Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 84

2 When disciplined by long distress, And led through paths of fear and woe, Say, dost thou love thy children less?

No! ever-gracious Father, no!

3 No distance can outreach thine eye, No night obscure thy endless day: Be this my comfort when I sigh, Be this my safeguard when I stray.

508. S. M. Mme. Guion.

The Water of Life.

1 The fountain in its source No drought of summer fears; The farther it pursues its course, The n.o.bler it appears.

2 But shallow cisterns yield A scanty, short supply; The morning sees them amply filled, At evening they are dry.

3 The cisterns I forsake, O fount of bliss, for thee!

My thirst with living waters slake, And drink eternity.

509. C. M. Rippon's Coll.

Peace with G.o.d.

1 Father! whate'er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies, Accepted at thy throne of grace, Let this pet.i.tion rise:--

2 "Give me a calm, a thankful heart, From every murmur free; The blessings of thy grace impart, And make me live to thee.

3 "Let the sweet hope that thou art mine My life and death attend; Thy presence through my journey s.h.i.+ne, And crown my journey's end."

510. S. M. Christian Psalmist.

The Way of G.o.d with the Spirit.

1 'Tis G.o.d the spirit leads In paths before unknown: The work to be performed is ours; The strength is all his own.

2 a.s.sisted by his grace, We still pursue our way; And hope at last to reach the prize, Secure in endless day.

3 'Tis he that works to will; 'Tis he that works to do; His is the power by which we act, His be the glory too.

511. L. M. 6l. Christian Psalmist.

Foretaste of Heaven.

1 What must it be to dwell above, At G.o.d's right hand, where Jesus reigns, Since the sweet earnest of his love O'erwhelms us on these earthly plains!

No heart can think, no tongue explain, What bliss it is with Christ to reign.

2 When sin no more obstructs our sight, When sorrow pains our hearts no more, How shall we view the Prince of Light And all his works of grace explore!

What heights and depths of love divine Will there through endless ages s.h.i.+ne!

3 This is the heaven I long to know; For this, with patience, I would wait, Till, weaned from earth, and all below, I mount to my celestial seat, And wave my palm, and wear my crown, And, with the elders, cast them down.

512. C. M. Doddridge.

Jesus precious to them that believe.

1 Jesus, I love thy charming name; 'Tis music to my ear; Fain would I sound it out so loud That earth and heaven might hear.

2 Whate'er my n.o.blest powers can wish In thee doth richly meet; No light unto my eyes so dear, No friends.h.i.+p half so sweet.

3 Thy grace shall dwell upon my heart, And shed its fragrance there,-- The n.o.blest balm of all its wounds, The cordial of its care.

4 I'll speak the honors of thy name With my expiring breath, And, dying, clasp thee in my arms, The antidote of death.

513. C. M. Watts.

The Hope of Heaven.

1 When I can read my t.i.tle clear To mansions in the skies, I bid farewell to every fear, And wipe my weeping eyes.

2 Let cares like a wild deluge come, And storms of sorrow fall, May I but safely reach my home, My G.o.d, my heaven, my all!

3 There shall I bathe my weary soul In seas of heavenly rest, And not a wave of trouble roll Across my peaceful breast.

LIFE, DEATH AND FUTURITY.