ETHIOPIA

STRETCHING OUT HER HANDS UNTO

GOD.

THE POEM WHICH OBTAINED THE SEATONIAN PRIZE

IN THE YEAR 1838.

January, 1838. "The Examiners this year gave notice, that, should any poem appear to them to possess distinguished merit, a premium of £100 would be adjudged instead of the ordinary prize."

Cambridge, October, 1838.

"The above premium was this year awarded to the REV. THOMAS EDWARDS HANKINSON, M.A., of Corpus Christi College."

THE following poem is put into the mouth of a dying Missionary, whose life has fallen a sacrifice to his exertions for the spread of Christianity in Africa.

The truth of the circumstances supposed has been too frequently and sadly attested by experience. May the anticipations expressed be speedily approved by as certain but more cheering evidence!

This Poem was inscribed to the President and Members of the Church Missionary Society; which contemplated amongst its first objects the amelioration of the spiritual condition of Africa; and to this it has steadily persevered in giving its best energies, under great difficulties and discouragements.

ETHIOPIA

STRETCHING OUT HER HANDS UNTO

GOD.

Not for the brightness of a mortal wreath,—
Not for a place midst kingly minstrels dead,—
But that perchance a faint gale of Thy breath,
A still small whisper in my song, hath led
One struggling spirit upward to Thy throne,
Or but one hope, one prayer,-for this alone
I bless thee, O my God!

THE DYING POET'S HYMN. (MRS. HEMANS.)

HATH the day broke? I heard a gentle warning
Whisper my soul, "Joy cometh in the morning!"
Lo, Heaven unbars her portals, dimly grand;

The night is well-nigh spent! the glorious day's at hand!