Resurrection of Christ.—Easter.

Resurrection of Christ.—Easter.UP! UP! MY HEART WITH GLADNESS.Up! up! my heart with gladness,See what to-day is done!How after gloom and sadnessComes forth the glorious Sun!My Saviour there was laidWhere our bed must be made,When to the realms of lightOur spirit wings its flight.They in the grave did sink Him,The foe held jubilee;Before he can bethink him,Lo! Christ again is free.And victory He cries,And waving tow'rds the skiesHis banner, while the fieldIs by the Hero held!Upon the grave is standingThe Hero looking round;The foe, no more withstanding,His weapons on the groundThrows down, his hellish pow'rTo Christ must he give o'er,And to the Victor's bandsMust yield his feet and hands.A sight it is to gladdenAnd fill the heart with glee,No more affright or saddenShall aught, or take from meMy trust or fortitude,Or any precious goodThe Saviour bought for meIn sov'reign love and free.Hell and its bands can neverHurt e'en a single hair,Sin can I mock at ever,Safe am I everywhere.The mighty pow'r of deathIs my regard beneath;It is a pow'rless form,Howe'er it rage and storm.The world my laughter everMoves, though it rage amain,It rages, but can neverDo ill, its work is vain.No trouble troubles me,My heart from care is free,Misfortune is my prize,The night my fair sunrise.I cleave, and cleave shall ever,To Christ, a member true,Shall part from my Head never,Whate'er He passes through;He treads the world beneathHis feet, and conquers deathAnd hell, and breaks sin's thrall;I'm with Him through it all.To halls of heav'nly splendourWith Him I penetrate;And trouble ne'er may hinderNor make me hesitate.What will, may angry be,My Head accepteth me,My Saviour is my Shield,By Him all rage is still'd.He to the gates me leadethOf yon fair realms of light,Whereon the pilgrim readeth,In golden letters bright:“Who's there despised with me,Here with me crown'd shall be;Who there with me shall die,Here's raised with me on high!”BE JOYFUL ALL, BOTH FAR AND NEAR.Be joyful all, both far and near,Who lost were and dejected:To-day the Lord of glory here,Whom God Himself electedAs our Redeemer, who His bloodUpon the cross shed for our good,Hath from the grave arisen.How well succeeded hath thy might,Thou foe of life so ruthless!To kill the Lord of life and light;Thine arrow through Him scathlessHath pass'd, thou base injurious foe!Thou thought'st when thou hadst laid Him low,He'd lie in dust for ever.No, no! on high His head is borne,His mighty pow'r asunderThy gates hath burst, thy bands hath torn,Thyself hath trodden underHis feet; who doth in Him confideThy pow'r and claims may now derideAnd say, “Thy sting, where is it?”Thy pow'r is gone, 'tis broken quite,And it can hurt him neverWho to this Prince with all his mightWith heart and soul cleaves ever,Who speaks with joy, “I live, and yeShall also live for aye with me,For I this life have purchas'd.“The reign and pow'r of death are o'er,He never need affright you;I am his Lord, the Prince of pow'r,And this may well delight you;And as your risen Head I live:So ye, if ye on me believe,Shall be my members ever.“Of hell have I the overthrowAccomplish'd, none now needethTo fear the pains of endless woe,Who Me and My word heedeth;He's freed from Satan's grievous yoke,Whose head I bruis'd, whose might I broke,And he can never harm him.”Now prais'd be God, who vict'ry hathTo us through Jesus given,Who peace for war, and life for death,With entrance into heaven,Hath purchas'd, who death, sin, and woe,World, devil, what our overthrowWould seek, for aye hath vanquish'd.Whitsuntide.O FATHER! SEND THY SPIRIT DOWN.O Father! send Thy Spirit down,Whom we are bidden by Thy SonTo seek, from Thy high heaven;We ask as He taught us to pray,And let us ne'er unheard awayFrom 'fore Thy throne be driven.No mortal man upon the earthIs of this gift so noble worth,No merit we've to gain it;Here only grace availeth aught,That Jesus Christ for us hath bought,His tears and death obtain it.O Father! much it grieves Thy mindUs in such woful plight to find,As Adam's fall hath brought us;The evil spirit's pow'r, this fallHath brought on him, and on us all,But Christ to save hath sought us.To our salvation, Lord, we cleave,That we are Thine in Christ believe,From Him nought shall us sever;And through His death and precious blood,Our mansions fair, and highest good,We look for, doubting never.This is a work of grace indeed,The Holy Spirit's strength we need,Our pow'r is unavailing;Our faith and our sincerityWould soon, O Lord! in ashes lie,Were not Thy help unfailing.Of faith Thy Spirit keeps the light,Though all the world against us fight,And storm with every weapon.Although the prince of this world too,May take the field to lay us low,No ill through him can happen.The Spirit's is the winning side,And where He helps, the battle's tideAssuredly abateth.What's Satan's might and majesty?It falleth when His standard highThe Spirit elevateth.The chains of hell He rends in twain,Consoles and frees the heart againFrom everything that grieveth;And when misfortunes o'er us low'rHe shields us better in their hour,Than ever heart conceiveth.The bitter cross He maketh sweet,In gloom His light our eyes doth greet,Care of His sheep He taketh,Holds over us the shield, and whenNight falls upon His flock, He thenTo rest in peace us maketh.The Spirit God gives from aboveDirecteth all who truly loveIn ways of safety ever;He guides our goings every day,From paths of bliss to turn awayOur feet permits us never.He maketh fit, and furnishesWith needed gifts for service thoseWho here God's house are rearing,Adorns their minds and mouths and hearts,And light to them for us imparts,What's dark to us thus clearing.Our hearts He opens secretlyWhen they His word so faithfullyAs precious seed are sowing;He giveth pow'r to it, where'erIt takes root, tending it with care,And waters it when growing.He teacheth us the fear of God,Loves purity, makes His abodeThe soul that sin refuseth;Who contrite are, virtue revere,Repent, and turn to Him in fearAnd love, He ever chooseth.He's true, and true doth aye abide,In death's dark hour He's at our side,When all from us recedeth;He sootheth our last agony,Up to the halls of bliss on highIn joy and trust He leadeth.Oh! happy are the souls and bless'd,Who while on earth permit this GuestTo make in them His dwelling;Who now receive Him joyfully,He'll take up to God's house on high,Their souls with rapture filling.Now, Father, who all good dost give,Our pray'r hear, may we all receiveFrom Thee this priceless blessing;Thy Spirit give, that here He mayRule us, and there in endless dayOur souls be aye refreshing.Repentance.CONSOLATION FOR PENITENCE.Let not such a thought e'er pain thee,As that thou art cast away,But within God's word restrain thee,That far otherwise doth say.E'en though thou unrighteous art,True and faithful is God's heart.Hast thou death deserv'd for ever?God's appeas'd, despond thou never!Thou art, as is every other,Tainted by the poison, sin,That the serpent, and our father,Adam, by the fall brought in.But if thou God's voice dost hear,“Turn to me, do good,” ne'er fear,Be of good cheer, He thy yearningWill regard, thy pray'r ne'er spurning.He is not a bear nor lionThirsting only for thy blood,Faithful is thy God in Zion,Gentle ever is His mood.God aye as a Father feels,He's afflicted by our ills,Our misfortune sorrow gives Him,And our dying ever grieves Him.“Truly,” saith He, “as I'm living,I the death of none desire,But that men themselves upgiving,May be rescu'd from sin's mire.”When a prodigal returns,God's heart then with rapture burns,Wills that not the least one evenEver from His flock be driven.Shepherd was so faithful never,Seeking sheep that go astray;Couldest thou God's heart see ever,How He cares for them alway,How it thirsts and sighs and burnsAfter him who from Him turns,From His people's midst doth wander,Love would make thee weep and ponder.God the good not only lovethWho in His house ever dwell,But His heart compassion movethTow'rds those whom the prince of hellHath enslav'd, the cruel foeWho men's hearts with hate to glowMakes 'gainst Him, who when He everMoves His foot, can make earth quiver.Deep His love is and enduring,His desire is ever great,He is calling and alluringUs to enter heav'n's wide gate.When they come, whoe'er they be,Seeking now that libertyFrom the devil's fangs be given,Glad are all the hosts of heaven.God and all on high who're dwelling,'Fore whom heav'n must hush its voice,When their Maker's praise forth-telling,O'er our penitence rejoice;But what has been done amissCover'd now and buried is,All offence to Him we've given,All, yea all, is now forgiven.From no lake so much is gushing,No depth is so deep at all,With such force no stream is rushing,All compar'd with God is small;Nought is like His grace so great,That remits our mighty debt,That He ever throweth overAll our lives e'en as a cover.Soul, why art thou sad and dreary?Rest now and contented be!Why wilt thou thyself so wearyWhen there is no need for thee?Though thy sins appear to theeLike a vast and shoreless sea,If thou with God's heart compare them,'Twill a trifle seem to bear them.Could we myriad worlds discoverAll sunk in apostacy,Had the sins there o'er and overEvery one been done by thee,Oh! still they were less by farThan the light of grace so clearCould on earth extinguish ever,God from greater could deliver.Of such wondrous love and favourOpen wide the door to me;Ey'rywhere and aye, my Saviour,Tasted be Thy grace by me.Love me, Lord! and let me beNearer ever drawn to Thee,That I may embrace and love Thee,Never more to anger move Thee!FOR THEE, LORD, PANTS MY LONGING HEART.—PSALM XXV.For Thee, Lord, pants my longing heart,My hope and confidence Thou art;My hope can never shaken be,Nor e'er be put to shame by Thee.Whoe'er he be that scorns Thy name,And turns from Thee, shall come to shame;But he who ever lives to Thee,And loves Thee, shall untroubled be.Accept my soul, O Lord! by grace,And keep me right in all my ways,And let Thy truth illumine meAlong the path that leads to Thee.Thou art my only light below,No other helper here I know;I wait on Thee both night and day,Why dost Thou, then, O Lord, delay?Ah, Lord! now turn Thine eyes awayFrom paths where I have gone astray;Of my ill ways what thinkest Thou,That I've pursued from youth till now?Remember, Thou my Guardian Lord!Thy loving-kindness and sweet word,Whereby Thou giv'st them comfort sweetWho lay themselves low at Thy feet.Who prove themselves, and sin confess,The Lord in mercy rich will bless;Who keep His testimonies all,The Lord will hold them when they fall.The heart that with the Lord is rightIn grief He'll gladden with His light,When sunk in need, weigh'd down by loss,Shall triumph e'en beneath the cross.Ah! Lord, full well thou knowest me,My spirit lives and moves in Thee;Thou seest how my bleeding heartLongs for the help Thou canst impart.The griefs that now my heart oppress,The griefs my heavy sighs expressAre great and sore, but Thou art HeTo whom nought e'er too great can be.To Thee I therefore raise mine eyes,To Thee mine ardent longings rise—Ah! let Thine eye now rest on meAs Thou wast wont, Lord, graciously.And when I need supporting grace,Turn not away from me Thy face;May what Thou deignest to impartOf my desires be counterpart.The world is false, it acts a part,Thou art my Friend, sincere in heart;Man's smile is only on his mouth,Thou lovest us in deed and truth.Foil Thou the foe, his nets all tear,And baffle every wile and snare;When all with me once more is well,May gratitude my bosom swell.Still may I in Thy fear abide,And go right on nor turn aside;Give single aim that honours Thee,Smarts rather than a burden be.Rule, Lord, and bring me unto Thee,And other saints along with me;Remove whate'er of ill dost find,Renew and cleanse each heart and mind.Wash Thou away each sinful stain,Deliver from all grief and pain,And lead us soon by heav'nly graceTo realms of endless joy and peace.SONG OF REPENTANCE FROM PSALM CXLIII.Lord, lend a gracious earTo my desire sincere,From heart all free from guile,And glad me with Thy smile,Accept my petition.Not wealth is my request,That on the earth doth rest,That shall at length decay,With earth must pass away,And can never save us.The treasure I desireIs Thine own grace, O Sire!The grace that Thy dear Son,Of saving grace the throne,By His death hath purchas'd.Thou pure and righteous art,Unholy is my heart,All dead in sin I live,But sin dost Thou forgive,Who art God most faithful.And be Thy faithfulnessMy trust and happiness;Turn from my sin Thy faceWith overflowing graceMy guiltiness cover.Consider what we be—A moment, where are we?As brittle as frail glass,As fading as the grass,By a breath we're swept off.If Thou wilt only viewThe evil that we do,So great our load of sin,None e'er could stand withinHeaven's gate most holy.How Jesus Christ for meHimself hath giv'n, see!What I to do have fail'dHis power hath avail'd,His doing and dying.Thou lov'st remorse and smart,Behold, here is a heartThat knows and feels its sin,And burns like fire withinWith grief, pain, and sorrow.I'm like a thirsty landFrom which Thy gracious handHath long withheld the rain,Until we seek in vainFor strength, fruit, or moisture.Like hart upon the heath,That cries with gasping breathFor water fresh and clear,I call into Thine ear,Fount of living water!My spirit, Lord, revive,Rich consolation give;Speak, that my soul may restUpon the friendly breastOf Thy love eternal.Give me a trustful mood,That when the mighty floodOf sin o'erwhelmeth me,My grief absorb'd may beIn Thy mercy's ocean.Drive off the wicked foeThat seeks my overthrow;Thou art my Shepherd, IWill be eternallyA sheep of Thy pasture.As long as I shall dwellOn earth, to do Thy willI give myself to Thee,And evermore shall beThine own faithful servant.Though feeble, I shall beStill grateful unto Thee,For in Thy might alone,That worketh in Thine own,All my power standeth.Then send Thy Spirit down,Who points out to Thine ownThe way that pleaseth Thee;They never mov'd shall be,Who keep Him indwelling.Thou shalt go on before,Shalt open me the doorThat leads to wisdom's way,I'll follow every day,Copying Thee ever.And when at length 'tis giv'nTo tread the courts of heav'n,With angel hosts to TheeI'll sing eternallyTo Thy praise and glory.Prayer and the Christian Life.FOR WISDOM.O God! from Thee doth wisdom flow,All I can do Thou well dost know;If Thine own grace doth not sustain,Then all my labour is in vain.As shapen in iniquity,No good by nature can I see;My heart can never serve Thee right,In folly it is sunken quite.Yea, Saviour! I'm too mean and smallTo treat Thy law and claims at all;What for my neighbour's good may be,Is hid from and unknown to me,My life is very short and weak,A thread, a passing wind may break;The splendour that the world doth prizeIs vain and worthless in mine eyes.If earth with all its gifts would dow'r,And give me honour, fame, and pow'r,And did I not enjoy Thy light,Then were I nought, 'twere deepest night.What use, though much we've learnèd here,If first we do not learn Thy fear,And ne'er to serve Thee right attain?It is more loss to us than gain.The knowledge men themselves attainMay easily mislead again;And when our art hath done its best,On all sides obstacles arrest.How many ruin now the soulThrough craft, as did Ahithophel,And come, through ignorance of Thee,And through their wit, to misery.O God, my Father! lend an ear,My supplication deign to hear;Far from me may such folly be;A better mind, Lord! give to me.Give me the Wisdom from aboveThou giv'st to all who truly love,The wisdom that before Thy throneFor ever shineth in their crown.I love her lovely face so bright,She is my joy and heart's delight,The fairest is that holdeth me,Mine eyes she pleaseth wondrously.She's noble, and of rarest worth,From Thee, Most High! derives her birth;She's like the Monarch of the day,Rich gifts and virtues her array.Her words are sweet and comfort well,When grief our eyes with tears doth fill;When 'neath affliction's rod we smart,'Tis she revives the drooping heart.She's full of grace and majesty,Preserves us from mortality;Who earnestly to get her strives,E'en when he's dying, still he lives.She's the Creator's counsellor,In deeds and words excels in pow'r;Through her the blind world knows and seesWhat God in heav'n above decrees.What mortal knows His Maker's mind?Who is he that could ever findThe counsel out God hath decreed,The way wherein He'd have us tread?The soul upon the earth doth live,Its heavy burdens sorely grieve,The faculties distracted be,From error here are not set free.What God doth who can e'er explore,And say what He rejoiceth o'er?Unless Thou who dost ever liveDost Thine own wisdom to us give.Then send her from Thy heav'nly throne,And give her to Thine handmaid's son;Her bountifully, Lord! impartTo the poor dwelling of my heart.Command her to abide with me,And my companion aye to be;Whene'er I labour, may she e'erMe help my heavy load to bear.May I be taught by her wise handTo know and rightly understandThat I to Thee alone may cleave,According to Thy will may live.And give to me ability,To truth may I still open be,That sour of sweet I never make,Nor darkness for the light may take.To Thy word give desire and love,And true to duty may I prove;To pious souls join'd may I be,Take counsel with them constantly.And may I gladly every man,By deed and counsel when I can,To guide and succour ready be,In truth and in sincerity.So that in ev'rything I do,In Thy love I may ever grow;For who to wisdom doth not giveHimself, unlov'd by Thee must live.FOR SUCCESS AND BLESSING IN ALL CHRISTIAN WORKS AND PURPOSES.My God! my works and all I do,Rest only on Thy will, I know,Thy blessing prospers ever,When Thou dost guide, we persevereIn right ways, erring never.It standeth not in human mightThat man's devices issue right,His way with gladness endeth:God's counsel only prospers sure,'Tis He success who sendeth.Man often thinks in haughty moodThat this or that is for his good,Yet widely he mistaketh;He often thinketh that is illWhereof the Lord choice maketh.But wise men e'en who joyfullyBegin a good work, frequentlyReach no good termination;They build a castle firm and strong,But sand is the foundation.How many in their fancy strayHigh over mountain peaks away,Ere they bethink them ever;Down to the ground they fall, and vainHas been their strong endeavour.Dear Father! therefore, who the crownAnd sceptre bear'st on Heav'n's throne,Who from the clouds dost lighten,Regard my words, and hear my cry,From Thy seat my soul brighten!Vouchsafe to me the noble lightThat from Thy countenance so brightOn pious souls aye breaketh,And where the pow'r of wisdom trueThrough Thine own pow'r awaketh.Give understanding from on high,That I henceforward may relyUpon mine own will never.Be Thou my counsel, that I mayFulfil the good, Lord! ever.Prove all things well, whate'er is goodGive to me, but what flesh and bloodDoth choose, withhold it ever.The highest good, the fairest part,Thy glory is and favour.Sun of my soul! my chief delight!Whate'er is pleasing in Thy sight,Oh! may I choose and do it;And what's displeasing unto Thee,May I, O Lord! eschew it.Is it from Thee? my work then bless;Is it of man? withhold success,And change what I'm resolving.Dost Thou not work? 'twill come to nought,In failure soon involving.But should Thine and our enemyBegin to rage revengefullyAgainst the good Thou'rt meaning,My comfort is, Thou canst avertHis wrath, me ever screening.Draw near, and let it easy be,What seems impossible to me,A happy issue give it;What Thou Thyself didst undertake,Thy wisdom did conceive it.Though hard at first the work may be,And I may through the deepest seaOf bitter grief be passing,Oh! may I only driven beTo sighs and pray'r unceasing.Whoever prays and trusteth Thee,With valiant heart shall victor beO'er all that frightens ever,In thousand pieces speedilyGrief's heavy stone shall shiver.The way to good is almost wild,With thorns and hedges is it fill'd;Along this way who goethHe by the Spirit's grace at lastWhat heav'nly joy is knoweth.I am Thy child, my Father Thou!Thou hast abundance to bestow,Nought can I find within me;Help, that I may maintain my ground,As victor home, Lord! bring me.Thine be the glory and the pow'r!Thy mighty works I'll more and moreFrom heart with rapture swelling,Before Thy folk and all the world,All my life long be telling.TWOFOLD, FATHER! IS MY PRAYER.—PROV. XXX. 7-9.Twofold, Father! is my pray'r,Twofold the desire I thereLay before Thee, who dost giveWhat's good for us to receive;Grant the pray'r that Thou dost know,Ere my soul to Thee must goFrom the body's bands below.Grant that far from me may beLying and idolatry;Poverty immoderateGive me not, nor riches great;Too great wealth or povertyIs not good, for either may'Neath the devil's pow'r us lay.Give to me, my Saviour! giveModest portion while I live;Evermore supply my need,Giving me my daily bread;Little, with contented mood,And a conscience pure and good,Is the best can be bestow'd.If my cup should overflow,Proud in spirit I might grow,Thee deny with scornful word,Asking who is God and Lord?For the heart with pride doth swell,Often knows not when 'tis well,How itself enough t' extol.Should I bare and naked be,Sunk in too deep poverty,Faithless, I might wickedlySteal my neighbour's property;Force might use and artifice,Follow lawless practices,Never ask what Christian is.God! my Treasure and my Light,Neither course for me were right,Either would dishonour Thee,Sink me into hell's dark sea;Therefore, give, Lord! graciously,What Thy heart designs for me,Moderate my portion be!SIRACH'S PRAYER FOR A HAPPY AND TEMPERATE LIFE.Creator, Father, Prince of might!Who life to me art giving,Unless Thou guid'st my life arightIn vain here am I living.For while I'm living, I am dead,To sin devoted ever;Whose life in mire of sin is led,The true life he hath neverBeheld one moment even.Then turn on Thy poor child Thy face,In darkness do not leave me;That I may shun sin and disgrace,Good counsel ever give me!To keep my lips a guard, Lord, send,May no word ever leave themThat e'er Thy people could offendLet nought I say e'er grieve them,Nor ever Thee dishonour!Forbid, Father! that mine earUpon this earth so evil,Against Thy name and pow'r should hearThe wicked rage and cavil.Let not the poison and the gallOf slanderers defile me;If I such filth should touch at allIt surely would beguile me,Might e'en quite overthrow me.Lord, keep mine eyes, control their glance,May they work evil never;A bold and shameless countenanceKeep Thou far from me ever!What's honest, keeps due boundaries,What angels seek in heaven,What is well-pleasing in Thine eyes,For it by me be striven,All luxury disdaining.Oh! may I ne'er delighted beBy revelling and eating;Be what Thou lov'st belov'd by me,Though others shun it, hating.The lusts wherein the flesh doth roll,To hell will draw us ever;The joys the world doth love, the soulAnd spirit will deliverTo torment everlasting.Oh! happy he who eats heav'n's bread,And heav'nly water drinketh,Who tastes nought else, nought else doth heed,Nought else desires, and thinkethOf that alone which strength can bring,The life we'll live for everWith God, and with the hosts who singHis praise, in joy that neverShall know an interruption.FOR CONSTANT CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.Jesus! Thou, my dearest Brother,Who dost well to me intend,Thou mine Anchor, Mast, and Rudder,And my truest Bosom-Friend.To Thee, ere was earth or heaven,Had the race of man been given;Thou, e'en me, poor guest of earth,Chosen hadst before my birth.Thou art free from guile, Lord! everInnocent of all that's base;But on this sad earth wheneverI in meditation gaze,There I find deception living;Who excelleth in deceiving,Who the best dissemble can,He's the best and wisest man.Hollow and unfaithful everIs the friendship of the earth;Seemeth she a man to favour?'Tis but for the gold he's worth;Are we prosp'rous, do we flourish?She will smile on us, and nourish;Doth misfortune o'er us low'r?She forsakes us in that hour.Drive away from me, and shield meFrom such instability;If I, Father, have defil'd me(For I also human be)With this mire, and did I everFalsehood love, oh! now deliver.All my guilt I own to Thee,Patience give, and grace to me!May I ne'er be overtakenBy the evils Thou hast saidCome on those who've truth forsaken,And with wares deceptive trade;For Thou sayest Thou disownest,As abomination shunnest,Ev'ry hypocrite's false mood,Who talks, but doth not the good.May my heart be constant ever,Faithful still to every friend;When to grief Thou dost deliverThem, and 'neath the cross they bend,May I even then ne'er shun them,But like unto Thee, Lord, own them,Who, when we were poor and bare,Tended'st us with fondest care.After Thy will, Saviour, give meOne in whom I may confide,Who will faithful counsel give meWhen my heart is sorely tried;To whom I may freely utterAll I feel, with nought to fetter,In the measure I may need,'Till my heart from care is freed.Oh! let David's bliss betide me,Give to me a JonathanWho will come and stand beside meLike a rock, though every manFrom my company should sever,Who his heart will give me ever,Who'll stand firm in every hour,When sun shines or tempests low'r.Out of all the men who're living,Choose me a believing friend,Who to Thee is firmly cleaving,On Thine arm doth aye depend;Who may by Thy will relieve me,Help and comfort ever give me,Help, from sympathizing heart,Comfort, when I feel grief's smart.When 'tis only the mouth loveth,Then the love is ill bestow'd;Whose love but to good words movethWhile he keeps a hateful mood,Whom self-interest rules ever,Who when honey falls, stays never,But escapeth speedily,—Ever far be such from me!In my weakness and my sinning,Move my friend to speak to me,By his words of kindness winning,Never as an enemy.Who reproves in love and sadnessIs like him, in days of gladness,Who pours balsam over meThat by Jordan floweth free.Riches great were I possessing,Priceless were my property;Jesus! did Thy hand such blessingGraciously bestow on me,Were such friend, Lord! ever near me,By His constancy to cheer me;Who doth honour Thee, and fearHe hath such a treasure near.Good friends like to staves are ever,Whereon men lean as they go,That the weak one can deliver,When he slides and lieth low:Sad his case who such ne'er knoweth,Who through life all friendless goeth,Weary is his lonely way,When he falls, to help who stay?Gracious Saviour! let it please Thee,Be my Friend in every hour,Be my Friend, till death release me,Be my faithful Staff of pow'r!When Thou to Thyself wilt bind me,Then a heart Thou soon wilt find me,By Thy Holy Spirit fir'dWith good thoughts to me inspir'd.FOR TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL WELFARE.O God, my Father! thanks to TheeI bring with deep humility,That Thou Thine anger endest,And that Thy Son,Our Joy and Crown,Into the world Thou sendest.He hath appear'd, His precious bloodHath pourèd forth in such a flood,That all our sins it washes.Who to Him cleaves,He soon relievesOf burdens, and refreshes.I come, Lord! as the best I may,Take me into the band, I pray,Of those who are forgiven,Who through this bloodAre just and good,And shall be bless'd in heaven.Oh! let mine eye and hand of faithThis noble pledge keep without scath,Away from me ne'er casting;And let this lightLead me aright,To the light everlasting.The mansion of my soul prepare,Cast out whate'er is evil there,And build in me Thy dwelling:Thy grace so freeReveal to me,My soul with Thy love filling.All things are mine when I have Thee,Thou void of gifts canst never be;A thousand ways Thou knowestOn earth to keepThy feeble sheep;Enough Thou aye bestowest.Grant that I in my station hereThee in Thy word may ever fear,So guide what things concern me,That found in meTrue faith may be,And may with truth adorn me.And give me a contented mind,For when with godliness combin'd,Great gain thence ever floweth.Then what of goodIt pleaseth GodTo give, great peace bestoweth.The little that by God's great graceThe righteous as his portion has,To honour more commendeth,Than all the goldThe world doth hold,And with proud spirit spendeth.The faithful, Lord, to Thee are known,Thou art their Joy, and they Thine own,To shame thou putt'st them never;Comes scarcity,Their bread from TheeThey find in all lands ever.God loveth him who fears and cleavesTo Him, sees that no mischance grieves,In his ways joyeth ever;And if he slide,God doth abide,Doth bless him and deliver.God's eye is upon all who waitAnd hope in Him both soon and late,In all need to deliver,E'en in the hourWhen to devourDeath threatens them for ever.Lord, Thou canst only gracious be,Thou givest all to know and seeThy goodness and Thy favour,Who with their mouthAnd heart in truthOwn Thee their only Saviour.MakeHer[9]Thy care especially,Whom Thou as monarch hast rais'd highThis land and nation over;With rest and peaceThe land, Lord! bless,The throne with blessings cover.Preserve, Lord! our dear native landIn Thine embrace and mighty hand;Protect us all togetherFrom error's voice,From enemies,From fire and plague deliver.All whom I love, keep every day,Let all the hosts of hell awayFrom young and old be driven!Here, may we beIn time by TheePreserv'd, and there in heaven![9]For obvious reasons the original has been slightly altered. The German is,Insonderheit nimm wohl in achtDen Fürsten, &c.FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST.O Jesus Christ! my fairest Light,Who in Thy soul dost love me,I ne'er can tell it, nor its heightMete, 'tis so high above me,Grant that my heart may warm to Thee,With ardent love ne'er ceasing,Thee embracing,And as Thy property,Cleave to Thee, ever gazing.Grant that an idol in me mayDwell e'en a moment never,Grant me to make Thy love, I pray,My crown and prize for ever!Cast all things out, take all away,That Thee and me would sever,So that everBy Thy love, my pow'rs mayBe kindled, and cool never!How friendly, blessèd, sweet, and fairIs Thy love, Jesus ever!While this remains, distress and careCan grieve my spirit never.Then let me only think of Thee,Be seeing, hearing, feeling,Loving, tellingOf Thee, and Thy great love to meOh! be Thou more revealing!Oh! that this greatest, highest good,I might for aye be tasting!Oh! that in me this noble bloodMight glow to everlasting!Help me to watch, Lord! day and night,This blessèd treasure shieldingFrom unyieldingFoes, who 'gainst us the mightOf Satan's realm are wielding!My Saviour! Thou in love to meHast down to death descended,And like a murd'rer on the treeAnd thief hast been suspended,Spit on, despis'd and wounded sore,The wounds which Thee have riven,May it evenTo me at the heart's coreWith love to feel be given.The blood that hath been shed by TheeIs good and precious ever,My heart is wicked desp'rately,Hard as a millstone nether.Ah! let the virtue of Thy bloodMy flinty heart be bending,Entrance finding;And may Thy love, life's floodThrough all my veins be sending.Oh! were my heart op'd to receiveThe blood-drops that were fallingFrom Thee, wrung by my sin that eveIn agony appalling!Oh! that the fountains of mine eyesWere op'd, and with much sighing,And sore crying,Gush'd forth, as tears and sighsOf men in love who're dying.Oh! that I as a little childWith weeping eyes might trace Thee,E'en till Thy heart with love was fill'dAnd Thine arms did embrace me.And until Thou Thy heart to meWith sweet love flowing over,Should'st discover,And we united be,Thy goodness for my cover.Ah! draw me, Saviour! after Thee,And so shall I be hasting,I run, and in my heart shall beThy love with rapture tasting;The gracious words from Thee I'll hearSweet comfort shall give ever;Me deliverFrom sin, and every fear,These shall o'ercome me never.My Comfort, Treasure, Health, and Light,My Life and Saviour tender!Ah! take me for Thy portion quiteAs I myself surrender!There's nought but pain apart from Thee,I nought but gall discover,Earth all over,Nought ever comforts me,No balm can me recover.But Thou the Rest most blessed art,In Thee are joys eternal.Grant, Jesus! grant that my poor heartFeed in Thy pastures vernal!Be Thou the flame that burns in me,My Balsam, ease that giveth,And relievethPain that here constantlyMakes me heave sighs, and grieveth.Ah! fairest one, what faileth meIn Thy great love, of blessing?It is my sun that lightens me,My well-spring, me refreshing!My sweetest wine, my heav'nly bread,My cov'ring when before Thee,And my glory,My shield in hour of need,My house that riseth o'er me!Ah! dearest love, why was I born,If Thou my soul forsakest?If Thou withdraw'st, I'm all forlorn,All good from me Thou takest.O may I seek Thee as my guest,With all my best endeavourKeep Thee ever;And when I Thee arrest,Let Thee go from me never.I've been belov'd by Thee for aye,To follow Thou did'st move me;Before I good could e'er essay,E'en then did Thy heart love me:Ah! noble Rock! Thy love belowMay it for ever guide me,And beside meBe it where'er I go,To aid whate'er betide me.And may Thy love adorn my place,Where'er my lot Thou'rt casting;And if I wander from Thy ways,To bring me back be hasting.And let me ever counsel wise,Good works from Thee be learning,From sin turning,And when from falls I rise,Come back to Thee with yearning!And ever be my joy in woe,When weak, with Thy strength stay me;And when my course is run below,I down to rest will lay me.Then may Thy love and truth with me,O Christ! abide for ever,Leave me never,Till I Thy glory see,Oh! may they waft me thither!THE FIRST PSALM OF DAVID.Bless'd is he who never takethCounsel of ungodly men!Bless'd, the right who ne'er forsaketh,Nor in sinners' paths is seen,Who the scorners' friendship spurns,From their seats away who turns,Who delight in God's word taketh,This his meditation maketh.Bless'd is he who pleasure takethIn God's laws' most perfect way,It is his lov'd resort who makethWhere he lingers night and day!Oh! His blessing blooms and grows,As the palm where water flows,And abroad its branches spreadeth,And the wayworn pilgrim shadeth.He will truly ever flourishWho God's word delights to do,Air and earth alike will nourishHim, till ripe his fruit shall grow.Though his leaf grow old, yet heEver fresh and green shall be,God success to his endeavourGiveth, and it prospers ever.But he who in sin's ways goethIs like chaff the wind before,When it riseth up and bloweth,And we find it here no more.Where the Lord His people guide,There the godless ne'er abide,God the faithful loves and guideth,On the wicked wrath abideth.THE 112TH PSALM OF DAVID.Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth,At His word doth tremble aye!Bless'd whose heart him freely movethGod's commandments to obey.Who the Highest loves and fears,Findeth increase with the yearsOf all that to him is givenBy the bounteous hand of Heaven.His dear children shall stand everLike to roses in their blow;Flowing with God's goodness over,On his generations go.What the body needs belowGod who rules all will bestow,He will bounteously relieve them,Plenty in their dwellings give them.The right deeds of the believerNought can shake, they stand secure;If a storm o'ertakes him ever,Still doth God, his Light endure,Comforts, shieldeth with His pow'r,So that after darkness' hour,After night of tears and sorrow,Joy and sunshine glad the morrow.God's compassion, grace, and favourFor the faithful still endure.Blessèd are the souls who everThink upon the needy poor,Love them, seek to do them good;For the ever-living GodIn His arms of grace will bear them,And a home above prepare them.When the black clouds o'er them lighten,And the pealing thunders shock,They shall sit, and nought shall frighten,Like the dove hid in the rock;They'll remain eternally,And their memory shall beUpon every side extending,As their branches trees are sending.When misfortunes overtake them,Whereby sinners low are laid,Firm their courage, nought can shake them,And their hearts are undismay'd;Undismay'd, from care are free,Hearts that unreservedlyTo the Lord their God are given,Love Him when forsaken even.Who delight take in relievingSad ones, to the Lord are dear;What the loving hands are giving,God will recompense e'en here.Who much giveth much will gain,He shall not desire in vain,What his heart desires and willeth,God in His good time fulfilleth.But the foes who triumph'd o'er them,They shall see depart beneath;Satan who such malice bore them,Evermore shall gnash his teeth:Sorely will it him displeaseWhen their blessedness he sees,Yet that he can rob them never,Only waste himself for ever.THE 121ST PSALM OF DAVID.Lord! to Thee alone I raiseEvermore mine eager eyes,Upturn'd is my constant gazeTo the hills that pierce the skies:To the hills whence flow to meHelp and saving health from Thee!All my succour comes to meFrom my great Creator's hand,Who hath deck'd so beauteouslyEarth and sky, air, sea, and land,And with ev'ry good supplied,That our needs be satisfied.Lest thy feet, my soul! should strayFrom the narrow path of right,He is with thee in the way,And preserves thee day and night.Trust Him! and the hosts of hellNever more shall work thee ill.Sleepless vigils doth He keepWhen thou liest down to rest;When thou'rt sunk in slumbers deep,To thy side at His behestAngel hosts then wing their flight,Thee to guard through all the night.All thou hast and all thou artIs encircled by His love;Ev'ry grief that wrings thy heartDoth He graciously remove.Soul and body shieldeth He,When dark tempests threaten thee.When the noonday's burning sunAll thy body's strength doth blight,When the midnight stars and moonDazzle with their brilliant light,Then His hand of mighty pow'r,Shades thee in the trying hour.May He still protection yield,Faithful Shepherd be, and nearStill remain thy rock and shield,When thy heart's oppress'd with fear.When of need thou feel'st the smart,May He press thee to His heart.Dost thou sit or rise again,Dost thou speak or dost thou hear,Still at home dost thou remain,Art abroad when none is near,Dost thou wander in or out?He will compass thee about.THE 139TH PSALM OF DAVID.Lord, Thou my heart dost search and try,And what is hidden from mine eyeThou seest, all I am and ownTo Thine omniscient mind is known.Whene'r I sit, lie down, or stand,Or walk, or run, on ev'ry handThy presence doth encompass me,At all times I am hard by Thee.And all the thoughts that stir my heart,That lurk in its most secret part,Thy searching eye doth scrutinizeEre they to consciousness arise.And never from my tongue a wordEscapes, by Thee, O Lord, unheard;Thou order'st all I speak or do,And guidest me life's journey through.'Tis true, I know, but must remainA knowledge I can ne'er attain,A mystery beyond the kenOf feeble and short-sighted men.Where shall I from Thy Spirit fly,Escape from Thine omniscient eye?Where shall I from Thy presence hide,And where remote from Thee abide?If I ascend the utmost heightOf heav'n, there art Thou, thron'd in light;Or should I down to hell repairAnd make my bed, I'd find Thee there.Should I on morning's pinions ride,As far as ocean's empire wideOf stormy waves breaks on the land,I'd be upheld by Thy right hand.Or if the help of night I sought,No change by darkness would be wrought,For let the night be as it may,With Thee is ever cloudless day.'Mid darkest shadows Thou canst see,The darkness is a light to Thee,Thy glance is ever clear and bright,From sun and moon Thou need'st no light.My reins Thou ever hast possess'd,For in Thy hand they ever rest,From infancy Thou hast me led,With daily blessings crown'd my head.Thou hast, who'rt greatly to be fear'd,My frame with cunning hand uprear'd;Thy works, Thy wondrous pow'r forth tell,And that my soul doth know right well.My substance was not hid from Thee,When I in secret curiouslyWas fashion'd in the depths of earth,From whence Thy pow'r hath brought me forth.Before my time, my times for meDetermin'd were by Thy decree,The tale of years and days I'd see,Hours, moments, all were fix'd by Thee.My God, how precious, sweet, and fair,I see array'd before me thereThe thoughts of wisdom of Thy heart,In all Thy bounty doth impart.The sum of these so high doth mount,That when their number I would count,I find them infinitely moreThan dust or sand, on field or shore.How doth the bold blaspheming bandThee vilify on every hand,O God of wonders! and Thy nameDespise and treat with open shame.Their scornful mouths, Lord, close and seal,Against them speedily revealThy wrath! against Thy foes arise,Thy foes are hateful in mine eyes.Though in return, their hatred soreAgainst Thee burn, I do no moreAmid the rage of angry foes,Than 'neath Thy shelt'ring wings repose.Lord, search and know my heart and mood,See if my way be right and good,The everlasting joyful roadLead me that brings me home to God.

