5 In her secure and calm retreat,
He now enjoys a tranquil state;
Conscious that God will deign to hear
The contrite, humble, and sincere.

282. L. M. MERRICK.

Imploring divine protection.

1 THINE eyes in me the sheep behold,
Whose feet have wander'd from the fold;
That guideless, helpless, strives in vain
To find its safe retreat again:

2 Now listens, if perchance its ear
The shepherd's well-known voice may hear;
Now, as the tempests round it blow,
In plaintive accents vents its woe.

3 Great Ruler of this earthly ball!
Do thou my erring steps recall;
O seek thou him who thee has sought,
Nor turns from thy decrees his thought.

1

283. S. M. WATTS.

Forgiveness of sin upon confession.
O BLESSED souls are they,
Whose sins are cover'd o'er !
Divinely blest to whom the LORD
Imputes their guilt no more!

They mourn their follies past,
And keep their hearts with care ;

3

4

Their lips and lives without deceit,
Shall prove their souls sincere.
While I conceal'd my guilt,
I felt the fest'ring wound;
But I renounc'd my former sins,
And peace and pardon found.

Let sinners learn to pray;
Let all keep near the throne;
Our help in time of deep distress,
Is found in GoD alone.

-284. L. M. MERRICK.

The pleasures of devotion.

1 GOD of my strength! to thee I cry;
To thee, my surest refuge, fly :
O may thy light attend my way,
Thy truth afford its cheering ray !
2 Conduct me to thy hallow'd seat,
Where wisdom, truth, and mercy meet;
And there, in all its best array,
My heart its richest gifts shall pay.
3 Thy mercies, to my heart reveal'd,
A theme of endless transport yield;
Thy love does all my bosom fire,
Thy praise does all my song inspire.
4 In all our cares, in all our woes,

On GoD our steadfast hopes repose;
To GoD our thanks shall still be paid,
Our sure defence, our constant aid.

285. C. M. MISS H. M. WILLIAMS. Habitual devotion.

1 WHILE thee I seek, protecting Pow'r ! Be my vain wishes still'd;

And may this consecrated hour
With better hopes be fill'd.

2 Thy love the pow'rs of thought bestow'd;
To thee my thoughts would soar;
Thy mercy o'er my life has flow'd :—
That mercy I adore!

3 In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see!

Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferr'd by thee.

4 In ev'ry joy that crowns my days,
In ev'ry pain I bear,

My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in pray'r.

5 When gladness wings my favour'd hour,
Thy love my thoughts shall fill:
Resign'd, when storms of sorrow low'r,
My soul shall meet thy will.

6 My lifted eye, without a tear,

1

The low'ring storm shall see;

My steadfast heart shall know no fear :That heart shall rest on thee!

WHILE thoughtless sinners choose
The road that leads to death;
I, in the service of my GOD,

Will spend my daily breath.

2

t

3

I'll worship at his throne,
When morning brings the light;
I'll seek his blessing ev'ry noon,
And pay my vows at night.

With all my anxious cares,
I'll lean upon the LORD;
I'll cast my burdens on his arm,
And rest upon his word.

4 His arm shall well sustain
The children of his love;

The ground on which their safety stands,
No earthly pow'r can move.

Communion with GOD.

1 ENOUGH of life's vain scene I 've trod,
Sweet is this interval of rest:

With cheerful heart I meet my God,
His presence makes me truly blest.
2 Father and Friend! relations dear,
Rejoicing to the human soul;
They lift us above ev'ry fear,
And ills (if ills there be) control.
3 Pleasant is life, and sweet the light
That pours from the bright orb of day,
Revealing to our raptur'd sight
The world in all its rich display.

4 Pleasant is life, and sweet its ties,
The touching charities of man ;