But as for me, with humble fear, I'll trust, through thy unbounded grace, Oh! lead me in thy righteous ways, Point out the path before my face- O! may I ne'er to evil yield, Defend me from above, And keep and cover with the shield Blessings of Piety. How blest is he who ne'er consents By ill advice to walk, Nor stand in sinners' ways, nor sits But makes the perfect law of God Like some fair tree, which, fed by streams, Ungodly men and their attempts For God approves the just man's ways- But all the paths which sinners tread, Filial Gratitude. Receive my body, humble bed, My hours mis-spent this day I rue, Forgive my faults, O Lord! This night, if in thy grace I rest, To-morrow I may rise refresh'd, To keep thy holy word. Value of Time. Oh! while this clock attracts thy sight, If idly lost, no art or care And Heav'n will call us to account Short is our longest day of life, And soon its wishes end ; Yet equal to our gaining good The time to virtue's given, And ev'ry minute well improved, Secures a place in heaven. Improvement of Time. Sleep by night, and cares by day, Bear my fleeting life away : Lo! in yonder eastern skies The sun appears, and bids me riseTells me, Life is on the wing, And has no returning spring: Death comes on with steady pace, And life's the only day of grace. Shining Preacher! happy morning, Let me take the important warning; Rouse then all my active powers, Well improve the coming hours : Let no trifles kill the day, (Trifles oft our hearts betray,)Wisdom, virtue, knowledge, truth, Guide the inquiries of my youth. Wisdom and experience sage, Then shall soothe the cares of age; These with time shall never die; Those will lead to joys on high: Those the path of life display, Shining with celestial day; Blissful path with safety trod, The end of which is heav'n and God. D True Pleasure. Lord, my soul with pleasure springs Cloth'd in sanctity and grace, What we owe to love divine; Those the comforts I possess, |