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L.M.

And numbers here be born again, To dwell for ever near Thy throne. 395 * For Help and Blessing. 1 HERE, gracious God, before Thy feet, Friends to the young and Thee, we meet; Joined by the cord of mutual love, Bound by our loving Friend above. 2 Our hearts Thy throne of grace address Smile on our school, the children bless; Whilst we our humble labours lend, Thy glorious praises to extend. 3 May wisdom, zeal, and love inspire Our bosoms with the purest fire; While faith on Thine own Word relies, And hope looks joyful to the skies. 4 Grant us Thy presence, God of grace, While thus we meet before Thy face; And let us feel, before we part, Thy love diffused through every

396

Example of Jesus.

heart.

1 CHRIST was teaching all the day, Where the throng of hearers met, And at night retired to pray

On the Mount of Olivet.

2 He on no soft couch reposed,

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Through th' accustomed hours of sleep; But when other eyes were closed,

He awoke to pray and weep.

3 All the labours we have shared, O how poor, and little worth,

When with those so great compared,

Of our Saviour upon earth!

4 O may gratitude inspire

Him to follow now above!
Then our hearts will never tire
In those humble deeds of love.

397

Signs of Blessing.

1 OUR gracious Lord, now condescend
To bless the rising race;

O make their stubborn spirits bend
To Thy victorious grace!

2 How it delights our wondering eyes
To see Thy work proceed!

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And thanks from our poor hearts arise When Thou our prayers dost heed. 3 Continue, Lord, Thy gracious smile ; Our poor instruction bless;

And may we wait upon Thee still
To share renewed success.

398

Prayer for Blessing.

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1 ONCE more the gospel net is cast; Do Thou, O Lord, the effort own; We learn from disappointments past, To rest our hope on Thee alone. 2 Have mercy on our numerous youth, Who, young in years, are old in sin; And by Thy Spirit and Thy truth, Show them the state their souls are in. 3 O hear our prayer, and give us hope, That when Thy voice shall call us home,

Thou still wilt raise a people up

To love and praise Thee in our room! 399 Not by Man's Power. 1 How oft we feel an inward pain Because our words no entrance gain! 'Tis not by power of human word, But by the Spirit of the Lord.

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2 Now, Lord, Thy gracious power impart ; Arrest and melt some stubborn heart: Our sorrow then shall turn to joy, And Thy sweet praise our lips employ. 'By My Spirit.'

400

1 'Tis not by power, 'tis not by might,
But by Thy Spirit, Lord,

The heart receives the sacred light
That beams upon Thy Word.

2 Come then, O sacred Spirit, down,
Our feeble efforts bless;

Our souls refresh, our labours won,
And crown them with success.
3 And when within the silent tomb
We with our fathers rest,
May generations yet to come
Arise to call Thee blest!

401

Proverbs xxii. 6.

1 WHILE wicked men unite
Our youth to lead aside,

Be ours to show them wisdom's path,
In wisdom's path to guide.

2 Depending, Lord, on Thee
Our humble means to bless,

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We gladly join our hearts and hands,
And look for large success.

402

God's Word not Void.

1 Sow in the morn thy seed,

At eve hold not thy hand;

To doubt and fear give thou no heed,
Broadcast it o'er the land.

2 Beside all waters sow,

The highway furrows stock;
Drop it where thorns and thistles grow,
Scatter it on the rock.

3 The good, the fruitful ground,
Expect not here nor there:

O'er hill and dale by spots 'tis found;
Go forth then everywhere.

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4 Thou know'st not which may thrive,
The late or early sown ;
Grace keeps the precious germ alive,
When and wherever strewn.
5 Thou canst not toil in vain ;
Cold, heat, and moist, and dry,
Shall foster and mature the grain,
For garners in the sky.

6 Then, when the glorious end,
The day of God, is come,
The angel-reapers shall descend,
And sing the harvest home.'

403 Incitement to Labour.

1 Go, labour on; spend, and be spent ; Thy joy to do the Father's will:

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It is the way the Master went; Should not the servant tread it still? 2. Go, labour on; 'tis not for nought; Thy earthly loss is heavenly gain : Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not; The Master praises ;-what are men? 3 Toil on, and in thy toil rejoice :

For toil comes rest, for exile home;
Soon shalt thou hear the Bridegroom's voice,
The midnight cry, 'Behold, I come.

404

Fraternal Union.

1 BLEST be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love!
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

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2 Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.
3 We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
4 When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
5 This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;

While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

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