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HYMNJ 
 
 FOR 
 
 Mi^Bm 
 
 SELECTED AND ALTERED. 
 
 WITH 
 
 APPROPRIATE TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 BV THE AUTHOR OF 
 CONVERSATIONS ON COMMON THINGS.' 
 
 Early lay the foundation of Piety : look upon the universe which, 
 you inhabit, not as the abode only of human cares or human joys, 
 but as the Ttmple of the Living God, to whom your praise 1$ ^UC; 
 and to whom your best service is to be performed. — Alison. 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 ^fONROE AND FRANCIS, 128 WAfeHINGTON-STREET, 
 
 1825. 
 
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT : 
 
 District Clerk^s Office. 
 
 Be it remembered, that on the fifteenth day of March, A. D. 
 1825, in the Forty-Ninth Year of the Independence of the United 
 States of America, Munroe & Francis of the said District, have 
 deposited in this Office the Title of a Book, the Right whereof they 
 claim as Proprietors, in the Words following', to wit : 
 
 Hymns for Children, selected and altered, with appropriate texts 
 of Scripture. By the author of "Conversations on Common Things." 
 — ' Early lay the foundation;of Piety : look upon the universe whick 
 yow inhabit, not as the abode only of human cares or human joys, 
 but as the Temple of the Living God, to whom your praise is due, 
 and to whom your best service is to be performed.' — Alison. 
 
 In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, 
 entitled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing 
 the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprie- 
 tors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ;" and 
 also to an act entitled, " An act supplementary to an act, 
 entitled. An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing 
 the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and propri- 
 etors of such copies during the times therein mentioned ; and 
 extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, 
 and etching historical and other prints." 
 
 JOHN W. DAVIS, Clerk of the DistHct of Massachusetts. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 In again addressing myself to you, my young' 
 pupils, I would direct you more immediately to 
 the means of attaining principles of early piety 
 and excellence. You are young, it is true, 
 but not too young to become good and virtu- 
 ous, — not too young to lay the foundation of 
 your future happiness. 
 
 I have, in this little book attempted to fur- 
 nish you with such hymns as shall at once in- 
 terest your hearts, and guide you in the attain- 
 ment of that piety, which the wise have told 
 us " is an ornament of pecuhar beauty to those 
 who have not seen many years." Early habits 
 of devotion will not only strengthen and secure 
 you in virtue, hut shed peace and tranquillitj' 
 over your whole lives. I would fain teach you 
 to aspire after that wisdom, whose heavenly 
 fruits are those of righteousness, and draw you 
 even now, to the frequent contemplation of 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 that great and good Being, from whom you de- 
 rive all that is given you to possess and enjoy. 
 I would persuade you to consecrate yourselves 
 to him, while your minds are yet free from the 
 engrossing cares of maturer years, and to re- 
 member him while your hearts are tender and 
 alive to pure and holy impressions. Yes, my 
 dear pupils, present them to your Maker, a 
 worthy offering, which will not alone be ac- 
 ceptable to him, but secure to yourselves an in- 
 heritance of perfect and endless bliss in heaven. 
 " If you would be happy when you die, be 
 pious while you live : — if you would be cheer- 
 ful when you are old, be religious while you 
 are young.'' 
 
 Your affectionate 
 
 TEACHER. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 It is with diffidence I offer this Httle vol- 
 ume to those parents and teachers, who habit- 
 ually appoint their children and pupils sabbath 
 lessons. The desire of furnishing ray youth- 
 ful charge with a collection of useful and inter- 
 esting hymns, added to the hope of more ex- 
 tended usefulness, has induced me to prepare 
 this. I could have wished indeed that some 
 abler and maturer hand had performed this dif- 
 ficult, though not unpleasant task. 
 
 At present I know of no hymn book, de- 
 signed for children, which I could conscien- 
 tiously put into their hands ; in truth I know of 
 but one in print, which has been in any general 
 use, and that I believe is found, even by those 
 who think most favourably of it, to be very ex- 
 ceptionable : — whether this will be thought to 
 supply in any degree the necessity which exists 
 for a better, remains to be proved. It does not 
 seek to merit praise either on the ground of 
 originality or perfection ; its claims are hum- 
 ble, and its pretensions are chiefly rested on the 
 
 good works of others, and I trust it will not be 
 
 a2 
 
O PREFACE. 
 
 thought that too great liberty has been taken 
 in selecting and altering those good works y 
 when the object for which it has been done is 
 considered. 
 
 Engaged as I am in the instruction of chilr 
 dren, it is natural my thoughts should be chief- 
 ly directed to the means by which that end 
 may be the most directly and effectually accom- 
 plished, and I have felt justified in availing my- 
 self of them, wherever they were to be found. 
 
 While preparing these hymns expressly for 
 the use of children, I have feared they would 
 lie open to one very decided objection in the 
 minds of some, and perhaps to many in the 
 opinion of others. Numbers of them I am 
 sensible will be thought not entirely adapted to 
 a juvenile capacity. Perhaps few are aware 
 of the difficulties which arise in preparing 
 hymns suited in all respects to a young mind. 
 On one hand there is danger of presenting in- 
 ferior and degraded ideas concerning the attri- 
 butes and works of the Creator, and on the 
 other, of using language too exalted and figura- 
 tive. Tome the latter evil (if it must be called 
 one) appears far the least, and the unly one 
 which may be hopefully remedied. 
 
 Children rarely if ever forget hymns which 
 they have been taught in infancy, but when ar- 
 
PREFACE. ( 
 
 lived at years of reflection, retain and repeat 
 with delight those sublime and beautiful lessons 
 acquired in their earlier and more leisure hours. 
 Is it not better then, through the medium of 
 the imagination, aided by captivating imagery, 
 to exalt and refine the spirit of devotion, than 
 allow it to degenerate, or become quite lost 
 amid the rubbish of irreverent and grovelling 
 rhymes ? ' The mind,' says an excellent and 
 well known writer, ' will unavoidably take its 
 character from the objects presented to it : if 
 these be low and trifling, so will be its pursuits 
 and desires ; if they be rational and sublime, 
 the thoughts and conduct will be ennobled and 
 dignified.' 
 
 Again, some will argue that there are Cat- 
 echisms for children, and these, say they, re- 
 move the necessity which is supposed to exist 
 for hymn-books. I am ready to allow there 
 are many very excellent little works of the 
 kind above named, but while I have adopted 
 for my pupils such of them as I have judged 
 best suited to their several ages, and proportion- 
 ate advancement, I have felt that I was promot- 
 ing less real and permanent good, than when 
 appointing hymns for their weekly exercise ; 
 for while the former lessons have been nearly or 
 quite forgotten, (although in the first instance 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 well learned), the latter have been retained, 
 and given promise of effecting a good, that 
 should endure. There is a charm attached to 
 poetry, which fastens itself on the memory, and 
 impresses the heart ; a charm which can seldom 
 be found in prosaic compositions. 
 
 I have thought the application of scriptural 
 texts to each hymn might be useful, inasmuch 
 as they \^ouId be impressed on the memory by 
 the powerful aid of association, and the mind 
 further excited to seek after a more extensive 
 acquaintance with that sacred volume, which is 
 our only sure guide to a future and immortal 
 life of perfect blessedness. 
 
 As it has been my object to render religion 
 inviting, and cause its truths to be more deeply 
 felt, I have inserted several pieces which, strictly 
 speaking, cannot be classed as hymns, but 
 which I consider valuable for the deep moral 
 sentiments they convey. 
 
 - Lastly, in collecting the materials of which 
 this little work is composed, I have studied to 
 avoid everything that might render it objec- 
 tionable to any one sect of christians ; re- 
 membering, that " we all are one family, of 
 whom Christ is head." 
 
 Boston, Feb. 23, 1825. 
 
^ HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 1. 
 
 'All thy works praise thee.' 
 
 God is good ! each perfumed flower, 
 
 The smiling fields, the dark green wood, 
 
 The insect, fluttering for an hour, 
 
 All things proclaim that God is good. 
 
 I hear it in the rushing wind ; 
 
 The hills that have for ages stood. 
 And clouds with golden colours lined, 
 
 Are all repeating, God is good. 
 
 Each little rill, that many a year 
 
 Has the same verdant path pursued, 
 
 And every bird, in accents clear. 
 
 Joins in the song, that God is good. 
 
 And countless are the blazing stars, 
 
 That sing his praise with light renewed ; 
 
 The rising sun each day declares, 
 In rays of glory, God is good. 
 
 The moon, that walks in brightness, says, 
 That God is good ! and we, endued 
 
 With power to speak our Maker's praise, * 
 Will still repeat that God is good. 
 
10 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 2. 
 
 ' The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." 
 
 Almighty God ! by thy great power, 
 
 I hail again the morning hour.; 
 
 How fair the green fields meet my eyes ! 
 
 How sweet the birds sing in the skies ! 
 
 How fresh appear the hills and trees ! 
 
 And O, how pure the morning breeze ! 
 
 I bless thy love in all I see, 
 
 ^or were not these things made for me ? 
 
 And was it not to meet my sight 
 
 Was hung aloft that globe of light ? 
 
 Nor mine alone — for thou hast given 
 
 Thy good to all beneath the heaven ; 
 
 And I rejoice that others share 
 
 The gift, the blessing, and the prayer. 
 
 And, though a little child I be, 
 
 I yet may bend myself to thee, 
 
 And join my infant voice to raise 
 
 A simple hymn of grateful praise. 
 
 o 
 
 ' Thou art my God, early will I seek thy favour. 
 
 My God ! I thank thee that the night 
 In peace and rest hath passed away ; 
 
 And that I see, in this fair light. 
 
 My Father's smile, that makes it day. 
 
 Be thou my Guide ! and let me live 
 As under thine all-seeing eye ; 
 
 Supply my wants, my sins forgive, 
 And make me happy when I die. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 1 1 
 
 4. 
 
 • Time and seasons are in thy hands ; O Lord, I will 
 praise thee ; I will give thanks unto thy name.' 
 
 Another day its course has run, 
 
 And still, O God ! thy child is blest ; 
 
 For thou hast been by day my sunj 
 And thou wilt be by night my rest. 
 
 Sweet sleep descend, my eyes to close ; 
 
 And now, while all the world is still, 
 I give my body to repose, 
 
 My spirit to my Father's will. U, 
 
 < All seasons are in thy hands, spring time and har- 
 vest, heat and cold, summer and winter.' 
 
 All Nature shows in various ways 
 
 Her great Creator's praise ; 
 The young birds sing, while on the wing, 
 
 In soft and pleasing lays. 
 
 The trees look gay, and seem to say, 
 
 There is a God above ; 
 The sun's bright beams, the liquid streams. 
 
 Say we are ruled by love. 
 
 The bleating flocks, with happy looks, 
 
 Say God deigns us to feed ; 
 Without his power, there's not an hour, 
 
 But we should comforts need. 
 
 And if the herds, and trees, and birds, » 
 
 All join to praise God's name, 
 It must not be, that such as we, 
 
 Neglect to do the same. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN, 
 
 I 
 
 6. 
 
 ' Father, thy will be done.' 
 
 To be resigned when ills betide, 
 Patient when favours are denied, 
 
 And pleased with favours given, — 
 Is sure a wise and virtuous part ; 
 It is the incense of the heart, 
 
 Whose fragrance reaches heaven. 
 
 And conscience, like a faithful friend, 
 Will through this earthly vale attend. 
 
 And cheer my dying breath ; 
 Will, when all other comforts cease^ 
 Like a kind angel, whisper peace, 
 
 And smooth my bed of death. 
 
