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 possest;
One aim the zeal of all employs,
To make each other blest.
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 blest 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.
281. c. M.
'Whatsoever ye would that Men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.
RELIGION's path they never trod,
Who equity contemn;
Nor ever are they just to GOD,
Who prove unjust to men.
2.
Then let us search our ways, and try;
Have they been just and right?
Is the great rule of equity
Our practice and delight?
3.
What we would have our neighbours do,
Have we still done the same?
From others ne'er withheld the due,
Which we from others claim?
4.
Have we ne'er envied others' good?
Ne'er envied others' praise?
In no man's path malignant stood,
Nor us'd detraction's ways?
Y
5.
Have we ne'er, deaf to his request,
Turn'd from another's woe?
The scorn which wrings the sufferer's breast, Have we abhorr'd to shew?
6.
Then may we raise our humble prayer
To GOD, the just and kind;
Then humbly cast on him our care,
And hope his grace to find.
282. c. M.
A Virtuous Use of Prosperity.
1.
My gracious GOD! accept my prayer:
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.
3.
Oh bless me with an honest mind,
Above all selfish ends;
Humanely warm to all mankind,
And cordial to my friends!
4.
With conscious truth and honour still
My actions may I guide;
Nor know a fear, but that of ill,
Nor scorn, but that of pride.
5.
Thee in remembrance may I bear;
To thee my tribute raise;
Conclude each day with fervent prayer,
And wake each morn to praise.
6.
Thus, in each action, may I prove
My gratitude sincere;
And share in heaven thy boundless love,
Whose laws I follow here.
1.
IN sleep's serene oblivion laid,
I safely pass'd the silent night:
Again I see the breaking shade,
Again behold the morning light.
2.
New-born, I bless the waking hour; Once more, with awe, rejoice to be; My conscious soul resumes her power, And soars, my guardian GoD! to thee.
3.
Oh guide me through the various maze My doubtful feet are doom'd to tread; And spread thy shield's protecting blaze, When dangers press around my head!
4.
A deeper shade shall soon impend,
A deeper sleep my eyes oppress;
Yet then thy strength shall still defend,
Thy goodness still delight to bless.
5.
That deeper shade shall break away;
That deeper sleep shall leave my eyes;
Thy light shall give eternal day;
Thy love, the rapture of the skies.
284. P. M.
Evening Hymn.
1.
INTERVAL of grateful shade,
Welcome to my weary head!
Welcome slumber to my eyes,
Tir'd with glaring vanities!
2.
My great Master still bestows
Needful periods of repose;
By my heavenly Father blest,
Thus I give my powers to rest.
3.
Heavenly Father-gracious name-
Night and day his love the same!
Far be each suspicious thought,
Every anxious care forgot.
4.
Thou, my ever bounteous GOD! Crown'st my days with various good; Thy kind eye which cannot sleep, These defenceless hours shall keep.
5.
What if death my sleep invade?
Should I be of death afraid?
While encircled by thy arm,
Death may strike but cannot harm.
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