NEW YORK WEEKLY MESSENGER.
HAIL! to thee, "WEEKLY MESSENGER !"—all hail! Once more we greet thy rising into life
Like Phoenix from its ashes.
Thou hast reposed--hast slept-perchance hast dreamed ;
But, thanks to that vivifick principle
Inherent in thy nature, thou hast come
Again to visit us with radiant smiles.
A deep sepulchral silence long has reigned
Since thy last visit. An hiatus, broad
And deep, has intervened, since thy rich page,
Well stored with intellectual food, has blessed
Our longing sight. At stated intervals.
We looked for thee, and welcomed the approach
Of our beloved hebdomadal; whose lore,
Of varied order,-Science, Literature,
Religion, Agriculture, Poësy,——
Impressed all hearts; instructed all who read;
And none was found to censure, or condemn.
-Yes, thy renascent life once more we greet
Now may'st thou live and thrive. May FOSTER-ing care
Protect, sustain and nourish thy new birth,
And long-oh, long-give thee a name to live!
Remembrance wakes the tear, at BADGER's name:
He was thy primum mobile, "lang syne."
His cultivated, classick, pious mind,
Ardent and potent in the cause of truth,
Long o'er thy page, like tutelary saint,
Presided. But, alas! by Heaven's high will,
He was bereft-afflicted-smitten—bruised !
-Where is he now ?-we know not where he is ;
But as the mantle of Elijah, seer,
On seer Elisha fell; so his descends
On other seers, with dignity who wear
His venerated mantle. Minds like his,
Bright with Castalian dew, thy cause espouse;
And kindred hearts with piety imbued,
And warmed alike with pure devotion's flame,
Spread o'er thy page an intellectual feast.
Then, who will not their coadjutors be?— Come, Sisters!-Brothers!—lend a hand with me; If, haply, we the Editorial toil
May somewhat lighten, not their lustre soil.
Where is that galaxy of stars, which, erst,
On the beholder's vision, radiant, burst?
Names, both to science and religion, dear,
Whose strains pathetick drew the unbidden tear :
Whose themes didactick held benign control
O'er every heart, and tranquilized each soul.
O, let these twinkling gems a purer ray
Beam in effulgence from their realms of day;
Dispense their mental treasures round the land,
And scatter blessings with a liberal hand;
Illume the mind that o'er these pages pores,
And light the path of him, to Heaven who soars
We cordial hail thee, "MESSENGER," again,
And say-Esto perpetuum thy reign!
Mt. Parnassus, Con., April, 1839.
TO MY BROTHER, REV. E. L. B.
ON THE SIXTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH:-AUG. 20, 1838.
EACH year, in its flight, brings a home-felt monition—
Zealously strive your salvation to gain;
Embrace proffered mercy-whate'er your condition,
King JESUS to save you, on Calvary was slain !
In this precious Saviour, then trust for salvation,-
Escape Satan's bondage,-prepare for the skies:
Lo! rapidly flies our short day of probation,-
Let nothing deter us from seizing the prize.
Youth is past-manhood fleeteth-old age overtakes us
Serenely we'll wait till the Saviour shall call :-
All praise to IMMANUEL, whose sacrifice makes us
Not fear to be clad in the shroud and the pall!
Delightful to view, those bright regions of glory,
Enrapturing the vision of Heavenly Light!
REDEMPTION IS PURCHASED! O let the glad story
Break over a world, doomed to sin's lurid night!
A day is approaching-the end of all sorrow;
Sin, Death, Hell are vanquished,—the Grave has no chain:
Celestial effulgence illumes that blest morrow-
Oh! swell the loud anthem to JESUS, whose sorrow
Made mortals IMMORTAL, and freed us from pain!
INSCRIBED TO MRS. L. A. E. OF PROVIDENCE, R. I.
LIFE's bright illusions, fancy drawn,
Youth's raptured gaze too oft arrest;
Dreams of delight the scene adorn,
In fancy's magick beauty dress'd.
As o'er Life's tide we joyous sail,
A shade of gloom oft clouds the scene;
No pilot's skill can brave the gale,—
None, but Religion's form serene.
Encircled by her mild control,
Let ocean-waves thy barque submerge;
Light beams on the despairing soul,-
IMMANUEL calms the angry surge!
Oh, lean on Him, whose arm can save
Thee from the dread o'erwhelming waye.
A TESTIMONIAL OF AFFECTION.
WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF MY NEPHEW.*
Ilere to record a Tuken of my Love
To thee, sole offspring of my Sister dear!
Nor needs this Record. For to mine, thy heart
Doth beat responsive!
Spirit of the Bless'd!
My loved ALMEDA! gently hover near!
In this dear youth thy semblance we behold.
Thy dying prayer, fraught with maternal love
And love connubial, high Heaven invoked
To bless thy spouse, " and smile on EDWIN too."
Thy prayer was heard. For, here remains thy son,
A monument of mercy and of grace.
-Not unto us, O Lord! not unto us,
But to thy name, be all the glory given!
Still, still Thy grace impart; protect Thy child; Grant him Thy guidance through this vale of tears; And in his Saviour's image may he rise
To dwell with Thee above.
Providence, June 24, 1839.
· THE LAST OF HIS FAMILY.
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