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A Slight SPECIMEN of MORAL SONGS,
_Such as I wish some happy and condescending Genius would undertake for the use of Children, and perform much better_.
The sense and subjects might be borrow'd plentifully from the _Proverbs of Solomon_, from all the common appearances of nature, from all the occurrences in the civil life, both in city and country: (which would also afford matter for other divine songs). Here the language and measures should be easy and flowing with cheerfulness, and without the solemnities of religion, or the sacred names of G.o.d and holy things; that children might find delight and profit together.
This would be one effectual way to deliver them from the temptation of loving and learning those idle, wanton or profane songs, which give so early an ill taint to the fancy and memory, and become the seeds of future vices.
_The Sluggard_.
1 'Tis the voice of the Sluggard. I heard him complain "You have waked me too soon! I must slumber again!"
As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed, Turns his sides, and his shoulders, and his heavy head.
2 "A little more sleep, and a little more slumber;"
Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number: And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands Or walks about sauntering, or trifling he stands.
3 I past by his garden, and saw the wild bryar The thorn and the thistle grow broader and higher: The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags; And his money still wasts, still he starves, or he begs.
4 I made him a visit, still hoping to find He had took better care for improving his mind: He told me his dreams, talk'd of eating and drinking, But he scarce reads his Bible, and never loves thinking.
5 Said I then to my heart, "Here's a lesson for me,"
That man's but a picture of what I might be: But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding: Who taught me betimes to love working and reading!
_Innocent Play_.
1 Abroad in the meadows to see the young lambs, Run sporting about by the side of their dams With fleeces so clean, and so white; Or a nest of young doves in a large open cage, When they play all in love without anger or rage, How much may we learn from the sight!
2 If we had been ducks, we might dabble in mud: Or dogs, we might play till it ended in blood; So foul, or so fierce are their natures.
But Thomas and William, and such pretty names, Should be cleanly and harmless as doves, or as lambs, Those lovely sweet innocent creatures.
3 Not a thing that we do, nor a word that we say, Should injure another in jesting or play; For he's still in earnest that's hurt.
How rude are the boys that throw pebbles and mire!
There's none but a mad-man will fling about fire, And tell you, "`Tis all but in sport."
The End.
The TABLE.
1. A General Song of Praise to G.o.d.
2. Praise for Creation and Providence.
3. Praise to G.o.d for our Redemption.
4. Praise for mercies Spiritual and Temporal.
5. Praise for Birth and Education in a Christian Land.
6. Praise for the Gospel.
7. The Excellency of the Bible.
8. Praise to G.o.d for learning to read.
9. The All-seeing G.o.d.
10. Solemn Thoughts of G.o.d and Death.
11. Heaven and h.e.l.l.
12. The Advantages of early Religion.
13. The Danger of Delays.
14. Examples of early Piety.
15. Against lying.
16. Against Quarrelling and Fighting.
17. Love between Brothers and Sisters.
18. Against scoffing and calling Names.
19. Against swearing and cursing, and taking G.o.d's Name in vain.
20. Against Idleness and Mischief.
21. Against Evil Company.
22. Against Pride in Clothes.
23. Obedience to Parents.
24. The Child's Complaint.
25. A Morning Song.
26. An Evening Song.
27. An Hymn for the Lord's Day Morning.
28. An Hymn for the Lord's Day Evening.
The Ten Commandments.
The Sum of the Commandments.
Our Saviour's Golden Rule.
Duty to G.o.d and our Neighbour.
The Hosanna in Long Metre.
in Common Metre.
in Short Metre.
Glory to the Father in Long Metre.
in Common Metre.
in Short Metre.
A slight Specimen of Moral Songs, viz.
The Sluggard.
Innocent Play.
The End of the Table.
ADDENDUM to the Moral Songs.
Transcriber's Note.
In the 1715 edition, for the reasons explained by Watts in his Preface, there are only two moral songs, namely "The Sluggard" and "Innocent Play." Those added later are included in this Addendum.
The texts are from an 1866 printing in New York, posted into the public domain by the Christian Cla.s.sics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at