 ' Therefore all thing^s whatsoever ye would that men 
 should <lo to you,do ye even so lo them. — The wick- 
 ed borroweth and payeth not ag°ain ; but the 
 righteous showeth mercy and giveth. — Take heed 
 and beware of covetousness ; for life consisteth 
 not in the abundance of things possessed.' 
 
 O heavenly Father, gracious Friend, 
 On whom for favour I depend. 
 Teach me to keep my conduct free 
 From falsehood and dishonesty. 
 
 'Tis not enough that I abstain 
 
 From crimes which worldly laws restrain, 
 
 From.injuring another's good, 
 
 From deeds of rapine, spoil and blood : 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 13 
 
 No, let me learn that higher part, 
 To keep temptation from my heart ; 
 And never break thy laws divine 
 By coveting what is not mine. 
 
 And let me scorn, with just disdain, 
 To say the thing I do not mean ; 
 For they who do not falsehood dread, 
 Will soon to fraud and theft be led. 
 
 8. 
 
 Thou shall not steal. — Thou shalt not defraud thy 
 neig-hbonr. — Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, 
 
 neither lie one to another. — A. false witness shall not 
 go unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not 
 escape. — The lip of truth ohall be established for- 
 ever.' 
 
 Thou shalt not steal thy neighbour's right, 
 Nor covet what is not thine own ; 
 
 The pilfering thief, that shuns the light, 
 Is ever by his deeds made known. 
 
 O Lord, thy gracious fear impart, 
 Restrain us from unrighteous ways ; 
 
 Let grace and truth possess each heart, 
 And mercy crown o^r earthly days. 
 
 9. 
 
 ' And the fruits of righteousness shall be peace.^ 
 
 Sweet is the voice of well-earned praise 
 
 To every virtuous ear ; 
 The inspiring meed of youthful da3's 
 
 To all our bosoms dear. 
 
14 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 As opening flowers to summer skies 
 Their blooming fragrance bring,- 
 
 Warmed by the approval of the wise. 
 Our fairest virtues spring. 
 
 10. 
 
 < Go to the Ant consider her ways, and be wise. 
 
 What pleasure can the idle feel, 
 
 As through the tedious day they steal. 
 
 Weary, though unemployed ; 
 No regular pursuit is theirs, 
 Their very wishes turn to cares, 
 
 And with success they're cloyed. 
 
 No so the firm and active mind, 
 Whose will, with industry combined. 
 
 Time's golden, value knows ; 
 Eager fair knowledge to improve, 
 The hours on wings of pleasure move, 
 
 While each, improvement shows. 
 
 Yet when the hour of study's o'er, 
 With airy steps, and spirits pure. 
 
 They join in youthful play ; 
 No sameness in their sports appear, 
 Ease and content are ever near, 
 
 And pleasure takes her sway. 
 
 The idle view, in mute surprise. 
 The cheerful group with envious eyes. 
 For they have pleasures none : 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 1^ 
 
 Ah, they will think how they have spent 
 Their time, on no good purpose bent, 
 And feel the fault their own. 
 
 O think they, that the active bee 
 Completes her work of industry, 
 
 From one fair flower's bloom ; 
 Or can they hope content to share, 
 And for the future take no care, 
 
 While days and years consume ? 
 
 11. 
 
 * Ask now of the past, and it shall tell thee.' 
 
 IIow pleasant it is, at the close of the day, 
 
 No follies to mourn or lament ; 
 But to think of the past, and be able to say. 
 
 That our time has been properly spent. 
 
 When we've finished our lessons with patience 
 and care, 
 
 And been studious, obliging, and kind, 
 We lay on our pillows, and quietly there. 
 
 Sleep with happy and peaceable minds. 
 
 12. 
 
 ' I went by the fifld of the slothful, and lo, it was all 
 grown over with thorns; and nettles had covpred 
 the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was 
 broken down. Then I saw and considered it well, 
 I looked upon it, and received instruction.' 
 
 Wake, wake ! see the dawn, it is time to arise ; 
 Come, shake drowsy sleep from your eye ; 
 
'i6 HY3INS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 The birds are loud warbling their notes in th& 
 skies, 
 And the bright sun has risen on high. 
 
 O come, for the bee has flown out of her cell, 
 And the ant her employment renews ; 
 
 She knows the true value of moments too well, 
 Aught by indolence ever to lose. 
 
 13. 
 
 * When ye glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as ye 
 can ; for who hath seen him, and who can mag- 
 nify him as he is ; there are hid yet greater things 
 than we have seen ; glorify the Lord.' 
 
 What can I, my Maker, do, 
 To repay the debt I owe ? 
 Earthly years are all too (ew, 
 Earthly treasures all too low ! 
 
 Shall I labour for the poor, 
 For the souls in error lost : 
 They who poverty endure, 
 Long by pain and sorrow tost ? 
 
 Shall I this, my Maker, do, 
 To repay the debt I owe ? 
 O these deeds are far too few, 
 O these gifts are all too low ! 
 
 Shall each talent thou hast given 
 Wholly consecrated be. 
 And like incense, rise to heaven, 
 Offered gratefully to thee ? 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 1 
 
 Vain, to pay this debt \ owe, 
 All the service I can do ! 
 Earthly deeds are far too low, 
 Earthly years are all too few ! 
 
 Faint is all the praise I breathe, 
 Here thy mercy to repay ; 
 But I pray thee to receive 
 All a little child can say. 
 
 14. 
 
 ' The seventh day is a sabbath of rest.' 
 
 Sabbath-day of peace and joy, 
 
 Thc/u art ever rest to me ; 
 And no anxious thoughts destroy 
 
 Th© holy calm I find in thee. 
 
 E'en though sorrows sting ray breast, 
 E'en though cares may cloud my brow ; 
 
 Sabbath hours are hours of rest, 
 Troubled thoughts disturb not now. 
 
 15. 
 
 Ye that fear the Lord, believe in hira, and your re- 
 ward shall not fail.' 
 
 Another night has passed away. 
 And morning lights the eastern skies ; 
 
 O may I grateful hail the day, 
 And joyful to my duties rise. 
 
 Father in Heaven, be thou my guide. 
 Be thou my guard, my friend, my all ; 
 
 And still o'er my young heart preside. 
 That I from virtue ne'er may fall. 
 
18 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 16. 
 
 ' Time passeth, and continueth not. 
 
 Another fleeting day is gone ; 
 Slow o'er the west the shadows rise ; 
 
 Swiftly the passing hours. have flown, 
 And night's dark curtains veil the skies. 
 
 Another fleeting day is gone, 
 Swept from the records of the year ; 
 
 And still, with each successive sun, 
 Life's fading visions disappear. 
 
 Another fleeting day is gone. 
 
 But soon a fairer day shall rise, — 
 
 A da}', whose never-setting sun 
 
 Shall pour its light o'er cloudless skies. 
 
 Another fleeting day is gone ; 
 In solemn silence rest my soul ! 
 
 Bow down thy heart before his throne, 
 Who bids the morn and evening roll. 
 
 17. 
 
 * The ants are a people not strong, yet they preparer 
 their meat in the summer. Go to the ant, con- 
 sider her ways and be wise, which having no guide, 
 overseer, or ruler, providcth her meat in summer, 
 and gathereth her food in the harvest.' 
 
 These emmets how little they are in our eyes ! 
 We tread them in dust, and a multitude dies, 
 
 Without our regard or concern : 
 Yet as wise as we are, if we went to their school. 
 There's many a sluggard, and many a fool, 
 
 Some lessons of wisdom might learn. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREX. 15^ 
 
 They waste not their time in sleeping and play. 
 But gather up corn on a sunshiny day, 
 
 And for winter they lay up their stores : 
 They manage their works in such regular forms, 
 One would think they foresaw all the frosts and 
 tlie storms. 
 
 And so brought their food within doors. 
 
 But I have less sense than a poor creeping ant. 
 If I take not due care for the things I shall want. 
 
 Nor guard against dangers in time : 
 When death or old age shall greet me apace. 
 What a wretch shall I be, in the end of my days. 
 
 If r trifle away all my prime ! 
 
 18. 
 
 * ^ I will now remember the works of the Lord ; one 
 thing establisheth the good of another, and who 
 shall be filled with beholding his glory ?' 
 
 There is a tongue in every leaf, 
 
 A voice in every rill ! 
 A voice that speaketh every where, 
 In flood and fire, through earth and air ; 
 
 A tongue that's never still ! 
 
 'Tis God's own spirit, wide diffused 
 
 Through every thing we see. 
 That with our spirits communeth. 
 Of things mysterious — Life and Death, 
 
 Time and Eternity 
 
 I see him in the blazing sun, 
 And in the thunder cloud ; 
 
20 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN, 
 
 I hear him in the mighty roar 
 That rusheth on the ocean shore. 
 When winds are raging loud. 
 
 I see him, hear him, every where, 
 
 In all things, darkness, light, 
 Silence, and sound ; but, most of all, 
 When slumber's dusky curtains fall, 
 
 At the sweet hour of night. 
 
 I feel him in the silent dews. 
 
 By grateful earth betrayed ; 
 I feel him in the gentle showers. 
 The soft south wind, the breath of flowers, 
 
 The sunshine and the shade. 
 
 O, I will wake and quickly join 
 
 Creation's rapturous lays. 
 Rejoice in all that's good and fair, 
 His favours prize, his bounties share, 
 
 And live and speak his praise. 
 
 19. 
 
 * The Lord is good unto them v^'ho wait for him, to 
 the soul that seeketh him.' 
 
 Father, beneath whose watchful eye, 
 Revolving years and ages lie ; 
 Teach us thy boon of life to prize. 
 And grow discreet, and good, and wise. 
 
 With willing hearts, and active hands, 
 We here would practise thy commands ; 
 Improve the moments as the}' fly, 
 And live as we would wish to die. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 21 
 
 20. 
 
 Receive instruction and not silver ; and knowledge 
 rather than choice gold. — I, Wisdom, dwell with 
 Prudence ; those that seek me early shall find me. 
 Riches and honour are with me, yea, durable riches 
 and righteousness.' 
 
 O, happy is the child that hears 
 
 Instruction's faithful voice ; 
 And who celestial wisdom makes 
 
 His early, only choice. 
 
 Her riches are of more esteem 
 
 Than east or west unfold ; 
 And her rewards more precious are 
 
 Than all their mines of gold. 
 
 She guides the young with innocence 
 
 In pleasure's paths to tread ; 
 A crown of glory she bestows 
 
 Upon the hoary head. 
 
 According as her labours rise, 
 
 So her rewards increase ; 
 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, 
 
 And all her paths are peace. 
 
 21. 
 
 * Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for- 
 ever ; by hira therefore let us offer the sacrifice of 
 praise to God continually.' 
 
 Awake, my heart, and sing the praise 
 Of God, the guardian of my days ; 
 The Lord of worlds, the Source of good^ 
 Who gave me life, and sends me food. 
 
 «* 
 
22 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 When darkness veiled the earth in shade, 
 Father, on thee my trust was laid ; 
 I slept, and thy paternal arm 
 Preserved me safe from death and harm. , 
 
 A sacrifice to thee belongs ; 
 For incense, lo, my prayers and songs ; 
 Thou know'st if they sincerely spring. 
 No better gifts have I to bring. 
 
 Forgive my sins, my actions bless ; 
 Inspire my heart with holiness ; 
 And be it still thy dwelling place, 
 Till I shall see thee face to face. 
 
 22. 
 
 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consum- 
 ed ; because his compassion fads not ; they are 
 new every morning ; great is thy faithfulness. — 
 The Lord will not cast off forever.' 
 
 Once more, my soul, the rising day 
 
 Salutes thy waking eyes ; 
 Once more, my voice, thy tribute pay 
 
 To God who rules the skies. 
 
