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156

The American Female Slave.

For the children of her love,

For the brothers of her race,
Sisters, like vine-branches wove,
In one early dwelling place-

For the parent forms that hung
Fondly o'er her infant sleep,
And for him to whom she clung,
With affection true and deep-

By her sad forsaken hearth,

"T is for these she wildly grieves ! Now all scattered o'er the earth,

Like the wind-strewn autumn leaves!

His wife from her bower,

Will look forth in her sorrow,

But he ne'er shall return :

To her hope of to-morrow:

Alas for the white man! o'er deserts a ranger,-
No more shall we welcome the white-bosomed stranger.

Oh, loved of the Lotus,

Thy waters adorning !

Pour, Joliba! pour

Thy full streams to the mourning!

The Halcyon may take

Thy light wave for her pillow,

But wo to the white man,

That trusts to thy billow:

Alas for the white man! o'er deserts a ranger,

No more shall we welcome the white-bosomed stranger.

The American Female Slave.

Ev'n her babes so dear, so young,

And so treasured in her heart,

That the cords which round them clung,
Seemed its life, its dearest part—

These, ev'n these where torn away!
These, that when all else were gone,
Cheered the heart, with one bright ray,
That still bade its pulse beat on!

Then to still her frantic wo,

The inhuman scourge was tried,
Till the tears that ceased to flow,
Were with redder drops supplied.

And can you behold unmoved,
All the crushing weight of grief,
That her aching heart has proved,
Seeking not to yield relief?

Are not woman's pulses warm,
Beating in that anguished breast?

Is it not a sister's form,

On whose limbs those fetters rest?

Oh then save her from a doom,
Worse than aught that ye may bear;

Let her pass not to the tomb,
Midst her bondage and despair.

157

Abolition of the Foreign Slave Trade.

LXXXVIII.*

To Thee, Almighty, gracious power,
Who sit'st, enthroned, in radiant heaven,
On this blessed morn, this hallowed hour,
The homage of the heart be given!

The nations heard his loud commands !
Britannia kindly sets us free;
Columbia rends the galling bands,

And gives the sweets of Liberty.

Then strike the lyre:-your voices raise !
Let gratitude inspire your song;
Pursue religion's holy ways,

Shun sinful pleasure's giddy throng;

Then, we our freedom shall retain,
In peace, and love, and cheerful toil,
And plenty cheer us from the main,

And golden harvests from the soil.

* Sung at the Boston celebration of the Abolition of the Foreign Slave Trade, July 14, 1808. Sermon by Jedediah Morse, D. D. Remainder of the services by Rev. Mr. Blood, Rev. Mr. Channing, and Rev. Mr. Codman.

To the Advocates of Emancipation.

Ye nations that to us restore

The rights that God bestowed on all
For you his blessing we implore;
O listen further to his call!

From one paternal stem ye spring,

A kindred blood your bosoms own, Your kindred tongues God's praises sing, And beg forgiveness at his throne.

O then, your mutual wrongs forgive!
Unlock your hearts to social love,
So shall ye safe and happy live,
By grace and blessings from above.

To the Advocates of Emancipation.

LXXXIX.

KELLEY.

MEN of God, go take your stations,
Darkness reigns throughout the earth ;

Go, proclaim among the nations

Joyful news of heavenly birth;

159

160

To the Advocates of Emancipation.

Bear the tidings

Of the Saviour's matchless worth.

Of his Gospel not ashamed,

As the power of God to save,'
Go, where Christ was never named,
Publish freedom to the slave!

Blessed freedom!

Such as Zion's children have.

When exposed to fearful dangers,
Jesus will his own defend;

Borne afar 'midst foes and strangers,
Jesus will appear your friend,

And his presence

Shall be with you to the end.

We shall not assume it as a fact in mental science, that the pow er of truth upon a sinner's conscience, depends on his not suspecting that we desire his self-application of it. We shall not deem it an unpardonable personality to say to the titled transgressor- Thou art the man'—nor evidence of an unchristian spirit, to use the language of Christ-nor' vituperation,' to 'speak the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth'-nor headstrong to persevere,' whether men will hear or whether they will forbear '-nor unduly censorious' to censure whom truth and scripture censure-nor too denunciatory to announce God's revealed judgments-nor too harsh to say, 'Wo to the wicked,' when He commands us to say 'Wo to the wicked '— nor rash to stand where Omnipotent Justice and Mercy stand-nor imprudent to abide under the shadow of the Almighty.-William Goodell.

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