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2 While sorrow prompts the rising sigh,
With awful power impress'd,

May this dread truth-I too must die-
Sink deep in every breast.

3 Let this vain world allure no more;
Behold the opening tomb!
It bids us use the present hour:
To-morrow death may come.

4 The voice of this awak'ning scene
May every heart obey;
Nor be the faithful warning vain,
Which calls to watch and pray.

3 Oh! let us fly, to Jesus fly,

383

Whose arm alone can save;

Then shall our hopes ascend on high,
And triumph o'er the grave.

6-8's.

Christ our hope in death.

Job xix, 25-27.

Acts vii, 55-60. 1 Cor. xv, 55. 1 LET reason vainly boast her pow'r To teach her children how to die; The sinner in his closing hour Needs more than reason can supply: A view of Christ, the sinner's Friend, Alone can cheer him in his end.

2 When nature sinks beneath disease,
And every earthly hope is fled,
What then can give the sinner ease,
And make him love a dying bed?
Jesus! thy smile his heart can cheer;
He's blest e'en then, if Thou art near.
3 The gospel does salvation bring,
And Jesus is the gospel theme:
In death redeemed sinners sing,
And triumph in the Saviour's name:
O death, where is thy sting?-they cry—
O grave, where is thy victory?
4[Then let me die the death of those,
Whom Jesus washes in his blood,
Who on his faithfulness repose,
And know that He indeed is God:
Around his throne we hope to meet,
And cast our crowns beneath his feet.]

384

Sorrow lightened by the prospect of glory.

2 Cor. iv, 17, 18; v, 1-4.

1 AND let these feeble bodies fail,
And droop, and sink, and die,
Our souls shall quit the mournful vale,
And soar to worlds on high,

C. M.

2 Then shall we join the ransom'd throng, And find our wish'd-for rest;

That only joy for which we long-
To be with Jesus blest.

3 In hope of that immortal state,
We now the cross sustain;.
And gladly bear our ills, though great,
And smile at toil and pain.

4 We suffer on our anxious years,
Till our Redeemer come
To wipe away his servants' tears,
And take his exiles home.

5 Oh! what are all our trials here,
If, Lord! Thou count us meet,
With angel-hosts, in yon blest sphere,
To worship at thy feet!

385

1

The world where parting is unknown.
Dan. xli, 8. Matt. xiii, 48.

Heb. vi, 12.

FRIEND after friend departs;
Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts,
That finds not here an end:
Were this frail world our final rest,
Living or dying, none were blest.

P. M.

2 There is a world above,

Where parting is unknown-
A long eternity of love,

Form'd for the saints alone:
And faith beholds the dying here
Translated to that glorious sphere.

3 Thus star by star declines,
Till all are pass'd away;

As morning high and higher shines
To pure and perfect day:

Nor sink those stars in empty night,
But hide themselves in heaven's own light.

Ember Weeks.

386

Prayer for ministers.

Matt. xxv, 21. 2 Thess. iii, 1.

1 LORD of the church! we humbly pray
For those, who guide us in thy way,.
And speak thy holy word;

With love divine their hearts inspire,
And touch their lips with hallow'd fire,
And needful grace afford.

8.8.6.

2 Help them to preach the truth of God;
Redemption through the Saviour's blood:
Nor let the Spirit cease

On all the church his gifts to shower-
To them, a Messenger of power;
To us, of life and peace.

3 So may they live to Thee alone;
Then hear the welcome word-Well done!
And take their crown above;

Enter into their Master's joy,
And all eternity employ

In peace, and bliss, and love.

387

Pleading for those who plead for God.

2 Cor. ii, 16.

Eph. vi, 18-20.

L. M.

1 FATHER of mercies! bow thine ear,

Attentive to our earnest prayer;

We plead for those who plead for Thee;
Successful pleaders may they be!

2 How great their work! how vast their charge!
Do Thou their anxious souls enlarge;
To them thy sacred truth reveal,
Suppress their fear, inflame their zeal,

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