p. 1 | EARLY RISING AND PRAYER

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 2, 1858

EARLY RISING AND PRAYER.

By Henry Vaughan, the Silurist.

When first thy eyes unveil, give thy soul leave To do the like; our bodies but forerun The spirit's duty; true hearts spread and heave Unto their God, as flowers do to the sun. Give him thy first thoughts then, so shall thou keep Him company all day, and in him sleep.

Yet never sleep the sun up; prayer should Dawn with the day; there are set awful hours 'Twixt heaven and us; the manna was not good After sun-rising; for day sullies flowers; Rise to prevent the sun; sleep doth sins glut, And heaven's gate opens when the world's is shut.

Walk with thy fellow-creatures; note the hush And whispering amongst them. Not a spring Or leaf but hath his morning hymn; each bush And oak doth know I AM. Canst thou not sing! O leave thy cares and follies! Go this way, And thou art sure to prosper all the day.

Serve God before the world; let him not go Until thou hast a blessing; then resign The whole unto him, and remember who Prevailed by wrestling ere the sun did shine; Pour oil upon the stones, weep for thy sin, Then journey on, and have an eye to heav'n.

Mornings are mysteries; the first, the world's youth, Man's resurrection, and the future's bud, Shroud in their births; the crown of life, light, truth, Is styled their star; the stone and hidden food: Three blessings wait upon them, one of which Should move—they make us holy, happy, rich.

When the world's up, and every swarm abroad, Keep well thy temper, mix not with each clay; Despatch necessities; life hath a load Which must be carried on, and safely may; Yet keep those cares without thee; let the heart Be God's alone, and choose the better part. [Henry Vaughan, the Silurist.