3 Dissolve thou the bonds that detain
My soul from her portion in thee;
Oh! strike off the adamant chain,
And make me eternally free.
4 Then shall the blest era begin,
When bright in thy glory I'll shine,
And no longer pierce with my sins
The bosom on which I recline.
Earnest looking for heavenly Rest.
I WOULD not live alway-I ask not to stay
Where storm after storm rises o'er the dark way:
The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here,
Are enough for life's woes-full enough for its
cheer.
2 I would not live alway; no-welcome the tomb,
Since Jesus has lain there, I dread not its gloom;
There, sweet be my rest, till he bid me arise,
To hail him in triumph descending the skies.
3 Who, who would live alway, away from his God, Away from yon heaven-that blissful abode, Where the rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains,
And the noon-tide of glory eternally reigns?—
4 Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet; While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul?
Providence of God in the Seasons.
PRAISE to God!-immortal praise,
For the love that crowns our days:
Bounteous Source of every joy,
Let thy praise our tongues employ.
2 All that spring, with bounteous hand,
Scatters o'er the smiling land;
All that liberal autumn pours
From her rich, o'erflowing stores,-
3 These, to that dear Source we owe
Whence our sweetest comforts flow;
These, through all my happy days,
Claim my cheerful songs of praise.
4 Lord, to thee my soul should raise
Grateful, never-ending praise;
And, when every blessing's flown,
Love thee for THYSELF alone.
GOD of the morning, at thy voice
The cheerful sun makes haste to rise,
And like a giant doth rejoice
To run his journey through the skies.
2 Oh! like the sun may I fulfil
Th' appointed duties of the day; With ready mind, and active will, March on, and keep my heavenly way.
ONCE more, my soul, the rising day
Salutes thy waking eyes:
Once more, my voice, thy tribute pay
To him who rules the skies.
2 'Tis he supports my mortal frame:
My tongue shall speak his praise;
My sins would rouse his wrath to flame,
And yet his wrath delays.
3 Great God, let all my hours be thine,
While I enjoy the light;
Then shall my sun in smiles decline,
And bring a peaceful night.
AWAKE, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth—and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
2 Glory to thee, who safe hast kept, And hast refreshed me while I slept: Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, may of endless life partake.
3 Lord, I my vows to thee renew;
Scatter my sins as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will, And with thyself my spirit fill.
GOD of my life, my morning song
To thee I cheerful raise:
Thy acts of love 'tis good to sing,
Ånd pleasant 'tis to praise.
2 Preserved by thy almighty arm,
I passed the shades of night,
Serene, and safe from every harm,
To see the morning light.
3 Oh let the same almighty care
Through all this day attend:
From every danger-every snare,
My heedless steps defend.
4 Smile on my minutes as they roll,
And guide my future days;
And let thy goodness fill my soul
With gratitude and praise.
LORD, in the morning thou shalt hear
My voice ascending high;
To thee will I direct my prayer,
To thee lift up mine eye;
2 Up to the hills, where Christ is gone
To plead for all his saints,
Presenting at his Father's throne
Our songs and our complaints.
3 Thou art a God, before whose sight
The wicked shall not stand:
Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight,
Nor dwell at thy right hand.
4 But to thy house will I resort,
To taste thy mercies there;
I will frequent thine holy court,
And worship in thy fear.
5 Oh may thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness;
Make every path of duty straight,
And plain before my face.
BEHOLD the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.
2 But where the gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light,
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.
3 How perfect is thy word!
And all thy judgments just!
Forever sure thy promise, Lord,
And we securely trust.
4 My gracious God, how plain
Are thy directions given!
Oh! may I never read in vain,
But find the path to heaven.
God the Preserver of Men.
THROUGH all the dangers of the night,
Preserved, O Lord, by thee,
Again we hail the cheerful light,
Again we bow the knee.
2 Oh! may the beams of truth divine,
With clear, convincing light,
In all our understandings shine,
And chase our mental night.
3 Preserve us, Lord, throughout the day,
And guide us by thine arm;
For they are safe, and only they,
Whom thou dost save from harm.
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