2. Yet void of art or toil it grows, Looks bright, and lives its transient hour: Then, man, forget thy earth-born woes; The hand that made preserves the flower. 3. And see, in fields of desert air 4. If thus he clothes the lily race, 5. Shall faithless man, to fears a prey, 272. P. M. J. TAYLOR. Religious equanimity. 1. How blest is the soul where content The sunshine of prosperous days 2. She mingles unhurt in the throng, 3. In youth, the bright morning of life, And in manhood's temptations and strife 273. c. M. DODDRIDGE. Christian resignation in adversity. 1. My God, the covenant of thy love Abides for ever sure, And in its matchless grace I feel 2. Since thou, the everlasting God, Jesus my guardian and my friend, 3. I welcome all thy sovereign will, And when I know not what thou dost, 4. Thy covenant, in the darkest gloom, Which, when my eyelids close in death, WATTS. Pious resignation. 1. WITH humble reverence we adore 2. "Tis God who lifts our comforts high, 3. Peace, all our restless passions, then! Be silent at his sovereign will, 4. If smiling mercy crown our lives, That strikes our comforts dead. 275. c. M. COWPER. Submission to Divine Providence. 1. O LORD, my best desires fulfill, Life, health, and comfort, to thy will, 2. Why should I shrink at thy command, 3. No: rather let me freely yield 4. Wisdom and mercy guide my way; 5. But ah! my inward spirit cries, Else the next cloud that veils the skies Drives all these thoughts away. 276. L. M. DODDRIDGE. Submission to the will of God. 1. "FATHER divine!" the Saviour cried, 2. "But if these pangs must still be borne, "Or helpless man be left forlorn, "I bow my soul before thy throne, "And say, Thy will, not mine, be done!" 3. Thus our submissive souls would bow, 277. L. M. J. TAYLOR. Obedience enforced by the example of Christ. 1. "NOT as I will," the Saviour said, 2. O great example! stronger far Than precept drawn with soundest care: Its power shall bend the rebel mind, And make the proudest soul resign'd. |