Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 66

1 Not different food, nor different dress, Compose the kingdom of our Lord; But peace, and joy, and righteousness, Faith, and obedience to his word.

2 When weaker Christians we despise, We do the gospel mighty wrong; For G.o.d, the gracious and the wise, Receives the feeble with the strong.

3 Let pride and wrath be banished hence, Meekness and love our souls pursue, Nor shall our practice give offence To saints, the Gentile or the Jew.

400. S. M. Scott.

Private Judgment and Accountability.

1 Imposture shrinks from light, And dreads the curious eye; But sacred truths the test invite, They bid us search and try.

2 With understanding blest, Created to be free, Our faith on man we dare not rest, Subject to none but thee.

3 Lord, give the light we need; With soundest knowledge fill; From noxious error guard our creed, From prejudice our will.

4 The truth thou shalt impart, May we with firmness own; Abhorring each evasive art, And fearing thee alone.

401. C. M. Newton.

True Zeal.

1 Zeal is that pure and heavenly flame The fire of love supplies; Whilst that which often bears the name, Is self but in 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 This idol self, O Lord, dethrone, And from our hearts remove; And let no zeal by us be shown But that which springs from love.

402. C. M. Needham.

Moderation.

1 Happy the man whose cautious steps Still keep the golden mean; Whose life by wisdom's rules well formed, Declares a conscience clean.

2 To sect or party his large soul Disdains to be confined; The good he loves of every name, And prays for all mankind.

3 His business is to keep his heart; Each pa.s.sion to control; n.o.bly ambitious well to rule The empire of his soul.

4 Not on the world his heart is set, His treasure is above; Nothing beneath the sovereign good Can claim his highest love.

403. L. M. Sir H. Wotton.

The Independent and Happy Man.

1 How happy is he born or taught, Who serveth not another's will; Whose armor is his honest thought, And simple truth his highest skill;

2 Whose pa.s.sions not his masters are; Whose soul is still prepared for death; Not tied unto the world with care Of prince's ear or vulgar breath;

3 Who G.o.d doth late and early pray More of his grace than goods to lend, And walks with man from day to day, As with a brother and a friend.

4 This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise, or fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands, And having nothing, yet hath all.

404. C. M. Logan.

Wisdom.

1 O happy is the man, who hears Instruction's warning voice; And who celestial wisdom makes His early, only choice.

2 Her treasures are of more esteem Than east or west unfold; And her rewards more precious are Than all their mines of gold.

3 In her right hand she holds to view A length of happy days; Riches with splendid honors joined, Her left hand full displays.

4 She guides the young with innocence In pleasure's path to tread; A crown of glory she bestows Upon the h.o.a.ry head.

5 According as her labors rise, So her rewards increase; Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.

405. C. M. Campbell's Coll.

"They shall walk and not faint."