Many souls their race have run,
Never more to meet us here:
Fixed in an eternal state,
They have done with all below:
We a little longer wait;

But how little none can know.
2 As the winged arrow flies
Speedily the mark to find;
As the lightning from the skies
Darts, and leaves no trace behind:
Swiftly thus our fleeting days
Bear us down life's rapid stream:
Upwards, Lord, our spirits raise;
All below is but a dream.

3 Thanks for mercies past receive,
Pardon of our sins renew,

Teach us henceforth how to live
With eternity in view.

Bless Thy word to young and old,
Fill us with a Saviour's love:
And when life's short tale is told,
May we dwell with Thee above.

858

C.M.

WITH A COLLECTION.

Of Thine own have we often given Thee.-1 Chron. 29. 14.

1 LORD, when our offerings we present

Before Thy gracious throne,

We but return what Thou hast lent,
And give Thee of Thine own.

2 The earth with all its wealth is Thine,
The heavens with all their host;
Why should we then in want repine,
Or in abundance boast?

3 The power and willingness to give
Alike proceed from Thee;

We still are debtors, since we live
Only by Thy decree.

4 Ourselves, our all, to Thee we owe;
And, if we come behind

What others of their wealth bestow,
Accept our willing mind.

859

1

SOCIAL WORSHIP.

L.M.

Pray without ceasing.-1 Thess. 5. 17.
HAT various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!

WH

Yet who, that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there ?

2 Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw;
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

3 Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer 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 failed,
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 heaven in supplication sent,

Your cheerful song would oftener be,
Hear what the Lord has done for me!

860

C.M.

I will pray with the spirit.-1 Cor. 14. 15.

1 PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexprest;

The motion of a hidden fire,

That trembles in the breast.

2 Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,

The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

3 Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant lips can try;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

4 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, The Christian's native air;

His watchword at the gates of death,
He enters heaven with prayer.

5 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways;

While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, Behold, he prays!

6 The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, and deed, and mind;
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

7 Nor prayer is made on earth alone;
The Holy Spirit pleads,

And Jesus, on the eternal throne,
For mourners intercedes.

8 O Thou, by whom we come to God;
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!

112th.

861

0

He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.- Eph.
1. 6.

GOD of our forefathers, hear,

And make Thy faithful mercies known:
To Thee, through Jesus, we draw near,
Thy suffering, well-beloved Son,

In whom Thou art well pleased that we
Thy smiling face should ever see.
2 With solemn faith we offer up,
And spread before Thy glorious eyes,
That only ground of all our hope,
That precious, bleeding Sacrifice,
Which brings Thy grace on sinners down,
And perfects all our souls in one.

3 Acceptance through His only name, Forgiveness in His blood, we have,

But more abundant life we claim

Through Him, who died our souls to save,
To sanctify us by His blood,

And fill us with the life of God.

4 Father, behold Thy dying Son!
And hear the blood that speaks above,
On us be all Thy graces shown,
Peace, righteousness, and joy, and love:
Thy kingdom come to every heart,
And all Thou hast, and all Thou art!

862

L.M.

Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.
-Jas. 4. 8.

1 PRAYER was appointed to convey
The blessings God designs to give,
Long as they live should Christians pray,
For only while they pray, they live.
2 The Christian's heart his prayer indites,
He speaks as prompted from within,

860

1

C.M.

I will pray with the spirit.-1 Cor. 14. 15.

PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire,

Uttered or unexprest;

The motion of a hidden fire,

That trembles in the breast.

2 Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,

The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

3 Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant lips can try;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

4 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, The Christian's native air;

His watchword at the gates of death,
He enters heaven with prayer.

5 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways;

While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, Behold, he prays!

6 The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, and deed, and mind;
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

7 Nor prayer is made on earth alone;
The Holy Spirit pleads,

And Jesus, on the eternal throne,
For mourners intercedes.

8 O Thou, by whom we come to God;
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod :
Lord, teach us how to pray!