HYMN CXIV.

The advantage of early religion.
1 HAPPY the soul, whose early years
Receives instruction well;

Who hates the sinner's path, and fears
The road that leads to hell.

2 When we devote our youth to God,
'Tis pleasing in his eyes;

A flower, when offer'd in the bud,
Is no vain sacrifice.

3 'Tis easier work, if we begin
To fear the Lord betimes;

While sinners, who grow old in sin,
Are harden'd in their crimes.

"Twill save us from a thousand snares,
To mind religion young;

Grace will preserve our following years,
And make our virtue strong.

HYMN CXV.

Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.

1 IN the soft season of thy youth,
In nature's smiling bloom,
Ere we arrive, and trembling wait
Its summons to the tomb;

2 Remember thy Creator God;

For him thy powers employ;
Make him thy fear, thy love, thy hope,
Thy confidence, thy joy.

3 He shall defend and guide thy course
Through life's uncertain sea,

Till thou art landed on the shore
Of blest eternity.

4 Then seek the Lord betimes, and choose
The path of heavenly truth;

The earth affords no lovelier sight
Than a religious youth.

HYMN CXVI.

Gravity and decency.

1 CAN laughter feed th' immortal mind? Were spirits of celestial kind

Made for a jest, for sport, and play, To wear out time and waste the day? 2 Doth vain discourse or empty mirth, Well suit the honours of their birth? Shall they be fond of gay attire,

Which children love, and fools admire? 3 What if we wear the richest vest? Peacocks and flies are better drest; This flesh, with all it gaudy forms; Must drop to dust and feed the worms.

4 Lord, raise our hearts and passions higher;
Touch all our souls with sacred fire;
Then, with a heaven-directed eye,
We'll pass these glittering trifles by.
5 We'll look on all the toys below
With such disdain as angels do;
And wait the call that bids us rise
To mansions promis'd in the skies.

HYMN CXVII.

Contentment.

1 IF solid happiness we prize,
Within our breasts this jewel lies,
Unwise are they who roam;
The world has nothing to bestow,
From our own selves our joys must flow,
And peace begins at home.

2 We'll therefore relish with content
Whate'er kind Providence hath sent,
Nor aim beyond our pow'r ;
And if our store of wealth be small,

With thankful hearts enjoy it all,
Nor lose the present hour.

To be resign'd, when ills betide,
Patient, when favours are deny'd,

And pleas'd when favours given;
This is the wise, the virtuous part,
This is that incense of the heart,

Whose fragrance reaches heav'n.

4 Thus crown'd with peace, thro' life we'll go,
Its chequer'd paths of joy and wo
With cautious steps we'll tread;
Quit its vain scenes without a tear,
Without a trouble or a fear,
And mingle with the dead.

5 While conscience, like a faithful friend,
Shall through the gloomy vale attend,
And cheer our dying breath;
Shall, when all other comforts cease,
Like a kind angel whisper peace,
And smooth the bed of death.

1 PATIENCE, O tis a grace divine,
Sent from the God of pow'r and love,
That leans upon its father's arm,
As through the wilds of life we rove.

2 By patience we serenely bear
The troubles of our mortal state,
And wait contented our discharge,
Nor think our glory comes too late.
3 O for this grace to aid us on,

And arm with fortitude the breast,
Till, life's tumultuous voyage o'er,
We reach the shores of endless rest.
4 Faith into vision shall resign,
Hope shall in full fruition die,

And patience in possession end,
In the bright worlds of bliss on high.

HYMN CXIX.
Prudence.

1 O "TIS a lovely thing to see
A man of prudent heart,

Whose thoughts, and lips, and life, agree To act a useful part

2 When envy, strife and wars begin,
In little angry souls,

Mark how the sons of peace come in,
And quench the kindling coals.

3 Their minds are humble, mild and meek, Nor let their anger rise;

Nor passion moves their lips to speak,
Nor pride exalts their eyes.

Their lives are prudence mix'd with love;
Good works employ their day;

They join the serpent with the dove,
But cast the sting away.

HYMN CXX.

Equity.

1 MY soul, abjure the accursed throng,
Whose prosp'ring wealth increases fast
By fraud, by violence, and wrong,
Still thriving for the thunder's blast.

2 If high or low my station be,
Of noble or ignoble name,
By uncorrupted honesty

Thy blessing, Lord, I'd humbly claim.

3 Enrich'd with that, no want I'll fear,
Thy providence shall be my trust;
Thou wilt provide my portion here;
Thou friend and guardian of the just.

4 O may I with sincere delight,
To all the task of duty pay;
Tender of every social right,
Obedient to thy righteous sway.

5 Such virtue thou wilt not forget,
In worlds where every virtue shares
A fit reward, though not of debt,
But what thy boundless grace prepares.

HYMN CXXI.

Liberality.

1 HAPPY is he who fears the Lord,
And follows his commands;
Who lends the poor without reward,
Or gives with lib'ral hands.

2 As pity dwells within his breast
To all the sons of need,
So God shall answer his request
With blessings on his seed.

3 No evil tidings shall surprise
His well establish'd mind;
His soul to God his refuge flies,
And leaves his fears behind.

In times of general distress,

Some beams of light shall shine, To shew the world his righteousness, And give him peace divine.

5 His works of piety and love

Remain before the Lord;

Honour on earth, and joy above,
Shall be his sure reward.

HYMN CXXII.

Christian unity.

1 LET party strife no more

The Christian world o'erspread,