Imatges de pàgina
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2 Since he for ever reigns,
We may securely dwell;

The hand which bears all nature up,
Shall guide his children well.

3 O why should anxious thoughts
Oppress the sinking mind?
Go fall before your Father's throne,
And sweet relief you'll find.

4 Devoutly fear his name.
And know no other fear,
In ev'ry scene of life and death
Your Helper will be near.

199. L. M.

Confidence in God's Care and Kindness

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thou my Shepherd, gracious LORD! My wants shall then be well supplied ; Thy providence and holy word

Shall be my safeguard and my guide.
2 In pastures where salvation grows
Oh lead me LORD and give me rest;
There living water gently flows,
And all the food's divinely bless'd.
3 If wand'ring, thy ways mistake,
Again restore my soul to peace,
And lead me, for thy mercy's sake,
In the fair path of righteousness.
4 In ev'ry dark and trying scene,

Be thou my comfort, thou my stay
And let thy staff my steps sustain,
Thy rod direct my doubful way.

5 Then, though I pass the gloomy vale.
Where death and all its terrors are,
My heart and hope shall never fail,
For God my shepherd's with me there.

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200. c. M.

Confidence in our Heavenly Father.
GOD! on thee we all depend,
On thy paternal care;

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Thou wilt the Father and the Friend
In every scene appear.

2 With open hand, and lib'ral heart,
Thou wilt our wants supply;

Thy heav'nly blessings still impart,
And no good thing deny.

3 Thou know'st O GOD! what's good and fit,
And wisdom guides thy love;
To thy appointments we submit
And every choice approve.

4 In thy paternal love and care,

With cheerful heart we trust;
Thy tender mercies boundless are,
And all thy thoughts are just.
5 We cannot want while GoD provides ;
What he allots is best,

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And heav'n whate'er we want besides,
Will give eternal rest.

201. c. M.

Trust in God in Prosperity and Adversity.
THE LORD-how tender is his love!
His justice, how august!

Hence all her fears my soul derives ;
There anchors all her trust.

Q2 He show'rs the manna from above,
To feed the barren waste;

Or points with death the fiery hail;
And famine waits the blast.

3 His pow'r directs the rushing wind,
Or tips the bolt with flame;

His goodness breathes in every breeze,
And warms in every beam.

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4 He bids distress forget to groan,—
The sick from anguish cease;

His grace divine supports the oppress'd,
And softly whispers peace.

5 For me, O LORD! whatever lot

The hours commission'd bring,— Do all my with ring blessings die, Or fairer clusters spring,

6 Oh grant, that still, with grateful heart, My years resign'd may run "Tis thine to give or to resume, And may thy will be done!

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202. c. M.

Acquiescence in the will of God. AUTHOR of good! we rest on thee;

Thy ever watchful eye

Alone our real wants can see,

Thy hand alone supply.

2 Oh let thy fear within us dwell,
Thy love our footsteps guide!
That love shall vainer loves expel;
That fear all fears beside.

3 And since by passion's force subdu❜d,
Too oft with stubborn will,
We blindly shun the latent good,
And grasp the specious ill,-

4 Not what we wish, but what we want,
Let mercy still supply;

The good, unask'd, O Father! grant,
The ill, though ask'd, deny.

203. c. M.

Thankfulness and Resignation.

WHEN I survey life's varied scene,

Amid the darkest hours,

Sweet rays of comfort shine between,
And thorns are mix'd with flowers,

2 Are health and ease my happy share?
Oh may I bless my God!
Thy kindness let my songs declare
And spread thy praise abroad.

3 While such delightful gifts as these
Are kindly dealt to me,

Be all my hours of health and ease
Devoted, LORD! to thee.

4 And oh! whate'er of earthly bliss
Thy providence denies,
Accepted at thy throne of grace,
Let this petition rise:

5 Give me a calm, a thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessings of thy grace impart,
And make me live to thee.

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204, c. M.

Resignation to the Divine Will

N all thy dealings, gracious GOD!
own thy sov'reign power;

And humbly kiss thy chastening rod,
In sorrow's darkest hour.

2 For sore affliction's sharpest sting,
In mercy oft is given,

Our thoughtless, erring steps, to bring
The safest road to heaven.

3 Alike thy providence supplies

Each blessing which we share;
Though clouds obscure our morning skies,

The evening may be fair.

4 Since, then, our lot of good or ill,
Is sent with wise design,

I'll bow submissive to thy will
And grateful make it mine.

5 To thee, my GOD! resign'd I pray, Whate'er the path may be,

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Oh guide my feet that peaceful way,
Which leads to heav'n and thee!

205. L. M.

Trust and Resignation implored.
GOD! to thee we raise our eyes;
Calm resignation we implore;
Oh let no murm'ring thought arise,
But humbly let us still adore!

2 With meek submission may we bear
Each needful cross thou shalt ordain ;
Nor think our trials too severe;
Nor dare thy justice to arraign.
3 For though mysterious now thy ways
To erring mortals may appear,
Hereafter we thy name shall praise,
For all our keenest sufferings here.
4 Thy needful help, O GOD! afford,
Nor let us sink in deep despair;
Aid us to trust thy sacred word,
And find our sweetest comfort there,

5 There faith unveils a brighter scene,

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Where all life's painful conflicts cease,
Where no dark clouds shall intervene,
No sorrows e'er disturb our peace.

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Trust founded on the Divine Perfections. WHY sinks my weak desponding mind? Why heaves my heart the anxious sigh? Can sovereign goodness be unkind?

Am I not safe if God be nigh?

2 He holds all nature in his hand;

That gracious hand on which I live
Doth life, and time, and death command,
And hath immortal joys to give.

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