4 To what then should I first attend? Or what esteem my noblest end? Surely it must be this alone,

That God my Maker may be known:

5 So known, that I may love him still,
And form my actions by his will;
That he may bless me while I live,
And when I die my soul receive.

6 Then in the world of light and love,
With saints and angel-hosts above,
I'll dwell for ever in his sight,
In perfect knowledge and delight.

14

1

THE

God's works; an infant hymn.

moon is very fair and bright, And also very high;

I think it is a pretty sight

To see it in the sky:

It shone upon me as I lay,

And seemed almost as bright as day.

2 The stars are very pretty too,
And scatter'd all about;

At first there seems a very few,
But soon the rest come out:
I'm sure I could not count them all,
They are so very bright and small.

L. M.

3 God made and keeps them, every one,
By his great power and might:
He is more glorious than the sun
And all the stars of light:

Yet though so great, we by his grace,
If pure in heart, shall see his face.

PRAISE.

15

1

Praise for blessings.

C. M.

ALMIGHTY Father, gracious Lord,

guardian of my days, Thy mercies let my heart record In songs of grateful praise.

2 In life's first dawn, my tender frame Was thy indulgent care,

Long ere I could pronounce thy name, Or breathe the infant prayer.

3 Each rolling year new favours brought From thy exhaustless store;

But, ah! in vain my labouring thought
Would count thy mercies o'er.

4 While sweet reflection, through my days,
Thy bounteous hand would trace,
Still dearer blessings claim thy praise,
The blessings of thy grace.

5 Yes, I adore thee, gracious Lord!
For favours more divine;

That I have known thy sacred word,
Where all thy glories shine.

6 Lord, when this mortal frame decays,
And every weakness dies,
Complete the wonders of thy grace,
And raise me to the skies.

16

Praise from children.

L. M.

ALMIGHTY Ged! with gracious ear
Our praises and thanksgivings hear,

And look with an approving eyo
From thy eternal throne on high.

2 Our feeble voice and childish thought
Can never praise thee as they ought;
Nor can our lips by words express
The tribute of our thankfulness.
3 But thou. O Lord, in ancient days,
From children hast perfected praise,
And still thy condescending love
Will childhood's gratitude approve.
Prayer and praise.

17

0

L. M. THOU, whom high archangels praise, Whose glory shines with brightest rays, To thee our grateful hymns we tune, For none can sing thy praise too soon. 20 may thy grace be all our joy, Let gratitude our tongues employ, And lead young children, frail and weak, Thy praise to sing, thy face to seek. 3 Deny us not our earnest prayer, That we may all thy favour share; Be led to each good work and word, As faithful servants of the Lord.

4 And bless our teachers, parents, friends; And grant, where'er thy name extends, That heathen children, too, may bring Their songs of praise to Israel's king.

1

18

Invitation to praise.

C. M.

COME let us join the hosts above,

Now in our youthful days;

Remember our Creator's love,
And lisp our Father's praise.

2 His majesty will not despise
The day of feeble things;
Grateful the songs of children rise,
And please the King of kings.

3 He loves to be remembered thus,
And honoured for his grace;
Out of the mouths of babes like us
His wisdom calls forth praise.

4 Glory to God, and praise and power, Honour and thanks be given! Children and cherubim adore

The Lord of earth and heaven.

C. M.

19 Fraise from a renewed heart.
To thee, my Shepherd and my Lord,
A grateful song I'll raise;

Oh let the feeblest of thy flock
Attempt to speak thy praise.

2 But how shall childhood's tongue express A subject so divine?

How shall we love thee as we ought,
Or praise a love like thine?

3 My life, my joy, my hope, I owe
To this amazing love;

Ten thousand thousand comforts here,
And nobler bliss above.

4 To thee my trembling spirit flies,
With sin and grief oppressed;
Thy gentle voice dispels my fears,
And lulls my cares to rest.

20

Prayer and praise.

C. M.

HEAR, Lord, the song of praise and prayer
In heaven, thy dwelling place,

From children made thy gracious care,
And taught to seek thy face.

? Thanks for thy word and for thy day;
And help us, we implore,

Chat we may never waste in play
Thy holy Sabbath more.