7 Oh! voice of mercy, voice of love!
In conflict, grief, and agony,
Support me, cheer me from above,
And gently whisper-" Come to me."
Christ's advocacy implored.
John xiii, 1. 1 John ii, 1.
10 THOU, the contrite sinners' Friend,
Who, loving, lov'st them to the end!
On this alone my hopes depend-
That Thou wilt plead for me.
2 When, weary in my toilsome race,
Far off appears my resting-place;
And fainting I mistrust thy grace;
Saviour, then plead for me!
3 If I have sinn'd and gone astray,
Deaf to thy voice, and lost my way;
Nor can discern thy guiding ray;
Saviour, still plead for me!
4 When Satan, by my sins made bold,
Strives from thy cross to loose my hold;
Still with thy pitying arms enfold,
And plead, Oh! plead for me!
Gen. xlii, 36. Ps. lxxvii, 19; xcvii, 2. John xiii, 7.
1 GOD moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
2 Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sov'reign will.
3 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for his grace:
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
5[His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour:
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.]
6 Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
The Christian aroused and encouraged.
Gal. iv, 28. Phil. iii, 14.
1 CHILD of promise! why so tardy,
Ling ring on thy homeward path?
Why so loath to seek for glory?
Why so slow to flee from wrath?
2 Child of promise! wake from slumber!
Streams of joy thy steps invite;
Pastures of undying verdure;
Mansions of eternal light.
3 Child of promise! break the fetters
This world's god hath round thee wove!
Earth-born cares and follies banish!
Raise thy heart, thy hopes, above!
4 Child of promise! onward ever,
As the courser seeks the goal!
Trimm'd thy lamp, thy loins well girded,
Speed, till vict❜ry crown thy soul!
God our refuge in affliction.
Ps. lxix, 1-3. 1 John ii, 1.
1 GOD of my life, to Thee I call, Afflicted at thy feet I fall;
When the great water-floods prevail,
Leave not my trembling heart to fail.
2[Friend of the friendless and the faint!
Where should I lodge my deep complaint?
Where, but with Thee, whose open door
Invites the helpless and the poor?]
3 Did ever mourner plead with Thee,
And Thou refuse that mourner's plea?
Does not the word still fixed remain,
That none shall seek thy face in vain?
4[That were a grief I could not bear,
Didst Thou not hear and answer prayer;
But a prayer-hearing, answering, God
Supports me under every load.]
5 Fair is the lot that's cast for me;
I have an Advocate with Thee:
They, whom the world caresses most,
Have no such privilege to boast.
6 Poor though I am, despis'd, forgot,
Yet God, my God, forgets me not;
And he is safe, and must succeed,
For whom the Lord vouchsafes to plead.
Comfort in affliction.
2 Cor. v, 4-8. Phil. i, 21.
1 WHEN musing sorrow weeps the past,
And mourns the present pain;
How sweet to think of peace at last,
And feel that death is gain!
2 'Tis not that murm'ring thoughts arise,
And dread a Father's will;
'Tis not that meek submission flies,
And would not suffer still.
3 It is that heaven-taught faith surveys
The paths to realms of light,
And longs her eagle-plume to raise,
And lose herself in sight.
4 It is that hope with ardour glows
To see Him face to face,
Whose dying love no language knows
Sufficient art to trace.
5[It is that harass'd conscience feels
The pangs of struggling sin-
Sees, though afar, the hand that heals,
And ends her war within.]
6 Oh! let me wing my hallow'd flight
From earth-born woe and care,
And soar beyond the realms of night,
My Saviour's bliss to share!
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