163.

O

CAST YOUR CARE ON HIM.

C. P. M.

LORD, how happy should we be
If we could cast our care on thee,
If we from self could rest;

And feel at heart that One above,
In perfect wisdom, perfect love,
Is working for the best.

How far from this our daily life!
How oft disturbed by anxious strife,
By sudden wild alarms;

Oh, could we but relinquish all
Our earthly props, and simply fall
On thine almighty arms!

Could we but kneel and cast our load,
E'en while we pray, upon our God,
Then rise with lightened cheer;
Sure that the Father, who is nigh
To still the famished raven's cry,
Will hear, in that we fear !

We cannot trust him as we should ;
So chafes weak nature's restless mood
To cast its peace away;

But birds and flowerets round us preach,
All, all the present evil teach

Sufficient for the day.

Lord, make these faithless hearts of ours
Such lesson learn from birds and flowers;

Make them from self to cease;

Leave all things to a Father's will,
And taste, before him lying still,

E'en in affliction, peace.

JOSEPH ANSTICE. 1836.

164. THE DIRECTION OF GOD'S SPIRIT. L. M.

L

EADER of Israel's host, and Guide

Of all who seek the land above,

Beneath thy shadow we abide,

The cloud of thy protecting love;

Our strength thy grace, our rule thy word,

Our end the glory of the Lord.

By thine unerring Spirit led,
We shall not in the desert stray;
We shall not full direction need,
Nor miss our providential way;
As far from danger as from fear,
While Love, almighty Love, is near.

CHARLES WESLEY.

165.

S

TRUST.

OMETIMES a light surprises

The Christian while he sings;

It is the Lord, who rises

With healing in his wings:
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation,

We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new;

Set free from present sorrow,

66

We cheerfully can say,

'E'en let the unknown to-morrow

Bring with it what it may !

"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.

7.6.

166.

"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."

WILLIAM COWPER.

THE CHILD OF GOD.

UIET, Lord, my froward heart;

Make me teachable and mild,

Upright, simple, free from art;
Make me as a weanèd child ;
From distrust and envy free,
Pleased with all that pleases thee.
What thou shalt to-day provide,
Let me as a child receive;
What to-morrow may betide,
Calmly to thy wisdom leave ;
'Tis enough that thou wilt care:
Why should I the burden bear?

As a little child relies

On a care beyond his own,

Knows he's neither strong nor wise,

Fears to stir a step alone,

Let me thus with thee abide,

7.

As my Father, Guard, and Guide. JOHN NEWton.

167. HE THAT COMFORTETH YOU.

WEET is the solace of thy love,

SWE

My heavenly Friend, to me,

While through the hidden way of faith

I journey home with thee,
Learning by quiet thankfulness
As a dear child to be.

Though from the shadow of thy peace
My feet would often stray,

Thy mercy follows all my steps,
And will not turn away;
Yea, thou wilt comfort me at last,
As none beneath thee may.

Oft in a dark and lonely place,
I hush my hastened breath,
To hear the comfortable words
Thy loving Spirit saith;
And feel my safety in thy hand
From every kind of death.

Oh! there is nothing in the world
To weigh against thy will;

Even the dark times I dread the most
Thy covenant fulfil ;

And when the pleasant morning dawns
I find thee with me still.

C. M.