Resurrection of Christ.—Easter.UP! UP! MY HEART WITH GLADNESS.Up! up! my heart with gladness,See what to-day is done!How after gloom and sadnessComes forth the glorious Sun!My Saviour there was laidWhere our bed must be made,When to the realms of lightOur spirit wings its flight.They in the grave did sink Him,The foe held jubilee;Before he can bethink him,Lo! Christ again is free.And victory He cries,And waving tow'rds the skiesHis banner, while the fieldIs by the Hero held!Upon the grave is standingThe Hero looking round;The foe, no more withstanding,His weapons on the groundThrows down, his hellish pow'rTo Christ must he give o'er,And to the Victor's bandsMust yield his feet and hands.A sight it is to gladdenAnd fill the heart with glee,No more affright or saddenShall aught, or take from meMy trust or fortitude,Or any precious goodThe Saviour bought for meIn sov'reign love and free.Hell and its bands can neverHurt e'en a single hair,Sin can I mock at ever,Safe am I everywhere.The mighty pow'r of deathIs my regard beneath;It is a pow'rless form,Howe'er it rage and storm.The world my laughter everMoves, though it rage amain,It rages, but can neverDo ill, its work is vain.No trouble troubles me,My heart from care is free,Misfortune is my prize,The night my fair sunrise.I cleave, and cleave shall ever,To Christ, a member true,Shall part from my Head never,Whate'er He passes through;He treads the world beneathHis feet, and conquers deathAnd hell, and breaks sin's thrall;I'm with Him through it all.To halls of heav'nly splendourWith Him I penetrate;And trouble ne'er may hinderNor make me hesitate.What will, may angry be,My Head accepteth me,My Saviour is my Shield,By Him all rage is still'd.He to the gates me leadethOf yon fair realms of light,Whereon the pilgrim readeth,In golden letters bright:“Who's there despised with me,Here with me crown'd shall be;Who there with me shall die,Here's raised with me on high!”BE JOYFUL ALL, BOTH FAR AND NEAR.Be joyful all, both far and near,Who lost were and dejected:To-day the Lord of glory here,Whom God Himself electedAs our Redeemer, who His bloodUpon the cross shed for our good,Hath from the grave arisen.How well succeeded hath thy might,Thou foe of life so ruthless!To kill the Lord of life and light;Thine arrow through Him scathlessHath pass'd, thou base injurious foe!Thou thought'st when thou hadst laid Him low,He'd lie in dust for ever.No, no! on high His head is borne,His mighty pow'r asunderThy gates hath burst, thy bands hath torn,Thyself hath trodden underHis feet; who doth in Him confideThy pow'r and claims may now derideAnd say, “Thy sting, where is it?”Thy pow'r is gone, 'tis broken quite,And it can hurt him neverWho to this Prince with all his mightWith heart and soul cleaves ever,Who speaks with joy, “I live, and yeShall also live for aye with me,For I this life have purchas'd.“The reign and pow'r of death are o'er,He never need affright you;I am his Lord, the Prince of pow'r,And this may well delight you;And as your risen Head I live:So ye, if ye on me believe,Shall be my members ever.“Of hell have I the overthrowAccomplish'd, none now needethTo fear the pains of endless woe,Who Me and My word heedeth;He's freed from Satan's grievous yoke,Whose head I bruis'd, whose might I broke,And he can never harm him.”Now prais'd be God, who vict'ry hathTo us through Jesus given,Who peace for war, and life for death,With entrance into heaven,Hath purchas'd, who death, sin, and woe,World, devil, what our overthrowWould seek, for aye hath vanquish'd.

UP! UP! MY HEART WITH GLADNESS.Up! up! my heart with gladness,See what to-day is done!How after gloom and sadnessComes forth the glorious Sun!My Saviour there was laidWhere our bed must be made,When to the realms of lightOur spirit wings its flight.They in the grave did sink Him,The foe held jubilee;Before he can bethink him,Lo! Christ again is free.And victory He cries,And waving tow'rds the skiesHis banner, while the fieldIs by the Hero held!Upon the grave is standingThe Hero looking round;The foe, no more withstanding,His weapons on the groundThrows down, his hellish pow'rTo Christ must he give o'er,And to the Victor's bandsMust yield his feet and hands.A sight it is to gladdenAnd fill the heart with glee,No more affright or saddenShall aught, or take from meMy trust or fortitude,Or any precious goodThe Saviour bought for meIn sov'reign love and free.Hell and its bands can neverHurt e'en a single hair,Sin can I mock at ever,Safe am I everywhere.The mighty pow'r of deathIs my regard beneath;It is a pow'rless form,Howe'er it rage and storm.The world my laughter everMoves, though it rage amain,It rages, but can neverDo ill, its work is vain.No trouble troubles me,My heart from care is free,Misfortune is my prize,The night my fair sunrise.I cleave, and cleave shall ever,To Christ, a member true,Shall part from my Head never,Whate'er He passes through;He treads the world beneathHis feet, and conquers deathAnd hell, and breaks sin's thrall;I'm with Him through it all.To halls of heav'nly splendourWith Him I penetrate;And trouble ne'er may hinderNor make me hesitate.What will, may angry be,My Head accepteth me,My Saviour is my Shield,By Him all rage is still'd.He to the gates me leadethOf yon fair realms of light,Whereon the pilgrim readeth,In golden letters bright:“Who's there despised with me,Here with me crown'd shall be;Who there with me shall die,Here's raised with me on high!”

Up! up! my heart with gladness,See what to-day is done!How after gloom and sadnessComes forth the glorious Sun!My Saviour there was laidWhere our bed must be made,When to the realms of lightOur spirit wings its flight.

Up! up! my heart with gladness,

See what to-day is done!

How after gloom and sadness

Comes forth the glorious Sun!

My Saviour there was laid

Where our bed must be made,

When to the realms of light

Our spirit wings its flight.

They in the grave did sink Him,The foe held jubilee;Before he can bethink him,Lo! Christ again is free.And victory He cries,And waving tow'rds the skiesHis banner, while the fieldIs by the Hero held!

They in the grave did sink Him,

The foe held jubilee;

Before he can bethink him,

Lo! Christ again is free.

And victory He cries,

And waving tow'rds the skies

His banner, while the field

Is by the Hero held!

Upon the grave is standingThe Hero looking round;The foe, no more withstanding,His weapons on the groundThrows down, his hellish pow'rTo Christ must he give o'er,And to the Victor's bandsMust yield his feet and hands.

Upon the grave is standing

The Hero looking round;

The foe, no more withstanding,

His weapons on the ground

Throws down, his hellish pow'r

To Christ must he give o'er,

And to the Victor's bands

Must yield his feet and hands.

A sight it is to gladdenAnd fill the heart with glee,No more affright or saddenShall aught, or take from meMy trust or fortitude,Or any precious goodThe Saviour bought for meIn sov'reign love and free.

A sight it is to gladden

And fill the heart with glee,

No more affright or sadden

Shall aught, or take from me

My trust or fortitude,

Or any precious good

The Saviour bought for me

In sov'reign love and free.

Hell and its bands can neverHurt e'en a single hair,Sin can I mock at ever,Safe am I everywhere.The mighty pow'r of deathIs my regard beneath;It is a pow'rless form,Howe'er it rage and storm.

Hell and its bands can never

Hurt e'en a single hair,

Sin can I mock at ever,

Safe am I everywhere.

The mighty pow'r of death

Is my regard beneath;

It is a pow'rless form,

Howe'er it rage and storm.

The world my laughter everMoves, though it rage amain,It rages, but can neverDo ill, its work is vain.No trouble troubles me,My heart from care is free,Misfortune is my prize,The night my fair sunrise.

The world my laughter ever

Moves, though it rage amain,

It rages, but can never

Do ill, its work is vain.

No trouble troubles me,

My heart from care is free,

Misfortune is my prize,

The night my fair sunrise.

I cleave, and cleave shall ever,To Christ, a member true,Shall part from my Head never,Whate'er He passes through;He treads the world beneathHis feet, and conquers deathAnd hell, and breaks sin's thrall;I'm with Him through it all.

I cleave, and cleave shall ever,

To Christ, a member true,

Shall part from my Head never,

Whate'er He passes through;

He treads the world beneath

His feet, and conquers death

And hell, and breaks sin's thrall;

I'm with Him through it all.

To halls of heav'nly splendourWith Him I penetrate;And trouble ne'er may hinderNor make me hesitate.What will, may angry be,My Head accepteth me,My Saviour is my Shield,By Him all rage is still'd.

To halls of heav'nly splendour

With Him I penetrate;

And trouble ne'er may hinder

Nor make me hesitate.

What will, may angry be,

My Head accepteth me,

My Saviour is my Shield,

By Him all rage is still'd.

He to the gates me leadethOf yon fair realms of light,Whereon the pilgrim readeth,In golden letters bright:“Who's there despised with me,Here with me crown'd shall be;Who there with me shall die,Here's raised with me on high!”

He to the gates me leadeth

Of yon fair realms of light,

Whereon the pilgrim readeth,

In golden letters bright:

“Who's there despised with me,

Here with me crown'd shall be;

Who there with me shall die,

Here's raised with me on high!”

BE JOYFUL ALL, BOTH FAR AND NEAR.Be joyful all, both far and near,Who lost were and dejected:To-day the Lord of glory here,Whom God Himself electedAs our Redeemer, who His bloodUpon the cross shed for our good,Hath from the grave arisen.How well succeeded hath thy might,Thou foe of life so ruthless!To kill the Lord of life and light;Thine arrow through Him scathlessHath pass'd, thou base injurious foe!Thou thought'st when thou hadst laid Him low,He'd lie in dust for ever.No, no! on high His head is borne,His mighty pow'r asunderThy gates hath burst, thy bands hath torn,Thyself hath trodden underHis feet; who doth in Him confideThy pow'r and claims may now derideAnd say, “Thy sting, where is it?”Thy pow'r is gone, 'tis broken quite,And it can hurt him neverWho to this Prince with all his mightWith heart and soul cleaves ever,Who speaks with joy, “I live, and yeShall also live for aye with me,For I this life have purchas'd.“The reign and pow'r of death are o'er,He never need affright you;I am his Lord, the Prince of pow'r,And this may well delight you;And as your risen Head I live:So ye, if ye on me believe,Shall be my members ever.“Of hell have I the overthrowAccomplish'd, none now needethTo fear the pains of endless woe,Who Me and My word heedeth;He's freed from Satan's grievous yoke,Whose head I bruis'd, whose might I broke,And he can never harm him.”Now prais'd be God, who vict'ry hathTo us through Jesus given,Who peace for war, and life for death,With entrance into heaven,Hath purchas'd, who death, sin, and woe,World, devil, what our overthrowWould seek, for aye hath vanquish'd.

