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The New Zealand Evangelist

Original Poetry — The Pleasures of Piety.

Original Poetry.

The Pleasures of Piety.

“Tis in the school of Piety, the Soul
Is taught to acknowledge God in all his Works,
And trace him out by faith where hid from sight,
page 180 And praise him for munificence to all;
Taught by his Word—the blessed lamp of life—
The guide to heaven, above all others sure;
Confirming clearly what his Works declare.
This every doubt removes, dispels all fears,
And bids the Soul in God's great love rejoice.
Nor can the World, with its amusements vain,
Bestow such joys as Piety inspires;—
The felt assurance of forgiving love,
A happy foretaste of the joys of heaven.
What! though the cares of life may oft oppress
The mind with anxious thought, Religion bland,
Like faithful nurse attendant on the sick,
Is ready still to alleviate all our griefs,
While we, to her prescriptions wise, attend.
“Trust in the Lord,” she cries, “for ever trust,
And faithful to his word, he'll thee sustain,
Though trials and afflictions thee assail,
Yet call on him, and he'll deliverance send.
Though chastened, wherefore shouldestthou complain;
For happy is the man whom God corrects;
“Tis with a father's tenderness to show
That thou hast erred, to hasten thy return.”
What promises inciting are held forth,
And sworn to be fulfilled, if but believed!
All speak the condescending love of God,
Encouraging the Penitent who strives
To gain the mastery over his carnal self.
Inspired by these he takes the shield of faith,
He grasps the Spirit's sword, and clears his way,
Temptations conquering, and the fiery darts
Of Satan, quenching all, till he obtains,
Through ardent prayer, the prize; oh, what a prize!
A peace that far surpasses human ken,
A joy that lifts him high above the smiles
And frowns of Mammon. Now upon the rock
Of ages, firm he stands, and looks unmoved
O'er all the pleasures and the pains of Time;
As Pharos with its beacon lights of old
O'erlooked afar the midnight, stormy deep.