Poetical Miscellanies ... With a life of the untutored author

Front matter

POETICAL ra a a <b m n> & a sa uu a * BY THE LATE VICTORY PURDY, Generally known in the Vicinity of Bristol, by the appellation of the Kingswood Collier. WITH M %ift of t|)c SUntutorefc atatfjor, AND <Sb <^actfcmefo w /iej autna y/Z'iikna. " As poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." — 2 Cor. vi. 10. fcrtslol : PRINTED AND SOLD BY JOHN WANSBROUGH, Albion Office, 142, Redcliff-Street. SOLD ALSO BV W. BAYNES AND SON, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON ; AND BY THE BOOKSELLERS IN GENERAL. 1825. A PLEADER TO THE NEEDER WHEN A READER.

AS all, my friend, through wily knaves, full often suffer wrongs, Forget not, pray, when It you 've read, to whom this book belongs Than one Chatrlls Clark, osTotham Hall, none to 't a right hath better A wight, that same, more read than some In the lore of old 6._Krft-letter * And as c. C. in Essex dwells— a shire at which all laugh— His books must, sure, less fit seem drest, if they 're not bound in calf Care take, my friend, this l>ook you ne'er with grease or dirt besmear It • while none but awkward puppies win continue to "tfoss'e-ear" it ' ' And o'er my books when book-ioo.ms "grub," I 'd have them understand No marks the margins must de-/<wre from any busy " hand '" Marks, as re-marks, in books of Clark's, when e'er some critic spv leaves It always him so watp-ish makes, though they 're but on theffv-leavea ' Yes, if so they 're used, he 'd not de-/_r to deal a fate most meet- He d have the soller of his quires do penance in a etheet ' The Ettrick Hogg— ne'er deemed a fore— his candid mind revealing Declares, to beg "a copy" now 's a mere pre-_e_r( for stealing' So, as some knave to grant the loan of this my book may wish me I thus my book-pta.e here display, lest some such " fry" should dish me! —But hold,— though I again declare wim-holding I '11 not broeik And "a sea of trouble" still shall take to bring book-worms "to book'" «**-■;_ 3-5 9SSUSnSSS^S9SSnS9*SSQSZ9S^S^

Preface

. X HE author himself has attached Preface to several departments of the book. His Editor however, thinks proper to observe, that though little will be found iu the present work, which, as poetry, can gratify the taste of the modern school, still he is persuaded, that every one, taught of God, may discover in these compositions excellencies, compared with which, refinement is of minor importance. That the author of the present productions intended them for publication, there can be no doubt, but his poverty, or his diffidence, or, perhaps, both, prevented the accomplishment of his object. After bis demise, his manuscripts emerged from obscu rity ; many of which, till then, no eye, except his own, had ever seen. The persons to whom his widow and son first showed his productions, were filled with surprise and admiration, at their number aud variety, and the neatness of the writing.

It was difficult to conceive, that the very humble hovel, in which they were found, could have been the temple of such a muse, or the school which produced such beautifully written manuscripts. All who saw or read them, were unanimous in the opinion that they ought to be printed. A gentleman from London, having been convinced that the work then before him was the sole and actual pro duction of the departed cottager, observed, " Let there be a sac-simile of the whole work, and there is no

PREFACE.

. library in Europe will be complete without it." The publication of the present volume having been resolved upon, scarcely an individual who saw the manuscript, but became a subscriber. The cheerful, and very respectable patronage with which the purpose was honoured, encouraged the Editor to proceed in the work, unanxious to swell his list of subscribers, among whom, names and characters may be seen, which he conceives are quite sufficient to give the untutored author an auspicious introduction to the public. The perusal of the subsequent sketch of the author's life, must effectually prevent any hostile attack on his productions. The paragraphs quoted from his journal, may excite astonishment, that a man so circumstanced should have written at all ; and when it is learnt that his compositions would form four volumes of equal bulk and merit, with the present, it must excite no small degree of admiration, that he has written so much, and so well.