 This day thy favouring hand be nigh, 
 
 So oft vouchsafed before ; 
 Still may it lead, protect, supply, 
 
 And I that hand adore. 
 
 If bliss thy providence impart, 
 
 For which, resigned, I pray. 
 Give me to feel a grateful heart, 
 
 And without guilt be gay. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 23 
 
 Affliction should thy love intend, 
 
 As vice or folly's cure, 
 Patient, to gain that blessed end, 
 
 May I the means endure. 
 
 Be this, and every future day. 
 
 Still wiser than the past ; 
 That from the whole of life's survey, 
 
 I may find peace at iast. 
 
 23. 
 
 • Let us search and try our ways, and turn unto the 
 Lord.' 
 
 Awake, my soul, and with the sun. 
 Thy daily course of duty run ; 
 Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise 
 To pay thy morning sacrifice. 
 
 Lord ! I my prayers to thee renew ; 
 Scriiter my sins like morning dew ; 
 Guard my first springs of thought and will. 
 And with thyself my spirit fill. 
 
 With gratefel heart the past I own ; 
 The future, all to me unknown, 
 I to thy guardian care commit, 
 And, trusting, bow me at thy feet. 
 
 V\\ praise thee then, who safe hast kept, 
 And hast refreshed me while I slept ; 
 Grant, Lord ! when I from death shall wake, 
 I may of endless life partake. 
 
24 HYMNS FOR CHILDREiV. 
 
 24. 
 
 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 
 name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will be done oa 
 earth as it is done in heaven ; give us this day 
 our daily bread ; forgive us onr trespasses as we 
 forgive those who trespass against us ; lead us 
 not into temptation, but deliver us from evil ; for 
 thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, 
 forever and ever. Amen. 
 
 Our Father God ! who dwell'st in Heaven, 
 To thy blest name be reverence given ; 
 And let thy peaceful kingdom come, 
 Thy rightful sovereign will be done 
 Within this lower earth, as well 
 As in high heaven, where angels dwell. 
 
 Thou, Lord ! who dost all creatures feed;^ 
 Give us this day our daily bread ; 
 And from thy full exhaustless store, 
 Thy bounteous blessings on us pour ; 
 So, while thy favours we enjoy. 
 May gratitude our hearts employ. 
 
 Frail, erring children. Lord, are we. 
 From duty prone to stray, and thee ; 
 Our devious wanderings here retrieve. 
 Our numerous trespasses forgive ; 
 Instruct us to forgive our foes, 
 And pardon us as we do those. 
 
 Who of himself can stand secufe. 
 When thousand specious wiles allure ? 
 Save us from each seductive snare ; 
 Nor tempt us more than we can bear ; 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 25 
 
 From every evil still may we 
 Deliverance find, and help from thee. 
 
 Kingdom, and power, and glory. Lord ! 
 All beings to thy name afford : — 
 Thine shall the power and glory be, 
 Through time and long eternity ; 
 Let earth and heaven repeat again. 
 All glory be to God ! Amen. 
 
 25. 
 
 Exercise thyself always to bear a good conscience 
 toward God, and toward man.' 
 
 The wind blows down the largest tree, 
 
 And yet the wind I cannot see. 
 
 Playmates far off. that have been kind, 
 
 My thoughts oft bring before my mind ; 
 
 The past-by thought is present brought, 
 
 And yet I cannot see my thought. 
 
 The charming rose perfumes the air, 
 
 Yet I can see no perfumes there. 
 
 The gay bird's notes — how sweet, how clear ! 
 
 As soft they fall upon my ear ; 
 
 And whilst upon the air they float, 
 
 I hear, yet cannot see, a note. 
 
 When I would do what is forbid. 
 
 By something in my heart Fm chid ; 
 
 When good, that something praises me. 
 
 And I from every fear am free. 
 
 That voice is Conscience, whose alarms 
 
 Will save me from a thousand harms, 
 
 Let me her gentle guidance trust, 
 
 And die reposiog with the just. 
 
^6 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 26. 
 
 '• In whatsoever state I am, may I there>*ith be con- 
 tent.' 
 
 O ! thou who rul'st the realms on high. 
 
 With humble love and fear, 
 To thee I raise a suppliant eye, 
 
 And wilt thou deign to hear. 
 
 Grateful for every joy I taste, 
 
 As by thy goodness sent, 
 In whatsoever state Fm placed, 
 
 O ! may I be content. 
 
 Should prosperous scenes around me smile. 
 
 Still humble may I be ; 
 Nor let earth's joys my heart beguile, 
 
 Or draw my thoughts from thee. 
 
 Or should affliction bend me low. 
 
 Wilt thou support me still ; 
 And let each thought, each feeling bow 
 
 Submissive to thy will. 
 
 27. 
 
 Boast not thyself of clothin«f and raiment, nor ex- 
 alt thyself.' 
 
 Guard me from pride, from vain desire, 
 
 From ev'ry worldly snare ; 
 O ! bid my soul to Heaven aspire, 
 
 And seek its pleasures there. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Let gen'rous thoughts my mind employ, 
 
 And bid my bosom glow ; 
 Alive to $hare another's joy, 
 
 And feel another's woe. 
 
 Let truth o'er all my words preside. 
 
 And make my soul sincere ; 
 Candid another's fault to hide, 
 
 But to my own severe. 
 
 28. 
 
 ' One is our Father, even God. — He is our Father in 
 heaven.' 
 
 Art thou my Father ? — then no more 
 My sins shall tempt me to despair ; 
 
 My father pities, and forgives, 
 
 And hears a child's repentant prayer. 
 
 Art thou my Father ? — then I'll strive. 
 With all my powers to learn thy will ; 
 
 To make thy service all my care, 
 And all thy wise commands fulfil. 
 
 Art thou my Father .^ — teach my heart 
 
 Compassion for another's woe, 
 And ever on each child of thine 
 
 A brother's tenderness bestow. 
 
 Art thou my Father? — then I know 
 
 When pain, or want, or griefs oppress ; 
 
 They come but from a Father's hand. 
 Who wounds to heal, afdicts to bless. 
 
IS HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Art thou my Father ? — then in doubt 
 And darkness, when I grope or stra\ 
 
 A light shall shine upon my path, 
 
 And change that darkness into day. 
 
 Art thou my Father ? — then no more 
 Tremble my soul at death's alarms ; 
 
 He comes a messenger of Love, 
 To bear me to a Father's arms. 
 
 29. 
 
 - And they took Jesijs, and led him away to be cru 
 cified. — And he prayed saying^, Father, forgivp 
 them, for they know not what they do.' 
 
 With warm affection let us view, 
 
 With pious hearts improve. 
 The solemn and impressive scene 
 
 Of Jesus' dying love. 
 
 Pardon and peace to sinful men 
 
 By him were freely given ; 
 And strengthening aid to all who sought 
 
 To raise their souls to heaven. 
 
 O what a love was there display 'd, 
 
 Beyond our utmost thought ! 
 How pure the lessons, how sublime. 
 
 In life and death he taught ! 
 
 Let not his sacred truths by us 
 
 Be lost or misapplied ; 
 Nor let our thoughtless hearts forget 
 
 That 'twas for Ui he died. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 28 
 
 30. 
 
 ' Know ye indeed Christ came into the world to save 
 sinners.' 
 
 We sing thy mercy, God of love, 
 
 Which sent the Saviour from above, 
 
 To free our race from sin and woe, 
 
 And spread thy peace and truth below. 
 
 We thank thee for the words he brought, 
 Wc thank thee that he lived and taught 
 
 Our frail imperfect souls to be. 
 
 In humble mode, resembling thee. 
 
 We thank thee for thy gracious care. 
 That kept those sacred pages fair 
 
 Through every age, whose lines record 
 The deeds and precepts of our Lord. 
 
 31. 
 
 ' God is Father over all, blessed forevermore.' 
 
 Great God, and wilt thou condescend 
 To be my father and my friend ? — 
 
 I a young child, and thou so high. 
 
 The Lord of earth, and air, and sky ! 
 
 Art thou my Father ? — Let me be 
 
 A meek obedient child to thee ; 
 And try in every deed and thought, 
 
 To serve and please thee as I ought. 
 
 Art thou my Father? — I'll depend 
 Upon the care of such a friend ; 
 c2 
 
30 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 And only wish to do, and be, 
 
 Whatever seemeth good to thee. 
 
 Art thou my Father ? — then at last, 
 When all my days on earth are past 
 
 Send down and take me in thy love 
 To be thy better child above. 
 
 32. 
 
 ^ Whereas ye know not what will be on the morrow ;. 
 
 for what is your life ? To him that knoweth t© 
 
 do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.' 
 
 Say, what is life ? 'Tis like a flower^ 
 
 That blossoms, — then is gone, 
 We see it flourish for an hour 
 
 With every beauty crowned ; 
 Death passes like a wintry day, 
 And cuts the lovely flower away. 
 
 And what is life ? Like yonder bow 
 
 That spans the glittering arch on high ,* 
 
 We love to see its colours glow ; 
 
 But while we gaze they fade and die ; 
 
 Life fades as soon— to-day 'tis here, 
 
 The morrow sees it disappear. 
 
 And is this life ? Oh spend it here, 
 
 In duty, praise, and prayer ; 
 Then whether long or short it be 
 
 We yield us to God's care : 
 Knowing eternity will last. 
 When life, and even death, are past. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 81 
 
 33. 
 
 * Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God. 
 — ' In my Father's house are many mansions.' 
 
 The summer winds sing lullaby 
 
 O'er Martha's little grave, 
 And the summer flowers spring tenderly 
 
 O'er her their buds to wave. 
 For oh, her life was short and sweet 
 As the flowers which blossom at her feet. 
 
 A little while the beauteous gem 
 
 Bloom'd on its parent's breast ; 
 Ah ! then it wither'd on its stem, 
 
 And sought a deeper rest ; 
 And we laid on her gentle frame the sod. 
 But we knew that her spirit was fled to God. 
 
 The birds she loved so well to hear 
 
 Her parting requiem sing ; 
 And her memory lives in the silent tear, 
 
 Which the heart to the eye will bring ; 
 For her kind little feelings will ne'er be forgot 
 By those who have mourned her early lot. 
 
 34. 
 
 ' Honour thy father and mother, both in word and 
 deed ; so shall a blessing come upon thee.' 
 
 O Thou ! to whom the grateful song 
 
 Of prayer and praise is due, 
 Thee I entreat forgive my wrong 
 
 And grant thy blessing too. 
 
32 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 On those who ever kindly strive 
 
 Thy precepts to instil ; 
 Who constant teach me how to live 
 
 And do thy holy will ! 
 
 On such, O Lord ! thy mercies shed, 
 Who in this world of wo, 
 
 Like fountains with fresh v/ater fed, 
 Bear blessings as they flow. 
 
 And may I planted by such streams, 
 Like flowers that love to lave 
 
 Their bending branches in the beams 
 Which warm their parent wave ; 
 
 May I thus blest, still humbly bow 
 To Thee, the source of love ! 
 
 And drawing nurture from below, 
 Breathe brightness from above. 
 
 Then shall I while on earth 1 live, 
 
 To them a comfort be ; 
 And wither, but through death to live 
 
 An endless life with Thee ! 
 
 35. 
 
 Keep thy feet when thou goest to the house of God, 
 and be more ready to hear, than to give the sa- 
 crifice of fools.' 
 
 WeVe passed a pleasant Sabbath day 
 And learnt of Jesus and of Heaven; 
 
 Oh, Lord we thank thee ! and we pray 
 That all our sins may be forgiven. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHltDREJf. 33 
 
 May all we've heard and understood 
 
 Be well remembered through the week. 
 
