FORTRESS.

8, 7, 6.

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MARTIN LUther.

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failing:

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167

God's messengers of love.

2 They come to watch around us here, To soothe our sorrow, calm our fear: Ye heavenly guides, speed not away, God willeth you with us to stay. 3 But chiefly at its journey's end "Tis yours the spirit to befriend, And whisper to the faithful heart, "O Christian soul, in peace depart."

4 Blest Jesus, thou whose groans and tears Have sanctified frail nature's fears,

To earth in bitter sorrow weighed,
Thou didst not scorn thine angel's aid.

5 An angel guard to us supply,
When on the bed of death we lie;
And by thine own almighty power
O shield us in the last dread hour.
Robert Campbell.

1 GOD is our refuge and defense; In trouble our unfailing aid: Secure in his omnipotence,

What foe can make our souls afraid?

2 Yea, though the earth's foundations rock, And mountains down the gulf be hurled, His people smile amid the shock:

They look beyond this transient world. 3 There is a river pure and bright, Whose streams make glad the heavenly plains;

Where, in eternity of light,

The city of our God remains.

4 Built by the word of his command, With his unclouded presence blest, Firm as his throne the bulwarks stand; There is our home, our hope, our rest. James Montgomery.

4 I have no skill the snare to shun, But thou, O Christ, my wisdom art: I ever into ruin run,

But thou art greater than my heart. 5 Foolish, and impotent, and blind, Lead me a way I have not known; Bring me where I heaven may find, my The heaven of loving thee alone. Charles Wesley.

170

Quietness and assurance.

1 How do Thy mercies close me round! Forever be thy name adored;

I blush in all things to abound;

The servant is above his Lord.
2 Inured to poverty and pain,
A suffering life my Master led;
The Son of God, the Son of man,

He had not where to lay his head.
3 But lo! a place he hath prepared
For me, whom watchful angels keep;
Yea, he himself becomes my guard;

He smooths my bed, and gives me sleep.

4 Jesus protects; my fears, be gone:
What can the Rock of ages move?
Safe in thy arms I lay me down,
Thine everlasting arms of love.
5 While thou art intimately nigh,
Who, who shall violate my rest?
Sin, earth, and hell I now defy:

I lean upon my Saviour's breast.
6 I rest beneath the Almighty's shade;
My griefs expire, my troubles cease;
Thou. Lord, on whom my soul is stayed,
Wilt keep me still in perfect peace.
Charics Wesley.

ZION.

8, 7, 4.

THOMAS HASTINGS.

1

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25 2

Omnipotent goodness.

1 AWAY, my needless fears,
And doubts no longer mine;
A ray of heavenly light appears,
A messenger divine.

2 Thrice comfortable hope,

That calms my troubled breast; My Father's hand prepares the cup, And what he wills is best.

3 If what I wish is good,

And suits the will divine,

By earth and hell in vain withstood,
I know it shall be mine.

4 Still let them counsel take

To frustrate his decree;

They cannot keep a blessing back,
By Heaven designed for me.

5 Here then I doubt no more,
But in his pleasure rest,

Whose wisdom, love, and truth, and power, Engage to make me blest.

Charles Wesley.

174 Through a glass, darkly.—1 Cor. 13: 12.

1 THY way is in the sea;

Thy paths we cannot trace; Nor solve, O Lord, the mystery Of thy unbounded grace.

2 Here the dark veils of sense Our captive souls surround; Mysterious deeps of providence

Our wondering thoughts confound.

1 How gentle God's commands!
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord,
And trust his constant care.

2 Beneath his watchful eye

His saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard his children well.

3 Why should this anxious load

Press down your weary mind?

Haste to your heavenly Father's throne,
And sweet refreshment find.

4 His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day:
I'll drop my burden at his feet,
And bear a song away.

177

Philip Doddridge.

Afflictions blessed.

1 How tender is thy hand,

O thou most gracious Lord! Afflictions came at thy command, And left us at thy word.

2 How gentle was the rod

That chastened us for sin!

How soon we found a smiling God Where deep distress had been!

3 A Father's hand we felt,

A Father's love we knew:

'Mid tears of penitence we knelt, And found his promise true.

4 Now will we bless the Lord, And in his strength confide: Forever be his name adored, For there is none beside.