3 But God, who formed it pure at first,
Can raise the ruined soul;

He can subdue its raging thirst,
And its desires control.

4 How happy they who know His power To save and satisfy!

They shall outlive life's fading hour,
Their bliss shall never die.

286

Vain Hopes of the Wicked.

1 THE rush may rise where waters flow,
And flags beside the stream;
But soon their verdure fades and dies
Before the scorching beam.

2 So is the sinner's hope cut off;
Or, if it transient rise,

"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,
And fill their hearts with joy.

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,
The beauty of a day!

2 Soon are those earthly treasures lost
We fondly call our own;
Scarce can we the possession boast,
Before we find them gone.

3 But there are joys that cannot die,
With God laid up in store;
Treasures beyond the changing sky,
Brighter than golden ore.

4 The seeds which God's free grace and love Have scattered here below,

In the fair, fertile fields above.
To ample harvests grow.

288

False and True Hope. 1 As parched in the barren sands, Beneath a burning sky,

C.M.

The worthless bramble withering stands,
And only grows to die;

2 Such is the sinner's awful case,
Who makes the world his trust,
And dares his confidence to place
In vanity and dust.

3 A secret curse destroys his root,
And dries his moisture up;

He lives a while, but bears no fruit,
And dies without a hope.

4 But happy he whose hopes depend
Upon the Lord alone;

The soul who trusts in such a Friend
Can ne'er be overthrown.

289

Vanity of Life.

1 THE evils that beset our path,
Who can prevent or cure?

We stand upon the brink of death,
When most we seem secure.

2 Disease and pain invade our health,
And find an easy prey;

And oft, when least expected, wealth
Takes wings, and flies away.

3 A fever or a blow can shake
Our wisdom's boasted rule;
And of the brightest genius make
A madman or a fool.

4 Since sin has filled the earth with woe,
And creatures fade and die,

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!
How false and yet how fair!

Each pleasure has its poison too,
And every sweet a snare.

2 The brightest things below the sky
Give but a flattering light;

We should suspect some danger nigh,
Where we possess delight.

3 Our joys may hide a specious snare,
Set for our heedless feet;

The rose a piercing thorn may wear,
A sting protect the sweet.

C.M.

4 But they who God's sweet mercy know,
And live beneath His love,

Shall have their needs supplied below,
And praise their God above.

291 Broad and Narrow Way.
1 THERE is a way that leads to death,
A way that many go,

In spite of all that Wisdom saith
Of sin and endless woe.

2 The way is smooth, and fair, and broad,
'Tis pleasant to the sight;

But woe to those who take this road;
It leads to endless night.
3 A narrow way there likewise is,
That leads to joys above;

But few, alas! do travel this;
"Tis not the way they love.

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.
(Matt. vii.)

1 EARTH is a wilderness of sand,
With driving winds on every hand :
How many build their houses here,
Nor seem the coming storm to fear!
2 There is a sure Foundation-Stone;
May we be builded thereupon!

L.M.

Then shall we stand the last dread shock, Safe on the everlasting Rock.

293 Shadows and Substance.
1 TINSELS may appear to charm us,
Glittering toys may catch our eye;
But they cannot feed nor warm us,
Nor can purchase solid joy.

2 Hungry souls, who seek for pleasure
In confusion, show, and noise,
Ever miss the sterling treasure,
Never find the heavenly prize.
3 Far above the world's distraction,
We must look for lasting bliss
For the world, by many an action,
Only lures us to distress.

4 Lord, 'tis Thou that must relieve us,
Thou alone that canst impart
Pleasures that shall ne'er deceive us,
Satisfaction to the heart.

294

The Rich Fool.

1 WHILE a poor worldling boasted once,
As many now presume,

He heard the Lord Himself pronounce
His sudden, awful doom:

8.7.

C. M.

2 This night, vain fool, thy soul must pass Into a world unknown;

And who shall then the stores possess
Which thou hast called thine own?'
3 Thus blinded mortals fondly scheme
For happiness below;

Till death disturbs the pleasing dream,
And they awake to woe.