Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 103

3 Should friends and kindred, near and dear, Leave me to want, or die, My G.o.d will make my life his care, And all my need supply.

4 Wait on the Lord, ye trembling saints And keep your courage up; He'll raise your spirit when it faints, And far exceed your hope.

623. C. M.

Comforts of Religion.

1 When gloomy thoughts and boding fears The trembling heart invade, And all the face of nature wears A universal shade,--

2 Religion's dictates can a.s.suage The tempest of the soul; And every fear shall cease to rage, At her divine control.

3 When feeble reason, tired and blind, Sinks helpless and afraid, This blest supporter of the mind Affords a powerful aid.

4 O may our hearts confess her power, And find a sweet relief, To brighten every gloomy hour, And soften every grief!

624. L. M. Tate & Brady.

Confidence in the Divine Care.

1 No change of times shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee; For thou hast always been a rock, A fortress and defence to me.

2 Thou my Deliverer art, my G.o.d; My trust is in thy mighty power; Thou art my s.h.i.+eld from foes abroad, At home my safeguard and my tower.

3 To heaven I made my mournful prayer, To G.o.d addressed my humble moan, Who graciously inclined his ear, And heard me from his lofty throne.

4 Who, then, deserves to be adored, But G.o.d, on whom my hopes depend?

Or who, except the mighty Lord, Can with resistless power defend?

625. C. P. M. Cotton.

Contentment and Resignation.

1 If solid happiness we prize, Within our b.r.e.a.s.t.s 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 G.o.d.

2 To be resigned, when ills betide, Patient, when favors are denied, And pleased with favors given; This is the wise, the virtuous part; This is that incense of the heart, Whose fragrance reaches heaven.

3 Thus through life's changing scenes we'll go, Its checkered paths of joy and woe, With holy care we'll tread: Quit its vain scenes without a tear, Without a trouble or a fear, And mingle with the dead.

626. C. M. Aveling.

Fear not.

1 Whene'er the clouds of sorrow roll, And trials whelm the mind,-- When, faint with grief, thy wearied soul No joys on earth can find,-- Then lift thy voice to G.o.d on high, Dry up the trembling tear, And hush the low complaining sigh: Fear not; thy G.o.d is near.

2 When dark temptations spread their snares And earth with charms allures, And when thy soul, oppressed with fears, The world's a.s.sault endures, Then let thy Father's friendly voice Thy fainting spirit cheer, And bid thy trembling heart rejoice: Fear not; thy G.o.d is near.

3 And when the final hour shall come, That calls thee to thy rest, To dwell within thy heavenly home, A welcome, joyful guest, Be calm; though Jordan's waves may roll, No ills shall meet thee there; Angels shall whisper to thy soul, Fear not; thy G.o.d is near.

627. C. M. Doddridge.

Trust in the Presence and Help of G.o.d.

1 And art thou with us, gracious Lord, To dissipate our fear?

Dost thou proclaim thyself our G.o.d, Our G.o.d forever near?

2 Doth thy right hand, which formed the earth, And bears up all the skies, Stretch from on high its friendly aid, When dangers round us rise?

3 On this support our souls shall lean, And banish every care; The gloomy vale of death will smile, If G.o.d be with us there.

4 While we his gracious succor prove, 'Midst all our various ways, The darkest shades, through which we pa.s.s, Shall echo with his praise.

628. L. M. Beddome.

Submission.

1 Wait, O my soul, thy Maker's will!

Tumultuous pa.s.sions, all be still!

Nor let one murmuring thought arise; His ways are just, his counsels wise.

2 He in the thickest darkness dwells, Performs his work,--the cause conceals; But though his methods are unknown, Judgment and truth support his throne.

3 In heaven, and earth, and air, and seas, He executes his firm decrees; And by his saints it stands confessed That what he does is ever best.