The Editor has not attempted to correct any of the errors found in the original ; the reader therefore, has the work as it stands in Victory Purdy's manuscript ; a work, not prepared for the eye of criticism, but intended, by its deeply experienced and pious author, for edification ; and to serve as a mirror, in which, as face answers to face, every man who carefully looks into it, may see much of his own moral image. That the rays of the same bright sun, which illumined the lowly writer, may give light to him that reads, is the sincere and ardent wish of the Editor. January, 1825. SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. A Allen, Mrs. Sarah, Bristol 1 Arch, Mr. London 1 Arrive, Mr. Peter, Manchester 12 B Ball, Mr. Gawen, Bristol 1 Ball, Henry, Esq. ditto 1 Baylis, Mr. Rodborough 1 Beauchamp, Mr. Penuard 1 Bompass, Dr. C. Fishponds 1 Bowsher, Mr. Bristol 1 Broad, Mr. J. S. ditto 1 Brown, Rev. J. Cheltenham 1 Bush, F. Esq. Frome 1 Bowden, Mr. John 1 C Capper, Mr. Samuel, Bristol 1 Cary, Samuel, Esq. ditto 1 Caslon, Henry, Esq. London 1 Clark, Mr. Thomas, Bristol 1 Clymer, G. Esq. London 1 Collens, Mr. B. D. 1 Colman, Mr. S. Bristol 1 Cowley, W. Esq. ditto 1 Cox, H. Esq. Fishponds 1 Cox, Mr. Robert, Bristol 1 Crocker, Mr. ditto SUBSCRIBERS.

D Davies, Rev. Thomas, Sherrington, Wilts. 1 Deboudry, Mrs. Bristol 1 Deios, Mr. John, ditto 1 Dimsdale, Mrs. ditto 1 Dimsdale, Miss, ditto 2 Ditchett, Mr. ditto 1 E Eaton, Mr. Thomas, Stockton, Cheshire 1 Evans, Mr. Bristol 1 F Farr, Mr. Richard, Jun. Bristol 1 Ferris, Mr. Richard, ditto 1 Flower, Mr. ditto 1 Foster, Mr. J. ditto 1 Fox, Dr. E. L. Brislington House 1 Franklin, Mr. William, Liverpool 1 Fry, Mr. Frenchay 1 Fussell, Mr. James, Bristol 1 Fussell, Thomas, Esq. Mells 6 G Good, Mr. Hambrook 1 Gosling, John, Esq. Marlborough 2 Goyder, Mr. Bristol 1 Gurney, Mrs. P. 1 Gudge, Mr. 1 H Hadfield, George, Esq. Manchester 1 Hall, Mr. J. W. Bristol 1 Harbottle, Thomas, Esq. Manchester 1 Harford, Mrs. Frenchay 2 Hartland, John A. Esq. Tewkesbury ] Hazell, Mr. Bristol SUBSCRIBERS. Hewlett, Mr. Bristol 1 Hoare, Miss, Frenchay 1 Hoare, Miss A. ditto 1 Hunt, Mr. Bristol 1 Hunt, Mr. H. ditto 1 J Johnson, Mr. John, Manchester 1 K Keylock, Mr. Montpelier 1 Keylock, Miss, Bristol 1 Kingdon, Mr. \ L Lane, Mr. Thomas, Bristol 1 Lean, Mr. Fishponds I Leather, Mr. D. S. Warrington 1 Lewis, Mr. ditto 1 Lloyd, Mr. William, Bristol 1 Lowell, Rev. Samuel, ditto 1 Lowrey, Mr. J. ditto 1 Lucas, Mr. ditto 1 Lucy, Rev. Mr. ditto . . . . 1 M Manning, Miss, Eastway, Devon 2 Marston, Mr. G. Bristol 1 Mowatt, Mr. G. ditto 1 N Norman, Mr. John, Bristol . . 1 P Palmer, Miss, Bristol , 1 Pince, Mr. John, ditto 1 Pocock, Miss E. Cleve Wood 1 Pocock, Mr. G. Abergavenny I SUBSCRIBERS.

