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The power, that gives with liberal hand
The blessings man enjoys, while here, And scatters through a smiling land Abundant products of the year; That power of nature, ever blessed, Bestowed religion with the rest. Born with ourselves, her early sway Inclines the tender mind to take The path of right, fair virtue's way Its own felicity to make. This universally extends And leads to no mysterious ends. Religion, such as nature taught, With all divine perfection suits; Had all mankind this system sought Sophists would cease their vain disputes, And from this source would nations know All that can make their heaven below. This deals not curses on mankind, Or dooms them to perpetual grief, If from its aid-no joys they find, It damns them not for unbelief; Upon a more exalted plan Creatress nature dealt with man- Joy to the day, when all agree On such grand systems to proceed, From fraud, design, and error free, And which to truth and goodness lead: Then persecution will retreat And man's religion be complete. |