What crowds in doubtful light appear?
How few, alas, approv❜d and clear!
2 And what am I?My soul, awake,
And an impartial-survey take:
Does no dark sign, no ground of fear,
In practice or in heart appear?
3 What image-does my spirit bear?
Is Jesus form'd, and living there?
Say, do his lineaments divine

In thought, and word, and action shine? 4 Searcher of hearts, O search me still; The secrets of my soul reveal ;

My fears remove, let me appear

To God, and my own conscience clear. 5 Scatter the clouds which o'er my head Thick glooms of dubious terrors spread ; Lead me into celestial day,

And to myself, myself display.

6 May I at that bless'd world arrive
Where Christ thro' all my soul shall live,
And give full proof that he is there,
Without one gloomy doubt or fear!

332. C. M.

Secret Prayer, Matt. vi. 6,

1 FATHER divine, thy piercing eye.
Sees thro' the darkest night;
In deep retirement thou art nigh,
With heart-discerning sight.

2 There may that piercing eye survey
My duteous homage paid,
With every mornings's dawning ray,
And every evening's shade.

3 O let thy own celestial fire

The incense still inflame;

While my warm vows to thee aspire,
Thre' my Redeemer's name.

4 So shall the visits of thy love
My soul in secret bless;

So shalt thou deign in worlds above
Thy suppliant to confess.

PAUSE,

5 Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask,
This is the total sum
Mercy, thro' Christ, is all my suit,.
Lord, let thy mercy come.

FAMILY WORSHIP.
333. C. M.

Going to a New Habitation.

1 GREAT God, where'er we pitch our tent, Let us an altar raise;

And there with humble frame present.
Our sacrifice of praise.

2 To thee we give our health and strengfb,
While health and strength shall last,
For future mercies humbly, trust,
Nor e'er forget the past.

334. L. M. Steele.

The Christian's noblest Resolution, Joshua xxiv. 15.

1 AH wretched souls, who strive in vain, Slaves to the world, and slaves to sin! A nobler toil may I sustain,

A nobler satisfaction win. 2 May I resolve with all my heart, With all my powers to serve the Lord, Nor from his precepts e'er depart, Whose service is a rich reward. 3 O be his service all my joy, Around let my example shine, 11 others love the bless'd employ, in in labors so divine.

4 Be this the purpose of my soul.
My solemn, my determin'd choice,
To yield to his supreme control,
And in his kind commands rejoice,
5 O may I never faint nor tire,

Nor wandering leave his sacred ways;
Great God, accept my soul's desire,
And give me strength to live thy praise.
335. L. M. Dr. Doddridge.

Family Religion, Gen. xviij. 19.

1 FATHER of all, thy care we bless, Which crowns our families with peace; From thee they spring, and, by thy hand They have been, and are still sustain'd. 2 To God, most worthy to be prais'd, Be our domestic altars rais'd;

Who, Lord of heaven, scorns not to dwell With saints in their obscurest cell. 3. To thee may each united house, Morning and night, present its vows; Our servants there and rising race Be taught thy precepts and thy grace. 4 O may each future age proclaim The honours of thy glorious name; While pleas'd and thankful, we remove To join the family above.

336. S. M.

Prayer for Infants; or, Children, Day by Days given to God.

1

2

GREAT God, now condescend,
To bless our rising race;

Soon may their willing spirits bend

To thy victorious grace!

O what a vast delight
Their happiness to see!

3

Our warmest wishes all unite,
To lead their souls to thee.
Dear Lord, thy Spirit pour
Upon our infant seed,

O bring the long'd-for happy hour
That makes them thine indeed.
4 May they receive thy word,
Confess the Saviour's name,
Then follow their despised Lord,
Thro' the baptismal stream.
Thus let our favor'd race

5

Surround thy sacred board,
There to adore thy sovereign grace,

And sing their dying Lord.

337. C. M. Dr. Doddridge.

Christ's Condescending Regard to little Children,
Mark x. 14.

SEE, Israel's gentle shepherd stands,
With all-engaging charms;

Hark how he calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in his arms!

2 "Permit them to approach," he cries,
Nor scorn their humble name;
For 'twas to bless such souls as these,
The Lord of angels came."

We bring them, Lord, by fervent prayer,
And yield them up to thee;
Joyful that we curselves are thine,
Thine let our offspring be!

4 Ye little flock, with pleasure hear,
Ye children, seek his face ;
And fly with transport to receive
The blessings of his grace.

5 If orphans they are left behind,
Thy guardian care we trust;
That care shall heal our bleeding hearts
weeping o'er their dist,

1

2

3

4

5

PUBLIC WORSHIP.

338. 148th. B. Francis*.

On opening a place of Worship.

IN sweet exalted strains

The King of glory praise;

O'er heaven and earth he reins,
Thro' everlasting days:

les.

He, with a nod, the world controls,
Sustains or sinks the distant Р
To earth he bends his throne,
His throne of grace divine;
Wide is his bounty known,
And wide his glories shine;
Fair Salem, still his chosen rest,
Is with his smiles and presence blest.
Then, king of glory, come,
And with thy favor crown
This temple as thy dome,
This people as thy own:

Beneath this roof, O deign to show,
How God can dwell with men below.

Here may thine ears attend

Our interceding cries,

And grateful praise ascend

All fragrant to the skies:

Here may thy word melodious sound,
And spread celestial joys around.

Here, may th' attentive throng

Imbibe thy truth and love,
And converts join the song
Of seraphim above,

* Sung on opening the Meeting-House at Horsley, Gloucestershire, September 18, 1774; and also, at the opening of the new MeetingHouse, at Downend, near Bristol, October 4, 1786.