165

7s M.

COWPER.

Welcome,

Cross.

1 'TIS my happiness below
Not to live without the cross,
But the Savior's power to know,
Sanctifying every loss:
Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all, -
This is happiness to me.

2 God in Israel sows the seeds
Of affliction, pain, and toil:
These spring up, and choke the weeds
Which would else o'erspread the soil:
Trials make the promise sweet;

Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to his feet,

Lay me low, and keep me there.

166

C. M.

DODDRIDGE.

Assurance of the divine Presence and Help.

1 AND art thou with us, gracious Lord,
To dissipate our fear;

Dost thou proclaim thyself our God-
Our God forever near?

2 Doth thy right hand, which formed the earth,
And bears up all the skies,
Stretch from on high its friendly aid,
When dangers round us rise?

3 On this support my soul shall lean,
And banish every care;

The gloomy vale of death must smile,
If God be with me there.

4 While I his gracious succor prove
'Midst all my various ways,

The darkest shades, through which I
Shall echo with his praise.

pass,

The Discipline of Providence merciful.

1 HOW gracious and how wise

Is our chastising God!

And, O, how rich the blessings are,
Which blossom from his rod !

2 He lifts it up on high

With pity in his heart,

That every stroke his children feel

May grace and peace impart.

3 Instructed thus they bow,

And own his sovereign sway;
They turn their erring footsteps back

To his forsaken way.

4 His covenant love they seek,

And seek the happy bands,

That closer still engage their hearts

To honor his commands.

5 Dear Father, we consent
To discipline divine,

And bless the pains that make our souls
Still more completely thine.

168

C. M.

ADDISON.

God's merciful and constant Protection.

1 WHEN all thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,

Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love, and praise.

2 Unnumbered comforts on my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceived
From whom those comforts flowed.

3 When, in the slippery paths of youth,
With heedless steps I ran,

Thine arm, unseen, conveyed me safe,
And led me up to man.

4 When worn with sickness, oft hast thou
With health renewed my face;
And when in sin and sorrow sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.

5 Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,
That tastes those gifts with joy.

6 Through every period of my life,
Thy goodness I'll pursue,
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.

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169

L. M.

DODDRIDGE.

Deliverance celebrated, and good Resolutions formed.

1 GREAT Source of life, our souls confess
The various riches of thy grace;
Crowned with thy mercy, we rejoice,
And in thy praise exalt our voice.

2 By thee heaven's shining arch was spread;
By thee were earth's foundations laid;
And all the charms of men's abode
Proclaim the wise, the gracious God.

3 Thy tender hand restores our breath,
When trembling on the verge of death;
Gently it wipes away our tears,
And lengthens life to future years.

4 These lives are sacred to the Lord;
Kindled by him, by him restored;
And, while our hours renew their race,
Still would we walk before his face.

5 So, when by him our souls are led
Through unknown regions of the dead,
With joy triumphant shall they move
To seats of nobler life above.

170

C. M.

DODDRIDGE.

Deliverance celebrated.

1 LOOK back, my soul, with grateful love, On what thy God has done;

Praise him for his unnumbered gifts,
And praise him for his Son.

2 How oft hath his indulgent hand
My flowing eyelids dried,

And rescued from impending death,
When I in danger cried!

3 When on the bed of pain I lay,`
With sickness sore oppressed,
How oft hath he assuaged my grief,
And lulled my eyes to rest!

4 Back from destruction's yawning pit
At his command I came;
He fed the expiring lamp anew,
And raised its feeble flame.

5 My broken spirit he hath cheered,
When torn with inward grief;
And, when temptations pressed me sore,
Hath brought me swift relief.

6 Still will I walk before his face,
While he this life prolongs;

Till grace shall all its work complete,
And teach me heavenly songs.

171

L. M.

TATE & BRADY.

Confidence in the divine Care. Ps. 18.

1 NO change of times shall ever shock
My firm affection, Lord, to thee;
For thou hast always been a rock,
A fortress and defence to me.

2 Thou my Deliverer art, my God;
My trust is in thy mighty power;
Thou art my shield from foes abroad,
At home my safeguard and my tower.