How Happy Are the New Born Race

Representative Text

How happy are the new–born race,
Partakers of adopting grace!
How pure the bliss they share!
Hid from the world and all its eyes,
Within their heart the blessing lies,
And conscience feels it there.

The moment we believe, 'tis ours;
And if we love with all our powers
The God from whom it came;
And if we serve with hearts sincere,
'Tis still discernible and clear,
An undisputed claim.

But, ah! if foul and wilful sin
Stain and dishonour us within,
Farewell the joy we knew;
Again the slaves of nature's sway,
In labyrinths of our own we stray,
Without a guide or clue.

The chaste and pure, who fear to grieve
The gracious Spirit they receive,
His work distinctly trace;
And, strong in undissembling love,
Boldly assert and clearly prove
Their hearts his dwelling–place.

Oh, messenger of dear delight,
Whose voice dispels the deepest night,
Sweet peace–proclaiming Dove!
With thee at hand, to soothe our pains,
No wish unsatisfied remains,
No task but that of love.

'Tis love unites what sin divides;
The centre, where all bliss resides;
To which the soul once brought,
Reclining on the first great cause,
From his abounding sweetness draws
Peace passing human thought.

Sorrow forgoes its nature there,
And life assumes a tranquil air,
Divested of its woes;
There sovereign goodness soothes the breast,
Till then incapable of rest,
In sacred sure repose.

Translations from the French of Madame de la Mothe Guion

Translator: William Cowper

William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >

Author: Jeanne Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon

Guyon, Madame. (1648-1717.) Jeanne Marie Bouyieres de la Mothe was the leader of the Quietist movement in France. The foundation of her Quietism was laid in her study of St. Francis de Sales, Madame de Chantal, and Thomas ä Kempis, in the conventual establishments of her native place, Montargis (Dep. Loiret), where she was educated as a child. There also she first learned the sentiment of espousal with Christ, to which later years gave a very marked development. She was married at sixteen to M. Guyon, a wealthy man of weak health, twenty-two years her senior, and her life, until his death, in 1676, was, partly from disparity of years, partly from the tyranny of her mother-in-law, partly from her own quick temper, an unhappy one. Her public… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: How happy are the new born race
Title: How Happy Are the New Born Race
Translator: William Cowper
Author: Jeanne Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 23 of 23)
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A Collection of Hymns, for the use of the United Brethren in Christ #465

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Hymn Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South #399

Hymns for Schools and Families #d208

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Hymns for Schools and Families, Specailly Designed for the Children of the Church #176

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Hymns for the Church of Christ (3rd thousand) #616

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Hymns for the Church of Christ. (6th thousand) #616

Hymns for the Use of the Brethren in Christ #d190

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Hymns of the Ages (3rd series) #195

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Hymns of the Higher Life #21

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Plymouth Collection #a645

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Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #645

Revival and Camp Minstrel, containing the Best Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Original and Selected #d133

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Revival Hymns #111

Select Melodies, comprising the Best of Those Hymns and Spiritual Songs in Common Use #d95

Social Melodies #d53

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The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #645

The Sacred Songster. 5th ed. #d76

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The Zion Songster #25

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The Zion Songster #25

Text

Translations from the French of Madame de la Mothe Guion #14

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Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) #399

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