6 When envy would impel a sigh,
And urge the murm'ring word;
There we the sinner's end descry,
And bow before the Lord.
7 Within thy house a place and name,
My Saviour, grant to me;
This, as my heritage I'd claim,
For there I meet with thee.
Gratitude, and Prayer. (P.M.)
WHAT favour, Lord, that we should meet
With saints around thy mercy-seat,
And love the house of pray'r!
What once was weariness and pain,
Is now our choice, delight, and gain,
The solace of our care!
2 0 let returning sabbaths be
A sign between our souls and thee,
Of mercy, love, and peace:
This one desire we'll seek with zeal,
Within thy earthly courts to dwell,
Until we see thy face!
FAMILY WORSHIP.
25. Grateful Morning Worship. (C.M.)
ORD of my life, O may thy praise
Employ my noblest powers,
Whose goodness lengthens out my days,
And fills the circling hours.
2 Preserv'd by thine Almighty arm,
I pass'd the shades of night,
Serene, and safe from every harm,
And see returning light.
3 While many spent the night in sighs,
And restless pains and woes;
In gentle sleep I clos'd mine eyes,
And undisturb'd repose.
4 When sleep, death's 'semblance, o'er me spread, And I unconscious lay,
Thy watchful care was round my bed,
To guard my feeble clay.
50 let the same Almighty care,
My waking hours attend;
From every danger, every snare,
My heedless steps defend.
6 Smile on my minutes as they roll,
And guide my future days;
And let thy goodness fill my soul
With gratitude and praise.
An Evening Hymn. (C. M.)
1 THOU unexhausted mine of bliss,
From whence all comforts flow,
Inspire us with that perfect peace,
Which only Christians know.
2 The curtains of thy love extend
Around our calm abode :
As we began, so may we end
Our every day with God.
3 Our lives unhurt, thy hand hath kept;
Accept the praise we pay,
For all the dangers we escap'd,
And mercies of the day.
4 Far, far away the tempter chase,
Our souls from terror keep;
Let angels keep this hallow'd place,
And guard us when we sleep.
5 Prepare us for the bed of death,
The way our fathers trod,
That, when we yield our latest breath,
We may be found with God.
An Evening Hymn. (L. M.)
REAT God, to thee my evening song
With humble gratitude I raise;
O let thy mercy tune my tongue,
And fill my heart with lively praise.
2 My days unclouded, as they pass,
And every gentle rolling hour,
Are monuments of wond'rous grace,
And witness to thy love and power.
3 And yet this thoughtless, wretched heart,
Too oft regardless of thy love,
Ungrateful can from thee depart,
And, fond of trifles, vainly rove.
4 When calm reflection finds a place,
How vile this wretched heart appears!
O let thy all-subduing grace
Melt it in penitential tears.
5 Seal my forgiveness in the blood
Of Jesus; his dear name alone
I plead for pardon, gracious God,
And kind acceptance at thy throne.
6 Let this blest hope mine eye-lids close,
With sleep refresh my feeble frame;
Safe in thy care may I repose,
And wake with praises to thy name.
OD of love, whose truth and grace
Reach unbounded as the skies,
Hear thy creature's feeble praise;
Let my evening sacrifice,
Mount, as incense, to thy throne,
On the merits of thy Son.
2 Me, thy providence has led,
Through another busy day;
Over me thy wings were spread,
Chasing sin and death away;
Thou hast been my faithful shield,
Thou my footsteps hast upheld.
3 Though the sable veil of night,
Hides the cheering ray of heaven,
Let me triumph in the sight,
Of my guilt in thee forgiven:
In my heart the witness feel,
See the great invisible.
4 I will lay me down to sleep,
Sweetly take my rest in thee;
Every moment brought a step
Nearer to eternity:
I shall soon from earth ascend
Quickly to my journey's end.
AFELY, through another week,
God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek
On th' approaching sabbath-day:
Day of all the week the best,
Emblem of eternal rest.
2 When the morn shall bid us rise,
May we feel thy presence near !
May thy glory meet our eyes,
When we in thy house appear!
There afford us, Lord, a taste
Of our everlasting feast.
3 May thy gospel's joyful sound
Conquer sinners, comfort saints;
Make the fruits of grace abound,
Bring relief for all complaints:
Thus may all our sabbaths prove,
Till we join the church above!
Family Religion. (L. M.)
WHERE'ER the Lord shall build my house,
An altar to his name I'll raise;
There morn and ev'ning shall ascend
The sacrifice of pray'r and praise.
2 With duteous mind the social band
Shall search the records of thy law;
There learn thy will, and humbly bow
With filial reverence and awe.
|