Steadfastness and Watchfulness implored.
O GOD! my strength! my hope!
On thee I cast my care;
With humble confidence look up
To thee who hearest prayer :
Grant me on thee to wait,
The work assign'd fulfil;
Oh may it all my powers engage
To do my Father's will!
Grant me a sober mind,
A quick discerning eye,
The first approach of sin to find,
And all temptation fly;
A spirit still prepar'd,
And arm'd with jealous care,
For ever standing on its guard,
And watching unto prayer.
Thy will may I pursue;
To thee in all things rise;
And all I think, and say, and do,
Be one great sacrifice :
Fill me with godly fear,
As in thy sight to live;
And oh thy servant, Lord! prepare
A strict account to give.
For Self-Knowledge and Preservation from Sin.
Оn hear me, Lord!-on thee I call,
And prostrate at thy footstool fall :
To thee my inmost thoughts are known;
I seek acceptance at thy throne.
Let me, as in thy presence,
The aims and conduct I pursue;
Teach me each lurking sin to find,
Nor leave one stain of guilt behind.
Give me a will to thine subdued,
A conscience pure, a soul renew'd;
Nor let me, lost in hopeless gloom,
An outcast from thy presence roam.
Watch o'er my lips, and guard them, Lord!
From every rash and sinful word :
Nor let my feet incline to tread,
The guilty paths where sinners lead.
Chase from my heart each baneful foe;
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow :
Lord! guide me through my devious way,
To realms of pure and perfect day.
TEACH me, oh teach me, Lord thy way;
That, to my life's remotest day,
By thine unerring precepts led,
My feet thy heavenly paths may tread.
Inform'd by thee, with sacred awe
My heart shall meditate thy law;
And with celestial wisdom fill'd,
To thee a pure obedience yield.
Give me to know thy will aright;
Thy will, my glory and delight;
That, rais'd above the world, my mind
In thee its highest good may find.
Oh turn from vanity mine eye!
To me thy quickening strength supply;
And with thy promis'd mercy cheer
A heart devoted to thy fear.
Diligence in the Christian Race.
GOD of the morning! at whose voice
The cheerful sun makes haste to rise,
And rob'd in splendour doth rejoice
To run his journey through the skies!
Oh! like the sun, may I fulfil
The appointed duties of the day;
With ready mind, and active will,
March on, and keep my heavenly way.
But I shall rove and lose the race,
If God, my Sun, should disappear,
And leave me in the world's wide maze,
To follow every wandering star.
Lord thy commands are right and pure,
Enlightening our beclouded eyes;
Thy threatenings just, thy promise sure;
Thy gospel makes the simple wise.
Give me thy counsels for my guide,
And then receive me to thy bliss;
All my desires and hopes beside
Are faint and cold, compar'd with this.
BESET with snares on every hand,
In life's uncertain path I stand;
Father divine! diffuse thy light,
To guide my doubtful footsteps right.
Direct this frail and wavering heart,
Wisely to choose the better part;
To scorn the trifles of a day,
For joys that never fade away.
Then, let the wildest storms arise,
Let tempests mingle earth and skies;
No fatal shipwreck shall I fear,
But all my treasures with me bear.
If thou, O Father, still art nigh,
Cheerful I'll live and joyful die;
Secure, when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in thee.
OH that the Lord would guide my ways, To keep his statutes still!
Oh that my God would grant me grace, To know and do his will!
In deepest characters impress
Thy law upon my heart;
Nor let my tongue the truth transgress,
Nor act the slanderer's part.
From vanity turn off mine eyes;
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desire, arise
Within this heart of mine.
Order my footsteps by thy word,
And make my heart sincere ;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord!
And keep my conscience clear.
Assist my heart, too apt to stray,
A stricter watch to keep;
And since I've not forgot thy way,
Restore thy wandering sheep.
Make me to walk in thy commands;
'Tis a delightful road!
Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
Offend against my God.
Aspirations after the Christian Temper.
ALMIGHTY Maker, Lord of all !
Of life the only spring!
Creator of unnumber'd worlds!
Supreme, eternal King!
Oh guide me through the various paths,
Which snares and dangers hide!
And banish from my inmost heart,
All selfishness and pride.
With generous pleasure let me view
My neighbour rich and great;
Malignant envy let me fly,
And odious self-conceit.
Let not despair, nor fell revenge,
Be to my bosom known;
Oh give me tears for other's woes,
And patience for my own!
Feed me with necessary food;
I ask not wealth or fame:
Give me an eye to see thy will,
A heart to bless thy name.
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