6 But ah! my inmost spirit cries, Still bind me to thy sway; Drives all these thoughts away. 436. (281.) L. M. Love the chief of graces. 1 HADI the tongues of Greeks and Jews, And nobler speech than angels use; If love be absent, I am found, Like tinkling brass, an empty sound. 2 Were I inspir'd to preach and tell *All that is done in heav'n and hell, Or could my faith the world remove, Still I am nothing without love. 3 Should I distribute all my store, To feed the bowels of the poor'; To gain a inartyr's glorious name: * If love to God, and love to men Be absent, all my hopes are vain; (213.) C. M. Thy people still are fed; Hast all our fathers led! To thee address our prayer; Deposit all our care. Our wand'ring footsteps guide; Give us by day our daily bread, And raiment fit provide. 437. 10 & O! spread thy cov’ring wings around, Till all our wand'rings cease; And at our fathers' lov'd abode Our souls arrive in peace! 5 To thee, as to our cov'nant God, We'll our whole selves resign; And thankful own, that all we are, And all we have, is thine. (313.) C. M. 438. The importance and influence of love 1 HAPPY the heart, where graces reign, Where love inspires the breast: Love is the brightest of the train, And strengthens all the rest. And all in vain our fear: If love be absent there. In swift obedience move. But devils do not love. When faith and hope shall cease. 'Tis this shall strike our joyful strings In the sweet realms of bliss. 439. (292.). S. M. Watchfulness. ? YE servants of the Lord, Each in his office wait. And watchful at his gate. And trim the golden flame, For awful is his name. Watch! 'tis your Lord's command, And while we speak, he's near. And ready all appear. In such a posture found! And be with honour crown'd. 1 P. M. 440. Jacob's wrestling with God. Gen xxxii. 26. LORD, I cannot let thee go, Till a blessing thou bestow; Do not turn away thy face, Mine's an urgent, pressing case. 2 Dost thou ask me, who I am? Ah! my Lord, thou know'st my name: To support my suit with thee! In rebellion blindly bold; That poor rebel, Lord, was I. & Once a sinner near despair Sought thy mercy-seat by pray’r; Lord, that merey came to me. Many changes I have seen; Who could hold me up but thou? 6 Thou hast help'd in ev'ry need This emboldens me to plead; 7 No-I must maintain my hold 'Tis thy goodness makes me bold; 441. P. M. One in Three, and Three in One, Let thy will on earth be done: Glorious Lord of earth and heaven. 2 If so poor a worm as I May to thy great glory live, All my words and thoughts receive All I have, and all I am. Take my mem'ry, mind, and will, All I know and all I feel: Take my heart; but make it new! 4 Now, O God, thine own I am: Now I give thee back thine own; Consecrate to thee alone: Happier still if thine I die. One in Three, and Thuree in One, Let thy will on earth be done: 302 1 7. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE FIGURATIVELY DESCRIBED AS TAKING UP THE CROSS. L. M. 442. Not ashamed of Christ. shall it ever be, Whose glories shine through endless days! 2 Asham'd of Jesus! sooner far Let evening blush to own a star; O'er this benighted soul of mine. 3 Asham'd of Jesus! just as soon Let midnight be asham’d of noon: Bright Morning Star! bid darkness flee. 4 Asham'd of Jesus! that dear friend On whom my hopes of heaven depend! That I 110 more revere his name. 5 A sham'd of Jesus! yes, I may, When I've no guilt to wash away, No fears to quell, no soul to save. Till then I boast a Saviour slain! P. M. 443. World renounced. 1 me no more of carthly toys, Of sinful mirth and carnal joys, (The things I lov'd before:) Let me but view my Saviour's faces Add feel his animating grace, And I desire no more. TELL |