246

SIN

has a thousand treacherous arts To practise on the mind:

With flattering looks she tempts our hearts, But leaves a sting behind.

2 With names of virtue she deceives
The aged and the young;

And while the heedless wretch believes,
She makes his fetters strong.

3 She pleads for all the joys she brings,
And gives a fair pretence;

But cheats the soul of heavenly things,
And chains it down to sense.

247

Allurements of Sin.

ANY voices seem to say,

1

MA

7's.

"Hither, children-here's the way;

Haste along, and nothing fear

Every pleasant thing is here!"

2 Yes-but whither would ye lead? Is it happiness indeed?

Or a little shining show,

Leading down to death and wo?

3 We were made for better things;
High as heaven our nature springs;
Like the lark that upward flies,
We were made to seek the skies.
4 We were made to love and fear
That great God who placed us here;
Made to study and fulfil

All his good and holy will.

5 We were made to work awhile,
Cheerful at our work to smile;
Thinking, as we labour thus,
Of the heaven prepared for us.

6 So, a pleasant path we'll tread,
By the hand of Jesus led;
Till, from sin and sorrow freed,
Ours is happiness indeed!

248

1

THERE is a path that leads to God;
All others go astray;

Narrow, but pleasant is the road,

And Christians love the way.

2 It leads straight through this world of sin, And dangers must be past;

But those who boldly walk therein
Will come to heaven at last.

3 While the broad road where thousands go,
Lies near, and opens fair;
And many turn aside, I know,

To walk with sinners there.

4 But, lest my feeble steps should slide,
Or wander from thy way,
Lord, condescend to be my guide,
And I shall never stray.

1

249 For Deliverance from Sin. L. M. FATHER above, in mercy take

A helpless child beneath thy care,
And condescend, for Jesus' sake,
To listen to my feeble prayer.

2 I am a little sinful child,

And have a wicked heart within;
O make me humble, meek, and mild,
And wash me clean from every sin.
3 I'm not too young for thee to see,

Thou know'st my frame and nature too:
And all day long thou look'st on me,
And see'st my actions through and through

4 Thou hearest all the words I say, And know'st the thoughts I have within: And whether I'm at work or play,

Art sure to see it if I sin.

50 can I ever tell a lie,

Or cheat in play, or steal, or fight,
Now that I know that thou art by,
And hast me always in thy sight?
6 And when I want to do amiss,

However pleasant it may be,
I now must always think of this-
My heavenly Father looks at me.

IDLENESS AND PRIDE.

1

250 Against Pride in Clothes. L. M. How proud we are, how fond to show

Our clothes, and call them rich and

new:

When the poor sheep and silk-worms wore That very clothing long before!

2 The tulip and the butterfly Appear in gayer coats than I:

Let me be drest fine as I will,

Flies, worms, and flowers exceed me still. 3 Then, will I set my heart to find Inward adornings of the mind; Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace, These are the robes of richest dress.

4 No more shall worms with me compare
This is the raiment angels wear:
The Son of God, when here below
Put on this blest apparel too.

5 In this, on earth, would I appear,
Then go to heaven, and wear it there;
God will approve it in his sight;
'Tis his own work, and his delight.

FALSEHOOD AND PROFANENESS.

2

And hates a lying tongue;

S. M.

And what is more depraved in youth?
A liar bold and young!

Nothing can be concealed

By the most artful lie;

To God e'en then it is revealed,

For he is ever by.

3

And he will surely tell,

At the great judgment-day,

All we had thought concealed so well,

And hoped had passed away.

252 Evil Company.

C. M.

WHY should I join with those in play,

whom I've no delight;

Who curse and swear, but never pray,
Who call ill names, and fight!

2 I hate to hear a wanton song;
Their words offend my ears;
I would not dare defile my tongue
With language such as theirs.

3 Away from fools I'll turn my eyes,
Nor with the scoffers go:

I would be walking with the wise,
That wiser I might grow.

4 I hate to walk, I hate to dwell
With sinful children here;
Then let me not be sent to hell,
Where none but sinners are.

253

Forsaking Sinners.

L. M.

ANGELS that high in glory dwell,

Adore thy name, Almighty God!
And devils tremble low in hell,
Beneath the terrors of thy rod.

2 And yet how wicked children dare
Abuse thy dreadful, glorious name!
And when they're angry how they swear,
And curse their fellows, and blaspheme,

3 I'll leave my playmates whom I hear
Profanely take thy name in vain;
Lest I too learn to curse and swear,
And dwell with them in endless flame.

254

'O

We cannot trust Liars. L. M.

'TIS a lovely thing for youth

To walk betimes in wisdom's way! To fear a lie, to speak the truth, That we may trust to all they say!