3 With understanding blest,
Created to be free,
Our faith on man we dare not rest,
Subject to none but thee.
4 Lord, give the light we need,
With soundest knowledge fill;
From noxious 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.
Unrivalled Beauty and Glory of Religion.
1 SOFT are the fruitful showers that bring The welcome promise of the spring, And soft the vernal gale;
Sweet the wild warblings of the grove,
The voice of nature and of love,
That gladden every vale:
2 But softer in the mourner's ear
Sounds the mild voice of Mercy near,
That whispers sins forgiven;
And sweeter far the music swells,
When to the raptured soul she tells
Of peace and promised heaven.
3 Fair are the flowers that deck the ground, And groves and gardens blooming round Unnumbered charms unfold;
Bright is the sun's meridian ray,
And bright the beams of setting day,
That robe the clouds in gold:
4 But far more fair the pious breast,
In richer robes of goodness dressed,
Where heaven's own graces shine;
And brighter far the prospects rise,
That burst on faith's delighted eyes
From glories all divine.
1 FATHER in heaven, to thee my heart
Would lift itself in prayer;
Drive from my soul each earthly thought,
And show thy presence there.
2 Each moment of my life renews
The mercies of my Lord,
Each moment is itself a gift
To bear me on to God.
3 O, help me break the galling chains
This world has round me thrown,
Each passion of my heart subdue,
Each darling sin disown.
4 O Father, kindle in my breast
A never-dying flame
Of holy love, of grateful trust
In thine almighty name.
Seeking Aid from God.
FATHER, thine aid afford,
For still the same thou art;
To thee I look, to thee, my Lord!
Lift up my feeble heart.
2 Thou seest my troubled breast,
The strugglings of my will,
The foes that interrupt my rest,
The trials that I feel.
In thee all fulness dwells,
And all for erring man :
Fill every want my spirit feels,
And sunder every chain.
4 I long to see thy face,
Thy spirit I implore,
The living water of thy grace,
That I may thirst no more.
1 FATHER of light! conduct my feet
Through life's dark, dangerous road;
Let each advancing step still bring
Me nearer to my God.
2 Let heaven-eyed prudence be my guide;
And, when I go astray,
Recall my feet from folly's path,
To wisdom's better way.
3 Teach me in every various scene
To keep my end in sight;
And, while I tread life's mazy track,
Let wisdom guide me right.
4 That heavenly wisdom from above
Abundantly impart;
And let it guard, and guide, and warm,
And penetrate my heart,-
5 Till it shall lead me to thyself,
Fountain of bliss and love!
And all my darkness be dispersed
In endless light above.
1 COME, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With light and comfort from above;
Be thou our guardian, thou our guide;
O'er every thought and step preside.
2 To us the light of truth display,
And make us know and choose thy way;
Plant holy fear in every heart,
That we from God may ne'er depart.
3 Lead us to holiness, the road
Which we must take to dwell with God;
Lead us to Christ, the living way,
Nor let us from his pastures stray ;
4 Lead us to God, our final rest,
To be with him for ever blest;
Lead us to heaven, the seat of bliss,
Where pleasure in perfection is.
Seeking for Divine Assistance.
1 MY GOD! whene'er my longing heart
Its grateful tribute would impart,
In vain my tongue, with feeble aim,
Attempts the glories of thy name.
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