4 0 let the work of prayer and praise
Employ my youngest, breath:
Thus I'm prepared for longer days,
Or fit for early death.

232

1

WHA

HAT is an idol?-every heart
Has idols of its own;

Some are of gold and silver bright,
And some of wood and stone.

3 If there be aught the world contains
Which I love more than Thee,
That sinful love within my heart
Idolatry must be.

4 Then take that sinful love away,
And place thy love within;

And break down every image there
That leads me into sin.

5 Deeply inscribed upon my heart
Let thy commandments be;

That there may live within my breast
None other God but thee.

233

1

2

LORD! I would come to thee,

A sinner all defiled;

O take the stain of guilt away,
And own me as thy child.

I cannot live in sin,

And feel a Saviour's love

Thy blood can make my spirit clean;
Ŏ write my name above?

234

1

2

True Wisdom.

KING Solomon of old

S. M.

A happy choice had made;
'Twas not for life, 'twas not for gold,
Nor honours that he prayed.

He chose the better part;

He sought for purer joys;

A wise and understanding heart;

And God approved his choice.

3 Far better than his crown,
And all his grand array,

That wisdom was, which God sent down
To guide him on his way.

COMFORT IN AFFLICTION.

235

1

GOD

God cares for me.

OD the Creator reigns above,

L. M.

And watches all whom he has made; He rules the world in bounteous love, Sees the distressed, and sends them aid.

2 Have I no parent? God will be

Far better than a parent could;
A kind, a gracious Friend to me,
For earthly and for heavenly good.
3 The hearts of all are in his power;

He bids the rich his children feed;
And he supports me every hour,
And gives me all I truly need.

4 I cannot be an orphan then,
My Father is the Lord of all;
And though I have no friend in men,
He hears me whensoe'er I call.

236

Christ was poor.

8,7.

1

1AMI poor? do men despise me?
Do they pass me proudly by?

Then, O let me, still remember,
Jesus was as poor as I!

2 Was as poor! nay, he was poorer:
He had neither home nor bed;
Neither friendly shade nor shelter
For his unprotected head.

3 Then I'll ever cease complaining,
What though riches be not mine;
I am poor, and thus, my Saviour!
Does my lot resemble thine.

237

Leaning on Christ. L. P. M.

WHEN gathering clouds around I view,

And days are dark, and friends are few,

On Him I lean, who, not in vain,
Experienced every human pain;

He sees my wants, allays my fears,
And counts and treasures up my tears.

2 If aught should tempt my soul to stray
From heavenly virtue's narrow way,
To fly the good I should pursue,
Or do the sin I should not do;
Still he, who felt temptation's power,
Shall guard me in that dangerous hour.

4 I cannot be an orphan then,
My Father is the Lord of all;

And though I have no friend in men,
He hears me whensoe'er I call.

236

Christ was poor.

8,7.

AMI poor? do men despise me?
Do they pass me proudly by?

Then, O let me, still remember,
Jesus was as poor as I!

2 Was as poor nay, he was poorer:
He had neither home nor bed;
Neither friendly shade nor shelter
For his unprotected head.

3 Then I'll ever cease complaining,
hat though riches be not mine;
or, and thus, my Saviour!
my lot resemble thine.

Leaning on Christ. L. P. M.

gathing clouds around I view,
dark, and friends are few,
not in vain,
uman pain;
lays my fears,

ures up my tears.

my soul to stray
's narrow way,
uld pursue,
not do;

ta tion's power, on
tangerous hour.