TO THE CHRISTIANS OF BRANTFORD.

Christians of Brantford, list awhile,

An humble Rhymer speaks to you.

Perhaps the fact may cause a smile,

Though I speak not from motives vile,

But with your interest full in view.

You are engaged in warfare great

With that great sin which oft has made

A loving husband full of hate,

A young wife's beauty quickly fade,

And early death become her fate.

You have to grapple with that fiend

That oft has made poor children weep,

Bereft them too of every friend,

Who would unto their wants attend —

When they were sick afford relief.

You are engaged in mortal strife

With that huge serpent which ere now

Has poisoned all the joys of life,

Made many homes with discord rife,

And sunk poor human nature low.

With him that oft has torn away

The laurel from the Sons of Fame,

Caused them from Wisdom's paths to stray,

Has turned to darkness their bright day,

And covered them all o'er with shame.

Young as some are, all must have seen

His potent arm stretched forth to strike

As victims those who long had been

Striving on human aid to lean.

Mind friends you never do the like!

Oh, have you thought upon his power,

And learned how weak are mortal men

When brought into temptation's hour,

And “storms arise and tempests lower?”

The strong may even falter then.

And feeling weak have you been led

To put your trust in God alone,

Who with his bounteous hand hath fed

You all your lives, and in the stead

Of guilty man did sin atone?

If you have not done this before

O flee, my dear young friends, away

To Jesus Christ, the friend who bore

Our sins, that he might us restore

To God and Bliss and Endless Day.