Classic Poem

Why doth all Nature wear an awful gloom?
And why, alas! exults yon distant tomb?
Why doth a sable cloud the sky o'er-spread?
W — — alas! seraphic W — — 's dead!
The Friend, the Christian, the approv'd Divine,
The Saint in whom the love of God did shine.
His tongue was touch'd with evangelic fire,
And heav'nly raptures did his soul inspire.
When forth into this world this Herald came,
Resolv'd to propagate I MMANUEL'S name;
To set his glory forth from pole to pole,
Were the capacious breathings of his soul.
He loudly did the Gospel trumpet sound,
Whilst thousands trembled as they stood around;
Proclaim'd the suff'rings of a dying God ,
And pointing sinners to his pard'ning blood,
Enforc'd to all the great necessity
Of knowing this — " The S AVIOUR dy'd for me. "
Thus was our nation bless'd with gospel truth,
Boldly deliver'd by this chosen Youth,
Who, with an heart inflam'd with J ESU'S love,
Caus'd God to pour his blessings from above.
But did this Champion — this Reverend Divine
His glorious mission to this isle confine?
No, no, his gracious Captain points the way
Beyond the seas, and W — — must obey;
For in his Maker's will he did rejoice,
Was all attention to his sacred voice.
When J ESUS bade o'er raging seas to pass,
Through vast America to sound his grace,
There like an Herald for the bleeding Lamb,
He went, and did the Negroes souls inflame.
Shew'd Ethiopians their Redeemer nigh,
To cleanse their spotted souls from deepest dye.
In such pathetic accents mov'd his tongue,
As rent and broke the very heart of stone.
Thus did he found his Maker's praise abroad,
A lab'rer in the vineyard of his God .
But now, Alas! his labours are all o'er,
The fields do eccho with his voice no more;
No more from his dear English friends he parts,
No more returns to animate their hearts,
But leaves ten thousand thousands to deplore
The death of him, who lives to die no more.
Let things inanimate his worth proclaim!
And shout from sea to sea his wond'rous name!
O ye nocturnal luminaries, tell
What love for souls did in his bosom dwell!
Say, say what nights this advocate with God
Spent, wrestling to avert th' impending rod.
Let fair A URORA in her turn declare,
How he preceded her by praise and pray'r.
Let churches, chapels, tabernacles tell,
Who e'er within their walls did him excel.
Let counties, cities, towns, and streets proclaim,
How faithfully he did the truth maintain.
Say, winds and waves, how oft the Saint ye've toss'd,
When he for God the great Atlantic cross'd?
And let the Continent abroad begin,
To tell what heav'nly news he there did bring;
How he explained the love of J ESU'S heart,
'Till sinners with their ev'ry sin did part.
Hell trembled when this god-like man arose,
And all its votaries commenc'd his foes.
Say, Prince Infernal, how inhanc'd thy ire,
When J ESUS did his W — — 's soul inspire;
When like a flaming Seraph round he flew,
Thy works, thy cause, thy kingdom overthrew?
Say, ye celestial Angels, how ye fled,
On willing wings, to guard his favour'd head.
Say, ev'ry Saint, how did your hearts rejoice,
When e'er ye heard the sound of W — — 's voice;
Well might each bosom sigh, each Christian weep,
When this seraphic Herald fell asleep.
But could we quit these tenements of clay,
And soar aloft into celestial day.
There faithful W — — may at once be found,
With an eternal wreath of glory crown'd,
And shouting loud Hosannahs to that God,
Who made him more than conqu'ror thro' his blood.
May we, like him, each breath for J ESUS spend,
Like W — — persevere unto the end,
Like him, sail thro' this life's tempestuous sea,
Fight the good fight, and gain the victory.
That, when the last tremendous trump shall found,
We in the wedding garment may be found;
With Angels, Saints, and favor'd W — — meet,
And ever worship at Immanuel's feet;
There sing the wonders of redeeming love,
With all the blood-bought company above.