That cheer this howling waste below,
And bless the mansions of the skies:
2 We, the productions of thy power,
And pensioners upon thy love,

Look to thy throne with longing eyes,
And wait thy blessings from above.
3 Protect the young from every snare,
And let thy staff support the old,
Relieve the poor, nor let the rich,
Have all their heritage in gold.
4 Let joyful saints still taste thy grace,
Give to the mourners heavenly day,
Sustain the strong, and quick revive
The withering plants from their decay.

BAPTISM.

442.

Christ Baptized in Jordan*.

1 IN Jordan's tide the Baptist stands,
Immersing the repenting Jews?
The Son of God the rite demands,
Nor dares the holy man refuse:
Jesus descends beneath the wave,
The emblem of his future grave.
2 Wonder, ye heavens! your maker lies
In deep's conceal'd from human view
Ye saints behold him sink and rise,
A fit example thus for you:

The sacred record, while you read, i
Calls you to imitate the deed.

* For the alterations made in this, and se Che following Hymns on Baptism, I to my venerable friend the Rev. ▲ Abingdom

+

from yonder opening skies, beams of dazzling glory spread! ke the Eternal Spirit flies,

d light's on the Redeemer's head; Az'd they see the power divine, and the Saviour's temples shine. hark, my soul, hark and adore! What sounds are those that roll along, it like loud Sinai's awful roar, But soft and sweet as Gabriel's song! This is my well-beloved Son,

"I see well pleas'd what he hath done."
Thus the Eternal Father spoke,

Who shakes creation with a nod;
Thro' parting skies the accents broke,
And bid us hear the Son of God:
O hear the awful word to-day,
Hear all ye nations, and obey!

443. L. M. J. Stennett.
A Baptismal Hymn.

1 THE great Redeemer we adore,
Who came the lost to seek and save
Went humbly down from Jordan's shore,
To find a tomb beneath its wave!
2 "Thus it becomes us to fulfil
"All righteousness," he meekly said;
Why should we then to do his will,
Or be asham'd, or be afraid?

3 With thee into thy watery tomb, Lord 'tis our glory to descend;

'Tis wondrous grace that gives us room, To lie interr'd by such a friend.

4 Yet as the yielding waves give way, To let us see the light again;

So on the resurrection day,

The bands of death prov'd weak and vair 5 Thus when thou shalt again appear, The gates of death shall open wide

Our dust thy mighty voice shall hear
And rise and triumph at thy side.

444. 8.8.6. Norman.

Thus it becometh us, &c. Matt. iii. 15.
1 THUS it became the Prince of grace,
And thus should all the favor'd race
High heaven's command fulfil;
For that the condescending God
Should lead his followers thro' the flood,
Was heaven's eternal will.
2 'Tis not as led by custom's voice,
We make these ways our favor'd choice
And thus with zeal pursue:
No; heaven's eternal sovereign Lord
Has, in the precepts of his word,
Enjoin'd us thus to do.

3 And shall we ever dare despise
The gracious mandate of the skies,
Where condescending heaven,
To sinful man's apostate race,
In matchless love and boundless grace,
His will reveal'd has given?

4 Thou everlasting gracious King,
Assist us now thy grace to sing,
And still direct our way,

To those bright realms of peace and re
Where all the exulting tribes are bless
With one great choral day.

Invitation to follow the Lamb.

1 HUMBLE souls who seek salvation, Thro' the Lamb's redeeming blood Hear the voice of revelation,

Tread the path that Jesus trod.

ee to him your only Saviour
In his mighty name confide:

In the whole of your behaviour Own him as your sovereign guide: 2 Hear the bless'd Redeemer call you, Listen to his gracious voice; Dread no ills that can befall you, While you make his ways your choice Jesus says, "Let each believer

"Be baptized in my name;"
He himself in Jordan's river,

Was immers'd beneath the stream.
3 Plainly here his footsteps tracing,
Follow him without delay;
Gladly his command embracing,
Lo! your Captain leads the way:
View the rite with understanding;
Jesus' grave before you lies;
Be interr'd at his commanding,
After his example rise.

446. C. M.

The Believer constrained by the love of Christ to follow him.

1 DEAR Lord, and will thy pardoning love
Embrace a wretch so vile!
Wilt thou my load of guilt remove,
And bless me with thy smile!
2 Hast thou the cross for me endur'd,
And all its shame despis'd?

And shall I be asham'd, O Lord,
With thee to be baptiz'd?

3 Didst thou the great example lead,
In Jordan's swelling flood?
And shall, my pride disdain the deed
That's worthy of my God?

4 Dear Lord, the ardour of thy love
Reproves my cold delays:

And now my willing footsteps move
In thy delightful ways.

U u

447. C. M. Ryland, Junior. Difficulties, in the Way of Duty, surmounte Hinder me not, Gen. xxiv. 56*.

1 [WHEN Abram's servant to procure A wife for Isaac went,

He met Rebekah-told his wish,-
Her parents gave consent.

2 Yet for ten days they urg'd the man
His journey to delay;

"Hinder me not," he quick replied, "Since God hath crown'd my way 3 'Twas thus I cried, when Christ the I My soul to him did wed;

"Hinder me not, nor friends nor foes, "Since God my way hath sped.'

4 "Stay," says the world, "and taste a My every pleasant sweet;"

"Hinder me not," my soul replies, "Because the way is great." 5"Stay," satan my old master cries, "Or force shall thee detain; "Hinder me not, I will be gone,

My God has broke thy chain."]

6 In all my Lord's appointed ways, My journey I'll pursue;

"

Hinder me not, ye much-lov'd saints,
For I must go with you.

7 Thro' floods and flames, if Jesus lead

I'll follow where he goes;

Hinder me not, shall be my cry,
Tho' earth and hell oppose.

8 Thro' duty, and thro' trials too
I'll go at his command;
Hinder me not, for I am bound
To my Immanuel's land.