 And may we be both wise and good, 
 Modest and diligent and meek. 
 
 And when our lives are ended here, 
 And days and Sabbaths all are o'er. 
 
 May we in Heaven near thee appear, 
 And love and serve thee evermore, 
 
 36. 
 
 Remember the Sabbath-dny, to keep it holy ; six 
 days shah thou labour and do all thy work, but 
 the seventh is the sabbath of the Lord thy Godv' 
 
 Oh ! I will wake, and quickly rise, 
 Upon this blessed Sabbath morn. 
 And first rejoice that I have lived 
 Again to see its welcome dawn. 
 
 And now I think how kind and good 
 The God of Heaven is to man ; 
 To give him one day's rest in seven 
 Throughout this little busy span. 
 
 One day to lay aside all work 
 And all its many tedious cares ; 
 And think upon our heavenly home 
 Beyond the sky and shining stars. 
 
 This day ten thousand fervent praj^ers — 
 And thousand songs of grateful praise ; 
 At once arise from humble hearts. 
 And meet at God's high throne of grace. 
 
 i'^. 
 
34 "hymns for children. 
 
 With cheerful heart and willing feet 
 I'll seek the place of his abode ; 
 And lay aside all earthly cares, 
 To join the worshippers of God. 
 
 37. 
 
 ' Remember thy end, and give thy heart to the fear 
 of the Lord.' 
 
 The morning hours of cheerful light, 
 
 Of all the day are best ; 
 And as they wing their rapid flight, 
 If ev'ry hour be spent aright, 
 We calmly sink to sleep at night, 
 
 And quiet is our rest. 
 
 Our lives are like the summer's day 
 
 And are as qnirkly past ; 
 Youth is the morning bright and gay, 
 And if well spent in wisdom's way, 
 We meet old age without dismay, 
 
 And death is sweet at last. 
 
 3S. 
 
 'Thy statutes, Lord, shall be my delight.' 
 
 With firm resolve, and equal mind. 
 May we to virtue be inclin'd ; 
 The course of holiness pursue. 
 And keep the heavenly world in view ! 
 
 Amidst the assailing ills of life, 
 Temptation's plea and passion's strife, 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 35 
 
 May we our conscience still revere, — 
 Determine well, and persevere. 
 
 Sweet peace our hearts will then enjoy, 
 A peace the world can ne'er destroy ! 
 God our fidelity will seal, 
 And the sure path to heaven reveal. 
 
 39. 
 
 Bless the Lord, who crowneth thy life with tender 
 mercies.' 
 
 For life with all its varied joy, 
 
 To God we render praise ; 
 His service is our best employ, 
 
 Whose wisdom guides our ways. 
 
 In friends and parents we rejoice. 
 
 And their instructions given ; 
 Be ours like theirs a virtuous choice. 
 
 And bliss with them in heaven ! 
 
 40. 
 
 ' In thee, Lord, do I put my trust.' 
 
 Guide of our youth, to thee we pray ; 
 Help us to tread thy holy way ; 
 And may our whole of life be past, 
 As we should wish it had at last. 
 
 Oh smile on those whose time and care. 
 Are spent in our instruction here ; 
 And let our conduct ever prove, 
 Our gratitude for all their love ! 
 
36 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Through life may we perform thy will, 
 Our various stations wisely fill ; 
 Then join the friends we here have known. 
 In nobler songs around thy throne. 
 
 41. 
 
 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is 
 for the eyes to behold the sun.' 
 
 Now behold, the mid-day stin 
 Sheds around a golden light, 
 
 And every leaf that meets his ray 
 Glitters gaily to the sight. 
 
 God is good ! he made the sun, 
 Blessing every thing that lives ; 
 
 God, who light, and joy, and food, 
 To every living being gives. 
 
 Exalted angels he preserves 
 In their beautiful abode ; 
 
 And the smallest thing on earth 
 Is within the care of God. 
 
 He who formed the seeing eye, 
 He who made the hearing ear, — 
 
 Gave each beauty we behold, 
 Each delightful sound we hear : — 
 
 If he did not keep our life. 
 We could neither think nor move ; 
 
 Every blessing we enjoy 
 Is a gift of tender love. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 37 
 
 42. 
 
 * Whoso loveth instruction, loveth knowledge.' 
 
 Dark is the sky when day retires, 
 When clouds obscure ithe glowing fires, 
 
 That glitter through the night ; 
 But darker is the youthful mind, 
 That never the bright sun could find, 
 
 Of learning's purer light. 
 
 How then shall I my thanks express, 
 
 To those whose cares have deigned to bless 
 
 My inexperienced youth : 
 To guard me lest my steps should stray, 
 To point out wisdom's pleasant way, 
 
 And teach the path of truth. 
 
 Now I'll entreat the God of love, 
 That he his blessings from above, 
 
 Will shower upon them all ; 
 And more my gratitude to show, 
 Whate'er they teach I'll strive to know, 
 
 And follow where they call. 
 
 43. 
 
 ^ The bee is little among such as fly ; but her hooey- is 
 the chief of sweet thiugs.' 
 
 Child of patient industry, 
 Little active busy bee, 
 Thou art out at early morn, 
 Just as opening flowers are born, 
 Among the green and grassy meads 
 Where the cowslips hang their heads : 
 
38 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Or by hedge rows while the dew 
 Glitters on the hare-bells blue. 
 
 Then on eager wings thou'st flown, 
 
 To thymy hillocks on the down ; 
 
 Or to revel on the broom ; 
 
 Or suck the clover's crimson bloom ; 
 
 Tuning still, thou busy bee, 
 
 Thy little ode to industry. 
 
 44. 
 
 Hearken, ye children, bless the Lord for all his 
 works ; at his comoiandoient is done whatsoever 
 pleaseth hjm.' 
 
 There's not a tint that paints the rose, 
 
 Or decks the lily fair. 
 Or streaks the humblest flower that gro\vs, 
 
 But God has placed it there ! 
 
 There's not of grass a simple blade, 
 
 Or leaf of lowliest mien. 
 Where heavenly skill is not displayed, 
 
 And heavenly wisdom seen ! 
 
 There's not a star whose twinkling light 
 
 Illumes the spreading earth ; 
 There's not a cloud or dark or bright, 
 
 But mercy gave it birth. 
 
 Then wake my soul, and sing his name, 
 
 And all his praise rehearse ; 
 Who spread abroad earth's glorious frame, 
 
 And made the universe ! 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 39 
 
 45. 
 
 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of 
 the Almighty hath given me life.' 
 
 Father ! I would not live in vain, 
 
 By earthly pleasures cloyed ; 
 Nor render back to thee again 
 
 My talents unemployed. 
 
 O God of mercy, make me know 
 The gifts which thou hast given. 
 
 Nor let me idly spend them so, 
 But make them fit for heaven. 
 
 46. 
 
 I will greatly rejoice in theLord, for he hath clothed 
 me with the garments of salvation ; he hath cover- 
 ed me with a robe of righteousness. — Thou, Lord, 
 crownest the year with thy goodness.' 
 
 Evening hail ! thou grateful shade ! 
 Welcome to my weary head ! 
 Welcome, slumber to my eyes, 
 Tired with this day's vanities ! 
 
 By my heavenly Father blest. 
 Now 1 give my soul to rest ; 
 Thou, ray ever bounteous God, 
 Crown'st my days with various good ; 
 
 Thy kind eye that never sleeps 
 These defenceless moments keeps ! 
 Or if death my sleep invade, 
 3hould T be of death afraid ? 
 
40 HYMNS FOR CHILDREX. 
 
 Whilst, encircled by thine arm. 
 Death may strike, but cannot harm. 
 
 With thy heavenly presence blest, 
 Death is life, and labour rest. 
 Welcome, sleep or death, to me, 
 Still secure, for still with Thee. 
 
 47. 
 
 ■ O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good : his 
 mercy endureth forever. — To him (hat by wisdom 
 made the heaven, and stretched ont the earth ; to 
 him that made great lights ; the sun to rule by day, 
 the moon and stars to rule by night.' 
 
 Author of life, of joj^, of health, 
 
 Thy goodness I adore ! 
 O give me strength to speak thy praise, 
 
 And grace to love thee more ! 
 
 First for this world, so fair, so good, 
 
 My daily thanks shall rise ! 
 For every fruit and every flower. 
 
 Thy bounteous hand supplies. 
 
 For the green field, the waving corn, 
 
 The lofty spreading tree ; 
 For that bright sun that shines on all, 
 
 And borrows light from thee ; 
 
 For the pale moon's reflected beams ; 
 
 For every genial shower ; 
 For all which elevates the mind. 
 
 To contemplate thy power. 
 
HYMNS rOR CHILDREN. 
 
 41 
 
 JJ 
 
 48. 
 
 '• Blessed is he that walketh not in the counsel of the 
 ung^odly. — He shall be like a tree planted by the 
 rivers of water. — His leaf, also, shall not wither, and 
 whatsoever he doeth shall prosper/ 
 
 See the leaves around us falling, 
 Dry and withered to the ground ; 
 
 Thus to thoughtless mortals calling, 
 In a sad and solemn sound. 
 
 Yearly, in their course returning, 
 
 Messengers of shortest stay, 
 Thus they preach this truth concerning 
 
 " Heaven and earth must pass away.' 
 
 On the tree of life eternal, 
 
 Then let all our hopes be staid, 
 Which alone forever vernal, 
 
 Beais those leaves that shall not fade. 
 
 49. 
 
 While I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I de- 
 sired wisdom openly in prayer. — The Lord hath 
 given rae a tongue — I will praise him therewith.' 
 
 Almighty ruler of the skies ! 
 
 Through the wide earth thy name is spread 5 
 And thine eternal glories rise 
 
 O'er all the heavens thy hands have made. 
 
 To thee, O Lord ! a song T raise, 
 To thee my youngest hours belong ; 
 
 My infant tongue shall lisp thy praise 
 And future years improve the song. 
 
 d2 
 
42 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 50. 
 
 ' Fear thou not, for I am with thee : be no< dismayed, 
 for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, 1 will 
 help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with my right- 
 eousness.' 
 
 O Father ! spread thy guardian arm 
 Around the guileless breast of youth, 
 
 With life's first generous feelings warm, 
 And stamp it with thy heavenly truth. 
 
 And when these trying scenes depart, ' 
 Unspotted may we turn to Thee, 
 
 And, innocent in life and heart. 
 Adore Thee through eternity. 
 
 51. 
 
 ' Trust in the living God, who hath given us all things 
 richly to enjoy — who only hath immortality, dwell- 
 ing in the light which no mortal can approach 
 unto.' 
 
 There is a world we have not seen 
 That time shall never dare destroy ; 
 
 Where mortal footstep hath not been. 
 Nor ear hath caught its sounds of joy. 
 
 There is a world, and O how blest ! 
 
 Fairer than prophets ever told ; 
 And never did an angel guest 
 
 One half its blessedness unfold. 
 
 It is all holy and serene. 
 
 The land of glory and repose ; 
 And there to dim the radiant scene, 
 
 The tear of sorrow never flows. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 And that fair world is ever bright, 
 With a refulgence all its own ; 
 
 And streams of never fading light, 
 Flow round it from the eternal throne. 
 
 In vain a feeble mortal's eye 
 
 May seek to view that fair abode,^ 
 
 Or find it in the curtain'd sky : — 
 It is the dwelling-place of God ! 
 
 52. 
 
 Before honour is humility. By humility and the fear 
 of the Lord are riches aud long life.' 
 
 Humbly walk, and heaven will love thee, 
 Heaven will hear thy every prayer ; 
 
 Then the Saviour will approve thee, 
 Angels shield thee from despair. 
 
