Thou clear Vicegerent of thy Father's power! And, while, within a grateful heart, I own My hopes to view Thee on thy heavenly throne. With all thy merits on my soul imprest, May faith's firm wings convey me to thy breast! Such, friendly disputant of studious mind! Ever to good, in active life, inclind! Such are my thoughts, my views, my hopes, my creed, Adverse, I own, to those, for which you plead! And which, to speak without reserve, I deem A rash surmise, a dark Socinian dream! Tho' tenets diversely our fancy strike, May both, in purity of heart alike, Still trust the hope, to that endowment given, To reach the glorious certainty of Heaven! Where, when the pardon'd round their Lord unite Their errors will be lost in beatific light. A COLLECTION OF HYMNS 1817. _Hymn to Humility_ Of all the Christian virtues chief With modest charms, and mild relief, Most apt to heal the wounds of pride, and spleen, To thee, humility; I bend; O let me feel, thou art my friend! Rule thou my bosom, as its gentle queen! 'Tis thine benignly to repress All proud conceit, all vain excess; To give the chasten'd mind its proper tone; To make it keep in sight The worth of others with delight, And never look too fondly on its own. Teach me, with active zeal, to wake At nature's sigh, for pity's sake, When pride in dreams of apathy will nod! Still guided by thy Christian breath, Keep me, thro' scenes of life, and death, To mortals kind, and dutiful to God. _Hymn to Contrition._ Tenderest Herald of the sky, Nature's safeguard from perdition, Friend of sweet, tho' tearful eye, Call'd by angels meek Contrition-- Bid me with a due concern Sigh for recollected error, And to purer conduct turn, Full of hope, and free from terror! All, who have thy succour tried. Near to Heaven's expanding portal, Blessing Thee, their chosen guide, Joy, in ceasing to be mortal. Hand-maid of the Saviour's throne, Sent by Him to check depression, Make my chasten'd soul thy own, Guarding it from all transgression. _Hymn to the Saviour._ Saviour! pure source of life and zeal intense, Whose words were peace, whose deeds benificence, Around thy servant ever may I see The sunshine of the soul deriv'd from Thee. While their true faith enlighten'd Christians prove, By mutual aid, and evangelic love, By sins environ'd, may we strive alone To pardon others, and repent our own. So may we, comforted by words from Heaven, That clearly prove the penitent forgiven, With trust beyond the confidence of youth, Rest on our guardian God--the God of Truth! TWO HYMNS Written for the Asylum of Female Orphans. I. Parent to those, whose infant days No human parent know; To thee, O Charity! the praise Of filial love shall flow. Base want, and vice, a foe to all! Round us their snares had thrown. Had not thy arm, at pity's call, Embrac'd us for thine own.