Be joyful all, both far and near,Who lost were and dejected:To-day the Lord of glory here,Whom God Himself electedAs our Redeemer, who His bloodUpon the cross shed for our good,Hath from the grave arisen.

Be joyful all, both far and near,

Who lost were and dejected:

To-day the Lord of glory here,

Whom God Himself elected

As our Redeemer, who His blood

Upon the cross shed for our good,

Hath from the grave arisen.

How well succeeded hath thy might,Thou foe of life so ruthless!To kill the Lord of life and light;Thine arrow through Him scathlessHath pass'd, thou base injurious foe!Thou thought'st when thou hadst laid Him low,He'd lie in dust for ever.

How well succeeded hath thy might,

Thou foe of life so ruthless!

To kill the Lord of life and light;

Thine arrow through Him scathless

Hath pass'd, thou base injurious foe!

Thou thought'st when thou hadst laid Him low,

He'd lie in dust for ever.

No, no! on high His head is borne,His mighty pow'r asunderThy gates hath burst, thy bands hath torn,Thyself hath trodden underHis feet; who doth in Him confideThy pow'r and claims may now derideAnd say, “Thy sting, where is it?”

No, no! on high His head is borne,

His mighty pow'r asunder

Thy gates hath burst, thy bands hath torn,

Thyself hath trodden under

His feet; who doth in Him confide

Thy pow'r and claims may now deride

And say, “Thy sting, where is it?”

Thy pow'r is gone, 'tis broken quite,And it can hurt him neverWho to this Prince with all his mightWith heart and soul cleaves ever,Who speaks with joy, “I live, and yeShall also live for aye with me,For I this life have purchas'd.

Thy pow'r is gone, 'tis broken quite,

And it can hurt him never

Who to this Prince with all his might

With heart and soul cleaves ever,

Who speaks with joy, “I live, and ye

Shall also live for aye with me,

For I this life have purchas'd.

“The reign and pow'r of death are o'er,He never need affright you;I am his Lord, the Prince of pow'r,And this may well delight you;And as your risen Head I live:So ye, if ye on me believe,Shall be my members ever.

“The reign and pow'r of death are o'er,

He never need affright you;

I am his Lord, the Prince of pow'r,

And this may well delight you;

And as your risen Head I live:

So ye, if ye on me believe,

Shall be my members ever.

“Of hell have I the overthrowAccomplish'd, none now needethTo fear the pains of endless woe,Who Me and My word heedeth;He's freed from Satan's grievous yoke,Whose head I bruis'd, whose might I broke,And he can never harm him.”

“Of hell have I the overthrow

Accomplish'd, none now needeth

To fear the pains of endless woe,

Who Me and My word heedeth;

He's freed from Satan's grievous yoke,

Whose head I bruis'd, whose might I broke,

And he can never harm him.”

Now prais'd be God, who vict'ry hathTo us through Jesus given,Who peace for war, and life for death,With entrance into heaven,Hath purchas'd, who death, sin, and woe,World, devil, what our overthrowWould seek, for aye hath vanquish'd.

Now prais'd be God, who vict'ry hath

To us through Jesus given,

Who peace for war, and life for death,

With entrance into heaven,

Hath purchas'd, who death, sin, and woe,

World, devil, what our overthrow

Would seek, for aye hath vanquish'd.

Whitsuntide.O FATHER! SEND THY SPIRIT DOWN.O Father! send Thy Spirit down,Whom we are bidden by Thy SonTo seek, from Thy high heaven;We ask as He taught us to pray,And let us ne'er unheard awayFrom 'fore Thy throne be driven.No mortal man upon the earthIs of this gift so noble worth,No merit we've to gain it;Here only grace availeth aught,That Jesus Christ for us hath bought,His tears and death obtain it.O Father! much it grieves Thy mindUs in such woful plight to find,As Adam's fall hath brought us;The evil spirit's pow'r, this fallHath brought on him, and on us all,But Christ to save hath sought us.To our salvation, Lord, we cleave,That we are Thine in Christ believe,From Him nought shall us sever;And through His death and precious blood,Our mansions fair, and highest good,We look for, doubting never.This is a work of grace indeed,The Holy Spirit's strength we need,Our pow'r is unavailing;Our faith and our sincerityWould soon, O Lord! in ashes lie,Were not Thy help unfailing.Of faith Thy Spirit keeps the light,Though all the world against us fight,And storm with every weapon.Although the prince of this world too,May take the field to lay us low,No ill through him can happen.The Spirit's is the winning side,And where He helps, the battle's tideAssuredly abateth.What's Satan's might and majesty?It falleth when His standard highThe Spirit elevateth.The chains of hell He rends in twain,Consoles and frees the heart againFrom everything that grieveth;And when misfortunes o'er us low'rHe shields us better in their hour,Than ever heart conceiveth.The bitter cross He maketh sweet,In gloom His light our eyes doth greet,Care of His sheep He taketh,Holds over us the shield, and whenNight falls upon His flock, He thenTo rest in peace us maketh.The Spirit God gives from aboveDirecteth all who truly loveIn ways of safety ever;He guides our goings every day,From paths of bliss to turn awayOur feet permits us never.He maketh fit, and furnishesWith needed gifts for service thoseWho here God's house are rearing,Adorns their minds and mouths and hearts,And light to them for us imparts,What's dark to us thus clearing.Our hearts He opens secretlyWhen they His word so faithfullyAs precious seed are sowing;He giveth pow'r to it, where'erIt takes root, tending it with care,And waters it when growing.He teacheth us the fear of God,Loves purity, makes His abodeThe soul that sin refuseth;Who contrite are, virtue revere,Repent, and turn to Him in fearAnd love, He ever chooseth.He's true, and true doth aye abide,In death's dark hour He's at our side,When all from us recedeth;He sootheth our last agony,Up to the halls of bliss on highIn joy and trust He leadeth.Oh! happy are the souls and bless'd,Who while on earth permit this GuestTo make in them His dwelling;Who now receive Him joyfully,He'll take up to God's house on high,Their souls with rapture filling.Now, Father, who all good dost give,Our pray'r hear, may we all receiveFrom Thee this priceless blessing;Thy Spirit give, that here He mayRule us, and there in endless dayOur souls be aye refreshing.

O FATHER! SEND THY SPIRIT DOWN.O Father! send Thy Spirit down,Whom we are bidden by Thy SonTo seek, from Thy high heaven;We ask as He taught us to pray,And let us ne'er unheard awayFrom 'fore Thy throne be driven.No mortal man upon the earthIs of this gift so noble worth,No merit we've to gain it;Here only grace availeth aught,That Jesus Christ for us hath bought,His tears and death obtain it.O Father! much it grieves Thy mindUs in such woful plight to find,As Adam's fall hath brought us;The evil spirit's pow'r, this fallHath brought on him, and on us all,But Christ to save hath sought us.To our salvation, Lord, we cleave,That we are Thine in Christ believe,From Him nought shall us sever;And through His death and precious blood,Our mansions fair, and highest good,We look for, doubting never.This is a work of grace indeed,The Holy Spirit's strength we need,Our pow'r is unavailing;Our faith and our sincerityWould soon, O Lord! in ashes lie,Were not Thy help unfailing.Of faith Thy Spirit keeps the light,Though all the world against us fight,And storm with every weapon.Although the prince of this world too,May take the field to lay us low,No ill through him can happen.The Spirit's is the winning side,And where He helps, the battle's tideAssuredly abateth.What's Satan's might and majesty?It falleth when His standard highThe Spirit elevateth.The chains of hell He rends in twain,Consoles and frees the heart againFrom everything that grieveth;And when misfortunes o'er us low'rHe shields us better in their hour,Than ever heart conceiveth.The bitter cross He maketh sweet,In gloom His light our eyes doth greet,Care of His sheep He taketh,Holds over us the shield, and whenNight falls upon His flock, He thenTo rest in peace us maketh.The Spirit God gives from aboveDirecteth all who truly loveIn ways of safety ever;He guides our goings every day,From paths of bliss to turn awayOur feet permits us never.He maketh fit, and furnishesWith needed gifts for service thoseWho here God's house are rearing,Adorns their minds and mouths and hearts,And light to them for us imparts,What's dark to us thus clearing.Our hearts He opens secretlyWhen they His word so faithfullyAs precious seed are sowing;He giveth pow'r to it, where'erIt takes root, tending it with care,And waters it when growing.He teacheth us the fear of God,Loves purity, makes His abodeThe soul that sin refuseth;Who contrite are, virtue revere,Repent, and turn to Him in fearAnd love, He ever chooseth.He's true, and true doth aye abide,In death's dark hour He's at our side,When all from us recedeth;He sootheth our last agony,Up to the halls of bliss on highIn joy and trust He leadeth.Oh! happy are the souls and bless'd,Who while on earth permit this GuestTo make in them His dwelling;Who now receive Him joyfully,He'll take up to God's house on high,Their souls with rapture filling.Now, Father, who all good dost give,Our pray'r hear, may we all receiveFrom Thee this priceless blessing;Thy Spirit give, that here He mayRule us, and there in endless dayOur souls be aye refreshing.

O Father! send Thy Spirit down,Whom we are bidden by Thy SonTo seek, from Thy high heaven;We ask as He taught us to pray,And let us ne'er unheard awayFrom 'fore Thy throne be driven.

O Father! send Thy Spirit down,

Whom we are bidden by Thy Son

To seek, from Thy high heaven;

We ask as He taught us to pray,

And let us ne'er unheard away

From 'fore Thy throne be driven.

No mortal man upon the earthIs of this gift so noble worth,No merit we've to gain it;Here only grace availeth aught,That Jesus Christ for us hath bought,His tears and death obtain it.

No mortal man upon the earth

Is of this gift so noble worth,

No merit we've to gain it;

Here only grace availeth aught,

That Jesus Christ for us hath bought,

His tears and death obtain it.

O Father! much it grieves Thy mindUs in such woful plight to find,As Adam's fall hath brought us;The evil spirit's pow'r, this fallHath brought on him, and on us all,But Christ to save hath sought us.

O Father! much it grieves Thy mind

Us in such woful plight to find,

As Adam's fall hath brought us;

The evil spirit's pow'r, this fall

Hath brought on him, and on us all,

But Christ to save hath sought us.

To our salvation, Lord, we cleave,That we are Thine in Christ believe,From Him nought shall us sever;And through His death and precious blood,Our mansions fair, and highest good,We look for, doubting never.

To our salvation, Lord, we cleave,

That we are Thine in Christ believe,

From Him nought shall us sever;

And through His death and precious blood,

Our mansions fair, and highest good,

We look for, doubting never.

This is a work of grace indeed,The Holy Spirit's strength we need,Our pow'r is unavailing;Our faith and our sincerityWould soon, O Lord! in ashes lie,Were not Thy help unfailing.

This is a work of grace indeed,

The Holy Spirit's strength we need,

Our pow'r is unavailing;

Our faith and our sincerity

Would soon, O Lord! in ashes lie,

Were not Thy help unfailing.

Of faith Thy Spirit keeps the light,Though all the world against us fight,And storm with every weapon.Although the prince of this world too,May take the field to lay us low,No ill through him can happen.

Of faith Thy Spirit keeps the light,

Though all the world against us fight,

And storm with every weapon.

Although the prince of this world too,

May take the field to lay us low,

No ill through him can happen.

The Spirit's is the winning side,And where He helps, the battle's tideAssuredly abateth.What's Satan's might and majesty?It falleth when His standard highThe Spirit elevateth.

The Spirit's is the winning side,

And where He helps, the battle's tide

Assuredly abateth.

What's Satan's might and majesty?

It falleth when His standard high

The Spirit elevateth.

The chains of hell He rends in twain,Consoles and frees the heart againFrom everything that grieveth;And when misfortunes o'er us low'rHe shields us better in their hour,Than ever heart conceiveth.

The chains of hell He rends in twain,

Consoles and frees the heart again

From everything that grieveth;

And when misfortunes o'er us low'r

He shields us better in their hour,

Than ever heart conceiveth.

The bitter cross He maketh sweet,In gloom His light our eyes doth greet,Care of His sheep He taketh,Holds over us the shield, and whenNight falls upon His flock, He thenTo rest in peace us maketh.

The bitter cross He maketh sweet,

In gloom His light our eyes doth greet,

Care of His sheep He taketh,

Holds over us the shield, and when

Night falls upon His flock, He then

To rest in peace us maketh.

The Spirit God gives from aboveDirecteth all who truly loveIn ways of safety ever;He guides our goings every day,From paths of bliss to turn awayOur feet permits us never.

The Spirit God gives from above

Directeth all who truly love

In ways of safety ever;

He guides our goings every day,

From paths of bliss to turn away

Our feet permits us never.

He maketh fit, and furnishesWith needed gifts for service thoseWho here God's house are rearing,Adorns their minds and mouths and hearts,And light to them for us imparts,What's dark to us thus clearing.

He maketh fit, and furnishes

With needed gifts for service those

Who here God's house are rearing,

Adorns their minds and mouths and hearts,

And light to them for us imparts,

What's dark to us thus clearing.

Our hearts He opens secretlyWhen they His word so faithfullyAs precious seed are sowing;He giveth pow'r to it, where'erIt takes root, tending it with care,And waters it when growing.

Our hearts He opens secretly

When they His word so faithfully

As precious seed are sowing;

He giveth pow'r to it, where'er

It takes root, tending it with care,

And waters it when growing.

He teacheth us the fear of God,Loves purity, makes His abodeThe soul that sin refuseth;Who contrite are, virtue revere,Repent, and turn to Him in fearAnd love, He ever chooseth.

He teacheth us the fear of God,

Loves purity, makes His abode

The soul that sin refuseth;

Who contrite are, virtue revere,

Repent, and turn to Him in fear

And love, He ever chooseth.

He's true, and true doth aye abide,In death's dark hour He's at our side,When all from us recedeth;He sootheth our last agony,Up to the halls of bliss on highIn joy and trust He leadeth.

He's true, and true doth aye abide,

In death's dark hour He's at our side,

When all from us recedeth;

He sootheth our last agony,

Up to the halls of bliss on high

In joy and trust He leadeth.

Oh! happy are the souls and bless'd,Who while on earth permit this GuestTo make in them His dwelling;Who now receive Him joyfully,He'll take up to God's house on high,Their souls with rapture filling.

Oh! happy are the souls and bless'd,

Who while on earth permit this Guest

To make in them His dwelling;

Who now receive Him joyfully,

He'll take up to God's house on high,

Their souls with rapture filling.

Now, Father, who all good dost give,Our pray'r hear, may we all receiveFrom Thee this priceless blessing;Thy Spirit give, that here He mayRule us, and there in endless dayOur souls be aye refreshing.

Now, Father, who all good dost give,

Our pray'r hear, may we all receive

From Thee this priceless blessing;

Thy Spirit give, that here He may

Rule us, and there in endless day

Our souls be aye refreshing.

Repentance.CONSOLATION FOR PENITENCE.Let not such a thought e'er pain thee,As that thou art cast away,But within God's word restrain thee,That far otherwise doth say.E'en though thou unrighteous art,True and faithful is God's heart.Hast thou death deserv'd for ever?God's appeas'd, despond thou never!Thou art, as is every other,Tainted by the poison, sin,That the serpent, and our father,Adam, by the fall brought in.But if thou God's voice dost hear,“Turn to me, do good,” ne'er fear,Be of good cheer, He thy yearningWill regard, thy pray'r ne'er spurning.He is not a bear nor lionThirsting only for thy blood,Faithful is thy God in Zion,Gentle ever is His mood.God aye as a Father feels,He's afflicted by our ills,Our misfortune sorrow gives Him,And our dying ever grieves Him.“Truly,” saith He, “as I'm living,I the death of none desire,But that men themselves upgiving,May be rescu'd from sin's mire.”When a prodigal returns,God's heart then with rapture burns,Wills that not the least one evenEver from His flock be driven.Shepherd was so faithful never,Seeking sheep that go astray;Couldest thou God's heart see ever,How He cares for them alway,How it thirsts and sighs and burnsAfter him who from Him turns,From His people's midst doth wander,Love would make thee weep and ponder.God the good not only lovethWho in His house ever dwell,But His heart compassion movethTow'rds those whom the prince of hellHath enslav'd, the cruel foeWho men's hearts with hate to glowMakes 'gainst Him, who when He everMoves His foot, can make earth quiver.Deep His love is and enduring,His desire is ever great,He is calling and alluringUs to enter heav'n's wide gate.When they come, whoe'er they be,Seeking now that libertyFrom the devil's fangs be given,Glad are all the hosts of heaven.God and all on high who're dwelling,'Fore whom heav'n must hush its voice,When their Maker's praise forth-telling,O'er our penitence rejoice;But what has been done amissCover'd now and buried is,All offence to Him we've given,All, yea all, is now forgiven.From no lake so much is gushing,No depth is so deep at all,With such force no stream is rushing,All compar'd with God is small;Nought is like His grace so great,That remits our mighty debt,That He ever throweth overAll our lives e'en as a cover.Soul, why art thou sad and dreary?Rest now and contented be!Why wilt thou thyself so wearyWhen there is no need for thee?Though thy sins appear to theeLike a vast and shoreless sea,If thou with God's heart compare them,'Twill a trifle seem to bear them.Could we myriad worlds discoverAll sunk in apostacy,Had the sins there o'er and overEvery one been done by thee,Oh! still they were less by farThan the light of grace so clearCould on earth extinguish ever,God from greater could deliver.Of such wondrous love and favourOpen wide the door to me;Ey'rywhere and aye, my Saviour,Tasted be Thy grace by me.Love me, Lord! and let me beNearer ever drawn to Thee,That I may embrace and love Thee,Never more to anger move Thee!FOR THEE, LORD, PANTS MY LONGING HEART.—PSALM XXV.For Thee, Lord, pants my longing heart,My hope and confidence Thou art;My hope can never shaken be,Nor e'er be put to shame by Thee.Whoe'er he be that scorns Thy name,And turns from Thee, shall come to shame;But he who ever lives to Thee,And loves Thee, shall untroubled be.Accept my soul, O Lord! by grace,And keep me right in all my ways,And let Thy truth illumine meAlong the path that leads to Thee.Thou art my only light below,No other helper here I know;I wait on Thee both night and day,Why dost Thou, then, O Lord, delay?Ah, Lord! now turn Thine eyes awayFrom paths where I have gone astray;Of my ill ways what thinkest Thou,That I've pursued from youth till now?Remember, Thou my Guardian Lord!Thy loving-kindness and sweet word,Whereby Thou giv'st them comfort sweetWho lay themselves low at Thy feet.Who prove themselves, and sin confess,The Lord in mercy rich will bless;Who keep His testimonies all,The Lord will hold them when they fall.The heart that with the Lord is rightIn grief He'll gladden with His light,When sunk in need, weigh'd down by loss,Shall triumph e'en beneath the cross.Ah! Lord, full well thou knowest me,My spirit lives and moves in Thee;Thou seest how my bleeding heartLongs for the help Thou canst impart.The griefs that now my heart oppress,The griefs my heavy sighs expressAre great and sore, but Thou art HeTo whom nought e'er too great can be.To Thee I therefore raise mine eyes,To Thee mine ardent longings rise—Ah! let Thine eye now rest on meAs Thou wast wont, Lord, graciously.And when I need supporting grace,Turn not away from me Thy face;May what Thou deignest to impartOf my desires be counterpart.The world is false, it acts a part,Thou art my Friend, sincere in heart;Man's smile is only on his mouth,Thou lovest us in deed and truth.Foil Thou the foe, his nets all tear,And baffle every wile and snare;When all with me once more is well,May gratitude my bosom swell.Still may I in Thy fear abide,And go right on nor turn aside;Give single aim that honours Thee,Smarts rather than a burden be.Rule, Lord, and bring me unto Thee,And other saints along with me;Remove whate'er of ill dost find,Renew and cleanse each heart and mind.Wash Thou away each sinful stain,Deliver from all grief and pain,And lead us soon by heav'nly graceTo realms of endless joy and peace.SONG OF REPENTANCE FROM PSALM CXLIII.Lord, lend a gracious earTo my desire sincere,From heart all free from guile,And glad me with Thy smile,Accept my petition.Not wealth is my request,That on the earth doth rest,That shall at length decay,With earth must pass away,And can never save us.The treasure I desireIs Thine own grace, O Sire!The grace that Thy dear Son,Of saving grace the throne,By His death hath purchas'd.Thou pure and righteous art,Unholy is my heart,All dead in sin I live,But sin dost Thou forgive,Who art God most faithful.And be Thy faithfulnessMy trust and happiness;Turn from my sin Thy faceWith overflowing graceMy guiltiness cover.Consider what we be—A moment, where are we?As brittle as frail glass,As fading as the grass,By a breath we're swept off.If Thou wilt only viewThe evil that we do,So great our load of sin,None e'er could stand withinHeaven's gate most holy.How Jesus Christ for meHimself hath giv'n, see!What I to do have fail'dHis power hath avail'd,His doing and dying.Thou lov'st remorse and smart,Behold, here is a heartThat knows and feels its sin,And burns like fire withinWith grief, pain, and sorrow.I'm like a thirsty landFrom which Thy gracious handHath long withheld the rain,Until we seek in vainFor strength, fruit, or moisture.Like hart upon the heath,That cries with gasping breathFor water fresh and clear,I call into Thine ear,Fount of living water!My spirit, Lord, revive,Rich consolation give;Speak, that my soul may restUpon the friendly breastOf Thy love eternal.Give me a trustful mood,That when the mighty floodOf sin o'erwhelmeth me,My grief absorb'd may beIn Thy mercy's ocean.Drive off the wicked foeThat seeks my overthrow;Thou art my Shepherd, IWill be eternallyA sheep of Thy pasture.As long as I shall dwellOn earth, to do Thy willI give myself to Thee,And evermore shall beThine own faithful servant.Though feeble, I shall beStill grateful unto Thee,For in Thy might alone,That worketh in Thine own,All my power standeth.Then send Thy Spirit down,Who points out to Thine ownThe way that pleaseth Thee;They never mov'd shall be,Who keep Him indwelling.Thou shalt go on before,Shalt open me the doorThat leads to wisdom's way,I'll follow every day,Copying Thee ever.And when at length 'tis giv'nTo tread the courts of heav'n,With angel hosts to TheeI'll sing eternallyTo Thy praise and glory.

CONSOLATION FOR PENITENCE.Let not such a thought e'er pain thee,As that thou art cast away,But within God's word restrain thee,That far otherwise doth say.E'en though thou unrighteous art,True and faithful is God's heart.Hast thou death deserv'd for ever?God's appeas'd, despond thou never!Thou art, as is every other,Tainted by the poison, sin,That the serpent, and our father,Adam, by the fall brought in.But if thou God's voice dost hear,“Turn to me, do good,” ne'er fear,Be of good cheer, He thy yearningWill regard, thy pray'r ne'er spurning.He is not a bear nor lionThirsting only for thy blood,Faithful is thy God in Zion,Gentle ever is His mood.God aye as a Father feels,He's afflicted by our ills,Our misfortune sorrow gives Him,And our dying ever grieves Him.“Truly,” saith He, “as I'm living,I the death of none desire,But that men themselves upgiving,May be rescu'd from sin's mire.”When a prodigal returns,God's heart then with rapture burns,Wills that not the least one evenEver from His flock be driven.Shepherd was so faithful never,Seeking sheep that go astray;Couldest thou God's heart see ever,How He cares for them alway,How it thirsts and sighs and burnsAfter him who from Him turns,From His people's midst doth wander,Love would make thee weep and ponder.God the good not only lovethWho in His house ever dwell,But His heart compassion movethTow'rds those whom the prince of hellHath enslav'd, the cruel foeWho men's hearts with hate to glowMakes 'gainst Him, who when He everMoves His foot, can make earth quiver.Deep His love is and enduring,His desire is ever great,He is calling and alluringUs to enter heav'n's wide gate.When they come, whoe'er they be,Seeking now that libertyFrom the devil's fangs be given,Glad are all the hosts of heaven.God and all on high who're dwelling,'Fore whom heav'n must hush its voice,When their Maker's praise forth-telling,O'er our penitence rejoice;But what has been done amissCover'd now and buried is,All offence to Him we've given,All, yea all, is now forgiven.From no lake so much is gushing,No depth is so deep at all,With such force no stream is rushing,All compar'd with God is small;Nought is like His grace so great,That remits our mighty debt,That He ever throweth overAll our lives e'en as a cover.Soul, why art thou sad and dreary?Rest now and contented be!Why wilt thou thyself so wearyWhen there is no need for thee?Though thy sins appear to theeLike a vast and shoreless sea,If thou with God's heart compare them,'Twill a trifle seem to bear them.Could we myriad worlds discoverAll sunk in apostacy,Had the sins there o'er and overEvery one been done by thee,Oh! still they were less by farThan the light of grace so clearCould on earth extinguish ever,God from greater could deliver.Of such wondrous love and favourOpen wide the door to me;Ey'rywhere and aye, my Saviour,Tasted be Thy grace by me.Love me, Lord! and let me beNearer ever drawn to Thee,That I may embrace and love Thee,Never more to anger move Thee!

