Spiritual Songs Part 5 (222-255)

222 Johnxxi. 15—17.

1—" Thou knowest," Lord, the weariness and sorrow Of the sad heart that comes to Thee for rest, Cares of to-day and burdens of to-morrow, Blessings implored and sins to be confessed ;— I come before Thee at Thy gracious word, And lay them at Thy feet—Thou knowest, Lord!

2—"Thou knowest" all the past, how long and blindly On the dark mountains the lost wanderer strayed, How the good Shepherd follow'd, and how kindly He bore it home upon his shoulders laid, And healed the bleeding wounds and soothed

the pain, And brought back life, and hope, and strength again.

3—" Thou knowest" all the present, each temptation, Each toilsome duty, each foreboding fear, All to myself assign'd of tribulation,

Or to beloved ones, than self more dear!
All pensive memories as I journey on,
Longings for vanished smiles and voices gone.

4—" Thou knowest" all the future gleams of
gladness,
By stormy clouds too quickly overcast,—
Hopes of sweet fellowship and parting sadness,
And the dark river to be cross'd at last;—
Oh ! what could confidence and hope afford
To tread that path but this, "Thou knowest,
Lord?"

5—"Thou knowest," not alone as God all knowing; As man, our mortal weakness Thou hast proved On earth, with purest sympathies o'erflowing; 0 Saviour, Thou hast wept, and Thou hast loved! And love and sorrow still to Thee may come, And find a hiding-place, a rest, a home.

6—Therefore I come, Thy gentle call obeying, And lay my sins and sorrows at Thy feet, On everlasting strength my weakness staying, Cloth'd in Thy robe of righteousness complete. Then rising and refreshed, I leave Thy throne, And follow on to know as I am known.

223 Galat, ii. 20. L.M.

1—While others pray for grace to die, O Lord, I pray for grace to live, For every hour a fresh supply,—

O see my need, and freely give.

2—I do not dread the hour of death,
If I am Thine, no fears remain;

1 know that with my parting breath
I yield for ever mortal pain.

3—E'en if the darkness should appear
Too deep for faith as well as sight,
If I am Thine Thou wilt be near,
And take me to Thy heavenly light.

4—But Oh! my Lord, in life's highway
I crave the sunshine of Thy face;
And every moment of the day
I need Thy strong supporting grace.

5—I dare not—will not—Lord, deny,
That heart and feet oft go astray;
Therefore the more to Thee I cry
To keep me in the chosen way.

6—The more my sin and unbelief

Keep me from walking near to Thee,
The more, Lord Jesus, is my grief—
The more I long Thy face to see.

224 1 Peter v. 7. 8.7.

1—Yes ! for me, for me He careth,
With a brother's tender care:
Yes! with me, with me He shareth
Ev'ry burden, ev'ry fear.

2-—Yes! o'er me, o'er me He watcheth,
Ceaseless watcheth night and day;
Yes! e'en me, e'en me He snatcheth
From the perils of the way.

3—Yes! for me He standeth pleading,
At the mercy-seat above,
Ever for me interceding,
Constant in untiring love.

4—Yes! in me, in me He dwelleth;
I in Him, and He in me!
And my empty soul He filleth,
Here and through eternity.

5—Thus I wait for His returning,

Singing all the way to heaven;

Such the joyful song of morning,

Such the tranquil song of even.

H. BONAR.

225 Heb. xii. 2. P.M.

1—Look up, my soul, to Christ thy joy,
With a believing mind;
With all the ills which thee annoy,

The way to Jesus find:
Here in this world thou hast no home,
Nor lasting joy ;—to Jesus come ;—
He is the pearl of greatest price,

Who all thy wants supplies.

2—Steadfast in faith to Jesus cleave,
His faithfulness review,
And ev'ry burden with Him leave,

Whose love is daily new:
His ways with thee are just and right,
He puts thy enemies to flight,
However threatening they appear,—
Take courage, He is near.

3—Thy closet enter, pray and sigh,
To Jesus tell thy grief,
His ear is open to thy cry,
His hand to give relief;
Tho' men forsake thee, hate, and grieve,
Thy Saviour thee will never leave,
His word is pass'd, he'll aid afford,—
Rely upon the Lord.

4—Lift up thy heart to Him on high,
And leave this sordid earth;
Behold, with a believing eye,

Christ's excellence and worth:
Devote thy life, thy all, to Him,
Who did thy soul from death redeem,
In love to thee the cross endured,

And life for thee procured.

