206. L. M.

Trust founded on the Contemplation of the
Divine Perfections.

1.

WHY sinks my weak desponding mind?
Why heaves my heart the anxious sigh?
Can sovereign goodness be unkind?
Am I not safe if God be nigh?

2.

He holds all nature in his hand;
That gracious hand, on which I live,
Doth life, and time, and death command,
And hath immortal joys to give.

3.

'Tis he supports this fainting frame; On him alone my hopes recline; The wondrous glories of his name,

How wide they spread! how bright they shine!

4.

Infinite wisdom! boundless power!
Unchanging faithfulness and love!

Here let me trust, while I adore,
Nor from my refuge e'er remove.

207. L. M.

Trust in God.

1.

WHEN SUCCours fail, and fears invade,

GOD is our all sufficient aid;

In every fear, in every strait,

My soul! on his salvation wait.

2.

Through every age, his gracious ear
Is open to his children's prayer;
Nor can one humble soul complain,
That it has sought its God in vain.

3.

GOD is our Sun, he makes our day;
GOD is our Shield, he guards our way;
Our present hopes, our future joys,
All from his boundless goodness rise,

4.

Should every earthly friend depart,
And sorrows sink my drooping heart,
My God, on whom my hopes depend,
Will be my Father and my Friend.

5.

Why then, my soul! with care opprest?
And whence the woes which fill my breast?
In all thy cares, in all thy woes,
On GOD thy steadfast hopes repose.

208. C. M.

Reliance upon God.

1.

MY GOD! my Father!-cheering name-
Oh may I call thee mine!

Give me with humble hope to claim
A portion so divine.

2.

This only can my fears control,
And bid my sorrows fly;

What real harm can reach my soul
Beneath my Father's eye?

R

3.

Whate'er thy providence denies
I calmly would resign:

For thou art just, and good, and wise;
Oh bend my will to thine!

4.

Whate'er thy sovereign will ordains,
Oh give me strength to bear!
Still let me know a Father reigns,
And trust a Father's care.

5.

If pain and sickness rend this frame,
And life almost depart,

Is not thy mercy still the same
To cheer my drooping heart?
6.

Though, LORD! thy ways are little known
To my weak, erring sight,
Yet would my soul believing own,
That all thy ways are right.

209. C. M.

Habitual Resignation.

1.

WITH GOD my Friend, the radiant sun
Sheds a more lively ray;

Each object smiles; all nature charms;
I chase my cares away.

2.

I cannot doubt his bounteous love,
Immeasurably kind;

To his unerring, gracious will,
Be every wish resign'd.

3.

Good, when he gives, supremely good;
Nor less, when he denies;
Afflictions, from his gracious hand,
Are blessings in disguise.
210. C. M.

Resignation in Affliction.

NAKED as from the earth we came,
And rose to life at first,
We to the earth return again,
And mingle with the dust.

2.

The dear delights we here enjoy,
And call our own in vain,

Are but short pleasures borrow'd now,
To be repaid again.

3.

'Tis GOD who lifts our comforts high,
Or sinks them in the grave;
He gives, and (blessed be his name!)
He takes but what he gave.

4.

Peace, then, ye restless passions, peace!
Let each repining sigh
Be silent at his sovereign will,
And every murmur die.

211. L. M.

Consolatory Reflections on Providence. 'Tis wisdom, mercy, love divine, Which mingle blessings with our cares; And shall our thankless hearts repine That we obtain not all our prayers?

2.

From want of faith our sorrows flow;
Short-sighted mortals, weak, and blind,
Bend down their eyes to earth and woe,
And doubt if Providence be kind!

3.

Should Heaven with every wish comply,
Still would the grant relieve the care?
Perhaps the good for which we sigh
Might change its name, and prove a snare.

4.

'Tis just, 'tis right, (thus he ordains
Who form'd this animated clod,)
That needful cares, instructive pains,
Should bring the restless heart to God.

5.

Were once our vain desires subdu'd,
The will resign'd, the heart at rest,
We should, in every scene, conclude
The will of Heaven is right,-is best.

6.

Then cheerful let our hearts survey
The toils and dangers of the road;
And patient keep the heavenly way,
Which leads us homeward to our God.

212. c. M.

Trust in God founded on the Fear of God.

1.

BLEST is the man that fears the LORD;
His well establish'd mind,

In every varying scene of life,
Shall true composure find.