2 As one by whom Thy walk below
Should never be forgot;
As one who fain would keep apart
From all Thou lovest not.
3 I want to live as one who knows
Thy fellowship of love;
As one whose eyes can pierce beyond
The pearl-built gates above.
4 As one who daily speaks to Thee,
And hears Thy voice divine
With depths of tenderness declare,
"Beloved! Thou art mine."
Charitie Lees Smith, 1861.
RENUNCIATION OF THE WORLD.
Old Things are passed away. C. M.
1 LET worldly minds the world pursue,
It has no charms for me;
Once I admired its trifles too,
But grace has set me free.
2 Its pleasures now no longer please,
No more content afford;
Far from my heart be joys like these,
Now I have seen the Lord.
3 As by the light of opening day
The stars are all conceal'd;
So earthly pleasures fade
away,
When Jesus is reveal'd,
4 Creatures no more divide my choice,
I bid them all depart;
His name, and love, and gracious voice,
Have fix'd my roving heart.
5 Now, Lord, I would be Thine alone,
And wholly live to Thee;
But may I hope that Thou wilt own
A worthless worm like me?
6 Yes! though of sinners I'm the worst,
I cannot doubt Thy will;
For if Thou hadst not loved me first,
I had refused Thee still.
John Newton, 1779.
COME, my fond fluttering heart,
Come, struggle to be free;
Thou and the world must part,
However hard it be:
My trembling spirit owns it just,
But still lies cleaving to the dust.
Ye tempting sweets, forbear;
Ye dearest idols, fall;
My love ye must not share,
Jesus shall have it all:
Though painful and acute the smart,
His love can heal the bleeding heart!
Ye fair, enchanting throng!
Ye golden dreams, adieu!
Earth has prevail'd too long,
Too long I've cherish'd you:
Aid me, dear Saviour, set me free,
My all I will resign to Thee.
may I feel Thy worth,
And let no idol dare,
No vanity of earth,
With Thee, my Lord, compare:
Now bid all earthly joys depart,
And reign unrivall'd in my heart.
Jane Taylor, 1812, ‹
Escaping from the Current of Sin.
SEND the joys of earth away,
Away, ye tempters of the mind;
False as the smooth deceitful sea,
And empty as the whistling wind.
2 Your streams were floating me along
Down to the gulf of black despair;
And whilst I listen'd to your song,
Your streams had e'en convey'd me there.
3 Lord, I adore Thy matchless grace,
That warn'd me of that dark abyss,
That drew me from those treacherous seas,
And bade me seek superior bliss.
4 Now to the shining realms above
I stretch my hands, and glance my eyes;
Oh for the pinions of a dove,
To bear me to the upper skies!
5 There from the bosom of my God,
Oceans of endless pleasure roll;
There would I fix my last abode,
And drown the sorrows of my soul.
YE glittering toys of earth, adieu,
A nobler choice be mine;
A real prize attracts my view,
A treasure all divine.
2 Begone, unworthy of my cares,
Ye specious baits of sense:
Inestimable worth appears,
The pearl of price immense.
3 Jesus to multitudes unknown,
Oh name divinely sweet!
Jesus, in Thee, in Thee alone,
Wealth, honour, pleasure, meet.
4 Should both the Indies at my call,
Their boasted stores resign,
With joy I would renounce them all,
For leave to call Thee mine.
5 Should earth's vain treasures all depart, Of this dear gift possess'd,
I'd clasp it to my joyful heart,
And be for ever bless'd.
6 Dear Sovereign of my soul's desires,
Thy love is bliss divine;
Accept the wish that love inspires,
And bid me call Thee mine.
The Heart given to God.
H happy day, that fix'd my
On Thee, my Saviour, and my God;
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
2 'Tis done! the great transaction's done;
I am my Lord's, and He is mine:
He drew me, and I follow'd on,
Charm'd to confess the voice divine..
3 Now rest, my long-divided heart;
Fix'd on this blissful centre, rest:
With ashes who would grudge to part,
When call'd on angels' bread to feast?
4 High heaven, that heard the solemn vow,
That vow renew'd shall daily hear:
Till in life's latest hour I bow,
And bless in death a bond so dear.
Philip Doddridge, 1755.
"We have left all, and have followed
1 JESUS, I my cross have taken,
All to leave, and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken;
Thou, from hence, my all shalt be:
Let the world despise and leave me;
They have left my Saviour too:
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
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