5 Doth secret mischief lurk within?
Do I indulge some unknown sin?
O turn my feet, whene'er I stray,
And guide me in thy perfect way.
212. 7s M.

Freedom from Error, Guilt, and Folly.
Ps. xix. 15.

1 BLEST Instructer! from thy ways,
Who can tell how oft he strays ?
Save from error's growth our mind,
Leave not, Lord, one root behind.
2 Purge us from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within our heart's disguise ;,
Let us thence, by thee renewed,
Each presumptuous sin exclude.
3 So our lot shall ne'er be joined
With the men, whose impious mind,
Fearless of thy just command,
Braves the vengeance of thy hand.
4 Let our tongues, from error free,
Speak the words approved by thee:
To thine all-observing eyes
Let our thoughts accepted rise.
5 While we thus thy name adore,
And thy healing grace implore,
Blest Instructer! bow thine ear:
God, our strength! propitious hear.

A Penitential Hymn.

1 GOD of mercy! God of love!
Hear our sad, repentant songs;
Listen to thy suppliant race,
Thou, to whom all grace belongs.

2 Deep regret for follies past,
Talents wasted, time misspent ;
Hearts debased by worldly cares,
Thankless for the blessings lent-

3 Foolish fears and fond desires,
Vain regrets for things as vain;
Lips too seldom taught to praise,
Oft to murmur and complain-
4 These, and every secret fault,
Filled with grief and shame we own ;
Humbled at thy feet we lie,
Seeking pardon from thy throne.

5 God of mercy! God of grace!
Hear our sad, repentant songs;
O restore thy suppliant race,
Thou, to whom our praise belongs!

Supplication to the Searcher of Hearts.

1 SEARCHER of hearts! my thoughts review; With kind severity pursue

Through each disguise thy servant's mind,
Nor leave one stain of guilt behind.

2 What is my state? My soul, awake,
Severest scrutiny to make;

Does no dark sign, no ground of fear,
In practice or in heart appear?

3 What image does my spirit bear?
Is Jesus formed and living there?
Say, do his lineaments divine,

In thought, and word, and action shine ??

4 Searcher of hearts! O search me still ; The secrets of my soul reveal:

My fears removed, let me appear To God and my own conscience clear. 5 Scatter the clouds that o'er my head Their dubious gloom and terror spread; Lead me into celestial day, And to myself, myself display.

215. C. M.

Inconstancy in the Christian life lamented.
Hos. vi. 4.

1 PERPETUAL Source of light and grace!
We hail thy sacred name;
Through every year's revolving round,
Thy goodness is the same.

2 On us, unworthy as we are,
Its wondrous mercy pours;
Sure as the heaven's established course,
And plenteous as the showers.

3 Inconstant service we repay,

And treacherous vows renew;
Which pass away as morning clouds,
And as the early dew.

4 Low at thy feet our guilt we mourn,
And ask thy constant grace,
To bear our feeble footsteps on,
In all thy righteous ways.

5 Armed with this energy divine,
Our souls shall constant prove,
And, with increasing transport, press
On to thy courts above.

6 So, by thy power, the morning sun
Pursues his radiant way,

Brightens each moment in his race,
And shines to perfect day.

216. L. M.

Contrite Supplication. Ps. li

1 PITY, dread Sovereign! and forgive : Let a repenting rebel live:

Are not thy mercies large and free? May not the contrite trust in thee? 2 My sins, though great, cannot surpass The power and glory of thy grace; Great God! thy nature hath no bound, So let thy pardoning love be found. 3 O wash my soul from every stain, Nor let the guilt I mourn, remain : Here on my heart the burden lies, And past offences pain my eyes. 4 With shame my numerous sins I trace Against thy law, against thy grace: And though my prayer thou shouldst not hear, My doom is just, and thou art clear.

5 Yet save a penitent, O Lord!

1

Whose hope, still hovering round thy word,
Would light on some kind promise there,
Some sure support against despair.

217. S. M.

Absence from God.

O THOU, whose mercy hears

Contrition's humble sigh;

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

2 Before thy throne of grace,
Behold a wanderer mourn!
Hast thou not bid me seek thy face?
Hast thou not said,-Return?

3 Absent from thee, my light!
Without one cheering ray;

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

4 On this benighted heart
With beams of mercy shine;
And let thy healing voice impart
A taste of joys divine.

5 Thy presence can bestow
Delights which never cloy :
Be this my solace here below,
And my eternal joy!

Hope in the Divine Mercy.

1 WHEN rising from the bed of death,
O'erwhelmed with guilt and fear,

I see my Maker face to face,-
O how shall I appear!

2 If yet, while pardon may be found,
And mercy may be sought,

My heart with inward horror shrinks,
And trembles at the thought:

3 When thou, O Lord! shalt stand disclosed' In majesty severe,

And sit in judgment on my soul,

O how shall I appear!

4 Then let thy pardoning love arise On my benighted soul !