Imatges de pàgina
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3 Who with another's eye can read,
Or worship by another's creed?
Trusting thy grace, we form our own,
And bow to thy commands alone.
4 If wrong, correct; accept, if right;
While faithful we improve our light,-
Condemning none, but zealous still
To learn and follow all thy will.

5 When shall our happy eyes behold
All Christians fashion'd in thy mould;
And Charity our lineage prove
Derived from thee, O God of love.

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247. L. M.

Christian Zeal tempered by Charity. REAT GOD! whose all-pervading eye Sees ev'ry passion of the soul!

GE

When sunk too low, or rais'd too high,
Teach me those passions to control.
2 Temper the fervours of my frame;
Be charity their constant spring;
And oh let no unhallow'd flame
Pollute the off'rings which I bring!

3 Let love with piety unite,

To change the bias of my will;
While hope and heav'nly faith excite,
And wisdom regulates, my zeal ;~

4 That wisdom which to meekness turns,-
Wisdom descending from above;
And let my zeal, whene'er it burns,
Be kindled by the fire of love.

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248. L. M.

Persecution and Intolerance, absurd.

ABSURD and vain the attempt to bind

With iron chains the free-born mind; To force conviction, and reclaim

The wandering, by destructive flame!

2 How arrogant to snatch from heav'n
Dominion not to mortals giv'n;
O'er conscience to usurp the throne,
Accountable to God alone;

3 Our blessed Master's law of love,
Doth no such cruelties approve ;
Mild as himself, his doctrine wields
No arms but those persuasion yields,
4 By proofs divine, and reasons strong.
It draws the willing mind along;
And conquests to his church acquires
By eloquence, which heav'n inspires.

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249. 3. M.

The Right and Duty of Private Judgment.

MPOSTURE shrinks from light,

IM

And dreads the curious eye;

But sacred truths the test invite;

They bid us search and try.

May we, O LORD! maintain

A meek inquiring mind,

Assur'd we shall not search in vain,
But hidden treasures find.

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With understanding bless'd,

4

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Created to be free,

Our faith on man we dare not rest,
Subject to none but thee.

LORD! give the light we need;
With soundest knowledge fill;
From baneful error guard our creed,
From prejudice our will.

5 The truth thou shalt impart,

May we with firmness own; Abhorring each evasive art, And fearing thee alone.

BOOK V.

HYMNS FOR PECULIAR OCCASIONS.

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250. L. M.

For the Lord's-Day Morning.

AGAIN our weekly labours end,

And we the house of prayer attend :
Improve, my soul! the sacred rest,
And learn for ever to be bless'd.

2 This day may our devotions rise
To heav'n, a grateful sacrifice;
And heav'n that peace divine bestow,
Which none, but they who feel it know.

3 This holy calm within the breast
Prepares for that eternal rest,

Which for the sons of GOD remains,-
The end of cares, the end of pains.

4 Thy boundless mercy, LORD! we view;
Our thankful tribute here renew;
Grateful reflect on blessings past,
While hope gives future to our taste.

5 In holy duties let the day,
In holy pleasures pass away;
In work divine this day we spend,
In hope of that which ne'er shall end.

GR

251. L. M.

For the Lord's-Day Morning. REAT GOD! this sacred day of thine Demands our souls' collected pow'rs; May we employ in work divine

These solemn, these devoted, hours!

2 Hence, ye vain cares and trifles fly;
Where GOD resides appear no more:
Omniscient GOD! thy piercing eye
Can ev'ry secret thought explore.
3 The word of life dispens'd to-day
Invites us to a heav'nly feast;
May ev'ry ear the call obey,
Be ev'ry heart an humble guest!
4 Thy gracious aid, O GOD! impart ;
Oh may thy word, with life divine,
Engage the ear and warm the heart!
Then shall the day indeed be thine.
252. c. M.

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For the Lord's Day Morning.

AGAIN the LORD of life and light,

Awakes the kindling ray,

Unseals the eye-lids of the morn,

And pours increasing day.

2 Oh what a night was that, which wrapp'd The heathen world in gloom!

Oh what a sun which broke this day,
Triumphant from the tomb!

3 This day be grateful homage paid,
And glad hosannas sung;
'Let gladness dwell in every heart,
And praise on every tongue.

4 Tea thousand different lips still join
To hail this welcome morn,.

Which endless blessings will bestow
On thousands yet unborn.

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253. P. M.

Commencement of Public Worship.

T the portals of thy house,

AT

LORD! we leave our mortal cares
Nobler thoughts our souls engage,
Songs of praise and fervent pray'rs :
Pure and contrite hearts alone,
Find acceptance at thy throne.

2 Hapless men, whose footsteps stray
From the temple of the LORD:
Teach them Zion's heav'nly way,
To their feet thy light afford.
Let the world united join,
To extol thy love divine.

254. L. M.

The Sacrifice of the Heart.

WHEN, as returns this solemn day,

1 WH

Man comes to meet his Maker, GOD,-
What rites, what honours shall he pay?
How spread his Sov'reign's praise abroad?

2 From marble domes and gilded spires,
Shall curling clouds of incense rise?
And gems, and gold, and garlands deck
The costly pomp of sacrifice?

3 Vain, sinful man!-creation's LORD
Thy richest offerings well may spare;
But give thy heart, and thou shalt find
Here dwells a GOD who heareth prayer.

255 P. M.

The Divine Blessing Implored.

1 LORD! dismiss us with thy blessing,
Hope and comfort from above;

Let us each thy peace possessing,
Triumph in redeeming love,

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