91.

MARK X. 14.

1 THE people round the Saviour throng,
As through their coasts he moves along,
To hear the heavenly truths he taught,
And see the miracles he wrought.

2 But who are these with eager eye,
And trembling ardour hast'ning nigh?
In faith and hope they onward press,
That Jesus may their children bless.

3 The helpless babes, the parents' love,
His breast with gentlest pity move;
With love he views a parent's care,
With kindness hears a parent's prayer.

4" Such are my subjects, lowly, mild,
And harmless as a little child;
Nor will your gracious God disdain,
Over an infant heart to reign."

5 He said and rais'd them to his breast,
The babes with sweetest accents bless'd;
And still he blesses from above;
A parent's faith, a parent's love.

92.

MARK. X. 14.

1 WHAT gracious words, in gentlest form,

the Saviour address'd!

See how he calls the children near,

and takes them to his breast.

2" Permit them to approach, he cries, nor scorn their humble name;

For 'twas to bless such souls as these, the Lord of angels came."

3 We bring them, Lord! with thankful hearts, and yield them up to thee:

Joyful that we ourselves are thine,
thine let our offspring be.

4 Ye little flock! with pleasure hear:
ye children! seek his face;
And fly with transports to receive
the blessings of his grace.

5 If orphans they are left behind,
his guardian care we trust;
That care shall heal our bleeding hearts,
if weeping o'er their dust.

93.

LUKE vii. 11-16.

1 O SIGHT of woe! what child of dust

his mortal course hath run? They carry out an only child, a widow's only son.

2 But lo! the pitying Saviour comes, and sees the mother's grief;

His lips the sweetest accents breathe,

his power bestows relief.

3" Weep not," he said, then touch'd the bier, and with that powerful voice

Which reaches through death's vast domain, he said "Young man, arise."

9

4 The dead arose: the mother's arms

again her son embrac'd;

While wonder, love, and joy, and fear,
thrill'd quick through every breast.

5 Men saw the Son of God, in power
and mildest grace display'd:

They heard that voice which shall, at last, awake to life the dead.

6 Christians! your griefs the Saviour feels, and strong his power to save; While weeping here, look up through him to life beyond the grave.

94.

Luke x. 30-37.

1 FATHER of mercies! send thy grace
all powerful from above;

To form in our obedient souls
the image of thy love.

2 O! may our sympathizing breasts
that generous pleasure know;
Kindly to share in other's joy,..
and weep for other's woe,

3 Strangers and foes be neighbours held,
who in distress are laid;

Soft be our hearts their pains to feel,
and swift our hands to aid.

4 So taught, in every winning form,
the Lord who left the skies,
Suffer'd and died for guilty man,
and bade the fallen rise.

95.

Luke x. 42.

1 WHY will ye lavish out your years, 'Midst trifling cares and foolish fears; While, in your various range of thought, The ane thing needful is forgot!

2 Why will ye chase the fleeting wind,
And famish an immortal mind;

While angels with regret look down
To see you lose a heavenly crown?

3 Th' eternal God calls from above,

The Saviour pleads his bleeding love, Awaken'd conscience gives you pain; And shall they join their pleas in vain! 4 Not so your dying eyes shall view

Those objects which ye now pursue;
Not so shall heaven and hell appear,
When the decisive hour is near.

96.

Luke x. 42.

1 BESET with snares on every hand, In life's uncertain path I stand: Saviour divine! diffuse thy light

To guide my doubtful footsteps right.

2 To thee I now would yield my heart, I chosen have the better part:

I leave the trifles of a day,

For joys which none can take away.

3 Although the wildest storms arise, And darkness overspread the skies; With thee no evils will I fear,

But safe my treasures with me bear.

4 My Guide, my Guardian, Saviour nigh;
I'll cheerful live, and joyful die;
Secure when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in thee.

97.

Luke xii. 16–21.

1 "MY stores," the worldling cried, " increase,

and now for many years,

Soul! eat and drink, and take thine ease,
secure from wants and fears."

2 Vain man! this night his soul must pass
into a world unknown:

And who shall then the stores possess which now he calls his own?

3 Thus, blinded mortals fondly scheme for happiness below;

Till death disturbs their empty dream, and they awake to woe.

4 Ah! who can speak the vast dismay which fills the sinner's mind;

When torn by death's strong hand away,

he leaves his all behind?

5 Bless'd Saviour! make us timely wise,

thy gospel to attend;

That we may live above the skies,

when this poor life shall end.