And thus shall Idols vanish, like a dream,

As Truth, o'er earth, extends her healing beam.

180

New scenes, like spring, with flow'ry wreaths advance; New prospects rise, no cloud to overcast. Religion, who so long " on tiptoe stood,"

Hath past, indeed, o'er the Atlantic flood.

Our Brethren of the West, for greatness born,
Whom fools defame, and then affect to scorn,
With step, intrepid, send their worthies forth
To cleanse and fructify the moral earth.
May offspring of one Parent, favour'd, free,
Display the sight of " Brethren who agree :
And, hence, one rivalry pervade their breast,
Who most shall honour God, and serve him best!

185

190

195

If, sometimes, while through distant lands you roam, You cast a lingering look toward friends and home, Restrain the tear! Behold the blissful state! The palms, the crowns, which for the pilgrim wait. Should pain assault you, still in God believe; Should sorrow reach, Oh, think for whom you grieve! Should want, in lonely climes, your steps pursue, Dwell on his Name who suffer'd more for you. Guiding the Gospel Plough, gird up your mind! Heed not the chaff which you have left behind!

Look forward, courage take, behold the end!

200

What can your heart deplore with God your Friend! You seek not earth's reward, nor man's applause; 205 You all are champions in your Maker's cause;

And round your arduous path, though sad, the while, Crowds of admiring angels watch and smile.

The hour must come, perchance it draweth nigh, The fast unfolding dawn of prophecy,

210

When the first-born to Zion shall return,

And look on Him whom they have pierced, and mourn; When o'er earth's verdant fields, one flock shall stray,

215

220

One Shepherd lead, and all his voice obey :
When holiest love shall every heart inflame,
And every tongue confess Immanuel's name!
Warm'd with such hopes, though vain to feeble sense,
Be Heaven's eternal word your confidence!
With zeal, around, your glorious mission spread,
And make your Father's will your daily bread.
May He, in every hour of need provide,
In sickness cheer you, and through dangers guide:
Make smooth and plain your path, where'er you go ;
Whilst you, like Paul, the Gospel Trumpet blow,
Who, with a crown in sight, a heaven, a home,
All things could bear, stripes, bonds, and martyrdom.

Not o'er a sea, unruffled, calm, and clear, Must you your venturous bark expect to steer; The sun sometimes may soothe, your fears subside, And soft, and sweet, the tide of feeling glide; When, like th' alternate changes of the deep, Tempests and storms, the lowering skies may sweep; Expect, nor be deceived: alike prepare

225

230

Hardships or ease to meet, the soldier's fare.

If friends protect, on God the praise bestow ;
If foes assail, with meekness bear the blow;
Nor hope to root out errors, save with toil
Resembling his, who, patient, tills the soil.
Hell, roused from slumber, in his dread
array,
Ere long, in rage, may rise to meet the fray;
Call up foul spirits, to himself allied,
And yield, with mortal throe, his empire wide;
But he who leads you forth, for your defence,
Will screen you with his own Omnipotence.

235

240

Truth's Harbingers! receive from one unknown, 245 Passing advice, that springs from love alone,

Be not, at aught, too joyous, or too pain'd,

Fear must be check'd, and Hope herself restrain'd.
Our sight is but a point, our life

a day!

255

Grief soon subsides, and pleasures, where are they?
Though with our own dear schemes our bosoms swell,
What might be best, at last, we cannot tell;
The clouds that rise so fair, may waft distress,
The tear, the pang, the cross, be sent to bless.
That Sovereign power, to whose pervading eye,
All times, the past, the future, naked lie ;
Whether he walk conspicuous, clothed in light,
Or, round his footsteps, cast the robe of night,
Still carries on (though Folly oft repines,)
His wise, but his inscrutable designs.

As on you go, declaring as you can, Redemption for the captive race of man; Freedom that breaks the fetters of the mind ; Ears to the deaf, and vision to the blind,

260

Should hosts, with bounding heart, your tidings hail, Should Satan's kingdom fall, and Truth prevail; Converts from heathenish night your footsteps throng, Acknowledge Him to whom all hearts belong;

Yet, should but here and there a blade be found,
While weeds, in rank luxuriance, wave around;
Should they be foes to you, who were before
Foes to the GOD whom you unseen adore,

270

Let not Egyptian gloom your souls dismay,
Faint is the dawn that ushers in the day :

But should no consecrated fruits ascend,

275

O'er the wide scene should naught but tares extend ;
Let faith, unshaken, still support your feet,
Heedless, though torrents roar, and tempests beat.

What though no wreath, victorious, crown your race,
And scarce one flower beside your path you trace, 280
Seed, sown by you, long 'neath the ground may lie,
Water'd of GOD, unmark'd by human eye,
Ordain'd, in the appointed hour, to rise,
And with majestic verdure fill the skies.

Witness Taheite whose shades have pass'd away,
So long where fiends maintain'd unbridled sway;
Her Idols to the Bats disdainful burl'd,

The prelude to a renovated world!

285

Soul reverenced men! receive th' applauding strain, Which kings and conquerors might desire in vain. To you, a distant brother leads the song,

290

Which thousands join, in chorus loud, and long.
Mid climes that never heard Messiah's praise,
Aspire the standard of the Cross to raise,

With new delight, proclaim their ransom near;

295

Go, and a Temple to your Maker rear!

Whilst there are lands, and tribes, that countless be, Who never joy'd to hear our jubilee,

Who never knew the Christian's rich repast,

Pardon and Peace, and hope of Heaven at last,
Strive in the glorious conflict undismay'd,

300

March boldly, in supernal strength array'd;
Still fearless on the Word of Promise rest,

And trust the more, for doubts that haunt your breast.

Where is the generous fire, the spirit gone,

That once in Cranmer glow'd, in Luther shone ?
Shall petty sights alone attract our eye,

The rise and fall of mortal majesty

Kingdoms and men, that, in perpetual round,

305

Blaze and expire? shall these our prospects bound, 310

And not your cause —

the glory of your age,

(Grandest of all which human thoughts engage!)
Awake our highest interests, hopes and fears,
The heart that vibrates, and the tongue that cheers ?
Those who, beyond the present, see combined,
The mighty FUTURE, trampling time behind,
Feel, with still kindling warmth, in every vein,
Ardour to burst the heathen's mental chain
To waft to them our pearl of matchless price,
And wider throw the Gates of Paradise.
Where is this Spirit? Lo! she lives and reigns!
Now we behold her, not mid ravaged plains,

Where Demons scream for blood, but on thy shore,
Oh! Albion, dear, my country, evermore

315

320

Loftiest of nations! With proud garlands crown'd, 325
Sending the TRUTH wherever man is found.

Go on, triumphant! spreading Life and Light!
Check not the courser with the goal in sight!
May you, who wage the warfare with the foe;
May you, who nobly of your wealth bestow;
May you, whose hearts implore that Heaven would shield
The tender germ from storms, and increase yield,

Strive in your different ways, more prayerful be;

Not fainting, you secure the victory.

330

Once more, from sickening scenes that strike my view,
Good men, and great, refresh'd, I turn to you.
The Star of Bethlehem, from night profound,
Emerges fair, with sun-like splendours crown'd;
Vision, on vision kindling, I survey,

Till with o'erpowering beam it dies away.
And can it be that who the brunt sustain
Should call aloud for aid, yet call in vain ?
Bent by the weight, you arduous burdens bear,
The field is vast, but labourers few are there.

340