 Many virtues here must grace thee, 
 
 But in meekness still delight : 
 Pride alone will quite deface thee. 
 
 And will shroud them all from sight. 
 
 Why should feeble mortcJs glory ? 
 
 Long their life can never last : 
 Soon the head of youth is hoary. 
 
 Then its pleasures here are past. 
 
 When those joys, that charm'd, shall fail thee, 
 
 And the scene is fading round ; 
 What will foolish pride avail thee ? 
 
 Then in meekness peace is found. 
 
44 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 53. 
 
 • Be ye (herefore followers of God, as dear children. 
 
 Great source of unexhausted good ! 
 
 Who giv'st us health, and clothes, and food, 
 
 And peace, and calm content ; 
 Like fragrant incense to the skies, 
 Our songs of gratitude shall rise. 
 
 For all thy blessings lent. 
 
 Grant us through all our future days. 
 To share the boons thy grace conveys 
 
 To enrich our needed store. 
 And oh ! that influence impart, 
 Which prompts each humble, grateful heart, 
 
 To bless and love thee more. 
 
 54. 
 
 * If thou wilt incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply 
 thy heart to understanding, then shalt thou under, 
 stand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge 
 of God.' 
 
 Fruitless the wish, and vain the prayer, 
 
 For perfect bliss would be ; 
 I cannot shun what all must share, 
 
 Nor live from sorrow free. 
 
 I'll be a child of nature's school, 
 
 Her silent teachings trace ; 
 And she shall fit me by the rul« 
 
 Of holy, heavenly grace. 
 
 For they are still the truly wise. 
 Who earliest learn to Igok 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 45 
 
 On earth's best charms, on sun, and skies^ 
 As wisdom's open book. 
 
 Thus taught, no art, nor base deceit 
 
 Shall mar my opening youth ; 
 My heart with healthful hopes shall beat; 
 
 My tongue be tun'd to truth. 
 
 And when through childhood's paths of 
 flowers, 
 
 My infant steps have trod, 
 My soul shall be in after hours 
 
 Prepar'd to learn of God. 
 
 55. 
 
 ' Give ear to my prayer, God ! hide not thytfelf 
 from my supplication.' 
 
 Father of good, to whom belong 
 My morning prayer and evening song ; 
 Again, with trembling joy, to thee, 
 A humble child, I bend my knee. 
 Thy pardoning grace my fears will quell, 
 Thy love will pride and sin expel ; 
 While faith in every danger nij)h, 
 Gives strength and peace and liberty. 
 
 And, as I walk my earthly way, 
 Thy mercy, Lord, my steps shall stay : 
 Brighten with hope my saddest hours, 
 And strew my earthly path with flowers. 
 And so, while life and breath are mine. 
 Shall ev'ry power in concert join, 
 To praise thee. Lord, to whom belong 
 My morning prayer and evening song. 
 
16 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 56. 
 
 ' In all thing's 1 would be conformed to thy will.' 
 
 Great God ! I would not seek to know 
 
 The number of my earthly hours, 
 Nor if the path that I must go 
 
 Be paved with thorns, or strew'd with flowers j 
 It is enough for me to see 
 
 My life is governed by thy will, 
 And all that I receive from thee, 
 
 Has been, and will be kindness still. 
 
 But this I would forever pray, 
 
 And grant that I be not denied, 
 That whether dark or bright the way, 
 
 Thy Spirit will my actions guide. 
 Then in the lapse of prosperous years, 
 
 I shall not raise my heart too high, 
 ^or yield to doubts, distrust, or fears, 
 
 Though pleasures fail and comforts die. 
 
 57. 
 
 ' Wherefore art thou cast down, O my soul ! why art 
 thou disquieted within me .'' trust thou in God.' — 
 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall 
 strengthen thy heart ; wait, I say, on the Lord.' 
 
 O God, to thee, who first hast given 
 My mortal frame a spark of heaven, 
 
 I consecrate my powers ; 
 Thine is its hop'd eternity, 
 And thine its earthly life shall be, 
 
 Through months, and days, and hours. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 47 
 
 Here at thy shrine, I bow resign'd ; 
 Each struggling passion of my mind, 
 
 With all its hopes and fears ; 
 And here, to love and worship thee, 
 Is the sole wish my heart would see. 
 
 Through all my future years. 
 
 For, oh ! when earthly cares are o'er, 
 The worn heart feels there is no more 
 
 Of bliss beneath the skies; 
 There is no other certain trust. 
 Which blends the merciful and just^ 
 
 Omnipotent and wise. 
 
 58. 
 
 ' Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and 
 every evil work. — Be not overcome of evil, but 
 overcome evil with good. — The lofty looks of a man 
 shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall 
 be bowed down. — Humble yourselves, therefore, 
 under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt 
 you in due season.' 
 
 Taste not from envy's poisonous fountain, 
 The peace destroying streams that flow ; 
 Nor climb ambition's dangerous mountain 
 To look upon the world below. 
 The princely pine on hills exalted, 
 Whose lofty branches cleave the sky, 
 By winds, long braved, at last assaulted. 
 Is headlong whirled in dust to lie : 
 Whilst the mild rose, more safely growing, 
 Low, in its quiet, tranquil vale. 
 Amid retirement's shelter blowing, 
 Exchanges sweets with every gale, 
 
48 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 59. 
 
 •' He healeth the broken-hearted, and bindeth up theii 
 their wounds. — The Lord gave, and the Lor<i hath 
 taken awaj', blessed be the name of the Lord.' 
 
 Frail though my young devotions be, 
 I humbly dare look up to Thee, 
 
 JMy Father and my God ! 
 For I have felt affliction's power, 
 And yet in sorrow's darkest hour, 
 
 Have raark'd a parent's rod. 
 
 I pray not for this world's vain hope, 
 The soul desires a larger scope, 
 
 Destin'd to live forever : 
 I ask not many years to live. 
 But that in those thou will'st to give. 
 
 I may forget Thee — never. 
 
 In every varying moment, still 
 May my whole duty be thy will. 
 
 And may I meet each trial. 
 With fortitude resigned and pure, 
 A spirit anchored to endure, 
 
 And holy self-denial. 
 
 60. 
 
 ' O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, and his 
 mercy enduretb unto all generations.— He crown- 
 eth the year with his goodness.' 
 
 When near, O, Lord thy heavenly throne, 
 
 The seraph angels humbly bow — 
 
 And render praise to thee alone — 
 
 The source from whence «11 blessings flow, — 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 49 
 
 Wilt thou, our Father, deign to hear 
 When children join their blissful train 
 While filled with love, and holy fear, 
 They swell the blest angelic strain ? 
 
 For though with power enthroned on high, 
 Thy love and goodness ne'er hath bounds ; 
 To humble souls thy grace is nigh, 
 And earth with heaven thy praise resounds. 
 
 We thank thee, that protecting care, 
 With shielding mercy still is near ; 
 That we thy choicest blessings share, 
 And smiling plenty crowns the year. 
 
 61. 
 
 ' Thus saith the Lord, Blessed are they that keep my 
 sabbaths.' 
 
 The sun goes down — another Sabbath day 
 Is gone, to tell its tale of good or ill ; 
 Fair purpose, erring act. inconstant will, 
 Have swelled, I fear, its hours, now passed 
 
 away — 
 For ever past. So years on years decay ! 
 So glide the hours, by God indulgent given, 
 To wean our hearts from guilt to Him and 
 
 heaven ; 
 So speeds the work that will not brook delay ! 
 O God of heaven and earth, the work how vain 
 That aims not, ends not, centres not in Thee ! 
 
50 HYMXS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 62. 
 
 ' Remember how short thy time is.— So teach me to 
 know my days, that 1 may apply my heart to wis- 
 dom.' 
 
 What'er thou purposes! to do, 
 With an anwearied zeal pursue ; 
 To-day is thine — improve to-day, 
 Nor trust to-morrow's distant ray. 
 
 63. 
 
 * Know ye that God is glorious over the whole world. 
 — O praise and exalt his name forever.' 
 
 I see a God at every step. 
 
 If I but chance to cast my eye 
 On hill, or dale, or on the deep. 
 
 Or raise my view to yon bright sky. 
 
 Behold a God of boundless sway 
 
 In the eccentric comets' flight. 
 And when the bright sun gilds the day 
 
 And when the moon illumes the night. 
 
 When thunders burst from darkened clouds. 
 
 And strike with dread the earth and air ; 
 Then cavern, deep, and rocks, and woods, 
 
 Reply aloud — that God is there. 
 
 Yes, He presides, when storms pervade. 
 And heave the billows to the sky ; 
 
 And when the storm's wild fury's laid, 
 'Tis He that soothes, for He is nigh. 
 
HYJINS FOR CHILDREN. 51 
 
 64. 
 
 ' All things that giow on the earth, bless ye the Lord : 
 praise and exalt him above all forever.' 
 
 A God appears of grace and power, 
 In every flower that decks the vale; 
 
 In every breeze and fostering shower, 
 And every bloom that scents the gale. 
 
 When hoary winter issues forth, 
 
 With all his inauspicious train, 
 'Tis God that sends the snow on earth 
 
 And regulates his chilling reign. 
 
 When the thick shades obscure the sky, 
 And stars are hid, and sun is fled, — 
 
 At morning's hour, with reason's eye, 
 I see him while the light is red. 
 
 Since He's so good, I'll cease this haste 
 To catch at fleeting transient joy ; 
 
 Nor let those talents run to waste, 
 Which [ for him should all employ. 
 
 65. 
 
 ' There is none holy as the Lord ; hfi is a God of 
 knowledge, and byhini are our actions weighed.' 
 
 Almighty Lord ! to Thee alone 
 My heart and all my ways are known ; 
 I cannot speak, but thou dost hear — 
 I cannot think, but thou art near, 
 Each secret purpose of my soul 
 To mark, distinguish, and control. 
 
■J'2 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Where'er I wander, Thee I see 
 Surrounding and inspecting me. 
 How vast the skill that can direct 
 A world — and yet a child protect ! 
 In vain to trace thy ways 1 soar ; 
 I bow, and thy great power adore. 
 
 Could I the morning's wings assume. 
 Borne on a sunbeam throu;:h the gloom. 
 Swift as the light my way pursue 
 To scenes remote from mortal view ; 
 Remote from Thee I ne'er could rove. 
 Thee, Lord, in whom I live and move. 
 
 66. 
 
 Draw near, ye unlearned, and dwell in the house ot 
 learning. — Work your work betimes, and in time 
 he will give you your reward.' 
 
 Mortal ! while the sunny beam, 
 Tells thee here how time is gliding ; 
 
 Haste the moments to redeem. 
 For eternity providing. 
 
 Winters pass, and springs renew, 
 
 In maturity, advancing ; 
 Youth to pleasure sighs, " adieu," 
 
 In the fields of childhood dancing* 
 
 Manhood sinks to hoary age, 
 
 And a night that has no morning ; 
 
 Oh, let wisdom now engage, 
 
 Hear her dictates and take warning f 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN". 53 
 
 Wisely still the moments use, 
 
 Some are every moment dying ; 
 While this lesson you peruse, 
 
 Oh, remember time is flying ! 
 
 67. 
 
 ' O come, let us worship and bow down, letxis kneel 
 before the Lord our maker.' 
 
 Far from mortal cares retreating. 
 Sordid hopes, and vain desires, 
 Here, our willing footsteps meeting. 
 Every heart to heaven aspires. 
 From the Fount of glory beaming, 
 Light celestial cheers our eyes ; 
 Mercy from above proclaiming 
 Peace and pardon from the skies. 
 
 Who may share this great salvation ? — 
 Every pure and humble mind ; 
 Every kindred tongue and nation, 
 From the stains of guilt refined ; 
 Blessings all around bestowing, 
 God withholds his care from none ; 
 Grace and mercy ever flowing 
 From the fountain of his throne. 
 