Let not such a thought e'er pain thee,As that thou art cast away,But within God's word restrain thee,That far otherwise doth say.E'en though thou unrighteous art,True and faithful is God's heart.Hast thou death deserv'd for ever?God's appeas'd, despond thou never!

Let not such a thought e'er pain thee,

As that thou art cast away,

But within God's word restrain thee,

That far otherwise doth say.

E'en though thou unrighteous art,

True and faithful is God's heart.

Hast thou death deserv'd for ever?

God's appeas'd, despond thou never!

Thou art, as is every other,Tainted by the poison, sin,That the serpent, and our father,Adam, by the fall brought in.But if thou God's voice dost hear,“Turn to me, do good,” ne'er fear,Be of good cheer, He thy yearningWill regard, thy pray'r ne'er spurning.

Thou art, as is every other,

Tainted by the poison, sin,

That the serpent, and our father,

Adam, by the fall brought in.

But if thou God's voice dost hear,

“Turn to me, do good,” ne'er fear,

Be of good cheer, He thy yearning

Will regard, thy pray'r ne'er spurning.

He is not a bear nor lionThirsting only for thy blood,Faithful is thy God in Zion,Gentle ever is His mood.God aye as a Father feels,He's afflicted by our ills,Our misfortune sorrow gives Him,And our dying ever grieves Him.

He is not a bear nor lion

Thirsting only for thy blood,

Faithful is thy God in Zion,

Gentle ever is His mood.

God aye as a Father feels,

He's afflicted by our ills,

Our misfortune sorrow gives Him,

And our dying ever grieves Him.

“Truly,” saith He, “as I'm living,I the death of none desire,But that men themselves upgiving,May be rescu'd from sin's mire.”When a prodigal returns,God's heart then with rapture burns,Wills that not the least one evenEver from His flock be driven.

“Truly,” saith He, “as I'm living,

I the death of none desire,

But that men themselves upgiving,

May be rescu'd from sin's mire.”

When a prodigal returns,

God's heart then with rapture burns,

Wills that not the least one even

Ever from His flock be driven.

Shepherd was so faithful never,Seeking sheep that go astray;Couldest thou God's heart see ever,How He cares for them alway,How it thirsts and sighs and burnsAfter him who from Him turns,From His people's midst doth wander,Love would make thee weep and ponder.

Shepherd was so faithful never,

Seeking sheep that go astray;

Couldest thou God's heart see ever,

How He cares for them alway,

How it thirsts and sighs and burns

After him who from Him turns,

From His people's midst doth wander,

Love would make thee weep and ponder.

God the good not only lovethWho in His house ever dwell,But His heart compassion movethTow'rds those whom the prince of hellHath enslav'd, the cruel foeWho men's hearts with hate to glowMakes 'gainst Him, who when He everMoves His foot, can make earth quiver.

God the good not only loveth

Who in His house ever dwell,

But His heart compassion moveth

Tow'rds those whom the prince of hell

Hath enslav'd, the cruel foe

Who men's hearts with hate to glow

Makes 'gainst Him, who when He ever

Moves His foot, can make earth quiver.

Deep His love is and enduring,His desire is ever great,He is calling and alluringUs to enter heav'n's wide gate.When they come, whoe'er they be,Seeking now that libertyFrom the devil's fangs be given,Glad are all the hosts of heaven.

Deep His love is and enduring,

His desire is ever great,

He is calling and alluring

Us to enter heav'n's wide gate.

When they come, whoe'er they be,

Seeking now that liberty

From the devil's fangs be given,

Glad are all the hosts of heaven.

God and all on high who're dwelling,'Fore whom heav'n must hush its voice,When their Maker's praise forth-telling,O'er our penitence rejoice;But what has been done amissCover'd now and buried is,All offence to Him we've given,All, yea all, is now forgiven.

God and all on high who're dwelling,

'Fore whom heav'n must hush its voice,

When their Maker's praise forth-telling,

O'er our penitence rejoice;

But what has been done amiss

Cover'd now and buried is,

All offence to Him we've given,

All, yea all, is now forgiven.

From no lake so much is gushing,No depth is so deep at all,With such force no stream is rushing,All compar'd with God is small;Nought is like His grace so great,That remits our mighty debt,That He ever throweth overAll our lives e'en as a cover.

From no lake so much is gushing,

No depth is so deep at all,

With such force no stream is rushing,

All compar'd with God is small;

Nought is like His grace so great,

That remits our mighty debt,

That He ever throweth over

All our lives e'en as a cover.

Soul, why art thou sad and dreary?Rest now and contented be!Why wilt thou thyself so wearyWhen there is no need for thee?Though thy sins appear to theeLike a vast and shoreless sea,If thou with God's heart compare them,'Twill a trifle seem to bear them.

Soul, why art thou sad and dreary?

Rest now and contented be!

Why wilt thou thyself so weary

When there is no need for thee?

Though thy sins appear to thee

Like a vast and shoreless sea,

If thou with God's heart compare them,

'Twill a trifle seem to bear them.

Could we myriad worlds discoverAll sunk in apostacy,Had the sins there o'er and overEvery one been done by thee,Oh! still they were less by farThan the light of grace so clearCould on earth extinguish ever,God from greater could deliver.

Could we myriad worlds discover

All sunk in apostacy,

Had the sins there o'er and over

Every one been done by thee,

Oh! still they were less by far

Than the light of grace so clear

Could on earth extinguish ever,

God from greater could deliver.

Of such wondrous love and favourOpen wide the door to me;Ey'rywhere and aye, my Saviour,Tasted be Thy grace by me.Love me, Lord! and let me beNearer ever drawn to Thee,That I may embrace and love Thee,Never more to anger move Thee!

Of such wondrous love and favour

Open wide the door to me;

Ey'rywhere and aye, my Saviour,

Tasted be Thy grace by me.

Love me, Lord! and let me be

Nearer ever drawn to Thee,

That I may embrace and love Thee,

Never more to anger move Thee!

FOR THEE, LORD, PANTS MY LONGING HEART.—PSALM XXV.For Thee, Lord, pants my longing heart,My hope and confidence Thou art;My hope can never shaken be,Nor e'er be put to shame by Thee.Whoe'er he be that scorns Thy name,And turns from Thee, shall come to shame;But he who ever lives to Thee,And loves Thee, shall untroubled be.Accept my soul, O Lord! by grace,And keep me right in all my ways,And let Thy truth illumine meAlong the path that leads to Thee.Thou art my only light below,No other helper here I know;I wait on Thee both night and day,Why dost Thou, then, O Lord, delay?Ah, Lord! now turn Thine eyes awayFrom paths where I have gone astray;Of my ill ways what thinkest Thou,That I've pursued from youth till now?Remember, Thou my Guardian Lord!Thy loving-kindness and sweet word,Whereby Thou giv'st them comfort sweetWho lay themselves low at Thy feet.Who prove themselves, and sin confess,The Lord in mercy rich will bless;Who keep His testimonies all,The Lord will hold them when they fall.The heart that with the Lord is rightIn grief He'll gladden with His light,When sunk in need, weigh'd down by loss,Shall triumph e'en beneath the cross.Ah! Lord, full well thou knowest me,My spirit lives and moves in Thee;Thou seest how my bleeding heartLongs for the help Thou canst impart.The griefs that now my heart oppress,The griefs my heavy sighs expressAre great and sore, but Thou art HeTo whom nought e'er too great can be.To Thee I therefore raise mine eyes,To Thee mine ardent longings rise—Ah! let Thine eye now rest on meAs Thou wast wont, Lord, graciously.And when I need supporting grace,Turn not away from me Thy face;May what Thou deignest to impartOf my desires be counterpart.The world is false, it acts a part,Thou art my Friend, sincere in heart;Man's smile is only on his mouth,Thou lovest us in deed and truth.Foil Thou the foe, his nets all tear,And baffle every wile and snare;When all with me once more is well,May gratitude my bosom swell.Still may I in Thy fear abide,And go right on nor turn aside;Give single aim that honours Thee,Smarts rather than a burden be.Rule, Lord, and bring me unto Thee,And other saints along with me;Remove whate'er of ill dost find,Renew and cleanse each heart and mind.Wash Thou away each sinful stain,Deliver from all grief and pain,And lead us soon by heav'nly graceTo realms of endless joy and peace.

For Thee, Lord, pants my longing heart,My hope and confidence Thou art;My hope can never shaken be,Nor e'er be put to shame by Thee.

For Thee, Lord, pants my longing heart,

My hope and confidence Thou art;

My hope can never shaken be,

Nor e'er be put to shame by Thee.

Whoe'er he be that scorns Thy name,And turns from Thee, shall come to shame;But he who ever lives to Thee,And loves Thee, shall untroubled be.

Whoe'er he be that scorns Thy name,

And turns from Thee, shall come to shame;

But he who ever lives to Thee,

And loves Thee, shall untroubled be.

Accept my soul, O Lord! by grace,And keep me right in all my ways,And let Thy truth illumine meAlong the path that leads to Thee.

Accept my soul, O Lord! by grace,

And keep me right in all my ways,

And let Thy truth illumine me

Along the path that leads to Thee.

Thou art my only light below,No other helper here I know;I wait on Thee both night and day,Why dost Thou, then, O Lord, delay?

Thou art my only light below,

No other helper here I know;

I wait on Thee both night and day,

Why dost Thou, then, O Lord, delay?

Ah, Lord! now turn Thine eyes awayFrom paths where I have gone astray;Of my ill ways what thinkest Thou,That I've pursued from youth till now?

Ah, Lord! now turn Thine eyes away

From paths where I have gone astray;

Of my ill ways what thinkest Thou,

That I've pursued from youth till now?

Remember, Thou my Guardian Lord!Thy loving-kindness and sweet word,Whereby Thou giv'st them comfort sweetWho lay themselves low at Thy feet.

Remember, Thou my Guardian Lord!

Thy loving-kindness and sweet word,

Whereby Thou giv'st them comfort sweet

Who lay themselves low at Thy feet.

Who prove themselves, and sin confess,The Lord in mercy rich will bless;Who keep His testimonies all,The Lord will hold them when they fall.

Who prove themselves, and sin confess,

The Lord in mercy rich will bless;

Who keep His testimonies all,

The Lord will hold them when they fall.

The heart that with the Lord is rightIn grief He'll gladden with His light,When sunk in need, weigh'd down by loss,Shall triumph e'en beneath the cross.

The heart that with the Lord is right

In grief He'll gladden with His light,

When sunk in need, weigh'd down by loss,

Shall triumph e'en beneath the cross.

Ah! Lord, full well thou knowest me,My spirit lives and moves in Thee;Thou seest how my bleeding heartLongs for the help Thou canst impart.

Ah! Lord, full well thou knowest me,

My spirit lives and moves in Thee;

Thou seest how my bleeding heart

Longs for the help Thou canst impart.

The griefs that now my heart oppress,The griefs my heavy sighs expressAre great and sore, but Thou art HeTo whom nought e'er too great can be.

The griefs that now my heart oppress,

The griefs my heavy sighs express

Are great and sore, but Thou art He

To whom nought e'er too great can be.

To Thee I therefore raise mine eyes,To Thee mine ardent longings rise—Ah! let Thine eye now rest on meAs Thou wast wont, Lord, graciously.

To Thee I therefore raise mine eyes,

To Thee mine ardent longings rise—

Ah! let Thine eye now rest on me

As Thou wast wont, Lord, graciously.

And when I need supporting grace,Turn not away from me Thy face;May what Thou deignest to impartOf my desires be counterpart.

And when I need supporting grace,

Turn not away from me Thy face;

May what Thou deignest to impart

Of my desires be counterpart.

The world is false, it acts a part,Thou art my Friend, sincere in heart;Man's smile is only on his mouth,Thou lovest us in deed and truth.

The world is false, it acts a part,

Thou art my Friend, sincere in heart;

Man's smile is only on his mouth,

Thou lovest us in deed and truth.

Foil Thou the foe, his nets all tear,And baffle every wile and snare;When all with me once more is well,May gratitude my bosom swell.

Foil Thou the foe, his nets all tear,

And baffle every wile and snare;

When all with me once more is well,

May gratitude my bosom swell.

Still may I in Thy fear abide,And go right on nor turn aside;Give single aim that honours Thee,Smarts rather than a burden be.

Still may I in Thy fear abide,

And go right on nor turn aside;

Give single aim that honours Thee,

Smarts rather than a burden be.

Rule, Lord, and bring me unto Thee,And other saints along with me;Remove whate'er of ill dost find,Renew and cleanse each heart and mind.

Rule, Lord, and bring me unto Thee,

And other saints along with me;

Remove whate'er of ill dost find,

Renew and cleanse each heart and mind.

Wash Thou away each sinful stain,Deliver from all grief and pain,And lead us soon by heav'nly graceTo realms of endless joy and peace.

Wash Thou away each sinful stain,

Deliver from all grief and pain,

And lead us soon by heav'nly grace

To realms of endless joy and peace.

SONG OF REPENTANCE FROM PSALM CXLIII.Lord, lend a gracious earTo my desire sincere,From heart all free from guile,And glad me with Thy smile,Accept my petition.Not wealth is my request,That on the earth doth rest,That shall at length decay,With earth must pass away,And can never save us.The treasure I desireIs Thine own grace, O Sire!The grace that Thy dear Son,Of saving grace the throne,By His death hath purchas'd.Thou pure and righteous art,Unholy is my heart,All dead in sin I live,But sin dost Thou forgive,Who art God most faithful.And be Thy faithfulnessMy trust and happiness;Turn from my sin Thy faceWith overflowing graceMy guiltiness cover.Consider what we be—A moment, where are we?As brittle as frail glass,As fading as the grass,By a breath we're swept off.If Thou wilt only viewThe evil that we do,So great our load of sin,None e'er could stand withinHeaven's gate most holy.How Jesus Christ for meHimself hath giv'n, see!What I to do have fail'dHis power hath avail'd,His doing and dying.Thou lov'st remorse and smart,Behold, here is a heartThat knows and feels its sin,And burns like fire withinWith grief, pain, and sorrow.I'm like a thirsty landFrom which Thy gracious handHath long withheld the rain,Until we seek in vainFor strength, fruit, or moisture.Like hart upon the heath,That cries with gasping breathFor water fresh and clear,I call into Thine ear,Fount of living water!My spirit, Lord, revive,Rich consolation give;Speak, that my soul may restUpon the friendly breastOf Thy love eternal.Give me a trustful mood,That when the mighty floodOf sin o'erwhelmeth me,My grief absorb'd may beIn Thy mercy's ocean.Drive off the wicked foeThat seeks my overthrow;Thou art my Shepherd, IWill be eternallyA sheep of Thy pasture.As long as I shall dwellOn earth, to do Thy willI give myself to Thee,And evermore shall beThine own faithful servant.Though feeble, I shall beStill grateful unto Thee,For in Thy might alone,That worketh in Thine own,All my power standeth.Then send Thy Spirit down,Who points out to Thine ownThe way that pleaseth Thee;They never mov'd shall be,Who keep Him indwelling.Thou shalt go on before,Shalt open me the doorThat leads to wisdom's way,I'll follow every day,Copying Thee ever.And when at length 'tis giv'nTo tread the courts of heav'n,With angel hosts to TheeI'll sing eternallyTo Thy praise and glory.

Lord, lend a gracious earTo my desire sincere,From heart all free from guile,And glad me with Thy smile,Accept my petition.

Lord, lend a gracious ear

To my desire sincere,

From heart all free from guile,

And glad me with Thy smile,

Accept my petition.

Not wealth is my request,That on the earth doth rest,That shall at length decay,With earth must pass away,And can never save us.

Not wealth is my request,

That on the earth doth rest,

That shall at length decay,

With earth must pass away,

And can never save us.

The treasure I desireIs Thine own grace, O Sire!The grace that Thy dear Son,Of saving grace the throne,By His death hath purchas'd.

The treasure I desire

Is Thine own grace, O Sire!

The grace that Thy dear Son,

Of saving grace the throne,

By His death hath purchas'd.

Thou pure and righteous art,Unholy is my heart,All dead in sin I live,But sin dost Thou forgive,Who art God most faithful.

Thou pure and righteous art,

Unholy is my heart,

All dead in sin I live,

But sin dost Thou forgive,

Who art God most faithful.

And be Thy faithfulnessMy trust and happiness;Turn from my sin Thy faceWith overflowing graceMy guiltiness cover.

And be Thy faithfulness

My trust and happiness;

Turn from my sin Thy face

With overflowing grace

My guiltiness cover.

Consider what we be—A moment, where are we?As brittle as frail glass,As fading as the grass,By a breath we're swept off.

Consider what we be—

A moment, where are we?

As brittle as frail glass,

As fading as the grass,

By a breath we're swept off.

If Thou wilt only viewThe evil that we do,So great our load of sin,None e'er could stand withinHeaven's gate most holy.

If Thou wilt only view

The evil that we do,

So great our load of sin,

None e'er could stand within

Heaven's gate most holy.

How Jesus Christ for meHimself hath giv'n, see!What I to do have fail'dHis power hath avail'd,His doing and dying.

How Jesus Christ for me

Himself hath giv'n, see!

What I to do have fail'd

His power hath avail'd,

His doing and dying.

Thou lov'st remorse and smart,Behold, here is a heartThat knows and feels its sin,And burns like fire withinWith grief, pain, and sorrow.

Thou lov'st remorse and smart,

Behold, here is a heart

That knows and feels its sin,

And burns like fire within

With grief, pain, and sorrow.

I'm like a thirsty landFrom which Thy gracious handHath long withheld the rain,Until we seek in vainFor strength, fruit, or moisture.

I'm like a thirsty land

From which Thy gracious hand

Hath long withheld the rain,

Until we seek in vain

For strength, fruit, or moisture.

Like hart upon the heath,That cries with gasping breathFor water fresh and clear,I call into Thine ear,Fount of living water!

Like hart upon the heath,

That cries with gasping breath

For water fresh and clear,

I call into Thine ear,

Fount of living water!

My spirit, Lord, revive,Rich consolation give;Speak, that my soul may restUpon the friendly breastOf Thy love eternal.

My spirit, Lord, revive,

Rich consolation give;

Speak, that my soul may rest

Upon the friendly breast

Of Thy love eternal.

Give me a trustful mood,That when the mighty floodOf sin o'erwhelmeth me,My grief absorb'd may beIn Thy mercy's ocean.

Give me a trustful mood,

That when the mighty flood

Of sin o'erwhelmeth me,

My grief absorb'd may be

In Thy mercy's ocean.

Drive off the wicked foeThat seeks my overthrow;Thou art my Shepherd, IWill be eternallyA sheep of Thy pasture.

Drive off the wicked foe

That seeks my overthrow;

Thou art my Shepherd, I

Will be eternally

A sheep of Thy pasture.

As long as I shall dwellOn earth, to do Thy willI give myself to Thee,And evermore shall beThine own faithful servant.

As long as I shall dwell

On earth, to do Thy will

I give myself to Thee,

And evermore shall be

Thine own faithful servant.

Though feeble, I shall beStill grateful unto Thee,For in Thy might alone,That worketh in Thine own,All my power standeth.

Though feeble, I shall be

Still grateful unto Thee,

For in Thy might alone,

That worketh in Thine own,

All my power standeth.

Then send Thy Spirit down,Who points out to Thine ownThe way that pleaseth Thee;They never mov'd shall be,Who keep Him indwelling.

Then send Thy Spirit down,

Who points out to Thine own

The way that pleaseth Thee;

They never mov'd shall be,

Who keep Him indwelling.

Thou shalt go on before,Shalt open me the doorThat leads to wisdom's way,I'll follow every day,Copying Thee ever.

Thou shalt go on before,

Shalt open me the door

That leads to wisdom's way,

I'll follow every day,

Copying Thee ever.

And when at length 'tis giv'nTo tread the courts of heav'n,With angel hosts to TheeI'll sing eternallyTo Thy praise and glory.

And when at length 'tis giv'n

To tread the courts of heav'n,

With angel hosts to Thee

I'll sing eternally

To Thy praise and glory.