Pocock, Mrs. J. Froxsield ' Pocock, Miss J. Abergavenny 1 Pole, Dr. Bristol * Pollard, Mr. W. Manchester 1 Potter, John, Esq. ditto - 1 Prust, S. Esq. Bristol 1 Panfield, Mr. T. ditto 1 Purnell, W. Esq. Somerset Terrace 1 Pyer, Miss H. ditto 1 Pyer, Mr. George, Newport 1 R Ransford, J. Esq. Bristol 1 Reece, Rev. Mr. ditto 1 Richardson, Mr. S. London 1 Rose, Mr. P. Bristol 2 Rose, Mrs. ditto „ I Ryland, Rev. John, D. D. Bristol 1 S Scott, R. Esq. Pensford . . . . I Skinner, W. Esq. Bristol ] Smith, Mr. George, Liverpool ] Stock, Thomas, Esq. Henbury ] Stocks, Samuel, Jun. Esq. Manchester 8 Sutcliffe, Rev. Joseph, M. A. Bristol 1 T Thomas, Mr. A. Bristol , . 1 Thomas, Mr. B. ditto 1 Thomas, Mr. G. ditto 1 Thorp, Rev. W. ditto 1 Tuckett, Mrs. Frenchay " 2 V Vince, Mr. John, Bristol j Viner, Mr. Thomas, Hungerford SUBSCRIBERS. w Weare, Mrs. A. Ashtou I Wansbrough, Mr. John, Bristol 10 Webb, Mr. James, ditto 1 Westcott, Mr. ditto 1 Wells, B. Esq. 1 Weston, Miss M. 1 Wickwick, Mr. White Hill 1 Wilkinson, Mr. Bristol 1 Williams, Mr. ditto 2 Williams, Mrs. ditto , 1 Wingate, Miss, Bath I i Withy, Mr. George, Downend 1 Wood, Mr. Bristol ] Wright, Mr. J. I. ditto 1 Y Yates, William, Esq. Manchester .. .. 12 Young, Mrs. Martha 1 ffsp13 It is intended speedily to publish two other volumes by the tame author.

These comprise One Thousand and Five Poetical Illustrations of select passages of Scripture, following in orderthrough the several books of the Old and Near Testaments. Subscribers will oblige ly sending their address to G. Pocock, Prospect Place, St. Michael's Hill, er lo the Printen TLKB^Diair ipqjiaiDir* AN perusing the memoirs of this extraordinary character, who, though "well known," was nevertheless " unknown," those who expect a mere display of excellencies, will be disappointed ; but every one who is seeking for glory, honour, immortality and eternal life, will behold much that is worthy of imitation. If example of disinterested , indefatigable, persevering labour, be worthy the attention of those who cultivate the Lord's vineyard ; if there be any thing that can engage the notice of a christian husband or father in the walk of one who might have said daily to such relative connections, " Fellow me as I follow Christ ;" if the exemplification of that text be interesting, " Diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;" then will the subsequent account be valuable.

Victory PuRDYwas born of pious parents, in the parish of St. Philip and Jacob, in the city of Bristol, in the year of our Lord 1747. He was named Victory from the following circumstance : — his father went to the hamlet of Rangeworthy, near Iron-Acton in Gloucestershire, to preach the everlasting gospel : a mob collected, and, being plentifully provided with rotten eggs, stones, mud, and such kind of missiles, threatened immediate ill-usage to the preacher if he attempted to persist in his bene volent labour of love. The good man knowing that the b "weapons of his warfare were not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;" with undaunted courage opened his commission, aud began to address the furious multitude upon subjects connected with their eternal welfare; the people overawed by the firmness of his manner, combined with the mildness of his persuasions, and, doubtless, restrained by the invisible hand of God, offered him no further violence, but pa tiently listened to his discourse.

During his absence from home, the subject of this memoir was born. The father upon returning to his habitation, being informed of the circumstance, observed, "Then his name shall be called Victory : for this day the Lord hath given me the victory." Nothing farther can be learnt of this faithful servant of Christ, excepting that he was one of Mr. Wesley's earliest coadjutors ; and that he died in peace in the year 1759. The esteem in which he was held by Mr. Wesley appears in the following letter, being an answer to some enquiries from Victory Purdy relative to his father's family. My dear Brother. "London, Feb. 1, 1784. Your father wag one of our first Society which met at Fetter Lane, and one of the first that found peace with God. When it was thought best that I should go to Bristol, we spent a considerable time in prayer, and then cast lots who should accompany me thither.