 Every stain of sin abhorring, 
 Firm and bold in virtue's cause, 
 Still thy providence adoring. 
 Faithful subjects to thy laws. 
 Lord ! with favour still attend us, 
 Bless us with thy wond'rous love ; 
 Thou, our sun and shield, defend us : 
 All our hope is from above. 
 e2 
 
.j4 hymns for children. 
 
 68. 
 
 Be thou exalted, O God ! above the heaveuj and thy 
 glory above all the earth.' 
 
 Thou art, O God ! the life and light 
 Of all this wond'roiis world we see ; 
 
 Its glow by day, its smile by night, 
 Are but reflections caught from thee ; 
 
 Where'er we turn thy glories shine, 
 
 And all things fair and bright are thine. 
 
 When youthful spring around us breathes, 
 Thy spirit warms her fragrant sigh ; 
 
 And every flower the summer wreathes, 
 Is born beneath that kindling eye ; 
 
 Where'er we turn, thy glories shine, 
 
 And all things fair and bright are thine. 
 
 69. 
 
 Let us not be weary in well-doing ; for in due season 
 we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have there- 
 fore opportunity, let us do good unto all men.' 
 
 Onward, onward, may we press, 
 
 Through the path of duty ; 
 Virtue is true happiness, 
 
 Excellence true beauty ; 
 Minds are of celestial birth, 
 We will make a heaven on earth. 
 
 Closer, closer liet us knit 
 
 Hearts and hands together, 
 Where our fire-side comforts sit 
 
 In the wildest weather : 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 55 
 
 O, they wander wide, who roam 
 For the joys of life from home. 
 
 Nearer, dearer bands of love, 
 
 Draw our souls in union, 
 To our Father's house above, 
 
 And the saints communion ; 
 Thither may our hopes ascend, 
 There may all our labours end. 
 
 70. 
 
 ' Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. 
 
 Glory to our heavenly king ! 
 Bounteous parent ! thee we sing ; 
 Gratitude the strain inspires, 
 Humble hopes, sincere desires. 
 
 God of glory ! God of love ! 
 Lord of all the worlds above ! 
 Thee we bless for daily food, 
 Thee we bless for every good. 
 
 More than all, we praise thee. Lord, 
 For the blessings of thy word. 
 For the tidings Jesus brought. 
 For the precepts Jesus taught. 
 
 Gracious Father ! Heavenly King ! 
 Feeble lips presume to sing ; 
 Infant voices humbly raise 
 Grateful, fervent songs of praise. 
 
56 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN, 
 
 n 
 
 ' At night the earth fades from our sight, and nothing 
 of creation is left us but the starry heavens, so vast, 
 so magnificent, so serene, as if to guide up our 
 thoughts above all earthly things to God and immor- 
 tality.' Charming. 
 
 Night is the time for rest ; 
 
 How sweet when labours close, 
 To gather round a weary breast 
 
 The curtain of repose ; 
 Stretch the tired limbs and lay the head 
 Upon our own delightful bed ! 
 
 Night is the time to pray ; 
 
 Our Saviour oft withdrew 
 To desert mountains far away, 
 
 So will his followers do ; 
 Steal from the thi'ong to haunts untrod, 
 And hold communion there with God. 
 
 Night is the time for death ; 
 
 When all around is peace. 
 Calmly to yield the weary breath, 
 
 From sin and suffering cease ; 
 Think of Heaven's bliss and give the sign 
 To parting friends ; — such death be mine ! 
 
 72. 
 
 ' "W'e testify repentance toward God, and faith towardJ^ 
 our Lord Jesus Christ.' 
 
 God of mercy ! God of love ! 
 Hear our sad repentant songs ; 
 Listen to our suppliant voice, 
 Thou to whom all praise belongs, 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 We lament our follies past, 
 Talents wasted, time misspent ; 
 Hearts debased by worldly cares. 
 Thankless for the blessings lent 
 
 Foolish fears and fond desires, 
 Vain regrets for things as vain ; 
 Lips too seldom taught to praise, 
 Oft to murmur and complain. 
 
 These, and erery secret fault, 
 FilFd with grief and shame we own ; 
 Humbled at thy feet we bow. 
 Seeking pardon from thy throne. 
 
 God of mercy ! God of grace ! 
 Hear our sad repentant songs ; 
 O forgive thy suppliant race, 
 Thou to whom all praise belongs ! 
 
 73. 
 
 Ye shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy un- 
 to you. — Six days work may be done ; but on the 
 seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord.' 
 
 Hail sacred season ! peaceful day ! 
 By God himself ordained and blessed 
 A foretaste in a weary way, 
 Of endless rest. 
 
 Spirit of heavenly grace, descend. 
 Breathe on this sinful heart of mine ; 
 And as I trust thee for my friend, 
 Give life divine. 
 
08 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Devoted day of calm repose, 
 Close of creation, sweetly blest, 
 A pause to labour, — balm of woes— 
 An hour of rest. 
 
 Sublime precursor of an hour 
 When all our cares on earth shall cease, 
 In life's sad path a lovely flower, 
 A beam of peace. 
 
 Great Spirit, who ordained and blest. 
 Shed on this heart its tranquil powers ; 
 And teach ray bosom how to rest 
 In sacred hours. 
 
 74. 
 
 The lip of truth shall be established forever, and he 
 that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness.' 
 
 Begin, my child, in early youth 
 To utter and encourage truth ; 
 
 The tree's distinguished by the fruit ; 
 Be virtue then your great pursuit ; 
 
 Set good examples in your view, 
 And wisely imitate them too j 
 
 Every ignoble action scorn 
 
 Nor meanly here your mind deform ; 
 
 Constant, in wisdom's path appear 
 And meekly her instructions hear ; 
 
 So shall you happy be on earth 
 And joyful hail your heavenly birth. 
 
HYMNS FOn CHILDREN. 59 
 
 75. 
 
 • Consider the lilies of the field, how they g^row." 
 
 By the cutting north-wind rent, 
 
 See the prostrate lily lies ; 
 So, his life mid tempests spent, 
 
 Many a saint in sorrow dies. 
 
 But the valley clods are keeping 
 
 In their treasury the flower ; 
 So the saint entombed, is sleeping 
 
 Safely through the mortal hour. 
 
 Harmlessly the winter rages 
 
 O'er the lily's hidden bloom ; 
 So the lengthened blasts of ages 
 
 Unperceived roll o'er the tomb. 
 
 See in new and purer whiteness 
 
 In the spring the lily rise ; 
 So the saint with deathless brightness 
 
 Shall awake in heavenly skies. 
 
 76. 
 
 Return unto Ihe Lord, forsake thy sins, make thy 
 prayer before his face, and offend less.' 
 
 Tell me, moments now no more, 
 As the yearly path yeVe trod, 
 What was the report ye bore 
 To the eternal throne of God ? 
 
 Was the accusation just, 
 " Time thou'st wasted and misspent :" 
 Time committed to thy trust. 
 Chief of all the talents lent ? 
 
60 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 When the memory turns to gaze 
 
 Over all that yet has been, 
 Oh how drear seem misspent days — 
 
 A barren, and a mournful scene ! 
 
 If some moments here and there, 
 
 Were in better use employed, 
 They like spots of verdure bloom 
 
 In a desert unenjoyed. 
 
 Now we think, as moments fly, 
 
 Time shall not be lost again, 
 But the future, passing by. 
 
 All its burthen will sustain. 
 
 77. 
 
 ' Come ye blessed of ray Father, inherit the kingdom 
 preparetl for you from the foundation of the world : 
 For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat ; I was 
 thirsty, and ye gave me drink ; I was a stranger, 
 and ye took me in ; naked, and ye clothed me ; sick, 
 and ye visited me ; in prison, and ye came unto me.' 
 
 The willow that droops by the side of the river, 
 And drinks in its life from the stream that 
 flows by. 
 In return spends that life in the cause of the 
 giver. 
 And shadows the stream from the heat of the 
 sky. 
 
 Great God, my Creator, I humbly adore thee. 
 For thou art this life-giving fountain to me ; 
 
 All weakness myself and a suppliant before 
 thee, 
 I cannot return this protection to thee ! 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN, Sf 
 
 In sadness, in poverty, sickness or danger, 
 
 J 'II succour each suffering child that I see ; 
 The aid thus bestowed in this world on a 
 
 stranger, 
 One day thou wilt say was bestowed upon 
 
 Thee ! 
 
 78. 
 
 ' Come, let us praise God, for he is exceeding" great -, 
 let us bless God, for he is very good.' — Mrs.Barbauld. 
 
 My God, thy boundless love I praise ; 
 Now bright on high its glories blaze ! 
 
 How sweetly bloom below ! 
 It streams from thine eternal home, 
 From heaven its joys forever come. 
 
 And wide the earth o'erflow. 
 
 It robes in cheerful green the ground, 
 And spreads its flowery beauties round. 
 
 Wafts odours on the gale ; 
 Its bounties richly deck the plain, 
 The blushing fruit, the golden grain, 
 
 And smiles in every vale. 
 
 But in thy gospel see it shine 
 With grace and glories more divine, 
 
 Proclaiming sins forgiven ; 
 There faith unwavering points the way, 
 To realms of everlasting day, 
 
 Opening the gates of Heaven. 
 
 Then let the love that makes me blest, 
 With cheerful praise inspire my breast^ 
 
t)2 HVMNa FOR CHILDREa. 
 
 And ardent gratitude ; 
 And all my aspirations tend 
 To thee my father, and my friend. 
 
 And my immortal good. 
 
 79. 
 
 * The Lord hath us in his holy keeping." 
 
 Lord, through the slippery paths of youth, 
 Be thou our guardian and our guide ; 
 That we directed by thy truth, 
 JMay never from thy precepts slide. 
 
 To read thy word, our hearts incline ; 
 To understand it, light impart; 
 Oh Father ! may we all be thine ; 
 Take full possession of each heart. 
 
 80. 
 
 ' We will worship in thy holy temple : we will praise 
 the Lord with our whole hearts.* 
 
 Whwi in thy temple. Lord ! we bow, 
 To thee our grateful souls would rise ; 
 O grant that we may bring thee now 
 A pure and holy sacrifice. 
 
 What is the world that it should share 
 Hearts which belong to God alone ; 
 What are the pleasures reigning there 
 Compared with thee. Almighty One ! 
 
 Fountain of living waters ! we 
 To earthly springs would stoop no more ; 
 Humbly we bend ourselves to thee, 
 Oh ! on our hearts thy spirit pour. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. C3 
 
 81. 
 
 Why doth one day excel another, when in all the 
 Ms:ht of every day in the year is the sun ? — By the 
 knowledge of the Lord were they distinguished, 
 and he altered the seasons.' 
 
 L^k through creation, and behold 
 The wonders of Almight)^ power ; 
 Eternal wisdom's works unfold, 
 In every leaf — in every flower ! 
 
 There is a God all good and wise, 
 
 The very meanest insect cries ; 
 
 Seasons revolving in their spheres, 
 
 A thousand changing beauties bring; 
 
 But loveliest of them all appears, 
 
 The green-robed beauty — charming spring : 
 
 The music of whose morning voice, 
 
 Bids all the sons of earth rejoice. 
 
 82. 
 
 ' I went by the field of the slothful ; and lo, it was all 
 grown over with thorns, and pottles had covered the 
 face thereof. Then I looked upon it and received 
 instruction.' ' 
 
 Shun delays, they bring remorse, 
 Take thy time while time is lent thee, 
 Creeping snails have weakest force, 
 Fly their fault, lest thou repent thee. 
 
