6 Since thou wilt take me for thy bride,
O Saviour, keep me near thy side!
I fain would give thee all my heart,
Nor ever from my Lord depart.
L. M. Kimbolton 251. Chard 175,
BRIGHT and MORNING-STAR, Rev. xxii, 18.
E worlds of light, that roll so near
The Saviour's throne of shining bliss,
O tell how mean your glories are,→
How faint and few, compar'd with his!
2 We sing the Bright and Morning Star,
Jesus, the spring of light and love:
See, how its rays, diffus'd from far,
Conduct us to the realms above!
3 Its cheering beams spread wide abroad,-
Point out the puzzled Christian's way:
Still, as he goes, he finds the road
Enlighten'd with a constant day.
4 [Thus, when the Eastern Magi brought
Their royal gifts, a star appears;
Directs them to the babe they sought,
And guides their steps, and calms their fears.] 5 When shall we reach the heav'nly place Where this bright star shall brightest shine? Leave far behind these scenes of night, And view a lustre so divine ?
161 C. M. Bath Chapel 26. Evans's 190.
CHIEF AMONG TEN THOUSAND; or, the Excellencies of Christ, Cant. v. 10-16.
TO Christ, the Lord, let every tongue
Its noblest tribute bring:
When he's the subject of the song,
Who can refuse to sing!
2 Survey the beauties of his face,
And on his glories dwell;
Think of the wonders of his grace,
And all his triumphs tell.!
3 Majestic sweetness sits enthron'd
Upon his awful brow;
His head with radiant glories crown'd,
His lips with grace o'erflow,
4 No mortal can with him compare,
Among the sons of men:
Fairer he is than all the fair
That fill the heavenly train.
5 He saw me plung'd in deep distress,
He flew to my relief;
For he bore the shameful cross,
And carried all my grief.
6 [His hand a thousand blessings pours
Upon my guilty head;
His presence gilds my darkest hours,
And guards my sleeping bed.
7 To him I owe my life, and breath,
And all the joys I have:
He makes me triumph over death,
And saves me from the grave.]'
8 To heav'n, the place of his abode,
He brings my weary feet;
Shows me the glories of my God,
And makes my joys complete.
9 Since from his bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give,
Lord, they should all be thine!
8. 7. Welsh 210. Trowbridge 21,
CONSOLATION of ISRAEL, Luke ii. 25.
1 COME, thou long expected Jesus!
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee;
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the saints thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
2 Born, thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring:
By thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
L. M. Wareham 117. Wells 102.
CORNER-STONE, 1 Pet. ii. 6. Isa. xxviii. 16, 17.
LORD, dost thou show a Corner-stone
For us to build our hopes upon,
That the fair edifice may rise
Sublime in light beyond the skies?
2 We own the work of sov'reign love;
Nor death nor hell the hopes shall move,
. Which fix'd on this foundation stand,
Laid by thy own Almighty hand.
3. Thy people long this stone have tried,
And all the powers of hell defied;
Floods of temptation beat in vain,
Well doth this rock the house sustain.
4 When storms of wrath around prevail,
Whirlwind and thunder, fire and hail,
"Tis here our trembling souls shall hide,
And here securely they abide.
5 While they that scorn this precious stone,
Fond of some quicksand of their own,
Borne down by weighty vengeance, die,
And buried deep in ruin lie. DR. DODDRIDGE
164 C. M. New York 33. Stillman 66.
DESIRE of all NATIONS, Hag, ii. 7. Cant. i. 3.
NFINITE excellence is thine,
Thou lovely Prince of Grace!
Thy uncreated beauties shine
With never-fading rays.
2 Sinners, from earth's remotest end,
Come bending at thy feet;
To thee their prayers and vows ascend,
In thee their wishes meet.
3 Thy name, as precious ointment shed,
Delights the church around;
Sweetly the sacred odours spread
Thro' all Immanuel's ground.
4 Millions of happy spirits live
On thy exhaustless store;
From thee they all their bliss receive,
And still thou givest more.
5 Thou art their triumph and their joy;
They find their all in thee;
Thy glories will their tongues employ
Thro' all eternity.
165 C. M. Stamford 9. Huddersfield 202. The DOOR, John x. 9. Hos. ii. 15.
1 AWAKE, our souls, and bless his name,
Whose mercies never fail ;
Who opens wide a Door of hope-
In Achor's gloomy vale.
2 Behold the portal wide display'd,
The buildings strong and fair;
Within are pastures fresh and green,
And living streams are there.
3 Enter, my soul, with cheerful haste,
For Jesus is the Door:
Nor fear the serpent's wily arts,
Nor fear the lion's roar.
4 Oh, may thy grace the nations lead, i
And Jews and Gentiles come,
All trav❜lling thro' one beauteous gate
To one eternal home!
166 L. M. Portugal 97. New Sabbath 122.
Our EXAMPLE, John xiii, 15.,›,
ND is the Gospel peace and love?
Such let our conversation be;
The serpent blended with the dove,
Wisdom and meek simplicity.
2 Whene'er the angry passions rise,
And tempt our thoughts or tongues to strife, To Jesus let us lift our eyes, Bright pattern of the Christian life! 3 Oh, how benevolent and kind! How mild! how ready to forgive! Be this the temper of our mind, And these the rules by which we live ! 4 To do his heavenly Father's will⠀⠀ Was his employment and delight Humility and holy zeal
Shone thro' his life divinely bright! 5 Dispensing good where'er he came, The labours of his life were love; Oh, if we love the Saviour's name, Let his divine example move.
6 But, ah! how blind! how weak we are!
How frail! how apt to turn aside!
Lord, we depend upon thy care,
And ask thy Spirit for our guide.
7 Thy fair example may we trace,
To teach us what we ought to be!
Make us, by thy transforming grace,
Dear Saviour, daily more like thee!
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