صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

460

7s & 6s M.

Joy and Peace in believing.

COWPER.

1 SOMETIMES a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord, who rises
With healing on his wings:
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

2 In holy contemplation,

We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new ;
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E'en let the unknown to-morrow
Bring with it what it may!

3 It can bring with it nothing
But he will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe his people too;
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed;
And he who feeds the ravens
Will give his children bread.

4 Though vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted fruit shall bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there,

Yet, God the same abiding,

His praise shall tune my voice;
For, while in him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.

461

S. M.

Peace growing out of Trust in God.

DODDRIDGE.

1 WEARY, and weak, and faint,
I cast mine eyes around;
My joints all tremble, and my feet
Sink deep in miry ground.

2 Despairing help below,

To heaven I raise my cries;
God hears, and his almighty arm
Outstretches from the skies.

3 I on that arm repose,

And all my fears are o'er;

New strength diffused through all my soul
Attests its vital power.

4 My mind in perfect peace

Thy guardian care shall keep;
I'll yield to gentle slumbers now,
For thou canst never sleep.

5 Happy the souls alone

On thee securely stayed!

Nor shall they be in life alarmed,
Nor be in death dismayed.

[blocks in formation]

462

S. M.

WATTS.

Heavenly Joy on Earth.

1 COME, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
And thus surround the throne.

2 Let those refuse to sing,

That never knew our God;
But favorites of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad.

3 This awful God is ours,

Our Father and our Love;

He shall send down his heavenly powers

To carry us above.

4 There shall we see his face,

And never, never sin,

There, from the rivers of his grace,
Drink endless pleasures in.

5 Yes, and before we rise

To that immortal state,

The thoughts of such amazing bliss
Should constant joys create.

6 The men of grace have found
Glory begun below;

Celestial fruits on earthly ground
From faith and hope may grow.

7 Then let our songs abound,

And every tear be dry;

We're marching, through Immanuel's ground, To fairer worlds on high.

463

L. M.

Peace after a Storm.

COWPER.

1 WHEN darkness long has veiled my mind,
And smiling day once more appears,
Then, my Redeemer, then I find
The folly of my doubts and fears.

2 Straight I upbraid my wandering heart,
And blush that I should ever be
Thus prone to act so base a part,
Or harbor one hard thought of thee.
3 0, let me, then, at length be taught,
What I am still so slow to learn,
That God is love, and changes not,
Nor knows the shadow of a turn.

4 Sweet truth, and easy to repeat !
But, when my faith is sharply tried,
I find myself a learner yet,

Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide.

5 But, O my Lord, one look from thee
Subdues the disobedient will,

Drives doubt and discontent away,
And thy rebellious worm is still.

464

L. M.

A good Conscience the best Support.

Соттом.

1 WHILE some in folly's pleasures roll, And court the joys which hurt the soul, Be mine that silent, calm repast,

A peaceful conscience, to the last ;

2 That tree, which bears immortal fruit,
Without a canker at the root;

That friend, who never fails the just,
When other friends betray their trust.
3 With this companion in the shade,
My soul no more shall be dismayed,
But fearless meet the midnight gloom,
And the pale monarch of the tomb.
4 Though Heaven afflict, shall I repine?
The noblest comforts still are mine;
Comforts which will o'er death prevail,
And journey with me through the vale.
5 Amidst the various scene of ills,
Each stroke some kind design fulfils;
And shall I murmur at my God
When love supreme directs the rod?
6 His hand will smooth my rugged way,
And lead me to the realms of day,
To milder skies and brighter plains,
Where everlasting pleasure reigns.

465

L. M.

The Pleasures of a good Conscience.

WATTS.

1 LORD, how secure and blest are they
Who feel the joys of pardoned sin!
Should storms of wrath shake earth and sea,
Their minds have heaven and peace within.
2 The day glides swiftly o'er their heads,
Made up of innocence and love,

And soft and silent as the shades
Their nightly minutes gently move.

« السابقةمتابعة »