And willing crowds surround thy board, With sacred joy and sweet accord. a In peace, here may our sons And daughters sound thy praise; Through long succceding days. C. M. 597. On opening a Place of Worship. 'DEAR Shepherd of thy people, here As thou hast giv'n a place for prayer, So give us hearts to pray. Our fainting hope to raise; That we may render praise. And love, and concord, dwell; The wounded spirit heal. The humbled mind bestow; To make our graces grow! In faith present our prayers; Unbosom all our cares. 6 And may the gospel's joyful sound, Enforc'd by mighty grace, Awaken many sinners round, To come and fill the place. PARTICULAR OCCASIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 1. SEASOYS. (70.) L. M. 598. The seasonis formed by God's control I GREAT God, at whose all-pow?rful call, At first 'The changing seasons speak thy name. 2 Thy bounty bids the infant ycar, From winter storms recover'd, rise; Fresh op’ning to our wond’ring eyes. 3 O how delighıtful 'tis to see The earth in vernal beauty drest! Thy blooming glories shine confest! And light and genial heat conveys; From thee derives his quick’ning rays. 5 Around as, in the teeming field, Stands the rich grain or purpled vine; The strength’ning bread or cheering wine, 6 Indulgent God! from ev'ry part Thy plenteous blessings largely flow; L. M. Psalm Ixv. 11. Well may thy praise our lips employ, 410 2 Wide as the wheels of nature roll, Thy hand supports and guides the whole! 3 The flowery spring, at thy command, Perfumes the air and paints the land: $ Thy hand, in autumn, riclily pours Through all our coast redundant stores, No more the face of horror wear. Demand successive songs of praise; "With morning light and evening shade. 6 Here in thy house let incense rise, And circling sabbaths bless our eyes, P. M. 600. Jesus seen in the Seasons; or, I will prvem the Lord at all times. I WINTER has a joy for me, While the Saviour's charms I read Lowly, merk, from blemish free, in the snow-drop's pensive head, 2 Spring returns, and brings along Life-invigorating suns: Seems to speak his dying groans! 3 Summer has a thousand charms All expressive of his worth; 4 What, has antumn left to say Nothing of a Saviour's grace! Tell me of his smiling face. While the sun makes haste to rise, On the blushes of the skies. 6 Evening with a silent pace, Slowly moving in the west, SPRING. C. M. 601. Spring. 1 BLEAK winter is subdu'd at length, Compell’d to yield the day: The sun returniug in his strength Drives all the storms away. How alter'd is the scene! The earth array'd in green. The flowers spontaneous spring; And warbling birds, in concert sweet, Invite our hearts to sing. Oppress' with sin and doubl; Though all is spring without. Break throngh these clouds and shine! No creature then more blest than 1, No song more loud than mine. 6 Till their-no softly-warbling thrush, Nor cowslips' sweet perfume, C. M. 602. The Spring improved. How alter'd is the scene! The earth array'd in green. Beauteous around us -spring; Invite our hearts to sing. Oppress'd with sin and doubt; 1 feel 'tis winter still within, Though all is spring without. 4 0! would my Saviour, from on high, Break through these clouds and shine, No creature then more blest than I, No song more loud than mine, And overcome my foes; And blossom like the rose! SUMMER AND HARVEST. C. M. 603. Summer-a Harvest Hymn il To praise the ever-bounteous Lord, My soul, wake all thy powers: He calls, and at his voice come forth The smiling harvest hours. 2 His covenant with the earth he keepus My tongue, his goodness singi |