Take sackcloth of the darkest dye,
And shroud the pulpits round!
Servants of Him that cannot lie,
Sit mourning on the ground.
Let holy horror blanch each cheek,
Pale every brow with fears;
And rocks and stones, if ye could speak,
Ye well might melt to tears!
Let sorrow breathe in every tone,
In every strain ye raise;
Insult not Gods majestic throne
With th mockery of praise.
A reverend man, whose light should be
The guide of age and youth,
Brings to the shrine of Slavery
The sacrifice of truth!
For the direst wrong by man imposed,
Since Sodoms fearful cry,
The word of life has been unclosd,
To give your God the lie.
Oh! When ye pray for heathen lands,
And plead for their dark shores,
Remember Slaverys cruel hands
Make heathens at your doors!
