Regeneration.

FIRST STATE OF REGENERATION.

There is a world-the world of mind,
By neither time nor space confined;
And when we cease in flesh to dwell,
That world will be our heaven or hell.

By fallen nature, 'tis, alas!

A rude, chaotic, shapeless mass ;*
Devoid of goodness, truth, or light,
And veil'd in blackest shades of night.

But He who gave creation birth,

Can re-create this mental earth;

For this His spirit, like a dove,t
Broods o'er our secret thoughts in love.

If we consent to be renew'd,

And wish our evil lusts subdued ;

"Let there be light," He says, and straight
We see our low disorder'd state.

*And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. Gen. i. 2.

And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Gen. i. 2.

Regeneration.

Then do we seek to know the Lord,
Receive instruction from His word;
While He divides the day from night,
And we proceed from shade to light.

Lord, let thy spirit, like a dove,
Brood over all our souls in love,
Then give us light our state to see,
And we will give the praise to thee.

SECOND STATE OF REGENERATION.

Our God can re-create,
And form the soul anew;
And all who will co-operate,

Shall find His promise true.

When we permit His light
Our evils to reprove,
And then those evils boldly fight,
He will the whole remove.

Though hard the contest prove,
And doubtful seem the fray,

He hovers o'er us with his love,

Till we have gain'd the day.

Regeneration.

The Lord will then create

A firmament sublime,

Celestial thoughts to separate

From those of sense and time.

We then no more believe

The work to be our own;

But all of good that we receive
Ascribe to God alone.

Thus will a second birth
Form heaven in the soul,

And man, a new created earth,
In order's orbit roll.

FINIS.