1. How deep and tranquil is the joy
Which Thou hast kindly given
To those who seek Thy presence, Lord,
And tread the path to heaven.

2. 'Tis in the silence of the shade
My sober thoughts begin,

And earth's illusive charms appear
But vanity and sin.

3. 'Tis here the troubled springs of life
Are calmed to sweetest rest;
The stillness of this hour expels
The tumult of my breast.

4. Far, far above all mortal things
I walk with God alone;

And while He names celestial joys,
I call them all my own.

5. Then let the noisy world pursue
The trifles of a day-

690.

Mine be the silent, secret joys
That never fade away.

78.

1. COME, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself invites thee near,
Bids thee ask Him-waits to hear.

2. With my burden I begin
Lord, remove this load of sin!
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,

Set my conscience free from guilt!

3. Lord, I come to Thee for rest;
Take possession of my breast;

REED.

There, Thy blood-bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign.

691.

4. While I am a pilgrim here,
Let Thy love my spirit cheer;

As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
Lead me to my journey's end!

5. Show me what I have to do;
Every hour my strength renew;
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die Thy people's death.

692.

7s.

1. THEY who seek the throne of
grace
Find that throne in every place;
If we live a life of
prayer,
God is present every where.

2. In our sickness and our health,
In our want, or in our wealth,
If we look to God in prayer,
God is present every where.
3. When our earthly comforts fail,
When the woes of life prevail,
'Tis the time for earnest prayer;
God is present every where.

4. Then, my soul, in every strait,
To thy Father come, and wait;
He will answer every prayer:
God is present every where.

C. M.

1. To heaven I lift my waiting eyes;
There all my hopes are laid;

NEWTON.

The Lord that built the earth and skies
Is my perpetual aid.

2. Their feet shall never slide to fall

Whom He designs to keep;

His ear attends the softest call;
His eyes can never sleep.

3. He will sustain our weakest powers
With His almighty arm,

And watch our most unguarded hours
Against surprising harm.

4. Israel, rejoice, and rest secure;
Thy keeper is the Lord;"

His wakeful eyes employ His power
For thine eternal guard.

5. Nor scorching sun, nor sickly moon,
Shall have His leave to smite;

He shields thy head from burning noon,
From blasting damps at night.

6. He guards thy soul, He keeps thy breath,
Where thickest dangers come;

Go and return, secure from death,
Till God commands thee home.

WATTS.

1. O FOR a closer walk with God!
A calm and heav'nly frame!
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

2. Where is the blessedness I knew
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and His word?

3. What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

4. Return, O holy Dove, return

Sweet messenger of rest;

I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,

694,

5. The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,

Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

6. So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;

So purer light shall mark the road

That leads me to the Lamb.

C. M.

1. PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;

The motion of a hidden fire

That trembles in the breast.

2. Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;

The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.

COWPER.

3. Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

4. Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from His ways,

While angels in their songs rejoice,
And say "Behold, he prays."

5. Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,

His watchword at the gate of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.

MONTGOMERY.

695.

C. M.

1. FAR from the world, O Lord, I flee,
From strife and tumult far;

From scenes where Satan wages still
His most successful war.

696.

2. The calm retreat, the silent shade,
With prayer and praise agree;
And seem by Thy sweet bounty made
For those who follow Thee.

3. There, if Thy Spirit touch the soul,
And grace her mean abode,

O with what peace, and joy, and love,
She communes with her God!

4. There, like the nightingale she pours
Her solitary lays;

Nor asks a witness of her song,
Nor thirsts for human praise.

5. Author and Guardian of my life!
Sweet source of light divine,
And-all harmonious names in one-
My Saviour, Thou art mine!

6. What thanks I owe Thee, and what love-
A boundless, endless store-

Shall echo through the realms above,
When time shall be no more.

COWPER.

C. M.

1. SWEET is the prayer whose holy stream
In earnest pleading flows:
Devotion dwells upon the theme,
And warm and warmer glows.

2. Faith grasps the blessing she desires,
Hope points the upward gaze;
And love, untrembling love, inspires
The eloquence of praise.

3. But sweeter far the still small voice,
Heard by no human ear,

When God hath made the heart rejoice,
And dried the bitter tear.