2 How great their work, how vast their charge!

Do thou their anxious souls enlarge;
'Their best acquirements are our gain,

We share the blessings they obtain. 3 Clothe, then, with energy divine,

Their words, and let those words be thine:
To them thy sacred truth reveal,

Suppress their fear, inflame their zeal.
A Teach them to sow the precious seed;

'Teach thein thy chosen flock to feed; Tcach them immortal souls to gain

Souls that will well reward their pain. 3 Let thronging multitudes around

Hear from their lips the joyful sound,
In humble strains thy grace implore,

And feel thy new-ereating power.
6 Let sinners break their massy chains,

Distressed souls forget their pains;
Let light through distant realms be spread,
And Zion rear her drooping head.

3. CONGREGATIONAL.-SEEKING A MINISTER,

570.

1

L. M. A church seeking Direction from God u the choice of a Pastor. Ezra viji. 21. SHEPHERD of Israel, bend thine ear,

Thy servants' groans indulgent hear; Perplex'd, distress'd, to thee we cry,

And scek the guidance of thine eye. % Thy comprehensive view surveys

Our wandering paths, our trackless ways;
Send forth, O Lord, thy truth and light,

To guide our doubtful footsteps right. 3 With longing eyes, behold, we wait

In suppliant crowds at mercy's gate:
Our drooping hearts, () God, sustain:
Shall Israel seek thy face in vain?

4 O Lord, in ways of peace return,

Nor let thy flock neglected mourn;
May our blest eyes a shepherd see,

Dear to our souls, and dear to thce.
5 Fed by his care, our tongues shall rais

A cheerful tribute to thy praise;
Our children learn the grateful song,
And theirs the cheerful notes prolong.

HAVING OBTAINED A MINISTER.

P. M. 571.

At the Coming of a Minister. 1 WELCOME, welcome, blessed servant,

Messenger of Jesus' grace!
O how beautiful the feet of
Him that brings good news of peace!

Welcome herald,
Priest of God, thy people's jos.
Saviour, bless his message to us,

Give us hearts to hear thy word
Speaking pardon, dearly purchas'd
By the sufferings of our Lord;

O reveal it, To our poor and helpless souls 3 Give reward of grace and glory

To thy faithful labourer dear, Let the incense of our hearts be Ofer'd up in faith and prayer,

Bless, O bless him, Now, henceforth, for evermore!

L. M. 572.

At the Settlement of a Minister. SHEPHERD of Israel, thou dost keep,

With constant care, thy humble sheep By thee inferior pastors rise 'To feed onr souls, and bless our eyes.

S90

1

To all thy churches such impart,
Modell’d by thy own gracious heart,
Whose courage, watchfulness, and love,
Men may attest, and God approve.
Fed by their active tender care,
Healthful may all thy sheep appear;
And, by their fair example led,

The way to Zion's pasture tread!
i Here hast thou listen'd to our vows,

And scatter'd blessings on thy house;
The saints are succour'd, and no more

As sheep without a guide deplore.
5 Completely heal each former stroke,

And bless the shepherd and the flock;
Confirm the hopes thy mercies raise,
And own this tribute of our praise.

573.

C. M.
Praise to God for a Gospel Minister after

the decease of another.
1
TO thy great name, O Prince of peace,

Our grateful songs ve raise: Accept, ihou Sun of righteousness,

The tribute of our praise. 8 In widow'd state these walls no more

Their mourning weeds shall wear; Thy messenger shall joy restore,

And ev'ry loss repair. g Thy providence our souls admirc,

With joy its windings trace; And shout, in one united choir,

The triumphs of thy grace.
4 Our happy union, Lord, maintain,

Here let thy presence dwell;
And thousands, loos’d from Satan's chain,
Raise from the brink of hell.

5 Distressed churches pity, Lord,

Their dismal breaches close, Their sons unite in sweet accord,

And troubled minds compose. 6 In all be purity maintain'd,

Peace like a river flow;
And pious zeal, and love unfeign'd,

In ev'ry bosom glow. 574.

L. M.
People's prayer for their Minister.
I WITH heavenly pow'r, O Lord, defend

Him whom we now to thee commend;
His person bless, his soul secure,

And make him to the end endure. 2 Gird him with all-sufficient grace;

Direct his feet in paths of peace;
Thy truth and faithfulness fulfil,

And help him to obey thy will.
3 Before him thy protection send,

O love him, save him to the end:
Nor let him, as thy pilgrim, rove

Without the convoy of thy love.
4 Enlarge, inflame, and fill his heart;

In him thy mighty pow'r exert;
That thousands yet unborn may praise
The wonders of redeeming grace.

SICKNESS OF THEIR MINISTER 575.

L. M.
On the dangerous Illness of a Minister.
O THOU, before whose gracious throne

We bow our suppliant spirits down,
'Thou know'st the anxious cares we feel,

And all our trembling lips would tell. 2 Avert thy swist descending stroke, Nor smite tho shepherd of the flock,

1

Lest o'er the barren waste we stray,

To prowling wolves an easy prey. s Restore him, sinking to the grave,

Stretch out thine arm, make haste to save,
Back to our hope and wishes give,
And bid our friend and father live.

4 Yet, if our supplications fail,

And prayers and tears can naught prevail, Condemn'd on this dark desert coast

To mourn our much-lov'd leader lost; 5 Be thou his strength, be thou his stay,

Support him through the gloomy way;
Comfort his soul, surround his bed,

And guide him through the dreary shade. r Around him may thy angels wait,

Deck'd with their robes of heavenly state,
To teach his happy soul to rise,
And wast him to his native skies.

THE MINISTER GOING ON A JOURNEY.

S. M. 576.

Minister going a Journey · SINCE we are call") to part

From our beloved friend,
We take our leave as one in heart,

And him to God commend.
Go with thy servant, Lord,

His ev'ry step attend;
All needful help to him afford,

And bless him to the end.
8 Preserve him from all wrong,

Stand thou at his right hand; To keep him from the sland rous tongue And persecuting band.