's to come.

But Myra is a child of pray'r,

And from her early youth,
Taught by a tender parent's care,
To hear the voice of truth;
I think

upon

this morn With pleasure, not with pain, Trusting that as you once were born,

You shall be born again.

For you

Dear Myra hear the Saviour speak,

He speaks this day to thee, Renounce the world, (he says) and seek

Your happiness in me;
The world will flattering baits present,

But 'tis delusion all,
And you can only find content,

By yielding to my call.

Devote to me your early days,

Can you too soon be blest,
And I will guide you by my grace,

To an eternal rest;
The object of my care and love,

You then shall walk in peace,
And rise to higher joys above;

When this frail life shall cease.

PRAYER

FOR A YOUNG PERSON.

JESUS, the way, the life, the truth,

The sinner's hope and end;
Hear pray’r for this beloved youth,

And be his guide and friend.

Preserve him from the harms and snares

Which fill this world of woe; And may he, as he grows in years,

In grace and wisdom grow.

As from the bud the opening flow'r

Its various sweets displays;
So may his heart expand each hour,

And flourish to thy praise.

As light advances from the dawn,

And strengthens into day,
May he, by love's attraction drawn,

Grow stronger in his way.

Dear Lord, the heavenly unction mix

With all he has to learn;
And while he's young, his spirit fix,

To mind the great concern.

Assist his parent's tender cares

To form his mind for thee; That they, of all their pains and pray’rs,

A rich reward may see.

To them may he a comfort prove,

Be to thy people dear;
And shew the pow'r of faith and love

To all within his sphere.