🏠 » Collection

Compiled and transcribed by Kimberli Faulkner Hull © Chasing Light Media
The contents of this website, including images and photos, may neither be copied nor otherwise used or posted elsewhere without explicit permission. Citing this page

The Peace Catechism on Christian Principles,
pages 32-33

The leaf shown at the bottom of page 33 was found in the gutter of the book.

Transcript

32

Yet I was once a mother’s pride,

And my brave Father’s hope and joy,

But in the Nile’s proud fight he died,

And I am now an Orphan Boy.

Poor foolish child, how please was I,

When news of Nelson’s victory came,

Along the crowded streets to fly,

And see the lighted windows flame.

To force me home my mother sought,

She could not beat to see my joy,

For with my Father’s life ‘twas bought,

And made me a poor Orphan Boy.

The people’s shouts were long and loud,

My Mother shuddering closed her ears,

“Rejoice, rejoice,” still cried the crowd,

My Mother answered with her tears.

“Oh why do tears steal down your cheek,”

Cried I, “while others shout for joy?”

She kiss’d, and with accents weak,

She me her poor Orphan Boy.

“What is an Orphan Boy, “ I said,

When suddenly she gasped for breath,

And her eyes closed, I shriek’d for aid,

But ah! her eyes were closed in death.

My hardships since I will not tell,

But now no more a parents joy,

Ah! Lady, I have learnt too well,

What ‘tis to be an Orphan Boy.

33

Oh! were I by your bounty fed,

Nay gentle Lady do not chide,

Trust me, I mean to earn my bread,

The Sailor’s Orphan Boy has pride.

Lady, you weep – what is’t you say?

You’ll give me clothing, food, employ;

Look down dear parents, look and see,

Your happy, happy Orphan Boy.

––

The Ten Commandments.

Adore no other God but me,

To no vain idol bow the knee,

Take not my sacred name in vain,

My sabbath thou shall not profane,

Obey thy parents, this is good.

Forbear to shed a brothers blood,

From unchaste deeds and thoughts abstain;

And neither rob nor steal for gain,

Abhor all slander, live above it,

What is thy neighbour’s never covet.

Citing this page: Kimberli Faulkner Hull, compiler and transcriber, “The Peace Catechism on Christian Principles by Philo Pacificus, 1816, pages 32-33,” Chasing Light Media, Cool Adventures
( https://cooladventures.com/collection/peace-catechism-philo-pacificus-1816-p-32-33/ : published 2021); Philo Pacificus (Noah Worcester), The Peace Catechism on Christian Principles (Boston: Wells and Lilly, 1816), p. 32-33; previously owned by Lydia Ann Chadwick (1807-1875); privately held by the Faulkner–Hull Collection, Massachusetts.

Back to top