4 Then praise ye the LORD! prepare a glad

1

song;

And let all his saints in full concert join: With voices united the anthem prolong, And shew forth his praises with music divine.

325. Ρ.Μ. MRS. BARBAULD.

Devout aspirations.

GOD, our kind Master, merciful as just,

Knowing our frame, remembers man is dust:

His ear is open to the softest cry; His grace descends to meet the lifted eye. 2 He reads the language of the silent tear, And sighs are incense from a heart sincere: He marks the dawn of ev'ry virtuous aim, And fans the smoking flax into a flame.

3 Oh! set me from all earthly bondage free! Still ev'ry wish that centres not in thee: Bid my fond hopes, my vain disquiet cease, And point my path to everlasting peace.

1

I

326. P. M. MRS. BARBAULD.

The same subject.

F friendless in the vale of tears I stray,
Where briars wound, and thorns perplex

my way,

Still let my steady soul thy goodness see, And with strong confidence lay hold on thee.

2. In ev'ry creature, Lord, I own thy pow'r; In each event thy providence adore: Thy promises shall cheer my drooping soul, Thy precepts guide me, and thy fear con

trol.

3 Then, when at last I quit this transient

1

scene,

Help me to leave it with a heart serene: Teach me to fix my ardent hopes on high, And, having liv'd to thee, in thee to die.

327. L.M. MRS. STEELE.

Trust in the divine promises and perfections.

THY promises are large and free,
To humble souls who seek thy face:
O where for refuge can I flee,
My God! but to thy throne of grace?

2 My thoughts recal thy favours past,
In many a dark and trying hour:
Thy kind support my heart confess'd,
And own'd thy wisdom, love and pow'r.
3 And still these bright perfections shine:
Eternal their unclouded rays :
Unchanging faithfulness is thine,
And just and right are all thy ways.

328. P.M. MRS. MASTERS.

1

T

The pleasures of religion.

IS religion that can give
Sweetest pleasures while we

2

1

'Tis religion must supply
Solid comforts when we die.

After death its joys will be
Lasting as eternity:
Let me then make God my friend,
And on all his ways attend.

329. P.M. MISS DAY.

Attendance upon religious institutions.

I'LL bless JEHOVAH's glorious name, Whose goodness heav'n and earth proclaim,

With ev'ry morning light:
And at the close of every day,
To him my cheerful homage pay,
Who guards me thro' the night.

Then in his temple to appear,
And pay my humble worship here,
Shall be my sweet employ :
The day that saw my Saviour rise,
Shall dawn on my delighted eyes
With pure and holy joy.

3 With grateful sorrow in my breast,
I'll celebrate the dying feast
Of my departing LORD;
And while his perfect love I view,
His bright example I'll pursue,
And meditate his word.

330. C.M. MRS. STEELE.

COME

Entreating the presence of GOD in bis churches. NOME, thou desire of all thy saints! Our humble strains attend, While with our praises and complaints Low at thy feet we bend.

2 How should our songs, like those above,
With warm devotion rise!
How should our souls, on wings of love,
Mount upward to the skies!

3 Dear Father! let thy glory shine,
And fill thy dwellings here;
Till life, and love, and joy divine,
Make earth a heav'n appear.

1

331. L.M. MRS. STEELE.

THOU

Life and safety in GOD alone.

HOU only sov'reign of my heart, My refuge, my almighty friend !And can my soul from thee depart, On whom alone my hopes depend? 2 Eternal life thy words impart, On these my fainting spirit lives: Here sweeter comforts cheer my heart, Than all the round of nature gives.

1

332. S.M. MRS. STEELE.

Imploring the presence of GOD.
source of all my joys,

DEAR

And solace of my care;
O wilt thou hear my plaintive voice,
And grant my humble pray'r!

2 All envious clouds remove;
Thy cheering light restore :
Confirm my int'rest in thy love,
Till I can doubt no more.

3 Then if my troubles rise,
To thee, my GOD! I'll flee,
And raise my hopes above the skies,
And cast my cares on thee.

1

333. L.M. MRS. STEELE.

Trust in the divine merey.

INDULGENT still to my request,
How free thy tender mercies are!
With full consent my thoughts attest,
My gracious GOD! thy faithful care.

2 The hand that holds the rod, I see;
That gentle hand I must adore:
That goodness how divinely free,
Which my expectant hopes implore!

3 Thy hand sustains me lest I faint,
Or at the needful stroke repine :
Thine ear attends to my complaint;
The tenderest pity, LORD is thine.

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334. С.М.