2

To God, most worthy to be prais'd,

Be our domestic altars rais'd!

Who, Lord of heaven, scorns not to dwell With saints in their obscurest cell.

3

To thee let each united house,

Morning and night, present its vows;
And servants, with the rising race,
Be taught thy precepts and thy grace.

4

Oh may each future age proclaim
The honours of thy glorious name ;
While, pleas'd and thankful, we remove
To join the family above.

262.

A Prayer for Brotherly Love.

1

O GOD my Father, and my King,
Of all I have or hope the spring!
Inspire my heart with fervent love,
Like that which fills thy courts above.

2

May I from every act abstain

That hurts or gives my neighbour pain; And every secret wish suppress,

That would abridge his happiness.

3

Still may I feel my heart inclin'd

To be the friend to all mankind:
Still wish them safety, health, and ease,
Both present, and eternal peace.

4

With pity let my breast o'erflow,
When I behold a brother's woe;
And sympathizing bear a part,
Whene'er I meet a wounded heart.

5

Let love through all my conduct shine,
An image fair, though faint, of thine!
Let me thy humble follower prove,
Father of men, great God of Love!

263.

Love to Man, the Return for the Love of God.

1

FATHER of our feeble race!
Wise, beneficent, and kind!
Spread o'er nature's ample face,
Flows thy goodness unconfin'd :
Musing in the silent grove,

Or the busy walks of men,
Still we trace thy wondrous love,
Claiming large returns again.

2

Lord! what offering shall we bring,
At thine altars when we bow?
Hearts, the pure unsullied spring,
Whence the kind affections flow:
Soft compassion's feeling soul,
By the melting eye exprest;
Sympathy, at whose control

Sorrow leaves the wounded breast;

3

Willing hands to lead the blind,
Bind the wounded, feed the poor;
Love embracing all our kind,
Charity with liberal store :
Teach, us O thou heavenly King,
Thus to shew our grateful mind,
Thus the accepted offering bring,
Love to thee and all mankind,

264.

Love enjoined by Christ.

1

BEHOLD, where, breathing love divine,
Our dying Master stands !

His weeping followers gathering round,
Receive his last commands.

2

From that mild Teacher's parting lips,
What tender accents fell!
The gentle precept which he gave,
Became its author well.

3

'Blest is the man, whose softening heart Feels all another's pain;

To whom the supplicating eye

Was never rais'd in vain :

4

"Whose breast expands with generous warmth,

A stranger's woes to feel;

And bleeds in pity o'er the wound,

He wants the power to heal.

5

'He spreads his kind supporting arms

To every child of grief;

His secret bounty largely flows,
And brings unask'd relief.

6

"To gentle offices of love

His feet are never slow;

He views, through mercy's melting eye,
A brother in a foe.

7

'Peace from the bosom of his God,
My peace to him I give ;

And when he kneels before the throne,
His trembling soul shall live.

8

To him protection shall be shewn ;
And mercy from above
Descend on those who thus fulfil
The perfect law of love.'

265.

Effects of Christian Love.

1

WITH pure delight the bosom glows,
Where love to God resides;
And blest, and blessing, is his heart,
Where charity abides.

2

Prompted by love, to misery's call
He never shuts his ear;
And o'er the sorrows others feel,
Oft sheds the silent tear.

3

Doth virtue in distress appear ?
Doth grief the heart invade ?
Doth humble poverty complain,
And seek his friendly aid?

Benevolence his bosom warms,

And love his actions guides;
A friend in him the poor man finds;
In him the heart confides.

5

For him, the sweet rewards of love
On earth, are kept in store;

And God will be his constant Friend,
His portion evermore.

266.

Love the most excellent of Christian Graces.

1

Ir love with other graces reign,

The mind is truly blest;

For love, the noblest of the train,
Aids and exalts the rest.

2

Love suffers long, with patient eye,
Nor is provok'd in haste;
She lets the present injury die,
And soon forgets the past.

3

Meekness and peace her bosom fill,
From wrath and malice pure;
She hopes, believes, and thinks no ill,
And all things will endure.

4

She nor desires nor seeks to know
The scandals men devise;

Nor looks with pride on those below,
Nor envies those who rise.

5

She, by another's good requir'd,
Lays gain and ease aside :

Thus, by his fervent love inspir'd,

For us our Saviour died.

6

Love is the grace which keeps her power, In realms of bliss above:

There faith and hope are known no more, But saints will ever love.

267.

The Christian Law of Love.

1

FAR from thy servants, gracious God!
The unfeeling heart remove;
And form in our obedient souls
The image of thy love.

2

Oh may our sympathizing breasts
The generous pleasure know,
Kindly to share in others' joy,
And
weep for others' woe!

K