第9章
'Tis much to be lamented, for I fear The same they learn from what they daily hear;Be careful then, and don't instruct them so, For fear you prove their dismal overthrow.
Both young and old, that dreadful sin forbear;The tongue of man was never made to swear, But to adore and praise the blessed name, By whom alone our dear salvation came.
Pride is another reigning sin likewise;
Let us behold in what a strange disguise Young damsels do appear, both rich and poor;The like was ne'er in any age before.
What artificial ornaments they wear, Black patches, paint, and locks of powdered hair;Likewise in lofty hoops they are arrayed, As if they would correct what God had made.
Yet let 'em know, for all those youthful charms, They must lie down in death's cold frozen arms!
Oh think on this, and raise your thoughts above The sin of pride, which you so dearly love.
Likewise, the wilful sinners that transgress The righteous laws of God by drunkenness, They do abuse the creatures which were sent Purely for man's refreshing nourishment.
Many diseases doth that sin attend, But what is worst of all, the fatal end:
Let not the pleasures of a quaffing bowl Destroy and stupify thy active soul.
Perhaps the jovial drunkard over night, May seem to reap the pleasures of delight, While for his wine he doth in plenty call;But oh! the sting of conscience, after all, Is like a gnawing worm upon the mind.
Then if you would the peace of conscience find, A sober conversation learn with speed, For that's the sweetest life that man can lead.
Be careful that thou art not drawn away, By foolishness, to break the Sabbath-day;Be constant at the pious house of prayer, That thou mayst learn the christian duties there.
For tell me, wherefore should we carp and care For what we eat and drink, and what we wear;And the meanwhile our fainting souls exclude From that refreshing sweet celestial food?
Yet so it is, we, by experience, find Many young wanton gallants seldom mind The church of God, but scornfully deride That sacred word by which they must be tried.
A tavern, or an alehouse, they adore, And will not come within the church before They're brought to lodge under a silent tomb, And then who knows how dismal is their doom!
Though for awhile, perhaps, they flourish here, And seem to scorn the very thoughts of fear, Yet when they're summoned to resign their breath, They can't outbrave the bitter stroke of death!
Consider this, young gallants, whilst you may, Swift-winged time and tide for none will stay;And therefore let it be your christian care, To serve the Lord, and for your death prepare.
There is another crying sin likewise:
Behold young gallants cast their wanton eyes On painted harlots, which they often meet At every creek and corner of the street, By whom they are like dismal captives led To their destruction; grace and fear is fled, Till at the length they find themselves betrayed, And for that sin most sad examples made.
Then, then, perhaps, in bitter tears they'll cry, With wringing hands, against their company, Which did betray them to that dismal state!
Consider this before it is too late.
Likewise, sons and daughters, far and near, Honour your loving friends, and parents dear;Let not your disobedience grieve them so, Nor cause their aged eyes with tears to flow.
What a heart-breaking sorrow it must be, To dear indulgent parents, when they see Their stubborn children wilfully run on Against the wholesome laws of God and man!
Oh! let these things a deep impression make Upon your hearts, with speed your sins forsake;For, true it is, the Lord will never bless Those children that do wilfully transgress.
Now, to conclude, both young and old I pray, Reform your sinful lives this very day, That God in mercy may his love extend, And bring the nation's troubles to an end.
Poem: SMOKING SPIRITUALIZED.
[THE following old poem was long ascribed, on apparently sufficient grounds, to the Rev. Ralph Erskine, or, as he designated himself, 'Ralph Erskine, V.D.M.' The peasantry throughout the north of England always call it 'Erskine's song,' and not only is his name given as the author in numerous chap-books, but in his own volume of GOSPEL SONNETS, from an early copy of which our version is transcribed. The discovery however, by Mr. Collier, of the First Part in a MS. temp. Jac. I., with the initials G. W. affixed to it, has disposed of Erskine's claim to the honour of the entire authorship. G. W. is supposed to be George Withers; but this is purely conjectural; and it is not at all improbable that G. W.
really stands for W. G., as it was a common practice amongst anonymous writers to reverse their initials. The history, then, of the poem, seems to be this: that the First Part, as it is now printed, originally constituted the whole production, being complete in itself; that the Second Part was afterwards added by the Rev. Ralph Erskine; and that both parts came subsequently to be ascribed to him, as his was the only name published in connexion with the song. The Rev. Ralph Erskine was born at Monilaws, Northumberland, on the 15th March, 1685. He was one of the thirty-three children of Ralph Erskine of Shieldfield, a family of repute descended from the ancient house of Marr. He was educated at the college in Edinburgh, obtained his licence to preach in June, 1709, and was ordained, on an unanimous invitation, over the church at Dunfermline in August, 1711. He was twice married: in 1714 to Margaret Dewar, daughter of the Laird of Lassodie, by whom he had five sons and five daughters, all of whom died in the prime of life; and in 1732 to Margaret, daughter of Mr. Simson of Edinburgh, by whom he had four sons, one of whom, with his wife, survived him.
He died in November, 1752. Erskine was the author of a great number of SERMONS; A PARAPHRASE ON THE CANTICLES; SCRIPTURE SONGS;A TREATISE ON MENTAL IMAGES; and GOSPEL SONNETS.