6 My Guardian, my almighty Friend,
On thee my soul would rest;
On thee alone my hopes depend,
Be near, and I am blest.

299

PRAYER FOR QUICKENING Grace.

SUN of Righteousness divine,

L. M.

On us with beams of mercy shine;
Chase the dark clouds of guilt away,
And turn our darkness into day.

2 While mourning o'er our guilt and shame,
And asking mercy in thy name,
Dear Saviour, cleanse us with thy blood,
And be our Advocate with God.

3 Sustain, when sinking in distress,
And guide us through this wilderness;
Teach our low thoughts from earth to rise,
And lead us onward to the skies.

300

THR

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION.

L. M.

HROUGH all the various shifting scene
Of life's mistaken ill or good

Thy hand, O God, conducts unseen
The beautiful vicissitude.

2 Thou givest with paternal care,
Howe'er unjustly we complain,
To each their necessary share

Of joy and sorrow, health and pain.

3 Trust we to youth, or friends or power?
Fix we on this terrestrial ball?
When most secure, the coming hour,
If thou see fit, may blast them all.

4 When lowest sunk with grief and shame,
Filled with affliction's bitter cup,
Lost to relations, friends and fame,
Thy powerful hand can raise us up.

5 Thy powerful consolations cheer,

Thy smiles suppress the deep-fetched sigh;
Thy hand can dry the trickling tear,
That secret wets the orphan's eye.

6 Thus far sustained, and clothed and fed, Through life's tumultuous scenes we've come; Give us this day our daily bread,

And lead, and bring us safely home.

301

JE

IMPORTUNATE PRAYER.

ESUS, who knows full well
The heart of every saint;
Invites us all our griefs to tell,
To pray and never faint.

2 He bows his gracious ear,
We never plead in vain:
Yet we must wait till he appear,
And pray, and pray again.

3 Though unbelief suggest,

Why should we longer wait? He bids us never give him rest, But be importunate.

4 Jesus the Lord will hear

His chosen when they cry,
Yes, though he may a while forbear,
He'll help them from on high.

5 His nature, truth and love,
Engage him on their side;

S. M.

When they are grieved, his bowels move,
And can they be denied?

6 Then let us earnest be,

And never faint in prayer;

He loves our importunity,

And makes our cause his care.

302

CONSTANCY IN PRAYER.

PRAYER was appointed to convey

L. M

The blessings God designs to give;
Long as they live, should Christians pray,
For only while they pray, they live.
2 The Christian's heart his prayer indites,
He speaks as prompted from within;
The Spirit his petition writes,

And Christ receives and gives it in.
3 If pains afflict, or wrongs oppress,
If cares distract, or fears dismay;
If guilt deject, if sin distress,
The remedy's before thee—pray.

4 'Tis prayer supports the soul that's weak,
Though thought be broken, language lame;
Pray, if thou canst or canst not speak,
But pray with faith in Jesus' name.

303

HINDERANCES TO PRAYER.

L. M.

WHAT various hinderances we meet,

In coming to a mercy-seat!

Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there?

2 Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

3 Restraining prayer, we cease to fight, Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright; And Satan trembles when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees.

4 Have you no words? Ah! think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear,
With the sad tale of all your care.

5 Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To heaven in supplication sent,

Your cheerful song would oftener be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me."

304

ENCOURAGEMENT IN PRAYER.

WHERE is my God? does he retire

L. M.

Beyond the reach of humble sighs?
Are these weak breathings of desire,
Too languid to ascend the skies?

2 No, Lord, my breathings of desire,
My weak petitions, if sincere,
Are not forbidden to aspire,

But reach to thy all-gracious ear.

3 Look up, my soul, with cheerful eye,
See where the great Redeemer stands:
The glorious Advocate on high,
With precious incense in his hands.

4 He smiles on every humble groan,
He recommends each broken prayer;
Recline thy hope on him alone,

Whose power and love forbid despair.

5 Teach my weak heart, O gracious Lord,
With stronger faith to call thee mine;
Bid me pronounce the blissful word,
My Father, God, with joy divine.

305

COM

ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAYER.

OME, my soul, thy suit prepare, Jesus loves to answer prayer; He himself has bid thee pray, Therefore will not say thee nay.

2 Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring;

78

For his grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.

3 With my burden I begin,
Lord, remove this load of sin;
Let thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt.

4 Lord, I come to thee for rest,
Take possession of my breast;
There thy blood-bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign.

5 While I am a pilgrim here,
Let thy love my spirit cheer;
As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
Lead me to my journey's end.

6 Show me what I have to do,
Every hour my strength renew;
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die thy people's death.

306

SEAMAN'S PRAYER IN Danger.

12s.

WHEN through the torn sail the wild tem

pest is streaming,

When o'er the dark wave the red lightning is gleaming,

Nor hope lends a ray, the poor seaman to cherish,

We fly to our Maker; "Save, Lord, or we perish."

Jesus, once rocked on the breast of the billow, Aroused by the shriek of despair from thy pillow,

Now seated in glory the mariner cherish, Who cries in his anguish, "Save, Lord, or we perish."