5—Arise, and see the things above;
Let heaven be all thine aim,
Where Jesus dwells in bliss and love;

And earth and sin disclaim:
The world and all its empty joy
His potent breath will soon destroy;
Abiding rest and peace of mind
In Christ alone we find.

226 John xiv. 6. 7.6.

1—Amid life's wild commotion,

Where nought the heart can cheer,
Who points beyond its ocean

To heaven's brighter sphere?
Our feeble footsteps guiding,

When from the path we stray,
Who leads to bliss abiding ?—

Christ, 'tis our only Way.

2—When doubts and fears distress us,

And all around is gloom,
And shame and fear oppress us,

Who can our souls illume?
Heaven's rays are round us gleaming,

And making all things bright,
When Christ the Truth is beaming,

In glory on our sight.

3—Who fills our hearts with gladness

That none can take away?
Who shows us 'midst our sadness,

The distant realms of day?
'Mid fears of death assailing,

Who stills the heart's wild strife?
'Tis Christ! our aid unfailing,

The Way, the Truth, the Life!

ARNDT.

227 Psalm lxvi. 16. S.M.

1—Come and rejoice with me!

For once my heart was poor,
And I have found a treasury
Of love, a boundless store.

2—Come and rejoice with me!
I, once so sick at heart,
Have met with One who knows my case,
And knows the healing art.

3—Come and rejoice with me!
For I was wearied sore,
And I have found a mighty arm
Which holds me evermore.

4—Come and rejoice with me!
My feet so wide did roam,
And One has sought me from afar,
And beareth me safe home.

5—Come and rejoice with me!
For I have found a Friend,
Who knows my heart's most secret depths,
Yet loves me without end.

6—I knew not of His love;

Yet He had loved me long,
With love so faithful and so deep,
So tender and so strong.

7—And now I know it all,

Have heard and known His voice,
And hear it still from day to day ;—
Can I enough rejoice?

228 1 Peter ii. 7. 8.7.

1—Precious is the name of Jesus!

Who can half its worth unfold?
Far beyond angelic praises,
Sweely sung to harps of gold.

2—Precious as the Mediator,

By the Father raised on high,
Precious when He took our nature,
Laid His awful glory by.

3—Precious—when to Calvary groaning
He sustain'd the cursed tree;
Precious—when His death atoning
Made an end of sin for thee.

4—Precious—in His death victorious,
He the host of hell o'erthrows;
In His resurrection glorious,
Victor crown'd o'er all His foes.

5—Precious, Lord, beyond expressing,
Are Thy beauties all divine;
Glory, honour, power and blessing,
Be henceforth for ever Thine!

229 Heb. vi. 19. L.M.

1—My bark is on a troubled sea;

The winds and waves may adverse be;
But hope, my anchor's firmly cast
Within the vail, for ever fast.

2—How oft, when tempest-tossed at night,
I watch in vain for dawning light,
Yet think, when terrors would prevail,
My anchor is within the vail.

3—Within the vail,—where Jesus stands,
And shows to God His blood-stained hands;
Within the vail,—He went to bear
My name upon the breastplate there.

4—My hope must have His righteousness,
For it can rest on nothing less;
Within the vail,—is still my prayer,
Oh! may my anchor enter there.

5—Altho' the billows round me roll,
They never can o'erwhelm my soul;
Within the vail my anchor's cast,
Unshaken by the stormy blast.

6—Whene'er I quit this changing scene,
May I depart in hope serene;
And find, when heart and flesh shall fail,
My anchor cast within the vail.

230 1 Peter ii. 21. L.M.

1—How shall I follow Him I serve?
How shall I copy Him I love?
Nor from those blessed footsteps swerve,
Which lead me to His seat above?

2—Privations, sorrows, bitter scorn,
The life of toil, the mean abode,
The faithless kiss, the crown of thorn,—
Are these the consecrated road?

3—Twas thus He suffered, though a Son,
Foreknowing, choosing, feeling all,
Until the perfect work was done,
And drank the bitter cup of gall.

4—Lord, should my path thro' suffering lie,
Forbid it I should e'er repine;
Still let me turn to Calvary,
Nor heed my griefs, remembering Thine.

