216. C. M.

MRS. STEELE.

The holy scriptures the spring of consolation.

1.

FATHER of mercies, in thy word

What endless glory shines! For ever be thy name adored For these coelestial lines!

2.

Here, springs of consolation rise
To cheer the fainting mind;
And thirsty souls receive supplies,
And sweet refreshment find.

3.

Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around,
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.

4.

O may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight;

And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light!

217. L. M. MRS. STEELE.

Praise for divine mercy.

1.

AWAKE, my soul! awake, my tongue!
My God demands the grateful song:
Let all my inmost powers record
The wondrous goodness of the Lord.

2.

Divinely free his mercy flows, Forgives my crimes, allays my woes; He bids approaching death remove, And crowns me with a father's love.

3.

He fills my longing soul with good,.... Substantial bliss! immortal food! Youth smiles renew'd in active prime, And triumphs o'er the power of time.

4.

In him the poor opprest shall find
A friend almighty, just and kind;
His gracious acts, his wondrous ways,
By Jesus taught, proclaim his praise.

5.

As distant as creating power

Has fixt the east and western shore, So far our numerous crimes remove At the sweet voice of pardoning love. 218. s. M.

WATTS.

The hope of pardoning mercy.

1.

RAISE your triumphant songs

To an immortal tune;

Let the wide earth resound the deeds

Cœlestial grace hath done.

2.

Sing how eternal love

Its well-beloved chose,

And bade him raise our sinful race

From its abyss of woes.

3.

Pardon and peace from heaven
Jesus proclaims abroad,
And brings to erring, guilty man
Sure mercy from his God.

4.

Now, sinners, dry your tears, Let hopeless sorrow cease; Bow to the sceptre of his love, And take the offered peace.

5.

Lord, we obey the call;
We lay a humble claim
To the salvation thou hast sent,
And love and praise thy name.

219. c. M. JERVIS.

Peace to the returning penitent.

1.

SWEET is the friendly voice which speaks
The words of life and peace;
Which bids the penitent rejoice,
And sin and sorrow cease.

2.

No healing balm on earth like this
Can cheer the contrite heart,
No flattering dreams of earthly bliss
Such pure delight impart.

3.

Thou still art merciful and kind;
Thy mercy, Lord, reveal;

The broken heart 't is thou canst bind,
The wounded spirit heal.

4.

Let thy bright presence, Lord, restore
Peace to my anxious breast;
Conduct me in the path that leads
To everlasting rest.

220.

L. M. MONTGOMERY.

The blessed influence of religion.

1.

WHEN mild religion from above
Descends, a sweet engaging form,
The messenger of heavenly love,
The bow of promise in a storm;

2.

Then guilty passions wing their flight,
Sorrow, remorse, affliction cease;
Religion's yoke is soft and light,
And all her paths are paths of

3.

peace.

Ambition, pride, revenge depart,
And folly flies her chastening rod;
She makes the humble contrite heart
A temple of the living God.

4.

Beyond the narrow vale of time,
Where bright cœlestial ages roll,
To scenes eternal, scenes sublime,
She points the way, and leads the soul.

5.

Baptized with her renewing fire,
May we the crown of glory gain;
Rise when the hosts of heaven expire,
And reign with God, for ever reign!

COME, we who love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song of sweet accord, And thus surround the throne.

2.

The sorrows of the mind
Be banisht from this place;
Religion never was design'd
To make our pleasures less.

3.

God, our eternal friend,

No present good denies,

And, when our mortal course shall end,
Will call us to the skies.

4.

There shall we see his face,
And never, never sin;

There, from the rivers of his grace,
Drink endless pleasures in.

5.

The sons of God have found
Glory begun below;

Coelestial fruits on earthly ground
From faith and hope may grow.

6.

Then let our sorrows cease,

And every tear be dry;

We're marching through the paths of peace

To fairer worlds on high.