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                            Pleasures of Piety
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A Soul in commerce with her God is Heave, Feels not the tumults and the schools of life, The whirls of Passion, and the strokes of heart. And DEITY believ'd. is joy begun; A DEITY ador'd, is joy advanc'd; A DEITY belov'd, is joy matur'd; Each branch of piety delight inspires; Faith builds a bridge from this world to the next O'er death's dark gulf and its horror hides. Prayer ardent opens Heaven, lets down & stream Of glory on the consecrated hour Of main, in audience with the DEITY Who whorships the great GOD, that instant joins The first in Heaven.

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John Ridge Feb 12th 1819 Cornwall Connecticut