5—O let me think how Thou didst leave
Untasted every pure delight,
To fast, to faint, to watch, to grieve,
The toilsome day, the homeless night;

6—To faint, to grieve, to die for me;—
Thou eamest not Thyself to please;
And dear as earthly comforts be,
Shall I not love Thee more than these?

231 1 Chron. xxix. 15. P.M.

1—Heavenward our path still goes,
Sojourners on earth we wander,

Till we reach our blest repose,
In the land of promise yonder:

Here we stay a pilgrim band,

There must be our fatherland.

2—Heavenward! my soul arise,

For thou art a heavenly being,

Thou should'st seek no earthly prize,
When from this world thou art fleeing;

Hearts with heavenly wisdom blest,

Can in heaven alone find rest.

3—Heavenward! Death's mighty hand

Guides me there to joy and gladness—
There, within that blessed land,
Victor over pain and sadness,
Christ Himself has gone before—
Can / dread an unknown shore?

4—Heavenward! Oh, heavenward!

There shall be my lot and treasure—
Let me strive my heart to guard

From each vain and worldly pleasure:
Heavenward my thoughts must tend,
Till in heaven my cares shall end.

SCHMOLCK.

232 Heb. xii. 2. P.M.

1—Oh, eyes that are weary,
And hearts that are sore,
Look off unto Jesus,
And sorrow no more.
The light of His countenance
Shineth so bright,
That on earth, as in heaven,
There need be no night.

2—Looking off unto Jesus,
My eyes cannot see
The troubles and dangers
That throng around me:
They cannot be blinded
With sorrowful tears,
They cannot be shadow'd
With unbelief-fears.

3—Looking off unto Jesus,
My spirit is blest,—
In the world I have turmoil,
In Him I have rest.
The sea of my life
All about me may roar,—
When I look unto Jesus
I hear it no more.

4—Looking off unto Jesus,
I go not astray;
My eyes are on Him,
And He shows me the way.
The path may seem dark
As He leads me along,
But following Jesus
I cannot go wrong.

5—Looking off unto Jesus,
My heart cannot fear;
Its trembling is still
When I see Jesus near:
I know that His power
My safe-guard will be,
For "why are ye troubled?"
He saith unto me.

6—Looking off unto Jesus
Oh! may I be found,
When the waters of Jordan
Encompass me round!
Let them bear me away,
In His presence to be:
'Tis but seeing Him nearer
Whom always I see.

7—Then, then shall I know
The full beauty and grace
Of Jesus, my Lord,
When I stand face to face:
I shall know how His love
Went before me each day,
And wonder that ever
My eyes turned away.

233 Psalm xxv. 5. L.M.

1—Come to me, Lord, when first I wake,
As the faint lights of morning break;
Bid purest thoughts within me rise,
Like fragrant incense to the skies.

2—Come to me in the sultry noon,
Or earth's low communion will soon
Of Thy dear face eclipse the light,
And change my fairest day to night.

3—Come to me in the evening shade,

And if my heart from Thee hath strayed,
Oh! bring it back,—and from afar
Shine on me like the evening star.

4—Come to me in the midnight hour,

When sleep withdraws its balmy power;
Let my lone spirit find its rest,
Like John, upon my Saviour's breast.

-Come to me through life's changing way;
And when its pulses cease to play,
Then, Saviour, bid me come to Thee,
That where Thou art I too may be.

234 Acts xxi. 14. L.M.

1—My will would like a life of ease,
And power to do, and time to rest,
And wealth and health my will would please,,
But, Lord, I know Thy will is best.

2—If I have strength to do Thy will,
That should be power enough for me;
Whether to walk or to sit still,
Th' appointment of the day may be.

3—And if by sickness I may grow
More patient, holy, and resigned,
Strong health I need not wish to know,
And greater ease I cannot find.

4—And rest—I need not seek it here—
For perfect rest remaineth still;
When in Thy presence we appear
Rest shall be given by Thy will.

5—Lord, I have given my life to Thee,
And every day and hour is Thine,
What Thou appointest, let them be;
Thy will is better, Lord, than mine.

235 Rev. xix. 1. P.M.

1—Sing hallelujah! praise the Lord!
Sing with a cheerful voice;
Exalt our God with one accord,
And in His name rejoice.
Ne'er cease to sing, thou ransom'd host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Until in realms of endless light,
Your praises shall unite.

2—There we to all eternity
Shall join th' angelic lays;
And sing in perfect harmony,
To God our Saviour's praise:
"He hath redeem'd us by His blood,
And made us kings and priests to God;"
For us—for us the Lamb was slain,
Praise ye the Lord ! Amen.

236 Isaiah xlv. 22. P M.

1—There is life for a look at the crucified One, There is life at this moment for thee, Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved, Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.

2—Oh! why was He there as the bearer of sin, If on Him all thy sins were not laid? Oh! why from His side flowed the sincleansing blood, If His dying thy debt hath not paid?

3—It is not thy tears of repentance or prayers, But the blood that atones for the soul; On Him, then, who shed it, thou mayest at once Thy weight of iniquities roll.

4—His anguish of soul on the cross hast thou seen? His cry of distress hast thou heard? Then why, if the terrors of wrath He endured, Should pardon to thee be deferred?

5—Thou art healed by His stripes, (would'st thou add to the word ?) And He is thy righteousness made; The best robe of heaven He bids thee put on,— Say, could'st thou be better arrayed?

6—Then doubt not thy pardon, since God has declared, There remaineth no more to be done, That -once in the end of the world He appeared, And completed the work He begun.

7—But take with rejoicing from Jesus at once The life everlasting He gives, And know with assurance thou never canst die, Since Jesus thy righteousness lives.

8—There is life for a look at the crucified One, There is life at this moment for thee; Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved, And know thyself spotless as He.

237 1 Peter ii. 11. P.M.

1—A pilgrim here I wander,

On earth have no abode;
My fatherland is yonder,

My home is with my God.
For here I journey to and fro,

There, in eternal rest,
Will God His gracious gift bestow,

On all the toil-oppress'd.

2—For what hath life been giving,

From youth up till this day,
But constant toil and striving,

Far back as thought can stray?
How many a day of toil and care,

How many a night of tears,
Hath pass'd in grief that none could share,

In lonely anxious fears!

3—How many a storm hath lighten'd

And thunder'd round my path!
And winds and rains have frighten'd

My heart with fiercest wrath;
And cruel envy, hatred, scorn,

Have darken'd oft my lot;
And patiently reproach I've borne,

Though I deserved it not.

4—Then through this life of dangers

111 onward take my way,
For in this land of strangers

I do not think to stay.
Still forward on the road I fare

That leads me to my home:
My Father's comfort waits me there,

When I have overcome.

5—Ah! yes! my home is yonder,

Where all the angelic bands
Praise Him with awe and wonder,

In whose Almighty hands
All things that are and shall be, lie,

By Him upholden still,
Who casteth down and lifts on high

At His most holy will.

6—That home have I desired;

'Tis there I would be gone;
'Till I am well-nigh tir'd,

O'er earth I've journey'd on;
The longer here I roam, I find

The less of real joy,
That e'er could please or fill my mind,-

For all hath some alloy.

7—Where now my spirit stayeth

Is not her true abode;
This earthly house decayeth,

And she will drop its load.
When comes the hour to leave beneath

What now I use and have,
And when I've yielded up my breath,

Earth gives me but a grave.

8—But Thou, my joy and gladness,

Jesus, my life and light,
Wilt raise me from this sadness,

This long tempestuous night,
Into the perfect gladsome day,

Where, bathed in joy divine,
Among Thy saints, and bright as they,

I too shall ever shine.

9—There shall I dwell for ever,

Not as a guest alone,
With those who cease there never

To worship at Thy throne;
There in my heritage, I'll rest,

From baser things set free,
And join the chorus of the blest

For ever, Lord, to Thee!

FROM LYRA GERMANICA.

238 John xvi. 18. P.M.

.1—Oh! for the peace which floweth as a river, Making life's desert places bloom and smile! Oh! for the faith to grasp heaven's bright "for ever," Amid the shadows of that "little while!"

2—"A little while" for patient vigil-keeping, To face the storm, to wrestle with the strong; "A little while" to sow the seed with weeping, Then bind the sheaves and sing the harvest song.

3—"A little while" to wear the robe of sadness, And toil with weary step through miry ways; Then to pour forth the fragrant oil of gladness, And clasp the girdle round the robe of praise.

4—"A little while," midst shadow and illusion, To strive, by faith, love's mysteries to spell; Then read each dark enigma's bright solution, And hail sight's verdict, "He doth all things well."

5—"A little while" the earthen pitcher taking To wayside brooks, from far of fountains fed; Then the cool lip its thirst for ever slaking, Beside the fulness of the fountain-head.

6—"A little while " to keep the oil from failing, "A little while" faith's flickering lamp to trim; And then the Bridegroom's coming footsteps hailing, To haste to meet Him with the bridal hymn.

7—Thus He who is Himself the gift and giver, The future glory, and the present smile, With the bright promise of the glad "forever," Can light the shadows of the "little while."

239 Philip, iv. 11. L.M.

1—My Lord hath taught me how to want
A place wherein to put my head;
While He is mine, I'll be content
To beg or lack my daily bread.

2—Heaven is my roof, earth is my floor,
Thy love can keep me dry and warm;
Christ and Thy bounty are my store,
Thy angels guard me from all harm.

3—Must I forsake the soil and air,

Where first I drew my vital breath? .
That way may be as near and fair;
Thence I may come to Thee by death.

4—All countries are my Father's lands—
Thy sun, Thy love doth shine on all;
We may in all lift up pure hands,
And with acceptance on Thee call.

5—What, if in prison I must dwell,—
May I not there converse with Thee %
Save me from sin, Thy wrath, and hell,
Call me Thy child, and I am free.

6—No walls or bars can keep Thee out;
None can confine a holy soul;
The streets of heaven it walks about,
None can its liberty control.

RICHARD BAXTER.

240 Isaiah liii. 5. P.M.

1—Thy works, not mine, 0 Christ,
Speak gladness to this heart;
They tell me all is done;
They bid my fear depart.

To whom, save Thee,
Who can alone
For sin atone,
Lord, shall I flee?

* *

2—Thy pains, not mine, O Christ,
, Upon the shameful tree,
Have paid the law's full price,
And purchased peace for me.
To whom, save Thee, &c.

3—Thy wounds, not mine, O Christ,
Can heal my bruised soul,
Thy stripes, not mine, contain
The balm that makes me whole.
To whom, save Thee, &c.

4—Thy cross, not mine, O Christ,
Has borne the awful load
Of sins, that none in heaven
Or earth could bear, but God.
To whom, save Thee, &c.

5—Thy death, not mine, O Christ,
Has paid the ransom due;
Ten thousand deaths like mine,
Would have been all too few.
To whom, save Thee, &c.

6—Thy righteousness, O Christ,
Alone can cover me;
No righteousness avails,
Save that which is of Thee.
To whom, save Thee, &c.

7—Thy righteousness alone

Can clothe and beautify;
I wrap it round my soul;—
In this I'll live and die.

To whom, save Thee, &c.

H. BONAR.

241 2 Cm-, ix. 15. L.M.

1—Come, worship at Emmanuel's feet;
Behold in Him what wonders meet!
Words are too feeble to express
His worth, His glory, or His grace.

2—He is the Head—each member lives,
And owns the vital power He gives,
The saints below, and saints above,
Joined by His Spirit and His love.

3—He is the Vine—His heavenly root
Supplies each branch with life and fruit;
Oh! may a lasting union join
My soul to Christ, the living Vine.

4—He is the Rock—how firm He proves!
The Rock of ages never moves;
But the sweet streams that from Him flow,
Attend us all the journey through.

5—He is the Sun of righteousness,
, Diffusing light, and joy, and peace;
What healing in His beams appears,
To chase our clouds and dry our tears!

6—Yet faintly to us mortals here,

His glory, grace, and worth appear;
His beauties we shall clearly trace,
When we behold Him face to face.

242 2 Kings xx. 19. P.M.

1—Whate'er my God ordains is right!
His will is ever just;
Howe'er He orders now my cause,
I will be still and trust.
He is my God,
Though dark my road;
He holds me that I shall not fall,
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

2—Whate'er my God ordains is right!
He never will deceive;
He leads me by the proper path,
And so to Him I cleave,
And take content
What He hath sent ;—
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

T

3—Whate'er my God ordains is right!
He taketh thought for me;
The cup that my Physician gives
No poison'd draught can be,
But medicine due;
For God is true,
And on that changeless truth I build,
And all my heart with hope is fill'd.

4—Whate'er my God ordains is right!
Though I the cup must drink
That bitter seems to my faint heart,
I will not fear nOr shrink;
Tears pass away
With dawn of day;
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow all depart.

5—Whate'er my God ordains is right!
My Light, my Life is He,
Who cannot will me aught but good ;-
I trust Him utterly;
For well I know,
In joy or woe,
We soon shall see as sunlight clear,
How faithful was our Guardian here.

