336

L. M.

The dead and the living.

HERE are the dead?-In heaven or hell

W

spirits

Their perish'd forms, in bonds of clay,
Reserved until the judgment-day.

2 Where are the living?-On the ground
Where prayer is heard and mercy found;
Where, in the compass of a span,
The mortal makes the' immortal man.
3 Then, timely warn'd, let us begin
To follow Christ and flee from sin;
Daily grow up in him our Head,
Lord of the living and the dead.

337

C. M.

Warnings from the grave.

ENEATH our feet, and o'er our head,

B

Beneath us lie the countless dead,-
Above us is the heaven.

2 Death rides on every passing breeze,
And lurks in every flower;
Each season has its own disease,-
Its peril every hour.

3 Our eyes have seen the rosy light
Of youth's soft cheek decay,
And fate descend in sudden night
On manhood's middle day.

4 Our eyes have seen the steps of age
Halt feebly to the tomb;

And shall earth still our hearts engage,
And dreams of days to come?

5 Turn, mortal, turn; thy danger know:
Where'er thy foot can tread,
The earth rings hollow from below,
And warns thee by her dead.

6 Turn, mortal, turn; thy soul apply
To truths divinely given:
The dead who underneath thee lie,
Shall live for hell or heaven.

338

C. M.

Sin kills beyond the tomb.
AIN man, thy fond pursuits forbear;

Death, at the farthest, can't be far:
O think before thou die.

2 Reflect, thou hast a soul to save; Thy sins, how high they mount! What are thy hopes beyond the grave? How stands that dark account?

3 Death enters, and there's no defence; His time there's none can tell;

1 He'll in a moment call thee hence, To heaven, or down to hell.

4 Thy flesh (perhaps thy greatest care) Shall into dust consume;

But, ah! destruction stops not there;
Sin kills beyond the tomb.

339

Fear of hell.

RRIBLE thought! shall I alone,
Who may be saved, shall I,
Of all, alas! whom I have known,
Through sin forever die?

C. M.

2 While all my old companions dear,
With whom I once did live,
Joyful at God's right hand appear,
A blessing to receive :-

3 Shall I, amidst a ghastly band,
Dragg'd to the judgment-seat,
Far on the left with horror stand,
My fearful doom to meet?

4 Ah! no;-I still may turn and live,
For still his wrath delays;
He now vouchsafes a kind reprieve,
And offers me his grace.

5 I will accept his offers now-
From every sin depart-
Perform my oft-repeated vow,
And render him my heart.

6 I will improve what I receive,
The grace through Jesus given;
Sure, if with God on earth I live,
To live with God in heaven.

340

What sin hath done.

HEARTS of stone, relent, relent!

Break,

cross subdued; See his body mangled, rent,

Stain'd and cover'd with his blood! Sinful soul, what hast thou done? Crucified the' eternal Son.

6th P. M. 6 lines 7s.

2 Yes, thy sins have done the deed;

Driven the nails that fix'd him there;
Crown'd with thorns his sacred head;
Plunged into his side the spear;
Made his soul a sacrifice,
While for sinful man he dies.

3 Wilt thou let him bleed in vain? Still to death thy Lord pursue? Open all his wounds again,

And the shameful cross renew? No; with all my sins I'll part; Saviour, take my broken heart.

341

INVITING.

8th P. M. 87, 87, 47.

The invitation.

YOME, ye sinners, poor and needy,

Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love, and power:
He is able,

He is willing: doubt no more.

19

2 Now, ye needy, come and welcome; God's free bounty glorify;

True belief and true repentance,―
Every grace that brings you nigh,—
Without money,

Come to Jesus Christ and buy.

3 Let not conscience make you linger;
Nor of fitness fondly dream:
All the fitness he requireth
Is to feel your need of him :
This he gives you,

'Tis the Spirit's glimm'ring beam.

4 Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Bruised and mangled by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all;
Not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus came to call.

5 Agonizing in the garden,

Your Redeemer prostrate lies;
On the bloody tree behold him!
Hear him cry, before he dies,
It is finish'd!-

Sinners, will not this suffice?

6 Lo! the' incarnate God, ascending,
Pleads the merit of his blood:
Venture on him,-venture freely;
Let no other trust intrude:
None but Jesus

Can do helpless sinners good.

7 Saints and angels, join'd in concert,
Sing the praises of the Lamb;
While the blissful seats of heaven

Sweetly echo with his name:
Hallelujah!

Sinners here may do the same.

+

342

He waiteth to be gracious.

JESUS, Redeemer of mankind,
Display thy saving power;
Thy mercy let the sinner find,
And know his gracious hour.

2 Who thee beneath their feet have trod, And crucified afresh,

Touch with thine all-victorious blood,
And turn the stone to flesh.

3 Open their eyes thy cross to see,-
Their ears, to hear thy cries:
Sinner, thy Saviour weeps for thee;
For thee he weeps and dies.

C. M.

4 All the day long he meekly stands, His rebels to receive;

And shows his wounds, and spreads his hands, And bids you turn and live.

5 Turn, and your sins of deepest dye
He will with blood efface;

E'en now he waits the blood to' apply;—
Be saved, be saved by grace.