Prayer and the Christian Life.FOR WISDOM.O God! from Thee doth wisdom flow,All I can do Thou well dost know;If Thine own grace doth not sustain,Then all my labour is in vain.As shapen in iniquity,No good by nature can I see;My heart can never serve Thee right,In folly it is sunken quite.Yea, Saviour! I'm too mean and smallTo treat Thy law and claims at all;What for my neighbour's good may be,Is hid from and unknown to me,My life is very short and weak,A thread, a passing wind may break;The splendour that the world doth prizeIs vain and worthless in mine eyes.If earth with all its gifts would dow'r,And give me honour, fame, and pow'r,And did I not enjoy Thy light,Then were I nought, 'twere deepest night.What use, though much we've learnèd here,If first we do not learn Thy fear,And ne'er to serve Thee right attain?It is more loss to us than gain.The knowledge men themselves attainMay easily mislead again;And when our art hath done its best,On all sides obstacles arrest.How many ruin now the soulThrough craft, as did Ahithophel,And come, through ignorance of Thee,And through their wit, to misery.O God, my Father! lend an ear,My supplication deign to hear;Far from me may such folly be;A better mind, Lord! give to me.Give me the Wisdom from aboveThou giv'st to all who truly love,The wisdom that before Thy throneFor ever shineth in their crown.I love her lovely face so bright,She is my joy and heart's delight,The fairest is that holdeth me,Mine eyes she pleaseth wondrously.She's noble, and of rarest worth,From Thee, Most High! derives her birth;She's like the Monarch of the day,Rich gifts and virtues her array.Her words are sweet and comfort well,When grief our eyes with tears doth fill;When 'neath affliction's rod we smart,'Tis she revives the drooping heart.She's full of grace and majesty,Preserves us from mortality;Who earnestly to get her strives,E'en when he's dying, still he lives.She's the Creator's counsellor,In deeds and words excels in pow'r;Through her the blind world knows and seesWhat God in heav'n above decrees.What mortal knows His Maker's mind?Who is he that could ever findThe counsel out God hath decreed,The way wherein He'd have us tread?The soul upon the earth doth live,Its heavy burdens sorely grieve,The faculties distracted be,From error here are not set free.What God doth who can e'er explore,And say what He rejoiceth o'er?Unless Thou who dost ever liveDost Thine own wisdom to us give.Then send her from Thy heav'nly throne,And give her to Thine handmaid's son;Her bountifully, Lord! impartTo the poor dwelling of my heart.Command her to abide with me,And my companion aye to be;Whene'er I labour, may she e'erMe help my heavy load to bear.May I be taught by her wise handTo know and rightly understandThat I to Thee alone may cleave,According to Thy will may live.And give to me ability,To truth may I still open be,That sour of sweet I never make,Nor darkness for the light may take.To Thy word give desire and love,And true to duty may I prove;To pious souls join'd may I be,Take counsel with them constantly.And may I gladly every man,By deed and counsel when I can,To guide and succour ready be,In truth and in sincerity.So that in ev'rything I do,In Thy love I may ever grow;For who to wisdom doth not giveHimself, unlov'd by Thee must live.FOR SUCCESS AND BLESSING IN ALL CHRISTIAN WORKS AND PURPOSES.My God! my works and all I do,Rest only on Thy will, I know,Thy blessing prospers ever,When Thou dost guide, we persevereIn right ways, erring never.It standeth not in human mightThat man's devices issue right,His way with gladness endeth:God's counsel only prospers sure,'Tis He success who sendeth.Man often thinks in haughty moodThat this or that is for his good,Yet widely he mistaketh;He often thinketh that is illWhereof the Lord choice maketh.But wise men e'en who joyfullyBegin a good work, frequentlyReach no good termination;They build a castle firm and strong,But sand is the foundation.How many in their fancy strayHigh over mountain peaks away,Ere they bethink them ever;Down to the ground they fall, and vainHas been their strong endeavour.Dear Father! therefore, who the crownAnd sceptre bear'st on Heav'n's throne,Who from the clouds dost lighten,Regard my words, and hear my cry,From Thy seat my soul brighten!Vouchsafe to me the noble lightThat from Thy countenance so brightOn pious souls aye breaketh,And where the pow'r of wisdom trueThrough Thine own pow'r awaketh.Give understanding from on high,That I henceforward may relyUpon mine own will never.Be Thou my counsel, that I mayFulfil the good, Lord! ever.Prove all things well, whate'er is goodGive to me, but what flesh and bloodDoth choose, withhold it ever.The highest good, the fairest part,Thy glory is and favour.Sun of my soul! my chief delight!Whate'er is pleasing in Thy sight,Oh! may I choose and do it;And what's displeasing unto Thee,May I, O Lord! eschew it.Is it from Thee? my work then bless;Is it of man? withhold success,And change what I'm resolving.Dost Thou not work? 'twill come to nought,In failure soon involving.But should Thine and our enemyBegin to rage revengefullyAgainst the good Thou'rt meaning,My comfort is, Thou canst avertHis wrath, me ever screening.Draw near, and let it easy be,What seems impossible to me,A happy issue give it;What Thou Thyself didst undertake,Thy wisdom did conceive it.Though hard at first the work may be,And I may through the deepest seaOf bitter grief be passing,Oh! may I only driven beTo sighs and pray'r unceasing.Whoever prays and trusteth Thee,With valiant heart shall victor beO'er all that frightens ever,In thousand pieces speedilyGrief's heavy stone shall shiver.The way to good is almost wild,With thorns and hedges is it fill'd;Along this way who goethHe by the Spirit's grace at lastWhat heav'nly joy is knoweth.I am Thy child, my Father Thou!Thou hast abundance to bestow,Nought can I find within me;Help, that I may maintain my ground,As victor home, Lord! bring me.Thine be the glory and the pow'r!Thy mighty works I'll more and moreFrom heart with rapture swelling,Before Thy folk and all the world,All my life long be telling.TWOFOLD, FATHER! IS MY PRAYER.—PROV. XXX. 7-9.Twofold, Father! is my pray'r,Twofold the desire I thereLay before Thee, who dost giveWhat's good for us to receive;Grant the pray'r that Thou dost know,Ere my soul to Thee must goFrom the body's bands below.Grant that far from me may beLying and idolatry;Poverty immoderateGive me not, nor riches great;Too great wealth or povertyIs not good, for either may'Neath the devil's pow'r us lay.Give to me, my Saviour! giveModest portion while I live;Evermore supply my need,Giving me my daily bread;Little, with contented mood,And a conscience pure and good,Is the best can be bestow'd.If my cup should overflow,Proud in spirit I might grow,Thee deny with scornful word,Asking who is God and Lord?For the heart with pride doth swell,Often knows not when 'tis well,How itself enough t' extol.Should I bare and naked be,Sunk in too deep poverty,Faithless, I might wickedlySteal my neighbour's property;Force might use and artifice,Follow lawless practices,Never ask what Christian is.God! my Treasure and my Light,Neither course for me were right,Either would dishonour Thee,Sink me into hell's dark sea;Therefore, give, Lord! graciously,What Thy heart designs for me,Moderate my portion be!SIRACH'S PRAYER FOR A HAPPY AND TEMPERATE LIFE.Creator, Father, Prince of might!Who life to me art giving,Unless Thou guid'st my life arightIn vain here am I living.For while I'm living, I am dead,To sin devoted ever;Whose life in mire of sin is led,The true life he hath neverBeheld one moment even.Then turn on Thy poor child Thy face,In darkness do not leave me;That I may shun sin and disgrace,Good counsel ever give me!To keep my lips a guard, Lord, send,May no word ever leave themThat e'er Thy people could offendLet nought I say e'er grieve them,Nor ever Thee dishonour!Forbid, Father! that mine earUpon this earth so evil,Against Thy name and pow'r should hearThe wicked rage and cavil.Let not the poison and the gallOf slanderers defile me;If I such filth should touch at allIt surely would beguile me,Might e'en quite overthrow me.Lord, keep mine eyes, control their glance,May they work evil never;A bold and shameless countenanceKeep Thou far from me ever!What's honest, keeps due boundaries,What angels seek in heaven,What is well-pleasing in Thine eyes,For it by me be striven,All luxury disdaining.Oh! may I ne'er delighted beBy revelling and eating;Be what Thou lov'st belov'd by me,Though others shun it, hating.The lusts wherein the flesh doth roll,To hell will draw us ever;The joys the world doth love, the soulAnd spirit will deliverTo torment everlasting.Oh! happy he who eats heav'n's bread,And heav'nly water drinketh,Who tastes nought else, nought else doth heed,Nought else desires, and thinkethOf that alone which strength can bring,The life we'll live for everWith God, and with the hosts who singHis praise, in joy that neverShall know an interruption.FOR CONSTANT CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.Jesus! Thou, my dearest Brother,Who dost well to me intend,Thou mine Anchor, Mast, and Rudder,And my truest Bosom-Friend.To Thee, ere was earth or heaven,Had the race of man been given;Thou, e'en me, poor guest of earth,Chosen hadst before my birth.Thou art free from guile, Lord! everInnocent of all that's base;But on this sad earth wheneverI in meditation gaze,There I find deception living;Who excelleth in deceiving,Who the best dissemble can,He's the best and wisest man.Hollow and unfaithful everIs the friendship of the earth;Seemeth she a man to favour?'Tis but for the gold he's worth;Are we prosp'rous, do we flourish?She will smile on us, and nourish;Doth misfortune o'er us low'r?She forsakes us in that hour.Drive away from me, and shield meFrom such instability;If I, Father, have defil'd me(For I also human be)With this mire, and did I everFalsehood love, oh! now deliver.All my guilt I own to Thee,Patience give, and grace to me!May I ne'er be overtakenBy the evils Thou hast saidCome on those who've truth forsaken,And with wares deceptive trade;For Thou sayest Thou disownest,As abomination shunnest,Ev'ry hypocrite's false mood,Who talks, but doth not the good.May my heart be constant ever,Faithful still to every friend;When to grief Thou dost deliverThem, and 'neath the cross they bend,May I even then ne'er shun them,But like unto Thee, Lord, own them,Who, when we were poor and bare,Tended'st us with fondest care.After Thy will, Saviour, give meOne in whom I may confide,Who will faithful counsel give meWhen my heart is sorely tried;To whom I may freely utterAll I feel, with nought to fetter,In the measure I may need,'Till my heart from care is freed.Oh! let David's bliss betide me,Give to me a JonathanWho will come and stand beside meLike a rock, though every manFrom my company should sever,Who his heart will give me ever,Who'll stand firm in every hour,When sun shines or tempests low'r.Out of all the men who're living,Choose me a believing friend,Who to Thee is firmly cleaving,On Thine arm doth aye depend;Who may by Thy will relieve me,Help and comfort ever give me,Help, from sympathizing heart,Comfort, when I feel grief's smart.When 'tis only the mouth loveth,Then the love is ill bestow'd;Whose love but to good words movethWhile he keeps a hateful mood,Whom self-interest rules ever,Who when honey falls, stays never,But escapeth speedily,—Ever far be such from me!In my weakness and my sinning,Move my friend to speak to me,By his words of kindness winning,Never as an enemy.Who reproves in love and sadnessIs like him, in days of gladness,Who pours balsam over meThat by Jordan floweth free.Riches great were I possessing,Priceless were my property;Jesus! did Thy hand such blessingGraciously bestow on me,Were such friend, Lord! ever near me,By His constancy to cheer me;Who doth honour Thee, and fearHe hath such a treasure near.Good friends like to staves are ever,Whereon men lean as they go,That the weak one can deliver,When he slides and lieth low:Sad his case who such ne'er knoweth,Who through life all friendless goeth,Weary is his lonely way,When he falls, to help who stay?Gracious Saviour! let it please Thee,Be my Friend in every hour,Be my Friend, till death release me,Be my faithful Staff of pow'r!When Thou to Thyself wilt bind me,Then a heart Thou soon wilt find me,By Thy Holy Spirit fir'dWith good thoughts to me inspir'd.FOR TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL WELFARE.O God, my Father! thanks to TheeI bring with deep humility,That Thou Thine anger endest,And that Thy Son,Our Joy and Crown,Into the world Thou sendest.He hath appear'd, His precious bloodHath pourèd forth in such a flood,That all our sins it washes.Who to Him cleaves,He soon relievesOf burdens, and refreshes.I come, Lord! as the best I may,Take me into the band, I pray,Of those who are forgiven,Who through this bloodAre just and good,And shall be bless'd in heaven.Oh! let mine eye and hand of faithThis noble pledge keep without scath,Away from me ne'er casting;And let this lightLead me aright,To the light everlasting.The mansion of my soul prepare,Cast out whate'er is evil there,And build in me Thy dwelling:Thy grace so freeReveal to me,My soul with Thy love filling.All things are mine when I have Thee,Thou void of gifts canst never be;A thousand ways Thou knowestOn earth to keepThy feeble sheep;Enough Thou aye bestowest.Grant that I in my station hereThee in Thy word may ever fear,So guide what things concern me,That found in meTrue faith may be,And may with truth adorn me.And give me a contented mind,For when with godliness combin'd,Great gain thence ever floweth.Then what of goodIt pleaseth GodTo give, great peace bestoweth.The little that by God's great graceThe righteous as his portion has,To honour more commendeth,Than all the goldThe world doth hold,And with proud spirit spendeth.The faithful, Lord, to Thee are known,Thou art their Joy, and they Thine own,To shame thou putt'st them never;Comes scarcity,Their bread from TheeThey find in all lands ever.God loveth him who fears and cleavesTo Him, sees that no mischance grieves,In his ways joyeth ever;And if he slide,God doth abide,Doth bless him and deliver.God's eye is upon all who waitAnd hope in Him both soon and late,In all need to deliver,E'en in the hourWhen to devourDeath threatens them for ever.Lord, Thou canst only gracious be,Thou givest all to know and seeThy goodness and Thy favour,Who with their mouthAnd heart in truthOwn Thee their only Saviour.MakeHer[9]Thy care especially,Whom Thou as monarch hast rais'd highThis land and nation over;With rest and peaceThe land, Lord! bless,The throne with blessings cover.Preserve, Lord! our dear native landIn Thine embrace and mighty hand;Protect us all togetherFrom error's voice,From enemies,From fire and plague deliver.All whom I love, keep every day,Let all the hosts of hell awayFrom young and old be driven!Here, may we beIn time by TheePreserv'd, and there in heaven![9]For obvious reasons the original has been slightly altered. The German is,Insonderheit nimm wohl in achtDen Fürsten, &c.FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST.O Jesus Christ! my fairest Light,Who in Thy soul dost love me,I ne'er can tell it, nor its heightMete, 'tis so high above me,Grant that my heart may warm to Thee,With ardent love ne'er ceasing,Thee embracing,And as Thy property,Cleave to Thee, ever gazing.Grant that an idol in me mayDwell e'en a moment never,Grant me to make Thy love, I pray,My crown and prize for ever!Cast all things out, take all away,That Thee and me would sever,So that everBy Thy love, my pow'rs mayBe kindled, and cool never!How friendly, blessèd, sweet, and fairIs Thy love, Jesus ever!While this remains, distress and careCan grieve my spirit never.Then let me only think of Thee,Be seeing, hearing, feeling,Loving, tellingOf Thee, and Thy great love to meOh! be Thou more revealing!Oh! that this greatest, highest good,I might for aye be tasting!Oh! that in me this noble bloodMight glow to everlasting!Help me to watch, Lord! day and night,This blessèd treasure shieldingFrom unyieldingFoes, who 'gainst us the mightOf Satan's realm are wielding!My Saviour! Thou in love to meHast down to death descended,And like a murd'rer on the treeAnd thief hast been suspended,Spit on, despis'd and wounded sore,The wounds which Thee have riven,May it evenTo me at the heart's coreWith love to feel be given.The blood that hath been shed by TheeIs good and precious ever,My heart is wicked desp'rately,Hard as a millstone nether.Ah! let the virtue of Thy bloodMy flinty heart be bending,Entrance finding;And may Thy love, life's floodThrough all my veins be sending.Oh! were my heart op'd to receiveThe blood-drops that were fallingFrom Thee, wrung by my sin that eveIn agony appalling!Oh! that the fountains of mine eyesWere op'd, and with much sighing,And sore crying,Gush'd forth, as tears and sighsOf men in love who're dying.Oh! that I as a little childWith weeping eyes might trace Thee,E'en till Thy heart with love was fill'dAnd Thine arms did embrace me.And until Thou Thy heart to meWith sweet love flowing over,Should'st discover,And we united be,Thy goodness for my cover.Ah! draw me, Saviour! after Thee,And so shall I be hasting,I run, and in my heart shall beThy love with rapture tasting;The gracious words from Thee I'll hearSweet comfort shall give ever;Me deliverFrom sin, and every fear,These shall o'ercome me never.My Comfort, Treasure, Health, and Light,My Life and Saviour tender!Ah! take me for Thy portion quiteAs I myself surrender!There's nought but pain apart from Thee,I nought but gall discover,Earth all over,Nought ever comforts me,No balm can me recover.But Thou the Rest most blessed art,In Thee are joys eternal.Grant, Jesus! grant that my poor heartFeed in Thy pastures vernal!Be Thou the flame that burns in me,My Balsam, ease that giveth,And relievethPain that here constantlyMakes me heave sighs, and grieveth.Ah! fairest one, what faileth meIn Thy great love, of blessing?It is my sun that lightens me,My well-spring, me refreshing!My sweetest wine, my heav'nly bread,My cov'ring when before Thee,And my glory,My shield in hour of need,My house that riseth o'er me!Ah! dearest love, why was I born,If Thou my soul forsakest?If Thou withdraw'st, I'm all forlorn,All good from me Thou takest.O may I seek Thee as my guest,With all my best endeavourKeep Thee ever;And when I Thee arrest,Let Thee go from me never.I've been belov'd by Thee for aye,To follow Thou did'st move me;Before I good could e'er essay,E'en then did Thy heart love me:Ah! noble Rock! Thy love belowMay it for ever guide me,And beside meBe it where'er I go,To aid whate'er betide me.And may Thy love adorn my place,Where'er my lot Thou'rt casting;And if I wander from Thy ways,To bring me back be hasting.And let me ever counsel wise,Good works from Thee be learning,From sin turning,And when from falls I rise,Come back to Thee with yearning!And ever be my joy in woe,When weak, with Thy strength stay me;And when my course is run below,I down to rest will lay me.Then may Thy love and truth with me,O Christ! abide for ever,Leave me never,Till I Thy glory see,Oh! may they waft me thither!THE FIRST PSALM OF DAVID.Bless'd is he who never takethCounsel of ungodly men!Bless'd, the right who ne'er forsaketh,Nor in sinners' paths is seen,Who the scorners' friendship spurns,From their seats away who turns,Who delight in God's word taketh,This his meditation maketh.Bless'd is he who pleasure takethIn God's laws' most perfect way,It is his lov'd resort who makethWhere he lingers night and day!Oh! His blessing blooms and grows,As the palm where water flows,And abroad its branches spreadeth,And the wayworn pilgrim shadeth.He will truly ever flourishWho God's word delights to do,Air and earth alike will nourishHim, till ripe his fruit shall grow.Though his leaf grow old, yet heEver fresh and green shall be,God success to his endeavourGiveth, and it prospers ever.But he who in sin's ways goethIs like chaff the wind before,When it riseth up and bloweth,And we find it here no more.Where the Lord His people guide,There the godless ne'er abide,God the faithful loves and guideth,On the wicked wrath abideth.THE 112TH PSALM OF DAVID.Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth,At His word doth tremble aye!Bless'd whose heart him freely movethGod's commandments to obey.Who the Highest loves and fears,Findeth increase with the yearsOf all that to him is givenBy the bounteous hand of Heaven.His dear children shall stand everLike to roses in their blow;Flowing with God's goodness over,On his generations go.What the body needs belowGod who rules all will bestow,He will bounteously relieve them,Plenty in their dwellings give them.The right deeds of the believerNought can shake, they stand secure;If a storm o'ertakes him ever,Still doth God, his Light endure,Comforts, shieldeth with His pow'r,So that after darkness' hour,After night of tears and sorrow,Joy and sunshine glad the morrow.God's compassion, grace, and favourFor the faithful still endure.Blessèd are the souls who everThink upon the needy poor,Love them, seek to do them good;For the ever-living GodIn His arms of grace will bear them,And a home above prepare them.When the black clouds o'er them lighten,And the pealing thunders shock,They shall sit, and nought shall frighten,Like the dove hid in the rock;They'll remain eternally,And their memory shall beUpon every side extending,As their branches trees are sending.When misfortunes overtake them,Whereby sinners low are laid,Firm their courage, nought can shake them,And their hearts are undismay'd;Undismay'd, from care are free,Hearts that unreservedlyTo the Lord their God are given,Love Him when forsaken even.Who delight take in relievingSad ones, to the Lord are dear;What the loving hands are giving,God will recompense e'en here.Who much giveth much will gain,He shall not desire in vain,What his heart desires and willeth,God in His good time fulfilleth.But the foes who triumph'd o'er them,They shall see depart beneath;Satan who such malice bore them,Evermore shall gnash his teeth:Sorely will it him displeaseWhen their blessedness he sees,Yet that he can rob them never,Only waste himself for ever.THE 121ST PSALM OF DAVID.Lord! to Thee alone I raiseEvermore mine eager eyes,Upturn'd is my constant gazeTo the hills that pierce the skies:To the hills whence flow to meHelp and saving health from Thee!All my succour comes to meFrom my great Creator's hand,Who hath deck'd so beauteouslyEarth and sky, air, sea, and land,And with ev'ry good supplied,That our needs be satisfied.Lest thy feet, my soul! should strayFrom the narrow path of right,He is with thee in the way,And preserves thee day and night.Trust Him! and the hosts of hellNever more shall work thee ill.Sleepless vigils doth He keepWhen thou liest down to rest;When thou'rt sunk in slumbers deep,To thy side at His behestAngel hosts then wing their flight,Thee to guard through all the night.All thou hast and all thou artIs encircled by His love;Ev'ry grief that wrings thy heartDoth He graciously remove.Soul and body shieldeth He,When dark tempests threaten thee.When the noonday's burning sunAll thy body's strength doth blight,When the midnight stars and moonDazzle with their brilliant light,Then His hand of mighty pow'r,Shades thee in the trying hour.May He still protection yield,Faithful Shepherd be, and nearStill remain thy rock and shield,When thy heart's oppress'd with fear.When of need thou feel'st the smart,May He press thee to His heart.Dost thou sit or rise again,Dost thou speak or dost thou hear,Still at home dost thou remain,Art abroad when none is near,Dost thou wander in or out?He will compass thee about.THE 139TH PSALM OF DAVID.Lord, Thou my heart dost search and try,And what is hidden from mine eyeThou seest, all I am and ownTo Thine omniscient mind is known.Whene'r I sit, lie down, or stand,Or walk, or run, on ev'ry handThy presence doth encompass me,At all times I am hard by Thee.And all the thoughts that stir my heart,That lurk in its most secret part,Thy searching eye doth scrutinizeEre they to consciousness arise.And never from my tongue a wordEscapes, by Thee, O Lord, unheard;Thou order'st all I speak or do,And guidest me life's journey through.'Tis true, I know, but must remainA knowledge I can ne'er attain,A mystery beyond the kenOf feeble and short-sighted men.Where shall I from Thy Spirit fly,Escape from Thine omniscient eye?Where shall I from Thy presence hide,And where remote from Thee abide?If I ascend the utmost heightOf heav'n, there art Thou, thron'd in light;Or should I down to hell repairAnd make my bed, I'd find Thee there.Should I on morning's pinions ride,As far as ocean's empire wideOf stormy waves breaks on the land,I'd be upheld by Thy right hand.Or if the help of night I sought,No change by darkness would be wrought,For let the night be as it may,With Thee is ever cloudless day.'Mid darkest shadows Thou canst see,The darkness is a light to Thee,Thy glance is ever clear and bright,From sun and moon Thou need'st no light.My reins Thou ever hast possess'd,For in Thy hand they ever rest,From infancy Thou hast me led,With daily blessings crown'd my head.Thou hast, who'rt greatly to be fear'd,My frame with cunning hand uprear'd;Thy works, Thy wondrous pow'r forth tell,And that my soul doth know right well.My substance was not hid from Thee,When I in secret curiouslyWas fashion'd in the depths of earth,From whence Thy pow'r hath brought me forth.Before my time, my times for meDetermin'd were by Thy decree,The tale of years and days I'd see,Hours, moments, all were fix'd by Thee.My God, how precious, sweet, and fair,I see array'd before me thereThe thoughts of wisdom of Thy heart,In all Thy bounty doth impart.The sum of these so high doth mount,That when their number I would count,I find them infinitely moreThan dust or sand, on field or shore.How doth the bold blaspheming bandThee vilify on every hand,O God of wonders! and Thy nameDespise and treat with open shame.Their scornful mouths, Lord, close and seal,Against them speedily revealThy wrath! against Thy foes arise,Thy foes are hateful in mine eyes.Though in return, their hatred soreAgainst Thee burn, I do no moreAmid the rage of angry foes,Than 'neath Thy shelt'ring wings repose.Lord, search and know my heart and mood,See if my way be right and good,The everlasting joyful roadLead me that brings me home to God.

FOR WISDOM.O God! from Thee doth wisdom flow,All I can do Thou well dost know;If Thine own grace doth not sustain,Then all my labour is in vain.As shapen in iniquity,No good by nature can I see;My heart can never serve Thee right,In folly it is sunken quite.Yea, Saviour! I'm too mean and smallTo treat Thy law and claims at all;What for my neighbour's good may be,Is hid from and unknown to me,My life is very short and weak,A thread, a passing wind may break;The splendour that the world doth prizeIs vain and worthless in mine eyes.If earth with all its gifts would dow'r,And give me honour, fame, and pow'r,And did I not enjoy Thy light,Then were I nought, 'twere deepest night.What use, though much we've learnèd here,If first we do not learn Thy fear,And ne'er to serve Thee right attain?It is more loss to us than gain.The knowledge men themselves attainMay easily mislead again;And when our art hath done its best,On all sides obstacles arrest.How many ruin now the soulThrough craft, as did Ahithophel,And come, through ignorance of Thee,And through their wit, to misery.O God, my Father! lend an ear,My supplication deign to hear;Far from me may such folly be;A better mind, Lord! give to me.Give me the Wisdom from aboveThou giv'st to all who truly love,The wisdom that before Thy throneFor ever shineth in their crown.I love her lovely face so bright,She is my joy and heart's delight,The fairest is that holdeth me,Mine eyes she pleaseth wondrously.She's noble, and of rarest worth,From Thee, Most High! derives her birth;She's like the Monarch of the day,Rich gifts and virtues her array.Her words are sweet and comfort well,When grief our eyes with tears doth fill;When 'neath affliction's rod we smart,'Tis she revives the drooping heart.She's full of grace and majesty,Preserves us from mortality;Who earnestly to get her strives,E'en when he's dying, still he lives.She's the Creator's counsellor,In deeds and words excels in pow'r;Through her the blind world knows and seesWhat God in heav'n above decrees.What mortal knows His Maker's mind?Who is he that could ever findThe counsel out God hath decreed,The way wherein He'd have us tread?The soul upon the earth doth live,Its heavy burdens sorely grieve,The faculties distracted be,From error here are not set free.What God doth who can e'er explore,And say what He rejoiceth o'er?Unless Thou who dost ever liveDost Thine own wisdom to us give.Then send her from Thy heav'nly throne,And give her to Thine handmaid's son;Her bountifully, Lord! impartTo the poor dwelling of my heart.Command her to abide with me,And my companion aye to be;Whene'er I labour, may she e'erMe help my heavy load to bear.May I be taught by her wise handTo know and rightly understandThat I to Thee alone may cleave,According to Thy will may live.And give to me ability,To truth may I still open be,That sour of sweet I never make,Nor darkness for the light may take.To Thy word give desire and love,And true to duty may I prove;To pious souls join'd may I be,Take counsel with them constantly.And may I gladly every man,By deed and counsel when I can,To guide and succour ready be,In truth and in sincerity.So that in ev'rything I do,In Thy love I may ever grow;For who to wisdom doth not giveHimself, unlov'd by Thee must live.

