417 (450).

WHAT

L. M.

thousands never knew the road! What thousands hate it when 't is known!

None but the upright and sincere
Will seek or choose it for their own.

2 A thousand ways in ruin end,

One only leads to joys on high; By that my willing steps ascend, Pleased with a journey to the sky. 3 No more I ask, or hope to find Delight or happiness below; Sorrow may well possess the mind

That feeds where thorns and thistles grow.

4 The joy that fades is not for me,
I seek immortal joys above;
There glory, without end, shall be
The bright reward of faith and love.

MOURNING OVER SIN.

418 (258).

OD of mercy! God of grace!

G Hear our penitential songs;

Oh, restore Thy suppliant race,
Thou to whom our praise belongs!
2 Deep regret for follies past,

Talents wasted, time misspent;
Hearts debased by worldly cares,
Thankless for the blessings lent;

3 Foolish fears and fond desires;
Vain regrets for things as vain;

7s.

Lips too seldom taught to praise,
Oft to murmur and complain;

4 These, and ev'ry secret fault,

Fill'd with grief and shame, we own; Humbled at Thy feet we lie,

Seeking pardon from Thy throne.

419 (259).

WIT

7ITH tears of anguish I lament,
Here at Thy feet, my God,
My passion, pride, and discontent,
And vile ingratitude.

2 Sure there was ne'er a heart so base,
So false as mine has been:

So faithless to its promises,
So prone to every sin!

C. M

3 How long, dear Saviour, shall I feel
These strugglings in my breast?
When wilt Thou bow my stubborn will,
And give my conscience rest?

4 Break, sov'reign Grace, oh, break the charm, And set the captive free:

Reveal, Almighty God, Thine arm,
And haste to rescue me.

420 (414).

H

OW oft, alas! this wretched heart
Has wander'd from the Lord!
How oft my roving thoughts depart,
Forgetful of His word!

C. M

2 Yet sov'reign mercy calls, "Return:
Dear Lord, and may I come?
My vile ingratitude I mourn;
Oh, take the wanderer home.

3 And canst Thou, wilt Thou yet forgive,
And bid my crimes remove?
And shall a pardon'd rebel live
To speak Thy wondrous love?

4 Almighty grace, Thy healing power
How glorious, how divine!
That can to bliss and life restore
So vile a heart as mine.

5 Thy pard'ning love, so free, so sweet,
Dear Saviour, I adore;

Oh, keep me at Thy sacred feet,
And let me rove no more.

421 (412).

HOU Lord of all above,

THOU

And all below the sky,

Before Thy feet I prostrate fall,
And for Thy mercy cry.

2 Forgive my follies past,

The crimes which I have done,
Oh, bid a contrite sinner live,
Through Thine incarnate Son!

3 Guilt, like a heavy load,

Upon my conscience lies;

To Thee I make my sorrows known.
And lift my weeping eyes.

S. M.

4 The burden which I feel,

Thou only canst remove;

Display, O Lord, Thy pard'ning grace,
And Thine unbounded love.

5 One gracious look of Thine

Will ease my troubled breast;
Oh, let me know my sins forgiven,
And I shall then be blest.

422 (166).

L.M.

POOR, weak, and worthless though I am,
I have a rich almighty friend;

Jesus, the Saviour, is His name,
He freely loves, and without end.

2 He ransom'd me from hell with blood,
And, by His power, my foes controll'd;
He found me wand'ring far from God,
And brought me to His chosen fold.

3 But, ah! my inmost spirit mourns;

And well my eyes with tears may swim, To think of my perverse returns:

I've been a faithless friend to Him.

4 Often my gracious Friend I grieve, Neglect, distrust, and disobey;

And often Satan's lies believe

Rather than all my Friend can say.

5 Sure, were I not most vile and base,
I could not thus my Friend requite!
And were not He the God of grace,
He'd frown and spurn me from His sight.

423 (175).

MY

Y hope, my portion, and my God,
How little art Thou known
By all the judgments of Thy rod,
And blessings of Thy throne!

2 How cold and feeble is my love!
How negligent my fear!

How low my hope of joys above!
How few affections there!

5 Great God! Thy gracious aid impart
To give Thy word success;
Write Thy salvation in my heart,
That I may learn Thy grace.

4 Show my forgetful feet the way
That leads to joys on high:

There knowledge grows without decay,
And love shall never die.

C. M.

FOLLOWING AND IMITATING CHRIST.

424 (925).

8s & 7s.

I

All to leave and follow Thee:
Naked, poor, despised, forsaken,
Thou, from hence, my all shalt be:
Perish every fond ambition,

All I've sought, or hoped, or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!

God and heaven are still my own.
2 Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour, too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue: