216.

"But now they desire a better country." Heb. xi. 16.

P. M.

1 O THOU great Jehovah! lead us,

Pilgrims through this barren land. Thou who hast from bondage freed us! : Guard us with Thy mighty hand. Bread of heaven!

Nourished by Thy grace we stand. 2 As Thou didst in wondrous manner Guide Thy chosen flock aright, Let Thy presence be our banner, Cloud by day and fire by night: Thy protection

Be our shield, Thy word our light. 3 When we come to Jordan's river, Should we dread the swelling tide, Death of death, life's Source and Giver! Bid the narrow stream divide. Joyful praises

We will sing on Canaan's side.

217." Our Father, which art in heaven." Matt. vi. 9-13.

L. M.

1 FATHER, adored in worlds above!
Thy glorious name be hallowed still.
Thy kingdom come with power and love;
And earth, like heaven, obey Thy will.
2 Lord! make our daily wants Thy care.
Forgive the sins that we forsake. 1
Oh, let us in Thy kindness share,
As fellow-men of ours partake

1

3 Evils beset us every hour:

Thy kind protection we implore.

Thine is the kingdom, Thine the power: Be Thine the glory evermore.

218.

"So run,that ye may obtain." 1 Cor. ix. 24.
C. M. double.

O GOD! who dost Thy sovereign might
And high prerogative
Most chiefly shew in Thy delight
To pity and forgive:

Vouchsafe the aid Thy grace supplies,
So in Thy ways to run,

That we may win the heavenly prize,
Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son.

219.

"While we look not at the things which are seen." 2 Cor. iv. 18. 7's and 6's.

O GOD, Protector of the lowly,

Of all that trust in Thee!
Without whom nothing strong or holy,
And nothing good can be:

Guide Thou our steps to heavenly glory,
And teach us so to choose,

As not for pleasures transitory
Eternal bliss to lose.

220. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God."

Rom. v. 1. P. M.

TO all Thy faithful people, Lord!
Pardon and peace impart;

And by Thy Spirit shed abroad

Thy love in every heart;

That they, from conscious guilt made clean, May serve Thee with a mind serene.

221.

"To see thy power and thy glory."
Psalm lxiii. 2. C. M.

(On commencing a New Year.)

1 NOW, Gracious Lord! Thine arm reveal,
And make Thy glory known:
Now let us all Thy presence feel,
And soften hearts of stone.

1

2 Help us to venture near Thy throne,
And plead our Saviour's name;
For all that we can call our own,
Is vanity and shame.

3 From all the guilt of former sin
May mercy set us free;

And let the year we now begin,!
Begin and end with Thee.

4 Send down Thy Spirit from above,
That saints may love Thee more;
And sinners now may learn to love,
Who never loved before.

5 And when before Thee we appear,
In our eternal home,

May growing numbers worship here,
And praise Thee in our room.

222.

1

"The Lord that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion." Psalm cxxxiv. 3. 7's

1 BLESS, O Lord! the opening year
To the souls assembled here:

Clothe Thy word with power divine
Make us willing to be Thine. Pr
EN 6, 6T.

2 Where Thou hast Thy work begun,
Give new strength the race to run:
Scatter darkness, doubts, and fears;
Wipe away the mourner's tears.

3 Bless us all, both old and young;
Call forth praise from every tongue.
Let our whole assembly prove
All Thy power and all Thy love.

223.

"We spend our years as a tale that is told.”
Psalm xc. 9. C. M.

1 REMARK, my soul, the narrow bounds

Of the revolving year:

[rounds,

How swift the weeks complete their
How short the months appear.

2 So fast eternity comes on,

And that important day,

When all that mortal life has done,
God's judgment shall survey.

3 Yet, like an idle tale, we spend
The swift-advancing year;
And study artful ways to mend
The speed of its career.

4 Waken, O God! my trifling heart,
Its great concern to see;
That I may act a faithful part,

And give the year to Thee.

5 So shall their course more grateful roll, If future years arise;

Or this shall bear my happy soul
To joy that never dies.

224.

"Thou carriest them away as with a flood." Psalm xc. 5. 7's.

1 WHILE with ceaseless course the sun

Hasted through the former year,
Many souls their race have run,
Never more to meet us here.
Fixed in an eternal state,

They have done with all below.
We a little longer wait;

But how little, none can know.

2 As the winged arrow flies, Speedily the mark to find; As the lightning from the skies

Darts, and leaves no trace behind;
Swiftly thus our fleeting days

Bear us down life's rapid stream.
Upwards, Lord! our spirits raise.
All below is but a dream.

3 Thanks for mercies past receive.
Pardon of our sins renew.
Teach us henceforth how to live
With eternity in view.

Bless Thy word to young and old.
Fill us with a Saviour's love.
And when life's short tale is told,
May we dwell with Thee above.