194

1

2

3

after Trinity.

S. M.

Trusting God in storm and calm.

Isa. 1, 10. Phil. iv, 11.

IF THROUGH unruffled seas
Towards heaven we calmly sail,
With grateful hearts, O God! to Thee,
We'll own the fav'ring gale.

But should the surges rise,
And rest delay to come,

Blest be the sorrow, kind the storm,
That drives us nearer home.

Soon shall our doubts and fears
Subside at thy controul;

Thy tender mercies shall illume
The midnight of the soul.

Teach us in every state
To make thy will our own;
And, when the joys of sense depart,
To live by faith alone.

after Trinity.

195

Joyful prospect of the believer's home.

John xiv, 2. Rom. viii, 18.

1 AS WHEN the weary traveller gains
The height of some commanding hill,
His heart revives, if o'er the plains
He sees his home, tho' distant still.

2 While he surveys the much-lov'd spot,
He slights the space that lies between;
His past fatigues are all forgot,
Because his journey's end is seen.

L.M.

3 Thus, when the Christian pilgrim views
By faith his mansion in the skies,
The sight his fainting strength renews,
And wings his speed to reach the prize.

4 The thought of home his spirit cheers;
No more he grieves for sorrows past;
Nor any future trial fears,

So he may safe arrive at last.

5 Jesus! on Thee our hopes we stay
To lead us on to thine abode;
Assur'd thy love will far o'erpay
The hardest labours of our road.

196

after Trinity.

C. M.

The conflict and the crown.

Job iii, 17. 2 Cor. iv, 17.

1 COURAGE, my soul! behold the prize The Saviour's love provides! Eternal life beyond the skies,

For all whom here He guides.

2 The wicked cease from troubling there;
The weary are at rest;
Sorrow, and pain, and sin, and care,
No more approach the blest.

3 A thoughtless world and sinful heart
With Satan now are join'd;

Each acts a too successful part
In harassing the mind.

4 But, struggling in my Saviour's strength, Though mighty are my foes,

The triumph shall be mine at length
O'er all that can oppose.

5 Then why, my soul! complain or fear?
The crown of glory see!

The more I toil and suffer here,
The sweeter rest will be.

after Trinity.

197

7.6.

The holy Jerusalem.

Heb. xi, 14. Rev. xxi, 10, 11.

1 TO THEE, O dear, dear country!
Mine eyes their vigils keep;
For very love, beholding
Thy happy name, they weep:
The mention of thy glory

Is unction to the breast,
And medicine in sickness,
And love, and life, and rest.

2 O one, O only mansion!
O paradise of joy!

Where tears are ever banish'd,
And smiles have no alloy;
Thy ageless walls are bonded
With jewels all unpriced;
Thy saints build up its fabric,
The corner-stone is Christ.

3 Thou hast no shore, fair ocean!
Thou hast no time, bright day!
Dear fountain of refreshment
To pilgrims far away!

Upon the Rock of ages

They raise thy holy tower;
Thine is the victor's laurel;

And thine the golden dower.

198

after Trinity.

L. M.

God our sun and shield.

Deut. xxxiii, 25.

Ps. lxxxiv, 11, 12; cxxxix, 23, 24. 1 0 THOU! to whose all-searching sight The darkness shineth as the light! Try us, and prove our treach'rous heart, And bid the power of sin depart. 2 As through this vale of tears we stray, Be Thou our light, be Thou our stay; Mark out the pilgrim's heavenly road, That leads unto the mount of God. 3 If storms and tempests cloud our way, Our strength proportion to our day; Nor storms nor tempests need we fear, If God, our Sun, and Shield, be near. 4 Guide and uphold us with thy hand, Till we arrive at Canaan's land;

The land where sin and death shall cease;
The land of rest, and joy, and peace.

199

Trust in a covenant God.

2 Sam. xxiii, 5.

C. M.

John xiii, 7.

1 MY GOD, the cov❜nant of thy love

Abides for ever sure,

And in its matchless grace I feel
My happiness secure.