2 If you desire a length of days,
And peace to crown your mortal state,
Restrain your feet from impious ways,
Your lips from slander and deceit.

3 The eyes of God regard his saints,
His ears are open to their cries;
He sets his frowning face against,
The sons of violence and lies.

4 To humble souls, and broken hearts,
God with his grace is ever nigh;
Pardon and hope his love imparts,
When men in deep contrition lie.

5 He tells their tears, he counts their groans,
His Son redeems their souls from death;
His Spirit heals their broken bones,
They in his praise employ their breath.

232.

1

The same. (C. M.)

COME

YOME, children, learn to fear the Lord;
And that your days be long,
Let not a false or spiteful word,

Be found upon your tongue.

2 Depart from mischief, practise love,
Pursue the works of peace;

So shall the Lord your ways approve,
And set your souls at ease.

3 His eyes awake to guard the just,
His ears attend their cry;

When broken spirits dwell in dust,
The God of grace is nigh.

4 What though the sorrows here they taste, Are sharp and tedious too,

The Lord, who saves them all at last,
Is their supporter now.

5 Evil shall smite the wicked dead;
But God secures his own;
Prevents the mischief when they slide,
Or heals the broken bone.

6 When desolation, like a flood,
O'er the proud sinner rolls,
Saints find a refuge in their God,
For he redeem'd their souls.

233.

1

1 LET

The same. (C. M.)

ET children hear the mighty deeds,
Which God perform'd of old;
Which in our younger years we saw,
And which our fathers told.

2 He bids us make his glories known;
His works of pow'r and grace;
And we'll convey his wonders down,
Through ev'ry rising race.

3 Our lips shall tell them to our sons,
And they again to theirs;
That generations yet unborn,
May teach them to their heirs.

4 Thus shall they learn, in God alone
Their hope securely stands ;

That they may ne'er forget his works,
But practise his commands.

234. 1

1Lo

To Youth. (C. M.)

O, the young tribes of Adam rise,
And through all nature rove,

Fulfil the wishes of their eyes,

And taste the joys they love.

2 They give a loose to wild desires ;-
But let the sinners know,

The strict account that God requires,
Of all the works they do.

3 The Judge prepares his throne on high,
The frighted earth and seas,

Avoid the fury of his eye,

And flee before his face.

4 How shall I bear that dreadful day, And stand the fiery test?

I'd give all mortal joys away,

To be for ever blest.

235. Advice to Youth. Eccl.xii.1,7. Isaiah lxv. 20.

1

(L. M.)

Now
OW in the heat of youthful blood,

Remember your Creator, God;

Behold the months come hast'ning on,

When shall say,

you

My joys are gone."

2 Behold, the aged sinner goes,
Laden with guilt and heavy woes,
Down to the regions of the dead,
With endless curses on his head.

3 The dust returns to dust again;
The soul, in agonies of pain,
Ascends to God; not there to dwell,
But hears her doom, and sinks to hell.

4 Eternal King! I fear thy name;
Teach me to know how frail I am;
And when my soul must hence remove,
Give me a mansion in thy love.

236. Christ's Regard to little Children. Mark x. 14.

1

SEE

(C. M.)

EE Israel's gentle Shepherd stands,
With all engaging charms;

Hark, how he calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in his arms!

2" Permit them to approach, (he cries,)
"Nor scorn their humble name;
"For 'twas to bless such souls as these,
"The Lord of angels came."

3 We bring them, Lord, in thankful hands,
And yield them up to thee;
Joyful, that we ourselves are thine,
Thine let our offspring be.

237. Children blessed by Jesus. (L. M.)

ESUS, upon our children lay,

1 JE

Thy gracious hands, and bless them here; Into their tender hearts convey

A principle of pious fear.

2 Thee, by a life of holy love,

Long may they live to glorify;

Or, sav'd by grace, from earth remove,
And to thy tender bosom fly.

238.

Pleading for Children. (L. M.)

1 GREAT Saviour, who didst condescend,

Young children in thine arms t' embrace,
Still prove thyself the infant's friend,
Baptise them with thy cleansing grace.

2 Whilst in the slippery paths of youth,
Be thou their guardian and their guide,
That they, directed by thy truth,
May never from thy precepts slide.

3 To love thy word their hearts incline,
To understand it, light impart;
O Saviour, consecrate them thine,
Take full possession of their heart.

239.

Parents asking Grace to bring up their
Children for God. (L. M.)

1 FAT!

ATHER of all, by whom we are,
For whom was made whatever is ;
Who hast entrusted to our care,
These candidates for glorious bliss:

2 Poor worms of earth, for help we cry,
For grace to guide, what grace has given;
We ask for wisdom from on high,
To train our infants up for heaven.

3 Them may we tend, severely kind,
As guardians of their thoughtless youth;
And plant thou in their tender mind,
The principles of heavenly truth.

T