The lot fell upon him: and he was with me day and night, till he judged it proper to marry. But I had no curiosity, so that I scarce ever asked him a question concerning his parents, birth, or former way of life. I first saw him when he came to the Foundery, and desired to be admitted into the Society. He was a man of eminent integrity and simplicity: 'fervent in zeal, and warm in charity :' both in his spirit and behaviour greatly resembling Joseph Bradford. Be you a follower of him, as he was of Christ. lam, To Mr. Victory Purdy, yfaur Bffectionate Brothcr) Al the Neic-Room in Bristol. JOHN WESLEY." Hence it is manifest that Victory Purdy descended from one of those ancient worthies who were raised up of God for the spreading of scriptural Christianity through out the land. At the early age of five years, the subject of this memoir manifested considerable concern about religion, and would frequently ask his father a variety of questions upon religious subjects, chiefly relative to the Scriptures.

He would often bewail himself and com plain with much apparent sorrow of his being so bad a child. Feelings of this kind increased upon him till December, 1752, when he was exceedingly unhappy, crying very much, so that his father and mother were greatly moved. They endeavoured to comfort him by speaking to him of the divine promises, of God'3 goodness and mercy, and of the love of Christ Jesus to little children ; they then wrestled with the Lord in prayer for him. He also prayed earnestly for himself, and soon after, out of the mouth of this babe, God perfected praise. Thus did the Lord satisfy him early with his mercy, and for some time he continued a pious child. In the year 1759 (as previously stated) his father died, and in a short time afterwards his mother also. He was now left to the care of an uncle, who at that time was an ungodly man, and having no person to watch his behaviour, or to counsel him in divine things, he yielded too much to surrounding snares, and thus lost his piety and his peace.

He did not remain long in this state, for the Lord, who is rich in mercy, graciously condescended to visit him again with the light and power of his Holy Spirit, and to restore him to a sense of the divine favour, and that in so clear and satisfactory a manner, that every doubt and fear was dispelled, aud he retained the evidence of this blessedness to the day of his death. THE LIFE OF Having thus the foundation of true religion laid in his heart, and being enabled by faith to walk with God, and to exemplify the doctrines of Christianity by a constant and conscientious discharge of its duties, he was often found in meetings for social worship, calling upon God, and supplicating blessings for himself and others. While yet a youth, he began to give a word of exhortation, and soon after to preach the gospel of Christ in the neighbouring villages, considering that as he had freely received, so it was his duty freely to give.

He preached his first sermon in the year 1771, at Kendleshire, six miles from Bristol, and received much encouragement from the prayers and countenance of the people. His subsequent attempts were favourably regarded, so that in a very short time he was noticed by Mr. Wesley, who placed his name in the Minutes of the Methodists' Conference, and sent him to labour in the Brad ford Wilts Circuit, as an Itinerant Preacher. Here he met with some painful discouragements and distressing temptations relative to his qualifications for the important work of a gospel minister : and these, joined to his extreme diffidence, had such an effect upon him, that he soon returned home, having made up his mind to engage in his former employment, and to preach the gospel only as opportunities should present themselves.

In this latter respect he was laborious indeed ; many times after working hard all day, he walked several miles to places little frequented by other ministers ; and on the sabbath days he often went ten, fifteen, twenty, and even thirty miles on foot, upon this important and blessed errand. No inclemency of weather prevented him from pursuing his labours ; and for the last twenty years (until his health was impaired) he preached once, twice or thrice, every Lord's day. \ It is not known that he kept any memorandum of his services in the sanctuary, till the year 1781 ; but from that period, down to June 9th, 1822, he has recorded in a book, very neatly written, every place in succession where he laboured, and every text from which he preached. These dates embrace a period of forty one years, and from these memoranda it is ascertained, that during these forty one years, he preached 2882 sermons, travelled about 22,896 miles, chiefly on foot, and composed 1853 hymns, besides a great variety of miscellaneous pieces, both in prose and verse.

And if we average the first ten years of his ministry (of which he has left no account) by the ten succeeding years, we shall find, that, during the whole time he was engaged in labouring as a minister of the gospel, he preached 3350 sermons, and travelled 27,639 miles. His greatest year of ministerial labours, appears to have been tlie year 1803 ; in the course of which he preached 128 times, and travelled 900 miles. It may give some idea of his numerous perambulations, when we consider that in carrying the gospel to others, he travelled upwards of 3000 miles more than are sufficient to encompass the globe. During one period of his ministry occupying a space of twenty years, he was not prevented by sickness or by any other circumstance from preaching every sabbath-day. Truly it may be said of him, that " He was in labours more abundant."

