The Charms of Virtue imperishable.
1 ALL earthly charms, however dear,
Howe'er they please the eye or ear,
Will quickly fade and fly;
Of earthly glory faint the blaze,
And soon the transitory rays
In endless darkness die.
2 The nobler beauties of the just
Shall never moulder in the dust,
Or know a sad decay;
Their honors time and death defy,
And round the throne of heaven on high
Beam everlasting day.
An independent and happy Life.
1 How happy is he born or taught,
Who serveth not another's will;
Whose armor is his honest thought,
And simple truth his highest skill!
2 Whose passions not his masters are;
Whose soul is still prepared for death;
Not tied unto the world with care
Of prince's ear or vulgar breath!·
3 Who God doth late and early pray
More of his grace than goods to lend,
And walks with man, from day to day,
As with a brother and a friend!
4 This man is freed from servile bands
Of hope to rise, or fear to fall;
Lord of himself, though not of lands,
And having nothing, yet hath all.
1 THRICE happy souls, who, born from heaven, While yet they sojourn here,
Do all their days with God begin,
And spend them in his fear.
2 'Midst hourly cares, may love present
Its incense to thy throne;
And while the world our hands employs,
Our hearts be thine alone.
3 As sanctified to noblest ends,
Be each refreshment sought,
And by each various providence
Some wise instruction brought.
4 When to laborious duties called,
Or by temptations tried,
We'll seek the shelter of thy wings,
And in thy strength confide.
5 As different scenes of life arise,
Our grateful hearts would be
With thee amidst the social band,
In solitude with thee.
6 In solid, pure delights, like these,
Let all our days be passed;
Nor shall we then impatient wish,
Nor shall we fear, the last.
Fortitude founded on godly Fear.
1 BLEST is the man who fears the Lord;
His well-established mind,
In every varying scene of life,
Shall true composure find.
2 Oft through the deep and stormy sea
The heavenly footsteps lie;
But on a glorious world beyond
His faith can fix its eye.
3 Though dark his present prospects be,
And sorrows round him dwell,
Yet hope can whisper to his soul,
That all shall issue well.
4 Full in the presence of his God,
Through every scene he goes,
And, fearing him, no other fear
His steadfast bosom knows.
1 Ан, wretched souls, who strive in vain, Slaves to the world, and slaves to sin! A nobler toil may I sustain,
A nobler satisfaction win.
2 May I resolve, with all my heart,
With all my powers, to serve the Lord;
Nor from his precepts e'er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.
3 O, be his service all my joy!
Around let my example shine,
Till others love the blest employ,
And join in labors so divine.
4 O, may I never faint nor tire,
Nor, wandering, leave his sacred ways:
Great God, accept my soul's desire,
And give me strength to live thy praise.
1 REJOICE, believer, in the Lord,
Who makes your cause his own;
The hope that's built upon his word
Can ne'er be overthrown.
2 Weak as you are, you shall not faint,
Or, fainting, shall not die;
For God, the strength of every saint,
Will aid you from on high.
3 Though sometimes unperceived by sense,
Faith sees him always near,
A Guide, a Glory, a Defence;
Then what have you to fear?
4 As surely as Christ overcame,
And triumphed once for you,
So surely you that love his name
Shall triumph in him too.
1 GIVE to the winds thy fears;
Hope and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.
2 Through waves, through clouds and storms, He gently clears thy way;
Wait thou his time, so shall the night
Soon end in joyous day.
3 He every where hath rule,
And all things serve his might;
His every act pure blessing is,
His path unsullied light.
4 Thou comprehend'st him not;
Yet earth and heaven tell,
God sits as sovereign on the throne;
He ruleth all things well.
5 Thou seest our weakness, Lord;
Our hearts are known to thee:
O, lift thou up the sinking hand,
Confirm the feeble knee!
Warning against Slothfulness.
1 O ISRAEL, to thy tents repair!
Why thus secure on hostile ground?
Thy Lord commands thee to beware,
For many foes thy camp surround.
2 O, sleep not thou, as others do;
Awake, be vigilant, be brave;
The coward and the sluggard too
Must wear the fetters of the slave.
3 A nobler lot is cast for thee;
A crown awaits thee in the skies:
With such a hope shall Israel flee,
And yield, through weariness, the prize?
4 No! let a careless world repose,
And slumber on through life's short day, While Israel to the conflict goes,
And bears the glorious prize away.
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