 Good is best when soouest wrought. 
 Lingering labours come to nought; 
 Works adjourned have many stays \ 
 Long demurs bring new delays. 
 
<3*l HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 83. 
 
 ' The spirits of those that fear the Lord shall live 
 and they that seek hiin early shall find favour.' 
 
 Author of life ! with reason's dawn 
 
 Let me thy favour gain ; 
 And when its strength with age declines. 
 
 I shall not trust in vain. 
 
 Childhood devoted to the Lord, 
 
 Is pleasing in his eyes ; 
 A flower that's offered in the bud, 
 
 Is no vain sacrifice. 
 
 'Twill save us from unnumbered ills, 
 
 To seek religion young ; 
 Grace will preserve succeeding years 
 
 And make our virtue strong. 
 
 God let me in remembrance bear, 
 
 For him each hour employ ! 
 And make my Maker, whose I am, 
 
 My early trust and joy. 
 
 84. 
 
 ' Seek ye first the kingdom of God; and his righteous 
 ness.' 
 
 Providence, profusely kind, 
 Wheresoe'er you turn your eyes, 
 Bids you with a grateful mind 
 View your many blessings rise. 
 
 But perhaps some friendly voice 
 Softly whispers to your mind — 
 
HVMNS FOR CHILDREN. 65 
 
 Make not these alone you choice, 
 Heaven has blessings more refined. 
 
 Thankful own what you enjoy ; 
 But a changing world like this, 
 Where a thousand fears annoy, 
 Cannot give you perfect bliss. 
 
 Perfect bliss resides above, 
 Far beyond the azure sky ; 
 Bliss that merits all your love, 
 Quiets every anxious sigh. 
 
 85. 
 
 • And Jesus took little children ia his arms and Mess- 
 ed them, saying, Forbid them not to come unto me, 
 for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' \ 
 
 Father of Heaven ! thy wond'rous power 
 Leads us through childhood^s dawning ray, 
 Upholds us here through ev'ry hour ! 
 And guards us to maturer day ! 
 
 When gently gliding o'er life's wave. 
 Thy smile will holy love reveal ; 
 And when no earthly art can save, 
 Thine arm of power will be our shield. 
 
 Thy heavenly word shall calm the sea. 
 Thy voice shall whisper, " Peace, be still !" 
 A star on high shall show us thee, 
 And cast rich splendour on thy will. 
 
 Grateful for thy protecting grace, 
 We bow ourselves before thy throne ; 
 
 F 2 
 
G6 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Oh ! may we there thy mercy trace, 
 And thy presiding presence own. 
 
 For Jesus's sake, we ask thy aid, — 
 Sanction the hope his words have given, 
 " Forbid them not to come," he said ; 
 *^ For such are those who dwell in heaven." 
 
 86. 
 
 < The summer is over and gone : the grass withereth, 
 and the flower fadeth.' 
 
 The summer ends its short career. 
 
 The zephyrs breathe farewell ; 
 And full upon the closing year 
 
 The brilliant glories dwell. 
 
 The winds breathe low — the fading leaf 
 
 Scarce whispers on the tree ! 
 So gently flows the parting breath 
 
 When good men cease to be. 
 
 How beautiful on all the hills 
 
 The crimson light is shed ! 
 'Tis like the peace the christian gives 
 
 To mourners round his bed. 
 
 Ho V mildly on the floating cloud 
 
 The sunset beams are cast ! 
 ^Tis like the memory left behind 
 
 When lov'd ones breathe their last. 
 
 Oh ! thus serene and free from fear 
 
 May be our last repose ; 
 Thus like the sabbath of the year 
 
 Our latest evening close. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 87. 
 
 ' The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, 
 and plenteous iu mercy.' 
 
 Let me with fervour praise the Lord, 
 Bless, O my soul, his name and word, 
 
 His mercies oft repeat; 
 Who will thy num'rous sins forgive, 
 Heal thy diseases, bid thee live, 
 
 And every trial meet. 
 
 He leads thee from destruction's ways, 
 With constant mercy crowns thy days, 
 
 And a kind father's care ; 
 Renews thee as the eagle's youth ; 
 A God of justice and of truth, 
 
 Who still delights to spare. 
 
 He's slow to anger, full of grace 
 And will not always hide his face 
 
 Ungrateful as we are ; 
 Where'er his boundless realms extend, 
 Let invocations pure ascend, 
 
 To Him who heareth prayer ! 
 
 88. 
 
 The eyei of the Lord are upon thera that lore hina, 
 he is their mighty protection, and strong stay. — 
 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord.' 
 
 To thee, O Lord, we humbly pray. 
 And for the blessings of this day 
 Accept our sacrifice of praise, 
 Which now in grateful songs we raise. 
 
68 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Still may thy providential care 
 Preserve from every fatal snare, 
 And from the perils of the night 
 Defend us by thy sovereign might. 
 
 And when sure death, like night shall come, 
 And call us to our endless home, 
 May we be found in peace with thee, 
 And wake in heaven eternally. 
 
 89. 
 
 ' Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart; 
 with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and thy 
 neighbour as thyself.' 
 
 Love God with all your soul, 
 With all your heart and mind. 
 
 And love your neighbour as yourself ; 
 Be faithful, just, and kind. 
 
 Deal with another as you'd have 
 
 Another deal with you ; 
 What you're unwilling to receive, 
 
 Be sure you never do. 
 
 90. 
 
 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle 
 soul shall suffer hunger. — The hand of the diligent 
 maketh rich.' 
 
 See the golden orb of day. 
 Rising, shoots his brilliant ray, 
 From the shades of night he springs. 
 Wafting far on mighty wings. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 69 
 
 Lo ! the time for sleep has run, 
 Rise before or with the sun ; 
 Lift thy hands and humbly pray 
 The fountain of eternal day, 
 That, as light serenely fair, 
 Illuminates the tracks of air ; 
 Heaven's sacred spirit so may rest, 
 With kindly beams upon thy breast ; 
 And shine with grace, until thou view 
 The realm it gilds with glory too. 
 And whether with a small repast, 
 You break the sober morning fast ; 
 Or early walk abroad to meet 
 Your business with industrious feet ; 
 Whate'er you think, whate'er you do, 
 Still keep your Maker's praise in view. 
 
 91. 
 
 * All these are full of the glory of the Lord.' 
 
 Bright stars of eve, your lucid rays 
 Direct my thoughts to realms on high ; 
 Great is the theme, though weak my lays. 
 For ye proclaim that God is nigh. 
 
 And distant far your orbs I see, 
 
 With native lustre ever shine ; 
 
 How great, how good, how dreadful ! He 
 
 In whom light, hie, and truth combine. 
 
 Oh ! may I better know his will, 
 And more implicitly obey ; 
 Be God my friend, my father still, 
 From earthly — to^ eternal day. 
 
70 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 92. 
 
 ' Search thy heart. — So shah thou deal wisely.' 
 
 Hast thou, my soul, improved each power, 
 With zeal this day for God and man ; 
 Hath diligence mark'd every hour, 
 As though it now might close thy span ? 
 
 And if another opening morn, 
 On earth should never rise on thee — 
 Wert thou to meet another dawn 
 In the unknown eternity — 
 
 Shouldst thou with grief review this day, 
 And tremble at thy Maker's nod — 
 Or, would 'st thou calmly soar away, 
 To meet a kind approving God ? 
 
 93. 
 
 ' Thou hast preserved my life from destruction. 
 
 I live again to see the day 
 
 That brought me first to light ; 
 
 O ! teach my youthful lioart the way 
 To take thy mercies right. 
 
 Though dazzling splendour, pomp and show 
 
 M\- fortune has denied ; 
 Yet, more than grandeur can bestow, 
 
 Content hath well supplied. 
 
 No strife at home disturbs my peace, 
 No miseries have I known ; 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 71 
 
 And, that I'm blest with health and ease, 
 With humble thanks I own. 
 
 I'll envy no one's birth or fame. 
 
 Their titles, train, or dress ; 
 Nor shall ray pride e'er stretch its aim 
 
 Beyond what I possess. 
 
 I ask not, wish not, to appear 
 
 More beauteous, rich, or gay ; 
 Lord, make me wiser every year, 
 
 And better every day. 
 
 94. 
 
 Truly my soul waiteth upou God : — I will sing of thy 
 mercy in the morning-, O my God.' 
 
 See the gleams of daylight swim 
 On the heaving ocean's brim ! 
 Now the waves are gilded o'er 
 With the golden beams still more. 
 See ! the gathering lustre shines 
 On the mountain's loftiest pines, 
 And the far-off village spires 
 Redden in the kindling fires. 
 
 God hath made the sun to shine 
 Image of his love divine ; 
 Thus his rays of mercy fall* 
 Liberally alike on all ; 
 Thus he lights our happy way 
 Through the labours of the day,— * 
 And when all our cares are past 
 Guides us to his rest at last. 
 
72 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 95. 
 
 He that dwftlleth in the secret place of the Most High 
 $hall abide under the shadow of the Almijs^hty. — I 
 will say of the Lord, surely he is my refuge. — Be- 
 cause thou hast made the Lord thy refuge, even the 
 Most High, there shall no evil befal thee — for he 
 shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in 
 all thy ways. — And his angels are ministering spirits.' 
 
 Oh, is there not a Mighty Power 
 
 Whose sleepless agents work his will, 
 
 And who, in pleasure's brightest hour, 
 Or sorrow's night watch o'er us still ? 
 
 They guard the infant's helpless years ; 
 
 They guide the wandering steps of youth ; 
 And through life's path of storms and tears 
 
 Still cheer us with the light of truth. 
 
 When in the hour of pain and grief, 
 
 With anguishM souls we kneel in prayer. 
 
 Their influence brings our hearts relief, 
 Which else had broken with despair. 
 
 When morn or evening's golden rays, 
 With summer beauty light the sky, 
 
 Our grateful minds they bid us raise, 
 Adoring, to the world on high ! 
 
 And when upon the bed of death 
 We close the scene of trial here, 
 
 Bright spirits catch our parting ureath, 
 And waft us to a heavenly sphere I 
 
HYMNS FOR <:HlLDREN. 73 
 
 96. 
 
 * Early will I seek thee.'- 
 
 When in the morning of my days. 
 
 No mournful cloud appears, 
 
 Or when in dark and painful ways, 
 
 i\Iy eyes are dim with tears, 
 
 I'll pray to God whose power sends down 
 
 Afflictions for the best, 
 
 And when all other hopes depart, 
 
 Can give the weary rest. 
 
 While parents and kind friends for me 
 
 Their time and strength employ, 
 
 And I am sad at their distress 
 
 And love to share their joy ; 
 
 I'll cleave to him whose love inspires 
 
 In them those anxious cares, 
 
 The heavenly parent and the friend. 
 
 Whose kindness passeth theirs. 
 
 97. 
 
 Blessed art thou,0 Lord ! teach me thy statutes ; — 
 I will meditate upon thy precepts, and have respect 
 unto thy ways.' 
 
 O grant thy blessing. Lord, to-day ! 
 O give thy children joy and peace ! 
 The tokens of thy grace display. 
 Thy favours which shall never cease. 
 
 We seek the truth which Jesus brought : 
 Hi's path of light we wish to tread : 
 
74 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Here by his doctrines to be taught ; 
 And here by their blest influence led. 
 
 May truth and peace and hope abound 5 
 Our sins and errors be forgiven ; 
 And we in thy great day, be found 
 Children of God, and heirs of heaven. 
 
 98. 
 
 ' Draw nig^h to God, and he will draw nigh to you. 
 
 Almighty God and King on high, 
 My spirit bows before thee now ; 
 
 How frail a creature, Lord, am T, 
 Eternal one, how great art thou ! 
 
