2 What though our house be not with thee,
As nature could desire ;-
To higher joys than nature gives,
Our nobler views aspire.

3 Since thou, the everlasting God,
Our Father art become;

Jesus our guardian and our friend,
And heaven our final home ;—

4 We welcome all thy sovereign will,
For all that will is love;
And when thy providence is dark,
We wait the light above.

5 What though our mortal comforts fade,
And droop like withering flowers?
Nor time, nor death shall break that band,
Which makes Jehovah ours.

239. C. M.

Encouragement from the Experience of God's Goodness, Ps. xxxiv.

1 THROUGH all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy

The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.

2 The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Deliverance he affords to all,
Who on his succour trust.

3 O! make but trial of his love,
Experience will decide,

How blest they are, and only they,
Who in his truth confide.

4 Fear him, ye saints; and you will then
Have nothing else to fear :
Make you his service your delight,
Your wants shall be his care.

Confidence of good Men in the divine Faithfulness.

1 PRAISE, everlasting praise be paid
To him who earth's foundations laid;
Praise to the God, whose sovereign will
All nature's laws and powers fulfil.

2 Praise to the goodness of the Lord,
Who rules his people by his word;
Where faith contemplates his decrees,
And every gracious promise sees.

3 There may the humble, pious mind,
Support in all its troubles find;
And on that mighty God may stay,
Whose power the earth and heavens display.

4 Whence then arise distressing fears?
Why do we still indulge our tears?
Or why without those comforts live,
Our God and father waits to give?

5 O for a strong and lasting faith,

To credit what the Almighty saith;
To embrace the message of his son,
And call the joys of heaven our own.
6 Should earth then to its centre shake,
And all the wheels of nature break,

Our steadfast souls should fear no more
Than ocean's base when tempests roar.

God the Refuge of the troubled Mind.

1 My God! the visits of thy face
Afford superior joy,

To all that charms this thoughtless race,
Or can their hopes employ.

2 To thee I tell each rising grief,
For thou alone canst heal;
Thy promises bring sweet relief,
For every pain I feel.

3 But when distressing doubts prevail,
I fear to call thee mine;
The springs of comfort seem to fail,*
And all my hopes decline.

4 Yet, gracious God! where shall I flee? Thou art my only trust;

And still my soul would rise to thee,
Though prostrate in the dust.

6 Hast thou not bid me seek thy face?
And shall I seek in vain ?

And can the ear of sovereign grace
Be deaf when I complain?

6 Thy mercy-seat is open still,

There shall my soul retreat; With humble hope attend thy will, And wait beneath thy seat.

242. L. M

Christian Patience, Consolation, and Hope.

1 AND is there then, no lenient art,
To heal the anguish of the heart?
To ease the heavy load of care
Which nature must, but cannot bear?

2 Can reason's dictates be obeyed?
Too weak, alas! her strongest aid ;
O let religion then be nigh,
Her consolations cannot die.

3 Her powerful aid supports the soul,
And nature owns her kind control;
While she unfolds the sacred page,
Our fiercest griefs resign their rage.
4 Then, gentle patience smiles on pain,
And dying hope revives again;

Hope wipes the tear from sorrow's eye,
And faith points upward to the sky:

5 The promise guides her ardent flight,
And joys, unknown to sense, invite
Those blissful regions to explore,
Where pleasure blooms to fade no more.

243. 67. C. M.

The unrivalled Beauty and Glory of Religion. 1 SOFT are the fruitful showers that bring The welcome promise of the spring, And soft the vernal gale :

Sweet the wild warblings of the grove,
The voice of nature and of love,

That gladden every vale.

2 But softer in the mourner's ear,
Sounds the mild voice of mercy near,
That whispers sins forgiven;
And sweeter far the music swells,
When to the raptured soul she tells
Of peace and promised heaven.

3 Fair are the flowers that deck the ground;
And groves and gardens blooming round,
Unnumbered charms unfold:
Bright is the sun's meridian ray,
And bright the beams of setting day,
That robe the clouds in gold.

4 But far more fair the pious breast,
In richer robes of goodness drest,
Where heaven's own graces shine;
And brighter far the prospects rise,
That burst on faith's delighted eyes,
From glories all divine.

244. C. M.

The Power of Faith.

1 FAITH adds new charms to earthly bliss,
And saves us from its snares
Its aid in every duty brings,
And softens all our cares :

2 Extinguishes the thirst of sin,
And lights the sacred fire

Of love to God, and heavenly things,
And feeds the pure desire.

3 The wounded conscience knows its power The healing balm to give ;