THE BIBLE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 36, 11 February 1871, Page 2

THE BIBLE.

0 Advance has been the watchword, by which our fathers led A countless host of worthies, a glorious path to tread. They fouplit and bled for freedom, to serve their God aright, And strength irom heaven was given to conquer might by right. The Bible was their charter, their standard and their tun, And by their blessed precepts their race fcr heiven was run. Raised by the Bible's lever from superstition's mire, Our country once so sunken, shines like a Beacon fire ; And light has chased the darkness, and night has turned to day, Till in freedom and religion we learn the glorious way. The Bible, &c. Though fome, with zeal mistaken would _>eek its light to quench, And from the hands that clasp it, the precious treasure wrench ; Though tht-y esteem it lightly, and hide it from their view, And with crafty words .will tell you 'tis not for such as you. 1 f The Bible, &c. Beware ! beware !' 0 England ! nor e'er consent again Your liberty to barter, for a rusty Popish chain ; Dare to assert your freedom of 'hearing, thought, and speech, And give no heed or credit but to what the Scriptures teach. The Bible, &c. Let not the fragrant incenses, or sweetest music strain, In all tlieir soft luxuriance, over your senses giiin ; Offer no vain oblation, for God will not receive A mocking of devotion for what the heart can give. The Bible, &c. , Believe not, 0 believe not, the specious words of th'-se Who pray to saints and angels, and the son of God depose j Not many though so blessed, on our behalf can plead, But Jesus, Jesus, only, has the power to intercede. The Bible, &c. Oh England, favored England, a dark, portentous cloud Is looming in the distance, thy punny homes to shroud ; But prayer can move the band that can move the cloud away, Oh England's sons and daughters, would you keep your birthright ? pray ! The Bible, &c. Pray, too, for those deluded— the blind led by the blind, Who with forms and service cumbered, no hallowed rest can find ; Give them thy pease, Lord Jesus j their darkness now disperse. And now remove in mercy their self-inflicted curse. May the Bible be their- charter, their standard, and their sun, Till we all shall meet in heaven, through Christ the victory won. Their Bible was their watchword, their standard and their sun, And by its blessed precepts their race for heaven was run.