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CCLXXXIV. L. M. NEWTON.
Martha and Mary. Luke x. 38—42.
ARTHA her love and joy express'd,
By care to entertain her guest;
While Mary sat to hear her Lord,
And could not bear to lose a word..
2 The principle in both the same,
Produc'd in each a diff'rent aim:
The one to feast the Lord was led,
The other waited to be fed..

3 But Mary chose the better part,
Her Saviour's words refresh'd her heart;
While busy Martha angry grew,
And lost her time and temper too.

4 With warmth she to her sister spoke,
But brought upon herself rebuke:

"One thing is needful, chiefly one, "Why do thy thoughts on many run ?” 3 How oft are we like Martha vex'd, Encumber'd, hurried, and perplex'd? While trifles so engross our thought, The one thing needful is forgot.

6 Lord, teach us this one thing to choose, Which they who gain can never lose ; Sufficient in itself alone,

And needful were the world our own

7 Let grov'ling hearts the world admire,
Thy love is all that I require!

Gladly I may the rest resign,
If the one needful thing be mine!

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CCLXXXV. L. M.

DODdridge.

Choosing the better part. Luke x. 42. BESET with snares on ev'ry hand,

In life's uncertain path I stand;
Saviour divine, diffuse thy light,
To guide my doubtful footsteps right.
2 Engage this roving treach'rous heart
To fix on Mary's better part;
To scorn the trifles of a day

For joys that none can take away.
3 Then let the wildest storms arise;
Let tempests mingle earth and skies;
No fatal shipwreck shall I fear,
But all my treasures with me bear.
4 If thou, my Jesus, still be nigh,
Cheerful I live, and joyful die;
Secure, when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in thee.

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BY

CCLXXXVI. L. M.

NEWTON.

Looking unto Jesus. Heb. xii. 2.

Y various maxims, forms and rules, That pass for wisdom in the schools, I strove my passions to restrain ; But all my efforts prov'd in vain. 2 But since the Saviour I have known, My rules are all reduc'd to one; To keep my Lord by faith in view; This strength supplies and motives too. 3 I see him lead a suff'ring life, Patient amidst reproach and strife; And from this pattern courage take To bear, and suffer for his sake.

4 Upon the cross I see him bleed,
And by the sight from guilt am freed;
This sight destroys the life of sin,
And quickens heav'nly life within.
5 To look to Jesus as he rose,
Confirms my faith, disarms my foes;
Satan I shame and overcome,
By pointing to my Saviour's tomb.
6 Exalted on his glorious throne,
I see him make
my cause his own;
Then all my anxious cares subside,
For Jesus lives and will provide.

CCLXXXVII. C. M.

NEWTON.

The heart taken. Luke xi. 21, 22,
THE castle of the human heart
Strong in its native sin;

Is guarded well in every part,
By him that dwells within.

2 For Satan there in arms resides,
And calls the place his own;
With care against assaults provides,
And rules as on a throne.

3 Each traitor-thought on him as chief
In blind obedience waits;
And pride, self-will, and unbelief,
Are posted at the gates.

4 Thus Satan for a season reigns,
And keeps his goods in peace

The soul is pleas'd to wear his chains,
Nor wishes a release.

5 But Jesus stronger far than he,

In his appointed hour,

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Appears to set his people free
From the usurper's pow'r.

"This soul I bought with blood," he says,
"And now it shall be mine;"
His voice the strong one arm'd dismays,
He knows he must resign.

In spite of unbelief and pride,
And self and Satan's art;

The gates of brass fly open wide,

And Jesus wins the heart.

CCLXXXVIII.

C. M.

NEWTON.

The worldling. Luke xii. 16, 21.

1. "MY barns are full, my stores increase,

"And now for many years,

“Soul, eat and drink, and take thinc case, "Secure from wants and fears."

2 Thus while a worldling boasted once,
As many now presume;

He heard the Lord himself pronounce,
His sudden awful doom.

3 "This night, vain fool, thy soul must pass "Into a world unknown;

And who shall then the stores possess,
"Which thou hast call'd thine own!"

Thus blinded mortals fondly scheme
For happiness below;

Till death disturbs the pleasing dream,
And they awake to woe.

3 Ah who can speak the vast dismay
That fills the sinner's mind,

When torn by death's strong hand away,
He leaves his all behind.

• Wretches, who cleave to earthly things,
But are not rich to God;

Their dying hour is full of stings,
And hell their dark abode.

7 Dear Saviour make us timely wise,
Thy gospel to attend ;

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That we may live above the skies,
When this poor life shall end.

CCLXXXIX. C. M.

NEWTON.

How shall I put thee among the children?

Jer. iii. 19.

ALAS! by nature how deprav'd,
How prone to ev'ry ill!

Our lives to Satan how enslav'd,
How obstinate our will!

2 And can such sinners be restor❜d, .
Such rebels reconcil'd?

Can grace itself the means afford

To make a foe a child?

3 Yes, grace has found the wondrous means
Which shall effectual' prove,
To cleanse us from our countless sins,
And teach our hearts to love.

4 Jesus for sinners undertakes,

And dies that they might live;
His blood a full atonement makes,
And cries aloud, "Forgive."

5 Yet one thing more must grace provide
To bring us home to God;
Or we shall slight the Lord, who died,
And trample on his blood.

6 The holy Spirit must reveal

The Saviour's work and worth:

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