On eagles' wings they mount, they soar,

Their wings are faith and love, Till, past the cloudy regions here,

They rise to heaven above.

W

197

ITH tearful eyes I look around,

Life seems a dark and stormy sea ; Yet, ʼmidst the gloom I hear a sound, A heavenly whisper, “Come to me."

. It tells me of a place of rest,

It tells me where my soul may flee; Oh! to the weary, faint, oppress'd,

How sweet the bidding, “ Come to me.” When the poor heart with anguish learns

That earthly props resign'd must be,
And from each broken cistern turns,
It hears the accents,

« Come to me.” When against sin I strive in vain,

And cannot from its yoke get free; Sinking beneath the heavy chain,

The words arrest me, Come to me." When nature shudders, loth to part

From all I love, enjoy, and see, When a faint chill steals o'er my heart,

A sweet voice utters, “Come to me.' “ Come, for all else must fail and die;

“ Earth is no resting-place for thee; “Heavenward direct thy weeping eye,

“I am thy portion, Come to me.'

a

W

O voice of mercy! voice of love!

In conflict, grief, and agony;
Support me, cheer me from above!

And gently whisper, “Come to me." 198

HEN sins and fears prevailing rise,

And fainting hope almost expires,
Jesus, to thee I lift mine eyes,
To thee I breathe my soul's desires.
Art thou not mine, my living Lord ?
And can my hope, my comfort, die,
Fix'd on thine everlasting word,
The word that built the earth and sky ?
If my immortal Saviour lives,
Then my immortal life is sure :
His word a firm foundation gives :
Here let me build and rest secure.
Here let

my

faith unshaken dwell;
Immoveable the promise stands :
Nor all the powers of earth or hell
Can e'er dissolve the sacred bands.
Here, O my soul, thy trust repose :
Tf Jesus is for ever mine,
Not death itself, that last of foes,
Shall break a union so divine.

199

HY should the children of a King

Great Comforter, descend and bring

Some tokens of thy grace.

Dost thou not dwell in all the saints,

And seal them heirs of heaven?
When wilt thou banish my complaints,

And show my sins forgiven ?
Assure my conscience of her part

In the Redeemer's blood;
And bear thy witness with my heart,

That I am born of God.
Thou art the earnest of his love,

The pledge of joys to come,
And thy soft wings, celestial Dove,

Will safe convey me home.

200 WA

ALK in the light, so shalt thou know

That fellowship of love
His Spirit only can bestow,

Who reigns in light above.
Walk in the light, and thou shalt find

Thy heart made truly his
Who dwells in cloudless light enshrined,

In whom no darkness is.
Walk in the light, and thou shalt own

Thy darkness pass'd away,
Because that light hath on thee shone,

In which is perfect day.
Walk in the light, and e'en the tomb

No fearful shade shall wear ;
Glory shall chase away its gloom,

For Christ hath conquer'd there.

Walk in the light, thy path shall be

Peaceful, serene, and bright:
For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee,

And God himself is light.

201

W!

HEN, from the depths of woe,
To thee, O Lord ! I

cry,
Darkness surrounds me, but I know

That thou art ever nigh.
Then hearken to my voice!

Give ear to my complaint!
Thou bidst the mourning soul rejoice,

Thou comfortest the faint.
I cast my hope on thee:

Thou canst, thou wilt forgive:
Wert thou to mark iniquity,

Who in thy sight could live!
Humbly on thee I wait,

Confessing all my sin;
Lord! I am knocking at thy gate;

Open, and take me in.
Glory to God above!

The waters soon will cease ;
For lo! the swift-returning dove

Brings home the sign of Peace.
Though storms his face obscure,

And dangers threaten loud,
Jehovah's covenant is sure;

His bow is in the cloud !

202 NHOU that art strong to comfort, look on me!

I sit in darkness and behold no light; Over my soul the waves of agony Have gone, and left me in a rayless night. A bruised and broken reed sustain! sustain ! Divinest Comforter, to thee I fly, To whom no soul hath ever fled in vain; Support me with thy love, or else I die. Father, whate'er I had, it all was thine; A God of mercy thou hast ever been; Oh, help me what I most loved to resign, And if I murmur, count it not for sin. My soul is strengthen'd now, and it shall bear All that remains, whatever it may be ; And from the very depths of my despair I will look up, O God, and trust in thee!

203 0

LORD, my best desires fulfil,

And help me to resign
Life, health, and comfort to thy will,

And make thy pleasure mine.
Why should I shrink at thy command,

Whose love forbids my fears ?
Or tremble at the gracious hand

That wipes away my tears ?
No, rather let me freely yield

What most I prize to thee;
Who never hast a good withheld,

Or wilt withhold from me.