2

Be thou our comfort, mighty GOD!
Our Helper and our Friend;
Nor leave us in this dangerous road,
Till all our trials end.

3

Oh may we still pursue the way,
Our pious fathers led;

With love and holy zeal obey
The counsels of the dead!

276. L. M.

Public Humiliation.

1

GREAT Framer of unnumber'd worlds!
And whom unnumber'd worlds adore,
Whose goodness all thy creatures share,
While nature trembles at thy power!

2

Thine is the hand, that moves the spheres, That wakes the winds, and lifts the sea; And man, who moves the lord of earth, Acts but the part assign'd by thee.

3

While suppliant crowds implore thy aid,
To thee we raise the humble cry;
Thy altar is the contrite heart,
Thy incense, a repentant sigh.

4

May Britain in her sober hour,
Confess thy hand, and bless the rod;
By penitence make thee her Friend,
And find in thee a Guardian GOD.

WHILE Sounds of war are heard around,
And death and ruin strew the ground,
To thee we look, on thee we call,
The Parent, and the Lord of all!

2

Thou, who hast stamp'd on human kind
The image of a heaven-born mind,
And in a Father's wide embrace
Hast cherish'd all the kindred race!

3

Oh see,
with what insatiate rage,
Thy sons their impious battles wage
!
How spreads destruction like a flood,
And brothers shed their brothers' blood!

4

Great GOD! whose powerful hand can bind
The raging waves, and furious wind;
Oh bid the human tempest cease,
And hush the madd'ning world to peace.

5

With reverence may each hostile land
Hear and obey that high command,
Sent down to mortals from above,—

My creatures! live in mutual love.'

278. C. M.

Penitent Humiliation.

1

OFT, gracious GOD! has Britain been
Just like a burning brand,

Snatch'd from the fierce surrounding flame
By thy indulgent hand.

2

But have we learn'd thy name to fear,
Thy mercy to improve?

Have we been drawn to keep thy laws,
By all these cords of love?

3

Or, when on days like these, we've mourn'd
Our sins, and pardon pray'd,
Have we not soon forgot our vows,
And far as ever stray'd?

4

Too deeply conscious, though again
Our suppliant eyes we raise,
Should'st thou refuse the help we ask,
We justify thy ways.

5

But, O thou GOD of perfect grace!

Here all our comfort lies,

The truly broken, contrite heart,
Thou never wilt despise.

6

But while in this eternal truth

Our only hope we find,

Let the dear hope we wish to form,
To faithful duty bind.

BOOK VI.

HYMNS PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR

FAMILY OR PRIVATE WORSHIP.

279. s. M.

Family Affection founded on Religious Principles.

1

How pleasing, LORD! to see,

How pure is the delight,

When mutual love, and love to thee,
A family unite!

2

From these celestial springs Such streams of comfort flow, As no increase of riches brings, Nor honours can bestow.

3

All in their stations move, And each performs his part In all the cares of life and love, With sympathizing heart.

4

Form'd for the purest joys,
By one desire possess'd;

One aim the zeal of all employs,
To make each other bless'd.

5

No bliss can equal theirs,

Where such affections meet,

While mingled praise and mingled prayers

Make their communion sweet.

6

"Tis the same pleasure fills

The breast in worlds above; Where joy like morning dew distils, And all the air is love.

280. L. M.

Pious Friendship.

1

How bless'd the sacred tie that binds,
In union sweet, according minds!
How swift the heavenly course they run,
Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes are

one!

2

To each, the soul of each how dear!
What jealous love! what holy fear!
How doth the generous flame within
Refine from earth, and cleanse from sin!
3

Their streaming eyes together flow
For human guilt and mortal woe;
Their ardent prayers together rise,
Like mingling flames in sacrifice.

4

Nor shall the glowing flame expire
When nature droops her sickening fire;
They'll meet again in realms above,
A heaven of joy, because of love.