2 How many talents, O my God!

Hast thou bestow'd on me!

But yet how few can there be found
Devoted, LORD! to thee!

3 My health, my time, my wordly store,
And thy more precious word,
Thy talents are, for which I must
Account to thee, my LORD!

4 Much of my time, alas! I've lost,
And much have I mispent ;

How careless of my grand concern!
On trifles how intent !

5 Ob may the slothful servant's doom,
My holy care excite ;
Each talent may I well improve,
And in thy work delight.

231. P. M.

The Danger of Delay.

HASTEN, sinner! to be wise,

Stay not for the morrow's sun,

Lest if wisdom thou despise,
She may never more be won.
2 Hasten, mercy to implore,
Stay not for the morrow's sun,
Lest thy season should be o'er,
Ere this evening's course is run.
3 Hasten sinner! to return,
Stay not for the morrow's sun,
Lest thy lamp should fail to burn,
Ere salvation's work is done.

4 Hasten sinner! to be bless'd,
Stay not for the morrow's sun,
Lest perdition thee arrest,
Ere the morrow is begun.

232. s. M.

Steadfastness and Watchfulness implored. 1 GOD; my strength! my hope! On the I cast my care;

2

With humble confidence look up
To thee who hearest prayer:
Grant me on thee to wait,
The work assign'd fulfil;
O may it all my pow'rs engage
To do my Father's will!

Grant me a sober mind,
A quick discerning eye,

The first approach of sin to find,
And all temptations fly,-
A spirit still prepar'd,

And arm'd with jealous care,
For ever standing on its guard,

And watching unto prayer.

3

Thy will may I pursue,

To thee in all things rise;

And all I think, and say, and do,

Be one great sacrifice :

Fill me with godly fear,

As in thy sight to live,

And oh, thy servant, LORD! prepare

A strict account to give!

233. L. M.

Steadfastness and Watchfulness implored.

I GRE

REAT GOD! my Father, and my Friend,
On whom I cast my constant care,

On whom for all things I depend!
To thee I raise my humble prayer.

2 Endue me with a holy fear;
The frailty of my heart reveal;
Sin and its snares are always near,
Thee may I always nearer teel.

3 Oh that to thee my constant mind

May with a steady flame aspire;
Pride in its earliest motions find,
And check the rise of wrong desire!
4 Oh that my watchful soul may fly
The first perceiv'd approach of sin;
Look up to thee when danger's nigh,
And feel thy fear controul within!
5 Search, Gracious GOD! my inmost heart;
From guilt and error set me free;
Thy light and truth and peace impart
And guide me safe to heav'n and thee.

234. L. M.

Humility.

WHEREFORE should man, frail child of clay,

Who, from the cradle to the shroud,

Lives but the insect of a day,— Oh why should mortal man be proud? 2 His brightest visions just appear, Then vanish and no more are found; The stateliest pile his pride can rear, A breath may level with the ground. 3 By doubt perplex'd, in error lost, With trembling step he seeks his way; How vain of wisdom's gifts the boast! Of reason's lamp how faint the ray! 4 Follies and crimes, a countless sum Are crowded in life's little span : How ill, alas! does pride become That erring, guilty creature, man. 5 GoD of our life! Father divine Give us a meek and lowly mind; In modest worth, oh may we shine, And peace in humble virtue find,

2

3

4

5

I

235, s. M.

Blessed are the Meek.

'BLESS'D are the meek,' he said,

Whose doctrine is divine;

The humble-minded earth possess.
And bright in heav'n will shine.
While here on earth they stay,
Calm peace with them shall dwell,
And cheerful hope, and heavenly joy,
Beyond what tongue can tell.

The GOD of peace is theirs:
They own his gracious sway

And yielding all their wills to him,

His sov'reign laws obey.

No angry passions move,
No envy fires their breast;
The prospect of eternal peace,
Bids every trouble rest.

O gracious Father! grant
That we this influence feel,
That all we hope, or wish, may be
Subjected to thy will.

Thus Christ our Lord to own,

Thus thee our Go obey,

Ensures us joy and peace on earth,
And leads to realms of day.

FROM

236. L. M.

Christian Purity.

ROM every thought and wish impure,
Great GOD! preserve my soul;

May every rebel passion bow

To thy divine control.

2 Sin has a thousand treach'rous arts

To lead the soul aside;

Oh teach me ev'ry art to shun,
And be my constant guide!

3 Ne'er let me venture to begin

The gay enchanted round,
Where, in a thoughtless guilty maze,
The slaves of sin are found.

4 Oh grant me thine assisting grace,
Where'er I'm call'd to go!
Upheld by thee, my cautious feet
The paths of peace shall know.

5 Through all the dang'rous scenes of life
My way oh deign to trace;
And after death, may I behold,
With joy, thy holy face!

1

237. c. M.

The Power of Faith.

FAITH adds new charms to earthly bliss,

And saves us from its snares;

Its aid in ev'ry duty brings

And softens all our cares.

2 It quells the raging flames of sin,
And lights the sacred fire,

Of love to GoD and heav'nly things,
And feeds the pure desire.

3 The wounded conscience knows its pow'r
The healing balm to give ;
That balm the saddest heart can cheer,
And make the dying live.

4 Wide it unveils the heav'nly state,
Where bliss will ever reign:
And bids us seek our portion there,
Nor bids us seek in vain.

5 On that bright prospect may we rest,
Till then frail body dies:

And then, on faith's triumphant wings,
To endless glory rise.