233 OW long the time since Christ began HOW To call in vain on me: Deaf to His warning voice I ran, 2 He called me when my thoughtless prime Was early ripe to ill: I passed from folly on to crime; 3 He called me in the time of dread, 4 Yet could I hear Him once again, Methinks He should not call in vain 5 O Thou! that every thought canst know, 6 My struggling will by grace control! What blessed light breaks on my soul? 234 MAK AKE haste, my soul, to live; Soon comes the hour to die : Time hurries past thee like the breeze; How swift its moments fly! 2 To breathe, and wake, and sleep, 3 Make haste, my soul, to do Thou hast no time to lose in sloth; 4 Up then with speed, and work; 5 The useful, not the great, The thing that never dies, 6 Make haste, my soul, to live; Oh, sleep not, dream not, but arise! 235 behold us blessing, Once again assembled here! Onward be our footsteps pressing, By Thy presence ever near! 2 For Thy mercy we adore Thee, With Thy choicest gifts array! 3 Keep the spell of home-affection May its power, with mild direction, Feel that Thou their Father art! 4 Break temptation's fatal power, Still our failing strength repair! 236 ORD, dismiss us with Thy blessing; Pardon all, their faults confessing, Ne'er again Thy Spirit grieve! 2 Bless Thou all our days of leisure; Pure and blameless may it be: Draw us evermore to Thee! 3 By Thy kindly influence cherish By Thy mightier power restrained: Knowledge pure and love unfeigned! 4 Let Thy father-hand be shielding All who here shall meet no more; Make more faithful than before! 237 FA ATHER, hear Thy children's praises 2 Thanks for all Thy mercies given-- 3 Lord, Thy servants' spirits turning, May we follow, day by day! 4 May we, these Thy bounties sharing, 238 Y My soul, triumphant in the Lord, Shall tell its joys abroad; And march with holy vigour on, 2 Through all the winding maze of life And in that long-experienced care |