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Be kept and covered with the shield
Of thy almighty love.

L. M.

19.

ANONYMOUS.

.

The House of God.

1 BE still! be still! for all around,
On either hand, is holy ground:
Here in his house, the Lord to-day
Will listen, while his people pray.
2 Thou, tost upon the waves of care,
Ready to sink with deep despair,
Here ask relief, with heart sincere,
And thou shalt find that God is here.

3 Thou who hast laid within the grave
Those whom thou hadst no power to save,
Believe their spirits now are near,

For angels wait while God is here.

4 Thou who hast dear ones far away,
In foreign lands, 'mid ocean's spray,
Pray for them now, and dry the tear,
And trust the God who listens here.
5 Thou who art mourning o'er thy sin,
Deploring guilt that reigns within,
The God of peace is ever near;
The troubled spirit meets him here.

C. M.

20.

BOWRING.

Pure Worship.

1 THE offerings to Thy throne which rise, Of mingled praise and prayer,

Are but a worthless sacrifice

Unless the heart is there.

2 Upon thine all discerning ear
Let no vain words intrude;
No tribute but the vow sincere,
The tribute of the good.

3 My offerings will indeed be blest,
If sanctified by thee;

If thy pure Spirit touch my breast
With its own purity.

4 O may that Spirit warm my heart
To piety and love,

And to life's lowly vale impart
Some rays from heaven above.

S. M.

21.

Praise.

MONTGOMERY.

1 STAND up, and bless the Lord,

Ye people of his choice;

Stand up, and bless the Lord your God,
With heart, and soul, and voice.

2 Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?

3 O for the living flame,

1

From his own altar brought,

To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And raise to heaven our thought!

There, with benign regard,
Our hymns he deigns to hear;
Though unrevealed to mortal sense,
The spirit feels him near.

Stand up, and bless the Lord;
The Lord your God adore;

Stand up, and bless his glorious name,
Henceforth for evermore.

C. M.

22

BRYANT.

Invoking Compassion.

1 O GOD! whose dread and dazzling brow Love never yet forsook,

On those who seek thy presence now,
In deep compassion look;-

2 For many a frail and erring heart
Is in thy holy sight,
And feet too willing to depart
From the plain way of right.

3 Yet, pleased the humble prayer to hear, And kind to all that live,

Thou, when thou seest the contrite tear, Art ready to forgive.

4 Lord, aid us with thy heavenly grace
Our truest bliss to find;

In mercy view our erring race,
So feeble and so blind.

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1 WELCOME, delightful morn! Sweet day of sacred rest,

I hail thy kind return;

HAYWARD

Lord, make these moments blest;

From the low train

Of mortal toys,

I soar to reach

Immortal joys.

Now may the King descend,
And fill his throne of grace;
Thy sceptre, Lord, extend,

While saints address thy face;

Let sinners feel

And learn to know

Thy quickening word, And fear the Lord.

Descend, celestial Dove!

With all thy quickening powers;

Disclose a Saviour's love,

And bless these sacred hours:

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1 IF, in a temple made with hands,
God speaketh still his high commands,
Let me to that blest place repair,
That I may learn my duty there.

2 If, in the ailments of the soul,
There be a power that makes it whole,
Let me to that pure fount apply,
Lest the neglected spirit die.

3 If there be still a sacrifice,

That may to God with favor rise,
Let me present a contrite heart,
Ere from this temple I depart.

4 If, in the dread of death's dark hour,
The word of life hath soothing power,
To hear that word, my spirit, haste,
Ere yet the pains of death I taste.

5 Where God would have the offering made,
There be the willing tribute paid,
Till to his name I consecrate
The worship of an endless state.

8 & 7s. M.

25.

J. TAYLOR.

Surrounding the Mercy-Seat.

• 1 FAR from mortal cares retreating,
Sordid hopes and fond desires,
Here, our willing footsteps meeting,
Every heart to heaven aspires.
From the Fount of glory beaming,
Light celestial cheers our eyes;
Mercy from above proclaiming

Peace and pardon from the skies.

2 Who may share this great salvation?-
Every pure and humble mind;
Every kindred, tongue, and nation,
From the dross of guilt refined:
Blessings all around bestowing,

God withholds his care from none;
Grace and mercy ever flowing
From the fountain of his throne.

3 Every stain of guilt abhorring,
Firm and bold in virtue's cause,
Still thy providence adoring,
Faithful subjects to thy laws,
Lord! with favor still attend us,
Bless us with thy wondrous love;
Thou, our sun and shield, defend us;
All our hope is from above.

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