Father, I've done thy justicc wrong, Nor can deserve thy grace. To seek his father's love; And all his bowels move. his neck, For follies he had done. (The father gives command,) With rings adorn his hand. 7:A day of feasting I ordain, Let mirth and joy abound; C. M. 206. The converted Thief. Luke xxiii. 42. * AS on the cross the Saviour hung, And wept, and bled, and died, lle pour'd salvation on a wretch That languish'd at his side. 9 His crimes, with inward grief and shame, The penitent confess'd; And thus his prayer address’d; Thou spotless Lamb of God! And weltering in thy blood. In triumph thou shalt rise, Burst through the gloomy shades of death, And shine above the skies. 5 “Amid the glories of that world, Dear Saviour, think on me, And in the vict'ries of thy death Let me a sharer be,' 6 His prayer the dying Jesus hears, And instantly replies, “To-day thy parting soul shal) be With me in Paradise.” C. M. 207. The leper healed. Matt. viii. 2, s. 1 WHEN the poor leper's case I read, My own describid I feel; Sin is a leprosy indeed, Which none but CHŘIST can heal. 2 What anguish did my soul endure, Tili hope and patience ceas'd! The more I strove myself to cure, The more the plague increas'd. 3 While thus I lay distress'd, I saw The Saviour passing by; To him, though fill'd with shame and aw. I rais'd my mournful cry. Oh, pity to me shew; My filthy heart renew. Pronounc'd the healing word: “I will-be clean,” and while he spoke I felt my health restor'd. 6 Come, sinners, seize the present hour, The Saviour's grace to prove; He can relieve, for he is pow'r. He will, for he is love. C. M. 208. Bartimeus's Prayer. Mark x. 46–50. 'LKE Bartimeus, we are blind, Inwi apt in nature's night; 140 The grossest darkness veils our mind, For sin prevents the sight. To open sinners' eyes; And heal their maladies. And in the Lord believe; You may your sight receive. He is the sinner's friend; He will your suit attend. “ Nor dare to make so free, Then cry the more, and never cease, Go to the Lord of light; And he will give you sight. PRESENT AND FUTURE LIFE, 209. L. M. (285.) The beatitudes. 1 BLESS'D. are the humble souls, who see Their ignorance and poverty: Treasures of grace to them are givin, And crowns of joy laid up in heav'n. Who mourn for sin with inward smart; A healing balm for all their woes. 1 God will secure their peaceful state, And plead their cause against the great. Hunger and long for righteousness: With living streams and living bread. And melt with sympathy and love; Like sympathy and love again. From the defiling power of sin: A God of spotless purity. Who quench the coals of growing strife: The sons of God, the God of peace. Of pain and shame for Jesus' sake: (284.) C. M. 210. The blessings of obedience. Whose ways are right and clean; But fly from ev'ry sin. And practise thy commands; And serve thee with their hands. How firm their souls abide! aside. 1 BL Their steady 4 Then shall my lieart have inward joy, And keep my face from shame, L. M. 21. Religion. 1 THROUGH shades and solitudes profvurd, The fainting traveller winds his way; Bewildering meteors glare around, And tempt his wandering feet astray. 2 Welcome, thrice welcome, to his eye, The sudden moon's inspiring light, When forth she sallies through the sky, The guardian angel of the night! 3 Thus mortals, blind and weak, below Pursue the phantombliss, in vain; The world's a wilderness of wo, And life a pilgrimage of pain! 4 Till mild religion from above, Descends, a sweet engaging form, The messenger of heavenly love, The bow of promise 'mid the storm. 5 Beyond the narrow vale of time, Where bright celestial ages roll, To scenes eternal, scenes sublime, She points the way, and leads the soul. 9 At her approach the grave appears The gate of Paradise restor’d; And drops his double-flaming sword. 7 Baptiz'd with her renewing fire, May we the crown of glory gain: Rise when the hosts of heaven expire, And reign with God, for ever reiga! |