3 But God, who formed it pure at first, He can subdue its raging thirst, 4 How happy they who know His power To save and satisfy! They shall outlive life's fading hour, 286 Vain Hopes of the Wicked. 1 THE rush may rise where waters flow, 2 So is the sinner's hope cut off; "Tis like the spider's airy web, From every breath that flies. 3 This is the lot of wicked men, Who Heaven's high laws despise ; They quickly fall, and in their room As quickly others rise. 4 But for the just, with gracious care, God will His power employ; 287 C. M. He'll teach their lips to sing His praise, Earthly and Heavenly Joys. C. M. 1 THESE mortal joys, how soon they fade! How swift they pass away, The dying flower reclines its head, 2 Soon are those earthly treasures lost 3 But there are joys that cannot die, 4 The seeds which God's free grace and love Have scattered here below, In the fair, fertile fields above. 288 False and True Hope. 1 As parched in the barren sands, Beneath a burning sky, C.M. The worthless bramble withering stands, 2 Such is the sinner's awful case, 3 A secret curse destroys his root, He lives a while, but bears no fruit, 4 But happy he whose hopes depend The soul who trusts in such a Friend 289 Vanity of Life. 1 THE evils that beset our path, We stand upon the brink of death, 2 Disease and pain invade our health, And oft, when least expected, wealth 3 A fever or a blow can shake 4 Since sin has filled the earth with woe, C. M. Lord, draw our hearts from things below, And fix our hopes on high. 290 Vanity of all Below. 1 How vain are all things here below! Each pleasure has its poison too, 2 The brightest things below the sky We should suspect some danger nigh, 3 Our joys may hide a specious snare, The rose a piercing thorn may wear, C.M. 4 But they who God's sweet mercy know, Shall have their needs supplied below, 291 Broad and Narrow Way. In spite of all that Wisdom saith 2 The way is smooth, and fair, and broad, But woe to those who take this road; But few, alas! do travel this; 4 How blest are they whose feet are found In Wisdom's sacred way! C. M. They soon shall reach the happy ground, And there for ever stay. 292 Wise and Foolish Builders. 1 EARTH is a wilderness of sand, L.M. Then shall we stand the last dread shock, Safe on the everlasting Rock. 293 Shadows and Substance. 2 Hungry souls, who seek for pleasure 4 Lord, 'tis Thou that must relieve us, 294 The Rich Fool. 1 WHILE a poor worldling boasted once, He heard the Lord Himself pronounce 8.7. C. M. 2 This night, vain fool, thy soul must pass Into a world unknown; And who shall then the stores possess Till death disturbs the pleasing dream, |