"Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and com. eth down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning."-JAMES 1: 17

WHEN

WHEN darkness long has veiled my mind,
And smiling day once more appears,

Then, my Redeemer! then I find

The folly of my doubts and fears.

2 Straight I upbraid my wandering heart,
And blush that I should ever be
Thus prone to act so base a part,

Or harbor one hard thought of Thee.

3 Oh! let me then at length be taught What still I am so slow to learn; That God is love and changes not,

Nor knows the shadow of a turn.

4 Sweet truth, and easy to repeat !
Yet when my faith is sharply tried,
I find myself a learner yet,

Unskillful, weak, and apt to slide.

5 But O my Lord! one look from Thee
Subdues the disobedient will;
Drives doubt and discontent away,
And Thy rebellious worm is still.

6 Thou art as ready to forgive,
As I am ready to repine;

Thou, therefore, all the praise receive,
Be shame and self-abhorrence mine!

"I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me."-PSALM

40: 17.

WHEN pining sickness wastes the frame,

Acute disease or tiring pain;

When life fast spends the feeble flame,
And all the help of man proves vain;

2 Joyless and dark all things appear;
Languid the spirits, weak the flesh;
Med'cines nor ease, nor cordials cheer;
Nor food nor balmy sleep refresh:

3 Then, then to have recourse to God,
To pour a prayer in time of need,
And feel the balm of Jesus' blood,
This is to find relief indeed.

4 And this, O Christian! is thy lot,
Who cleavest to the Lord by faith;
He'll never leave thee (doubt it not)
In pain, in sickness, or in death.

5 When flesh decays, and heart thus fails,
Thy strength and portion He shall be;
Shall take thy weakness, bear thy ails,
And softly whisper, "Trust in me."

FRIE

415.

FRIEND after friend departs-
Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts,
That finds not here an end;

Were this frail world our only rest,
Living or dying, none were blest.

2 Beyond the flight of time,
Byond this vale of death,
There surely is some blessed clime
Where life is not a breath,
Nor life's affections transient fire,
Whose sparks fly upward to expire.

3 There is a world above,

Where parting is unknown; A whole eternity of love,

Formed for the good alone; And faith beholds the dying here, Translated to that happier sphere.

4 Thus star by star declines,
Till all are passed away,

As morning high and higher shines,
To pure and perfect day;

Nor sink those stars in empty night—

They hide themselves in heaven's own light.

"So He bringeth them to their desired haven.". -PSALM 107: 80.

[ALF a wreck by tempest driven,

HA

Yet this feeble bark survives,
Dashed against the rocks and riven,
In the midst of death it lives:
See it pressed on every side,
See it still the storm outride.

2 Can a bark like mine so shattered,
Ever reach yon friendly shore?
Tempest-tossed so long, and battered,
Can it stand one conflict more?
Should another storm assail,

Mast and planks, and all must fail.

3 So they would, but One that's greater
Than the storms and waves is here;
He it is, whose name is sweeter
Far than music to my ear;
He preserves my shattered bark;
He makes light when all is dark.

4 Jesus is the Lord, who hears me,

When the tempest roars around;
He it is whose presence cheers me,
When I hear the dreadful sound;
Trusting in His grace and power,
Need I fear the darkest hour?

5 What, though every plank is starting,
Waves are running mountains high,
Thunders roaring, lightnings darting,
And no saving hand seems nigh!
Let me still no danger fear,

Jesus, though unseen, is near.

417.

L. M.

Under Depression of Spirits.

"Acquaint thyself with Him, and be at peace."-JOB 22; 21.

A

RT thou acquainted, O my soul!

With such a Saviour, such a friend, Whose power can all events control, And from all evils can defend?

2 Why art thou then oppressed with fears? Knowledge of Him should give thee peace; Should check these mournful thoughts and tears,

And bid these sad misgivings cease.

3 Is it the past that gives thee pain?

Sins, errors, falls, dost thou deplore? The atoning blood pleads not in vain ; Thy God remembers them no more.

4 Do present troubles vex thy mind? Sufferings of body, mental care? In God a refuge thou wilt find,

And oh! what sweet relief in prayer.

5 Dost thou the unknown future dread,
Sorrows in life, or death's dark vale?
In both shall light around be shed;
Thy God's sure promise can not fail.

6 Dost thou, with dread still greater shrink
From pain, for those on earth most dear?
And oft, with sickening anguish, think
On all they yet may suffer here?

7 O faithless unbelieving heart!

So slow to trust that tenderest Friend; Who then will needful strength impart, Who loving loves unto the end.

8 No longer doubt, nor fear, nor grieve,
Nor on uncertain evils dwell;
Past, present, future, calmly leave

To Him who will "do all things well."