XXXI. ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER His master taken from his head, And in desponding accents said, But he forgot the Lord who lifts What! when a Paul has run his course, Is Israel left without resource? Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives, And shall be fed with what he gives XXXII. THE SHINING LIGHT My former hopes are fled, Ah, whither shall I fly? I hear the thunder roar; When I review my ways, I dread impending doom: But sure a friendly whisper says, I see, or think I see, A glimmering from afar; A beam of day, that shines for me, Forerunner of the sun, It marks the pilgrim's way; XXXIII. THE WAITING SOUL BREATHE from the gentle south, O Lord, I wish, thou know'st, to be resigned, Help me to reach the distant goal; Confirm my feeble knee; Pity the sickness of a soul That faints for love of thee! Cold as I feel this heart of mine, It yields some hope of life divine I seem forsaken and alone, And every door is shut but one, There, till the dear Deliverer come, XXXIV. SEEKING THE Beloved To those who know the Lord I speak; Is my Beloved near? The Bridegroom of my soul I seek, Oh! when will he appear? Though once a man of grief and shame, And bears the greatest, sweetest name Grace flies before, and love attends Though none can see him but his friends, He speaks; obedient to his call Then love in every heart would reign, Such Jesus is, and such his grace; And tell him, when you see his face, XXXV. LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS God moves in a mysterious way Deep in unfathomable mines He treasures up his bright designs, Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, His purposes will ripen fast, The bud may have a bitter taste, Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain : And he will make it plain. XXXVI. WELCOME CROSS 'Tis my happiness below Not to live without the cross, Trials must and will befall; But with humble faith to see God in Israel sows the seeds Trials make the promise sweet, Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to his feet, Lay me low, and keep me there. Did I meet no trials here, No chastisement by the way, Must not, would not, if he might. XXXVII. AFFLICTIONS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD Он, how I love thy holy word, What are the mines of shining wealth, Long unafflicted, undismayed, What though it pierced my fainting heart, Oh! hadst thou left me unchastised, I love thee, therefore, O my God, XXXVIII. TEMPTATION THE billows swell, the winds are high, Out of the depths to thee I call, My fears are great, my strength is small. O Lord, the pilot's part perform, And guard and guide me through the storm, Defend me from each threatening ill, Control the waves, say, "Peace! be still." Amidst the roaring of the sea My soul still hangs her hope on thee; Dangers of every shape and name |