Dear Saviour take this faithless heart, And let it ne'er from Thee depart!; Firm and unwav'ring, fixed on Thee. THE MOON AND THE CHURCH. "Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?-Canticles vi. 10. ORB of beauty! that on high With thy pale, yet radiant light, Through the long and cheerless night. Whence thy silvery lustre, say, With its soft and placid ray? "I am dark and black alone, And these beams are not my own, From the bright sun's glorious blaze And his light reflects on me, Church of Christ! thou lovely bride, Fairer than the shining moon, Clearer than the sun at noon; "I've no beauty of my own, I am vile and poor alone, All my loveliness I bring, Fresh and clear from Christ the Spring: He reflects His light on me, Clothes me in His purity. "When I weep he dries my tears, Soothes my sorrows, calms my fears, Guides me with His arm of love, When my wandering footsteps rove; "He has washed me in His blood, THE LAMB OF GOD. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." -1 Peter ii. 24. JESUS, thou spotless Lamb, My sins on thee were laid; With fearful weight they crushed and bowed Thy self-devoted head. They caused Thy bloody sweat, In dread Gethsemane; And forced the cry "My God, my God, Hast Thou forsaken me?" The fountain of Thy blood, Has washed my guilt away; Ciothed in this glorious dress, The Father looks with love; In this poor heart Thy Spirit dwellsThat bright celestial dove. Unspotted may I keep This robe from sin's dark stain; Living to righteousness alone, As dead, yet risen again. Still longing for the day, Saviour, when Thou shalt come, To her eternal home. THE SHEPHERD. "And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice."-John x. 4. JESUS, keep us near to Thee, Ever dwelling at Thy side, Teach us Saviour how to be, May we never wish to roam, We are foolish, silly sheep, Far from Thee we often stray; Bitter, painful fruits we reap, When we leave the narrow way. |