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L. M.

ANGEL'S HYMN.

The Danger of Delay.

WHY should I say 'tis yet too soon To seek for heav'n, or think of death! A flow'r may fade before 'tis noon, And I this day may lose my breath. 2 If this rebellious heart of mine

Despise the gracious calls of heav'n, I may be harden'd in my sin,

And never have repentance given. 3 What if the Lord grow wroth, and swear While I refuse to read and pray, That he'll refuse to lend an ear To all my groans another day! 4 What if his dreadful anger burn, While I reject his offer'd grace; And all his love to fury turn,

And strike me dead upon the place! 5 'Tis dang'rous to provoke my God;

His pow'r and vengeance none can tell; One stroke of his almighty rod

Shall send young sinners quick to hell. 6 Then 'twill for ever be in vain To cry for pardon or for grace; To wish I had my time again, Or hope to see my Maker's face.

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C. M

Examples of Early Piety.

1 WHAT blest examples do I find Writ in the word of truth,

PIETY.

Of children that began to mind
Religion in their youth.

2 Jesus, who reigns above the sky,
And keeps the world in awe,
Was once a child as young as I,
And kept his Father's law.

3 At twelve years old he talk'd with men,
(The Jews all wond'ring stand)
Yet he obey'd his mother then,
And came at her command.
4 Children a sweet hosanna sung,

And bless'd their Saviour's name;
They gave him honour with their tongue,
While scribes and priests blaspheme.
5 Samuel the child was wean'd, and brought
To wait upon the Lord;

Young Timothy betimes was taught
To know his holy word.

6 Then why should I so long delay
What others learnt so soon?
I would not pass another day
Without this work begun.

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L. M.

Against Lying.

BERWICK.

1 OTIS a lovely thing for youth
To walk betimes in wisdom's way;
To fear a lie, to speak the truth,

That we may trust to all they say.

2 But liars we can never trust, [true; Tho' they should speak the thing that's

For he who does one fault at first,
And lies to hide it, makes it two.

3 Have we not known, nor heard, nor read How God abhors deceit and wrong; How Ananias was struck dead

Caught with a lie upon his tongue? 4 So did his wife Sapphira die,

When she came in and grew so bold, As to confirm that wicked lie

Which, just before, her husband told. 5 The Lord delights in them that speak The words of truth; but every liar Must have his portion in the lake

That burns with brimstone and with fire. 6 Then let me always watch my lips, Lest I be struck to death and hell; Since God a book of reck'ning keeps For ev'ry lie that children tell.

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C. M.

Against Quarrelling and Fighting.

1 LET dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature too.

2 But children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise:
Your little hands were never made
To tear each others eyes.

3 Let love through all your actions run, And all your words be mild;

Live like the Blessed Virgin's Son,
That sweet and lovely child.
4 His soul was gentle as a lamb,
And, as his stature grew,
He grew in favour both with man
And God, his Father, too.

5 Now, Lord of All, he reigns above,
And from his heav'nly throne
He sees what children dwell in love,
And marks them for his own.

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Love between Brothers and Sisters.

1 WHATEVER brawls disturb the street There should be peace at home;

Where sisters dwell and brothers meet,
Quarrels should never come.

2 Birds in their little nests agree;
And 'tis a shameful sight,
When children of one family
Fall out, and chide, and fight.

3 Hard names at first & threat'ning words
That are but noisy breath,
May grow to clubs and naked swords,
To murder and to death.

4 The devil tempts one mother's son
To rage against another,

So wicked Cain was hurried on
Till he had kill'd his brother.

5 The wise will let their anger cool,
At least before 'tis night;

But in the bosom of a fool
It burns till morning light.

6 Pardon, O Lord, our childish rage,
Our little brawls remove;

That, as we grow to riper age,
Our hearts may all be love!

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Against Scoffing and Calling Names.

IOUR tongueswere made to bless the Lord,
And not speak ill of men ;

When others give a railing word,
We should not rail again.

2 Cross words and angry names require
To be chastis'd at school;
And he's in danger of hell fire
That calls his brother-fool.

3 But lips that dare be so profane
To mock, and jeer, and scoff
At holy things, or holy men,
The Lord shall cut them off.

4 When children, in their wanton play,
Serv'd old Elisha so,

And bid the prophet go his way,

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Go up, thou bald-head, go !"

5 God quickly stopp'd their wicked breath, And sent two raging bears,

That tore them limb from limb to death,
With blood, and groans, and tears.

6 Great God, how terrible art thou
To sinners e'er so young!