HYMN 330. P. M. 8, 8, & 6s.
F solid happiness we prize,
Within our breasts this jewel lies;
And they are fools who roam.
The world has little to bestow:
From our own selves our joys must flow;
Our bliss begins at home.
2 We'll therefore relish with content
Whate'er kind Providence has sent,
Nor aim beyond our pow'r:
And if our store of wealth be small,
With thankful heart improve it all,
Nor waste the present hour.
3 To be resign'd, when ills betide,
Patient, when favours are denied,
And pleas'd with favours giv'n:
This is the wise, the virtuous part;
This is that incense of the heart,
Whose fragrance reaches heav'n.
4 Thus through life's changing scenes we'll go,
Its chequer'd paths of joy and wo
With cautious steps we'll tread;
Quit its vain scenes without a tear,
Without a trouble or a fear,
And mingle with the dead:
5 While conscience, like a faithful friend,
Shall through the gloomy vale attend,
And cheer our dying breath;
Shall, when all other comforts cease,
Like a kind angel, whisper peace,
And smooth the bed of death.
HYMN 331. C. M.
Y gracious God, accept my pray'r!
If e'er thy love divine
Should prosper my well-meaning care,
And wealth should e'er be mine:
2 May humble worth, without a fear,
Approach my open door;
Nor may I ever view a tear,
Regardless, from the poor.
30 bless me with an honest mind,
Above all selfish ends;
Humanely warm to all mankind,
And cordial to my friends.
4 Thee in remembrance may I bear,
To thee my tribute raise;
Conclude each day with fervent pray'r,
And wake each morn with praise.
5 Thus through my life may I approve
The gratitude I owe;
And share at length thy bliss above,
Whose laws I keep below!
HEREFORE should man, frail child of clay. Who, from the cradle to the shroud, Lives but the insect of a day,
O why should mortal man be proud? 2 His brightest visions just appear,
Then vanish, and no more are found:
The stateliest pile his pride can rear,
A breath may level with the ground.
3 By doubts perplex'd, in error lost,
With trembling step he seeks his way:
How vain of wisdom's gift the boast!
Of reason's lamp how faint the ray!
4 Follies and crimes, a countless sum,
Are crowded in life's little span :
How ill, alas, does pride become That erring, guilty creature, man! 5 God of my life! Father divine!
Give me a meek and lowly mind; In modest worth, O let me shine, And peace in humble virtue find.
HYMN 333. L. M.
FT have I turn'd mine eye within,
10F And brought to light some latent sin;
But pride, the vice I most detest,
Still lurks securely in my breast.
2 She hides my follies from mine eyes,
And lifts my virtues to the skies;
And while the specious tale she tells,
Her own deformity conceals.
3 Rend, O my God! the veil away;
Bring forth the monster to the day ;
Expose her hideous form to view,
And all her restless pow'r subdue.
4 So shall humility divine
Again possess this heart of mine;
And form a temple for my God,
Which he will make his lov'd abode.
1 HE man, whose firm and equal mind To solid glory is inclin'd,
Determin'd will his path pursue,
And keep the godlike prize in view.
2 His calm, undaunted, manly breast,
Of virtue, honour, truth possess'd,
Will stem the torrent of the age,
And fearless tread this mortal stage.
3 Amidst th' assailing ills of life,
Pride, passion, malice, envy, strife,
He'll act his part without disguise,
Intrepid, gen'rous, just, and wise.
4 In conscious rectitude secure,
This man unshaken shall endure
Of human woes the num'rous train,
Oppression, bondage, sickness, pain.
5 And when, at last, th' eternal Pow'r
Shall fix th' irrevocable hour,
That solemn hour which none can fly,
Since 'tis decreed that all must die:
6 Conscious of sov'reign mercy near,
Its voice shall banish ev'ry fear;
While faith and hope in joys to come
Waft him to realms beyond the tomb.
HYMN 335. L. M.
M'A stranger to myself and thee:
Y God! permit me not to be
А
Amidst a thousand thoughts I rove,
Forgetful of my highest love.
2 Why should my passions mix with earth,
And thus debase my heav'nly birth?
Why should I cleave to things below,
And let my God, my Father, go?
3 Call me away from flesh and sense; Thy gracious word can draw me thence I would obey the voice divine,
And all inferior joys resign.
4 Be earth, with all her cares, withdrawn; Let noise and vanity be gone:
In secret silence of the mind,
My heav'n, and there my God, I find.
HYMN 336. L. M.
RETURN, my roving heart, return,
And chase these shadowy forms no more; Seek out some solitude to mourn,
And thy forsaken God implore.
2 Wisdom and pleasure dwell at home;
Retir'd and silent seek them there:
This is the way to overcome,
The way to break the tempter's snare.
3 And thou, my God, whose piercing eye
Distinct surveys each deep recess,
In these abstracted hours draw nigh,
And with thy presence fill the place.
4 Through all the mazes of my heart,
My search let heav'nly wisdom guide;
And still its radiant beams impart,
Till all be search'd and purified.
5 Then with the visits of thy love
Vouchsafe my inmost soul to cheer;
Till ev'ry grace shall join to prove,
That God hath fix'd his dwelling there
HYMN 337. L. M.
F high or low our station be,
For noble or ignoble name;
By uncorrupted honesty,
Thy blessing, Lord, we'll humbly claim.
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