298.

The Christian Warfare.

1

AWAKE, my soul! lift up thine eyes
See where thy foes against thee rise,
In long array, a numerous host:
Awake, my soul! or thou art lost.

2

!

Thou tread'st upon enchanted ground;
Perils and snares beset thee round:
Beware of all, guard every part,
But most, the traitor in thy heart.

3

Come then, my soul, now learn to wield
The weight of thine immortal shield;
Put on the armour from above,

Of heavenly truth and heavenly love.
4

The terror and the charm repel,

And powers of earth, and powers of hell; The Man of Calvary triumph'd here; Why should his faithful followers fear?

299.

The Christian's noble Resolution.

REDEEM me, Lord, from all the snares With which the world surrounds my feet Its grov'ling vanities and cares,

Its love, its hatred, its deceit.

2

May I resolve with all my heart,

With all my powers to serve thee, Lord! Nor from thy precepts e'er depart, Whose service is a rich reward.

3

Oh be thy service all my joy!
Around let my example shine;

;

Till others love the blest employ,
And join in labours so divine.

4

Be this the purpose of my soul,
My solemn, my determin'd choice;
To yield to thy svpreme control,
And in thy kind commands rejoice.

5

Oh may I never faint or tire,

Nor wandering leave thy sacred ways! Great God! accept my soul's desire, And give me strength to live thy praise.

300.

Abiding in Christ.—Jolin vi.

1

FROM Christ, my Lord, shall I depart,
And rase his image from my heart;
Forsake the beams of heavenly day,
And follow nature's feeble ray?

2

Treasures of power and grace divine,
United, in my Saviour shine;
Nor other name but his is given
To lead us to the joys of heaven.

3

True living bread his hands bestow;
Pure living waters round him flow;
And shall I from the fountain fly,
And in the parching desert die?

4

Words of eternal life are stor'd,
In the rich gospel of my Lord :
Can I immortal hopes resign

In pleasure's gulf, at mammon's shrine?

5

Forbid it, Author of my frame,

Great God, from whom my spirit came !
Thy Son can endless life bestow;
To whom but Jesus should I go?

301.

The watchful Christian.

1

YE servants of the Lord!
Each in his office wait;
Observant of his heavenly word,
And watchful at his gate.

2

Watch! 'tis your Lord's command;
And while we speak, he's near:
Mark the first signal of his hand,
And ready all appear.

3

Oh happy servant he,

In such a posture found!

He shall his Lord with rapture see,
And be with honour crown'd.

302.

Zeal and Vigour in the Christian Race.

1

AWAKE, my soul! stretch every nerve,
And press with vigour on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.

2

A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey;
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.

'Tis God's all-animating voice,
Which calls thee from on high;
'Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye:

That prize, with matchless glories bright,

Which shall new lustre boast,

When victors' wreaths, and monarchs' gems, Shall blend in common dust.

5

May I, with sacred ardour fir'd,
The glorious prize pursue;
Nor fear to meet the high command,
To bid this world adieu.

303.

Love to the Creature dangerous.

1

How vain are all things here below!
How false, and yet how fair!
Each pleasure has its poison too,
And every sweet a snare.

2

The brightest things below the sky
Give but a flattering light:
We often find some danger nigh,
When we possess delight.

3

Our friends with whom, in mutual love,
The path of life we've trod,

May steal our hearts from things above,
And turn us back from God.

4

How oft hath sad experience prov'd,
When goods of earth and sense
Have once our warm affections mov'd,
'Tis hard to call them thence.

5

O Father! let thy glories be

My soul's eternal food;

And be thy favour more to me

Than all created good.

304.

The Devotement of the Heart to Duty.-Gen. xii. 1.

1

ABRAHAM heard: believing God,

Duty's onward path he trod;

L

Trusting him whose word could bless,
Won the meed of faithfulness.

2

Christian pilgrim, Zion-ward,
True disciple of thy Lord!
May his spirit to thy heart
Kindred faithfulness impart.
3

Thou may'st hear a voice within;
Let that voice attention win:

Doubt not, fear not, trust its word
Follow on to know the Lord.

4

At his bidding, sacrifice

More than country's, kindred's, ties:
These may still be spar'd to thee;
Let thy heart thy Master's be.

5

Daily, hourly, labour there;
Waiting, watching unto prayer:
Wait to know thy Master's will;
Watch and pray, and do it still.
6

Faithful to the end endure;
Then thy calling shall be sure;
Then, whene'er thy Lord shall come;

Death shall only lead thee home.

305.

The Steward preparing to give his Account.

}

THE time draws nigh when thou, my soul !
Thy last account must give :

When thy whole life shall be survey'd
By him who bade thee live.

2

How many talents, O my God,

Hast thou bestow'd on me!

But yet how few can there be found,
Devoted, Lord, to thee!