HYMN CCLXIV.

HYMN 264. C. M.

Youth the most accepted time.
EE how the little toiling ant
Improves the harvest hours!
While summer lasts, through all her cells
The choicest stores she pours.

2 While life remains, our harvest lasts ;
But youth of life's the prime;
Best is the season for our work,
And this th' accepted time.

3 To-day attend, is wisdom's voice,
To-morrow, folly cries:

And still to-morrow 'tis, when, Oh!
To-day the sinner dies.

4 When conscience speaks, its voice regard,
And seize the tender hour;
Humbly implore the promis'd grace,
And God will give the pow'r.

M

HYMN 265 L. M.

A lovely Youth falling short of Heaven.
Mark x. 21.

UST all the charms of nature then,
So hopeless to salvation prove

Can hell demand, can heav'n condemn,
The man whom Jesus deigns to love?
2 The man who sought the ways of truth,
Paid friends and neighbors all their due;
A modest, sober, lovely youth,

Who thought he wanted nothing new!

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3 But mark the change: thus spake the Lord, "Come, part with earth for heav'n to-day;" The youth, astonish'd at the word,

In silent sadness went his way.

4 Poor virtues, that he boasted so,
'This test unable to endure,

Let Christ, and grace, and glory go,
To make his land and money sure!

5 Ah, foolish choice of treasures here! Ah, fatal love of tempting gold!

Must this base world be bought so dear!
And life and heav'n so cheaply sold!
6 In vain the charms of nature shine,
If this vile passion governs me;
Transform my soul, O love divine!
And make me part with all for thee!

HYMN 266. S. M.

Prayer of Youth for Divine cleansing.
ITH humble heart and tongue,
My God, to thee I pray;

Oh, make me learn while I am young,

How I may cleanse my way.

2 Make an unguarded youth

The object of thy care;

Help me to choose the way of truth,
And fly from ev'ry snare.

3 My heart to folly prone,
Renew by pow'r divine;
Unite it to thyself alone,

And make me wholly thine.

4 Oh, let thy word of grace
My warmest thoughts employ ;
Be this through all my following days,
My treasure and my joy.

5 To what thy laws impart

Be my whole soul inclin'd;

Oh, let them dwell within my heart,
And sanctify my mind.

6 May thy young servant learn,
By these to cleanse his way;
And may I here the path discern
That leads to endless day.

HYMN 267. C. M.

Old Age approaching; or, Man Frail and Mortal. TERNAL GOD! enthron'd on high !

Ewhom angel hosts adore,

Who yet to suppliant dust art nigh,

Thy presence I implore.

2 Oh, guide me down the steep of age,
And keep my passions cool;
Teach me to scan the sacred page,
And practise ev'ry rule.

3 My flying years time urges on;
What's human must decay;

My friends, my young companions gone,
Can I expect to stay?

4 Can I exemption plead, when death
Projects his awful dart?

Can med'cines then prolong my breath,
Or virtue shield my heart?

5 Ah! no-then smooth the mortal hour,
On thee my hope depends;
Support me with almighty pow'r,

While dust to dust descends.

6 Then shall my soul, O gracious God!
(While angels join the lay,)

Admitted to the bless'd abode,
Its endless anthems pay;

7 Through heav'n, howe'er remote the bound,
Thy matchless love proclaim;
And join the choir of saints that sound,
Their great Redeemer's name.

HYMN 268. L. M.

The Aged Christian Rejoicing in a View of Heaven.

A The height some hill,

S when the weary trav'ller gains

His heart revives, when cross the plains,
He eyes his home, though distant still.
2 While he surveys the much-lov'd spot,
He slights the space that lies between ;
His past fatigues are now forgot,
Because his journey's end is seen.

3 Thus when the aged Christian views,
By faith, his mansion in the skies,

The sight his fainting strength renews,
And wings his speed to reach the prize.
4 The thought of home his spirit cheers,
No more he grieves for troubles past;
Nor any future trial fears,

So he may safe arrive at last.

5 'Tis there, he says, I am to dwell,
With Jesus in the realms of day;
Then I shall bid my cares farewell,
And he will wipe my tears away.

6 Jesus, on thee my hope depends,
To lead me on to thine abode :
Assur'd that heav'n will make amends,
For all my toil while on the road.

HYMN 269. L. M.

Desiring Heaven.

O more I ask, or hope to find,
Delight or happiness below:

Sorrow may well possess the mind,

That feeds where thorns and thistles grow.
2 The joy that fades is not for me,
I seek immortal joys above :
There, glory without end shall be
The bright reward of faith and love.
3 Cleave to the world, ye sordid worms,
Contented lick your native dust;
But God shall fight, with all his storms,
Against the idol of your trust.

HYMN 270. Eights and Sevens.

Praise for Redeeming Love.

ET us love, and sing, and wonder,

He has hush'd the Law's loud thunder,
He has quench'd mount Sinai's flame.
2 Let us love the Lord, who bought us,
Pity'd us when enemies;

Call'd us by his grace, and taught us,
Gave us ears, and gave us eyes.
3 Let us sing, tho' fierce temptation
Threaten hard to bear us down!
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
Holds in view the conq'ror's crown.
4 Let us wonder, grace and justice
Join and point to mercy's store;
When we trust in Christ our fortress,
Justice smiles and asks no more.