277

October 3. C. M.

GOD'S GOODNESS-A MORNING SONG.

Warwick.

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness."— Isa. Ixi. 10.

1

DELIGHTFUL is the task to sing,
On each returning day,

The praises of our heavenly King,
And grateful homage pay.

2 The countless worlds, which, bathed in light,
Through fields of azure move,

Proclaim his wisdom and his might,
But oh, how great his love!

3 He deigns each broken, contrite heart
With tender care to bind;

And comfort, hope, and grace impart
To heal the wounded mind.

4 All creatures, with instinctive cry,
From God implore their food;
His bounty grants a rich supply,
And fills the earth with good.
5 Delightful is the task, O Lord!
With each returning day,
Thy countless mercies to record,
And grateful homage pay.

278

October 4. L. M.

Uxbridge.

CHRIST'S BENEFICENCE TO BE IMITATED.

"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good."-Acts x. 38.

1

WHEN Jesus dwelt in mortal clay,

What were his works from day to day
But miracles of power and grace,
That spread salvation through our race?
2 Teach us, O Lord, to keep in view
Thy pattern, and thy steps pursue;
Let alms bestowed, let kindness done,
Be witnessed by each rolling sun.

3 That man may LAST, but never LIVES,
Who much receives, but nothing gives,
Whom none can love, whom none can thank;
Creation's blot, creation's blank.

4 But he, who marks from day to day,
In generous acts his radiant way,
Treads the same path his Saviour trod,
The path to glory and to God.

279

October 5. L. M.

WHY STAND YE IDLE HERE?

Old Hundred.

"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."-Rom. xii. 11.

1

THE

God of glory walks his round,
From day to day, from year to year,
And warns us each, with awful sound,
"No longer stand ye idle here!

2 "Ye, whose young cheeks are rosy-bright,
Whose hands are strong, whose hearts are clear,
Waste not of hope the morning light!
Ah, why, why stand ye idle here?

3 "O, if the griefs ye would assuage
That wait on life's declining year,
Now seek a blessing for your age,
And work your Maker's business here!

4 0 thou, by all thy works adored,
To whom the sinner's soul is dear,
Recall us to thy vineyard, Lord,

And grant us grace to please thee here!

280 October 6.

L.M.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL ENJOYMENT.

Effingham.

"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him."-Ps. cxlv. 18, 19.

1

COME, Holy Spirit! calm my mind,

And fit me to approach my God; Remove each vain, each worldly thought, And lead me to thy blest abode.

2 Hast thou imparted to my soul

A living spark of holy fire?
Oh! kindle now the sacred flame,
Make me to burn with pure desire.
3 Impress upon my wandering heart

The love that Christ to sinners bore;
To mourn the wounds my sins produced,
And my Redeemer's love adore.

4 A brighter faith and hope impart,
And let me now my Saviour see;
Oh! soothe and cheer my burdened heart,
And bid my spirit rest in thee.

281

October 7. 7s.

SONG OF THE REDEEMED.

Benevento.

"And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."-Rev. v. 9.

1 WHAT are these in bright array,

This innumerable throng,

Round the altar night and day,
Hymning one triumphant song?
Worthy is the Lamb once slain,
Blessing, honor, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches, to obtain,

New dominion ever hour.

2 These through fiery trials trod,
These from great affliction came;
Now before the throne of God;
Sealed with his almighty name;
Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor-palms in every hand,
Through their dear Redeemer's might
More than conquerors they stand.
3 Hunger, thirst, disease unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed;
Them, the Lamb amidst the throne
Shall to living fountains lead:
Joys and gladness banish sighs,
Perfect love dispels all fears,
And for ever from their eyes,
God shall wipe away the tears.

282

October 8. L. M.

Alfreton.

THE GOLDEN RULE.

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."-Matt. vii. 12.

OH, blessed Saviour, how divine,

How righteous is this rule of thine!
To do to all men just the same
That we expect or wish from them.

2 This golden lesson, short and clear,
Should to each mind and heart be dear;
For every conscience must approve
This universal law of love.

3 How blessed would every nation be,
Thus ruled by love and equity!
All would be friends without a foe,
And form a paradise below.

4 Jesus, forgive us that we keep
Thy sacred law of love asleep;
No more let envy, wrath, or pride
But this blest maxim be our guide.

283 October 9. L. M.

DIVINE GOODNESS AND GUIDANCE.

Duke Street,

"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."-Ps. xlviii. 14.

1

OU

UR Father, God, once more we raise
To thee our supplicating cries;
For this new morn thy name we praise,
And bid devotion's incense rise.

2 We thank thee for all good bestowed,
For earthly joys and hopes of heaven;
Thy helping arm, thy guiding word,
And answered prayers, and sins forgiven.
3 Whene'er we walk on danger's height,
Or tread temptation's slippery way,
Be nigh, to lead our steps aright,
That word our guide, that arm our stay.

4 Be ours thy fear and favor still,
United hearts, unchanging love;
No scheme, that contradicts thy will,
No wish, that centres not above.

5 And since we must be parted here,
Support us when the hour shall come;
Wipe gently off the mourner's tear,
Rejoin us in our heavenly home.

284 October 10.

7s.

OUR TIMES IN THE HAND OF GOD.

Nuremburg.

"But I trusted in thee, O Lord: my times are in thy hand: make thy face to shine upon thy servant."-Ps. xxxi. 14, 15.

1

SOVEREIGN Ruler of the skies,

Ever gracious, ever wise!

All my times are in thy hand,
All events at thy command.

2 Thou didst form me at my birth;
Thou wilt guide me till my death;
All my times shall ever be
Ordered by thy wise decree:

3 Times of sickness, times of health;
Times of penury and wealth;
Times of trial and of grief;
Times of triumph and relief;

4 Times temptation's power to prove;
Times to taste a Saviour's love;
All must come, and last, and end,
As shall please my heavenly Friend.

285 October 11. C. M.

THE RICHES OF THE SCRIPTURES.

Rochester.

"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eter nal life and they are they which testify of me."-John v. 39.

1

ET avarice, from shore to shore,

LE

Her favorite god pursue;

Thy word, O Lord, we value more
Than India or Peru.