--In my class I professed the enjoyment of the sanctifying
influences of the Holy Spirit; and, blessed be God, though I hold the
blessing feebly, I do hold it; but the cry of my soul is, fill me with
all the life of God."
[The following lines, written after reading a piece in favour of snuff
and tobacco, will be edifying to smokers.]
While some prefer the quid, and some the smell;
There are who think that smoke doth both excel,
I smile to see these votaries so misled,
And think their several tastes are idly bred.
Perchance one, here and there, may virtue find,
In 'bacco' fumes, when much perplexed with wind.
But sure, the human frame, frail as it is,
Is not so subject to the qualms as this;
Three times a day to need the burning herb,
To cure the evils which so much disturb.
'Tis since the fall, an idol demon tries,
By sophisms deep, to close the wise man's eyes.
While musing on the sacred word, they plead
The blessing of the mind composing weed;
Thus join their idol with Divinity,
Whose mandate is, "No other God but Me."
But hear them plead their failing cause again;
"It recreates the powers to work amain,
Dispels the phlegm, which on the stomach lay,
And fits us for the labours of the day."
But will not prayer, and reading recreate,
Much more than smoking thus in idle state?
And exercise effect more lasting good,
If they complain of undigested food I
O be resolved, ye smoking sinners, do
Forsake your idol, and your God pursue:
Deny yourselves, and nobly bear the cross,
Esteeming all for Christ but dung and dross.
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