Author: Isaac Watts

LibriVox volunteers bring you 9 different recordings of <em>The Siege of Belgrade</em> by Alaric Alexander Watts, an abecedarian poem that begins each line with the next letter of the alphabet. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of May 25th, 2008.

2Psalms of David

By Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was a poet, hymn-writer and musician. He wrote many of what we regard as "classical hymns" such as "Joy to the World" and "When I survey the wondrous cross". His translations of the Psalms are therefore poetical and musical, as they were designed to be sung. He captures in elegant English the feel of the original Psalms as they would have been heard by the Israelites thousands of years ago. - Summary by Beth Thomas

3Watt's Songs Against Evil

By Isaac Watts

This small volume of inspirational verse is a collection of the timeless work of the hymnist and theologian, Isaac Watts. Carefully and tactfully conceived, each of these motivational poems contains a valuable lesson relevant to youth's quest for moral guidance in a world of uncertainties and unknowns. But lest these poems be construed as pedantic lectures demanding righteous behavior, the listener will be pleased to discover instead a series of uplifting narratives intended not to admonish but to advise, not to reprimand but to recommend. These are poems that compel one to consider choosing a life journey along a path of personal happiness and self-fulfillment. They are poems that offer life-changing guidance to those with a thirst for understanding and a hunger for wisdom. - Summary by Bruce Kachuk

4Watt's Songs Against Faults

By Isaac Watts

These superb poems by the hymnist and theologian Isaac Watts emphasize the importance of developing a positive moral outlook and stress the significance of maintaining vigilance to avoid the pitfalls of everyday life. But although Watts stresses the urgency of heeding the advice outlined in these verses, he delivers his message with divine charm and subtle counsel - never with chastisement, reprimand or rebuke. These inspiring works constitute a written ethical compass for all who are tempted by forces detrimental to their well being - an ethical compass whose needle points the way to higher self-esteem, enhanced success and the exhilaration gained from choosing and following the right path through a life fraught with hazards and temptations. - Summary by Bruce Kachuk

"No man is obliged to learn and know everything; this can neither be sought nor required, for it is utterly impossible; yet all persons are under some obligation to improve their own understanding; otherwise it will be a barren desert, or a forest overgrown with weeds and brambles. Universal ignorance or infinite errors will overspread the mind which is utterly neglected and lies without any cultivation.<br><br> The common duties and benefits of society, which belong to every man living, as we are social creatures, and even our native and necessary relations to a family, a neighborhood, or government, oblige all persons, whatsoever, to use their reasoning powers upon a thousand occasions; every hour of life calls for some regular exercise of our judgment, as to time and things, persons and actions: without a prudent and discreet determination in matters before us, we shall be plunged into perpetual errors in our conduct. Now, that which should always be practiced must at some time be learned."<br><br> This version has been abridged from Watt's original by Stephen Norris Fellows as follows:<br> "In endeavoring to adapt it to the needs of the present, the following changes have been made: First — Nearly one-third of the book has been eliminated, as being too theological or too closely related to the age and country of the author. Second — A brief but comprehensive analysis has been prepared, which appears as a table of contents. Third — Prominence is given to some of the more essential doctrines by stating them in large type, while explanatory and illustrative matter is given in smaller type.<br> But few changes have been made in the text other than those mentioned above, as it seemed desirable to preserve the unique and forcible style of the author. The original work was first published in 1727, and although it is over one hundred and fifty years old, yet its teachings are in substantial harmony with the truest pedagogical doctrines of to-day. It is believed that in its present form and dress it is adapted to private reading, and reading circles, and also as a text-book in Secondary and NormaI Schools." - Summary by Introduction and Preface

This collection celebrates the marigold in verse from the 17th through the 20th centuries. - Summary by Newgatenovelist

The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry after Truth with a Variety of Rules to guard against error in the Affairs of Religion and Human Life, as well as in the Sciences. - Summary from Subtitle NOTE: As with all historical texts, the language used in this volume should be interpreted within the context of the entire work and the cultural context of its publication.