L. M. 633. DODDRIDGE. The weeping Seed-time and joyful Harvest. Psalm 126. 1 THE darkened sky, how thick it lowers! Troubled with storms, and big with showers; No cheerful gleam of light appears, 2 But Nature pours forth all her tears. Yet let the sons of grace revive; God bids the soul that seeks him live, 3 The seeds of ecstasy unknown 4 In secret foldings they contain 5 Then shall the trembling mourner come, L. M. 634. BRYANT. Blessed are they that mourn. 1 DEEм not that they are blest alone 2 The light of smiles shall fill again 3 O there are days of hope and rest 4 And thou, who o'er thy friend's low bier, 5 For God hath marked each anguished day, And heaven's long age of bliss shall pay 8 & 4s. M. 635. DON JORGE MANRIQUE. Vanity of the World. 1 ALAS! how poor and little worth Dreams of a sleep that death must break : They disappear. 2 Where is the strength that spurned decay, The strength is gone, the step is slow, 3 Our birth is but a starting-place; There all those glittering toys are brought; 4 O let the soul its slumbers break, Life, like its glories, glides away, C. M. 636. HEBER. Solemn Admonitions. 1 BENEATH our feet and o'er our head 2 Their names are graven on the stone, 3 Death rides on every passing breeze, 4 Each season has its own disease, Our have seen the rosy light eyes Of youth's soft cheek decay, And death descend in sudden night 5 Our eyes have seen the steps of age 6 Turn, mortal, turn! thy danger know; 7 Turn, Christian, turn! thy soul apply The boundless fields of light on high C. M. 637. DODDRIDGE. Near Approach of Salvation. 1 AWAKE, ye saints, and raise your eyes, 2 On all the wings of time it flies; 3 Not many years their round shall run, Ere all its glories stand revealed 4 Ye wheels of nature, speed your course; Ye mortal powers, decay; Fast as ye bring the night of death, That bears us to the sea! The tide that bears our thoughtless souls To vast eternity! 2 Our fathers, where are they, With all they call their own? Their joys and griefs, and hopes and cares, And wealth and honor, gone. 3 God of our fathers! hear; Thou everlasting Friend! While we, as on life's utmost verge, Our souls to thee commend. 4 Of all the pious dead May we the footsteps trace, Till with them, in the land of light, L.M. 639. BARBAULD. Blessedness of the Righteous in Death. 1 How blest the righteous when he dies! 2 So fades a summer cloud away; |