3 For straight they triumph, if success Their thriving crimes attend; And sordid wretches, whom God hates, Perversely they commend. 4 To own a pow'r above themselves Their haughty pride disdains; And, therefore, in their stubborn mind No thought of God remains. 5 Oppressive methods they pursue, And all their foes they slight; Because thy judgements, unobserved, Are far above their sight. 6 They fondly think their prosp'rous state Shall unmolested be; They think their vain designs shall thrive, From all misfortune free. 7 Vain and deceitful is their speech, With curses fill'd, and lies; By which the mischief of their heart They study to disguise. 8 Near public roads they lie conceal'd, And all their art employ, The innocent and poor at once To rifle and destroy. 9 Not lions crouching in their dens, Surprise their heedless prey With greater cunning, or express More savage rage than they. 10 Sometimes they act the harmless man, And modest looks they wear; That so, deceiv'd, the poor may less Their sudden onset fear PART II. 11 For God, they think, no notice takes Of their unrighteous deeds; He never minds the suff'ring poor, Nor their oppression heeds. 12 But thou, O Lord, at length arise, Stretch forth thy mighty arm, And by the greatness of thy pow'r, Defend the poor from harm. 13 No longer let the wicked vaunt, And, proudly boasting, say, "Tush, God regards not what we do; He never will repay."--_Common Prayer Book._ * * * * * 1 Shall I for fear of feeble man, The Spirit's coarse in me restrain? Or, undismay'd in deed and word. Be a true witness of my Lord. 2 Aw'd by mortal's frown shall I Conceal the word of God Most High! How then before thee shall I dare To stand, or how thine anger bear? 3 Shall I, to sooth th' unholy throng, Soften the troth, or smooth my tongue, To gain earth's gilded toys, or flee The cross endur'd, my Lord, by thee? 4 What then is he whose scorn I dread? Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid A man! an heir of death! a slave To sin! a bubble on the wave! 5 Yea, let men rage: since thou wilt spread Thy shadowing wings around my head: Since in all pain thy tender love Will still my sure refreshment prove. _Wesley's Collection._ FOOTNOTES: [17] See Dr. Torrey's Portraiture of Domestic Slavery in the United States, page 85-86. [18] Among the English, our real friends and benefactors. [19] In the first edition of this work, it should read 1816, as above, and not 1826, as it there appears.