V. "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."-2 Cor. iv. 17. CHAMBER of sickness! much to thee I owe, Though dark thou be; The lessons it imports me most to know, A sacred seminary thou hast been, Chamber of sickness! suffering and alone, The blessed beams of heavenly truth have shone With such a hallowed vividness and power Chamber of sickness! midst thy silence, oft Which though it fall like dew on flowers, so soft, Into the aching heart's unseen recess, Chamber of sickness! in that bright abode If, through the mercy of my Saviour God, This theme shall tune my golden harp's soft lays That in thy shelter passed my earthly days. VI. "My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."Ps. lxxiii. 26. FATHER, Thy gentle chastisement To warn me back to Thy control; The errors of my heart I know; But, like the morning clouds, decay, 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, And my devoted life be Thine! VII. "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." -Ps. cxxvi. 6. THERE is a secret in the ways of God With His own children, which none others know, What will it be to see Him as He is, By which His wisdom has prepared His saints We welcome clouds which bring the former rain, And shade the beauties of the opening year, That, by their stores enriched, the earth may yield. A fruitful summer and a plenteous crop. VIII. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He wil! sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved."-Ps. lv. 22. LORD, how mysterious are Thy ways! 'Tis ours to wonder and adore. Great God! I would not ask to see If light and bliss attend my days, Is darkness and distress my share? At length through every cloud shall shine. Yet this my soul desires to know; That I am Thine!—this great request IX. "All mine are Thine."-John xvii. 10. "Not my will, but Thine, be done."-Luke xxii. 42. LIVING or dying, Lord, I would be Thine! A toil, a strife, Were it not lighted by Thy love divine: I crave not health— Living or dying, Lord, I would be Thine! O, what is death? When the poor breath In parting, can the soul to Thee resign; 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: Brought nearer Thee— Living or dying, Lord, I would be Thine! |