IV.

CHAMBER of sickness! much to thee I owe,

Though dark thou be;

The lessons it imports me most to know,
I owe to thee !

A sacred seminary thou hast been,
I trust, to train me to a happier scene.

Chamber of sickness! suffering and alone,
My friends withdrawn,

The blessed beams of heavenly truth have shone

On me, forlorn,

With such a hallowed vividness and power
As ne'er were granted to a brighter hour.

Chamber of sickness! 'midst thy silence, oft
A voice is heard,

Which though it fall like dew on flowers, so soft,
Yet speaks each word

Into the aching heart's unseen recess,

With power no earthly accents could possess.

Chamber of sickness! in that bright abode
Where there is no more pain,

If, through the mercy of my Saviour God,
A seat I gain,

This theme shall tune my golden harp's soft laysThat in thy shelter passed my earthly days.

V.

FATHER, Thy gentle chastisement
Falls kindly on my burdened soul;
I see its merciful intent,

To warn me back to Thy control;
And pray that, while I kiss the rod,
I may find perfect peace with God.

The errors of my heart I know
I feel my deep infirmities;
For often virtuous feelings glow,
And holy purposes arise;

But, like the morning clouds, decay,
As empty, though as fair, as they.

Forgive the weakness I deplore;

And let Thy grace abound in me,

That I may trust my heart no more,
But wholly cast myself on Thee;
Oh, let my Father's strength be mine,
my devoted life be Thine!

And

VI.

THERE is a secret in the ways of God

With His own children, which none others know,
That sweetens all He does; and if such peace,
While under His afflicting hand we find,
What will it be to see Him as He is,

And pass the reach of all that now disturbs
The tranquil soul's repose! To contemplate,
In retrospect unclouded, all the means

By which His wisdom has prepared His saints
For the vast weight of glory which remains!
Come then, affliction, if my Father bids,
And be my frowning friend: a friend that frowns
Is better than a smiling enemy.

We welcome clouds which bring the former rain,
Tho' they the present prospect blacken round,
And shade the beauties of the opening year,
That, by their stores enriched, the earth may yield
A fruitful summer and a plenteous crop.

VII.

LORD, how mysterious are Thy ways!
How blind are we, how mean our praise!
Thy steps can mortal eyes explore ?
'Tis ours to wonder and adore.

Great God! I would not ask to see
What in futurity shall be;

If light and bliss attend my days,
Then let my future hours be praise.

Is darkness and distress my share?
Still let me trust Thy guardian care;
Enough for me, if love divine

At length through every cloud shall shine

Yet this my soul desires to know;

Be this my only wish below;

VIII.

LIVING or dying, Lord, I would be Thine! O, what is life?

Living or dying, Lord, I would be Thine!

O, what is death,

When the poor breath

In parting, can the soul to Thee resign?
While patient love

Her trust doth prove-
Living or dying, Lord, I would be Thine!

Throughout my days

Be constant praise

Uplift to Thee from out this heart of mine: So shall I be

Brought nearer Thee

Living or dying, Lord, I would be Thine!