O God! from Thee doth wisdom flow,All I can do Thou well dost know;If Thine own grace doth not sustain,Then all my labour is in vain.

O God! from Thee doth wisdom flow,

All I can do Thou well dost know;

If Thine own grace doth not sustain,

Then all my labour is in vain.

As shapen in iniquity,No good by nature can I see;My heart can never serve Thee right,In folly it is sunken quite.

As shapen in iniquity,

No good by nature can I see;

My heart can never serve Thee right,

In folly it is sunken quite.

Yea, Saviour! I'm too mean and smallTo treat Thy law and claims at all;What for my neighbour's good may be,Is hid from and unknown to me,

Yea, Saviour! I'm too mean and small

To treat Thy law and claims at all;

What for my neighbour's good may be,

Is hid from and unknown to me,

My life is very short and weak,A thread, a passing wind may break;The splendour that the world doth prizeIs vain and worthless in mine eyes.

My life is very short and weak,

A thread, a passing wind may break;

The splendour that the world doth prize

Is vain and worthless in mine eyes.

If earth with all its gifts would dow'r,And give me honour, fame, and pow'r,And did I not enjoy Thy light,Then were I nought, 'twere deepest night.

If earth with all its gifts would dow'r,

And give me honour, fame, and pow'r,

And did I not enjoy Thy light,

Then were I nought, 'twere deepest night.

What use, though much we've learnèd here,If first we do not learn Thy fear,And ne'er to serve Thee right attain?It is more loss to us than gain.

What use, though much we've learnèd here,

If first we do not learn Thy fear,

And ne'er to serve Thee right attain?

It is more loss to us than gain.

The knowledge men themselves attainMay easily mislead again;And when our art hath done its best,On all sides obstacles arrest.

The knowledge men themselves attain

May easily mislead again;

And when our art hath done its best,

On all sides obstacles arrest.

How many ruin now the soulThrough craft, as did Ahithophel,And come, through ignorance of Thee,And through their wit, to misery.

How many ruin now the soul

Through craft, as did Ahithophel,

And come, through ignorance of Thee,

And through their wit, to misery.

O God, my Father! lend an ear,My supplication deign to hear;Far from me may such folly be;A better mind, Lord! give to me.

O God, my Father! lend an ear,

My supplication deign to hear;

Far from me may such folly be;

A better mind, Lord! give to me.

Give me the Wisdom from aboveThou giv'st to all who truly love,The wisdom that before Thy throneFor ever shineth in their crown.

Give me the Wisdom from above

Thou giv'st to all who truly love,

The wisdom that before Thy throne

For ever shineth in their crown.

I love her lovely face so bright,She is my joy and heart's delight,The fairest is that holdeth me,Mine eyes she pleaseth wondrously.

I love her lovely face so bright,

She is my joy and heart's delight,

The fairest is that holdeth me,

Mine eyes she pleaseth wondrously.

She's noble, and of rarest worth,From Thee, Most High! derives her birth;She's like the Monarch of the day,Rich gifts and virtues her array.

She's noble, and of rarest worth,

From Thee, Most High! derives her birth;

She's like the Monarch of the day,

Rich gifts and virtues her array.

Her words are sweet and comfort well,When grief our eyes with tears doth fill;When 'neath affliction's rod we smart,'Tis she revives the drooping heart.

Her words are sweet and comfort well,

When grief our eyes with tears doth fill;

When 'neath affliction's rod we smart,

'Tis she revives the drooping heart.

She's full of grace and majesty,Preserves us from mortality;Who earnestly to get her strives,E'en when he's dying, still he lives.

She's full of grace and majesty,

Preserves us from mortality;

Who earnestly to get her strives,

E'en when he's dying, still he lives.

She's the Creator's counsellor,In deeds and words excels in pow'r;Through her the blind world knows and seesWhat God in heav'n above decrees.

She's the Creator's counsellor,

In deeds and words excels in pow'r;

Through her the blind world knows and sees

What God in heav'n above decrees.

What mortal knows His Maker's mind?Who is he that could ever findThe counsel out God hath decreed,The way wherein He'd have us tread?

What mortal knows His Maker's mind?

Who is he that could ever find

The counsel out God hath decreed,

The way wherein He'd have us tread?

The soul upon the earth doth live,Its heavy burdens sorely grieve,The faculties distracted be,From error here are not set free.

The soul upon the earth doth live,

Its heavy burdens sorely grieve,

The faculties distracted be,

From error here are not set free.

What God doth who can e'er explore,And say what He rejoiceth o'er?Unless Thou who dost ever liveDost Thine own wisdom to us give.

What God doth who can e'er explore,

And say what He rejoiceth o'er?

Unless Thou who dost ever live

Dost Thine own wisdom to us give.

Then send her from Thy heav'nly throne,And give her to Thine handmaid's son;Her bountifully, Lord! impartTo the poor dwelling of my heart.

Then send her from Thy heav'nly throne,

And give her to Thine handmaid's son;

Her bountifully, Lord! impart

To the poor dwelling of my heart.

Command her to abide with me,And my companion aye to be;Whene'er I labour, may she e'erMe help my heavy load to bear.

Command her to abide with me,

And my companion aye to be;

Whene'er I labour, may she e'er

Me help my heavy load to bear.

May I be taught by her wise handTo know and rightly understandThat I to Thee alone may cleave,According to Thy will may live.

May I be taught by her wise hand

To know and rightly understand

That I to Thee alone may cleave,

According to Thy will may live.

And give to me ability,To truth may I still open be,That sour of sweet I never make,Nor darkness for the light may take.

And give to me ability,

To truth may I still open be,

That sour of sweet I never make,

Nor darkness for the light may take.

To Thy word give desire and love,And true to duty may I prove;To pious souls join'd may I be,Take counsel with them constantly.

To Thy word give desire and love,

And true to duty may I prove;

To pious souls join'd may I be,

Take counsel with them constantly.

And may I gladly every man,By deed and counsel when I can,To guide and succour ready be,In truth and in sincerity.

And may I gladly every man,

By deed and counsel when I can,

To guide and succour ready be,

In truth and in sincerity.

So that in ev'rything I do,In Thy love I may ever grow;For who to wisdom doth not giveHimself, unlov'd by Thee must live.

So that in ev'rything I do,

In Thy love I may ever grow;

For who to wisdom doth not give

Himself, unlov'd by Thee must live.

FOR SUCCESS AND BLESSING IN ALL CHRISTIAN WORKS AND PURPOSES.My God! my works and all I do,Rest only on Thy will, I know,Thy blessing prospers ever,When Thou dost guide, we persevereIn right ways, erring never.It standeth not in human mightThat man's devices issue right,His way with gladness endeth:God's counsel only prospers sure,'Tis He success who sendeth.Man often thinks in haughty moodThat this or that is for his good,Yet widely he mistaketh;He often thinketh that is illWhereof the Lord choice maketh.But wise men e'en who joyfullyBegin a good work, frequentlyReach no good termination;They build a castle firm and strong,But sand is the foundation.How many in their fancy strayHigh over mountain peaks away,Ere they bethink them ever;Down to the ground they fall, and vainHas been their strong endeavour.Dear Father! therefore, who the crownAnd sceptre bear'st on Heav'n's throne,Who from the clouds dost lighten,Regard my words, and hear my cry,From Thy seat my soul brighten!Vouchsafe to me the noble lightThat from Thy countenance so brightOn pious souls aye breaketh,And where the pow'r of wisdom trueThrough Thine own pow'r awaketh.Give understanding from on high,That I henceforward may relyUpon mine own will never.Be Thou my counsel, that I mayFulfil the good, Lord! ever.Prove all things well, whate'er is goodGive to me, but what flesh and bloodDoth choose, withhold it ever.The highest good, the fairest part,Thy glory is and favour.Sun of my soul! my chief delight!Whate'er is pleasing in Thy sight,Oh! may I choose and do it;And what's displeasing unto Thee,May I, O Lord! eschew it.Is it from Thee? my work then bless;Is it of man? withhold success,And change what I'm resolving.Dost Thou not work? 'twill come to nought,In failure soon involving.But should Thine and our enemyBegin to rage revengefullyAgainst the good Thou'rt meaning,My comfort is, Thou canst avertHis wrath, me ever screening.Draw near, and let it easy be,What seems impossible to me,A happy issue give it;What Thou Thyself didst undertake,Thy wisdom did conceive it.Though hard at first the work may be,And I may through the deepest seaOf bitter grief be passing,Oh! may I only driven beTo sighs and pray'r unceasing.Whoever prays and trusteth Thee,With valiant heart shall victor beO'er all that frightens ever,In thousand pieces speedilyGrief's heavy stone shall shiver.The way to good is almost wild,With thorns and hedges is it fill'd;Along this way who goethHe by the Spirit's grace at lastWhat heav'nly joy is knoweth.I am Thy child, my Father Thou!Thou hast abundance to bestow,Nought can I find within me;Help, that I may maintain my ground,As victor home, Lord! bring me.Thine be the glory and the pow'r!Thy mighty works I'll more and moreFrom heart with rapture swelling,Before Thy folk and all the world,All my life long be telling.

My God! my works and all I do,Rest only on Thy will, I know,Thy blessing prospers ever,When Thou dost guide, we persevereIn right ways, erring never.

My God! my works and all I do,

Rest only on Thy will, I know,

Thy blessing prospers ever,

When Thou dost guide, we persevere

In right ways, erring never.

It standeth not in human mightThat man's devices issue right,His way with gladness endeth:God's counsel only prospers sure,'Tis He success who sendeth.

It standeth not in human might

That man's devices issue right,

His way with gladness endeth:

God's counsel only prospers sure,

'Tis He success who sendeth.

Man often thinks in haughty moodThat this or that is for his good,Yet widely he mistaketh;He often thinketh that is illWhereof the Lord choice maketh.

Man often thinks in haughty mood

That this or that is for his good,

Yet widely he mistaketh;

He often thinketh that is ill

Whereof the Lord choice maketh.

But wise men e'en who joyfullyBegin a good work, frequentlyReach no good termination;They build a castle firm and strong,But sand is the foundation.

But wise men e'en who joyfully

Begin a good work, frequently

Reach no good termination;

They build a castle firm and strong,

But sand is the foundation.

How many in their fancy strayHigh over mountain peaks away,Ere they bethink them ever;Down to the ground they fall, and vainHas been their strong endeavour.

How many in their fancy stray

High over mountain peaks away,

Ere they bethink them ever;

Down to the ground they fall, and vain

Has been their strong endeavour.

Dear Father! therefore, who the crownAnd sceptre bear'st on Heav'n's throne,Who from the clouds dost lighten,Regard my words, and hear my cry,From Thy seat my soul brighten!

Dear Father! therefore, who the crown

And sceptre bear'st on Heav'n's throne,

Who from the clouds dost lighten,

Regard my words, and hear my cry,

From Thy seat my soul brighten!

Vouchsafe to me the noble lightThat from Thy countenance so brightOn pious souls aye breaketh,And where the pow'r of wisdom trueThrough Thine own pow'r awaketh.

Vouchsafe to me the noble light

That from Thy countenance so bright

On pious souls aye breaketh,

And where the pow'r of wisdom true

Through Thine own pow'r awaketh.

Give understanding from on high,That I henceforward may relyUpon mine own will never.Be Thou my counsel, that I mayFulfil the good, Lord! ever.

Give understanding from on high,

That I henceforward may rely

Upon mine own will never.

Be Thou my counsel, that I may

Fulfil the good, Lord! ever.

Prove all things well, whate'er is goodGive to me, but what flesh and bloodDoth choose, withhold it ever.The highest good, the fairest part,Thy glory is and favour.

Prove all things well, whate'er is good

Give to me, but what flesh and blood

Doth choose, withhold it ever.

The highest good, the fairest part,

Thy glory is and favour.

Sun of my soul! my chief delight!Whate'er is pleasing in Thy sight,Oh! may I choose and do it;And what's displeasing unto Thee,May I, O Lord! eschew it.

Sun of my soul! my chief delight!

Whate'er is pleasing in Thy sight,

Oh! may I choose and do it;

And what's displeasing unto Thee,

May I, O Lord! eschew it.

Is it from Thee? my work then bless;Is it of man? withhold success,And change what I'm resolving.Dost Thou not work? 'twill come to nought,In failure soon involving.

Is it from Thee? my work then bless;

Is it of man? withhold success,

And change what I'm resolving.

Dost Thou not work? 'twill come to nought,

In failure soon involving.

But should Thine and our enemyBegin to rage revengefullyAgainst the good Thou'rt meaning,My comfort is, Thou canst avertHis wrath, me ever screening.

But should Thine and our enemy

Begin to rage revengefully

Against the good Thou'rt meaning,

My comfort is, Thou canst avert

His wrath, me ever screening.

Draw near, and let it easy be,What seems impossible to me,A happy issue give it;What Thou Thyself didst undertake,Thy wisdom did conceive it.

Draw near, and let it easy be,

What seems impossible to me,

A happy issue give it;

What Thou Thyself didst undertake,

Thy wisdom did conceive it.

Though hard at first the work may be,And I may through the deepest seaOf bitter grief be passing,Oh! may I only driven beTo sighs and pray'r unceasing.

Though hard at first the work may be,

And I may through the deepest sea

Of bitter grief be passing,

Oh! may I only driven be

To sighs and pray'r unceasing.

Whoever prays and trusteth Thee,With valiant heart shall victor beO'er all that frightens ever,In thousand pieces speedilyGrief's heavy stone shall shiver.

Whoever prays and trusteth Thee,

With valiant heart shall victor be

O'er all that frightens ever,

In thousand pieces speedily

Grief's heavy stone shall shiver.

The way to good is almost wild,With thorns and hedges is it fill'd;Along this way who goethHe by the Spirit's grace at lastWhat heav'nly joy is knoweth.

The way to good is almost wild,

With thorns and hedges is it fill'd;

Along this way who goeth

He by the Spirit's grace at last

What heav'nly joy is knoweth.

I am Thy child, my Father Thou!Thou hast abundance to bestow,Nought can I find within me;Help, that I may maintain my ground,As victor home, Lord! bring me.

I am Thy child, my Father Thou!

Thou hast abundance to bestow,

Nought can I find within me;

Help, that I may maintain my ground,

As victor home, Lord! bring me.

Thine be the glory and the pow'r!Thy mighty works I'll more and moreFrom heart with rapture swelling,Before Thy folk and all the world,All my life long be telling.

Thine be the glory and the pow'r!

Thy mighty works I'll more and more

From heart with rapture swelling,

Before Thy folk and all the world,

All my life long be telling.

TWOFOLD, FATHER! IS MY PRAYER.—PROV. XXX. 7-9.Twofold, Father! is my pray'r,Twofold the desire I thereLay before Thee, who dost giveWhat's good for us to receive;Grant the pray'r that Thou dost know,Ere my soul to Thee must goFrom the body's bands below.Grant that far from me may beLying and idolatry;Poverty immoderateGive me not, nor riches great;Too great wealth or povertyIs not good, for either may'Neath the devil's pow'r us lay.Give to me, my Saviour! giveModest portion while I live;Evermore supply my need,Giving me my daily bread;Little, with contented mood,And a conscience pure and good,Is the best can be bestow'd.If my cup should overflow,Proud in spirit I might grow,Thee deny with scornful word,Asking who is God and Lord?For the heart with pride doth swell,Often knows not when 'tis well,How itself enough t' extol.Should I bare and naked be,Sunk in too deep poverty,Faithless, I might wickedlySteal my neighbour's property;Force might use and artifice,Follow lawless practices,Never ask what Christian is.God! my Treasure and my Light,Neither course for me were right,Either would dishonour Thee,Sink me into hell's dark sea;Therefore, give, Lord! graciously,What Thy heart designs for me,Moderate my portion be!

Twofold, Father! is my pray'r,Twofold the desire I thereLay before Thee, who dost giveWhat's good for us to receive;Grant the pray'r that Thou dost know,Ere my soul to Thee must goFrom the body's bands below.

Twofold, Father! is my pray'r,

Twofold the desire I there

Lay before Thee, who dost give

What's good for us to receive;

Grant the pray'r that Thou dost know,

Ere my soul to Thee must go

From the body's bands below.

Grant that far from me may beLying and idolatry;Poverty immoderateGive me not, nor riches great;Too great wealth or povertyIs not good, for either may'Neath the devil's pow'r us lay.

Grant that far from me may be

Lying and idolatry;

Poverty immoderate

Give me not, nor riches great;

Too great wealth or poverty

Is not good, for either may

'Neath the devil's pow'r us lay.

Give to me, my Saviour! giveModest portion while I live;Evermore supply my need,Giving me my daily bread;Little, with contented mood,And a conscience pure and good,Is the best can be bestow'd.

Give to me, my Saviour! give

Modest portion while I live;

Evermore supply my need,

Giving me my daily bread;

Little, with contented mood,

And a conscience pure and good,

Is the best can be bestow'd.

If my cup should overflow,Proud in spirit I might grow,Thee deny with scornful word,Asking who is God and Lord?For the heart with pride doth swell,Often knows not when 'tis well,How itself enough t' extol.

If my cup should overflow,

Proud in spirit I might grow,

Thee deny with scornful word,

Asking who is God and Lord?

For the heart with pride doth swell,

Often knows not when 'tis well,

How itself enough t' extol.

Should I bare and naked be,Sunk in too deep poverty,Faithless, I might wickedlySteal my neighbour's property;Force might use and artifice,Follow lawless practices,Never ask what Christian is.

Should I bare and naked be,

Sunk in too deep poverty,

Faithless, I might wickedly

Steal my neighbour's property;

Force might use and artifice,

Follow lawless practices,

Never ask what Christian is.

God! my Treasure and my Light,Neither course for me were right,Either would dishonour Thee,Sink me into hell's dark sea;Therefore, give, Lord! graciously,What Thy heart designs for me,Moderate my portion be!

God! my Treasure and my Light,

Neither course for me were right,

Either would dishonour Thee,

Sink me into hell's dark sea;

Therefore, give, Lord! graciously,

What Thy heart designs for me,

Moderate my portion be!

SIRACH'S PRAYER FOR A HAPPY AND TEMPERATE LIFE.Creator, Father, Prince of might!Who life to me art giving,Unless Thou guid'st my life arightIn vain here am I living.For while I'm living, I am dead,To sin devoted ever;Whose life in mire of sin is led,The true life he hath neverBeheld one moment even.Then turn on Thy poor child Thy face,In darkness do not leave me;That I may shun sin and disgrace,Good counsel ever give me!To keep my lips a guard, Lord, send,May no word ever leave themThat e'er Thy people could offendLet nought I say e'er grieve them,Nor ever Thee dishonour!Forbid, Father! that mine earUpon this earth so evil,Against Thy name and pow'r should hearThe wicked rage and cavil.Let not the poison and the gallOf slanderers defile me;If I such filth should touch at allIt surely would beguile me,Might e'en quite overthrow me.Lord, keep mine eyes, control their glance,May they work evil never;A bold and shameless countenanceKeep Thou far from me ever!What's honest, keeps due boundaries,What angels seek in heaven,What is well-pleasing in Thine eyes,For it by me be striven,All luxury disdaining.Oh! may I ne'er delighted beBy revelling and eating;Be what Thou lov'st belov'd by me,Though others shun it, hating.The lusts wherein the flesh doth roll,To hell will draw us ever;The joys the world doth love, the soulAnd spirit will deliverTo torment everlasting.Oh! happy he who eats heav'n's bread,And heav'nly water drinketh,Who tastes nought else, nought else doth heed,Nought else desires, and thinkethOf that alone which strength can bring,The life we'll live for everWith God, and with the hosts who singHis praise, in joy that neverShall know an interruption.

Creator, Father, Prince of might!Who life to me art giving,Unless Thou guid'st my life arightIn vain here am I living.For while I'm living, I am dead,To sin devoted ever;Whose life in mire of sin is led,The true life he hath neverBeheld one moment even.

Creator, Father, Prince of might!

Who life to me art giving,

Unless Thou guid'st my life aright

In vain here am I living.

For while I'm living, I am dead,

To sin devoted ever;

Whose life in mire of sin is led,

The true life he hath never

Beheld one moment even.

Then turn on Thy poor child Thy face,In darkness do not leave me;That I may shun sin and disgrace,Good counsel ever give me!To keep my lips a guard, Lord, send,May no word ever leave themThat e'er Thy people could offendLet nought I say e'er grieve them,Nor ever Thee dishonour!

Then turn on Thy poor child Thy face,

In darkness do not leave me;

That I may shun sin and disgrace,

Good counsel ever give me!

To keep my lips a guard, Lord, send,

May no word ever leave them

That e'er Thy people could offend

Let nought I say e'er grieve them,

Nor ever Thee dishonour!

Forbid, Father! that mine earUpon this earth so evil,Against Thy name and pow'r should hearThe wicked rage and cavil.Let not the poison and the gallOf slanderers defile me;If I such filth should touch at allIt surely would beguile me,Might e'en quite overthrow me.

Forbid, Father! that mine ear

Upon this earth so evil,

Against Thy name and pow'r should hear

The wicked rage and cavil.

Let not the poison and the gall

Of slanderers defile me;

If I such filth should touch at all

It surely would beguile me,

Might e'en quite overthrow me.

Lord, keep mine eyes, control their glance,May they work evil never;A bold and shameless countenanceKeep Thou far from me ever!What's honest, keeps due boundaries,What angels seek in heaven,What is well-pleasing in Thine eyes,For it by me be striven,All luxury disdaining.

Lord, keep mine eyes, control their glance,

May they work evil never;

A bold and shameless countenance

Keep Thou far from me ever!

What's honest, keeps due boundaries,

What angels seek in heaven,

What is well-pleasing in Thine eyes,

For it by me be striven,

All luxury disdaining.

Oh! may I ne'er delighted beBy revelling and eating;Be what Thou lov'st belov'd by me,Though others shun it, hating.The lusts wherein the flesh doth roll,To hell will draw us ever;The joys the world doth love, the soulAnd spirit will deliverTo torment everlasting.

Oh! may I ne'er delighted be

By revelling and eating;

Be what Thou lov'st belov'd by me,

Though others shun it, hating.

The lusts wherein the flesh doth roll,

To hell will draw us ever;

The joys the world doth love, the soul

And spirit will deliver

To torment everlasting.

Oh! happy he who eats heav'n's bread,And heav'nly water drinketh,Who tastes nought else, nought else doth heed,Nought else desires, and thinkethOf that alone which strength can bring,The life we'll live for everWith God, and with the hosts who singHis praise, in joy that neverShall know an interruption.

Oh! happy he who eats heav'n's bread,

And heav'nly water drinketh,

Who tastes nought else, nought else doth heed,

Nought else desires, and thinketh

Of that alone which strength can bring,

The life we'll live for ever

With God, and with the hosts who sing

His praise, in joy that never

Shall know an interruption.

FOR CONSTANT CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.Jesus! Thou, my dearest Brother,Who dost well to me intend,Thou mine Anchor, Mast, and Rudder,And my truest Bosom-Friend.To Thee, ere was earth or heaven,Had the race of man been given;Thou, e'en me, poor guest of earth,Chosen hadst before my birth.Thou art free from guile, Lord! everInnocent of all that's base;But on this sad earth wheneverI in meditation gaze,There I find deception living;Who excelleth in deceiving,Who the best dissemble can,He's the best and wisest man.Hollow and unfaithful everIs the friendship of the earth;Seemeth she a man to favour?'Tis but for the gold he's worth;Are we prosp'rous, do we flourish?She will smile on us, and nourish;Doth misfortune o'er us low'r?She forsakes us in that hour.Drive away from me, and shield meFrom such instability;If I, Father, have defil'd me(For I also human be)With this mire, and did I everFalsehood love, oh! now deliver.All my guilt I own to Thee,Patience give, and grace to me!May I ne'er be overtakenBy the evils Thou hast saidCome on those who've truth forsaken,And with wares deceptive trade;For Thou sayest Thou disownest,As abomination shunnest,Ev'ry hypocrite's false mood,Who talks, but doth not the good.May my heart be constant ever,Faithful still to every friend;When to grief Thou dost deliverThem, and 'neath the cross they bend,May I even then ne'er shun them,But like unto Thee, Lord, own them,Who, when we were poor and bare,Tended'st us with fondest care.After Thy will, Saviour, give meOne in whom I may confide,Who will faithful counsel give meWhen my heart is sorely tried;To whom I may freely utterAll I feel, with nought to fetter,In the measure I may need,'Till my heart from care is freed.Oh! let David's bliss betide me,Give to me a JonathanWho will come and stand beside meLike a rock, though every manFrom my company should sever,Who his heart will give me ever,Who'll stand firm in every hour,When sun shines or tempests low'r.Out of all the men who're living,Choose me a believing friend,Who to Thee is firmly cleaving,On Thine arm doth aye depend;Who may by Thy will relieve me,Help and comfort ever give me,Help, from sympathizing heart,Comfort, when I feel grief's smart.When 'tis only the mouth loveth,Then the love is ill bestow'd;Whose love but to good words movethWhile he keeps a hateful mood,Whom self-interest rules ever,Who when honey falls, stays never,But escapeth speedily,—Ever far be such from me!In my weakness and my sinning,Move my friend to speak to me,By his words of kindness winning,Never as an enemy.Who reproves in love and sadnessIs like him, in days of gladness,Who pours balsam over meThat by Jordan floweth free.Riches great were I possessing,Priceless were my property;Jesus! did Thy hand such blessingGraciously bestow on me,Were such friend, Lord! ever near me,By His constancy to cheer me;Who doth honour Thee, and fearHe hath such a treasure near.Good friends like to staves are ever,Whereon men lean as they go,That the weak one can deliver,When he slides and lieth low:Sad his case who such ne'er knoweth,Who through life all friendless goeth,Weary is his lonely way,When he falls, to help who stay?Gracious Saviour! let it please Thee,Be my Friend in every hour,Be my Friend, till death release me,Be my faithful Staff of pow'r!When Thou to Thyself wilt bind me,Then a heart Thou soon wilt find me,By Thy Holy Spirit fir'dWith good thoughts to me inspir'd.

