ON THE PERFECTIONS AND PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
373. L. M. JOHN TAYLOR. [And I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne. Rev. v. 11.]
THE Lord Jehovah sits on high, Enthroned in peerless majesty ; Coelestial bands around him wait, Or watch at heaven's eternal gate.
And now their well-tuned harps they try, In choral strains, and "anthems high," "O holy! holy! holy Lord!
"First cause, through all thy works adored!
"For thee, creation has no bound; "New systems still thy praise resound; "And what thy power first gave to be "Derives all blessedness from thee.
"All known, and naked to thine eye "The wondrous springs of nature lie: "And angel minds are baffled still "To measure thine unrivall'd skill."
Such is the seraph's glorious song, While listening spheres the praise prolong: Let man the grateful hymn essay, Nor cease till nature's powers decay.
O thou, our Ruler, Parent, Friend, Thou, at whose gracious throne we bend, Accept our faint attempts to praise Whilst to thy name our voice we raise.
FOR ever, Lord, thy power remains, Secure as yon æthereal plains:
Like earth's foundations, firm and fast, Thy throne from age to age shall last.
All kings to thy superior sway Shall at thy feet their homage pay; All nations own with one accord Thee, King of kings, of lords the Lord.
Supreme in earth, supreme in heaven, To thee be strength, be blessing given: Dread Sovereign on thy holy throne, Thou art, and thou art God alone.
Invocation of the divine presence.
WHEN before thy throne we kneel, Fill'd with awe and holy fear,
Teach us, O our God, to feel All thy sacred presence near.
Check each proud and wandering thought When on thy great name we call;
Man is nought-is less than nought: Thou, our God, art all in all.
Weak, imperfect creatures, we In this vale of darkness dwell; Yet presume to look to thee Midst thy light ineffable. O forgive the praise that dares Seek thy heaven-exalted throne; Bless our offerings, hear our prayers, Infinite and holy One!
THE mercies of the eternal King, Perpetual as himself, I sing;
And on his truth my lips shall dwell, That age to age the strain may tell.
Thee, Lord, thy saints assembled fear ; Thee thine attendant hosts revere : Lord God of armies, King alone,
Thy raiment truth, and strength thy zone.
Where'er thine arm its sway extends, Thy servant victory attends; Thy hand the organ of command, And empire sits on thy right hand.
On judgement just, on right confest, Thy throne's eternal pillars rest; Love goes before, thy way to clear, And truth, thy ready harbinger. 377. L. M.
THE glittering spangles of the sky, The sands which spread the extended shore, If these I number'd, yet, my God, I ne'er could count thy mercies o'er.
Oft in the visions of the night My thoughts upon thy mercies rove; And every silent watchful hour I trace the wonders of thy love.
The grateful unexhausted theme Each rising morn my soul pursues, In fervent prayer ascends to thee, And still her thankful song renews.
Nor days, nor nights, nor months, nor years, Nor centuries would e'er suffice
To sound the unfathom'd depths of love, Or touch the heights thy mercies rise.
Thy mercies, Lord, through endless years Shall still my raptured powers employ : Yet endless years will only swell My wonder, gratitude, and joy.
378. C. M. MRS. STEELE. Submission to God's providence.
My God, my Father, blissful name ! O may I call thee mine!
May I with sweet assurance claim A portion so divine!
This only can my fears control, And bid my sorrows fly;
What harm can ever reach my soul Beneath Father's eye?
Whate'er thy providence denies I calmly would resign; For thou art just and good and wise; O bend my will to thine.
Whate'er thy sacred will ordains, O give me strength to bear; O let me know my Father reigns, And trust his tender care.
Thy sovereign ways are all unknown To my weak erring sight; Yet let my soul, adoring, own That all thy ways are right.
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