6 Thy noblest wonders here we view,

In souls renewed, and sins forgiven:
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
And make thy word my guide to heaven.

L. M.

222. Watts.

Prophecy and Inspiration.
1 ’T was by an order from the Lord

The ancient prophets spoke his word;
His spirit did their tongues inspire,
And warmed their hearts with heavenly fire.

2 The works and wonders which they wrought

Confirmed the messages they brought;
The prophet's pen succeeds his breath

To save the holy words from death. 3 Great God! mine eyes with pleasure look

On the dear volume of thy book;
There my Redeemer's face I see,
And read his name who died for me.

4 Let the false raptures of the mind

Be lost, and vanished in the wind ;
Here I can fix my hope secure :
This is thy word, and must endure.

223.

1

S. M.

WATTS.
The Glad Tidings of the Gospel.
How beauteous are their feet,

Who stand on Zion's hill!
Who bring salvation on their tongues,

And words of peace reveal.

2

3

How charming is their voice!

How sweet their tidings are !
“ Zion, behold thy Saviour king,

He reigns and triumphs here."
How happy are our ears,

That hear this joyful sound,
Which kings and prophets waited for,

And sought, but never found!
How blessed are our eyes,

That see this heavenly light;
Prophets and kings desired it long,

But died without the sight!
The watchmen join their voice,

And tuneful notes employ;
Jerusalem breaks forth in songs,

And deserts learn the joy.

4

5

C. M.
224.

MRS. STEELE. Excellence of the Scriptures. i Father of mercies ! in thy word

What endless glory shines ! For ever be thy name adored

For these celestial lines. 2 Here, may the wretched sons of want

Exhaustless riches find;
Riches above what earth can grant,

And lasting as the mind.
3 Here, the Redeemer's welcome voice

Spreads heavenly peace around, And life and everlasting joys

Attend the blissful sound.

I see,

4 O may these heavenly pages be

My ever dear delight; And still new beauties may

And still increasing light.
5 Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,

Be thou for ever near ;
Teach me to love thy sacred word,

And view my Saviour there.

1 Thy sacred book we would survey,

Enlightened by a heavenly ray:
And ask thy Spirit with the word,

To teach our souls to know the Lord. 2 So shall our children learn the road

That leads them to their fathers' God; And, formed by lessons so divine,

Shall infant minds with knowledge shine 3 So shall the haughtiest soul submit,

With children placed at Jesus' feet; The rising swell of pride shall cease, And thy sweet voice be heard in peace.

160

JESUS CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM.

78. M. 226.

BOWRING.
Report of the Watchman.
1 WATCHMAN! tell us of the night,

What its signs of promise are.
Traveller! o'er yon mountain's height
See that glory-beaming star.

2 Watchman! does its beauteous ray

Aught of hope or joy foretell?
Traveller! yes; it brings the day,
Promised day of Israel.

3 Watchman! tell us of the night;

Higher yet that star ascends.
Traveller! blessedness and light,
Peace and truth, its course portends.

4 Watchman! will its beams alone

Gild the spot that gave them birth?
Traveller! ages are its own;
See, it bursts o'er all the earth.

5 Watchman! tell us of the night,

For the morning seems to dawn.
Traveller! darkness takes its flight;

Doubt and terror are withdrawn.
6 Watchman! let thy wanderings cease;

Hie thee to thy quiet home.
Traveller! lo, the Prince of Peace,
Lo, the Son of God, is come!

C. M.
227.

E. H. SEARS.

The Nativity. i Calm on the listening ear of night

Come heaven's melodious strains, Where wild Judæa stretches far

Her silver-mantled plains.
2 Celestial choirs from courts above

Shed sacred glories there,
And angels, with their sparkling lyres,

Make music on the air.
3 The answering hills of Palestine-

Send back the glad reply ;
And greet, from all their holy heights,

The day-spring from on high. 4 O'er the blue depths of Galilee

There comes a holier calm,
And Sharon waves, in solemn praise,

Her silent groves of palm.
5“ Glory to God!" the sounding skies

Loud with their anthems ring, “Peace to the earth, good-will to men,

From heaven's Eternal King!”