3 Why have we souls, if not to know
The God from whom our mercies flow!
Sure this can never be our lot,

Like senseless brutes, to know Him not!
4 Why have we life?-if not to gain
Immortal life, 'tis worse than vain:
This is the end for which 'twas given,-
We live on earth, to live in heaven.
5 Why did the Saviour leave the sky,
Hang on a cross, and bleed, and die?
And why are kind persuasions sent
To call and win us to repent?

6 Surely it is that robed in white,
And made well-pleasing in his sight,
Our souls may join the happy throng,
And sing the everlasting song.

224 Temporal and spiritual Blessings. C. M. WHENE'ER I take my walks abroad, How many poor I see!

What shall I render to my God
For all his gifts to me?

2 Not more than others I deserve,
Yet God hath given me more:
For I have food while others starve,
Or beg from door to door.

3 How many children in the street
Half naked I behold;

While I am clothed from head to feet,
And covered from the cold.

4 While some poor wanderers scarce can tell Where they may lay their head;

I have a home wherein to dwell,
And rest upon my bed.

5 While others carly learn to swear,
And curse, and lie, and steal;
Lord, I am taught thy name to fear,
And do thy holy will.

6 Are these thy favours, day by day,
To me above the rest?

Then let me love thee more than they,
And try to serve thee best.

FILIAL LOVE.

225

1

My Mother.

COULD I so ungrateful be

As to cause a mother pain?
She was always good to me,
Can I yield her ill again?

2 In each hour of harm or good,
'Twas her hand that all the day
Clothed me, kept me, gave me food,
Taught me how to God to pray.

3 Oft as I have sickly lain,

By my bed her watch she kept;
And when she has seen my pain,
Kindly looked on me, and wept.
4 Heavenly Father, who didst give
Such a gift as this to me;

Grant me, ever as I live,
Gratitude to her, and thee!

7's.

226

1 MY

8's.

Gratitude to Parents.

father, my mother, I know

I cannot your kindness repay; But I hope, that as older I grow,

I shall learn your commands to obey.

2 You loved me, before I could tell
Who it was that so tenderly smiled;
But now that I know it so well,
I should be a dutiful child.

3 I am sorry that ever I could

Be wicked, and give you such pain;
I hope I shall learn to be good,
And so never grieve you again.

4 But, for fear that I ever should dare
From all your commands to depart.
Whenever I utter a prayer,

I'll ask for a dutiful heart.

227

Duty to Parents.

C. M.

1 LET children that would fear the Lord Hear what their teachers say,

With reverence heed their parents' word,
And with delight obey.

2 Have we not heard what dreadful plagues Are threatened by the Lord,

To him who breaks his father's law,
Or mocks his mother's word?

3 But those that worship God, and give
Their parents honour due,

Shall long on earth in comfort live,
And live hereafter too.

RELIGION.

228

Value of Religion.

1 "TIS religion that can give

7's.

Sweetest pleasure while we live;

'Tis religion must supply

Solid comfort when we die.

After death, its joys will be
Lasting as eternity!

Be the living God my friend,
Then my bliss shall never end.

1 RELIGION is the chief concern

mortals here below;

May I its great importance learn,
Its sovereign virtue know.

C. M.

Religion should our thoughts engage
Amidst our youthful bloom;
"Twill fit us for declining age,
Or for an early tomb.

3 0, may my heart, by grace renewed,
Be my Redeemer's throne;
And be my stubborn will subdued,
His government to own.

4 Let deep repentance, faith, and love,
Be joined with godly fear;

And all my conversation prove
My heart to be sincere.

1

C. M.

HOW happy is the child who hears
Instruction's warning voice;

And who celestial wisdom makes
His early, only choice.

2 For she has treasures greater far
Than east or west unfold;
And her rewards more precious are
Than all their stores of gold.

3 She guides the young with innocence
In pleasure's path to tread;
A crown of glory she bestows
Upon the aged head.

4 According as her labours rise,

So her rewards increase;

Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.

231

HA

APPY the child whose early years
Receive instruction well;

Who hates the sinner's path, and fears
The road that leads to hell.

2 'Twill save us from a thousand snares To mind religion young

Grace will preserve our following years,
And make our virtues strong.

3 To thee, Almighty God, to thee
Our childhood we resign; ̧

'Twill please us to look back, and see That our whole lives were thine,