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THE MILLENNIUM, AND OTHER POEMS:
THE MILLENNIUM, AND OTHER POEMS:
TO WHICH IS ANNEXED, A TREATISE ON THE REGENERATION AND ETERNAL DURATION OF MATTER. BY P. P. PRATT, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. NEW YORK: PRINTED BY W. MOLINEUX, COR. of ANN and NASSAU STREETS. MDCCCXL. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-nine, by P. P. PRATT, in the Clerk's Office for the Southern District of New-York....
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
When these Poems were first written, the Author had no intention of compiling them in one volume: they sprang into existence one after another as occasion called them forth, at times and in places, and under circumstances widely varying. Some came forth upon the bank of the far-famed Niagara, and some were the plaintive strains poured from a full heart in the lonely dungeons of Missouri where the Author was confined upwards of eight months during the late persecution; some were poured from the t
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JUST PUBLISHED,
JUST PUBLISHED,
And for Sale by P. P. PRATT, A HISTORY OF THE LATE PERSECUTION IN MISSOURI ALSO, THE VOICE OF WARNING; OR, AN INTRODUCTION TO THE DOCTRINE OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS. Our Books are to be obtained at our meetings, and of our travelling Preachers, and also at such Book Stores as we shall advertize hereafter....
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Introduction—Location of the Ten Tribes—The way prepared—Their return to their own lands—The waters divided—Their return contrasted with their going out of Egypt. A glorious theme the sacred muse inspires, Cheers up the soul, and tunes the sounding lyre: Lights the dark vale of sorrow, pain and wo, And gives to man a paradise below. The joyful time, by prophets long foretold, At length comes rolling on the astonished world: When God, the second time, should set his hand, To gathe
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Situation of the Jews, from their dispersion to the present time, and the desolation of their land and city—Their restoration to the Land of Canaan—Rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple. Lo! Judea's remnants—long dispersed abroad, Without a prophet, king, or priest of God— Have wandered exiles from their native home, To darkness doomed, till their deliverance comes. Their city, once so glorious to behold, Their temple, decked with precious stones and gold, The seat of wisdom, and
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Situation of the remnant of Joseph from the fall of the Nephites A. D. 400, to the discovery of America by Columbus—Effect upon the natives at first view of European vessels—Kind reception of the Europeans by the natives—War with the Indians and their defeat—Rapid settlement of the eastern shores—The war renewed, subsequent sufferings of the Colonies—They again drive the red man—Their settlements advance to the Ohio and the lakes—Further struggle of the natives, their final submission. Rise, h
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
The American Revolution—Its effects upon other nations—French Revolution—Revolution of Greece, Poland, &c—Present prosperity of the United States of America—Present state of the Indians—Indian prayer. Meantime the Gentiles break their foreign yoke, While tyrants tremble at the dreadful stroke, Assert their freedom, gain their liberty, And to the world proclaim Columbia free. O'er ocean's wave triumphant in the breeze, Her banner floats o'er all the distant seas, Where dire
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Coming forth of the fulness of the Gospel—Restoration of the Indians and their gathering West of the Mississippi, by the present administration in fulfilment of prophecy—Commission and Ministry of the servants of God in the last dispensation—Commencement of the gathering of the Gentile Church—Their persecution and dispersion in fulfilment of prophecy, from which reflections are drawn on the subject of persecution in general—The enduement of the servants of God and their ministry among all nation
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
The binding of Satan—Pouring out of the spirit upon all flesh—Harmony of all the beasts of the earth, while peace and the knowledge and glory of God shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea—The faith of Abel the first martyr—Enoch's song—The testimony of many of the holy prophets and apostles—And the general expectation of all the saints in all nations and generations. Lo! Satan bound in chains shall rage no more, Nor tempt mankind till thousand years are o'er; But perfect peace a
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PART FIRST.
PART FIRST.
