HYMN 389. C. P. M. [#]
Contentment and Resignation.
1 Ir solid happiness we prize,
Within our breasts the jewel lies ;
Nor need we roam abroad:
The world has little to bestow;
From pious hearts our joys must flow,
Hearts that delight in God.
2 To be resigned when ills betide,
Patient when favours are denied,
And pleased with favours given,—
This is the wise, the pious part,
This is that incense of the heart,
Whose fragrance reaches heaven.
3 Thus through life's changing scenes we'll go ;
Its chequered paths of joy and wo
With holy care we'll tread;
Quit its vain scenes without a tear,
Without a trouble or a fear,
And mingle with the dead.
ZEAL, FORTITUDE AND PRUDENCE.
HYMN 390. C. M. [#]
Zeal true and false.
1 ZEAL is that pure and heavenly flame,
The fire of love supplies;
While that which often bears the name
Is self in a disguise.
2 True zeal is merciful and mild,
Can pity and forbear;
The false is headstrong, fierce and wild,
And breathes revenge and war.
3 While zeal for truth the Christian warms,
He knows the worth of peace;
But self contends for names and forms,
Its party to increase.
4 Zeal has attained its highest aim,
Its end is satisfied,
If sinners love the Saviour's name;
Nor seeks it aught beside.
5 But self, however well employed,
Has its own ends in view;
And says, as boasting Jehu cried,
Come, see what I can do.
6 Dear Lord, the idol self dethrone,
And from our hearts remove;
And let no zeal by us be shown,
But that which springs from love.
HYMN 391. L. M.
Persecution and Intolerance absurd.
1 ABSURD and vain attempt to bind,
With iron chains, the free-born mind ;
To force conviction, and reclaim
The wandering by destructive flame !
2 Bold arrogance, to snatch from heaven
Dominion not to mortals given;
O'er conscience to usurp the throne
Accountable to God alone!
3 Our Master's gentle law of love
Does no such cruelties approve;
Mild as himself, his doctrine wields
No arms but those persuasion yields.
4 By proofs divine, and reasons strong,
It draws the willing soul along;
And conquests to his truth acquires
By eloquence which heaven inspires.
HYMN 392. C. M. [#]
Zeal and Vigour in the Christian Race.
1 AWAKE, my soul, stretch every nerve,
And press with vigour on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
2 A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey:
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.
3 "Tis God's all-animating voice
That calls thee from on high;
"Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye;—
4 That prize, with peerless glories bright,
Which shall new lustre boast,
When victors' wreaths and monarchs' gems
Shall blend in common dust.
5 My soul, with all thy wakened powers,
Survey the heavenly prize;
Nor let the glittering toys of earth
Allure thy wandering eyes.
HYMN 393. L. M. [#]
Holy Resolution.
1 Ан, wretched souls, who strive in vain,
Slaves to the world, and slaves to sin !
A nobler toil may I sustain,
A nobler satisfaction win.
2 I would resolve, with all my heart,
With all my powers, to serve the Lord;
Nor from his precepts e'er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.
3 O, be his service all my joy;
Around let my example shine,
Till others love the blest employ,
And join in labours so divine.
4 Be this the purpose of my soul,
My solemn, my determined choice,
To yield to his supreme control,
And in his kind commands rejoice.
5 O may I never faint nor tire,
Nor wander from thy sacred ways:
Great God, accept my soul's desire,
And give me strength to live thy praise.
HYMN 394. S. M. [#]
Obedience to God as our Father.
1 My Father, I adore
That all-commanding name;
O may it virtue's strength restore,
And raise devotion's flame.
2 I bow at his commands,
And filial homage pay;
With heart and life, with tongue and hands,
I'll cheerfully obey.
3 No more will I transgress,
As I too oft have done,
But every sinful thought suppress,
Each sinful action shun.
4 My Father thus I'll claim,
And prove myself his son;
And, while I bear the filial name,
The filial duties own.
5 Do thou the strength impart,
This purpose to fulfil:
Lord, write thy laws upon my heart,
That I may do thy will.
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