Jesus! Thou, my dearest Brother,Who dost well to me intend,Thou mine Anchor, Mast, and Rudder,And my truest Bosom-Friend.To Thee, ere was earth or heaven,Had the race of man been given;Thou, e'en me, poor guest of earth,Chosen hadst before my birth.

Jesus! Thou, my dearest Brother,

Who dost well to me intend,

Thou mine Anchor, Mast, and Rudder,

And my truest Bosom-Friend.

To Thee, ere was earth or heaven,

Had the race of man been given;

Thou, e'en me, poor guest of earth,

Chosen hadst before my birth.

Thou art free from guile, Lord! everInnocent of all that's base;But on this sad earth wheneverI in meditation gaze,There I find deception living;Who excelleth in deceiving,Who the best dissemble can,He's the best and wisest man.

Thou art free from guile, Lord! ever

Innocent of all that's base;

But on this sad earth whenever

I in meditation gaze,

There I find deception living;

Who excelleth in deceiving,

Who the best dissemble can,

He's the best and wisest man.

Hollow and unfaithful everIs the friendship of the earth;Seemeth she a man to favour?'Tis but for the gold he's worth;Are we prosp'rous, do we flourish?She will smile on us, and nourish;Doth misfortune o'er us low'r?She forsakes us in that hour.

Hollow and unfaithful ever

Is the friendship of the earth;

Seemeth she a man to favour?

'Tis but for the gold he's worth;

Are we prosp'rous, do we flourish?

She will smile on us, and nourish;

Doth misfortune o'er us low'r?

She forsakes us in that hour.

Drive away from me, and shield meFrom such instability;If I, Father, have defil'd me(For I also human be)With this mire, and did I everFalsehood love, oh! now deliver.All my guilt I own to Thee,Patience give, and grace to me!

Drive away from me, and shield me

From such instability;

If I, Father, have defil'd me

(For I also human be)

With this mire, and did I ever

Falsehood love, oh! now deliver.

All my guilt I own to Thee,

Patience give, and grace to me!

May I ne'er be overtakenBy the evils Thou hast saidCome on those who've truth forsaken,And with wares deceptive trade;For Thou sayest Thou disownest,As abomination shunnest,Ev'ry hypocrite's false mood,Who talks, but doth not the good.

May I ne'er be overtaken

By the evils Thou hast said

Come on those who've truth forsaken,

And with wares deceptive trade;

For Thou sayest Thou disownest,

As abomination shunnest,

Ev'ry hypocrite's false mood,

Who talks, but doth not the good.

May my heart be constant ever,Faithful still to every friend;When to grief Thou dost deliverThem, and 'neath the cross they bend,May I even then ne'er shun them,But like unto Thee, Lord, own them,Who, when we were poor and bare,Tended'st us with fondest care.

May my heart be constant ever,

Faithful still to every friend;

When to grief Thou dost deliver

Them, and 'neath the cross they bend,

May I even then ne'er shun them,

But like unto Thee, Lord, own them,

Who, when we were poor and bare,

Tended'st us with fondest care.

After Thy will, Saviour, give meOne in whom I may confide,Who will faithful counsel give meWhen my heart is sorely tried;To whom I may freely utterAll I feel, with nought to fetter,In the measure I may need,'Till my heart from care is freed.

After Thy will, Saviour, give me

One in whom I may confide,

Who will faithful counsel give me

When my heart is sorely tried;

To whom I may freely utter

All I feel, with nought to fetter,

In the measure I may need,

'Till my heart from care is freed.

Oh! let David's bliss betide me,Give to me a JonathanWho will come and stand beside meLike a rock, though every manFrom my company should sever,Who his heart will give me ever,Who'll stand firm in every hour,When sun shines or tempests low'r.

Oh! let David's bliss betide me,

Give to me a Jonathan

Who will come and stand beside me

Like a rock, though every man

From my company should sever,

Who his heart will give me ever,

Who'll stand firm in every hour,

When sun shines or tempests low'r.

Out of all the men who're living,Choose me a believing friend,Who to Thee is firmly cleaving,On Thine arm doth aye depend;Who may by Thy will relieve me,Help and comfort ever give me,Help, from sympathizing heart,Comfort, when I feel grief's smart.

Out of all the men who're living,

Choose me a believing friend,

Who to Thee is firmly cleaving,

On Thine arm doth aye depend;

Who may by Thy will relieve me,

Help and comfort ever give me,

Help, from sympathizing heart,

Comfort, when I feel grief's smart.

When 'tis only the mouth loveth,Then the love is ill bestow'd;Whose love but to good words movethWhile he keeps a hateful mood,Whom self-interest rules ever,Who when honey falls, stays never,But escapeth speedily,—Ever far be such from me!

When 'tis only the mouth loveth,

Then the love is ill bestow'd;

Whose love but to good words moveth

While he keeps a hateful mood,

Whom self-interest rules ever,

Who when honey falls, stays never,

But escapeth speedily,—

Ever far be such from me!

In my weakness and my sinning,Move my friend to speak to me,By his words of kindness winning,Never as an enemy.Who reproves in love and sadnessIs like him, in days of gladness,Who pours balsam over meThat by Jordan floweth free.

In my weakness and my sinning,

Move my friend to speak to me,

By his words of kindness winning,

Never as an enemy.

Who reproves in love and sadness

Is like him, in days of gladness,

Who pours balsam over me

That by Jordan floweth free.

Riches great were I possessing,Priceless were my property;Jesus! did Thy hand such blessingGraciously bestow on me,Were such friend, Lord! ever near me,By His constancy to cheer me;Who doth honour Thee, and fearHe hath such a treasure near.

Riches great were I possessing,

Priceless were my property;

Jesus! did Thy hand such blessing

Graciously bestow on me,

Were such friend, Lord! ever near me,

By His constancy to cheer me;

Who doth honour Thee, and fear

He hath such a treasure near.

Good friends like to staves are ever,Whereon men lean as they go,That the weak one can deliver,When he slides and lieth low:Sad his case who such ne'er knoweth,Who through life all friendless goeth,Weary is his lonely way,When he falls, to help who stay?

Good friends like to staves are ever,

Whereon men lean as they go,

That the weak one can deliver,

When he slides and lieth low:

Sad his case who such ne'er knoweth,

Who through life all friendless goeth,

Weary is his lonely way,

When he falls, to help who stay?

Gracious Saviour! let it please Thee,Be my Friend in every hour,Be my Friend, till death release me,Be my faithful Staff of pow'r!When Thou to Thyself wilt bind me,Then a heart Thou soon wilt find me,By Thy Holy Spirit fir'dWith good thoughts to me inspir'd.

Gracious Saviour! let it please Thee,

Be my Friend in every hour,

Be my Friend, till death release me,

Be my faithful Staff of pow'r!

When Thou to Thyself wilt bind me,

Then a heart Thou soon wilt find me,

By Thy Holy Spirit fir'd

With good thoughts to me inspir'd.

FOR TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL WELFARE.O God, my Father! thanks to TheeI bring with deep humility,That Thou Thine anger endest,And that Thy Son,Our Joy and Crown,Into the world Thou sendest.He hath appear'd, His precious bloodHath pourèd forth in such a flood,That all our sins it washes.Who to Him cleaves,He soon relievesOf burdens, and refreshes.I come, Lord! as the best I may,Take me into the band, I pray,Of those who are forgiven,Who through this bloodAre just and good,And shall be bless'd in heaven.Oh! let mine eye and hand of faithThis noble pledge keep without scath,Away from me ne'er casting;And let this lightLead me aright,To the light everlasting.The mansion of my soul prepare,Cast out whate'er is evil there,And build in me Thy dwelling:Thy grace so freeReveal to me,My soul with Thy love filling.All things are mine when I have Thee,Thou void of gifts canst never be;A thousand ways Thou knowestOn earth to keepThy feeble sheep;Enough Thou aye bestowest.Grant that I in my station hereThee in Thy word may ever fear,So guide what things concern me,That found in meTrue faith may be,And may with truth adorn me.And give me a contented mind,For when with godliness combin'd,Great gain thence ever floweth.Then what of goodIt pleaseth GodTo give, great peace bestoweth.The little that by God's great graceThe righteous as his portion has,To honour more commendeth,Than all the goldThe world doth hold,And with proud spirit spendeth.The faithful, Lord, to Thee are known,Thou art their Joy, and they Thine own,To shame thou putt'st them never;Comes scarcity,Their bread from TheeThey find in all lands ever.God loveth him who fears and cleavesTo Him, sees that no mischance grieves,In his ways joyeth ever;And if he slide,God doth abide,Doth bless him and deliver.God's eye is upon all who waitAnd hope in Him both soon and late,In all need to deliver,E'en in the hourWhen to devourDeath threatens them for ever.Lord, Thou canst only gracious be,Thou givest all to know and seeThy goodness and Thy favour,Who with their mouthAnd heart in truthOwn Thee their only Saviour.MakeHer[9]Thy care especially,Whom Thou as monarch hast rais'd highThis land and nation over;With rest and peaceThe land, Lord! bless,The throne with blessings cover.Preserve, Lord! our dear native landIn Thine embrace and mighty hand;Protect us all togetherFrom error's voice,From enemies,From fire and plague deliver.All whom I love, keep every day,Let all the hosts of hell awayFrom young and old be driven!Here, may we beIn time by TheePreserv'd, and there in heaven![9]For obvious reasons the original has been slightly altered. The German is,Insonderheit nimm wohl in achtDen Fürsten, &c.

O God, my Father! thanks to TheeI bring with deep humility,That Thou Thine anger endest,And that Thy Son,Our Joy and Crown,Into the world Thou sendest.

O God, my Father! thanks to Thee

I bring with deep humility,

That Thou Thine anger endest,

And that Thy Son,

Our Joy and Crown,

Into the world Thou sendest.

He hath appear'd, His precious bloodHath pourèd forth in such a flood,That all our sins it washes.Who to Him cleaves,He soon relievesOf burdens, and refreshes.

He hath appear'd, His precious blood

Hath pourèd forth in such a flood,

That all our sins it washes.

Who to Him cleaves,

He soon relieves

Of burdens, and refreshes.

I come, Lord! as the best I may,Take me into the band, I pray,Of those who are forgiven,Who through this bloodAre just and good,And shall be bless'd in heaven.

I come, Lord! as the best I may,

Take me into the band, I pray,

Of those who are forgiven,

Who through this blood

Are just and good,

And shall be bless'd in heaven.

Oh! let mine eye and hand of faithThis noble pledge keep without scath,Away from me ne'er casting;And let this lightLead me aright,To the light everlasting.

Oh! let mine eye and hand of faith

This noble pledge keep without scath,

Away from me ne'er casting;

And let this light

Lead me aright,

To the light everlasting.

The mansion of my soul prepare,Cast out whate'er is evil there,And build in me Thy dwelling:Thy grace so freeReveal to me,My soul with Thy love filling.

The mansion of my soul prepare,

Cast out whate'er is evil there,

And build in me Thy dwelling:

Thy grace so free

Reveal to me,

My soul with Thy love filling.

All things are mine when I have Thee,Thou void of gifts canst never be;A thousand ways Thou knowestOn earth to keepThy feeble sheep;Enough Thou aye bestowest.

All things are mine when I have Thee,

Thou void of gifts canst never be;

A thousand ways Thou knowest

On earth to keep

Thy feeble sheep;

Enough Thou aye bestowest.

Grant that I in my station hereThee in Thy word may ever fear,So guide what things concern me,That found in meTrue faith may be,And may with truth adorn me.

Grant that I in my station here

Thee in Thy word may ever fear,

So guide what things concern me,

That found in me

True faith may be,

And may with truth adorn me.

And give me a contented mind,For when with godliness combin'd,Great gain thence ever floweth.Then what of goodIt pleaseth GodTo give, great peace bestoweth.

And give me a contented mind,

For when with godliness combin'd,

Great gain thence ever floweth.

Then what of good

It pleaseth God

To give, great peace bestoweth.

The little that by God's great graceThe righteous as his portion has,To honour more commendeth,Than all the goldThe world doth hold,And with proud spirit spendeth.

The little that by God's great grace

The righteous as his portion has,

To honour more commendeth,

Than all the gold

The world doth hold,

And with proud spirit spendeth.

The faithful, Lord, to Thee are known,Thou art their Joy, and they Thine own,To shame thou putt'st them never;Comes scarcity,Their bread from TheeThey find in all lands ever.

The faithful, Lord, to Thee are known,

Thou art their Joy, and they Thine own,

To shame thou putt'st them never;

Comes scarcity,

Their bread from Thee

They find in all lands ever.

God loveth him who fears and cleavesTo Him, sees that no mischance grieves,In his ways joyeth ever;And if he slide,God doth abide,Doth bless him and deliver.

God loveth him who fears and cleaves

To Him, sees that no mischance grieves,

In his ways joyeth ever;

And if he slide,

God doth abide,

Doth bless him and deliver.

God's eye is upon all who waitAnd hope in Him both soon and late,In all need to deliver,E'en in the hourWhen to devourDeath threatens them for ever.

God's eye is upon all who wait

And hope in Him both soon and late,

In all need to deliver,

E'en in the hour

When to devour

Death threatens them for ever.

Lord, Thou canst only gracious be,Thou givest all to know and seeThy goodness and Thy favour,Who with their mouthAnd heart in truthOwn Thee their only Saviour.

Lord, Thou canst only gracious be,

Thou givest all to know and see

Thy goodness and Thy favour,

Who with their mouth

And heart in truth

Own Thee their only Saviour.

MakeHer[9]Thy care especially,Whom Thou as monarch hast rais'd highThis land and nation over;With rest and peaceThe land, Lord! bless,The throne with blessings cover.

MakeHer[9]Thy care especially,

Whom Thou as monarch hast rais'd high

This land and nation over;

With rest and peace

The land, Lord! bless,

The throne with blessings cover.

Preserve, Lord! our dear native landIn Thine embrace and mighty hand;Protect us all togetherFrom error's voice,From enemies,From fire and plague deliver.

Preserve, Lord! our dear native land

In Thine embrace and mighty hand;

Protect us all together

From error's voice,

From enemies,

From fire and plague deliver.

All whom I love, keep every day,Let all the hosts of hell awayFrom young and old be driven!Here, may we beIn time by TheePreserv'd, and there in heaven!

All whom I love, keep every day,

Let all the hosts of hell away

From young and old be driven!

Here, may we be

In time by Thee

Preserv'd, and there in heaven!

[9]For obvious reasons the original has been slightly altered. The German is,Insonderheit nimm wohl in achtDen Fürsten, &c.

[9]For obvious reasons the original has been slightly altered. The German is,Insonderheit nimm wohl in achtDen Fürsten, &c.

Insonderheit nimm wohl in achtDen Fürsten, &c.

Insonderheit nimm wohl in acht

Den Fürsten, &c.

FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST.O Jesus Christ! my fairest Light,Who in Thy soul dost love me,I ne'er can tell it, nor its heightMete, 'tis so high above me,Grant that my heart may warm to Thee,With ardent love ne'er ceasing,Thee embracing,And as Thy property,Cleave to Thee, ever gazing.Grant that an idol in me mayDwell e'en a moment never,Grant me to make Thy love, I pray,My crown and prize for ever!Cast all things out, take all away,That Thee and me would sever,So that everBy Thy love, my pow'rs mayBe kindled, and cool never!How friendly, blessèd, sweet, and fairIs Thy love, Jesus ever!While this remains, distress and careCan grieve my spirit never.Then let me only think of Thee,Be seeing, hearing, feeling,Loving, tellingOf Thee, and Thy great love to meOh! be Thou more revealing!Oh! that this greatest, highest good,I might for aye be tasting!Oh! that in me this noble bloodMight glow to everlasting!Help me to watch, Lord! day and night,This blessèd treasure shieldingFrom unyieldingFoes, who 'gainst us the mightOf Satan's realm are wielding!My Saviour! Thou in love to meHast down to death descended,And like a murd'rer on the treeAnd thief hast been suspended,Spit on, despis'd and wounded sore,The wounds which Thee have riven,May it evenTo me at the heart's coreWith love to feel be given.The blood that hath been shed by TheeIs good and precious ever,My heart is wicked desp'rately,Hard as a millstone nether.Ah! let the virtue of Thy bloodMy flinty heart be bending,Entrance finding;And may Thy love, life's floodThrough all my veins be sending.Oh! were my heart op'd to receiveThe blood-drops that were fallingFrom Thee, wrung by my sin that eveIn agony appalling!Oh! that the fountains of mine eyesWere op'd, and with much sighing,And sore crying,Gush'd forth, as tears and sighsOf men in love who're dying.Oh! that I as a little childWith weeping eyes might trace Thee,E'en till Thy heart with love was fill'dAnd Thine arms did embrace me.And until Thou Thy heart to meWith sweet love flowing over,Should'st discover,And we united be,Thy goodness for my cover.Ah! draw me, Saviour! after Thee,And so shall I be hasting,I run, and in my heart shall beThy love with rapture tasting;The gracious words from Thee I'll hearSweet comfort shall give ever;Me deliverFrom sin, and every fear,These shall o'ercome me never.My Comfort, Treasure, Health, and Light,My Life and Saviour tender!Ah! take me for Thy portion quiteAs I myself surrender!There's nought but pain apart from Thee,I nought but gall discover,Earth all over,Nought ever comforts me,No balm can me recover.But Thou the Rest most blessed art,In Thee are joys eternal.Grant, Jesus! grant that my poor heartFeed in Thy pastures vernal!Be Thou the flame that burns in me,My Balsam, ease that giveth,And relievethPain that here constantlyMakes me heave sighs, and grieveth.Ah! fairest one, what faileth meIn Thy great love, of blessing?It is my sun that lightens me,My well-spring, me refreshing!My sweetest wine, my heav'nly bread,My cov'ring when before Thee,And my glory,My shield in hour of need,My house that riseth o'er me!Ah! dearest love, why was I born,If Thou my soul forsakest?If Thou withdraw'st, I'm all forlorn,All good from me Thou takest.O may I seek Thee as my guest,With all my best endeavourKeep Thee ever;And when I Thee arrest,Let Thee go from me never.I've been belov'd by Thee for aye,To follow Thou did'st move me;Before I good could e'er essay,E'en then did Thy heart love me:Ah! noble Rock! Thy love belowMay it for ever guide me,And beside meBe it where'er I go,To aid whate'er betide me.And may Thy love adorn my place,Where'er my lot Thou'rt casting;And if I wander from Thy ways,To bring me back be hasting.And let me ever counsel wise,Good works from Thee be learning,From sin turning,And when from falls I rise,Come back to Thee with yearning!And ever be my joy in woe,When weak, with Thy strength stay me;And when my course is run below,I down to rest will lay me.Then may Thy love and truth with me,O Christ! abide for ever,Leave me never,Till I Thy glory see,Oh! may they waft me thither!

O Jesus Christ! my fairest Light,Who in Thy soul dost love me,I ne'er can tell it, nor its heightMete, 'tis so high above me,Grant that my heart may warm to Thee,With ardent love ne'er ceasing,Thee embracing,And as Thy property,Cleave to Thee, ever gazing.

O Jesus Christ! my fairest Light,

Who in Thy soul dost love me,

I ne'er can tell it, nor its height

Mete, 'tis so high above me,

Grant that my heart may warm to Thee,

With ardent love ne'er ceasing,

Thee embracing,

And as Thy property,

Cleave to Thee, ever gazing.

Grant that an idol in me mayDwell e'en a moment never,Grant me to make Thy love, I pray,My crown and prize for ever!Cast all things out, take all away,That Thee and me would sever,So that everBy Thy love, my pow'rs mayBe kindled, and cool never!

Grant that an idol in me may

Dwell e'en a moment never,

Grant me to make Thy love, I pray,

My crown and prize for ever!

Cast all things out, take all away,

That Thee and me would sever,

So that ever

By Thy love, my pow'rs may

Be kindled, and cool never!

How friendly, blessèd, sweet, and fairIs Thy love, Jesus ever!While this remains, distress and careCan grieve my spirit never.Then let me only think of Thee,Be seeing, hearing, feeling,Loving, tellingOf Thee, and Thy great love to meOh! be Thou more revealing!

How friendly, blessèd, sweet, and fair

Is Thy love, Jesus ever!

While this remains, distress and care

Can grieve my spirit never.

Then let me only think of Thee,

Be seeing, hearing, feeling,

Loving, telling

Of Thee, and Thy great love to me

Oh! be Thou more revealing!

Oh! that this greatest, highest good,I might for aye be tasting!Oh! that in me this noble bloodMight glow to everlasting!Help me to watch, Lord! day and night,This blessèd treasure shieldingFrom unyieldingFoes, who 'gainst us the mightOf Satan's realm are wielding!

Oh! that this greatest, highest good,

I might for aye be tasting!

Oh! that in me this noble blood

Might glow to everlasting!

Help me to watch, Lord! day and night,

This blessèd treasure shielding

From unyielding

Foes, who 'gainst us the might

Of Satan's realm are wielding!

My Saviour! Thou in love to meHast down to death descended,And like a murd'rer on the treeAnd thief hast been suspended,Spit on, despis'd and wounded sore,The wounds which Thee have riven,May it evenTo me at the heart's coreWith love to feel be given.

My Saviour! Thou in love to me

Hast down to death descended,

And like a murd'rer on the tree

And thief hast been suspended,

Spit on, despis'd and wounded sore,

The wounds which Thee have riven,

May it even

To me at the heart's core

With love to feel be given.

The blood that hath been shed by TheeIs good and precious ever,My heart is wicked desp'rately,Hard as a millstone nether.Ah! let the virtue of Thy bloodMy flinty heart be bending,Entrance finding;And may Thy love, life's floodThrough all my veins be sending.

The blood that hath been shed by Thee

Is good and precious ever,

My heart is wicked desp'rately,

Hard as a millstone nether.

Ah! let the virtue of Thy blood

My flinty heart be bending,

Entrance finding;

And may Thy love, life's flood

Through all my veins be sending.

Oh! were my heart op'd to receiveThe blood-drops that were fallingFrom Thee, wrung by my sin that eveIn agony appalling!Oh! that the fountains of mine eyesWere op'd, and with much sighing,And sore crying,Gush'd forth, as tears and sighsOf men in love who're dying.

Oh! were my heart op'd to receive

The blood-drops that were falling

From Thee, wrung by my sin that eve

In agony appalling!

Oh! that the fountains of mine eyes

Were op'd, and with much sighing,

And sore crying,

Gush'd forth, as tears and sighs

Of men in love who're dying.

Oh! that I as a little childWith weeping eyes might trace Thee,E'en till Thy heart with love was fill'dAnd Thine arms did embrace me.And until Thou Thy heart to meWith sweet love flowing over,Should'st discover,And we united be,Thy goodness for my cover.

Oh! that I as a little child

With weeping eyes might trace Thee,

E'en till Thy heart with love was fill'd

And Thine arms did embrace me.

And until Thou Thy heart to me

With sweet love flowing over,

Should'st discover,

And we united be,

Thy goodness for my cover.

Ah! draw me, Saviour! after Thee,And so shall I be hasting,I run, and in my heart shall beThy love with rapture tasting;The gracious words from Thee I'll hearSweet comfort shall give ever;Me deliverFrom sin, and every fear,These shall o'ercome me never.

