628

C. M.

COWPER.

For the Poor.

1 WHEN Hagar found the bottle spent,
And wept o'er Ishmael,

A message from the Lord was sent
To guide her to a well.

2 Should not Elijah's cake and cruise
Convince us, at this day,

A gracious God will not refuse
Provisions by the way?

3 His saints and servants shall be fed ;
The promise is secure;

"Bread shall be given them," as he said, "Their water shall be sure."

629

C. M.

TATE & BRADY.

Compassion to the Poor rewarded. Ps. 41.

1 HAPPY the man, whose tender care
Relieves the poor distressed;

When he's by troubles compassed round,
The Lord shall give him rest.

2 The Lord his life, with blessings crowned,
In safety shall prolong,
And disappoint the will of those
That seek to do him wrong.

3 If he, in languishing estate,
Oppressed with sickness lie,
The Lord will easy make his bed,
And inward strength supply.

630

C. M.

The Good Samaritan.

DODDRIDGE,

1 FATHER of mercies, send thy grace

All-powerful from above,

To form in our obedient souls
The image of thy love.

2 O, may our sympathizing breasts
That generous pleasure know,
Kindly to share in others' joy,

And weep

for others' woe.

3 When the most helpless sons of grief
In low distress are laid,

Soft be our hearts their pains to feel,
And swift our hands to aid.

631

7s & 6s M.

BISHOP HEBER.

Missionary Hymn.

1 FROM Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand,

From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,

They call us to deliver

Their land from error's chain.

2 What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle,
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile?

In vain, with lavish kindness,
The gifts of God are strown;
The heathen, in his blindness,

Bows down to wood and stone.

3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted
By wisdom from on high,
Shall we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! O salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till each remotest nation
Has learnt Messiah's name.

632

C. M.

Advantages of early Religion.

WATTS.

1 WHEN we devote our youth to God, "Tis pleasing in his eyes;

A flower, when offered in the bud,
Is no vain sacrifice.

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

While sinners that grow old in sin
Are hardened in their crimes.

3 'Twill save us from a thousand snares To mind religion young;

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

4 To thee, Almighty God, to thee
Our childhood we resign;

"Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.

5 Let the sweet work of prayer and praise
Employ my youngest breath;
Thus I'm prepared for longer days,
Or fit for early death.

633

L. M.

Sunday Evening. For a Child.

ANONYMOUS.

1 AGAIN we've seen the Sabbath day, And heard of Jesus and of heaven: We thank thee, Father, and we pray That this day's sins may be forgiven. 2 May all we heard and understood

Be well remembered through the week, And help to make us wise and good, More humble, diligent, and meek.

634

C. M.

GIBBONS.

Remember thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth.

1 IN the soft season of thy youth,
In nature's smiling bloom,
Ere age 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.

635

C. M.

SCOTCH PARAPHRASES.

Remember thy Creator, &c. Eccl. xii. 1.

1 IN life's gay morn, when sprightly youth
With vital ardor glows,

And shines in all the fairest charms
Which beauty can disclose,

2 Deep on thy soul, before its powers
Are yet by vice enslaved,
Be thy Creator's glorious name
And character engraved.

3 For soon the shades of grief shall cloud
The sunshine of thy days,

And cares, and toils, in endless round,
Encompass all thy ways.

4 Soon shall thy heart the woes of age
In mournful groans deplore,
And sadly muse on former joys,
That now return no more.

636

C. M.

WATTS.

Exhortation to Peace and Holiness. Ps. 34.

1 COME, children, learn to fear the Lord;

And, that your days be long,

Let not a false or spiteful word
Be found upon your tongue.