A HYMN FOR DECEMBER 22, 1820.

*The second Centurial Anniversary of the landing of the*
*New-England Fathers at Plymouth.*

PART I.—Before Sermon.

GOD of our fathers—Zion's king!
With eye propitious now behold,
While in thy house thy praise we sing,
And celebrate thy works of old.

When Israel 'scaped from Pharaoh's hand,
Through seas and deserts bent their way,
God was their guide to Canaan's land,
Their fire by night, their cloud by day.

When sixteen centuries roll'd around,
Since Jesus bore the sinner's load
A new, and western world was found,
A refuge for the church of God.

Like Israel too, New-England's sires,
By cruel persecution driven,
Through dearths and desarts, seas and fires,
Followed the guiding hand of Heaven.

Religion bore their spirits up,
And smooth'd the roughness of their road;
Faith was their shield, their anchor, hope—
Their wealth—the Bible, and their God.

To Heaven, their home, their prayer ascends,
For pilgrims were they on the earth;
Exil'd from country, kindred, friends,
They sought the country of our birth.

For this they plough'd the wintry main,
And brav'd the dangers of the deep;
Cheerful and patient under pain,
For Christ was with them in the ship.

PART II.—After Sermon.

NOW, on Columbia's savage coast,
Escaped from shipwreck and from storm;
Behold the feeble, shivering host,
Their pious hearts alone were warm.

Heroic souls! New-England's pride;
For us, who could all dangers brave;
They toil'd, they pray'd, they bled, they died;
Nor found their rest, but in the grave.

But thou, O God, wast with them still,
Their toils and patience to approve;
Thy faithful promise to fulfil,
And pour the blessings of thy love.

This little vine thou didst defend,
And water with rich showers of grace;
Its clustering branches wide expand—
The pilgrims' numerous, happy race.

With grateful hearts and joyful eyes,
We hail the standard they unfurl'd;
O bid the church's seed to rise,
And fill with fruit the astonish'd world.

Look down, O Lord, and grant that we,
Beloved for our fathers' sake,
Through Christ may thy salvation see,
And of thy covenant love partake.

May we, their sons, thy praise acclaim,
The God our fathers loved, adore;
Our children's children fear thy name,
Till suns shall rise and set no more.