See pleasure's silken banners spread, The smiles of earth, the frowns of hell; HYMN CCXXII. L. M. Self-Examination. 1 Thou vain, intruding world, depart! No more allure or vex my heart; Let every vanity be gone, I would be peaceful and alone. 2 Here let me search my inmost mind, And try its real state to find; The secret springs of thought explore, And call my words and actions o'er. 3 Reflect how soon my life will end, And think on what my hopes depend; What aim my busy thoughts pursue ; What work is done, and what to do. 4 Eternity is just at hand; And shall I waste the ebbing sand? And careless view departing day? And throw my fleeting time away? 5 Be this my chief, my constant care, My high pursuit, my ardent prayerAn interest in the Saviour's blood, A pardon seal'd and peace with God. 6 Search, gracious God, my inmost heart, And light, and hope, and joy impart ; From guilt and error set me free, And guide me safe to heaven and thee. HYMN CCXXIII. L. M. The same subject. 1 What image does my spirit bear? Is Jesus formed, and living there? Say, do his lineaments divine, In thought, and word, and action shine? 2 Searcher of hearts! O search me still; The secrets of my soul reveal, My fears remove; let me appear To God, and my own conscience, clear. 3 Scatter the clouds, that o'er my head, Thick glooms of dubious terrors spread; Lead me into celestial day, And, to myself, myself display. 4 May I at that bless'd world arrive, Where Christ through all my soul shall live, And give full proof that he is there, Without one gloomy doubt or fear. HYMN CCXXIV. L. M. Retirement and meditation. 1 My God! permit me not to be 2 Why should my passions mix with earth, 3 Call me away from flesh and sense, 4 Be earth, with all her scenes, withdrawn; Let noise and vanity be gone ; In secret silence of the mind, On becoming acquainted with God. 1 O shun, in youth the thoughtless throng Of fashion's fickle train; Though gay its smiles, and sweet its song, 2 Thy soul unbosom oft in prayer, 3 0, form to him the op'ning soul 'Mid silence there the heavenly goal 4 My God! from busy crowds I fly; 5 And bid my spirit, e'en below, With thee, my God, acquainted grow, HYMN CCXXVI. C. M. Religious retirement. 1 Far from the world, O Lord! I flee, From strife and tumult far ; From scenes where sin is waging still 2 The calm retreat, the silent shade, 3 There, if thy presence cheer the soul, O with what peace, and joy, and love, 4 Author and Guardian of my life, 5 What thanks I owe thee, and what love,— A boundless, endless store, Shall echo through the realms above, HYMN CCXXVII. C. M. Self-examination for the evening. 1 Another day of life is gone; A doubtful few remain; Review, my soul, what thou hast done, 2 Dost thou get forward in thy race, 7? As time still posts away! |