Nor other heritage possess,
But such a gloomy cell.

4 God of our fathers! hear,
Thou everlasting Friend!

While we, as on life's utmost verge,
Our souls to thee commend.

5 Of all the pious dead,

May we the footsteps trace,
Till with them, in the land of light,
We dwell before thy face.

HYMN CCLXXXIV. L. M.
On the death of a parent.

1 Though nature's voice you must obey, Think, while your swelling griefs o'erflow, That hand, which takes your joys away, That sov❜reign hand can heal your woe. 2 And while your mournful tho'ts deplore The parent gone, remov'd the friend! With heart resign'd, his grace adore, On whom your nobler hopes depend. 3 Does he not bid his children come Through death's dark shades to realms of light?

Yet, when he calls them to their home, Shall fond survivors mourn their flight?

4 His word-here let your soul rely-
Immortal consolation gives;
Your heavenly Father cannot die,
Th' eternal Friend for ever lives.

5 O be that best of friends your trust,
On his almighty arm recline;

He, when your comforts sink in dust,
Can give you blessings more divine.

HYMN CCLXXXV. L. M.

On the death of a child.

1 As the sweet flower which scents the morn, But withers in the rising day,

Thus lovely seem'd the infant's dawn!
Thus swiftly fled its life away!

2 Ere sin could blight, or sorrow fade,
Death timely came with friendly care;
The op'ning bud to heaven convey'd,
And bade it bloom for ever there.

3 It died before its infant soul
Had ever burn'd with wrong desire;
Had ever spurn'd at Heaven's control,
Or ever quench'd its sacred fire.

4 It died to sin, it died to care;

But for a moment felt the rod,
Then, springing on the viewless air,
Spread its light wings, and soar'd to God.

HYMN CCLXXXVI. L. M.

On the dangerous sickness of a minister.

10 Thou, before whose gracious throne
We bow our suppliant spirits down!
Thou know'st the anxious cares we feel,
And all our trembling lips would tell.

2 Thou only canst assuage our grief,
And give our sorrowing hearts relief;
In mercy then thy servant spare,
Nor turn aside thy people's prayer.

3 Avert thy desolating stroke,

Nor smite the shepherd of the flock;
Restore him, sinking to the grave,
Stretch out thine arm, make haste to save.

4 Bound to each soul by tender ties,
In every heart his image lies;
Thy pitying aid, O God! impart,
Nor rend him from each bleeding heart.

5 But if our supplications fail,

And prayers and tears cannot prevail, Be thou his strength, be thou his stay; Support him through the gloomy way. 6 Around him may thine angels stand, Waiting the signal of thy hand, To bid his happy spirit rise,

And bear him to their native skies.

HYMN CCLXXXVII.

C. M.

For a congregation on the death of its minister.

1 Though earthly shepherds dwell in dust, The aged and the young;

The watchful eye in darkness clos'd,
And mute th' instructive tongue;

2 Th' Eternal Shepherd still survives,
New comfort to impart ;

His eye still guides us, and his voice
Still animates our heart.

3 To him, when mortal comforts fail,
His suppliant people fly;

And on th' Eternal Shepherd's care,
With cheerful hope rely.

4 The powers of nature, Lord! are thine;
And thine the aids of grace;
Thine arm has borne thy churches up,
Through every rising race.

5 Exert thy sacred influence here,
Thy mourning servants bless;

O change to strains of cheerful praise
Their accents of distress.

HYMN CCLXXXVIII. L.M.

Resignation and hope.

1 Weary of these low scenes of night, My fainting heart grows sick of time,

Sighs for the dawn of sweet delight,
Sighs for a distant, happier clime!

2 Ah why that sigh? peace, coward heart,
And learn to bear thy lot of woe;
Look round, how easy is thy part,
To what thy fellow-suff"rers know.
3 Are not the sorrows of the mind
Entail'd on every mortal birth?
Convinc'd, hast thou not long resign'd
The flatt'ring hope of bliss on earth?

4 'Tis just, 'tis right; thus he ordains,
Who form'd this animated clod;

That needful cares, instructive pains,
May bring the restless heart to God.

5 In him, my soul, behold thy rest,
Nor hope for bliss below the sky;
Come resignation to my breast,
And silence every plaintive sigh.

6 Come, faith and hope, celestial pair!
Calm resignation waits on you;
Beyond these gloomy scenes of care,
Point out a soul-reviving view.

7 Parent of good! 'tis thine to give
These cheerful graces to the mind;
Smile on my soul, and bid me live
Desiring, hoping, yet resign'd!