It was customary in 19th-century American cities for certain tradesmen to solicit tips at Christmas by distributing a poetic broadsheet explaining why they deserved a seasonal gratuity — carriers, scavengers, and, particularly, town watchmen all touted their indispensability in verse. Here is the “Address of the Watchmen of the city and county of Philadelphia, on the Return of Christmas for the year 1818”. In it the author makes the unassailable theological point that, until God brings justice and peace to the world in the End Times, watchmen will always be necessary to guard the innocent householder.
Old custom calls a feast today,
Bids other bus’ness cease awhile
And liberal patrons think or say,
“Christmas repays the Watchman’s toil.”
His year is up–his labours claim
From generous friends a recompence,
‘Midst num’rous gifts, it were a shame,
To send him disappointed hence.
Thanks should inspire his breast, and yours,
That he who slumbers not, nor sleeps
Whose “mercy evermore endures,”
Our city still in safety keeps.
For vain the Watchman’s homely voice,
His rattle too and staff in vain
Useless each effort he employs,
If GOD should not our guard remain.
Him for our refuge–then no more,
With deep design or inward hate
Shall foes succeed at midnight hour,
To murder or to conflagrate.
Alas! what heart but throbs with shame,
What eye the rising tear denies!
At thought of man’s dishonour’d name,
To see the sad effects of vice.
The court, the jail, the fetters whence,
But from this source their power obtain ?
Hence springs the whole, and only hence,
Of human woe, distress and pain.
The beasts, which tread the forest o’er,
And ocean’s monsters all are seen,
Not stain’d with half the horrid score
Of deeds, that marks the lives of men.
And shall the long expected day
Arrive, and all these mis’ries end ?
Shall peace and truth regain their sway,
And man become his fellow’s friend ?
Yes! for this DAY ensures that hour,
When HE, who cloth’d himself in clay
By his own “word” and “mighty power,”
Shall scatter crime from earth away.
Then shall the “leopard with the kid,”
The “lion with the lamb lie down;”
Blessings creation overspread,
And every name his kingdom own.
No Watchman then his post need stand,
His “rattle” or his voice employ:
The land will be “Immanuel’s land,”
Where none shall “hurt” or aught “destroy”.
Yet till that period approach,
Your liberal feelings can’t refuse
A GIFT; we do not say how much,
But leave it with yourselves to choose.
This will encourage us the more,
Our nightly hardships to sustain ;
To guard from felons every door,
‘Midst driving snow or pelting rain.