106

After Engagement. C. M.

The Lord appears my helper now,
Nor is my soul afraid

Of what the sons of earth can do,
Since heaven affords its aid.

2 'Tis safer, Lord, to hope in thee,
And have my God my friend,
Than trust in men of high degree,
And on their truth depend.

3 'Tis through the Lord my heart is strong,
In him my lips rejoice;
While his salvation is my song,

How cheerful is my voice!

4 Like angry bees they girt me round;
When God appears, they fly;

So burning thorns with crackling sound,
Make a fierce blaze and die.

5 Joy to the saints, and peace belongs;
The Lord protects their days;
Let Israel tune immortal songs
To his almighty grace.

107

The Spiritual Combat. C. M.

Am I a soldier of the cross,

A follower of the Lamb,

And shall I fear to own his cause,

Or blush to speak his name?

2 Must I be carried to the skies,

On flowery beds of ease;

While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?

3 Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?

Is this dark world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

4 Sure I must fight, if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by thy word.

5 Thy saints in all this glorious war,
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
With faith's discerning eye.

6 When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all thine armies shine,
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be thine.

108

Prospect of Death. 8s & 7s.

Gently, Lord, O! gently lead us,

Through this lonely vale of tears; Through the changes thou'st decreed us, Till our last great change appears.

When temptation's darts assail us,
When in devious paths we stray,
Let thy goodness never fail us,
Lead us in thy perfect way.

2 In the hour of pain and anguish,

In the hour when death draws near,
Suffer not our hearts to languish,

Suffer not our souls to fear.
And when mortal life is ended,
Bid us in thine arms to rest,
Till by angel bands attended,

We awake among the blest.

109 The Armour of God. S. M. D.

Soldiers of Christ, arise

And put your armour on,

Strong in the strength which God supplies,

Through his eternal Son;

Strong in the Lord of Hosts,

And in his mighty power;

Who in the strength of Jesus trusts,

Is more than conqueror.

2

Stand then in his great might,

With all your strength endued,

But take, to arm you for the fight,

The panoply of God:

That having all things done,

And all your conflicts past,

Ye may o'ercome through Christ alone,

And stand entire at last.

110

3

4

Stand then against your foes,
In close and firm array:
Legions of wily fiends oppose
Throughout the evil day:
But meet the sons of night,
But mock their vain design,
Armed in the arms of heavenly light,
Of righteousness divine.

Leave no unguarded place,

No weakness of the soul;

Take every virtue, every grace,

And fortify the whole:

Indissolubly joined,

To battle all proceed;

But arm yourselves with all the mind,

That was in Christ your head.

The Army of Martyrs. 8s.

The martyrs and saints of our God,

Who stand round his heavenly throne, Who through this vast wilderness trod, The path of affliction alone:

They hid not from Jesus their face,

Nor feared they the sword or the flame, They felt the sweet power of his grace,

And scorned to dishonour his name.

2 Blest spirits! from danger and pain, From prisons and racks they are free They never shall suffer again,

Nor sin, nor temptation, shall see :

Their torments and anguish are o'er,
They see their Redeemer above;
They flamed as his martyrs before,
Now only they burn with his love.

3 Time! hasten that rapturous day,
When we shall partake in their songs;
Drive swiftly, each moment away,
Which our separation prolongs:
We sigh, and lament us in vain,

While through this wild desert we roam;
Soon, soon, may we triumph to gain
Our peaceful, unchangeable home!

111 The Warrior's Crown. C. M.

Hark! 'tis our heavenly Leader's voice
From his triumphant seat:

'Midst all the war's tumultuous noise,
How powerful and how sweet!

2 "Fight on, my faithful band, (he cries)
Nor fear the mortal blow!

Who first in such a warfare dies
Shall speediest victory know.

3 "I have my days of combat known,
And in the dust was laid;

But thence I mounted to my throne,
And glory crowns my head.

4 "That throne, that glory you shall share;
My hands the crown shall give;
And you the sparkling honours wear,
While God himself shall live."