I have no right to say,
That though I now am poor,
Yet once there was a day
When I possessed more:

Thou know'st that from my very birth
I've been the poorest wretch on earth.

Nor can I dare profess,

As beggars often do, Though great is my distress,

My faults have been but few:

If thou shouldst leave my soul to starve, It would be what I well deserve.

"Twere folly to pretend

I never begg'd before;
Or if thou now befriend,

I'll trouble thee no more:
Thou often hast reliev'd my pain,
And often I must come again.

Though crumbs are much too good
For such a dog as I,
No less than children's food
My soul can satisfy.

O do not frown and bid me go,
I must have all thou canst below.

Nor can I willing be

Thy bounty to conceal From others who, like me,

Their wants and hunger feel: I'll tell them of thy mercy's store, And try to send a thousand more.

Thy thoughts, thou only wise!

Our thoughts and ways transcend, Far as the arched skies

Above the earth extend:

Such pleas as mine men would not bear, But God receives a beggar's pray'r.

CLXXIII.

I Tim. ii. 1, 3

LORD, we are now assembled here,
And in thy presence stand,
To offer up united pray'r

For this our native land.

From evils near deliv'rance bring;
Guide those that hold the helm;
Support the state; preserve the king;
And spare the guilty realm

Or, should the dread decree be past,
And we must feel the rod;
May we continue to the last

To love and fear our God!

Whatever be our destin'd case,
Accepted in the Son,

May we adore thy sov'reign grace,

And say,

"God's will be done!

CLXXIV.

Exod. xvii. 9.

WHILE Joshua led the armed bands
Of Israel forth to war;
Moses apart with lifted hands
Engag'd in humble pray'r.

The armed bands had quickly fail'd,
And perish'd in the fight,

If Moses' pray'r had not prevail'd
To put the foes to flight.

When Moses' hands through weakness dropp'd,

The warriors fainted too :

Israel's success at once was stopp'd,
And Am'lek bolder grew.

A people, always prone to boast,
Were taught by this suspense,
That not a num'rous armed host,
But God, was their defence.

We now of fleets and armies vaunt,
And ships and men prepare;
But men like Moses most we want,
To save the state by pray❜r.

Yet, Lord, we hope thou hast prepar'd
A hidden few to-day,

(The nation's secret strength and guard) To weep, and mourn, and pray.

O hear their pray'rs, and grant us aid,
Bid war and discord cease;
Heal the sad breach which sin has made,
And bless us all with peace.

CLXXV.

"O that Ishmael might live before thee!"
Gen. xvii. 18.

GRACIOUS Lord, our children see,
By thy mercy we are free;

But shall these, alas! remain
Subjects still of Satan's reign?
Israel's young ones when of old
Pharaoh threat'ned to withhold;
Then thy messenger said, “No;
Let the children also go."

When the angel of the Lord,
Drawing forth his dreadful sword,
Slew, with an avenging hand,
All the first-born of the land;
Then thy people's door he pass'd,
Where the bloody sign was plac'd;
Hear us, now, upon our knees,
Plead the blood of Christ for thee,

Lord, we tremble, for we know How the fierce, malicious foe, Wheeling round his watchful flight, Keeps them ever in his sight ; Spread thy pinions, King of kings! Hide them safe beneath thy wings; Lest the rav'nous bird of prey Stoop, and bear the brood away.