HYMN 389. C. P. M. [#]
Contentment and Resignation.
1 Ir solid happiness we prize,
Within our breasts the jewel lies;
Nor need we roam abroad.
The world has little to bestow;
From pious hearts our joys must flow,
Hearts that delight in God.
2 To be resigned when ills betide,
Patient when favours are denied,
And pleased with favours given,-
This is the wise, the pious part,
This is that incense of the heart,
Whose fragrance reaches heaven.
3 Thus through life's changing scenes we'll go
Its chequered paths of joy and wa
With holy care we'll tread;
Quit its vain scenes without a tear,
Without a trouble or a fear,
And mingle with the dead.
ZEAL, FORTITUDE AND PRUDENCE.
HYMN 390. C. M. [#]
Zeal true and false.
1 ZEAL is that pure and heavenly flame,
The fire of love supplies;
While that which often bears the name
Is self in a disguise.
2 True zeal is merciful and mild,
Can pity and forbear;
The false is headstrong, fierce and wild,
And breathes revenge
3 While zeal for truth the Christian warms,
He knows the worth of peace;
But self contends for names and forms,
Its party to increase.
4 Zeal has attained its highest aim,
Its end is satisfied,
If sinners love the Saviour's name;
Nor seeks it aught beside.
5 But self, however well employed,
Has its own ends in view;
And says, as boasting Jehu cried,
Come, see what I can do.
6 Dear Lord, the idol self dethrone,
And from our hearts remove;
And let no zeal by us be shown,
But that which springs from love.
HYMN 391. L. M. [#]
Persecution and Intolerance absurd.
1 ABSURD and vain attempt to bind,
With iron chains, the free-born mind;
To force conviction, and reclaim
The wandering by destructive flame!
2 Bold arrogance, to snatch from heaven
Dominion not to mortals given;
O'er conscience to usurp the throne
Accountable to God alone!
3 Our Master's gentle law of love
Does no such cruelties approve;
Mild as himself, his doctrine wields
No arms but those persuasion yields.
4 By proofs divine, and reasons strong,
It draws the willing soul along;
And conquests to his truth acquires
By eloquence which heaven inspires.
HYMN 392. C. M. [#]
Zeal and Vigour in the Christian Race.
1 AWAKE, my soul, stretch every nerve,
And press with vigour on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
2 A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey:
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.
3 'Tis God's all-animating voice
That calls thee from on high;
"Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye;—
4 That prize, with peerless glories bright,
Which shall new lustre boast,
When victors' wreaths and monarchs' gems
Shall blend in common dust.
5 My soul, with all thy wakened powers,
Survey the heavenly prize;
Nor let the glittering toys of earth
Allure thy wandering eyes.
HYMN 393. L. M. [#]
Holy Resolution.
1 Aн, wretched souls, who strive in vain,
Slaves to the world, and slaves to sin!
A nobler toil may I sustain,
A nobler satisfaction win.
2 I would resolve, with all my heart,
With all my powers, to serve the Lord;
Nor from his precepts e'er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.
3 O, be his service all my joy;
Around let my example shine,
Till others love the blest employ,
And join in labours so divine.
4 Be this the purpose of my soul,
My solemn, my determined choice,
To yield to his supreme control,
And in his kind commands rejoice.
I never faint nor tire,
Nor wander from thy sacred ways:
Great God, accept my soul's desire,
And give me strength to live thy praise.
HYMN 394. S. M. [#]
Obedience to God as our Father.
1 My Father, I adore
That all-commanding name;
O may it virtue's strength restore,
And raise devotion's flame.
2 I bow at his commands,
And filial homage pay;
With heart and life, with tongue and hands,
I'll cheerfully obey.
3 No more will I transgress,
As I too oft have done,
But every sinful thought suppress,
Each sinful action shun.
4 My Father thus I'll claim,
And prove myself his son;
And, while I bear the filial name,
The filial duties own.
5 Do thou the strength impart,
This purpose to fulfil :
Lord, write thy laws upon my heart,
That I may do thy will.
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