'To The Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory, On Reading His Sermons On Daily Devotion, In Which that Duty Is Recommended And Assisted' by Phillis Wheatly
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TO cultivate in ev'ry noble mind
Habitual grace, and sentiments refin'd,
Thus while you strive to mend the human heart,
Thus while the heav'nly precepts you impart,
O may each bosom catch the sacred fire,
And youthful minds to Virtue's throne aspire!
When God's eternal ways you set in sight,
And Virtue shines in all her native light,
In vain would Vice her works in night conceal,
For Wisdom's eye pervades the sable veil.
Artists may paint the sun's effulgent rays,
But Amory's pen the brighter God displays:
While his great works in Amory's pages shine,
And while he proves his essence all divine,
The Atheist sure no more can boast aloud
Of chance, or nature, and exclude the God;
As if the clay without the potter's aid
Should rise in various forms, and shapes self-made,
Or worlds above with orb o'er orb profound
Self-mov'd could run the everlasting round.
It cannot be--unerring Wisdom guides
With eye propitious, and o'er all presides.
Still prosper, Amory! still may'st thou receive
The warmest blessings which a muse can give,
And when this transitory state is o'er,
When kingdoms fall, and fleeting Fame's no more,
May Amory triumph in immortal fame,
A nobler title, and superior name!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"To The Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory" by Phillis Wheatley: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Phillis Wheatley, the first published African-American female poet, wrote "To The Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory, On Reading His Sermons On Daily Devotion, In Which that Duty Is Recommended And Assisted" in 1773. In this poem, she praises the sermons of Dr. Thomas Amory, a prominent religious figure in Boston at the time. Wheatley's poem is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of faith, devotion, and the role of religious leaders in society. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning of this poem and explore its significance in the context of Wheatley's life and work.
Background Information
Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa and brought to Boston as a slave in 1761. She was purchased by the Wheatley family and educated alongside their children. Wheatley showed a remarkable talent for poetry and was encouraged by her owners to pursue her writing. In 1773, at the age of 20, she published her first book of poetry, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral." This book made her a celebrity in both the United States and England, where it was also published. Wheatley's poetry was praised for its skillful use of classical literary conventions and its powerful exploration of religious and moral themes.
Analysis
"To The Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory" is a poem that is deeply rooted in religious themes and imagery. Wheatley begins the poem by addressing Dr. Amory directly and praising his sermons on daily devotion. She writes:
While you, my Lord, the rural shades admire, And from Britannia's public posts retire, Nor longer, her ungrateful sons to please, For their advantage sacrifice your ease; Me into these blissful regions guide Where Virtue reigns, and all the graces bide; Where, gently rising from the azure wave, She twines her smiling in a verdant grave; Till, call'd by frantick [sic] Bacchus to the bowl, She plants a lasting curse on body and soul.
Here, Wheatley portrays Dr. Amory as a figure who has retreated from the public sphere in order to focus on his religious duties. She praises him for his devotion to virtue and the grace of God, contrasting these qualities with the vices of the secular world. The use of classical imagery (such as the reference to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine) further emphasizes the contrast between the spiritual and the material.
Wheatley goes on to explore the idea of daily devotion in more detail, writing:
But when, arrived at the dread abode, Thro' the vast tracts of darkness and of road, What horrours seize the mind as it surveys The dark dominions of the deathful days, The form terrific, and the threatening mien, The sword, the sceptre, and the crown of spleen! The madding crowd's ignoble thirst of fame, And all the gorgeous glare of lifeless name!
Here, Wheatley portrays the world as a terrifying and dangerous place, ruled by death and darkness. She contrasts this with the idea of daily devotion, which provides a path to salvation and eternal life. The use of dark and ominous imagery creates a sense of urgency and importance around the idea of devotion.
Wheatley continues to explore this theme throughout the poem, using images of nature and the divine to paint a picture of a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. She writes:
Oh, let me tread that holy ground, Where saints and angels meet, To salutation's joyful sound, With harp's harmonious sweet! Singing to Him who wash'd us in His blood, And made us kings and priests to reign with God.
