“The Drowsy Watch; Or, The Church’s Slumber and the Roaring Lion’s Unseen Advance”The poem is a stern, prophetic warning in heroic couplets: believers have misused “judge not” as an excuse for blind tolerance, allowing deceptive enemies (false brethren, Satan in disguise) to infiltrate the church undetected. While Satan actively prowls and schemes, the church remains spiritually lukewarm and asleep in the pews. The poet urgently calls the drowsy saints to awaken, open the Bible, discern truth from deception, reject complacency, and rise to the spiritual battle before judgment falls—because only the vigilant will find mercy and the open door of salvation.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Revelation 3:15–16
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Ephesians 5:14
Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Romans 13:11
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Revelation 3:8, 20
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut… Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…

We’ve softly cried, “Let none presume to judge,”
Till tolerance became our shielding grudge—
A veil that blinds us to the cunning art
Of foes who mingle with the faithful heart.

As angels false, in brethren’s guise they creep,
While wolves in sheepskin harvest what they reap.
Awake, ye saints! Unseal the sacred tome,
Where truth’s sharp blade dispels the gathering gloom.

The lukewarm soul in drowsy pews reclines,
Half-hearted faith that neither flames nor shines.
Yet Satan prowls the field with restless might,
While churchly sleep invites eternal night.

Arise, O sleeper, from thy torpid bed!
The foe advances; shake the slumbering head.
Discern the light from shadows that deceive,
Lest grace be bartered, truth no more believe.

The hour grows late, the trumpet sounds its call—
Reject the nap, reclaim the fight for all.
For mercy lingers, judgment waits in store:
The watchful eye shall see the open door.