Let not dire disappointment's sting

Disturb and vex your mind.

This world is false, and friends are few,

But God is just and kind.

All this world's riches, when possess'd,

No happiness can give.

True happiness to be enjoy'd,

Depends on how we live.

How many a youth to folly prone,

Misguided day by day,

Thro' slipp'ry paths, by specious ills,

With ease is led astray!

And as by bad examples we

Can no advantage reap,

Be careful always to observe

What company you keep.

For Heav'n's great Ledger record bears

Of all our actions here,

In youth, in manhood, and old age,

The whole is written there.

In all your dealings with mankind

Be honest, just, and true,

Doing to others, as you would

That they should do to you.

Obey your Bible—it contains

Such precepts firm and sure,

A thousand volumes, when perus'd,

Can not instruct you more.

These rules observ'd, you will not err,

Nor miss the heav'nly goal,

And when death cuts life's brittle thread,

Heav'n will receive your soul.

THE HAPPY MAN.

SAY, thro' all creation's plan,

What can make a happy man!

Where's the perfect, just, and wise!

Is there such beneath the skies?

God hath giv'n me sense to know,

Hands to work, and feet to go,

Mind to think, and eyes to see,

He is bountiful to me.

Teach me, Heav'n! while here below,

How to act, and what to do;

Give me pow'r, and teach me, still,

How I may obey thy will.

What religion I am taught,

Let me use it as I ought.
Never let me be inclin'd,

To accuse and damn mankind;

But by thy righteous precepts learn,

Thou canst best our faults discern.

No opinion let me have,

But what tends my soul to save.

Mad opinions let me shun:

Many are by these undone.

God, whose works in order shine, Knows alone his grand design.

All, if rightly understood,

Working for the gen'ral good.

Can I then his order blame,

Scorn his works, decry his fame,

And his mighty power defy?
Foolish mortal! What am I?

If it please him to bestow
Any gift to what I know;
Let me gratefully confess,
I enjoy more happiness.

If I keep my conscience clear,

And no guilty spots appear,

Nought of boasting, nought of pride,
Taking virtue for my guide:

Due observance of God's plan,
Where can be a happier man?
Still forgiving, still forgiv'n,
Here content, and blest in Heav'n.

COME Sweet content! best gift of bounteous Heav'n.
Correct my mind, and bend my stubborn ways;
'Tis thou alone canst make life's journey even,
And crown with happiness my future days.

Why should I grieve or murmur at my lot?
Why disobedient to the Heav'nly will?

I cannot turn my thoughts where God is not,
He is my comfort and my refuge still.

Blest with content, I will observe his ways;
On earth I can no greater blessing find;
Serene and calm, thus let me spend my days,

And banish discontentment from my

mind.