3 O Father of mercies, on me,
On me, in affliction, bestow
A power of applying to thee,-
A sanctified use of

my wo:
I would, in a spirit of prayer,

To all thy appointments submit ;
The pledge of my happiness bear,
And joyfully die at thy feet.

4 Then, Father, and never till then,
I all the felicity prove,
Of living a moment in pain,
Of dying in Jesus's love:
A sufferer here with my Lord,.
With Jesus above I sit down;
Receive an eternal reward,
And glory obtain in a crown.

640

;

4th P. M. 886, 886.

Death of a relative or friend.

F death our friends and us divide,

Thou dost not, Lord, our sorrow chide,
Or frown, our tears to see;

Restrain'd from passionate excess,

Thou bidd'st us mourn in calm distress
For them that rest in thee.

2 We feel a strong immortal hope,
Which bears our mournful spirits up,
Beneath their mountain load;
Redeem'd from death, and grief, and pain,
We soon shall find our friend again
Within the arms of God.

3 Pass a few fleeting moments more,
And death the blessing shall restore
Which death has snatch'd away;
For us thou wilt the summons send,
And give us back our parted friend,
In that eternal day.

641

TAUG

Sustaining grace prayed for.

L. M.

NAUGHT by our Lord, we will not pray Out of the world to be removed;

But keep us, in our evil day,

Till patient faith is fully proved.

2 From sin, the world, and Satan's snare,
The members of thy Son defend,

Till all thy character we bear,
And grace matured in glory end.

642

JES

9th P. M. 87, 87.

Bereavement and resignation.

ESUS, while our hearts are bleeding O'er the spoils that death has won, We would, at this solemn meeting, Calmly say,-Thy will be done.

2 Though cast down, we're not forsaken;
Though afflicted, not alone:

Thou didst give, and thou hast taken;
Blessed Lord,-Thy will be done.

3 Though to-day we're fill'd with mourning, Mercy still is on the throne;

With thy smiles of love returning,

We can sing,-Thy will be done.
4 By thy hands the boon was given;
Thou hast taken but thine own:
Lord of earth, and God of heaven,
Evermore,-Thy will be done.

643

To

26th P. M. 76, 76, 76, 76. Exulting in the favour of God.

thee, our God and Saviour,
Our hearts exulting spring,

Rejoicing in thy favour,
Thou everlasting King:

We'll celebrate thy glory,
With all the saints above;
And tell the wondrous story
Of thy redeeming love.

2 Soon as the morn with roses
Bedecks the dewy east,
And when the sun reposes
Upon the ocean's breast;
Our voice in supplication,
Jehovah, thou shalt hear;
O grant us thy salvation,
And be thou ever near.

3 By thee through life supported,
We pass the dang'rous road,
By heavenly hosts escorted

Up to their bright abode;
There cast our crowns before thee,
Our toils and conflicts o'er,
And day and night adore thee,
Forever, ever more.

C. M.

644

THE CLOSET.

Retirement and meditation.

FAR from the world, O Lord, I flee,

From strife and tumult far;

From scenes where Satan wages still
His most successful war.

2 The calm retreat, the silent shade,
With prayer and praise agree;
And seem by thy sweet bounty made
For those who follow thee.

3 There, if thy Spirit touch the soul,
And grace her mean abode;

O with what peace, and joy, and love,
Does she commune with God!

4 Author and Guardian of my life,
Sweet Source of light divine,
And all harmonious names in one,
My Saviour,-thou art mine!

5 The thanks I owe thee, and the love, A boundless, endless store,

Shall echo through the realms above
When time shall be no more.

645

Enter into thy closet.

C. M.

ATHER of Jesus Christ, my Lord,
Thumbly seek thy face;

Encouraged by the Saviour's word
To ask thy pard'ning grace.
2 Ent'ring into my closet, I
The busy world exclude;
In secret prayer for mercy cry,
And groan to be renew'd."

3 Far from the paths of men, to thee
I solemnly retire;

See, thou who dost in secret see,
And grant my heart's desire.

4 Fain would I all thy goodness feel,
And know my sins forgiven;
And do on earth thy perfect will,
As angels do in heaven.

646

Secret blessings.

C. M.

FATHER divine, thy piercing eye

Sees through the darkest night;
In deep retirement thou art nigh,
With heart-discerning sight.
2 May that observing eye survey
My faithful homage paid,

With every morning's dawning ray,
And every evening's shade.

30 may thine own celestial fire
The incense still inflame,
While fervent vows to thee aspire,
Through my Redeemer's Name.
4 So shall the visits of thy love,
My soul in secret bless;

So wilt thou deign, in worlds above,
Thy suppliant to confess.

647

Evening-Solitude.

I LOVE to steal awhile away

C. M.

From every cumb'ring care,
And spend the hours of setting day
In humble, grateful prayer.

2 I love in solitude to shed
The penitential tear,

And all his promises to plead
Where none but God can hear.
3 I love to think on mercies past,
And future good implore,-
And all my cares and sorrows cast
On Him whom I adore.

4 I love by faith to take a view
Of brighter scenes in heaven;
The prospect doth my strength renew,
While here by tempests driven.

5 Thus, when life's toilsome day is o'er, May its departing ray

Be calm as this impressive hour,

And lead to endless day.

648

0

Self-examination.

L. M.

THOU, great God, whose piercing eye Distinctly marks each deep recess; In these sequester'd hours draw nigh, And with thy presence fill the place.