Ah! draw me, Saviour! after Thee,

And so shall I be hasting,

I run, and in my heart shall be

Thy love with rapture tasting;

The gracious words from Thee I'll hear

Sweet comfort shall give ever;

Me deliver

From sin, and every fear,

These shall o'ercome me never.

My Comfort, Treasure, Health, and Light,My Life and Saviour tender!Ah! take me for Thy portion quiteAs I myself surrender!There's nought but pain apart from Thee,I nought but gall discover,Earth all over,Nought ever comforts me,No balm can me recover.

My Comfort, Treasure, Health, and Light,

My Life and Saviour tender!

Ah! take me for Thy portion quite

As I myself surrender!

There's nought but pain apart from Thee,

I nought but gall discover,

Earth all over,

Nought ever comforts me,

No balm can me recover.

But Thou the Rest most blessed art,In Thee are joys eternal.Grant, Jesus! grant that my poor heartFeed in Thy pastures vernal!Be Thou the flame that burns in me,My Balsam, ease that giveth,And relievethPain that here constantlyMakes me heave sighs, and grieveth.

But Thou the Rest most blessed art,

In Thee are joys eternal.

Grant, Jesus! grant that my poor heart

Feed in Thy pastures vernal!

Be Thou the flame that burns in me,

My Balsam, ease that giveth,

And relieveth

Pain that here constantly

Makes me heave sighs, and grieveth.

Ah! fairest one, what faileth meIn Thy great love, of blessing?It is my sun that lightens me,My well-spring, me refreshing!My sweetest wine, my heav'nly bread,My cov'ring when before Thee,And my glory,My shield in hour of need,My house that riseth o'er me!

Ah! fairest one, what faileth me

In Thy great love, of blessing?

It is my sun that lightens me,

My well-spring, me refreshing!

My sweetest wine, my heav'nly bread,

My cov'ring when before Thee,

And my glory,

My shield in hour of need,

My house that riseth o'er me!

Ah! dearest love, why was I born,If Thou my soul forsakest?If Thou withdraw'st, I'm all forlorn,All good from me Thou takest.O may I seek Thee as my guest,With all my best endeavourKeep Thee ever;And when I Thee arrest,Let Thee go from me never.

Ah! dearest love, why was I born,

If Thou my soul forsakest?

If Thou withdraw'st, I'm all forlorn,

All good from me Thou takest.

O may I seek Thee as my guest,

With all my best endeavour

Keep Thee ever;

And when I Thee arrest,

Let Thee go from me never.

I've been belov'd by Thee for aye,To follow Thou did'st move me;Before I good could e'er essay,E'en then did Thy heart love me:Ah! noble Rock! Thy love belowMay it for ever guide me,And beside meBe it where'er I go,To aid whate'er betide me.

I've been belov'd by Thee for aye,

To follow Thou did'st move me;

Before I good could e'er essay,

E'en then did Thy heart love me:

Ah! noble Rock! Thy love below

May it for ever guide me,

And beside me

Be it where'er I go,

To aid whate'er betide me.

And may Thy love adorn my place,Where'er my lot Thou'rt casting;And if I wander from Thy ways,To bring me back be hasting.And let me ever counsel wise,Good works from Thee be learning,From sin turning,And when from falls I rise,Come back to Thee with yearning!

And may Thy love adorn my place,

Where'er my lot Thou'rt casting;

And if I wander from Thy ways,

To bring me back be hasting.

And let me ever counsel wise,

Good works from Thee be learning,

From sin turning,

And when from falls I rise,

Come back to Thee with yearning!

And ever be my joy in woe,When weak, with Thy strength stay me;And when my course is run below,I down to rest will lay me.Then may Thy love and truth with me,O Christ! abide for ever,Leave me never,Till I Thy glory see,Oh! may they waft me thither!

And ever be my joy in woe,

When weak, with Thy strength stay me;

And when my course is run below,

I down to rest will lay me.

Then may Thy love and truth with me,

O Christ! abide for ever,

Leave me never,

Till I Thy glory see,

Oh! may they waft me thither!

THE FIRST PSALM OF DAVID.Bless'd is he who never takethCounsel of ungodly men!Bless'd, the right who ne'er forsaketh,Nor in sinners' paths is seen,Who the scorners' friendship spurns,From their seats away who turns,Who delight in God's word taketh,This his meditation maketh.Bless'd is he who pleasure takethIn God's laws' most perfect way,It is his lov'd resort who makethWhere he lingers night and day!Oh! His blessing blooms and grows,As the palm where water flows,And abroad its branches spreadeth,And the wayworn pilgrim shadeth.He will truly ever flourishWho God's word delights to do,Air and earth alike will nourishHim, till ripe his fruit shall grow.Though his leaf grow old, yet heEver fresh and green shall be,God success to his endeavourGiveth, and it prospers ever.But he who in sin's ways goethIs like chaff the wind before,When it riseth up and bloweth,And we find it here no more.Where the Lord His people guide,There the godless ne'er abide,God the faithful loves and guideth,On the wicked wrath abideth.

Bless'd is he who never takethCounsel of ungodly men!Bless'd, the right who ne'er forsaketh,Nor in sinners' paths is seen,Who the scorners' friendship spurns,From their seats away who turns,Who delight in God's word taketh,This his meditation maketh.

Bless'd is he who never taketh

Counsel of ungodly men!

Bless'd, the right who ne'er forsaketh,

Nor in sinners' paths is seen,

Who the scorners' friendship spurns,

From their seats away who turns,

Who delight in God's word taketh,

This his meditation maketh.

Bless'd is he who pleasure takethIn God's laws' most perfect way,It is his lov'd resort who makethWhere he lingers night and day!Oh! His blessing blooms and grows,As the palm where water flows,And abroad its branches spreadeth,And the wayworn pilgrim shadeth.

Bless'd is he who pleasure taketh

In God's laws' most perfect way,

It is his lov'd resort who maketh

Where he lingers night and day!

Oh! His blessing blooms and grows,

As the palm where water flows,

And abroad its branches spreadeth,

And the wayworn pilgrim shadeth.

He will truly ever flourishWho God's word delights to do,Air and earth alike will nourishHim, till ripe his fruit shall grow.Though his leaf grow old, yet heEver fresh and green shall be,God success to his endeavourGiveth, and it prospers ever.

He will truly ever flourish

Who God's word delights to do,

Air and earth alike will nourish

Him, till ripe his fruit shall grow.

Though his leaf grow old, yet he

Ever fresh and green shall be,

God success to his endeavour

Giveth, and it prospers ever.

But he who in sin's ways goethIs like chaff the wind before,When it riseth up and bloweth,And we find it here no more.Where the Lord His people guide,There the godless ne'er abide,God the faithful loves and guideth,On the wicked wrath abideth.

But he who in sin's ways goeth

Is like chaff the wind before,

When it riseth up and bloweth,

And we find it here no more.

Where the Lord His people guide,

There the godless ne'er abide,

God the faithful loves and guideth,

On the wicked wrath abideth.

THE 112TH PSALM OF DAVID.Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth,At His word doth tremble aye!Bless'd whose heart him freely movethGod's commandments to obey.Who the Highest loves and fears,Findeth increase with the yearsOf all that to him is givenBy the bounteous hand of Heaven.His dear children shall stand everLike to roses in their blow;Flowing with God's goodness over,On his generations go.What the body needs belowGod who rules all will bestow,He will bounteously relieve them,Plenty in their dwellings give them.The right deeds of the believerNought can shake, they stand secure;If a storm o'ertakes him ever,Still doth God, his Light endure,Comforts, shieldeth with His pow'r,So that after darkness' hour,After night of tears and sorrow,Joy and sunshine glad the morrow.God's compassion, grace, and favourFor the faithful still endure.Blessèd are the souls who everThink upon the needy poor,Love them, seek to do them good;For the ever-living GodIn His arms of grace will bear them,And a home above prepare them.When the black clouds o'er them lighten,And the pealing thunders shock,They shall sit, and nought shall frighten,Like the dove hid in the rock;They'll remain eternally,And their memory shall beUpon every side extending,As their branches trees are sending.When misfortunes overtake them,Whereby sinners low are laid,Firm their courage, nought can shake them,And their hearts are undismay'd;Undismay'd, from care are free,Hearts that unreservedlyTo the Lord their God are given,Love Him when forsaken even.Who delight take in relievingSad ones, to the Lord are dear;What the loving hands are giving,God will recompense e'en here.Who much giveth much will gain,He shall not desire in vain,What his heart desires and willeth,God in His good time fulfilleth.But the foes who triumph'd o'er them,They shall see depart beneath;Satan who such malice bore them,Evermore shall gnash his teeth:Sorely will it him displeaseWhen their blessedness he sees,Yet that he can rob them never,Only waste himself for ever.

Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth,At His word doth tremble aye!Bless'd whose heart him freely movethGod's commandments to obey.Who the Highest loves and fears,Findeth increase with the yearsOf all that to him is givenBy the bounteous hand of Heaven.

Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth,

At His word doth tremble aye!

Bless'd whose heart him freely moveth

God's commandments to obey.

Who the Highest loves and fears,

Findeth increase with the years

Of all that to him is given

By the bounteous hand of Heaven.

His dear children shall stand everLike to roses in their blow;Flowing with God's goodness over,On his generations go.What the body needs belowGod who rules all will bestow,He will bounteously relieve them,Plenty in their dwellings give them.

His dear children shall stand ever

Like to roses in their blow;

Flowing with God's goodness over,

On his generations go.

What the body needs below

God who rules all will bestow,

He will bounteously relieve them,

Plenty in their dwellings give them.

The right deeds of the believerNought can shake, they stand secure;If a storm o'ertakes him ever,Still doth God, his Light endure,Comforts, shieldeth with His pow'r,So that after darkness' hour,After night of tears and sorrow,Joy and sunshine glad the morrow.

The right deeds of the believer

Nought can shake, they stand secure;

If a storm o'ertakes him ever,

Still doth God, his Light endure,

Comforts, shieldeth with His pow'r,

So that after darkness' hour,

After night of tears and sorrow,

Joy and sunshine glad the morrow.

God's compassion, grace, and favourFor the faithful still endure.Blessèd are the souls who everThink upon the needy poor,Love them, seek to do them good;For the ever-living GodIn His arms of grace will bear them,And a home above prepare them.

God's compassion, grace, and favour

For the faithful still endure.

Blessèd are the souls who ever

Think upon the needy poor,

Love them, seek to do them good;

For the ever-living God

In His arms of grace will bear them,

And a home above prepare them.

When the black clouds o'er them lighten,And the pealing thunders shock,They shall sit, and nought shall frighten,Like the dove hid in the rock;They'll remain eternally,And their memory shall beUpon every side extending,As their branches trees are sending.

When the black clouds o'er them lighten,

And the pealing thunders shock,

They shall sit, and nought shall frighten,

Like the dove hid in the rock;

They'll remain eternally,

And their memory shall be

Upon every side extending,

As their branches trees are sending.

When misfortunes overtake them,Whereby sinners low are laid,Firm their courage, nought can shake them,And their hearts are undismay'd;Undismay'd, from care are free,Hearts that unreservedlyTo the Lord their God are given,Love Him when forsaken even.

When misfortunes overtake them,

Whereby sinners low are laid,

Firm their courage, nought can shake them,

And their hearts are undismay'd;

Undismay'd, from care are free,

Hearts that unreservedly

To the Lord their God are given,

Love Him when forsaken even.

Who delight take in relievingSad ones, to the Lord are dear;What the loving hands are giving,God will recompense e'en here.Who much giveth much will gain,He shall not desire in vain,What his heart desires and willeth,God in His good time fulfilleth.

Who delight take in relieving

Sad ones, to the Lord are dear;

What the loving hands are giving,

God will recompense e'en here.

Who much giveth much will gain,

He shall not desire in vain,

What his heart desires and willeth,

God in His good time fulfilleth.

But the foes who triumph'd o'er them,They shall see depart beneath;Satan who such malice bore them,Evermore shall gnash his teeth:Sorely will it him displeaseWhen their blessedness he sees,Yet that he can rob them never,Only waste himself for ever.

But the foes who triumph'd o'er them,

They shall see depart beneath;

Satan who such malice bore them,

Evermore shall gnash his teeth:

Sorely will it him displease

When their blessedness he sees,

Yet that he can rob them never,

Only waste himself for ever.

THE 121ST PSALM OF DAVID.Lord! to Thee alone I raiseEvermore mine eager eyes,Upturn'd is my constant gazeTo the hills that pierce the skies:To the hills whence flow to meHelp and saving health from Thee!All my succour comes to meFrom my great Creator's hand,Who hath deck'd so beauteouslyEarth and sky, air, sea, and land,And with ev'ry good supplied,That our needs be satisfied.Lest thy feet, my soul! should strayFrom the narrow path of right,He is with thee in the way,And preserves thee day and night.Trust Him! and the hosts of hellNever more shall work thee ill.Sleepless vigils doth He keepWhen thou liest down to rest;When thou'rt sunk in slumbers deep,To thy side at His behestAngel hosts then wing their flight,Thee to guard through all the night.All thou hast and all thou artIs encircled by His love;Ev'ry grief that wrings thy heartDoth He graciously remove.Soul and body shieldeth He,When dark tempests threaten thee.When the noonday's burning sunAll thy body's strength doth blight,When the midnight stars and moonDazzle with their brilliant light,Then His hand of mighty pow'r,Shades thee in the trying hour.May He still protection yield,Faithful Shepherd be, and nearStill remain thy rock and shield,When thy heart's oppress'd with fear.When of need thou feel'st the smart,May He press thee to His heart.Dost thou sit or rise again,Dost thou speak or dost thou hear,Still at home dost thou remain,Art abroad when none is near,Dost thou wander in or out?He will compass thee about.

Lord! to Thee alone I raiseEvermore mine eager eyes,Upturn'd is my constant gazeTo the hills that pierce the skies:To the hills whence flow to meHelp and saving health from Thee!

Lord! to Thee alone I raise

Evermore mine eager eyes,

Upturn'd is my constant gaze

To the hills that pierce the skies:

To the hills whence flow to me

Help and saving health from Thee!

All my succour comes to meFrom my great Creator's hand,Who hath deck'd so beauteouslyEarth and sky, air, sea, and land,And with ev'ry good supplied,That our needs be satisfied.

All my succour comes to me

From my great Creator's hand,

Who hath deck'd so beauteously

Earth and sky, air, sea, and land,

And with ev'ry good supplied,

That our needs be satisfied.

Lest thy feet, my soul! should strayFrom the narrow path of right,He is with thee in the way,And preserves thee day and night.Trust Him! and the hosts of hellNever more shall work thee ill.

Lest thy feet, my soul! should stray

From the narrow path of right,

He is with thee in the way,

And preserves thee day and night.

Trust Him! and the hosts of hell

Never more shall work thee ill.

Sleepless vigils doth He keepWhen thou liest down to rest;When thou'rt sunk in slumbers deep,To thy side at His behestAngel hosts then wing their flight,Thee to guard through all the night.

Sleepless vigils doth He keep

When thou liest down to rest;

When thou'rt sunk in slumbers deep,

To thy side at His behest

Angel hosts then wing their flight,

Thee to guard through all the night.

All thou hast and all thou artIs encircled by His love;Ev'ry grief that wrings thy heartDoth He graciously remove.Soul and body shieldeth He,When dark tempests threaten thee.

All thou hast and all thou art

Is encircled by His love;

Ev'ry grief that wrings thy heart

Doth He graciously remove.

Soul and body shieldeth He,

When dark tempests threaten thee.

When the noonday's burning sunAll thy body's strength doth blight,When the midnight stars and moonDazzle with their brilliant light,Then His hand of mighty pow'r,Shades thee in the trying hour.

When the noonday's burning sun

All thy body's strength doth blight,

When the midnight stars and moon

Dazzle with their brilliant light,

Then His hand of mighty pow'r,

Shades thee in the trying hour.

May He still protection yield,Faithful Shepherd be, and nearStill remain thy rock and shield,When thy heart's oppress'd with fear.When of need thou feel'st the smart,May He press thee to His heart.

May He still protection yield,

Faithful Shepherd be, and near

Still remain thy rock and shield,

When thy heart's oppress'd with fear.

When of need thou feel'st the smart,

May He press thee to His heart.

Dost thou sit or rise again,Dost thou speak or dost thou hear,Still at home dost thou remain,Art abroad when none is near,Dost thou wander in or out?He will compass thee about.

Dost thou sit or rise again,

Dost thou speak or dost thou hear,

Still at home dost thou remain,

Art abroad when none is near,

Dost thou wander in or out?

He will compass thee about.

THE 139TH PSALM OF DAVID.Lord, Thou my heart dost search and try,And what is hidden from mine eyeThou seest, all I am and ownTo Thine omniscient mind is known.Whene'r I sit, lie down, or stand,Or walk, or run, on ev'ry handThy presence doth encompass me,At all times I am hard by Thee.And all the thoughts that stir my heart,That lurk in its most secret part,Thy searching eye doth scrutinizeEre they to consciousness arise.And never from my tongue a wordEscapes, by Thee, O Lord, unheard;Thou order'st all I speak or do,And guidest me life's journey through.'Tis true, I know, but must remainA knowledge I can ne'er attain,A mystery beyond the kenOf feeble and short-sighted men.Where shall I from Thy Spirit fly,Escape from Thine omniscient eye?Where shall I from Thy presence hide,And where remote from Thee abide?If I ascend the utmost heightOf heav'n, there art Thou, thron'd in light;Or should I down to hell repairAnd make my bed, I'd find Thee there.Should I on morning's pinions ride,As far as ocean's empire wideOf stormy waves breaks on the land,I'd be upheld by Thy right hand.Or if the help of night I sought,No change by darkness would be wrought,For let the night be as it may,With Thee is ever cloudless day.'Mid darkest shadows Thou canst see,The darkness is a light to Thee,Thy glance is ever clear and bright,From sun and moon Thou need'st no light.My reins Thou ever hast possess'd,For in Thy hand they ever rest,From infancy Thou hast me led,With daily blessings crown'd my head.Thou hast, who'rt greatly to be fear'd,My frame with cunning hand uprear'd;Thy works, Thy wondrous pow'r forth tell,And that my soul doth know right well.My substance was not hid from Thee,When I in secret curiouslyWas fashion'd in the depths of earth,From whence Thy pow'r hath brought me forth.Before my time, my times for meDetermin'd were by Thy decree,The tale of years and days I'd see,Hours, moments, all were fix'd by Thee.My God, how precious, sweet, and fair,I see array'd before me thereThe thoughts of wisdom of Thy heart,In all Thy bounty doth impart.The sum of these so high doth mount,That when their number I would count,I find them infinitely moreThan dust or sand, on field or shore.How doth the bold blaspheming bandThee vilify on every hand,O God of wonders! and Thy nameDespise and treat with open shame.Their scornful mouths, Lord, close and seal,Against them speedily revealThy wrath! against Thy foes arise,Thy foes are hateful in mine eyes.Though in return, their hatred soreAgainst Thee burn, I do no moreAmid the rage of angry foes,Than 'neath Thy shelt'ring wings repose.Lord, search and know my heart and mood,See if my way be right and good,The everlasting joyful roadLead me that brings me home to God.

Lord, Thou my heart dost search and try,And what is hidden from mine eyeThou seest, all I am and ownTo Thine omniscient mind is known.

Lord, Thou my heart dost search and try,

And what is hidden from mine eye

Thou seest, all I am and own

To Thine omniscient mind is known.

Whene'r I sit, lie down, or stand,Or walk, or run, on ev'ry handThy presence doth encompass me,At all times I am hard by Thee.

Whene'r I sit, lie down, or stand,

Or walk, or run, on ev'ry hand

Thy presence doth encompass me,

At all times I am hard by Thee.

And all the thoughts that stir my heart,That lurk in its most secret part,Thy searching eye doth scrutinizeEre they to consciousness arise.

And all the thoughts that stir my heart,

That lurk in its most secret part,

Thy searching eye doth scrutinize

Ere they to consciousness arise.

And never from my tongue a wordEscapes, by Thee, O Lord, unheard;Thou order'st all I speak or do,And guidest me life's journey through.

And never from my tongue a word

Escapes, by Thee, O Lord, unheard;

Thou order'st all I speak or do,

And guidest me life's journey through.

'Tis true, I know, but must remainA knowledge I can ne'er attain,A mystery beyond the kenOf feeble and short-sighted men.

'Tis true, I know, but must remain

A knowledge I can ne'er attain,

A mystery beyond the ken

Of feeble and short-sighted men.

Where shall I from Thy Spirit fly,Escape from Thine omniscient eye?Where shall I from Thy presence hide,And where remote from Thee abide?

Where shall I from Thy Spirit fly,

Escape from Thine omniscient eye?

Where shall I from Thy presence hide,

And where remote from Thee abide?

If I ascend the utmost heightOf heav'n, there art Thou, thron'd in light;Or should I down to hell repairAnd make my bed, I'd find Thee there.

If I ascend the utmost height

Of heav'n, there art Thou, thron'd in light;

Or should I down to hell repair

And make my bed, I'd find Thee there.

Should I on morning's pinions ride,As far as ocean's empire wideOf stormy waves breaks on the land,I'd be upheld by Thy right hand.

Should I on morning's pinions ride,

As far as ocean's empire wide

Of stormy waves breaks on the land,

I'd be upheld by Thy right hand.

Or if the help of night I sought,No change by darkness would be wrought,For let the night be as it may,With Thee is ever cloudless day.

Or if the help of night I sought,

No change by darkness would be wrought,

For let the night be as it may,

With Thee is ever cloudless day.

'Mid darkest shadows Thou canst see,The darkness is a light to Thee,Thy glance is ever clear and bright,From sun and moon Thou need'st no light.

'Mid darkest shadows Thou canst see,

The darkness is a light to Thee,

Thy glance is ever clear and bright,

From sun and moon Thou need'st no light.

My reins Thou ever hast possess'd,For in Thy hand they ever rest,From infancy Thou hast me led,With daily blessings crown'd my head.

My reins Thou ever hast possess'd,

For in Thy hand they ever rest,

From infancy Thou hast me led,

With daily blessings crown'd my head.

Thou hast, who'rt greatly to be fear'd,My frame with cunning hand uprear'd;Thy works, Thy wondrous pow'r forth tell,And that my soul doth know right well.

Thou hast, who'rt greatly to be fear'd,

My frame with cunning hand uprear'd;

Thy works, Thy wondrous pow'r forth tell,

And that my soul doth know right well.

My substance was not hid from Thee,When I in secret curiouslyWas fashion'd in the depths of earth,From whence Thy pow'r hath brought me forth.

My substance was not hid from Thee,

When I in secret curiously

Was fashion'd in the depths of earth,

From whence Thy pow'r hath brought me forth.

Before my time, my times for meDetermin'd were by Thy decree,The tale of years and days I'd see,Hours, moments, all were fix'd by Thee.

Before my time, my times for me

Determin'd were by Thy decree,

The tale of years and days I'd see,

Hours, moments, all were fix'd by Thee.

My God, how precious, sweet, and fair,I see array'd before me thereThe thoughts of wisdom of Thy heart,In all Thy bounty doth impart.

My God, how precious, sweet, and fair,

I see array'd before me there

The thoughts of wisdom of Thy heart,

In all Thy bounty doth impart.

The sum of these so high doth mount,That when their number I would count,I find them infinitely moreThan dust or sand, on field or shore.

The sum of these so high doth mount,

That when their number I would count,

I find them infinitely more

Than dust or sand, on field or shore.

How doth the bold blaspheming bandThee vilify on every hand,O God of wonders! and Thy nameDespise and treat with open shame.

How doth the bold blaspheming band

Thee vilify on every hand,

O God of wonders! and Thy name

Despise and treat with open shame.

Their scornful mouths, Lord, close and seal,Against them speedily revealThy wrath! against Thy foes arise,Thy foes are hateful in mine eyes.

Their scornful mouths, Lord, close and seal,

Against them speedily reveal

Thy wrath! against Thy foes arise,

Thy foes are hateful in mine eyes.

Though in return, their hatred soreAgainst Thee burn, I do no moreAmid the rage of angry foes,Than 'neath Thy shelt'ring wings repose.

Though in return, their hatred sore

Against Thee burn, I do no more

Amid the rage of angry foes,

Than 'neath Thy shelt'ring wings repose.

Lord, search and know my heart and mood,See if my way be right and good,The everlasting joyful roadLead me that brings me home to God.

Lord, search and know my heart and mood,

See if my way be right and good,

The everlasting joyful road

Lead me that brings me home to God.

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