Captive, in whose narrow cell
Sunshine hath not leave to dwell;
Sailor, on the darkening sea;-
Lift the heart, and bend the knee!

3 Warrior, that, from battle won,
Breathest now at set of sun;
Woman, o'er the lowly slain
Weeping on his burial-plain;
Ye that triumph, ye that sigh,
Kindred by one holy tie,

Heaven's first star alike ye see;-
Lift the heart, and bend the knee!

251. C. M.

1 Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me;

The changes that are sure to come,
I do not fear to see;

But ask Thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing Thee.

2 I ask Thee for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles,
And wipe the weeping eyes;
A heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathise.

3 I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.

4 Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoe'er estate,

I have a fellowship with hearts.
To keep and cultivate;

A work of lowly love to do

For Him on whom I wait.

5 I ask Thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied;
A mind to blend with outward life,
While keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space,
If Thou be glorified.

6 And if some things I do not ask,
Amid my blessings be,

I'd have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to Thee—
More careful not to serve Thee much,
But to please Thee perfectly.

7 Briars there are in every path,
That call for patient care;
There is a cross in every lot,
An earnest need for prayer;

But the meek heart that leans on Thee
Is happy any where.

8 In service which Thy will appoints,
There are no bonds for me;

My inmost heart desires "the Truth"
That makes Thy children "free;"
The service of the God of love
Is perfect liberty.

252. C. M.

1 Sweet is the solace of Thy love,
My Heavenly Friend, to me,
While through the hidden way of faith
I journey home with Thee,
Learning, by quiet thankfulness,
As a dear child to be.

2 Though from the shadow of Thy peace My feet would often stray,

Thy mercy follows all my steps,

And will not turn away;

Yet Thou wilt comfort me at last,
As none beneath Thee may.

3 O there is nothing in the world
To weigh against Thy will;

E'en the dark times I dread the most
Thy covenant fulfil:

And when the pleasant morning dawns,
I find Thee with me still.

4 No other comforter I need,
If Thou, O Lord, be mine,-
Thy rod will bring my spirit low,
Thy fire my heart refine;
And cause me pain that none can heal
By other love than Thine,

5 Still in the solitary place

I would awhile abide,

Till with the solace of Thy love
My heart is satisfied;

And all my hopes of happiness
Stay calmly at Thy side.

253. 10s M.

1 "Lovest thou Me?" I hear my Saviour say; Would that my heart had power to answer "Yea, Thou knowest all things, Lord, in heaven above And earth beneath; Thou knowest that I love." 2 But 't is not so; in word, in deed, in thought, I do not, cannot love Thee as I ought;

Thy love must give that power, Thy love alone; There's nothing worthy of Thee but Thine own.

3 Lord, with the love wherewith Thou lovest me, Reflected on Thyself, I would love Thee; Thence on my brethren shed, might it be seen By all around, that I with Thee had been.

254. C. M.

1 Author of good! to Thee I turn ;
Thy ever-wakeful eye

Alone can all my wants discern,
Thy hand alone supply.

2 O let Thy fear within me dwell,
Thy love my footsteps guide;
That love shall vainer loves expel,
That fear all fears beside.

3 And since, by passion's force subdued,
Too oft, with stubborn will,
We blindly shun the latent good,
And grasp the specious ill;

4 Not to my wish, but to my want,
Do Thou Thy gifts supply;
The good, unasked, in mercy grant;
The ill, though asked, deny.

255. C. M.

1 Infinite Power, eternal Lord,
How sovereign is Thy hand!
All nature rose to obey Thy word,
And moves at Thy command.

2 With steady course Thy shining sun Keeps his appointed way;

And all the hours obedient run
The circle of the day.