" His reward is now with the Lord, and his work is with his God." When we reflect upon the extraordinary zeal and perse verance which carried forward this servant of the Most High in the work of his Master, we naturally expect that he was successful in doing his Lord's will ; this was the case, as many living witnesses can testify ; and many who have already escaped to glory, will, doubtless, be brought forth as his joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. It is also matter of indisputable certainty, THE LIFE OF 11 that he planted the gospel in many destitute hamlets and villages, where it continues to be faithfully administered ; and to several of these dark spots he carried the glad tidings of salvation for many years, previous to their being admitted as regular preaching places by those who now have congregations and societies in them.

Some oi these posts of honourable employment were supplied by him with an admirable and indefatigable perseverance in addition to his numerous appointments of a more regular kind ; and in providing them with a suitable supply when deprived of his personal exertions, he instrumentally introduced several young men into the ministry ; among whom are some very steady and useful characters, for whose labours not a few, in a variety of places, have since then had cause to praise the name of the Lord. The natural endowments of V. Purdy, as a preacher of the gospel, were of a very extraordinary kind. He was remarkable for an uncommonly strong understanding, and an especially retentive memory, which he took considerable pains to furnish with a fund of useful information from various sources, but especially from the sacred scriptures : the bible was his delight, his comfort, and it may be said, his inseparable companion.

Here he read, and searched, and studied, with undeviating attention, for many years ; so that of him it may be truly said, " In the law of the Lord did he meditate both day and night." According to his own memorandums, it appears, that he read the books of the Old and New Testaments regularly and carefully through no less than forty times, and had advanced as far as the prophet Isaiah, the forty-first time, when death put a period to his labours. For this unadulterated truth of the Most High, his love evidently increased ; for in the course of the year 1821, when seventy-four years of age, he went through the scriptures four times; and in 1822, (the year in which he died) be writes, "Jan. 27th, Finished the bible the 39th time." "Jan. 28th, Began the bible the 40th time." "March 31st, Ended the bible the 40th time."

Thus it is manifest, that in two months and three days, he read the whole of the Old and New Testaments. It is not to be wondered at, that a man so well ac quainted with the word of God, should be apt in quotations therefrom. He has been known to quote from one hundred to two hundred passages of scripture in the course of one sermon, mentioning the exact chapter and verse where each might be found ; and he did this with such singular accuracy and recollection, that he obtained with many, the distinguishing name of " The Walking Bible." With the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, he was always ready, for it was on his lips and in his heart; from this bright armory also he drew many a flaming arrow, which, through the energy of that Spirit who first indited the saered page, was directed into the hearts of the King's enemies.

Hence also he obtained that Balm of Gilead which having first proved, he offered to the distressed penitent, as a medicine for every wound, and a cordial for every fear. The holy volume was his book of reference upon every occasion ; with him it decided every contro versy, removed every doubt, established every principle, purified every motive, regulated every temper, guided every step, and ever opened to his believing view, the durable kingdom of immortal righteousness, and unsullied glory beyond the grave. On one occasion, he submitted to the inspection of a friend, a paper which was intended for the press, and asked his opinion; among a few minor errors, his friend instanced in one expression, what he conceived to be abreach of grammatical rule ; immediately Mr. P. quoted a passage of scripture in which the same form of words occurred ; and considering himself sufficiently sanctioned by this, he refused to make any alteration.

A relation of THE LIFE OK his having asked him by what means he had attained such a wonderful acquaintance with the scriptures ; he paused awhile, and then replied, "Samuel, go and read the bible through twelve times upon your knees, as I have done, and then you may know something about it." But his attention was not confined exclusively to the scriptures. In the course of a long life, he had diligently read and studied some of the best writers upon ancient and modern history, upon geography, astronomy, and various branches of philosophy ; and what by the most patient industry he had learned from these, he brought to bear in such a happy manner upon his illustrations of the sacred volume, that he frequently, not only delighted, but astonished his audience. After his demise, some of his friends felt anxious to see his library, expecting, from the extent and variety of his knowledge, to find an abundance of the best authors.

