---
title: 'Addressed to a Student of Divinity: A Poem by Annis Stockton'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2020-01-04
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2020-addressed-to-a-student-of-divinity-a-poem-by-annis-stockton
---

# Addressed to a Student of Divinity: A Poem by Annis Stockton

One of the first published female poets in America was [Annis Boudinot Stockton](/authors/annis-boudinot-stockton), daughter of [Elias Boudinot IV](/authors/elias-boudinot-iv), wife of [Richard Stockton](/authors/richard-stockton), a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Her correspondence with and poetic tribute to George Washington is noteworthy, but she wrote poems on many subjects. Today’s post will highlight a poem she is thought to have sent to Princeton student and fellow poet Benjamin Young Prime (1733-1791) around 1757. It may be found, along with all of her known compositions, in [Carla Mulford, ed., *Only for the Eye of a Friend: The Poems of Annis Boudinot Stockton*](/tags/secondary-source).

**Addressed to a Student of Divinity**

> How blest the youth whom Genius deigns to guide,
> Thro paths of Science to fair wisdoms Seat —
> Where virtue and philosophy preside —
> And trample error underneath their feet.
> Whose Steady mind can from the croud retire —
> In Search of truth to turn the historic page —
> The rise and fall of empire to admire —
> And mark the effect of vice on ev’ry age. —
> Whose taste and fancy urge him to the groves —
> O’er craggy rocks or mountain steep to climb
> Or thro the secret haunts of nature roves —
> And deeply meditates on themes sublime.
> There taught by reason to controul the will —
> And hush the Jarring passions into peace —
> Their vast extent and influence to feel —
> And how Combin’d with human happiness.
> But happies he whom piety Controuls —
> To shun a flattering worlds decietful way —
> To break the bread of life to hungry souls —
> And prompt the path of bliss to those that stray.
> 
> Genius and Science polish and refine —
> Philosophy and virtue lend their aid —
> While truth and wisdom mark the true divine —
> Be this the path and this the pattern too —
> Then follow on with all your noblest powers —
> Nor let your Secret foes your mind subdue —
> But to your Saviour dedicate your hours. —