Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 55

4 One only care my soul should know, Father, all thy commands to do; Oh! deep engrave it on my breast, That I in thee alone am blest.

332. C. M. C. Wesley.

Vain Repentance.

1 Times without number have I prayed, "This only once forgive;"

Relapsing when thy hand was stayed, And suffered me to live.

2 Yet now the kingdom of thy peace, Lord, to my heart restore; Forgive my vain repentances, And bid me sin no more.

333. P. M. Heber.

"There is Joy in Heaven over one Sinner that Repenteth."

1 There was joy in heaven!

There was joy in heaven!

When this goodly world to frame, The Lord of light and mercy came: Shouts of joy were heard on high, And the stars sang from the sky, "Glory to G.o.d in heaven!"

2 There was joy in heaven!

There was joy in heaven!

When of love the midnight beam Dawned on the towers of Bethlehem; And along the echoing hill Angels sang--"On earth good will, And glory in the heaven!"

3 There is joy in heaven!

There is joy in heaven!

When the sheep that went astray Turns again to virtue's way; When the soul by grace subdued Sobs its prayer of grat.i.tude, Then is there joy in heaven!

334. 7s. M. Merrick.

Freedom from Error, Guilt and Folly.

1 Blest Instructor! from thy ways Who can tell how oft he strays?

Save from error's growth our mind, Leave not, Lord, one root behind.

2 Purge us from the guilt that lies Wrapt within our heart's disguise; Let us thence, by thee renewed, Each presumptuous sin exclude.

3 Let our tongues, from error free, Speak the words approved by thee: To thine all-observing eyes, Let our thoughts accepted rise.

4 While we thus thy name adore, And thy healing grace implore, Blest Instructor! bow thine ear: G.o.d our strength! propitious hear.

335. 6s. & 4s. M. R. Palmer.

For Divine Guidance.

1 O G.o.d, thy grace impart!

Revive my fainting heart; My zeal inspire; Reveal thyself to me, And may my love to thee Pure, warm, and changeless be,-- A living fire.

2 While life's dark maze I tread, And griefs around me spread, Be thou my guide; Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow's tears away, Nor let me ever stray From thee aside.

3 When ends life's transient dream, When death's cold sullen stream Shall o'er me roll, O Father, then in love, Fear and distress remove, And bear me safe above,-- A ransomed soul.

336. C. P. M. Henry Moore.

Pardon.

1 Soft are the fruitful showers that bring The welcome promise of the spring, And soft the vernal gale: Sweet the wild warblings of the grove, The voice of nature and of love, That gladden every vale.

2 But softer in the mourner's ear Sounds the mild voice of mercy near, That whispers sins forgiven; And sweeter far the music swells, When to the raptured soul she tells Of peace and promised heaven.

3 Fair are the flowers that deck the ground; And groves and gardens blooming round, Unnumbered charms unfold: Bright is the sun's meridian ray, And bright the beams of setting day, That robe the clouds in gold.

4 But far more fair the pious breast, In richer robes of goodness dressed, Where heaven's own graces s.h.i.+ne; And brighter far the prospects rise, That burst on faith's delighted eyes, From glories all divine.

337. L. M. Cowper.

Peace after a Storm.

1 When darkness long has veiled my mind, And smiling day once more appears, Then, my Creator! then I find The folly of my doubts and fears.

2 Straight I upbraid my wandering heart, And blush that I should ever be Thus p.r.o.ne to act so base a part, Or harbor one hard thought of thee.

3 O! let me then at length be taught, What I am still so slow to learn,-- That G.o.d is love, and changes not, Nor knows the shadow of a turn.

4 Sweet truth, and easy to repeat!

But when my faith is sharply tried, I find myself a learner yet, Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide.