679

C. M.

The Spirit's enlightening influences. OME, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire; us prove; Source of the old prophetic fire; Fountain of life and love.

2 Come, Holy Ghost, for moved by thee
The prophets wrote and spoke:
Unlock the truth, thyself the key;
Unseal the sacred book.

3 Expand thy wings, Celestial Dove;
Brood o'er our nature's night;
On our disorder'd spirits move,
And let there now be light.

4 God, through himself, we then shall know, If thou within us shine;

And sound, with all thy saints below,
The depths of love divine.

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The revealing Spirit.

ATHER of all, in whom alone

F move,

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One bright, celestial ray dart down,
And cheer thy sons beneath.

2 While in thy word we search for thee,
(We search with trembling awe ;)
Open our eyes, and let us see
The wonders of thy law.

3 Now let our darkness comprehend
The light that shines so clear;
Now the revealing Spirit send,
And give us ears to hear.

4 Before us make thy goodness pass,
Which here by faith we know;

Let us in Jesus see thy face,
And die to all below.

681

C. M.

Perfection of the law and testimony.
HY law is perfect, Lord of light;
Thy testimonies sure;

The statutes of thy realm are right,
And thy commandment pure.

2 Let these, O God, my soul convert,
And make thy servant wise;
Let these be gladness to my ears,—
The dayspring to mine eyes.
3 By these may be warn'd betimes;
Who knows the guile within?
Lord, save me from presumptuous crimes;
Cleanse me from secret sin.

4 So may the words my lips express,-
The thoughts that throng my mind,-
O Lord, my strength and righteousness,
With thee acceptance find.

682

S. M.

HOW

Safety in keeping God's precepts.
OW perfect is thy word,
Thy judgments all are just;
And ever in thy promise, Lord,
May man securely trust.
2 I hear thy word in love;-
In faith thy word obey;
O send thy Spirit from above,

To teach me, Lord, thy way.
3 Thy counsels all are plain,
Thy precepts all are pure;
And long as heaven and earth remain,
Thy truth shall still endure.

4 0 may my soul, with joy,
Trust in thy faithful word;
Be it through life my glad employ,
To keep thy precepts, Lord.

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Preciousness of the Bible.

HOW precious is the book divine,

given;

By
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
To guide our souls to heaven.

2 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts, In this dark vale of tears;

C. M.

And life, and light, and joy imparts,
And banishes our fears.

3 This lamp, through all the tedious night Of life, shall guide our way;

Till we behold the clearer light
Of an eternal day.

684

C. M.

Light upon the narrow path. B With mild, benignant ray, RIGHT was the guiding star that led, The Gentiles to the lowly shed Where the Redeemer lay.

3 0 let us tread the narrow path, While light and grace are given; And thus escape the coming wrath, And reign with him in heaven. 685

2 But lo! the Scriptures' clearer light Now points to his abode;

It shines through sin and sorrow's night, To guide us to our God.

1st P. M. 6 lines 8s.

The divine Interpreter.

PIRIT of Truth, essential God,

Who didst thine ancient saints inspire, Shed in their hearts thy love abroad,

And touch their hallow'd lips with fire: Our God from all eternity, World without end we worship thee.

2 Still we believe, almighty Lord,

Whose presence fills both earth and heaven, The meaning of the written word Is by thy inspiration given; Thou only dost thyself explain The secret mind of God to man.

3 Come, then, divine Interpreter,— The Scriptures to our hearts apply; And, taught by thee, we God revere;

Him in three persons magnify: And still the triune God adore, Who was, and is, forever more.

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The word of God, quick and powerful.
word, almighty Lord,

Is sharper than a two-edged sword,
To slay the man of sin.

2 Thy word is power and life;
It bids confusion cease,
And changes envy, hatred, strife,
To love, and joy, and peace.

3 Then let our hearts obey
The gospel's glorious sound;
And all its fruits, from day to day,
Be in us and abound.

687

S. M.

1st P. M. 6 lines 8s. Delight in the word.

I sit,

Thy book be my companion still;
My joy thy sayings to repeat,-
Talk o'er the records of thy will,
And search the oracles divine,
Till every heartfelt word be mine.

2 O may the gracious words divine,
Subject of all my converse be;
So will the Lord his foll'wer join,

And walk and talk himself with me:
So shall my heart his presence prove,
And burn with everlasting love.
3 Oft as I lay me down to rest,
O may the reconciling word
Sweetly compose my weary breast;
While on the bosom of my Lord
I sink in blissful dreams away,
And visions of eternal day.

4 Rising to sing my Saviour's praise,
Thee may I publish all day long;
And let thy precious word of grace
Flow from my heart, and fill my tongue :
Fill all my life with purest love,
And join me to the church above.

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L. M.

The Saviour seen in the Scriptures.
OW my eternal

N To thee its grateful tribute bring;

My knee, with humble homage, bow;
My tongue perform its solemn vow.
2 All nature sings thy boundless love,
In worlds below, and worlds above;
But in thy blessed word I trace
Diviner wonders of thy grace.

3 There, what delightful truths I read!
There, I behold the Saviour breed:
His name salutes my list'ning ear,
Revives my heart, and checks my fear.

4 There Jesus bids my sorrows cease,
And gives my lab'ring conscience peace;
Raises my grateful thoughts on high,
And points to mansions the sky.