183

1

Samuel.

WHEN little Samuel woke,

And heard his Maker's voice,

At every word he spoke,

How much did he rejoice;

O blessed, happy child, to find

P. M.

The God of heaven so near and kind.

If God would speak to me,

And say he was my friend, How happy should I be!

O, how would I attend!

The smallest sin I then should fear,
If God Almighty were so near.

3 And does he never speak?
O yes! for in his word
He bids me come and seek

The God whom Samuel heard;
In almost every page I see,
The God of Samuel calls to me.

And I, beneath his care,

May safely rest my head;
I know that God is there,
To guard my humble bed:
And every sin I well may fear,
Since God Almighty is so near.

5 Like Samuel, let me say,

Whene'er I read his word,
"Speak, Lord, I would obey

The voice that Samuel heard;"
And when I in thy house appear,
Speak, for thy servant waits to hear,

I

184 The broad and narrow Way. 6's. STRIVE, for the way is strait

In which the Saviour trod;
And narrow is the gate

That leadeth up to God.
Cut off the ensnaring hand,
Pluck out the ensnaring eye;
Turn ye at God's command;
Sinners, why will ye die?
Strive, for there are but few
Who find the living way;
Children, alas! will you

Still blindly go astray?
O shun the crowded gate,
Though wide it seem, and fair
"Twill bring you, soon or late,
To anguish and despair.

3 Strive, ere life's setting sun
Shall sink in thickest gloom:
Strive, night is coming on,
Ye hasten to the tomb.
Ask, mercy shall be given;

Seek as for hidden gold;
Knock, and the Lord of heaven
The gates will wide unfold.

185 Waiting at Wisdom's Gate. C. M. 1 MY heart has been too long ensnared In folly's hurtful ways;

O may I be at length prepared,
To hear what wisdom says!

2 'Tis Jesus from the mercy-seat
Invites me to his rest;

He calls poor sinners to his feet,
To make them truly blest.

3 Approach, my soul, to wisdom's gates,
Approach without delay;

No one who watches there, and waits,
Shall e'er be turned away.

4 He will not let me seek in vain;
For all who trust his word
Shall everlasting life obtain,
And favour from the Lord.

1

186

Christ's Invitation.

L. M.

COME hither, all ye weary souls!
Ye heavy-laden sinners! come;
I'll give you rest from all your toils,

And raise you to my heavenly home.
2 They shall find rest that learn of me;
I'm of a meek and lowly mind;
But passion rages like the sea,

And pride is restless as the wind.
Blest is the man whose shoulders take
My yoke, and bear it with delight!
My yoke is easy to his neck;

My grace shall make the burden light.

4 Jesus! we come at thy command, With faith, and hope, and humble zeal; Resign our spirits to thy hand,

To mould and guide us at thy will.

187

"Give me thy Ileart."

I HEAR ye not a voice from heaven,

To the listening spirit given?

Children, come! it seems to say,
Give your hearts to me to-day.

7's.

2 Sweet as is a mother's love,
Tender as the heavenly Dove,
Thus it speaks a Saviour's charms;
Thus it wins us to his arms.

3 Lord, we will remember thee,
While from pains and sorrows free;
While our day is in its dew,
And the clouds of life are few.

4 Then, when night and age appear,
Thou wilt chase each doubt and fear;
Thou our glorious leader be,

When the stars shall fade and flee.

5 Now to thee, O Lord! we come, In our morning's early bloom; Breathe on us thy grace divine; Touch our hearts, and make them thine! 188 Early Consecration.

C. M.

1 IN the bright morn of life, when youth With vital ardour glows,

And shines in all the fairest charms
That beauty can disclose,

2 Deep in thy soul, before its powers
Are yet by vice enslaved,"
Be thy Creator's glorious name
And character engraved:

3 Ere yet the shades of sorrow cloud
The sunshine of thy days;
And cares, and toils, in endless round,
Encompass all thy ways:

4 Ere yet thy heart the woes of age
With vain regret deplore,

And sadly muse on former joys,
That now return no more.

5 True wisdom, early sought and gained,
In age will give thee rest;
O then, improve the morn of life,
To make its evening blest!

PENITENTIAL.

1

The Decision.

L. M.

189
THE smitten heart and starting tear

Which bade me live for God and heaven,
Have sometimes roused my solemn fear,
And made me wish my sins forgiven.
2 But when I mingled with the crowd
That hasten to the world of wo,

I felt too stubborn and too proud To yield to Christ, and heavenward go. 3 And thus I've gone from day to day, From month to month, and year to year, Refusing still to bend and pray,

And shed the penitential tear.

4 But I'm resolved no longer now
To put away the day of grace;
Lest God in anger strike the blow
And make despair my dwelling place.

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199

Earnest Supplication.

JESUS! hear a weeping mourner
Hear a sinner poor and vile:
Hear me once a wicked scorner-
Now implore thy pitying smile.

8,7.