When earth's foundation first was laid, The heavens in order stood; And all the works God's hand had made, His word pronounced good. But soon the happy scene was changed, For man to whom 'twas given, To choose the way of life or death, Trangressed the law of heaven. And thus the evil seed was sown, And death through all their race; In which creation long has groaned; In pain to be released. 'T was then the scene of love began To be revealed
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PART SECOND.
PART SECOND.
Again the nations left the Lord To worship stocks and stones, Forgot the wonders of the flood, And sunk in darkness down; And then again was God reveal'd To Abram, his friend, Called him to leave his house and home, To view a chosen land. To thee and to thy seed, he said, I give this blessed land, Though like the stars for multitude, And numerous as the sand. But Abraham died a stranger in The land 'twas to him given, Nor owned a place to
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PART THIRD.
PART THIRD.
Go ye, and preach in all the world, Baptizing in my name, He that believes and is baptized Salvation shall obtain. Then rising from Mount Olivet Unto his Father's throne, On high to reign until he claims The kingdoms for his own. His servants then, in mighty power, Soon made his gospel known, The Jews reject while Gentiles come, And glad their Saviour own. The Jews dispersed through all the earth, Jerusalem trodden down, In desolation lon
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CHARITY AND TRUE PATRIOTISM.
CHARITY AND TRUE PATRIOTISM.
Behold the man whose tender heart Expanded with a Saviour's love, Wide as eternity expands, His bowels with compassion move. He looks on Zion from afar, He hears the captive exiles groan, Then leaves his wife and children dear, His brethren and his peaceful home. And hastens at his Lord's command To call his brethren from afar, As volunteers for Zion's land, That in her sorrows they may share. He dare assert her injured cause, And sound the
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SECOND PART.
SECOND PART.
Ye Gentile nations, cease your strife, And listen to the words of life; Turn from your sins with one accord, Prepare to meet your coming Lord. Let Judah's remnants far and near The glorious proclamation hear, For Israel and the Gentiles too, The way to Zion shall pursue. Their voices and their tongues employ In songs of everlasting joy; The mountains and the hills rejoice, Let all creation hear his voice. From north to south, from east to west, In thee all nations sha
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SECOND PART.
SECOND PART.
With joy and wonder all amazed, Upon their glorious Lord they gazed, And wist not what the vision meant But thought it was an angel sent While in their midst he smiling stood, Proclaimed himself the son of God, He said come forth and feel and see, That you may witness bear of me. And when they all had felt and seen Where once the nails and spear had been, Hosanna they aloud proclaimed, And blessed and praised his holy name, He then proceeded to make plain His gospel t
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PART THIRD.
PART THIRD.
Four generations should not pass Until they'd turn from righteousness, The Nephite nation be destroyed! The Lamanites reject his word, The gospel taken from their midst, The record of their fathers hid, They dwindle long in unbelief, And ages pass without relief, Until the Gentiles from afar, Should smite them in a dreadful war, And take possession of their land, And they should have no power to stand. But as their remnants wander far, In darkness, sorrow and despair,
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THE NEPHITES, LAMANITES AND GENTILES.
THE NEPHITES, LAMANITES AND GENTILES.
O who that has search'd in the records of old, And read the last scenes of distress; Four and twenty were left who with Mormon beheld, While their nation lay mouldering to dust. The Nephites destroyed, the Lamanites dwelt, For ages in sorrow unknown; Generations have pass'd, till the Gentiles at last, Have divided their lands as their own. O, who that has seen o'er the wide spreading plain The Lamanites wander forlorn, While the Gentiles in pride and opp
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SECOND PART.
SECOND PART.
The mountains high, the rivers clear, Where heaven sheds her dews and tears, In silence, or with gentle roar, The God of love and peace adore. The earth, and air, and sea, and sky, The holy spirit from on high, And angels who above do reign, Cry peace on earth, good will to men. But most of all a Saviour's love, Was manifested from above, He died and rose to life again, Our freedom, love and peace to gain. But man,—vile man, alone seems lost, With hatred, pride and en
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INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS.
INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." This earth shall be a blessed place, To saints celestial given; Where Christ again shall show his face, With the redeemed of Adam's race, In clouds descend from heaven. Yes, when he comes on earth again, The wicked burn as stubble; Thus all his enemies are slain, And o'er the nations he shall reign, And end the scenes of trouble. The trump of war is heard no more, But all their strife is ended;
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REDEMPTION OF ZION.
REDEMPTION OF ZION.
Lo, far in the realms of Missouri, When peace crowns the meek and the lowly, The loud storms of envy and folly May roll all their billows in vain. The wicked, with evil intention, May rouse all their powers of invention, With lying, intrigue and contention, Their end will be sorrow and pain. The saints, crowned with songs of rejoicing, To Zion shall flow from all nations, Escaping the great conflagration, They find out the regions of peace. Though scattered
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REFLECTIONS ON A SUMMER EVENING.
REFLECTIONS ON A SUMMER EVENING.
Another day has fled and gone, The sun declines in western skies, The birds retired, have ceased their song, Let ours in pure devotion rise. The moon her splendid course resumes, She sheds her light o'er land and sea, The gentle dews in soft perfumes Fall sweetly o'er each herb and tree. While here in meditation sweet, Those happy hours I call to mind, When with the saints I oft have met, Our hearts in pure devotion joined. Those friends afar I c
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SECOND PART.
SECOND PART.
Ye chosen twelve, to you are given, The keys of this last ministry— To every nation under heaven, From land to land, from sea to sea. First to the Gentiles sound the news Throughout Columbia's happy land, And then before it reach the Jews, Prepare on Europe's shores to stand. Let Europe's towns and cities hear The gospel tidings angels bring; The Gentile nations far and near, Prepare their hearts His praise to sing. India's and Afric's sultry pla
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PART SECOND.
PART SECOND.
But lo! the harvest wide extends— The fields are white o'er all the plain— The tares in bundles must be bound, While we with care secure the grain. Shall we repine when Jesus calls, Or count the sacrifice too great, To spend our lives as pilgrims here, Or loose them for the gospel's sake? When Jesus Christ has done the same, Without a place to lay his head, A pilgrim on the earth he came, Until for us his blood was shed. Shall we behold the natio
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REFLECTIONS.
REFLECTIONS.
IN PRISON, APRIL, 1839. O freedom, must thy spirit now withdraw From earth, returning to its native heaven, There to dwell, till armed with sevenfold vengeance It comes again to earth with king Messiah, And all his marshalled hosts in glory bright, To tread the winepress of Almighty God, And none escape?—ye powers of heaven forbid;— Let freedom linger still on shores of time, And in the breasts of thine afflicted saints, Let freedom find a peaceful retirement,— A place of r
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THE FALLS OF NIAGARA.
THE FALLS OF NIAGARA.
WRITTEN IN PRISON. Boast not, O proud Niagara! although Thou mayest withstand the ravages of time, While countless millions swept away with all Their mighty works, are lost in following years: Yet there is a voice to speak, long and loud! 'Tis Michael's trump, whose mighty blast shall rend Thy rocks, and bow thy lofty mountains in the dust. Before whose awful presence thy waters Blush in retiring modesty; and in Respectful silence thou shalt stand, and listening, Wonder and
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SPRING.
SPRING.
WRITTEN IN PRISON, APRIL, 1839. See nature bursting into life and bloom: Joyous, it rises from its wintry tomb, Decked in pure robes of purple, white, or green: Perfumed with incense sweet—O lovely scene! Melodious sounds, with music soft and sweet, Thrill through the air—thy joyous presence greet. Behold, O Mary! and remember too, There is a spring to bloom for me and you;— We, like the spring, shall burst the sullen gloom. All clothed in white—eternally to bloom. We too,
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SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
Lift up your heads, ye scattered saints, Redemption draweth nigh; Our Saviour hears the orphans' plaints'; The widow's mournful cry. The blood of those who have been slain For vengeance cries aloud: Nor shall its cries ascend in vain, For vengeance on the proud. The signs in heaven and earth appear; And blood, and smoke, and fire; Men's hearts are failing them for fear; Redemption's drawing nigher. Earthquakes are bellowing 'neath the ground,
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BIRTHDAY
BIRTHDAY
IN PRISON, APRIL 12, 1839. This is the day that gave me birth In eighteen hundred seven; From worlds unseen I came to earth, Far from my native heaven. Thirty and two long years have pass'd, To grief and sorrow given; And now to crown my woes at last I am confined in prison. 'Tis not for crimes that I have done That to my foes I'm given, But to the world I am unknown, And my reward's in heaven. What troubled scenes may yet ensue To strew my
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ZION IN CAPTIVITY.