Much to their mortification and disappointment, however, V. Purdy's library contained very little more than his own productions ! This naturally excited wonder ; and surprise being expressed in what way he had informed his mind and cultivated his understanding, they were told that when he had a little money to spare, he purchased such books as he wished for, and after examining them carefully and making such extracts from them as suited his purpose, he either exchanged them for others or sold them and bought other publications with the money. And in this manner he was obliged to labour for the acquirement of knowledge, his limited means not allowing him to possess a variety of books at one time. In the pulpit he ever seemed to be endued with deep solemnity, and although there was something in his personal appearance, and sometimes in the choice of his texts and expressions, which savoured of quaintness and eccentricity, and which occasionally were known to excite a smile, yet it is believed these things either had a contrary effect upon his mind, or, that they were completely overwhelmed by that general habit of seriousness and devotion for which he was so remarkable.

His addresses were usually very weighty, his exhibition of divine truth well arranged and perspicuous, his arguments clear and convincing, and his tone of voice and manner truly affectionate ; hence, it is no matter of astonishment, that his ministerial labours were sought after by various classes of Dissenters as well as Methodists ; and they were generally valued in propor tion as they were known. On one occasion a gentle man and lady of great respectability, who happened about ten years since to go into a chapel where he was preaching, were much struck by his singular attire, and began to think very meanly of the man, because of the meanness of his clothes ; they stayed however, and heard him patiently ; and now their former astonishment yielded to wonder of another kind ; they wondered at his memory, his precision, his elocution, his spirituality, his devotion, his fervour, and the blessed pathos with which he delivered the word of God, and were ready to conclude that he was some extraordinary man famous for erudition, but that on this occasion he appeared in disguise.

When the service was concluded, they enquired who this wonderful character was, and were informed it was Victory Purdy, a Collier of Kingswood. " A Collier !" exclaimed the gentleman, " A Collier ! Why, he ought to be a Bishop !" And if genuine piety, deep humility, fervid zeal, glowing charity, and disinterested ministerial labour, be essential to the office of a Bishop ; then, undoubtedly, the gentleman was right. For each and all of these were possessed by the subject of these pages in no ordinary degree. If on the foregoing occasion our author used such a prayer as is here subjoined, and which was discovered among his miscellaneous papers ; or if he prayed in a spirit of genuine THE LIFE OF X humility and true devotional feeling similar to that which pervades every line of the following copious and correct address, it must be confessed, that, in addition to the ad vantages derivable from his clear and judicious exposition of scriptural truth, it was no small privilege to accompany him with a pure heart and humble voice unto the throne of the heavenly grace.

This prayer stands in his own hand writing, at the close of another of his productions in MS. entitled, " Gospel Preachers described and directed." O Thou infinitely great, thou incomprehensibly glorious Lord God Almighty, that dost what thou pleasest among the armies of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth; that stretchest out the heavens as a curtain, and hangest the earth upon nothing, holy and reverend is thy name ! Though thou art inexpressibly great and glorious, being adored by all the orders of angels, and all the spirits of just men made perfect ; yet thou art also inconceivably good and gracious, for thou extendest thy mercy unto sinners, and givest thy grace to the wretched children of men. I acknowledge myself to be a sinner by nature, as being a degenerate child of fallen, apostate Adam ; and therefore have been in consequence of my entire depravity, a sinner by practice ; having like a lost sheep gone astray, for being estranged from thee, even from my mother's womb, as soon as I was able I turned to mine own way, and have been seeking death in the error of my mispent life ; I have rushed into sin, as the horse rusheth into the battle ; I have drank down iniquity greedily, as the thirsty ox drinketh in water ; so that because of my trangressions against heaven, and in thy sight, I am not worthy of thy notice or regard ; and if thou hadst dealt with me after my sins, or rewarded me according to mine iniquities, 1 should long ago have been sent to hell, and there tormented in those flames.

But as thou hast not executed thy wrath upon me, but hast made me par taker of innumerable mercies, thou art therefore worthy of all praise, and I desire to bless thee for my creation, because thou hast made me a creature capable of knowing, loving, and enjoying thee. I bless thee also for my preservation in the midst of seen and unseen dangers; for thou hast protected me, and having obtained help from thee, I continue unto this day, a monu ment of thy sparing mercy and sustaining power. I give thee thanks for my health and strength, food and raiment, the use of all the members of my body in their proper form ; and for all those mental faculties with which thou hast endued me, and which thou enablest me still to exercise ; and also for all other temporal blessings that thou art graciously pleased to bestow upon me, although I am utterly unworthy of the least of thy mercies.