3 Then let days and years be fleeting,
Swiftly pass our joys and woes;
'Mid the changes we are meeting,
God, our God, no changes knows.
Our's be then a life that shows
That conducted by his hand,
We shall enter at its close
Our beloved father-land.
EXOD. III. 14.-" I am."
ART thou weak afflicted soul?
I am strong to make thee whole.
Art thou sick and hast no cure?
I am thy physician sure.
Art thou fainting on thy road?
I am near to bear thy load.
Art thou hungry, thirsty, poor?
I am rich to bless thy store.
Art thou much with grief opprest?
I am come to give thee rest.
Art thou weary of thy sin?
I am peace to thee within.
I am ready at thy side,
At thy right and left to guide.
I am life, and love, and peace,-
I am joy which ne'er shall cease.
13 EXOD. XIV. 15.-" Speak unto the children
of Israel, that they go forward."
"FORWARD let the people go,"
Israel's God will have it so:
Though the path be through the sea,
Israel, what is that to thee?
He who bids thee pass the waters
Will be with his sons and daughters.
Deep and wide the sea appears:
Israel wonders-Israel fears,-
Yet the word is "Forward" still:
Israel! 'tis the Master's will;
Though no way thou can'st discover,
Not one plank to float thee over.
Israel, art thou sorely tried?
Art thou press'd on every side?
Does it seem as if no power
Could relieve thee in this hour?
Wherefore art thou thus disheartened,
Is the arm that saves thee shortened?
4 Stand thou still this day, and see Wonders wrought, and wrought for thee: Safe thyself on yonder shore,
Thou shalt see thy foes no more.
Thine to see the Saviour's glory,
Thine to tell the wond'rous story.
Yes, thy God shall yet be known,
Far and wide, as God alone:
At his feet shall idols fall,
For thy God is Lord of all.
His is strength, and his salvation,
He shall reign o'er ev'ry nation.
14 EXOD. XV. 2.--" My father's God, I will exalt
1 O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home,
2 Under the shadow of thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure,
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
3 Thro' every scene of life and death
Thy promise is our trust,
And this shall be our children's song
When we are cold in dust.
4 O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come;
Be thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
15 EXOD. XV. 26.~" I am the Lord that healeth thee."
1 HEAL us, Emmanuel, here we are,
Waiting to feel thy touch:
Deep-wounded souls to thee repair,
And, Saviour, we are such.
2 Our faith is feeble, we confess,
We faintly trust thy word;
But wilt thou pity us the less?
Be that far from thee, Lord!
3 Remember him who once applied
With trembling for relief;
"Lord, I believe," with tears he cried,
"O help my unbelief!"
4 She too, who touch'd thee in the press,
And healing virtue stole,
Was answer'd, "Daughter, go in peace,
Thy faith hath made thee whole."
5 Conceal'd amid the gath'ring throng,
She would have shunn'd thy view;
And if her faith was firm and strong,
Had strong misgivings too.
6 Like her, with hopes and fears we come,
To touch thee if we may;
Oh! send us not despairing home,
Send none unheal'd away.
16 EXOD. XVII. 11.-" It came to pass when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed.”
WHAT various hind'rances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat?
Yet who that knows the worth of pray'r,
But wishes to be often there?
2 Pray'r makes the darken'd cloud withdraw,
Pray'r climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings ev'ry blessing from above.
3 Restraining pray'r, we cease to fight;
Pray'r makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
4 While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when through weariness they fail'd,
That moment Amalek prevailed.
5 Have you no words? Ah! think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
6 Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To Heav'n in supplication sent,
Your cheerful song would oft'ner be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me."
17 EXOD. XXXIII. 18.-" I beseech thee show me thy glory."
1 THOUSANDS of thousands stand around
Thy throne, O God most high!
Ten thousand times ten thousand sound
Thy praise-but who am I?
2 Thy brightness unto them appears,
Whilst I thy footsteps trace:
A sound of God comes to my ears,
But they behold thy face.
3 How great a being, Lord, is thine,
Which doth all beings keep!
Thy knowledge is the only line
To sound so vast a deep.
4 How good art Thou, whose goodness is
Our parent, nurse, and guide:
Whose streams do water Paradise,
And all this earth beside.
5 Thine upper and thy nether springs
Make both thy worlds to thrive;
Under thy warm and sheltering wings,
Thou keep'st two broods alive.
6 Thy arm of might, most mighty King,
Both rocks and hearts doth break:
My God, thou canst do every thing,
But what should show thee weak.
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