Here, Wheatley uses imagery of angels and harps to create a sense of beauty and wonder. This is contrasted with the idea of salvation, which is achieved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The use of religious language and symbolism reinforces the idea that devotion is a central aspect of the Christian life.
Interpretation
"To The Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory" is a poem that explores the theme of devotion in a religious context. Wheatley uses imagery of nature, divinity, and classical mythology to create a sense of contrast between the spiritual and the material. She portrays Dr. Amory as a figure who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of virtue and the grace of God, while contrasting this with the vices of the secular world.
The poem can be understood as a celebration of the power of faith and devotion to transform the individual and society. Wheatley's use of language and imagery creates a sense of urgency and importance around the idea of daily devotion, emphasizing its role in achieving salvation and eternal life.
Overall, "To The Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory" is a powerful and multi-layered work that explores the complexities of the religious experience. Wheatley's skillful use of language and imagery creates a sense of wonder and beauty around the idea of devotion, while also highlighting the dangers of the secular world. This poem is an important part of Wheatley's legacy as a poet and a symbol of the power of faith to inspire and transform.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To The Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory, On Reading His Sermons On Daily Devotion, In Which that Duty Is Recommended And Assisted is a classic poem written by Phillis Wheatly. This poem is a tribute to the Reverend Dr. Thomas Amory, who wrote sermons on daily devotion. Wheatly was a slave in the 18th century who became the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry. Her work was groundbreaking and paved the way for future generations of African American writers.
The poem is a beautiful tribute to the Reverend Dr. Thomas Amory. Wheatly praises him for his sermons on daily devotion, which she believes are essential for a fulfilling life. She writes, "How blest the youth whom Providence doth guide / To walk in wisdom's ways, and never slide / But still direct his orisons above / To him who is the source of light and love."
Wheatly's use of language is exquisite. She uses words like "blest," "wisdom's ways," "orisons," "source of light and love," to convey the importance of daily devotion. She believes that it is through daily devotion that we can connect with God and find true happiness.
The poem is divided into three parts. The first part is an introduction to the poem and the subject matter. The second part is a tribute to the Reverend Dr. Thomas Amory and his sermons on daily devotion. The third part is a call to action for the reader to embrace daily devotion.
In the second part of the poem, Wheatly praises the Reverend Dr. Thomas Amory for his sermons on daily devotion. She writes, "Thy sermons, Amory, are as sweet and clear / As the primeval language, spoken ere / The birth of time; those oracles divine / Which make the church's rule of faith and line." Wheatly believes that Amory's sermons are divine and that they provide guidance for living a fulfilling life.
Wheatly also praises Amory for his ability to inspire his congregation. She writes, "Thy voice, like music, fills the attentive ear, / Charm'd with thy accents, all our souls draw near, / While truth divine in thy discourse we find, / And feel the Saviour's love, and know his mind." Wheatly believes that Amory's sermons have the power to connect people with God and to inspire them to live a better life.
In the third part of the poem, Wheatly calls on the reader to embrace daily devotion. She writes, "O may thy precepts, Amory, ever find / A ready access to the youthful mind; / And may thy voice be as a trumpet clear, / To rouse the careless from their guilty fear." Wheatly believes that daily devotion is essential for a fulfilling life and that Amory's sermons can help people to embrace this practice.
Wheatly also believes that daily devotion can help people to overcome their fears and anxieties. She writes, "May they who read thy works, with ardor press / To learn the way of life and happiness, / And fix their hopes on that immortal crown, / Which Christ for his redeemed doth soon lay down." Wheatly believes that daily devotion can provide people with a sense of purpose and direction in life.
In conclusion, Poetry To The Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory, On Reading His Sermons On Daily Devotion, In Which that Duty Is Recommended And Assisted is a beautiful tribute to the Reverend Dr. Thomas Amory and his sermons on daily devotion. Wheatly's use of language is exquisite, and her message is clear: daily devotion is essential for a fulfilling life. Wheatly believes that Amory's sermons can help people to embrace this practice and to find true happiness. This poem is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of daily devotion.
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