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I saw the wicked rise,

And felt my heart repine,

While haughty fools, with scornful eyes,
In robes of honour shine.

3 The tumult of my thoughts
Held me in deep suspense,
Till to thy house my feet were brought
To learn thy justice thence.
Thy word with light and pow'r
Did my mistakes amend;
I view'd the sinners' life before,
But here I learnt their end.

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LORD, at thy feet I bow;
My thoughts no more repine;
I call my GOD my portion now,
And all my powers are thine.

475. Ρ.Μ. MRS. STEELE.

The vicissitudes of providence.

THE gifts indulgent heav'n bestows,
Are variously convey'd;
The human mind, like nature, knows,
Alternate light and shade.

2 While changing aspects all things wear,
Can we expect to find

Unclouded sunshine all the year,
Or constant peace of mind?

3 More gaily smiles the blooming spring,
When wintry storms are o'er;
Retreating sorrow thus may bring

Delights unknown before.

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4 Then,

4 Then, christian! send thy fears away,
Nor sink in gloomy care;
Tho' clouds o'erspread the scene to-day,
To-morrow may be fair.

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476. L.M. MRS. STEELE.

WEARY

Resignation.

TEARY of these low scenes of night,
My fainting heart grows sick of

time,

Sighs for the dawn of sweet delight,
Sighs for a distant, happier clime!

2 Tis just, 'tis right; thus he ordains,
Who form'd this animated clod;
That needful cares, instructive pains,
May bring the restless heart to GOD.
3 In him, my soul! behold thy rest;
Nor hope fo for bliss below the sky
Come, resignation, to my breast,
And silence ev'ry plaintive sigh.
4 Then, cheerful shall my heart survey
The toils and dangers of the road;
And patient keep the heav'nly way,
Which leads me homeward to my GOD.

477. L.M. MRS. STEELE.
Consulatory reflections on providence.

1TIS wisdom, mercy, love divine,

Which. mingle blessings with our

cares:

And

And shall our thankless hearts repine
That we obtain not all our pray'rs?
2 From diffidence our sorrows flow:

Short-sighted mortals, weak and blind,
Bend down their eyes to earth and woe,
And doubt if providence be kind.

3 Should heav'n with ev'ry wish comply,
Say, would the grant relieve the care?
Perhaps the good for which we sigh,
Might change its name, and prove a snare.

4 Were once our vain desires subdu'd,
The will resign'd, the heart at rest;
In ev'ry scene we should conclude,
The will of heav'n is right, is best.
434. P.M. MRS. STEELE.:
Complete happiness not designed for man on earth.

1 PROVIDENCE, profusely kind,
Wheresoe'er you turn your eyes,
Bids you with a grateful mind
View a thousand blessings rise.
2 But, perhaps, some friendly voice
Softly whispers to your mind-
Make not these alone your choice,
Heav'n has blessings more refin'd.
3 Thankful own what you enjoy;
But a changing world like this,
Where a thousand fears annoy,
Cannot give you perfect bliss.

4 Perfect bliss resides above,
Far above yon azure sky;

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:

:

Bliss

Bliss that merits all your love,
Merits ev'ry anxious sigh.

5 What, like this, has earth to give?
O ye righteous! in your breast
Let the admonition live,

Nor on earth desire to rest.

6 When your bosom breathes a sigh,
Or your eye emits a tear,
Let your wishes rise on high,
Ardent rise to bliss sincere.

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479. C. M. JERVIS.

Consolatory vierus of nature and providence.

THE GOD of heav'n is

kind and just:

O let not man complain,
His righteous providence distrust,
His high decrees arraign.

2 Though clouds should darken all the scen

Be this thy steadfast aim,
Still to preserve a mind serene,

And free from guilt and shame.

3 The lowliest flow'rs that deck the field,
Thy mute instructors are;
And wholesome admonition yield
Against corroding care.

4 Oh! listen to kind nature's voice:
To heav'n direct thine eyes;
There nobler objects claim thy choice,
And brighter prospects rise,

5 Far from anxiety and care,

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Still seek that blissful shore, Where discontent and dark despair Shall rend thy heart no more.

480. C.M. JERVIS.

GOD the only source of consolation.

TO calm the sorrows of the mind, Our heav'nly friend is nigh,

To wipe the anxious tear that starts,
Or trembles in the eye.

2 Thou canst, when anguish rends the heart, The secret woe control;

The inward malady canst heal,

The sickness of the soul.

3 Thou canst repress the rising sigh,
Canst sooth each mortal care;
And ev'ry deep and heart-felt groan
Is wafted to thine ear.

Thy gracious eye is watchful still;
Thy potent arm can save
From threat'ning danger and disease,

And the devouring grave.

5 When, pale and languid all the frame,
The ruthless hand of pain
Arrest the feeble pow'rs of life,
The help of man is vain.

6 'Tis thou, great GOD! alone canst check The progress of discase;

And sickness, aw'd by pow'r divine,
The high command obeys.

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7 Eternal

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