Should you conceive My coming is deferr'd,
Know, by high favor 'tis a boon conferr'd
To give men time God's holy will to know,
From them for sin to make repentance flow.
In Noah's days, you cannot have forgot,*
Until destruction came that man knew not
The time, but of the work they were appriz'd
And would nor hear, nor be by God advis'd
To let His warnings wickedness gainsay,
Till waves arose that swept them all away;
So shall not men ere I appear again,
Have information of the precise time.
Ah! watch ye, and be always on the guard,
For fear My coming finds you unprepar'd;
Sure on a day and hour you know not of
I shall again, in glory visit earth.

Ten virgins the connubial treat to greet,
Were bid prepare the bridal train to meet ;†
Those prudent took of oil sufficient store,
If coming were delay'd, to want no more;
But t'others heedlessly forgot to fill
Their vessels to be ready at a call.

The Bridegroom suddenly at night return'd
And found the careless with their lamps untrimm'd;
Who, fearing from his presence to be cast,

To search for light bestirr'd in fearful haste;
But to redeem the fault was now too late,

And all were left to mourn their wretched state.

Still would they to the joyfu gate repair
And crave admission, but the happy door
Was clos'd, and all were bid from thence depart,
Told by the Bridegroom that he knew them not;
Yet, who had lamps, replete with lively flame,
And burned brilliant at the hour he came,
All join'd his train; were at the nuptial feast,
Plac'd in his presence, honor'd and caress'd.

A sov❜reign to another land proceeds, Among his servants parcels out his goods,* According as he finds them fit to use His property, so much to each he gives. His bounty some most prudently apply And double their receipts by industry; But one took his and hid it underground, There to lie useless till his lord return'd, Not caring for the loss he might sustain, Determin'd there the treasure should remain. The king return'd, and call'd them to account; The first had much improv'd the gross amount, Their master had intrusted to their care,

Who says, "well done, you careful servants are; "Since you have prov'd so faithful to your lord "In small concerns, you all shall rich be made, "I'll well reward, preferment I ensure, "Come,-live with me,-enjoy my royal fare, "Of mine you're worthy to enjoy a share.”

* See Matthew chap. xxv.

To him who in the earth his talent hid,

In anger thus his injur'd master said,

Ah, faithless, negligent, and careless man, "Thine own excuse accuses thee of crime! "Thou say'st that I fidelity require, "Expect my tenants anxiously aspire "To make improvement, if I little give

"That they strive to increase what they receive, "And, knew'st I always industry reward,

"But to the slothful ne'er a prize award;

"Now, know thou this, it is my strict command "That thou to prison be direct consign'd,

"Because thou didst my goodness willing slight, "There thou shalt mourn thy henceforth wretched state."

The Son of Man you shall hereafter see Descending from the heavens in Majesty*

Celestial, grand; bright clouds His chariot bear,

Angelic legions His attending choir,

Effulgent glory sparkling from His throne,

Before the lustre fading mid-day sun;

And holy saints exulting to salute

And greet their Lord's approach with joyful shout,
While the shrill trumpet sounds to bid the dead
Arise, and be to meet their Judge prepar❜d.
Then all mankind shall quickly re-appear,
And be arraign'd before His righteous bar,
The Jew, the Gentile, Turk, and Christian,
Together brought to meet their final doom,

* See Matthew chap. xxv.

The rich, the poor, be favored alike,

As spent their days, of joy or wo partake.
He with unerring hand will separate

The wicked from the good ;-discriminate,
By keen research, who have His faithful been
According to effulgence given them;

And on His right-hand will the righteous place;
To occupy the left the wicked force.

The sentence justice Him requires to give
Then each shall from His heav'nly lips receive;
The righteous first in sweetest accents hear,
Him Judge, Him Saviour, thus His love declare,
"Ye blessed children of My Father come,

"Possess the kingdom, as your rightful own,

66

Which, ere this worldly system sprang to view, By your Creator was prepar'd for you. "Your strict adherence to My holy word, "Your faith in Me, shall meet a rich reward; "When food was wanted, you that want suppli'd, "When drink I lack'd, My parching thirst allay'd; "Were clothes desir'd My trembling limbs to warm, ""Twas by your kindness I was kept from harm; "Should ranc'rous malice Me to prison send,

""Twas among you I found a faithful friend;

"Afflicted with disease, and racking pain, "Relief being yours, I never crav'd in vain." Surpris'd they ask, "Lord whene'er saw we Thee

"Sick, or in prison, or necessity ?"

My faithful brethren, let Me you remind,

"That to distress you always have been kind;

"Your hearts but beat benevolence and love,
"To aid the needy still you daily strove;
"When at your doors appear'd pale poverty,
"Had you to give her want had a supply;
"Thus to your neighbours having charity,
"Is same as though conferr'd upon Me,
"Ascend you now to everlasting life

"To rest from labour, discord, pain, or strife,
"With saints and angels dwell in heavn'ly bliss,
"In perfect love, perpetual happiness."

Then to the left with solemn look He'll turn,

And to the harden'd sinners thus resume,

66

Depart from Me, ye impious! Ye profane!

"Your worldly pleasures now, are past and gone; "To supplicating want you gave no heed, "Alone your care was pamper'd selves to feed ; "You revell'd in licentious luxury,

"Despis'd the objects needing charity; "The nak'd, the hungry, the oppressed poor, "Abus'd, unserv'd, dismiss'd were from your door: "But you got wealth you car'd not who were sent "To beg for bread through misery and want." This awful sentence heard, the impious say, "Lord! when did we see You to make us know, "You were an hunger'd, needing charity, "Uncloth'd, or thirsty, through necessity?" "You saw My brethren, knew they were in grief, "You knew they came to you to ask relief, "But to distress was turn'd the deafen'd ear,

"They were dismiss'd unworthy of your care;