3 If light attend the course I run,
"Tis he provides those rays;
And 'tis his hand that hides my sun,
If darkness cloud my days.

4 Yet I would not be much concerned,
Nor vainly long to see

The volumes of his deep decrees
What months are writ for me.

5 When he reveals the book of life,
O, may I read my name
Amongst the chosen of his love,
The followers of the Lamb!

161

C. M.

WATTS.

Melancholy removed. Ps. 126.

1 WHEN God revealed his gracious name, And changed my mournful state,

My rapture seemed a pleasing dream,
The grace appeared so great.

2 The world beheld the glorious change,
And did thy hand confess;

My tongue broke out in unknown strains, And sung surprising grace.

3 "Great is the work," my neighbors cried, And owned the power divine;

"Great is the work," my heart replied, "And be the glory thine."

4 The Lord can clear the darkest skies,
Can give us day for night,

Make drops of sacred sorrow rise
To rivers of delight.

5 Let those that sow in sadness wait

Till the fair harvest come;

They shall confess their sheaves are great, And shout the blessings home.

162

L. M.

WATTS.

Sickness healed and Sorrow removed. Ps. 30.

1 I WILL extol thee, Lord, on high;
At thy command diseases fly :
Who but a God can speak and save
From the dark borders of the grave?
2 Sing to the Lord, ye saints of his,
And tell how large his goodness is;
Let all your powers rejoice, and bless
While you record his holiness.

3 His anger but a moment stays;
His love is life and length of days;
Though grief and tears the night employ,
The morning star restores the joy.

163

S. M.

DODDRIDGE

God's Care a Remedy for ours.

1 HOW gentle God's commands!

How kind his precepts are!

"Come, cast your burdens on the Lord, And trust his constant care."

2 While Providence supports,

Let saints securely dwell;

That hand, which bears all nature up,
Shall guide his children well.

3 Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?

Haste to your heavenly Father's throne,
And sweet refreshment find.

4 His goodness stands approved
Down to the present day;
I'll drop my burden at his feet,
And bear a song away.

164

L. M.

J. FAWCETT.

"As thy Day, so shall thy Strength be."

1 AFFLICTED saint, to God draw near; Thy Father's gracious promise hear; His faithful word declares to thee,

That "as thy day, thy strength shall be."

2 Let not thy heart despond, and say,
"How shall I stand this trying day?"
He has engaged, by firm decree,

That "as thy day, thy strength shall be." 3 Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong; And if the conflict should be long, The Lord will make the tempter flee; For "as thy day, thy strength shall be." 4 When called by him to bear the cross, Or sore affliction, pain, or loss,

Or deep distress and poverty,

Still "as thy day, thy strength shall be."
5 When death at length appears in view,
His presence shall thy fears subdue;
He comes to set thy spirit free;

And "as thy day, thy strength shall be."

1 'TIS my happiness below
Not to live without the cross,
But the Savior's power to know,
Sanctifying every loss:

Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all,-
This is happiness to me.

COWPER.

2 God in Israel sows the seeds
Of affliction, pain, and toil:
These spring up, and choke the weeds
Which would else o'erspread the soil:
Trials make the promise sweet;

Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to his feet,

Lay me low, and keep me there.

166

C. M.

DODDRIDGE.

Assurance of the divine Presence and Help.

1 AND art thou with us, gracious Lord,
To dissipate our fear;

Dost thou proclaim thyself our God —
Our God forever near?

2 Doth thy right hand, which formed the earth, And bears up all the skies,

Stretch from on high its friendly aid,
When dangers round us rise?

3 On this support my soul shall lean,
And banish every care;

The gloomy vale of death must smile,
If God be with me there.

4 While I his gracious succor prove
'Midst all my various ways,

The darkest shades, through which I pass, Shall echo with his praise.

167

S. M.

DODDRIDGE.

The Discipline of Providence merciful.

1 HOW gracious and how wise
Is our chastising God!

And, O, how rich the blessings are,
Which blossom from his rod !

2 He lifts it up on high

With pity in his heart,

That every stroke his children feel
May grace and peace impart.

3 Instructed thus they bow,

And own his sovereign sway;
They turn their erring footsteps back

To his forsaken way.

4 His covenant love they seek,

And seek the happy bands,

That closer still engage their hearts

To honor his commands.

5 Dear Father, we consent
To discipline divine,

And bless the pains that make our souls
Still more completely thine.