HYMN 389. C. P. M. [#]
Contentment and Resignation.
1 Ir solid happiness we prize, Within our breasts the jewel lies; Nor need we roam abroad : The world has little to bestow; From pious hearts our joys must flow, Hearts that delight in God.
2 To be resigned when ills betide, Patient when favours are denied, And pleased with favours given,- This is the wise, the pious part, This is that incense of the heart, Whose fragrance reaches heaven.
3 Thus through life's changing scenes we'll go Its chequered paths of joy and wo With holy care we'll tread; Quit its vain scenes without a tear, Without a trouble or a fear,
And mingle with the dead.
ZEAL, FORTITUDE AND PRUDENCE.
HYMN 390. C. M. [#]
Zeal true and false.
1 ZEAL is that pure and heavenly flame,' The fire of love supplies;
While that which often bears the name Is self in a disguise.
2 True zeal is merciful and mild, Can pity and forbear;
The false is headstrong, fierce and wild, And breathes revenge and war.
3 While zeal for truth the Christian warms, He knows the worth of peace;
But self contends for names and forms, Its party to increase.
4 Zeal has attained its highest aim, Its end is satisfied,
If sinners love the Saviour's name; Nor seeks it aught beside.
5 But self, however well employed, Has its own ends in view; And says, as boasting Jehu cried, Come, see what I can do.
6 Dear Lord, the idol self dethrone, And from our hearts remove;
And let no zeal by us be shown, But that which springs from love.
HYMN 391. L. M. [#]
Persecution and Intolerance absurd. 1 ABSURD and vain attempt to bind, With iron chains, the free-born mind; To force conviction, and reclaim The wandering by destructive flame! 2 Bold arrogance, to snatch from heaven Dominion not to mortals given; O'er conscience to usurp the throne Accountable to God alone!
3 Our Master's gentle law of love Does no such cruelties approve; Mild as himself, his doctrine wields No arms but those persuasion yields. 4 By proofs divine, and reasons strong, It draws the willing soul along; And conquests to his truth acquires By eloquence which heaven inspires.
HYMN 392. C. M. [#]
Zeal and Vigour in the Christian Race. 1 AWAKE, my soul, stretch every nerve, And press with vigour on; A heavenly race demands thy zeal, And an immortal crown.
2 A cloud of witnesses around Hold thee in full survey: Forget the steps already trod, And onward urge thy way.
3 "Tis God's all-animating voice That calls thee from on high; "Tis his own hand presents the prize To thine aspiring eye ;-
4 That prize, with peerless glories bright, Which shall new lustre boast,
When victors' wreaths and monarchs' gems Shall blend in common dust.
5 My soul, with all thy wakened powers, Survey the heavenly prize; Nor let the glittering toys of earth Allure thy wandering eyes.
Aн, wretched souls, who strive in vain, Slaves to the world, and slaves to sin! A nobler toil may I sustain,
A nobler satisfaction win.
2 I would resolve, with all my heart, With all my powers, to serve the Lord; Nor from his precepts e'er depart, Whose service is a rich reward.
3 O, be his service all my joy ;
Around let my example shine, Till others love the blest employ, And join in labours so divine. 4 Be this the purpose of my soul,
My solemn, my determined choice, To yield to his supreme control,
And in his kind commands rejoice.
may I never faint nor tire,
Nor wander from thy sacred ways: Great God, accept my soul's desire, And give me strength to live thy praise.
HYMN 394. S. M. [#]
Obedience to God as our Father.
1 My Father, I adore
That all-commanding name; O may it virtue's strength restore, And raise devotion's flame.
2 I bow at his commands,
And filial homage pay;
With heart and life, with tongue and hands,
I'll cheerfully obey.
3 No more will I transgress,
As I too oft have done, But every sinful thought suppress, Each sinful action shun.
4 My Father thus I'll claim,
And prove myself his son; And, while I bear the filial name, The filial duties own.
5 Do thou the strength impart, This purpose to fulfil :
Lord, write thy laws upon my heart, That I may do thy will.
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