O THOU,

127. C. M.

1

the wretched's sure retreat!

Who dost our cares control,

And with the cheerful smile of peace
Revive the fainting soul;

2

Did ever, Lord! thy gracious ear
The contrite prayer disdain?
Or when did misery humbly sigh,
Or supplicate in vain ?

3

Oppressed with grief and shame, dissolved In penitential tears,

Thy goodness calms our anxious doubts, And dissipates our fears.

4

New life from thy refreshing grace

The sinking heart receives:

O may we ne'er again offend
The God who thus forgives.

5

Thy grace hath caused celestial hope
To shine serenely bright,

And shed her soft and cheering beam
O'er sorrow's darkest night.

6

Our hearts adore thy mercy, Lord!
And bless the friendly ray,
Which ushers in the smiling morn
Of everlasting day.

128. L.M.

1

HAPPY the meek, whose gentle breast, Clear as the summer's evening ray, Calm as the regions of the blest, Enjoys on earth celestial day.

2

His heart no broken friendships sting,
No jars his peaceful tent invade;
He rests beneath the Almighty wing,
Hostile to none-of none afraid.

3

Spirit of Grace! all meek and mild,
Inspire our breasts, our souls possess ;
Repel each passion, rude and wild,
And bless us, as we aim to bless.

129. L. M.

1

WHERE Babel's rivers winding stray, A silent, cool retreat we chose ; There lost in thoughtful sadness lay, And pondered o'er our mighty woes.

2

No more could music sooth our cares; Our harps, neglected and unstrung, Vanished their once delightful airs, All silent on the willows hung.

3

Far from our dear loved native soil,
Shall we resume the pleasing lay 2
Can rugged bondage wear a smile,
Or ever-wasting grief be gay?

4

If I forget thy ruined state,

Jerusalem, my heart's desire! Then let my useless hand forget Her skill to strike the sounding lyre.

5

If I indulge a mirthful song,

Or thy dear name my memory leave, All silent let my faithless tongue Fast to my mouth forever cleave.

6

Jerusalem, lamented name!
Shall still my mournful voice employ ;
And I the sadly pleasing theme
Prefer to every thought of joy.

130. L. M.

1

"I AM the light," the Saviour said,
As he the rising sun surveyed,
When, from the east, its golden ray
On Salem rose and poured the day.

2

Unceasing praises, God of heaven,
For this great light, to thee be given :
From thee the blest instructer came,
And western lands have heard his name.

3

The truth, in all its fulness known,
We bow to him who reigns alone;
By angels and by men adored,
Jehovah, self-existent Lord.

131. P. M.

1

WHILE, with ceaseless course, the sun
Hasted through the former year,
Many souls their race have run,
Never more to meet us here.
Finished their probation's day,

They have done with all below;
We a little longer stay,

But how little none can know.

2

As the winged arrow flies

Speedily the mark to find; As the lightning from the skies

Darts, and leaves no trace behind; Swiftly thus our fleeting days

Bear us down life's rapid stream; Upwards, Lord! our spirits raise ; All below is like a dream.

3

Thanks for mercies past, receive;
Pardon of our sins renew;
Teach us henceforth how to live.
With eternity in view.