6—-Whate'er my God ordains is right!
Here will I take my stand,
Though sorrow, need, or death make earth
For me a dessert land.
My Father's care
Is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall,
And so to Him I leave it all.

FROM LYRA GERMANICA.

243 Heb. xiii. 14. P.M.

1—I am a stranger here;

No home, no rest I see;
Not all earth counts most dear
Can win a sigh from me.

I'm going home.

2—Jesus, Thy home is mine,

And I Thy Father's child;
With hopes and joys divine,
The world's a dreary wild.

I'm going home.

3—Home! oh! how soft and sweet,
It thrills upon the heart 1
Home! where the brethren meet
And never, never part.

I'm going home.

4—Home! where the Bridegroom takes
The purchase of His love:
Home! where the Father waits
To welcome saints above.

I'm going home.

5—Yes! when the world looks cold,
Which did my Lord revile,
A lamb within the fold,
I can look up and smile,

I'm going home.

6—When earth's delusive charms
Would snare my pilgrim feet,
I fly to Jesu's arms,
And yet again repeat,

I'm going home.

7—When breaks each mortal tie That holds me from the goal, This, this can satisfy

The cravings of my soul,—

I'm going home.

8—Ah! gently, gently lead,
Along the painful way,
Bid every word and deed,
And every look to say,

I'm going home.

244 Philip, iv. 6. L.M.

1—Hast Thou within a care so deep,
It chases from thine eyelids sleep?
To thy Redeemer take that care,
And change anxiety to prayer.

2—Hast thou a hope with which thy heart
Would almost feel it death to part?
Entreat thy God that hope to crown,
Or give thee strength to lay it down.

3—Hast thou a friend whose image dear
May prove an idol worshipped here?
Implore the Lord that nought may be
A shadow between heaven and thee.

4—Whate'er the care which breaks thy rest—
Whate'er the wish that swells thy breast—
Spread before God that wish, that care,
And change anxiety to prayer.

246 Psalm xlii. 5. 7.6.

1—Why restless, why so weary, My soul, why so cast down? Is all around thee dreary?

And hath the cross no crown?

2—Where is the God that found thee,
Who once could make thee glad?
His arms are still around thee;
Then wherefore art thou sad?

3—O trust the Lord who bought thee;
O trust the sinner's Friend;
The wondrous love that sought thee
Will keep thee to the end ;—

4—'Twill give a glorious morrow
To this thy night of pain,
And make thy dews of sorrow
Like shining after rain.

246 Rev. xxii. 5. P.M.

1—No shadows yonder !—
All light and song !—
Each day I wonder,
And say, how long
Shall time me sunder
From that dear throng?

2—No weeping yonder!—
All fled away!
While here I wander
Each weary day,
And sigh as I ponder
My long, long stay.

3—No partings yonder !—
Time and space never
Again shall sunder,—
Hearts cannot sever,—
Dearer and fonder
Hands clasp for ever.

4—None wanting yonder!
Bought hy the Lamb,
All gathered under
The evergreen palm,
Loud as night's thunder
Ascends the glad psalm.

H. BONAR.

247 Gal. vi. 14. 7'a

1—Never further than Thy cross!
Never higher than Thy feet!
Here earth's precious things seem dross;
Here earth's bitter things seem sweet.

2—Gazing thus our sins we see,

Learn Thy love whilst gazing thus ;—
Sin which laid the cross on Thee,
Love which bore the cross for us.

3—Here from pomp and pride retired,
Nothing we would seem and be;
Dust, yet with Thy life inspir'd,
Nothing, but beloved by Thee.

4—Symbols of our liberty
And our service here unite,
Captives by Thy cross made free,
Soldiers of Thy cross we fight.

5—Pressing onwards as we can,
Still to this our life shall tend;
Where faith's earliest steps began,
May life's latest moments end!

6—'Till amid the hosts of light,
We in Thee redeem'd complete,
Through Thy cross made pure and white,
Cast our crowns before Thy feet.

248 Gen. xxxii. 26. P.M.

1—I will not let Thee go, Thou Help in time of need! Heap ill on ill, I trust Thee still, E'en when it seems as Thou would'st slay indeed!

Do as Thou wilt with me,
I yet will cling to Thee;
Hide Thou Thy face,—yet, Help in time of
need,
I will not let Thee go!

