218. L. M.

Preservation from Sin implored.

1.

AMIDST a world of hopes and fears,
A wild of cares and toils and tears,
Where foes alarm, and dangers threat,
And pleasures kill, and glories cheat,—

2.

Shed down, O LORD! a heavenly ray To guide me in the doubtful way; And o'er me hold thy shield of power, To guard me in the dangerous hour.

3.

Teach me the flattering paths to shun, In which the thoughtless many run; Who for a shade the substance miss, And grasp their ruin in their bliss.

4.

Each noble principle impart,

The faith which sanctifies the heart, Hope that to heav'ns high vault aspires, And love that warms with holy fires.

5.

Whate'er is honest, pure, refin'd,
Just, generous, amiable, and kind,
That may my constant zeal pursue,
That may I love and practise too.

6.

May never pleasure, wealth, or pride,
Allure my wandering soul aside;
Nor tempt me from the narrow road,
Which leads to happiness and God.

219. L. M.

The Wise Choice.
1.

BESET with snares on every hand,
In life's uncertain path I stand:
Father divine! diffuse thy light,
To guide my doubtful footsteps right.

2.

Engage this frail and wavering heart,
Wisely to choose the better part;
To scorn the trifles of a day

For joys which never fade away.

3.

Then, though the wildest storms arise,
Though tempests mingle earth and skies,
No fatal shipwreck shall I fear,
But all my treasures with me bear.

4.

If thou, my Father! still be nigh,
Cheerful I live, and joyful die;
Secure, when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in thee.

220. L. M.

Devout Wishes for Guidance and Success in the Christian Course.

1.

GOD of the morning, at whose voice
The cheerful sun makes haste to rise,
And rob'd in splendour, doth rejoice
To run his journey through the skies!

2.

Oh, like the sun, may we fulfil
The appointed duties of the day;
With steady mind, and active will,
Press on and keep our heavenly way!

3.

But we shall rove, and lose our race,
If God, our Sun, should disappear,
And leave us in the world's wide maze,
To follow every wandering star.

4.

LORD! thy commands are right and pure,
Enlightening our beclouded eyes;
Thy threatenings just, thy promise sure,
Thy gospel makes the simple wise.

5.

Give us thy counsel for our guide,
And then receive us to thy bliss;
May every wish and hope beside,
Be faint and cold compar'd with this!

221. L. M.

Desire of Wisdom and Obedience

1. .

TEACH me, oh teach me, LORD! thy way, That to my life's remotest day,

By thy unerring precepts led,

My feet thy heavenly paths may tread.

2.

Inform'd by thee, with sacred awe
My heart shall meditate thy law;
And with celestial wisdom fill'd,
To thee a pure obedience yield.

3.

Give me to know thy will aright,
Thy will my glory and delight;

That, rais'd above the world, my mind
In thee its highest good may find.

4.

Oh turn from vanity my eye;

To me thy quickening strength supply;
And with thy promis'd mercy `cheer
A heart devoted to thy fear!

OH that the Lord would guide my ways, To keep his statutes still!

Oh that my GOD would grant me grace To know and do his will!

2.

In deepest characters impress
Thy law upon my heart;

Nor let my tongue the truth transgress,
Nor act the slanderer's part.

3.

Oh turn from vanity my eyes!
Let no corrupt design,

Nor covetous desire, arise

Within this heart of mine.

4.

Assist my heart, too apt to stray,

A stricter watch to keep;

And since I've not forgot thy way.
Restore thy wandering sheep.

S

5.

Make me to walk in thy commands,
'Tis a delightful road!

Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
Offend against my God.

223. c. M.

Supplication for Spiritual Blessings.

1.

FATHER of all! whose cares extend
To earth's remotest shore !
Through every age let praise ascend;
Let every clime adore.

2.

What conscience dictates to be done,
Or warns me not to do,

This, teach me more than death to shun,
That, more than life pursue.

3.

If I am right, thy grace impart,
Still in the right to stay;

If I am wrong, oh teach my heart
To find the better way!

4.

Teach me to feel another's woe,

To hide the faults I see;

That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.

5.

Save me alike from foolish pride
Or impious discontent,

At ought thy wisdom hath denied
Or ought thy goodness lent.