Poem- "An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley"

[Ms. Knarr]

An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley By Jupiter Hammon b. 1711



I

O come you pious youth! adore

The wisdom of thy God,

In bringing thee from distant shore,

To learn His holy word.

Eccles. xii.



II

Though mightst been left behind

Amidst a dark abode;

God’s tender mercy still combined,

Thou hast the holy word.

Psal. cxxv. 2, 3.



III

Fair wisdom’s ways are paths of peace,

And they that walk therein,

Shall reap the joys that never cease,

And Christ shall be their king.

Psal. i. 1, 2; Prov. iii. 7.



IV

God’s tender mercy brought thee here;

Tossed o’er the raging main;

In Christian faith thou hast a share,

Worth all the gold of Spain.

Psal. ciii. 1, 3, 4.



V

While thousands tossed by the sea,

And others settled down,

God’s tender mercy set thee free,

From dangers that come down.

Death.



VI

That thou a pattern still might be,

To youth of Boston town,

The blessed Jesus set thee free,

From every sinful wound.

2 Cor. v. 10.



VII

The blessed Jesus, who came down,

Unveiled his sacred face,

To cleanse the soul of every wound,

And give repenting grace.

Rom. v. 21.



VIII

That we poor sinners may obtain,

The pardon of our sin;

Dear blessed Jesus now constrain,

And bring us flocking in.

Psal. xxxiv. 6, 7, 8.



IX

Come you, Phillis, now aspire,

And seek the living God,

So step by step thous mayst go higher,

Till perfect in the word.

Matth. vii. 7, 8.



X

While thousands moved to distant shore,

And others left behind,

The blessed Jesus still adore,

Implant this in thy mind.

Psal. lxxxix. 1.



XI

Thous hast left the heathen shore;

Through mercy of the Lord,

Among the heathen live no more,

Come magnify thy God.

Psal. xxxiv. 1, 2, 3.



XII

I pray the living God may be,

The shepherd of thy soul;

His tender mercies still are free,

His mysteries to unfold.

Psal. lxxx. 1, 2, 3.



XIII

Thou, Phillis, when thou hunger hast,

Or pantest for thy God;

Jesus Christ is thy relief,

Thou hast the holy word.

Psal. xiii. 1, 2, 3.



XIV

The bounteous mercies of the Lord,

Are hid beyond the sky,

And holy souls that love His word,

Shall taste them when they die.

Psal. xvi. 10, 11.



XV

These bounteous mercies are from God,

The merits of His son;

The humble soul that loves His word,

He chooses for His own.

Psal. xxxiv. 15.



XVI

Come, dear Phillis, be advised,

To drink Samaria’s flood;

There nothing that shall suffice

But Christ’s redeeming blood.

John iv. 13, 14.



XVII

While thousands muse with earthly toys;

And range about the street,

Dear Phillis, seek for heaven’s joys,

Where we do hope to meet.

Matth. vi. 33.



XVIII

When God shall send his summons down,

And number saints together,

Blest angels chant, (triumphant sound),

Come live with me forever.

Psal. cxvi. 15.



XIX

The humble soul shall fly to God,

And leave the things of time,

Start forth as ’twere at the first word,

To taste things more divine.

Matth. v. 3, 8.



XX

Behold! the soul shall waft away,

Whene’er we come to die,

And leave its cottage made of clay,

In twinkling of an eye.

Cor. xv. 51, 52, 53.



XXI

Now glory be to the Most High,

United praises given,

By all on earth, incessantly,

And all the host of heav’n.

Psal. cl. 6.

[clareaker]

1. In my opinion, the overall meaning of the poem is that no matter what struggles we go through in life, God is always there to guide us. I think it is saying that God was with all the settlers and immigrants as they traveled. God was with all that lived and still with all those who died. I think the poem is saying that everyone sins and unknowingly goes against the Lord, but we must repent and ask Jesus for forgineness, and we will be forgiven. We should not dwell on the importance of material things, because in the end we won't need them and they will all be left beind and become unimportant. The poem is emphasizing that Jesus died and suffered for us so that we could go to heaven. In order for us to enter into God's kingdom, we have to make sacrifices that could cause us suffering, just like Jesus did for us, because at the end of time and the final judgemet, God knows who truly lived his life for Jesus, and who was selfish and lived for themselves.
2. I liked this piece because it was easy to understand and it sent across a clear message. The poem brought out emotions of thankfullness to God for forgiving those who need to be forgiven and for being with those who need His help. There was nothing about the poem that i disliked. It was easy to read and follow. It had a clear meaning and there was truth to it.
3. What does the author mean when she refers to drinking Samaria's flood?
What was the significance of talking about the people that left the heaventh shore?
What does the author mean when she says we shall taste God's divine word when we die?
What is the significance of Boston town that the author refers to?

