The Baptist hymnal

And wander wide and long,

And with His light thou shalt be blest, 3 And though we turn us from Thy face,
Therein to work and live;
And He shall be to thee a rest
When evening hours arrive.

THERE'S not a bird with lonely nest,

Thou hold'st us still in kind embrace,
O Love of God most strong!

4 The saddened heart, the restless soul,
The toil-worn frame and mind,
Alike confess Thy sweet control,
O Love of God most kind!
And filled and quickened by Thy breath,
Our souls are strong and free,
To rise o'er sin and fear and death,
O Love of God, to Thee!

In pathless wood or mountain crest, 5
Nor meaner thing, which does not share,
O God, in Thy paternal care.

2 Each barren crag, each desert rude,
Holds Thee within its solitude;

And Thou dost bless the wanderer there, 73
Who makes his solitary prayer.

3 In busy mart or crowded street,

No less than in the still retreat,
Thou, Lord, art near, our souls to bless
With all a parent's tenderness!

4 And every moment still doth bring
Thy blessings on its loaded wing:
Widely they spread through earth and
And last through all eternity!
[sky,

5 And we, where'er our lot is cast,
While life, and thought, and feeling last,
Through all our years, in every place,
Will bless Thee for Thy boundless grace.
B. W. NOEL.

[cend

2 Thy ways are love; though they trans-
Our feeble range of sight,
They wind through darkness to their end
In everlasting light.

3 Thy thoughts are love, and Jesus is
The loving voice they find;
His love lights up the vast abyss
Of the Eternal Mind.

Thy chastisements are love; more deep
They stamp the seal divine;
And by a sweet compulsion keep
Our spirits nearer Thine.

5 Thy heaven is the abode of love;
O blessèd Lord, that we

May there, when time's dim shades remove,

Be gathered home to Thee!

6 Then with Thy resting saints to fall
Adoring round Thy throne,
When all shall love Thee, Lord, and all
Shall in Thy love be one.

ELIZA SCUDDER.

C.M.

THY goodness, Lord, our souls confess,
Thy goodness we adore;

A spring whose blessings never fail,
A sea without a shore.

Sun, moon, and stars Thy love attest
In every golden ray:

Love draws the curtains of the night,
And love returns the day.

3 Thy bounty every season crowns,
With all the bliss it yields;

With joyful clusters loads the vines,
With strengthening grain the fields.
But chiefly Thy compassion, Lord,
Is in the Gospel seen;

There, like a sun, Thy mercy shines,
Without a cloud between.

Pardon, acceptance, peace, and joy,
Through Jesus' Name are given;
He on the cross was lifted high,
That we might reign in heaven.
T. GIBBONS.

L.M.

TRIUMPHANT, Lord, Thy goodness

reigns

Through all the wide celestial plains;
And its full streams redundant flow
Down to the abodes of men below.

2 Through nature's works its glories shine,
The cares of providence are Thine;
And grace erects our ruined frame
A fairer temple to Thy name.

3 O give to every human heart,
To taste and feel how good Thou art,
With grateful love, and reverent fear,
To know how blest Thy children are!
4 Let nature burst into a song:

Ye echoing hills the notes prolong:
Earth, seas, and stars your anthem
raise.

All vocal with your Maker's praise.
5 Ye saints, with joy the theme pursue,
Its sweetest notes belong to you;
Called by your condescending King
For ever round His throne to sing.
DODDRIDGE.

YES

L.M.

CS, God is good; in earth and sky,
From ocean depths and spreading
wood

Ten thousand voices seem to cry,
"God made us all, and God is good."

2 The sun that keeps his trackless way, And downward pours his golden flood; Night's sparkling hosts, all seem to say, In accents clear, that God is good. 3 The merry birds prolong the strain, Their song with every spring renewed; And balmy air, and falling rain, Each softly whisper, "God is good." I hear it in the rushing breeze; The hills that have for ages stood, The echoing sky and roaring seas,, All swell the chorus, "God is good." 5 Yes, God is good, all nature says, By God's own hand with speech dued;

en-78

And man, in louder notes of praise,
Should sing for joy that God is good.
6 For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,
But chiefly for our heavenly food;
Thy pardoning grace, Thy quickening
Word:

These prompt our song that "God is 2
good!"

J. H. GURNEY.

GOD IN HIS WORKS.

CREATION.

C.M.

ETERNAL Wisdom! Thee we praise,

Thee the creation sings;

With Thy loved name rocks, hills, and

seas,

And heaven's high palace rings.

2 Thy hand, how wide it spreads the sky! How glorious to behold!

Tinged with a blue of heavenly dye, And starred with sparkling gold.