ZION IN CAPTIVITY.
A LAMENTATION. WRITTEN IN PRISON. Torn from our friends and captive led, 'Mid armed legions bound in chains, That peace for which our fathers bled Is gone, and dire confusion reigns. Zion, our peaceful happy home, Where oft we joined in praise and prayer, A desolation has become, And grief and sorrow linger there. Her virgins sigh, her widows mourn, Her children for their parents weep; In chains her priests and prophets groan, While some in deaths
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OUR COUNTRY.
OUR COUNTRY.
AN EXTRACT. WRITTEN IN PRISON. Here nature too, her grandest works display; Sublimest themes inspire the Poet's lays, As if creative power in skill progressed, As onward still it moved towards the west. Till here it finished with a master hand Its mightiest works—to excel all other lands. In awful majesty our mountains rise, O'erlook the clouds, and tower amid the skies, Their lofty summits bid defiance bold, They fear no rival heights in older worlds. 'Tis true Himmaleh, (
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O, MISSOURI, HOW ART THOU FALLEN!
O, MISSOURI, HOW ART THOU FALLEN!
WRITTEN IN PRISON. Missouri, a country how sad and how low, How fallen from glory, from freedom, from pride, O, would that oblivion its mantle would throw O'er thee, and the depth of thy wickedness hide. Thou should'st never rejoice—think not of the day When Columbia for freedom first struggled so bold, When thousands assembled in battle array, The star-spangled banner of freedom unfurled; Think not of the patriots that bled in her cause, Who met all undau
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A NEW YEAR'S SONG.
A NEW YEAR'S SONG.
This morning in silence I ponder and mourn, O'er the scenes that have passed no more to return, How vast are the labors, the troubles and fears, Of eight hundred millions who've toiled through the year. How many ten thousands were slain by their foes, While widows and orphans have mourn'd o'er their woes, While pestilence, famine and earthquakes appear, And signs in the heavens throughout the past year. How many been murder'd and plunder'd and robb'd, How many oppressed and d
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A LAMENTATION.
A LAMENTATION.
ON TAKING LEAVE OF NEW-YORK. Adieu to the city, where long I have wandered, To tell them of judgments and warn them to flee; How often in sorrow, their woes I have pondered: Perhaps in affliction, they'll think upon me. With a tear of compassion, in silence retiring, The last ray of hope for your safety expiring; A feeling of pity this bosom inspiring— Sing this lamentation and think upon me. How often at evening your halls have resounded With th' pure tes
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LAMENTATION BY P. P. PRATT.
LAMENTATION BY P. P. PRATT.
IN MEMORY OP HIS DEPARTED WIFE, WHO DIED, MARCH 25, 1837. The joys of home I once have tasted, All its pleasures called my own; Friendship's purest pleasures graced it, But they're gone,—I'm left alone, Now no more that smile of gladness Welcomes me at my return; But a lonely, solemn sadness: Oh she's gone,—I'm left alone! Oft when clouds of care and trouble, Like a tempest o'er me roll'd, A look, a word, an act of kindness, Served to calm my troub
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FUNERAL HYMN.
FUNERAL HYMN.
