We then may hear without a sigh,
The world's destruction to be nigh—
Our treasure is above.
3 How sweet to know the Saviour's name, The Saviour who in mercy came,
And vanquish'd all our foes:
On him as on a solid rock,
Our hope is built, and stands the shock
Of ev'ry storm that blows.
4 Then let a world of shadows go,
It matters not, his people know
Their treasure still is sure;
'Tis laid up there where nothing fades, No rust consumes, no thief invades ; And there it is secure.
490. The Vanity of the Pursuits of the Natural Man. L.M.
Behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.-ECCLES. i. 14.
1 MAN hath a soul with vast desires,
He burns within with restless fires;
Tost to and fro, his passions fly
From vanity to vanity.
2 In vain on earth we hope to find
Some solid good to fill the mind;
We try new pleasures, but we feel
The inward thirst and torment still.
3 Great God! subdue this vicious thirst,
This love to vanity and dust;
Cure the vile fever of the mind,
And feed our souls with joys refin'd.
491. The Vanity of the World. c.M.
There be many that say, who will show us any good? LORD, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us.-PSALM iv. 6.
1 IN vain the giddy world inquires,
Forgetful of their God,
Who will supply our vast desires,
Or show us any good?
2 Thro' the wide circuit of the earth
Their eager wishes rove,
In chase of honour, wealth, and mirth,
The phantoms of their love.
3 But oft these shadowy joys elude
Their most intense pursuit;
Or, if they seize the fancied good,
There's poison in the fruit.
4 Lord, from this world call off my love,
Set my affections right;
Bid me aspire to joys above,
And walk no more by sight.
5 O let the glories of thy face
Upon my bosom shine;
Assur'd of thy forgiving grace,
My joys will be divine.
492. A Birth-day Hymn. 7s.
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day.-ACTS xxvi. 22.
1 I MY Ebenezer raise
To my kind Redeemer's praise;
With a grateful heart I own,
Hitherto thy help I've known.
2 What may be my future lot,
Well I know concerns me not;
This should set my heart at rest,
What thy will ordains is best.
3 I my all to thee resign;
Father, let thy will be mine;
May but all thy dealings prove
Fruits of thy paternal love.
4 Guard me, Saviour, by thy pow'r;
Guard me in the trying hour;
Let thine unremitted care
Save me from the lurking snare.
5 Let my few remaining days.
Be directed in thy praise;
So the last, the closing scene
Shall be tranquil and serene.
6 To thy will I leave the rest,
Grant me but this one request;
Both in life and death to prove
Tokens of thy special love.
493. For the New Year. L.M.
I about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.-ACTs xiii. 18.
LORD, we desire to praise thy name,
That spar'd, another year we see.
To us belongeth only shame;
But love and faithfulness to thee.
When we reflect what we've deserv'd,
It moves our wonder and our praise,
That such poor worms should be preserv'd,
And still be walking in thy ways.
How oft, like Israel of old,
Have our vile hearts turn'd back from thee! To idols base, to calves of gold,
How oft, alas! we've bow'd the knee!
We've sinn'd against the clearest light;
We've sinn'd against the greatest love;
We stand convicted in thy sight:
Shouldst thou condemn, we must approve.]
Nor can we use the suppliant's plea,
Henceforth thy pleasure we'll fulfil;"
It suits us not to vow, but pray
“Lord, teach us to perform thy will."
494. For the New Year. 7s.
Now may fervent pray'r arise,
Wing'd with faith, and pierce the skies;
Fervent pray'r shall bring us down
Gracious answers from the throne.
[2 Bless, O Lord, the op'ning year
To each soul assembled here;
Clothe thy word with pow'r divine,
Make us willing to be thine.]
3 Shepherd of thy blood-bought sheep,
Teach the stony heart to weep;
Let the blind have eyes to see,
See their sins and look on thee!
4 Let the minds of all our youth
Feel the force of sacred truth :
While the gospel-call they hear,
May they learn to love and fear.
5 Where thou hast thy work begun,
Give new strength the race to run;
Scatter darkness, doubts, and fears,
Wipe away the mourner's tears.
✪ Bless us all, both old and young,
Call forth praise from ev'ry tongue;
Let the whole assembly prove
All thy power, and all thy love!
495. For the Opening of the Year. s.m.
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.-1 SAM. vii. 12.
LET hearts and tongues unite,
And loud thanksgiving raise;
"Tis duty mingled with delight,
The Saviour's name to praise.
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