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4 Let sinners learn to pray,

Let saints keep near the throne; Our help in times of deep distress Is found in God alone.

341.

L. M.

DODDRIDGE.

A Wanderer pleading to be reclaimed.

1 LORD! we have wandered from thy way,
Like foolish sheep have gone astray;
Our pleasant pastures we have left,
And of their guard our souls bereft.

2 Exposed to want, exposed to harm,
Far from our gentle shepherd's arm;
Nor will these fatal wanderings cease,
Till thou reveal the paths of peace.

30 seek thy thoughtless servants, Lord!
Nor let us quite forget thy word;
Our erring feet do thou restore,
And keep us that we stray no more.

342.

L. M. 61.

DENHAM.

Imploring Divine Mercy.

1 OUT of the depths of sad distress,
The gloomy mazes of despair,

To heaven we raise our warm address;
Deign, O our God! to hear our prayer:
O let thine ear indulge our grief,
For thy indulgence is relief.

2 Shouldst thou, O God, minutely scan
Our faults, and as severely chide,
No mortal seed of sinful man
Could such a scrutiny abide :
But mercy shines in all thy ways,
Bright theme of universal praise!

3 With longing eyes we seek the Lord; Before his throne our souls attend; Firmly on his eternal word

Our faith is fixed, our hopes depend:
On wings of love our souls shall rise
In contemplation to the skies.

4 Ye pious minds, on God rely;
With full assurance in him trust;
He sends redemption from on high,
And raises sinners from the dust:
He will at length absolve his heirs
From all their guilt and all their fears.

343.

C. M.

S. STREETER.

Humiliation for Sin.

1 HERE in thy temple, Lord, we meet,
And bow before thy throne;
Abased and guilty at thy feet,
We seek thy grace alone.

2 Our sins rise up in dread

array,

And fill our hearts with fear;
Our trembling spirits melt away,
But find no helper near.

3 Still, Lord, thy mercy 's rich and free, And runs an endless round; A boundless, purifying sea,

Where all our sins are drowned.

4 O send thy pity from on high
With pardon all divine ;

Bring now thy gracious spirit nigh,
And make us wholly thine.

5 We humbly mourn our follies past
Each guilty path deplore;

Resolved, while feeble life shall last,
To tread those paths no more.

344.

C. M.

MRS. STEELE.

Rejoicing to return.

1 How oft, alas! this wretched heart Has wandered from the Lord! How oft my roving thoughts depart, Forgetful of his word!

2 Yet sovereign mercy calls, ' Return :' Dear Lord, and may I come! My vile ingratitude I mourn;

O take the wanderer home.

3 And canst thou, wilt thou yet forgive,
And bid my crimes remove?
And shall a pardoned rebel live
To speak thy wondrous love?

4 Almighty grace, thy healing power
How glorious, how divine,

That can to life and bliss restore

So vile a heart as mine!

5 Thy pardoning love, so free, so sweet Dear Savior, I adore ;

O keep me at thy sacred feet,

And let me rove no more.

345.

C. M.

MRS. STEELE

Desiring to return.

10 THOU, whose tender mercy hears
Contrition's humble sigh;

Whose hand, indulgent, wipes the tears
From sorrow's weeping eye!

2 See, low before thy throne of grace,
A wretched wanderer mourn;
Hast thou not bid me seek thy face?
Hast thou not said, 'Return?'

3 And shall my guilty fears prevail
To drive me from thy feet?
O let not this dear refuge fail,
This only safe retreat.

4 Absent from thee, my guide, my light!
Without one cheering ray,

Through dangers, fears, and gloomy night,
How desolate my way!

5 O shine on this benighted heart,
With beams of mercy shine;
And let thy healing voice impart
A taste of joys divine.

PRAYER AND DEVOUT EXERCISES.

346.

C. M.

WATTS.

Heartless Worship an Abomination.

1 GOD is a spirit just and wise,
He sees our inmost mind;

In vain to heaven we raise our cries,
And leave our souls behind.

2 Nothing but truth before his throne
With honor can appear;

The painted hypocrites are known
Through the disguise they wear.

3 Their lifted eyes salute the skies,
Their bending knees the ground;
But God abhors the sacrifice

Where not the heart is found.

4 Lord, search my thoughts, and try my ways, And make my soul sincere ;

Then shall I stand before thy face,
And find acceptance there.

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