[jessicanoel]

1. I agree with Clare that the meaning behind this poem is that God will always be there to lead the way for us. In my opinion, the poem is saying that will be there for the living, the sick, and the dead. As long as you need him, he will be there to guide you through your hardship. Jupiter Hammon is emphasizing that Jesus was brave enough to die on the cross for our every need, even for those who sin. Hammon stresses the importance behind God's forgiveness and love for all.

2. I found this poem inspirational. I was reassured that no matter what challenges I may be faced with in life, even if I may feel alone, I'm not. I will always have God. The message behind this poem is to never be afraid, which is what I loved most about this piece. I also liked the fact that it was precise and to the point.

3. Answer to question three: I think that the author meant when we die, it will be "everything we have lived for". That we will be Happy and free. That every struggle that was ever faced while living for that glorious moment when you get to heaven and meet God and the loved ones whom you have missed.

Q1: Why do you think that the author emphasized that sinners are still adored by God?

[colleenpoling]

1. I agree with both Clare and Jess that the overall meaning is that God is always here for us, no matter how hard things might get, or if we even commit sins he will forgive us and keep us moving on in life. Hammon is telling each reader that God loves each and everyone of us and he forgives us even when we think we have stooped to our lowest. The poem is emphasizing that Jesus died for us to have the life we are currently living and to one day join him in heaven. He wants us to keep close to us what will always matter such as family, friends and beliefs, because although materials may seem what we urge to have, in the end its those that we love.

2. I thought this poem was very appealing to the eye because of the short stanzas and wording. After reading this I am almost a stronger person moving on in life and know no matter what, God will always be here for me. I think this poem teacher a lesson to those who have a God they believe in that will touch them and give them a little more support. Life has its ups and downs, and this poem teaches us we will always have someone by our side to get us through these challenges.

3. (Response to Clare's second question) I think the significance of writing about the people that have left the heaventh shore, was to tell that those who gave up on God, need to somehow be reconnected. They are people that at there lowest point in life gave up on everything and everyone including God. They did not think back and remeber that God is there for them, they let him go. God needs to come down and find those, and show them everything is okay and he is there for them.

My question:
1. In the 19th stanza, do you think Jupiter Hammon was stating that only those who are humble will go to heaven?

[briannadiassi]

1. I think the poem is about how God is all powerful and all loving, that out faith in Him is the most valuable thing a person can have. Also that God is always forgiving and that we should seek God because that is the way to eternal life.
2. As a poem, I liked it because it was uplifting and inspiring. It lets you know that other people also believe that our God is all good and forgiving. A few of the phrases used were a bit difficult to understand, or maybe just not as common in today's language, but overall an easy to piece to comprehend.
3. What does "Tossed o'er the raging main" mean?
Why does Jupiter Hammon present death as good and bad?
What does he mean when he says, "Start forth as ’twere at the first word?"
What does he mean when he mentions, "seek for heaven's joys?"

[briannashreve]

1. I agree with everyone that the overall meaning is that God is always here for us all the time. God wants human beings to be good because of his love for us, therefore he's always willing to forgive our sins. He wants us to be able to join him in heaven as long as we are willing to repent. I believe that Hammon wants the reader to realize that Jesus died on the cross, not for himself, but for us and our sins. Therefore we should be able to "take up our own crosses" and repent after Jesus suffered through that for all of humanity.

2. Overall I liked the poem. The message Jupiter Hammon brought to the reader made me think about my life. It made me grateful for God's never ending love, and his mercy.

3. (Answer to Jess' question)
I think the author emphasized that sinners are still adored by God because in the Bible it says that God loves each and everyone of us, unconditionally. Meaning that no matter what we do with our lives, God is still supposed to love us.

My question: Why would the poem be addressed to Phillis Wheatley?

[darbycasey]

1. I also agree with everyone's idea that God is always there for us. I think that this poem is trying to show us that throughout the human life cycle God is there, from birth to death and even after death. Like people previously said, I think that this poem also shows us that God will be there in our best and our worst times. Ha seems to be trying to show us how Jesus lead by example and we should follow his example because he died for us. I also believe she is telling us that if we live our lives as Jesus did we will one day reach the ultimate goal of Heaven.

2. I like this poem because I think it provides a sense of hope. It allows us to realize that even in our toughest times we are not alone, God is with us. This poem also provides us with a goal that we should strive for. I also enjoyed this poem because it brings God into an understandable perspective as a loving friend that will always be there. I liked that because sometimes God is seen as this grand superior being that is difficult to comprehend.

3. Response to Brianna's question: I think this poem may have been addressed to Phillis Wheatley because Hammon may have thought she did not have hope and she needed some sort of inspiration. He may have wanted her to realize that we experience rough times, but we can make it through them and one day the ultimate goal of Heaven awaits us. There we will experience all that we have ever dreamed of and more.
My Question: Do you think that Hammon is saying that heaven is limited to only those who live as Jesus did?