218. C.M.-Anxiety reproved. 1 WE would not seek, with God our friend, With anxious care to know, Or how, or when, our lives shall end, 2 The same kind power that gave us breath, Still holds us in his hand; And when he bids us sleep in death, 3 That power, whose watchful goodness feeds The warblers of the air, And clothes with flowers the smiling meads, Shall we not be his care? 4 If lengthen'd years our lives shall crown, Then be his praise exprest; Or if in this he cuts us down, Still what he does is best. 5 May we the good each hour supplies, And when our fairest pleasure dies, 6 How swift our moments steal away; 219. C.M.-The Saint encouraging himself in his God. 1 Sam. xxx. 6. 1 JEHOVAH! 'tis a glorious name, Still pregnant with delight; It scatters round a cheerful beam, 2 What though our mortal comforts fade, Nor time nor death can break that band, 3 My cares, I give you to the wind, 220. C.M.-God furnishing a Table in the Wilderness. Ps. lxxviii. 19, 20. 1 PARENT of universal good, We own thy bounteous hand, 2 Struck by thy power, the flinty rocks, 3 The pregnant clouds, at thy command, And by light drops of pearly dew 4 Supported thus, thine Israel march'd 5 Are all thy stores exhausted now? That faith should languish in our breasts, 6 Ye base unworthy fears, be gone, 221. S.M.-God's Care a Remedy for ours. 1 Pet. v. 7. HOW gentle God's commands! How kind his precepts are! "Come, cast your burdens on the Lord, "And trust his constant care." 2 While providence supports, That hand which bears all nature up, 3 Why should this anxious load 4 His goodness stands approv'd 222. P.M.-The Morrow unknown. James iv. 14. 1 'TIS to us no cause of sorrow, 3 Teach us, O our God and Father, Aught that thou, our God, shalt choose. 4 Future things with thee are present: All to come thine eye can see: Safe it is for us, and pleasant, When on thee they cast their care. 223. C.M.-God supplying the Necessities of his People. Phil. iv. 19-20. 1 MY God! how cheerful is the sound! How pleasant to repeat! Well may that heart with pleasure bound, 2 What want shall not our God supply What streams of mercy from on high, 3 From Christ, the everliving spring, 4 Now to our Father and our God Through all the realms of man's abode, 224. L.M.-" Give us day by day our daily bread.” Luke xi. 3. 4 Thy bounteous hand with food can bless 5 And oh, when through the wilds we roam, 225. C.M.-Acquiescence in the Divine Will. 1 SINCE all the downward tracts of time O who so wise to choose our lot, 2 Since none can doubt his equal love, To his unerring, gracious will, Be every wish resign'd. 3 Good when he gives, supremely good, 226. L.M.-Conflict and Temptation. 1 THE billows swell, the winds are high, My fears are great, my strength is small. 2 O Lord, the pilot's part perform, And guide and guard me through the storm; Defend me from each threatening ill, Control the waves, say "Peace, be still." |