Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart :
Come quickly from above:

Write thy new name upon my heart,

92

The new best name of love.

TH

HERE is an eye that never sleeps
Beneath the wing of night;

There is an ear that never shuts,
When sink the beams of light.

There is an arm that never tires
When human strength gives way;
There is a love that never fails,
When earthly loves decay.

That eye is fix'd on seraph throngs;
That arm upholds the sky;
That ear is fill'd with angel-songs;
That love is throned on high.

But there's a power which man can wield,
When mortal aid is vain,

That eye, that arm, that love to reach,
That listening ear to gain.

That power is prayer; which soars on high
Through Jesus to the throne,

And moves the hand which moves the world, To bring salvation down.

93

THAT is it keeps me back,

WHAT

From which I cannot part! Which will not let the Saviour take Possession of my heart.

94

Some cursed thing unknown,
Must surely lurk within;
Some idol which I fear to own,
Some secret bosom sin.

Jesus, the hindrance shew,
Which I have fail'd to see;
The inmost evils make me know
Which keep my soul from Thee.
Searcher of hearts, in mine
Thy quick'ning light display;
Into its darkest corners shine,
And take the veil away.

"Let no man take thy crown." Watch and pray :

Thus the day,

The day will be thine own.

But beware;

Do not dare

To trust thy wicked heart.
False it is;

Look to this,

Or else expect to smart.

Christ alone

Keeps his own;

He keeps them safe from harm.

In his care

Safe they are:

For mighty is his arm.

His is love,

Far above

What human tongue can teach ;
When we try,

'Tis too high

For human thought to reach.

Happy day,

When we may

Behold the Saviour near;

Then to be

Safe, and free

From sin, from pain, from fear.

95

F

ATHER, I know that all

Is portion'd out for me,

And the changes that are sure to come,

I do not fear to see;

But I ask thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing thee.

I ask thee for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching, wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles,
And to wipe the weeping eyes;
And a heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathise.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,

Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;

I would be treated as a child,

And guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoe'er estate,

I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate;

And a work of lowly love to do

For the Lord on whom I wait.

So I ask thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied,

And a mind to blend with outward life,
While keeping at thy side;
Content to fill a little space,
If thou be glorified.

And if some things I do not ask,
In my cup of blessing be,

I would have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to thee-

More carefully-not to serve thee much,
But to please thee perfectly.

There are briars besetting every path,

That call for patient care;

There is a cross in every lot,

And an earnest need for prayer;

But a lowly heart that leans on thee,

Is happy anywhere.

In a service which thy will appoints,
There are no bonds for me;

For my inmost heart is taught "the truth,"
That makes thy children "free;"

And a life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of liberty.

96

F

ATHER, whate'er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,

Accepted at thy throne of grace,
Let this petition rise:-

"Give me a calm, a thankful heart,

From every murmur free;
The blessings of thy grace impart,
And make me live to thee.

"Let the sweet hope that I am thine,
My life and death attend;

Thy presence through my journey shine, And crown my journey's end."

97

ALAS, what hourly dangers rise!

What snares beset my way!

To heav'n O let me lift my eyes,
And hourly watch and pray!

How oft my mournful thoughts complain,
And melt in flowing tears!
My weak resistance, ah, how vain!
How strong my foes and fears!

O gracious God, in whom I live,
My feeble efforts aid;

Help me to watch, and pray, and strive,
Though trembling and afraid.

Increase my faith, increase my hope,
When foes and fears prevail;
And bear my fainting spirit up,
Or soon my strength will fail.