1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

HYMN 1.

(C. M.)

1 GREAT God! with wonder and with praise On all thy works I look;

But still thy wisdom, power, and grace,
Shine brightest in thy book.

2 The stars, that in their courses roll,
Have much instruction given;
But thy good word informs my soul
How I may soar to heaven.

3 The fields provide me food, and show
The goodness of the Lord;

But fruits of life and glory grow
In thy most holy word.

4 Here are my choicest treasures hid;
Here my best comfort lies;
Here my desires are satisfied,
And here my hopes arise.

5 Lord, make me understand thy law,
Show what my faults have been,
And from thy Gospel let me draw
Pardon for all my sin.

6 Here would I learn how Christ has died
To save my soul from hell;
Not all the books on earth beside,
Such heavenly wonders tell.

7 Then let me love my Bible more,
And take a fresh delight,

By day to read these wonders o'er,
And meditate by night.

HYMN 2.

(C. M.)

1 FATHER of mercies! in thy word
What endless glory shines!

For ever be thy name ador'd,
For these celestial lines.

2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;

Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
And yields a free repast;
Sublimer sweets than nature knows
Invite the longing taste.

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

5 O may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight;

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

6 Divine instructor, gracious Lord,
Be thou for ever near;

Teach me to love thy sacred word,
And view my Saviour there.

G

REAT first of beings! mighty Lord
Of all this wondrous frame!

Produc'd by thy creating word,

The world from nothing came.

2 Thy voice sent forth the high command, Twas instantly obey'd;

And through thy goodness all things stand, Which by thy pow'r were made.

3 Lord! for thy glory-shine the whole;
They all reflect thy light:

For this in course the planets roll,
And day succeeds the night.

4 For this the sun disperses heat
And beams of cheering day;
And distant stars, in order set,
By night thy pow'r display.

5 For this the earth its produce yields,
For this-the waters flow;

And blooming plants adorn the fields,
And trees aspiring grow.

6 Inspir'd with praise, our minds pursue
This wise and noble end-

That all we think, and all we do,

Shall to thine honour tend.

1

LE

ET heaven arise, let earth appear,
Proclaim'd th' Eternal Lord:
The heaven arose, the earth appear'd,
At his creating word.

2 But formless was the earth, and void,
Dark, sluggish, and confus'd;
Till o'er the mass the Spirit mov'd,
And quick'ning pow'r diffus'd.
s Then spake the Lord Omnipotent
The mandate, "Be there light:"
Light darted forth in vivid rays,
And scatter'd ancient night.

4 The glorious firmament he spread,
To part the earth and sky;
And fix'd the upper elements
Within their spheres on high.
5 He bade the seas together flow;
They left the solid land;

And herbs, and plants, and fruitful trees,
Sprung forth at his command.

6 Above, he form'd the stars; and plac'd
Two greater orbs of light;
The radiant sun to rule the day,
The moon to rule the night.

7 To all the varied living tribes

He gave their wondrous birth; Some form'd within the wat❜ry deep, Some, from the teeming earth.

8 Then, chief o'er all his works below, Man, honour'd man, was made;

His soul with God's pure image stamp'd, With innocence array'd.

9 Completed now the mighty work,
God his creation view'd:

And, pleas'd with all that he had made,
Pronounc'd it "very good."

Praise from Living Creatures.

1 BEGIN, my soul, th' exalted lay,
Let each enraptur'd thought obey,
And praise th' Almighty's name:
Let heaven and earth, and seas and skies.
In one melodious concert rise,

To swell th' inspiring theme.

2 Ye angels, catch the thrilling sound,
While all th' adoring thrones around
His boundless mercy sing;
Let ev'ry list'ning saint above
Wake all the tuneful soul of love,
And touch the sweetest string.

s Whate'er this living world contains,
That wings the air, or treads the plains,
United praise bestow;

Ye tenants of the ocean wide,
Proclaim him through the mighty tide,
And in the deeps below.

4 Let man, by nobler passions sway'd,
The feeling heart, the judging head,
In heavenly praise employ;
Spread HIS tremendous Name around,

While heaven's broad arch rings back the sound,
The gen'ral burst of joy.

Praise from the Elements and Worlds.
1 YE fields of light, celestial plains,
Where pure, serene effulgence reigns,
Ye scenes divinely fair,

Your Maker's wondrous pow'r proclaim,
Tell how he form'd your shining frame,
And breath'd the fluid air.