7's. Pleasures of Religion.MASTE
1 'TIS religion that can give
Sweetest pleasures while we live
'Tis religion must supply
Solid comfort when we die.
2 After death its joys will be
Lasting as eternity!
Be the living God my friend,
Then my bliss shall never end.
BEGONE, unbelief!
My Saviour is near
And for my relief
Will surely appear:
By pray'r let me wrestle,
And he will perform:
With Christ in the vessel,
I smile at the storm.
Though dark be my way,
Since he is my guide,
'Tis mine to obey,
'Tis his to provide,
Though cisterns be broken,
And creatures all fail,
The word he has spoken
Shall surely prevail.
His love in time past
Forbids me to think,
He'll leave me at last
In trouble to sink,
Each sweet Eben-ezer
I have in review,
Confirms his good pleasure
To help me quite through.
Since all that I meet
Shall work for my good,
The bitter is sweet,
The medicine's food;
Though painful at present,
'Twill cease before long,
And then,-oh how pleasant
The conqueror's song!
L. M. Not ashamed of Christ.
JESUS, and shall it ever be
A mortal man asham'd of thee? Asham'd of thee, whom angels praise, Whose glories shine through endless days
2 Asham'd of Jesus! sooner far
May evening blush to own a star!
Asham'd of Jesus! just as soon
May midnight blush to think of noon.
3 Asham'd of Jesus! yes I may,
When I've no crimes to wash away;
No tears to wipe, no joys to crave,
And no immortal soul to save.
4 Till then-nor is the boasting vain;
Till then I boast a Saviour slain;
And O may this my portion be,
That Saviour's not asham'd of me!
C. M. The contrite Heart.
1 THE Lord will happiness divine
On contrite hearts bestow:
Then tell me, gracious God, is mine
A contrite heart, or no?
2 I sometimes think myself inclin'd
To love thee, if I could;
But often feel another mind,
Averse to all that's good.
3 My best desires are faint and few;
Fain would I strive for more;
But when I cry "my strength renew,"
Seem weaker than before.
Thy saints are comforted, I know,
And love the house of prayer;
I therefore go where others go,
But find no comfort there.
Oh make this heart rejoice or ache;
Decide this doubt for me;
And if it be not broken, break,—
And heal it, if it be.
L. M. The Christian Warfare
MY captain sounds th' alarm of war;
Awake, the powers of hell are near!
"To arms! to arms!" I hear him cry "Tis yours to conquer or to die."
2 Rous'd by the animating sound,
I cast my eager eyes around;
Make haste to gird my armour on
And bid each trembling thought be gone
3 Hope is my helmet, faith my shield,
Thy word, my God, the sword I wield;
With sacred truth my loins are girt,
And holy zeal inspires my heart.
4 Thus arm'd I venture on the fight,
Resolv'd to put my foes to flight;
While Jesus kindly deigns to spread
His conqu❜ring banner o'er my head.
5 In him I hope, in him I trust,
His bleeding cross is all my boast;
Through troops of foes he'll lead me on
To vict'ry, and the victor's crown.
8. 7. Family worship. C. WESLEY.
1 PEACE, be to this habitation;
Peace, to all that dwell therein;
Peace, the earnest of salvation;
Peace, the fruit of pardon'd sin;
Peace, that speaks the heavenly giver
Peace, to worldly minds unknown;
Peace, divine, that lasts for ever,
Peace, that comes from God alone.
2 Jesus, Prince of Peace, be near us,
Fix in all our hearts thy home;
With thy gracious presence cheer us;
Let thy sacred kingdom come;
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