SECTION VII.

PEACE AND JOY.

HYMN 115.

(L. M.)

"The Prince of peace."-Isa. ix. 6. John xiv. 27.

I MY troubled spirit longs for peace;

Where can the precious gift be found? Where is the hand that can release

My soul by sin's strong fetters bound?

2 Did not my Saviour bear the pain

Of death, the curse of sin, for me?
Doth he not now in glory reign,
With power to set the captive free?

3 I would not, if I could, be freed

Dear Lord, by any hand but thine; O, that I may be free indeed,

Shed on my heart thy love divine.

4 Let no false peace my soul delude, Founded on self, and worldly things; And let me never take for food

The poison which the tempter brings.

5 But O be thou my Food, my Stay,

My Peace, my Refuge, and my Friend;

No other groundwork let me lay,
But simply on thy grace depend.

6 With thy bright presence, Lord, destroy
The power of sin, and cheer my breast;
And let my soul in thee enjoy
A foretaste of eternal rest.

1 SHOULD not sinners, sav'd by grace,
Love to seek their Father's face;
Tell of all his wondrous ways,
And lift up the voice of praise?

2 Dreary was the path we trod,
Ere we learnt to walk with God;
Rest and peace we never found,
When in sin's vile fetters bound.

3 What could move the Lord to smile Graciously on souls so vile?

Was it any worth in us

Made him show his mercy thus?

4 No, to sovereign grace we owe
Our deliverance from woe;
Nothing but immortal love
Brought the blessing from above.

5 What a costly price was paid,
That lost sinners might be made
T

Children of the living God,
Meet for his divine abode.

6 O then, if this grace be ours,
Let our souls with all their powers
To our God and Father raise
Songs of everlasting praise.

HYMN 117. (P. M.)

Comfort and support in Christ.

1 TO God I look

up

When danger is near;
He sweetens my cup,
Assuages my fear;
His presence possessing,
No longer I grieve;
What pain is too pressing
For grace to relieve?

2 When brought to the brink
Of gloomy despair,

How soon must I sink

If thou wert not there;
But, Lord, thou wilt guide me
Wherever I go;

Thy love will provide me
A refuge from woe.

3 What reason have I

To tremble or mourn?
The voice of my cry

Thou never wilt scorn;

I'm not left unfriended
In anguish to groan,
Since Christ hath ascended
To plead at thy throne.

4 Condemn'd by thy word,
I yet may be free;
For Jesus my Lord
Will answer for me;
Though great my transgression,
Fresh hopes I obtain;
Can such intercession
Be offer'd in vain?

5 O blessed repose

From sorrow and sin!
Here end all my woes,
My comforts begin;
Though enemies vex me,
Yet how shall I fall?
The hand that protects me
Is stronger than all.

HYMN 118.

Christ our joy.

(P. M.)

1 LORD, my grief is lost in gladness, Thou hast made my heart rejoice; I, who often mourn'd in sadness, Now can raise my thankful voice.

2 O how short is thy displeasure! As a moment it appears;

But thy mercy knows no measure,
Still the same through endless years.

3 Jesus smiles, and from his favour
Life and joy are found to flow;
O for faith that will not waver!
Lord, on me this faith bestow.

4 Help, O help me to adore thee,
Love and serve thee all my days;
And hereafter sing before thee
Hymns of everlasting praise.

HYMN 119.

(C. M.)

For establishment in grace.

1 O FOR a heart, that knows the worth
Of Jesu's dying love;
Wean'd from the vanities of earth
To seek true joys above!

2 A heart no longer rudely toss'd
On error's restless tide
e;

Its prospects drear, its wishes cross'd,
Its hopes unsatisfied;

3 But taught to trace the unseen hand
Of an almighty Lord;
Meekly to bow to his command,
And trust his faithful word.

4 A heart that has renounc'd the world, And burst its galling chain;