2—I will not let Thee go.—Should I forsake my
bliss?
No 1 Lord, Thou'rt mine,
And I am Thine,
Thee will I hold when all things else I miss.
Though dark and sad the night,
Joy cometh with the light;
O Thou, my Sun, should I forsake my bliss?
I will not let Thee go!

3—I will not let Thee go, my God, my Life,
my Lord!
Not death can tear
Me from His care,
Who for my sake His soul in death outpour'd.
Thou diedst for love to me;
I say, in love to Thee,
E'en when my heart shall break, my God,
my Life, my Lord,
I will not let Thee go!

FROM LYRA GERMANICA.

249 Matt. vi. 34. P.M.

1—"Take no thought for the morrow," its

trials or dangers; Why burden, thy spirit with deepening

gloom? Ah! to-day hath enough to distress and

perplex thee, It needeth no shadow of dark things to

come.

2—" Take no thought for the morrow ;" no

sorrow shall touch thee, But that which thy God in His love hath

decreed; Go to Christ with thy grief, as it daily

ariseth, And seek for His strength in the moment

of need.

3—" Take no thought for the morrow ;" rich

mercy abounding Has marked ev'ry step of thy pathway till

now; Put thy trust, then, in God, for the still

distant future, Effacing those dark lines of care from thy

brow.

4—" Take no thought for the morrow ;" its

dawning may find thee A spirit at rest 'neath the altar of God, With the last battle fought, and the last trial

ended, The victory won through Emmanuel's blood.

250 Genesis xlvii. 9. P.M.

1—How weary and how worthless this life at

times appears! What days of heavy musings, what hours of

bitter tears! How dark the storm-clouds gather across

the wintry skies! How desolate and cheerless the path before

us lies!

2—And yet these days of dreariness are sent us from above,

They do not come in anger, but in faithfulness and love ;—

They come to teach us lessons which bright ones could not yield,

And to leave us blest and thankful when their purpose is fulfilled.

3—They come to draw us nearer our Father and

our God, More earnestly to seek his face, and listen

to His word, And to feel, if now around us a desert land

we see, Without the star of promise, what would its

darkness be?

4—They come to lay us lowly and humbled in the dust,

All self-deception swept away, all creaturehope and trust,

Our helplessness, our vileness, our guilt to make us own,

And flee for hope and refuge to Jesus Christ alone.

5—They come to break the fetters, which here

detain us fast, And force our long-reluctant hearts to rise to

heaven at last, And brighten ev'ry prospect of that eternal

home, Where grief, and disappointment, and fear

can never come.

6—Then, turn not in despondence, poor weary

heart, away, But meekly journey onwards, through the

dark and cloudy day; E'en now the bow of promise is above thee

shining bright, And soon a joyful morning shall dissipate the

night.

7—Thy God hath not forgot thee, and when He sees it best,

Will lead thee into sunshine, will give thee hours of rest;

And all thy pain and sorrow, when the pilgrimage is o'er,

Shall end in heavenly blessedness, and joys for evermore.

SPITTA. From Hymns from the Land of Luther.

251 Psalm xxvii. 14. P.M.

1—In days of trouble and of care,

I sought a message from above;
Brief was the answer to my prayer,

Few were the words, but full of love—
Ye who mourn an adverse fate,
Hear the message—" Pray and wait."

2—Pray, the Lord is ever nigh,
Ready still with open ear;
Wait—and He will yet supply

Hope and strength, for every fear.
Pilgrim, weeping at the gate,
Hear His message—" Pray and wait."

3—Pray, He knows thy ev'ry thought— Understands thy secret grief; Wait,—He sends it not for nought,

He will surely bring relief.
Seeing all thy troubled state,
Still He whispers—" Pray and wait."

4—Does the way seem long and drear
To thy sad bewilder'd sight?

Pray and thou wilt see Him near,
Wait,—He'll lead thee to the light.

Seek Him early, seek Him late;

Fear not, doubt not—" Pray and wait."

5—Dost thou long the day to see,

When thy Saviour shall appear?

Pray, that thou may'st watchful be;
Wait, the day is drawing near.

Joyfully thou'lt then relate,

'Twas not in vain to—" Pray and wait."

6—Weeping prayers are heard no more
From that home of endless joy;
Days of waiting all are o'er;

Songs of praise each tongue employ.
They who enter Zion's gate,
Need no more to—"Pray and wait."

