And while our bodies wander here,
Our souls are fix'd above.
4 We purge our mortal dross away,
Refining as we run;
And while we die to earth and sense
Our heav'n is here begun.
359. L. M. 6 lines.
Imploring divine Mercy. Ps. cxxx. 1 Our of the depth of sad distress, The gloomy mazes of despair,
To heav'n we raise our warm address;
Deign, O our God! to hear our pray'r:
O let thine ear indulge our grief,
For thine indulgence is relief!
2 Shouldst thou, O God! minutely scan
Our faults, and as severely chide;
No mortal seed of sinful man
Could such a scrutiny abide :
But mercy shines in all thy ways,
Bright theme of universal praise!
3 With longing eyes we seek the Lord, Before his throne our souls attend: Firmly on his eternal word
Our faith is fix'd, our hopes depend:
On wings of love our souls shall rise
In contemplation to the skies.
4 Ye pious minds! on God rely;
With full assurance in him trust:
He sends redemption from on high,
And raises sinners from the dust:
He will forgive the contrite heart,
And life, eternal life, impart.
360. L. M.
Waiting for Heaven.
1 0 COULD we soar to worlds above,
That bless'd abode of peace
and love!
How gladly would we mount and fly
On angels' wings to joys on high!
2 But ah! still longer must we stay,
Ere darksome night is chang'd to day;
More crosses, sorrows, conflicts bear,
Expos'd to trials, pains, and care.
3 Then let these troubles still abound,
Let thorns and briars strew the ground;
Let storms and tempests dreadful come
Till we arrive at heav'n our home.
4 Our Father knows what road is best,
And how to lead to peace and rest;
To him we'll cheerful give our all,
Go where he guides, and wait his call.
5 When he commands our souls away,
Not kingdoms then should tempt our stay,
With rapture we shall wake, and rise
To join our friends above the skies.
361. c. M.
A Communion Hymn.
1 0 GOD! accept the sacred hour,
Which we to thee have giv'n;
And let this hallow'd scene have pow'r
To raise our souls to heav'n.
2 Still let us hold till life departs,
The precepts of thy Son,
Nor let our thoughtless, thankless heat ts
Forget what he has done.
3 His true disciples may we live,
From all corruption free,
And humbly learn like him to give
Our pow'rs, our wills to thee.
4 And oft along life's dang'rous way,
To smooth our passage through,
Wilt thou, on this thy holy day,
For us this scene renew.
On the dangerous Sickness of a Minister. 1 0 THOU, before whose gracious throne We bow our suppliant spirits down! Thou know'st the anxious cares we feel, And all our trembling lips would tell. 2 Thou only canst assuage our grief, And give our sorr'wing hearts relief; In mercy then thy servant spare, Nor turn aside thy people's pray'r.
3 Avert thy desolating stroke,
Nor smite the shepherd of the flock;
Restore him, sinking to the grave,
Stretch out thine arm, make haste to save!
4 Bound to each soul by tender ties,
In ev'ry heart his image lies;
Thy pit'ing aid, O God! impart,
Nor rend him from each bleeding heart.
5 But if our supplications fail,
And pray'rs and tears cannot prevail,
Be thou his strength, be thou his stay:
Support him through the gloomy way.
6 Around him may thine angels stand,
Waiting the signal of thy hand,
To bid his happy spirit rise,
And bear him to their native skies.
The Resurrection of Christ.
1 OUR Lord is risen from the dead,
Our Saviour is gone up on high:
The pow'rs of hell are captive led,
Dragg'd to the portals of the sky.
2 There his triumphal charriot waits,
And angels chant their solemn lay :
"Lift up your heads, ye heav'nly gates!
Ye everlasting doors give way!"
3 Loose all your bars of massy light,
And wide unfold th' etherial scene:
The world and hell his pow'r o'erthrew;
And Jesus is the conqu❜ror's name.
4 Who is this King of glory! Who?
The Christ, with God's own pow'r possess'd;
And made our King and Saviour too;
Thanks be to God, forever bless'd!
Morning and Evening Meditation.
1 PARENT of life, in ev'ry age,
Thy blessings we implore;
Thy goodness glows in ev'ry page
Of nature, we explore.
2 Thy morning light and evening smiles,
Conspire to make us blest;
Thy word our solitude beguiles,
And gives our spirits rest:
3 It points to realms of light and peace,
Where saints immortal reign;
Proclaims the year of sweet release,
And breaks the pris'ner's chain.
4 O glorious rest! from toil and pain,
Where pilgrims meet in love,
We'd sleep the sleep of death, to gain
The mansion, far above.
5 There ransom'd souls shall meet with joy, On that celestial shore;
And drink of bliss without alloy,
And feel their sins no more.
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