Prayer for the Slave.

XVII.

THOU God, who hast since time began,
The helper of the helpless been,
Who will correct the tyrant, man,
That dares against thy mercy sin;

We pray for slaves! to whom thy word
Of light and love is never given;
For those whose ears have never heard

The promise and the hope of heaven.

For broken heart, and darken'd mind,
Whereon no human mercies fall,
Oh! be thy gracious love inclined,
Who, as a father, pitiest all.

And grant, oh, Father! that the time
Of earth's deliverance may be near;
When every land, and tongue, and clime,
The message of thy love shall hear;

When smitten as with fire from heaven,
The captive's chain shall melt in dust,

And to his fettered soul be given

The glorious freedom of the just!

Fifty-sixth Psalm of David.

XVIII.

WATTS.

O THOU, whose justice reigns on high,
And makes the oppressor cease,
Behold how envious sinners try
To vex and break my peace.

The sons of violence and lies,
Join to destroy me, Lord;
But as my hourly dangers rise,
My refuge is thy word.

Faith in God.

BOWRING.

True! power and pride and insolent thought,

Our trust in Heaven severely try;

The wicked rule the world—and nought

Is left to virtue but to die:

Yet sure if God is strong and just,

It shall not perish in the dust.

Bright hope! In virtue's path who treads,
Treads surely all we feel and see

Is a triumphal march that leads
Truth, knowledge, to its victory:
'Tis sorrow's sternest discipline
That makes our mortal man divine.

38

Fifty-sixth Psalm of David.

In God most holy, just, and true,
I have repos'd my trust;
Nor will I fear what flesh can do,
The offspring of the dust.

They wrest my words to mischief still,
Charge me with unknown faults;
Mischief doth all their councils fill,
And malice, all their thoughts.

Shall they escape without thy frown?
Must their devices stand?

O cast the haughty sinner down,
And let him know thy hand.

When to thy throne I raise my cry,
The wicked fear and flee;

So swift is prayer to reach the sky,
So near is God to me.

Thy solemn vows are on me, Lord;
Thou shalt receive my praise :
I'll sing,' How faithful is thy word,
How righteous all thy ways!'

Thou hast secur'd my soul from death,

O set a pris'ner free!

That heart, and hand, and life, and breath,
May be employ'd for thee.

Faith in Christ.

XIX.

G. W. DOANE.

'Tis the promise of Christ-to the poor shall be

giv'n,

And humble, and contrite, the kingdom of Heav'n; And who would not toil through this pathway of

pain,

And who would not suffer, such promise to gain

Bear up, then, my soul, 'mid the darkness and

storm,

Nor shrink from the strife, though terrific its form— There is One that shall guide thee, and guard thee from harm,

Whose eye is unerring, unconquer'd His arm.

To the contrite and faithful the promise is sure, And salvation is pledg'd to the souls that endure; And the crown and the sceptre shall be their reward,

Who have manfully stood on the side of the Lord.

Duty of the Free.

RISE, freemen, rise! the call goes forth;
List to the high command-
Obedience to the word of God,
Throughout this mighty land.

Rise, free the slave! oh, burst his chains!

His fetters cast ye down;

Let virtue be your country's pride,

Her diadem and crown,

That the blest day may soon arrive,
When equal all shall be,
And freedom's banner waving high
Proclaim that all are free.

Duty of the Free.

XXI.

E. M. CHANDLER.'

Think of the slave in your hours of glee,
Ye who are treading life's flowery way;
Nought but its rankling thorns has he,

Nought but the gloom of its wintry day.