3 Thy glories blaze all nature round, And strike the wondering sight, Through skies, and seas, and solid ground,

With terror and delight.

4 Infinite strength and equal skill
Shine through Thy works abroad;
Our souls with vast amazement fill,
And speak the builder, God.

5 But the mild glories of Thy grace,
Our softer passions move;

Pity divine in Jesus' face,
We see, adore, and love.

WATTS.

8.6.8.6.8.8.

SINCE o'er Thy footstool, here below, Such radiant gems are strewn,

O what magnificence must glow, Great God, about Thy throne! So brilliant here these drops of light; There the full ocean rolls, how bright! If night's blue curtain of the sky, With thousand stars inwrought, Hung like a royal canopy With glittering diamonds fraught, Be, Lord, Thy temple's outer veil, What splendour at the shrine must dwell! 3 The dazzling sun at noonday hour, Forth in his flaming rays, Flinging o'er earth the golden shower, Till vale and mountain blaze,

But shows, O Lord, one beam of Thine; What, then, the day where Thou dost shine!

4 O how shall these dim eyes endure
That noon of living rays?
Or how our spirits, so impure,
Upon Thy glory gaze?

Anoint, O Lord, anoint our sight,
And fit us for that world of light.
W. A. MUHLENBERG.

C.M.

THERE is a book who runs may read, Which heavenly truth imparts; And all the lore its scholars need, Pure eyes and Christian hearts.

2 The works of God above, below,
Within us, and around,

Are pages in that book to show
How God Himself is found.

3 The glorious sky, embracing all,
Is like the Maker's love,
Wherewith encompassed, great and small
In peace and order move,

4 One name, above all glorious names,
With its ten thousand tongues,
The everlasting sea proclaims,
Echoing angelic songs.

5 The raging fire, the roaring wind,
Thy boundless power display;
But in the gentler breeze we find
Thy Spirit's viewless way.

6 Thou, who hast given me eyes to see And love this sight so fair,

Give me a heart to find out Thee,
And read Thee everywhere.

J. KEBLE.

THE spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame, 4
Their great Original proclaim.

2 The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Doth his Creator's power display;
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty hand.
3 Soon as the evening shades prevail.
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly, to the listening earth,
Repeats the story of her birth;

4 Whilst all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
5 What though in solemn silence all
Move round this dark terrestrial ball;
What though no real voice nor sound
Amidst their radiant orbs be found;-
6 In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice;
For ever singing as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine.'
ALDISON.

THOU art, O God, the life and light

Of all this wondrous world we see: Its glow by day, its smile by night, Are but reflections caught from Thee: Where'er we turn, Thy glories shine, And all things fair and bright areThine. 2 When day, with farewell beam, delays Among the opening clouds of even, And we can almost think we gaze Through golden vistas into heaven: Those hues, that make the sun's decline So soft, so radiant, Lord, are Thine. 3 When night with wings of starry gloom O'ershadows all the earth and skies, Like some dark beauteous bird whose plume

Is sparkling with unnumbered eyes; That sacred gloom, those fires divine, So grand, so countless, Lord, are Thine. 4 When youthful spring around breathes,

Thy Spirit warms her fragrant sigh, And every flower the summer wreathes Is born beneath that kindling eye,Where'er we turn, Thy glories shine, And all things fair and bright are Thine. T. MOORE.

TE thank Thee, Lord, for this fair
earth,

The glittering sky, the silver sea;
For all their beauty, all their worth,
Their light and glory, come from Thee.

2 Thine are the flowers that clothe the ground,

The trees that wave their arms above, The hills that gird our dwellings round, As Thou dost gird Thine own with love

3 Yet teach us still how far more fair,
More glorious, Father, in Thy sight,
Is one pure deed, one holy prayer,
One heart that owns Thy Spirit's might.
So while we gaze with thoughtful eye
On all the gifts Thy love has given,
Help us in Thee to live and die,
By Thee to rise from earth to heaven

COTTON.

L.M.

How precious, Lord, these gifts of Thine!
Yet sweeter messages they tell,
These earnests of delights divine.

2 Yes! glory out of glory breaks,
More than the gift itself is given;
Each gift a glorious promise makes;
Thine earth doth prophesy of heaven.
These mighty hills we joy to climb,
These happy streams we wander by,
Reveal the eternal hills sublime-
Of God's own river prophesy.

4 These odours blest, these gracious flowers,

These sweet sounds that around us rise, Give tidings of the heavenly bowers, Prelude the angelic harmonies.

5 And in these gracious ones so dear, These just souls that our souls make

Before Thy throne of grace:

6 Then shall I close mine eyes in death, 2 Our vows, our prayers we now present
Without one anxious fear;
For death itself is life, my God,
If Thou art with me there.

