Oft shall death and sorrow reign,
Ere we all shall meet again.
2 When in distant lands we sigh,
Parch'd beneath a burning sky,
Though the deep between us rolls,
Friendship shall unite our souls;
And in fancy's wide domain
Oft shall we all meet again.
3 When the dreams of life are fled,
When its wasted lamp is dead,
When in cold oblivion's shade
Beauty, wealth and fame are laid,—
Where immortal spirits reign,

There may we all meet again.

872 The hope of Christian friendship. L. M. 6 line 8.

WEET is the thought, the promise sweet,

1 SW

That friends, long-sever'd friends, shall meet; That kindred souls, on earth disjoin'd, Shall meet, from earthly dross refin'd, Their mortal cares and sorrows o'er, And mingle hearts to part no more. 2 But for this hope, this blessed stay, When earthly comforts all decay, O who could view th' expiring eye, Nor wish, with those they love, to die? Who could receive their parting breath, Nor long to follow them in death? 3 But we have brighter hopes: we know Short is this pilgrimage of woe; We know that our Redeemer lives; We trust the promises he gives; And part in hope to meet above, Where all is joy, and all is love.

873 (849)

WOULD not live alway: I ask not to stay Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way; The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its cheer.

2 I would not live alway, thus fetter'd by sin; Temptation without and corruption within: E'en the rapture of pardon is mingled with fears, And the cup of thanksgiving with penitent tears. 3 I would not live alway; no-welcome the tomb, Since Jesus hath lain there, I dread not its gloom :

There sweet be my rest, till he bid me arise To hail him in triumph descending the skies. 4 Who, who would live alway, away from his God;

Away from yon heav'n, that blissful abode, Where the rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains,

And the noontide of glory eternally reigns: 5 Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet Their Savior and brethren, transported to greet; While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul.

Precious promises.

P. M. 11s.

874 (777) How HOW firm a foundation, ye saints of the

1

Lord,

Is laid for your faith in his excellent word? What more can he say than to you he has said? You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled. 2 In ev'ry condition-in sickness, in health, In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth, At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

3 Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismay'd! For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 4 When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow; For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5 When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine. 6 E'en down to old age, all my people shall prove My sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love; And then, when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,

Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

7 The soul that on Jesus hath lean'd for repose, I will not, I cannot desert to his foes:

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never-no, never-no, never forsake!

875*

10o

The Lord's Prayer.

UR heav'nly Father, hear
The pray'r we offer now;

Thy name be hallow'd far and near,
To thee all nations bow.

2 Thy kingdom come; thy will
On earth be done in love,
As saints and seraphim fulfil
Thy perfect law above.

3 Our daily bread supply

While by thy word we live;
The guilt of our iniquity
Forgive, as we forgive.

4 From dark temptation's pow'r,
From Satan's wiles, defend;
Deliver in the evil hour,
And guide us to the end.

5 Thine shall for ever be
Glory and pow'r divine;

The sceptre, throne and majesty,
Of heav'n and earth are thine.

S. M.

THE MEANS OF GRACE.

876 (853) Before the baptism of a child. P. M. 7s.

1

SAVIOR, Father, Brother, Friend,
(Ev'ry tender name in one,)

Holy Jesus, now descend,

Perfect what thou hast begun :
Whom we now devote to God,

At a parent's hand receive;
With the purifying flood

Now the Holy Spirit give.

2 While on this dear infant's head
Pour we this translucid stream,
On the rite thy blessing shed,
With thy blood the soul redeem:
Seal the grace upon the heart,
By baptismal water shown;
While the symbol we impart,
May the saving work be done.

877 (854)

1

After the baptism of an infant.

UNITED pray'rs ascend to thee,

Eternal Parent of mankind;

Smile on this waiting family,

Thy blessing let thy servants find.

L. M.

2 The father of the household bless, The priest, the patriarch, let him move, That all his family may trace

In him thy law, in lines of love.

3 Regard the mother's anxious tears,

Her heart's desire, her earnest pray'rs,
And while her infant charge she rears,
Crown with success her pious cares.

4 Let the dear pledges of their love
Like tender plants around them grow,
Thy present grace, and joys above
Upon their little ones bestow.

5 Receive at their believing hand

The babe whom they devote as thine,
Obedient to their Lord's command-
And seal with pow'r the rite divine.
6 To ev'ry member of their house,
Thy grace impart, thy love extend;
Grant ev'ry good that time allows,
With heav'nly joys that never end.

878+

1

COM

YOME, Holy Ghost! come from on high,
Baptizer of our spirits thou!

The sacramental seal apply,

And witness with the water now.

2 Exert thy gracious pow'r divine,
And sprinkle thou th' atoning blood;
May Father, Son and Spirit, join
To seal this child a child of God.

879*

1 IF

Remembering Christ at his table.

F human kindness meets return,
And owns the grateful tie;

If tender thoughts within us burn,
To feel a friend is nigh;-

2 O shall not warmer accents tell
The gratitude we owe

To him who died our fears to quell,
And save from endless woe?

C. M.

3 While yet his anguish'd soul survey'd
Those pangs he would not flee,
What love his latest words display'd!—
"Meet and remember me."

4 Remember thee! thy death, thy shame,
The griefs which thou didst bear!
O mem'ry, leave no other name
But his recorded there.