What though our mortal comforts fade, My cares-I give them to the wind, And shake them off like dust ; Well may I trust my all with Him, With whom my soul I trust. HYMN 266. Christian friendship. O THAT in unfetter'd union, Of the body's mystic guest? Who knows how the soul may travel, When at Mercy's footstool bending, Or the wish at least possess'd thee, Yes, the hour, the hour is hasting, Then the secret all shall end. Let, then, thought hold sweet communion, O my friend, to meet thee there. HYMN 267. "Love to God." HOW sweet, Oh, my God, is Thy voice of compassion, Which soft as the summer's dew falls on the mind, Which whispers the tidings of life and salvation, And casts the dark shadows of sorrow behind. O yes! I have known it, when kindly and cheering, It hushed the hoarse thunders of justice to rest; It was heard, and the angel of mercy appearing, Pour'd the balm of relief o'er the penitent's breast. And still may I hear it, while crossing life's ocean, Or borne on the billow, or breath'd in the gale; Enkindling the flame of expiring devotion, 'Tis the still voice of Him who expir'd on the mountain, And breath'd out for sinners His last dying groan; His voice, who on Calvary open'd the fountain, Of water to cleanse, and of blood to atone. That voice, O believer! shall cheer and protect thee, When the cold chill of death thy frail bosom invades ; At its sound shall the day-star arise to direct thee, And gild with refulgence the valley of shades. HYMN 268. The dying infant. "CEASE here longer to detain me, Fondest mother drown'd in woe; "Lately launch'd, a trembling stranger, "Now my cries shall cease to grieve thee, Now my trembling heart find rest : Kinder arms than thine receive me, Softer pillow than thy breast. 66 Weep not o'er these eyes that languish, Upward turning toward their home; Raptur'd they'll forget all anguish, While they wait to see thee come. "There, my mother, pleasures centre- Ne'er our Father's house shall enter- "As thro' this calm, this holy dawning, To an everlasting morning, Gently close my eyes in death." HYMN 269. Resignation. SOON will the toilsome strife be o'er, Courage my soul ! on God rely, A thousand ways Jehovah has E're first I drew the vital breath, But Thou, my Shepherd, Friend, and Guide, Taught me to rest my weary head, On Christ" the Corner-stone." So comforted, and so sustain'd, And found them, as I walk'd by faith, With silent and submissive awe, Revere His judgments, trust His word, HYMN 270. Immortality of the soul. THE grave is not a place of rest, As unbelievers teach, Where grief can never win a tear, The eye that shed the tear is closed, The mould'ring earth and hungry worm Eternally the same. HYMN 271. Victory over death, and the world. I'M going to leave all my sadness, I'm going to change earth for heaven : Where there all is peace, all is gladness; There pureness and glory are given. Come quickly then, Jesus. Amen. Friends, weep not in sorrow of spirit, But joy that my time here is o'er ; go the good part to inherit, I Where sorrow, and sin are no more. |