He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.

2 Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will."

3 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace,
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

5 His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

6 Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

death,

Thy presence is my stay;

A word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.

Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows;
Thine oil anoints my head.

5 The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;

O may Thy house be mine abode,
And all my work be praise !

6 There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, or a guest,
But like a child at home.

God of our fathers! be the God

Of their succeeding race.

3 Through each perplexing path of life
Our wandering footsteps guide:
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.

4 O spread Thy covering wings around,
Till all our wanderings cease,
And at our Father's loved abode
Our souls arrive in peace.

5 Such blessings from Thy gracious hand

Our humble prayers implore; And Thou shalt be our chosen God And portion evermore.

DODDRIDGE.

GOD, on Thee we all depend, On Thy paternal care;

C.M.

Thou wilt the Father and the Friend In every act appear.

2 With open hand and liberal heart,
Thou wilt our wants supply:

The needful blessings still impart,
And no good thing deny.

3 Our Father knows what's good and fit,

And wisdom guides His love;
To Thine appointments we submit,
And every choice approve.

4 In Thy paternal love and care,
With cheerful hearts we trust;
Thy tender mercies boundless are,
And all Thy thoughts are just.

5 We cannot want while God provides; What He ordains is best;

And heaven, whate'er we want besides, Will give eternal rest.

BROWNE.

8.7.

THE King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;

I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine, for ever.

2 Where streams of living waters flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.
4 In death's dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

5 And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house for ever!

H. W. BAKER.

THE Lord my Shepherd is,
I shall be well supplied:
Since He is mine and I am His,
What can I want beside?

2 He leads me to the place

Where heavenly pasture grows, Where living waters gently pass, And full salvation flows.

3 If e'er I go astray,

He doth my soul reclaim,

S.M.

3 Trust we to youth, or friends, or power?
Fix we on this terrestrial ball?
When most secure, the coming hour,
If Thou seest fit, may blast them all."
4 When lowest sunk with grief and shame,
Filled with affliction's bitter cup.
Lost to relations, friends, and fame,
Thy powerful hand can raise us up.
5 All things on earth, and all in heaven,
On Thy eternal will depend;

And all for greater good were given,
And all shall in Thy glory end!

And guides me in His own right way, 6 This be my care, to all beside

For His most holy name.

4 While He affords His aid,

I cannot yield to fear;

Though I should walk through death's

dark shade,

My Shepherd's with me there.

5 In sight of all my foes

Thou dost my table spread, My cup with blessings overflows, And joy exalts my head.

6 The bounties of Thy love

Shall crown my following days; Nor from Thy house will I remove, Nor cease to speak Thy praise.

THE Lord my pasture shall prepare,

Indifferent let my wishes be,
Passion be calm, and dumb be pride,
And fixed, O God! my soul on Thee!
8. COLLETT.

And feed me with a shepherd's care;
His presence shall my wants supply,
And guard me with a watchful eye;
My noonday walks He shall attend,
And all my midnight hours defend.
2 When in the sultry glebe I faint,
Or on the thirsty mountain pant,
To fertile vales and dewy meads
My weary, wandering steps He leads,
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow.
3 Though in a bare and rugged way,
Through devious, lonely wilds I stray,
Thy presence shall my pains beguile;
The barren wilderness shall smile
With sudden green and herbage crowned;
And streams shall murmur all around. 2
4 Though in the paths of death I tread,
With gloomy horrors overspread,
My steadfast heart shall fear no ill,
For Thou, O Lord, art with me still;
Thy friendly hand shall give me aid,
And guide me through the dreadful
shade.

Of life's mistaken ill or good,
Thy hand, O God! conducts unseen
The beautiful vicissitude.

2 Thou givest with paternal care,
Howe'er unjustly we complain,
And 'tis the necessary share

Of joy and sorrow, health and pain.

They best and safest may abide.
They neither know nor trace the way;
But, trusting to Thy piercing eye,
None of their feet to ruin stray,
Nor shall the weakest fail or die.

5 My favoured soul shall meekly learn
To lay her reason at Thy throne;
Too weak Thy secrets to discern,
I'll trust Thee for my guide alone.
AMBROSE SERLE.

WHE

C.M.

THEN all Thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love, and praise.
Unnumbered comforts on my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceived

From whom those comforts flowed.
When in the slippery paths of youth
With heedless steps I ran,

Thine arm, unseen, conveyed me safe,
And led me up to man.

When worn with sickness, oft hast Thou
With health renewed my face:
And, when in sins and sorrows sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.

5 Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,"
That tastes those gifts with joy.

6 Through every period of my life
Thy goodness I'll pursue;
And, after death, in distant worlds
The glorious theme renew.

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