Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

THERE is not a more pleasing exercise of the

mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction, that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance. It is not like the practice of many other virtues, difficult, and painful, but attended with so much pleasure, that were there no positive command which enjoined it, nor any recompense laid up for it hereafter, a generous mind would indulge in it for the natural gratification that accompanies it.

If gratitude is due from man to man, how much more from man to his Maker? The Supreme Being VOL. VIII.

3594

to (RECAP)

does not only confer upon us those bounties which proceed more immediately from his hand, but even those benefits which are conveyed to us by others. Every blessing we enjoy, by what means soever it be derived upon us, is the gift of Him who is the great Author of good, and Father of mercies.

may

If gratitude, when exerted towards one another naturally produces a very pleasing sensation in the mind of a grateful man, it exalts the soul into rapture when it is employed on this great object of gratitude; on this beneficent Being who has given us every thing we already possess, and from whom we expect every thing we yet hope for.

Most of the works of the Pagan poets were either direct hymns to their deities, or tended indirectly to the celebration of their respective attributes and perfections. Those who are acquainted with the works of the Greek and Latin poets, which are still extant, will, upon reflection, find this observation so true, that I shall not enlarge upon it. One would wonder that more of our Christian poets have not turned their thoughts this way, especially if we consider that our idea of the Supreme Being is not only infinitely more great and noble than what could possibly enter into the heart of an heathen, but filled with every thing that can raise the imagination, and give an opportunity for the sublimest thoughts and conceptions.

Plutarch tells us of an heathen who was singing an hymn to Diana, in which he celebrated her for her delight in human sacrifices, and other instances of cruelty and revenge; upon which a poet who was present at this piece of devotion, and seems to have had a truer idea of the Divine Nature, told the votary, by way of reproof, that, in recompense for his hymn, he heartily

wished he might have a daughter of the same temper with the goddess he celebrated. It was indeed impossible to write the praises of one of those false deities, according to the Pagan creed, without a mixture of impertinence and absurdity.

The Jews, who, before the time of Christianity, were the only people that had the knowledge of the true God, have set the Christian world an example how they ought to employ this divine talent of which I am speaking. As that nation produced men of great genius, without considering them as inspired writers, they have transmitted to us many hymns and divine odes, which excell those that are delivered down to us by the ancient Greeks and Romans, in the poetry, as much as in the subject to which it was consecrated. This I think might be easily shown, if there were occasion for it.

I have already communicated to the public some pieces of divine poetry, and, as they have met with a very favorable reception, I shall from time to time publish any work of the same nature which has not yet appeared in print, and may be acceptable to my rea ders.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

" Through hidden dangers, toils, and deaths, 'It gently clear'd my way,

And through the pleasing snares of vice, 'More to be fear'd than they.

VIII.

'When worn with sickness, oft hast thou With health renew'd my face,

"And when in sins and sorrows sunk,

• Reviv'd my soul with grace.

IX.

'Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss

'Has made my cup run o'er,

'And in a kind and faithful friend

'Has doubled all my store.

X.

Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Sine me, vacioum tempus ne quod dem mihi laboris.

TER. Heaut. act. 1. sc. 1,

Give me leave to allow myself no respite from labor.

It is an inexpressible pleasure to know a little of

the world; and be of no character or significancy in it. To be ever unconcerned, and ever looking on new objects with an endless curiosity, is a delight known only to those who are turned for speculation; nry, they who enjoy it most, value things only as they are the objects of speculation, without drawing any worldly advantage to themselves from them, but just as they are what contribute to their amusement, or the improvement of the mind. I lay one night last VOL. VIII.

2

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »