Of but one Slave-when shouting first-" I'm free,” When feeling first thy charms-O Liberty!

Think he was one-(how many such have been)——— Who in its bitterest form had Slavery seen, Woe heaped on woe-his hard, his constant lot: Chains-lashes-tasks-had made the earth a spot Watered by tears-till tears no more could rise, His anguish bursting in low groans and sighs: What new delight—what transport must he know, To feel at last there comes an end to woe: "I yet shall live to find some sweets in life, "To know a ceasing from this bosom-strife"To be a man-to be a Christian too,

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And daily toils with grateful heart pursue ;

I yet shall live to bless the Lord who gave "Force to the language-Liberate the Slave;'

Who nerved the arm-encouraged to the fight, "And darkened minds illumined with his light,—

"I yet shall live-delightful thought! to pray

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For those who toiled-for those who led the way—

England!-no longer slave-a freeman bears

Thee on his heart-thy sons in all his prayers! Such well might be the language of a tongue

To tune thy praises-Liberty! unstrung;

""

Not thine, O England! deep and foul this stain
Long on thy scutcheon, blushing shall remain-
Not thine, O England! far too long deferred
Has been the right-Oh! that the precious word
In years gone by had those poor wanderers taught,
How long ere this had they to Christ been brought;
How many a wounded—many an aching breast
Had known the solace of the Christian's rest-
Had known in trouble what a sweet relief
Leaning on JESUS yields to every grief:-
But not too much should we lament time gone,
Christian! enough remains-time hastens on;
Now that the body's free-care for the soul,
And strive to make the sick and wounded whole;
Thousands of Slaves remain-the slaves of sin,
And many a Negro's heart is as his skin:
If thou hast felt the blackness of thine own,
His claim to fellowship thou'lt not disown,
Nor deem the hour for triumph fully thine
Till Gospel light in every bosom shine.

9th Mo, 2nd, 1834.

T. L. L.

ODE TO BRITAIN,

ON THE EXTINCTION OF COLONIAL SLAVERY,

AUGUST THE FIRST, M.DCCC.XXXIV.

HAIL Britain, hail! thy glorious deeds are known, Thy science, commerce, empire, spread thy fame; All nations thee, their benefactress own,

Their sons of sorrow thy good works proclaim!

Thy riches vast, derived from every clime,

Supplied from every people, every shore;

Nor least by western isles, through lengthen'd time Their sweets, and gems, and gold augment thy store.

But Justice, Truth, Religion, how betrayed!
By Christian Britain! with an iron rod
Enslaving thousands, while her boast she made

Of blood-bought freedom,—thus insulting God.

Sad sons of Afric! injured Negro race!

Allured, enchained, and sold for brutal toil! Their blood in mortal labours, seals disgrace On Britain! asking vengeance on our Isle.

Israel in Egypt, once in slavery bound,

While Israel's God was mindful of their groans, By cries to Heaven, a strong Avenger found

Who hurled the impious tyrants from their thrones.

Britain! was Egypt guilty more than thou?

Was she enriched with favours more from God? Had she more light divine than thou hast now? That she was crushed beneath th' Almighty's rod.

Egypt was spoiled through judgments wise and just:
Her harvest-first-born-monarch-army-slain!
Her strength and glory humbled to the dust,
No more to rise to power supreme again!

Great Babylon, majestic, pompous, proud,

Enslaved the nations,―Judah was her prey! But Nebo, Bel, her Gods, and kings, and crowd, Fell at Jehovah's stroke, on His dread day.

The prayer of righteous Daniel pierced the skies, Availed with God, and brought His anger down: His people found new favour in His eyes;

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Their tyrants perished at His mighty frown.

Cyrus, my shepherd, my decrees fulfil,

"Let go my captives freely, without price; "They shall return to Zion's holy hill,

"Rebuild my Fane, and in my laws rejoice.

Magnificence in Babel's lofty towers,

*

As God decreed, has perished from the earth; Her desolations! what could human powers! Now lessons give to those of noble birth.

Why was not guilty Britain swept from earth?
Her crimes, oppressions, and the trade of souls!
Deeds marked with blood of millions deserv'd wrath,
The vengeance of incensed, Almighty God!

As Lot in Sodom-righteous men in thee,
By prayer effectual turned that wrath away;
With heaven-born zeal to set the oppressed free,
They fought with impious avarice day by day.

* Isaiah, chap. 44, ver. 28; chap. 45, ver. 1, 4, 13.