486.

C.M.-Watching for Souls, in the View of the great Account.
Heb. xiii. 17.

1 LET Zion's watchmen all awake,
And take the' alarm they give;
Now let them from the mouth of God
Their solemn charge receive.

2 'Tis not a cause of small import
The pastor's care demands;

But what might fill an angel's heart,
And fill'd a Saviour's hands.

3 They watch for souls, for which the Lord
Did heavenly bliss forego;
For souls, which must for ever live
In raptures, or in wo.

4 All to the great tribunal haste,

The' account to render there;

And should'st thou strictly mark our faults,
Lord, how should we appear?

5 May they that Jesus whom they preach,
Their own Redeemer see;
And watch thou daily o'er their souls,
That they may watch for thee.

487.

C.M.-Prayer for Ministers.

1 CHIEF Shepherd of thy chosen sheep,
From death and sin set free;

May every under shepherd keep
His intent on thee!
eye

2 With plenteous grace their hearts prepare,
To execute thy will:

Compassion, patience, love, and care,

And faithfulness and skill.

3 Inflame their minds with holy zeal
Their flocks to feed and teach;

And let them live and let them feel
The sacred truths they preach.

488.

L.M.-The People's Prayer for their Minister. 1 WITH heavenly power, O Lord, defend Him whom we now to thee commend; His person bless, his soul secure, And make him to the end endure. 2 Gird him with all-sufficient grace, Direct his feet in paths of peace; Thy truth and faithfulness fulfil, And help him to obey thy will. 3 Enlarge, inflame, and fill his heart, In him thy mighty power exert; That thousands yet unborn may praise The wonders of redeeming grace.

489.

S.M.-Ministerial Desires. 1 Thes. iii. 8.

1 BLEST Jesus, bow thine ear, While we entreat thy love;

2

3

4

O come, and all our hearts possess,
And our best passions move.

May we stand fast in thee,

Though storms and tempests beat;
And in thy guardian-arms obtain
A calm and safe retreat.

Still be thy truth maintain'd,
And still thy word obeyed,

And to the merits of thy blood
A constant homage paid.

So shall thy shepherds live,

And raise their cheerful head,
And, in such blessings on their flock,
Confess their toils repaid.

490.

C.M.-Christ's Care of Ministers and Churches. Rev. ii. 1. 1 WE bless the' eternal Source of light, Who makes the stars to shine;

And through this dark, beclouded world,
Diffuseth rays divine.

2 We bless the church's sovereign King,
Whose golden lamps we are;
Fix'd in the temples of his love,
To shine with radiance fair.
3 Still be our purity preserv'd;
Still fed with oil the flame;
And in deep characters inscrib’d
Our heavenly master's name.

4 Then, while between our ranks he walks, And all our state surveys,

His smiles shall with new lustre deck
The people of his praise.

491.

L.M.-Paul's Solicitude to finish his Course with Joy.Acts xx. 24.
1 ASSIST us, Lord, thy name to praise
For this rich gospel of thy grace;
And, that our hearts may love it more,
Teach them to feel its vital power.
2 With joy may we our course pursue,
And keep the crown of life in view;
That crown which in one hour repays
The labour of ten thousand days.

3 Should bonds or death obstruct our way,
Unmov'd their terrors we'll survey;
And the last hour improve for thee,
The last of life, or liberty.

4 Welcome those bonds, which may unite
Our souls to their supreme delight!

Welcome that death, whose painful strife
Bears us to Christ, our better life.

492.

C.M.-Christ's condescending Regard to little Children. Mark x. 14.
1 SEE Israel's gentle Shepherd stands
With all-engaging charms;

Hark! how he calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in his arms.

2" Permit them to approach," he cries,
"Nor scorn their humble name;
"For 'twas to bless such souls as these,
"The Lord of angels came."
3 We bring them, Lord, in thankful hands,
And yield them up to thee;
Joyful, that we ourselves are thine,
Thine let our offspring be.

4 Ye little flock, with pleasure hear;
Ye children seek his face;
And fly with transport to receive
The blessings of his grace.

5 If orphans they are left behind,
Thy guardian care we trust:

That care shall heal our bleeding hearts,
If weeping o'er their dust.

493.

L.M.-Prayer of Parents for themselves and their Children. 1 FATHER of all, by whom we are, For whom was made whatever is, Who hath entrusted to our care These candidates for glorious bliss. 2 Poor worms of earth, for help we cry, For grace to guide what grace has given; We ask for wisdom from on high

To train our infants up for heaven.

3 Them we may tend, severely kind,
As guardians of their thoughtless youth;
And plant thou in their tender mind
The principles of heavenly truth.

494.

L.M.-Prayer for Children.

1 THOU God of love and mercy, hear
Our grateful vows, our fervent prayer;
And with thy choicest favours bless,
And own as thine our infant race.
2 Incline their hearts to learn thy will,
Their opening minds with knowledge fill;
Impress thine image on their breast,
And guide them to eternal rest.

495.

C.M.-Joining the Church of Christ.

1 WITNESS, ye men and angels now,
Before the Lord we speak;

To him we make our solemn vow,
A vow we dare not break.

2 That long as life itself shall last,
Ourselves to Christ we yield;
Nor from his cause will we depart,
Or ever quit the field.

3 We trust not in our native strength,
But on his grace rely,

That, with returning wants, the Lord
Will all our need supply.

4 O guide our doubtful feet aright,
And keep us in thy ways;

And while we turn our vows to prayers, Turn thou our prayers to praise.

496.

C.M.-Self-Dedication. Ps. cxvi.

1 I LOVE the Lord;-He lent an ear When I for help implor'd;

He rescu'd me from all my fear,

Therefore I love the Lord.