3 We call to mind those happier days, When praise was our employ ; Yet tears, too, have their joy. When first from guilt set free, And draw us back to thee. Let guilt and darkness fly; 441. L. M. For we had wander'd from our God. We heard from many an impious tongue, The praise of Žion's sovereign King. When love declines, and zeal grows cold, Is it a time for saints to sing ? And all my joys seem left behind, Is it a time for me to sing ? And put our threatening foes to flight; And reign without a rival there. Sound to the dear Redeemer's praise ; 442. C. M. Steele. Watchfulness and Prayer. Matt. xxvi. 41. A ! What-snares beset my way! And hourly watch and pray. And melt in flowing tears!! How strong my foes and fears! 3 O gracious God, in whom I live, My feeble efforts aid; Though trembling and afraid. As foes and fears prevail ; Or soon my strength will fail. 5 O keep me in thy heavenly way, And bid the tempter flee; From holiness and thee. 1 443. L M. Beddome. Inconstancy acknowledged. THE wandering star, and fleeting wind, Bring our inconstancy to view. Faint and imperfect emblems are; So fickle, and so false, as we. Scarce through a single hour the same; 4 We sin forsake, to sin return; Are hot, are cold, rejoice, and mourn; Now on the mount, now in the vale. 5 With flowing tears, Lord, we confess Our folly, and unsteadfastness ; 444. L. M. Steele. Complaining at the throne of grace. O'ERWHELM'D with restless griefs and sears, With aching heart, and flowing tears, To pour my sorrows at thy feet. 2 Thy promises are large and free, To humble souls who seek thy face; My God! but to the throne of grace? 3 Thou seest the tempest of my soul, These restless waves of fear and sin; rage control, In many a dark distressing hour, And own’d thy wisdom, love, and power. 5 And still these bright perfections shine, Eternal their unclouded rays; Unchanging faithfulness is thine, And just, and right, are all thy ways. 6 Let thy enliv'ning, healing voice, The kind assurance of thy love, 445. L. M. Crutlenden. Sin and Holiness. Rom. vii. 23. Gal. v. 17. ! Abounding grace, remaining sin! Though each bv turns my heart assail. 2 Now I complain, and groan and die; Now raise my songs of triumph high ; Or mourn to feel it live again. Borne upwards to my native skies, To realms of joy, and worlds of light. 4 Scarce a few hours or minutes roll, Ere earth reclaims my captive soul; And headlong urge my downward course. 5 Great God! assist me through the fight, Make me triumphant in thy might; 446. C. M. HEN Jesus smil'd, and said, arise! Thy sins are all forgiven; My bosom bloom'd a Paradise, An antepast of heaven. 2 And though I wept o'er follies past, My grateful bosom glow'd; Believing I should meet at last, The Saviour whom I lov'd. 3 O lovely days of joy and grief, Ah! whither are ye fled ? Sweet Jesus, come to my relief, Lift up my drooping head! 4 Come, and restore my bleeding heart, To love and joy again ; Communion to regain. To know my sins forgiven, 'Tis all the bliss of Heaven. 447. C. M. Of joy and pious grief; The faith that gave relief? Obedient to thy law? And cause him to withdraw! Do thou my sin forgive! My dying hope shall live. And faith and zeal shall burn; Thy word shall make the wounded who) The wanderer to return. 448. L. M. Wesley's Coll. for groan, I strive, I watch and pray, But ah! how soon it dies away. 20 Thou, who all things canst control, Chase this dead slumber from my soul, Touch my cold breast with heavenly fire, With holy, conquering zeal inspire. |