252 Matt. viii. 26. CM.

1—Calm me, my God, and keep me calm,
While these hot breezes blow;
Be like the night-dew's cooling balm
Upon earth's fever'd brow.

2—Calm me, my God, and keep me calm,
Soft resting on Thy breast,
Soothe me with holy hymn and psalm,
And bid my spirit rest.

3—Yes! keep me calm, though loud and rude
The sounds my ear that greet;
Calm in the closet's solitude;
Calm in the bustling street;—

4—Calm in the day of buoyant health;
Calm in my hour of pain;
Calm in my poverty or wealth;
Calm in my loss or gain ;—

5—Calm in the sufferance of wrong,
Like Him who bore my shame;
Calm 'mid the threatening, taunting throng,
Who hate Thy holy name ;—

6 —Calm when the great world's news with power
My listening spirits stir ;—
Let not the tidings of the hour
E'er find too fond an ear;—

7—Calm as the ray of sun or star
Which storms assail in vain,
Moving unruffled through earth's war,
Th' eternal calm to gain.

H. BONAR.

253 James i. 2. 7.6.

1—I think of Thee, O Saviour,
And count affliction gain,
If aught of suffering aid me
To realize Thy pain.

2 —I think of Thee, O Saviour,

And bless the chastening rod,
Conforming to Thine image,
Thou chasten'd Son of God.

3—My sufferings no atonement For sin could make to God; Alone, of all the people,

Thou hast the winepress trod.

4—So there is nought of anger
In this my Father's stroke;
He is but gently teaching
My neck to bear the yoke.

5—And it is joy, my Saviour!
A blessed joy to think,
The cup I am but tasting

Thou didst vouchsafe to drink.

6—I would press closer to Thee,
A heavier cross to bear,
So I might better know Thee,
And more Thy spirit share.

7—Soon, as Thou overcamest,
I too shall overcome;
And bless the love which kept me
So long away from home.

8—I had been lost for ever,

Had'st Thou not thought on me; Cold is my heart and selfish ;— Yet, Lord, I think on Thee.

254 2 Cor. vi. 10. P.M.

1—Rejoice ;—'tis not in sorrow
To dim that fund of joy;
No darkening to-morrow
Its brightness can destroy.
For in the Christian's heart is found
One little spot of sacred ground,—
The waves may beat, the winds increase,
They cannot reach that spot of peace.

2—Rejoice when thou art feeling
The keenest earthly smart,
For then thy Lord is sealing
His name upon thy heart.
For often through the glare of day
A cloudy pillar marks the way,
But in the dark and starless night
It changes to a shining light.

3—Rejoice, though thou art waging
A truceless war within,
With evil spirits raging,
And a heart prone to sin.
For He who leads thee through the fray,
Has fought the fight—has won the day;
His strength thy shield, thy guide His voice,
Sorrowful Christian, still rejoice.

255- Rev. ii. 10. P.M.

1—Be faithful to the end!
Let not danger nor distress
Make thy heart love Jesus less.

Until death trust thou that Friend!
Ah! the suffering of this earth
All the glory is not "worth
Which thy Lord will give to thee,
When up yonder thou shalt be.

2—Be faithful in thy grief!

Let not storms from Christ divide,
Let not weeping Jesus hide.

Murmur not, to get relief,
For impatience makes thy care
Heavier much for thee to bear;
Happy he, who childlike will
Let God lead him up the hill!

3—Be faithful in thy faith !—
Let not any robber bold
Take it from thy heart's stronghold;

Keep thy covenant till death.
Then in the o'erflowing wave
God is with thee, strong to save.
Ah! thou goest there forlorn,
When thou art to Him forsworn!

4—Be faithful in thy love !—
See the love God has for thee!
Love thy neighbour, e'en when he

Lays more cares thy care above.
Think how Jesus prayed for those,
By whose hands His cross arose.
E'en as God doth thee forgive,
So let mercy in thee live.

5—And in thy hope stand true!—
Trust thou firmly in God's word!
Is thy cry in trouble heard?

Comes He not to help thee through?
Hope thou in Him firmly yet,
For the Lord doth not forget;
Even now is help proclaim'd ;—
Hope can never make ashamed.

6—Then forward! steadfast be,
In faith, love, hope, for ever!
Lord, I hear, and I will never

Leave my God, who leaves not me.
He is my soul's rejoicing still,
Griefs no more my joy can kill.
Reach forth Thy hand, O God, my Friend!
Make me faithful to the end.