O reclaim each wandering heart, Seal them, seal them, ever Thine! 3 Make us faithful to the end,

391

Whilst our labours we fulfil ;
And the promised blessing send,
Like the dew on Hermon's hill.

Fears and Hopes.

1 DEAR Lord, above our rising fears Thy promise rises high,

C.M.

Which says that they who sow in tears
Shall surely reap in joy.

2 That promise, Lord, we now would plead Before Thy gracious throne;

And well we know the strength we need
Must come from Thee alone.

3 Refresh us when our faith is weak,
And darkness clouds the mind;

Hast Thou not said that they who seek
Shall in due season find?

4 May the dear children, drawn by grace, Hear Thy majestic voice;

392

Then will our grief to joy give place,
And we in Thee rejoice.

Prayer-Meeting.

8.7.4.

1 THANKS to Him who now permits us
In His gracious Name to meet;
Who for conflict arms and fits us,
Else for such a work unfit;

In His service

Loss is gain, and pain is sweet.

2 Thankful for Thy kind permission
To appear before Thy throne,
Lord, we come with our petition,
Though with claim and merit none;
All we ask for

Is the fruit of grace alone.

L.M.

393 Parents' or Teachers' Prayer. 1 DEAR Lord, bow down Thy gracious ear, Regard our poor imperfect prayer; Bless our beloved rising race,

And crown their souls with saving grace. 2 Before our eyes are closed in death, Or we to God resign our breath,

L.M.

O that we may our children see By grace inclined to follow Thee! 394 For Continued Success. 1 0 DAVID'S Son, and David's Lord, From age to age Thou art the same; Thy gracious presence now afford, And teach our youth to know Thy Name. 2 Ere long we hope to be where care, And sin, and sorrow, never come; But O accept our humble prayer,

That these may praise Thee in our room! 3 Show them how vile they are by sin, And wash them in Thy cleansing blood ; O make them willing to be Thine, And be to them a cov'nant God! 4 Long may Thy light and truth remain To bless this place when we are gone;

And numbers here be born again, To dwell for ever near Thy throne. 395

For Help and Blessing.

L.M.

1 HERE, gracious God, before Thy feet,
Friends to the young and Thee, we meet;
Joined by the cord of mutual love,
Bound by our loving Friend above.
2 Our hearts Thy throne of grace address
Smile on our school, the children bless
Whilst we our humble labours lend,
Thy glorious praises to extend.
3 May wisdom, zeal, and love inspire
Our bosoms with the purest fire;
While faith on Thine own Word relies,
And hope looks joyful to the skies.
4 Grant us Thy presence, God of grace,
While thus we meet before Thy face;
And let us feel, before we part,
Thy love diffused through every heart.

396

Example of Jesus.

1 CHRIST was teaching all the day, Where the throng of hearers met,

And at night retired to pray

On the Mount of Olivet.

2 He on no soft couch reposed,

7's.

Through th' accustomed hours of sleep; But when other eyes were closed, He awoke to pray and weep.

3 All the labours we have shared, O how poor, and little worth,

When with those so great compared,

Of our Saviour upon earth!

4 O may gratitude inspire

Him to follow now above!
Then our hearts will never tire
In those humble deeds of love.

397

Signs of Blessing.

1 OUR gracious Lord, now condescend
To bless the rising race;

O make their stubborn spirits bend
To Thy victorious grace!

2 How it delights our wondering eyes
To see Thy work proceed!

C. M.

And thanks from our poor hearts arise
When Thou our prayers dost heed.
3 Continue, Lord, Thy gracious smile;
Our poor instruction bless;
And may we wait upon Thee still
To share renewed success.

398

Prayer for Blessing.

L.M.

1 ONCE more the gospel net is cast; Do Thou, O Lord, the effort own; We learn from disappointments past, To rest our hope on Thee alone. 2 Have mercy on our numerous youth, Who, young in years, are old in sin; And by Thy Spirit and Thy truth, Show them the state their souls are in. 3 O hear our prayer, and give us hope, That when Thy voice shall call us home,

Thou still wilt raise a people up To love and praise Thee in our room! 399 Not by Man's Power. 1 How oft we feel an inward pain Because our words no entrance gain! 'Tis not by power of human word, But by the Spirit of the Lord.

L.M.

2 Now, Lord, Thy gracious power impart ;
Arrest and melt some stubborn heart:
Our sorrow then shall turn to joy,
And Thy sweet praise our lips employ.
400
'By My Spirit.'
1 'Tis not by power, 'tis not by might,
But by Thy Spirit, Lord,

The heart receives the sacred light
That beams upon Thy Word.

2 Come then, O sacred Spirit, down,
Our feeble efforts bless;

Our souls refresh, our labours won,
And crown them with success.
3 And when within the silent tomb
We with our fathers rest,
May generations yet to come
Arise to call Thee blest!

401.

Proverbs xxii. 6.

1 WHILE wicked men unite
Our youth to lead aside,
Be ours to show them wisdom's path,
In wisdom's path to guide.
2 Depending, Lord, on Thee
Our humble means to bless,

C. M.

S. M.