"Divide and conquer;" this his motto, proves
A nation once divided, quickly falls
An easy prey, to some famed demagogue;
Who with fierce hand, soon at her vitals aims
A deadly blow, and binds her fast in chains.
See Austrian fields o'erspread with crimson gore,
And thousands slain, to glut a tyrant's rage:
What horrid carnage was at Jena seen!
At such dire scenes humanity recoils.
This empire once renowned for deeds of fame,
Now curtailed, tot'ring, scarce deserves the name
Of empire; her glory's took its flight,
She's now but Napoleon's satellite.
Francis, the Emperor, as the spaniel mean,
Crouching beneath his master's feet is seen:
Ingloriously he quit the noble strife,
And to reward a tyrant gave a wife.
This novel scene must strike all with surprise,
His daughter fell a willing sacrifice:
She took the tyrant's hand, it's understood,
Tho' late 'twas reeking with her country's blood;
Louisa yields, and takes Josephine's place,
And thus completes her father's foul disgrace.
Hail Columbia, blest with peace,
With freedom, and a vast increase
Of wealth and population too;
This with the rising year we view.
When we contrast our situation
With wretched Europe's every nation,
And whilst we view the direful scene,
See the Atlantic roll between,
* The name of his wife then living, a woman of an unblemished character. He obtained a fortune with her of near a million of dollars.
(A barrier, tyrants should they pass,
They'll surely meet disgrace at last,)
Our hymns of gratitude should rise,
As grateful incense to the skies,
For blessings which to us are given,
Whilst the dire thunderbolts of heaven
O'er Europe's hapless land are spread;
And thousands numbered with the dead;
Grim tyranny, with horrid mien,
Over their blood-stained fields is seen;
And whilst they hear their cannon thunder,
We here in peace our people number.
Once in ten years, our happy nation
Takes an account of population;
Our constitution this requires,
And this our nation now desires.
'Tis not through pride or ostentation,
That freemen number thus their nation;
'Tis done, we find, to regulate
Members of Congress from each state:
Each state in Union sends its members,
Just in proportion to its numbers;
'Tis the cement which now we gather,
To hold our federal states together.
And yet some people, strange to tell,
That in this favoured land do dwell,
Say numbering is a heinous sin,
Which will on us sore judgments bring.
One single text such people rest on,
Without considering its connection.*
In the 18th chapter of the second book of Samuel, we find tha David numbered the people provions to his attacking Absalom's army, and a brilliant victory ensued; Absalom was slain, and he regained his crown: but in the 24th chapter of the same book, we find a sore judgment followed his causing the people to be numbered. The explanation given on this subject, by a celebrated divine, Mr. Ostervald, is as follows:-"David sinned in causing the people to be numbered, because
If such would read the scriptures through,
And take a fair impartial view
Of all they on this subject find,
No doubt they soon would change their mind.
They'd find a favourite of heaven,
When the command to him was given,
"Go, number the people through the land,"*
Quickly obeyed his God's command.
The book of Numbers, it is plain,
From frequent numb'ring took its name;
And it was prophesied of old,
As scripture does to us unfold,
That the Messiah, God of all,
Who deigned to tread this earthly ball,
In Judah's tribe, that favoured race,
Would condescend to take a place;
From David's line he must descend,
And thus become the sinner's friend;
And that this fully might appear,
The tribes were numbered every year;
Their genealogy taken too,
This prophecy more plain to shew.
Numb'ring in ancient times began,
Then down the stream of time it ran;
Let us the custom still enforce,
And help to propagate its course,
Long may our happy land be blest,
And be a refuge for the oppressed;
he then did it without its being necessary, and contrary to the command of God, and from a principle of pride; and his guilt was the greater, as he had been by Joab and by his other officers, warned of the sin and danger of what he was going to do. This will serve to shew us. that we may sin, not only by doing things in themselves sinful, but even things in themselves innocent, when done in a manner that God approves not of, or from a bad principle."
* See the first chapter of Numbers.
May countries filled with savage foes,
Soon bud and blossom as the rose;
Where savage yells now rend the skies,
May splendid cities soon arise;
From Europe, Asia, Africa,
May fettered millions be set free;
And serve to swell our numbers high,
That we the world's slaves may defy.
Epigram on reading an illnatured criticism.
Cynical critics strive to wound,
As hungry flies I'll state them;
They, when no sores are to be found,
Will bite, and strive to make them.
A Dialogue between a Stranger and a Citizen of NewBrunswick, on seeing the Dutch people engaged in pulling down their Church and Steeple.
What's this I see? the Brunswick people
Pulling down their Church and Steeple!
There's no decay, all sound appears;
This scene a gloomy aspect wears.
Will they not hear the Gospel sound?
Does infidelity abound?
This truly is a direful scene,
Come tell me, sir, what does this mean?
This novel scene you now behold,
With pleasure I'll to you unfold;
Dispel your fears, you need not grieve,
Appearances do oft deceive.
'Tis not all gold that glitt'ring cheers,
Nor yet all dross that so appears:
This Church, o'er which you now lament,
Such an increase to it was sent,
Its pious members did complain,
The building would not near contain
This great, this thriving congregation,
Which have this favoured situation:
Resolved it never should be said,
That with a Condict* at their head,
Their flock should wander from the fold,
And cease to be with them enrolled.
Then with a pious zeal inspired,
A zeal which long will be admired,
Resolved this building to erase,
And build another in its place;
A spacious temple soon they 'll raise,
In which they long will pray and praise
Our great Almighty, sovereign King;
And there loud Hallelujahs sing.
Forgive my rashness, sir, I pray,
My mind 's relieved by what you say:
I was distressed to see your people
Pulling down their Church and steeple;
But now,
from what you 've said, I find
They 're as a band of brothers joined
In a good work, as does appear,
And if king Solomon were here,
He 'd no doubt join, with heart and hand
This zealous and much-favoured band.
And that a gracious God would bless,
And crown their labours with success,
Believe me, sir, is the most fervent
Prayer of your very humble servant,
Their much-beloved Pastor.
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