ON THE DEATH OF MRS. PRATT. Creation speaks with awful voice— Hark! 'tis a universal groan Re-echoes through the vast extent Of worlds unnumbered called to mourn. For sickness, sorrow, pain and death, With awful tyranny have reigned; While all eternity has shed Her tears of sorrow o'er the slain. But hark, again; a voice is heard, Resounding through the sullen gloom; A mighty conquerer has appear'd, And rose triumphant from the tomb. No longer le
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FAREWELL MEMORIAL.
FAREWELL MEMORIAL.
Keep these few lines till time shall end, In memory of your absent friend; Who wanders o'er life's boisterous wave, The meek, the humble poor to save. While I endure I'll spend my breath In prayer for those who love the truth. In distant lands I'll call to mind, My true and faithful friends so kind. Let these few lines adorn the place Where you retire to seek his grace; Then lift your voice in humble prayer, For him whose lines are hanging there....
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THE PILGRIM.
THE PILGRIM.
On the shores of Ontario I'm now doom'd to wander. A pilgrim in exile, a stranger I roam, While the prince and the beggar, the wise and the simple, In palace or cottage can each find a home. The foxes have holes and the birds they have nests, And all but a preacher has somewhere to rest....
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GENERAL CONFERENCE, FAREWELL.
GENERAL CONFERENCE, FAREWELL.
Farewell, ye servants of the Lord, To whom we oft have preach'd the word; May you improve the wisdom given, And lead ten thousand souls to heaven. Farewell, ye saints of latter days, With whom we've met in prayer and praise, In whose kind hearts the truth has shone, By which we're gathered all in one. Farewell kind friends, whose hearts are true We can no longer stay with you; Arise—the voice of truth obey, O come and wash your sins away. Farewell to all whose stubborn
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THE DOWNFALL OF BABYLON
THE DOWNFALL OF BABYLON
An angel of glory from heaven descended, While his power and glory enlightened the earth; With a voice strong and mighty, his cry was extended, Babylon is fallen and hushed in her mirth; The dwelling of devils and every foul spirit, The cage of uncleanness and of hateful birds. All nations had tasted her wine and were drunken, But now she is fallen the angel brings word; Her merchants were great men, and through her abundance, They long had wax'd rich in her traffic though va
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PRATT'S DEFENCE
PRATT'S DEFENCE
BEFORE THE AUTHORITIES OF MISSOURI. As down in a lone dungeon with darkness o'er-spread, In silence and sorrow I made my lone bed, While far from my prison my friends had retired, And joy from this bosom had almost expired. From all that was lovely constrained for to part, From wife and from children so dear to my heart; While foes were exulting, and friends far away, In half broken slumbers all pensive I lay. I thought upon Zion—her sorrowful doom:— I thought
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PRATT'S DELIVERANCE.
PRATT'S DELIVERANCE.
"The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed." ISAIAH. The chains are rent, the dungeon's gloom No more these active limbs confine. I rise as from the dreary tomb, Where long in prison I repined. I mount—I fly—I haste away, Buoyed, as it were, on angel's wings; O home! O friends! O liberty!— O God of strength, thy praise I'll sing. Hosanna now in highest strains, Glory to God and to the Lamb, Hosanna to the king who reigns In heaven and earth
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VISIT TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
VISIT TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[Extract from the Author's Journal.] When we came near the base of the mountain, two beautiful and transparent lakes, surrounded with a romantic forest of evergreen, and other trees, added greatly to the interest of the scene. Between these lakes a mansion was reared for the public entertainment of those whom curiosity draws to the place. This house furnished pleasure boats, fishing apparatus, guides, &c., for the accommodation of parties of pleasure, and others who wished to spend a few
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THE REGENERATION AND ETERNAL DURATION OF MATTER.
THE REGENERATION AND ETERNAL DURATION OF MATTER.
"The Elements are Eternal." WRITTEN IN PRISON. "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me write, for these words are true and faithful." Rev. xxi. 5. Matter and Spirit are the two great principles of all existence. Every thing animate and inanimate is composed of one or the other, or both of these eternal principles. I say eternal, because the elements are as durable as the quickening power which exists in them. Matter and spirit are of equal durati
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