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Poem
July 27, 1825
The Hillsborough Recorder
Hillsboro, Orange County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
An extract poem critiquing superficial repentance, arguing that joining a church and ceasing vices is insufficient without restitution of ill-gotten gains, and emphasizing that faith without works is dead.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
REPENTANCE—AN EXTRACT
Repentance is a necessary act,
But of what kind is the important fact.
Some think 'tis fix'd if they but join the church
And fairly leave old Satan in the lurch,
That if they then leave off the cheating trade,
Swearing and lying, that their "peace is made;"
But yet far different doth the Muse opine,
For if 'tis their opinion, 'tis not mine.
A fortune made perhaps by one grand cheat,
To be retain'd, repentance deems not meet.
Can we turn good and keep our ill got store,
Or should we to its owner all restore?
If not, the vilest robber we can paint
Who robs no more, when rich, becomes a saint.
Faith we are told is good, but then 'tis said
Without the works that faith is truly dead.
Repentance is a necessary act,
But of what kind is the important fact.
Some think 'tis fix'd if they but join the church
And fairly leave old Satan in the lurch,
That if they then leave off the cheating trade,
Swearing and lying, that their "peace is made;"
But yet far different doth the Muse opine,
For if 'tis their opinion, 'tis not mine.
A fortune made perhaps by one grand cheat,
To be retain'd, repentance deems not meet.
Can we turn good and keep our ill got store,
Or should we to its owner all restore?
If not, the vilest robber we can paint
Who robs no more, when rich, becomes a saint.
Faith we are told is good, but then 'tis said
Without the works that faith is truly dead.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Repentance
Faith Without Works
Restitution
Moral Reform
Religious Hypocrisy
Poem Details
Title
Repentance—An Extract
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
A Fortune Made Perhaps By One Grand Cheat,
To Be Retain'd, Repentance Deems Not Meet.
Faith We Are Told Is Good, But Then 'Tis Said
Without The Works That Faith Is Truly Dead.