 Thy boundless mercy calls us near, 
 And bids us look to heaven our home ; 
 
 As children, then, we will not fear, 
 
 With our meek offerings. Lord, to come. 
 
 O precious privilege for us 
 On thee securely to depend ; 
 
 To bring our infant praises thus 
 As to a father and a friend ! 
 
 99. 
 
 ' The day is thine, the night also is thine. 
 
 Greatest of beings ! source of life, 
 Maker of air, and earth, and sea ! 
 All nature feels thy power, and all 
 A silent homage pays to thee. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 75 
 
 Waked by thy word, the morning sun, 
 Pours far abroad his golden raySj 
 And speaks thy glories as he shines ; 
 While raptured beings sing thy praise. 
 
 The moon o'er the deep shades of night 
 Spreads the mild lustre of thy name ; 
 While all the stars that cheer the scene, 
 Thee, the great Lord of life, proclaim. . 
 
 And gloves, and vales, and rocks, and hills, 
 And every flower and verdant tree, 
 And thousand creatures gay with hfe. 
 Have all a grateful song for thee. 
 
 100. 
 
 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speak- 
 ing guile. — A lie is a foul blot : and the disposition 
 of a liar dishonorable. — Keep thy word, and deal 
 faithfully, and thou shalt always find the thing 
 that is necessary for thee.' 
 
 Of all the gifts in virtue's power 
 That should adorn the breast of youth; 
 The fairest and the purest flower 
 Is ever valued, simple truth. 
 
 Her dictates always lead us right, 
 Less'ning the fault she bids us own ; 
 Turning false shame to sweet delight, — 
 Delight to Hars never known. 
 
 Though trifling be the act we do. 
 Or great the punishment we shun, 
 Not in base falsehood's name we'll sue, 
 But speak with truth the ill we've done. 
 
76 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 101. 
 
 * The Lord made the heaven, and the earth, the sea 
 
 and all that in them is.' 
 
 With grateful joy will we record 
 The various wonders of our Lord ; 
 O let his power and goodness sound 
 Through the wide earth's remotest bound. 
 
 Lo ! the high heavens our songs invite, 
 Those spacious fields of brilliant light, 
 Where suns, and moons, and planets roll, 
 And stars that glow from pole to pole. 
 
 See, earth in verdant robes arrayed, 
 
 Its herbs and flowers, its light and shade. 
 
 See insects fill the airy tide, 
 
 Life from its secret stores supplied. 
 
 View the broad sea's majestic plain, 
 And sing its Maker's boundless reign ; 
 That ocean, \\hich does nations join, 
 And speaks its Maker's name divine. 
 
 102. 
 
 * Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found ; call ye 
 
 upon him while he is near.' 
 
 Be it my only wisdom here, 
 
 To serve the Lord with filial fear, 
 
 And pious gratitude : 
 Superior sense may I display 
 By shunning every evil way, 
 . And walking with the good. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 77 
 
 O may T still from sin depart ; 
 A wise and understanding heart, 
 
 O Lord, to me be given ; 
 And let me through thy spirit know, 
 How thee to glorify below, 
 
 And tread the path to heaven t 
 
 103. 
 
 In the beginning was the word, and the word was 
 
 with God. By him was every thing made that 
 
 was made.' 
 
 Lord of universal nature, 
 God of every living creature. 
 Light of morning, shade of even. 
 King of ocean, earth, and heaven, — 
 Whilst I, prostrate, bow before thee, 
 Teach my spirit to adore thee ! 
 
 Spring of river, lake, and fountain, 
 Filer of the rock and mountain. 
 Breath of animal creation. 
 Life of varied vegetation, — 
 Whilst I, prostrate, bow before thee. 
 Teach my spirit to adore thee ! 
 
 First and last, — Eternal Being, — 
 All pervading, and all seeing. 
 Centre of divine perfection, — 
 Whence the planets learn subjection. 
 Whilst for favour I implore thee, 
 Teach ray spirit to adore thee ! 
 
78 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 104, 
 
 "Years that have passed will know no return. — To-day 
 only is thine.' 
 
 Again time's never tiring hand 
 Points to the finished year ; 
 Its moments with past ages stand, 
 Nor will again appear. 
 
 And while the precious moments pass. 
 And time again revolves ; 
 Spirit of power and heavenly grace 
 Assist my weak resolves. 
 
 From each imperfect virtuous part, 
 Then purer good shall spring ; 
 From errors past a contrite heart 
 Will true repentance bring. 
 
 105. 
 
 ' I will call upon thee, God ; evening and morning 
 will I pray. — Love your enemies ; do good to those 
 who despitefully use you, and persecute you.' 
 
 To thee, Almighty God and King, 
 
 For thy protecting care. 
 The tribute of our love we bring, 
 
 In homage and in prayer. 
 
 We bless thee for our lengthened days, 
 For friends, and health, and ease ; 
 
 And, while our lips thy goodness praise. 
 Thee may our actions please. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 79 
 
 If we have foes, we them forgive — 
 
 O may their anger cease ! 
 With all in friendship may we live 
 
 And share the joys of peace ! 
 
 With plans and deeds of gentleness, 
 
 Still loving and beloved, 
 May we to man good will express ; 
 
 And be by thee approved ! 
 
 106. 
 
 *0 Lord, thou art great — thou hast searched me and 
 known me. There is uot a word on my tongue, 
 
 but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it. For God gave 
 
 his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in 
 
 him, might not perish, but have eternal life. 
 
 Neither is there salvation in any other.' 
 
 There is an eye that all surveys, 
 
 A hand that all directs ; 
 There is a power o'er all our ways, 
 
 A power that all protects. 
 
 There is a hope can ne'er deceive, 
 
 A trust can ne'er betray ; 
 There is a grace, when mortals grieve, 
 
 Can wipe their tears away. 
 
 There is a guide, there is a guard, 
 
 Who watches while we sleep ; 
 His trust is sure in watch or ward, 
 
 The desart or the deep. 
 
 Sweeter than morning's incense rise, 
 
 To him whom mercies move, 
 The humble, unaffected sighs 
 
 Of gratitude and love ! 
 
BO HYMx\S FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 lor. 
 
 * Give me that which is needful for me.' 
 
 The infant deems some pleasure lies 
 Within the taper's trembling ray ; 
 
 And grasps it — the delusion flies, 
 He only carries pain away ! 
 
 So thoughtless children joy will see 
 In some far distant splendid thing, 
 
 And gain it — soon the phantom flees. 
 While haply there remains a sting. 
 
 Great Ruler, Lord of all below. 
 Direct my views, and fix my lot ; 
 
 Thou knowest what would work my woe, 
 And though I wish it — grant it not. 
 
 108. 
 
 Hearken. ...learn the words of knowledge and mark 
 my words with thy heart. — When wisdom entereth 
 into thy heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy 
 soul, discretion shall preserve thee; understanding 
 shall keep thee.' 
 
 Go, mark the tear in pity's eye, 
 
 'Tis brighter than the diamond's beams ; 
 And the pure blush of modesty 
 
 More precious than the ruby seems. 
 
 TJiose glowing gems, and sparkling stones, 
 May strike us with a short surprise ; 
 
 But truth and innocence alone 
 Should here engage the good and wise. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 81 
 
 No glittering ornament nor show 
 Will e'er allay thy grief or pain ; 
 
 Only from mental worth can flow 
 Delight that ever shall remain. 
 
 109. 
 
 ^Behold, God is great — with clouds he covereth the 
 light. Look unto the heavens and see, and be- 
 hold the clouds which are higher than thou.' 
 
 Yon glorious clouds that curtain round 
 
 This sublimary ball, 
 And firmament on high, reveal 
 
 A God that governs all. 
 
 I read a record of his love, 
 
 His wisdom and his power, 
 Inscribed on all created things, 
 
 Man, beast, and bird, and flower. 
 
 If such convictions to ray mind 
 
 His works aloud impart ; 
 O let the wisdom of his word 
 
 Inscribe them on my heart. 
 
 no. 
 
 * Whereas ye know not what sliall be on the morrow. 
 — For what is your life ? It is even a vapour that 
 appeareth but for a moment, and then vauisheth 
 away.' 
 
 Teach me, O Lord, while here below. 
 The number of my days to know ; 
 That I may walk in wisdom's ways, 
 And live to ray Creator's praise. 
 
82 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 My life is but a transient dream ; 
 
 let me every hour redeem ; 
 
 A pilgrim, through this earth I rove, 
 And hasten to a world above. 
 
 Lord, help me through this land of woe. 
 With calm sincerity to go ; 
 Heedless of sorrow or of pain 
 So I to future rest attain. 
 
 Though short my days, my sins are great, 
 
 1 cannot bear their guilty weight ; 
 For pardon, through thy Son 1 plead, 
 And grace to help in time of need. 
 
 111. 
 
 * Thou that hearest prayer ! unto thee shall all flesh 
 come.' 
 
 Almighty God, most gracious power. 
 Thou know'st the fate of every hour, 
 Accept my earliest grateful prayer. 
 For the past night's unbounded care. 
 O ! guide me through the coming day, 
 From virtue's path ne'er let me stray ; 
 And should my passions tempt me wrong 
 Wilt thou restrain my lips and tongue ; 
 Check every thought and habit vain 
 And bring me to thyself again. 
 If good or ill my portion be. 
 Lord, I will trace the source to thee. 
 And still rejoice, or firmly bear 
 The lot thy wisdom bids me share. 
 But lest my mind should weakly yield, 
 Be thou, O Lord ! my strength and shield. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 83 
 
 112. 
 
 ' The Lord dwelleth not in tabernacles made by men's 
 hands. — Who shall abide in his tabernacles ? who 
 shall dwell in his holy place ? He that walketh 
 uprightly and worketh righteousness, and speaketh 
 the truth.' 
 
 Beyond, beyond that boundless sea, 
 
 Above the high blue sky. 
 Further than thought itself can flee, 
 
 Thy dwelling is on high ; 
 Yet dear the solemn thought to me, 
 
 That thou, ray God, art nigh : — 
 
 Art nigh, and yet my wondering mind 
 
 Seeks after thee in vain, 
 Thee in thy works of power to find. 
 
 Or to thy seat attain. 
 Thy messenger the stormy wind. 
 
 Thy path the trackless main. 
 
 These speak of thee with loud acclaim. 
 
 And thunder forth thy praise ; 
 The glorious honour of thy name, 
 
 The wonders of thy ways : 
 But thou art not in tempest flame 
 
 Nor in day's glorious blaze. 
 
 Oh, not in circling depth, or height. 
 
 But in the conscious breast. 
 Present to faith, though veiled from sight, 
 
 There does thy Spirit rest. 
 Send, Lord, that Spirit infinite ^ 
 
 And make thy creatures blest. 
 
84 HYrrlNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 113. 
 
 ' God is mighty in power.' 
 
 On the waves there is a form, 
 And a voice in every storm : — 
 In the sun, the moon, and sky, 
 On the mountain wild and high, 
 Tn the thunder, in the rain. 
 In the grove, tlic wood, the plain, 
 In the little birds which sing ; 
 God is seen in every thing. 
 
 114. 
 
 * Whatsoever ye would that man should do to you do ye 
 even so to them.' 
 
 When on the fragrant sandal tree 
 
 The woodman's axe descends. 
 
 And that which flourished beauteously, 
 
 Beneath his keen stroke bends, 
 
 E'en on the edge that wrought its death, 
 
 Dying, it sheds its sweetest breath, 
 
 As if to token in its fall. 
 
 Peace to its foes, and love to all. 
 
 How hardly we this lesson learn. 
 
 To smile and bless the hands that spurn,— 
 
 To see the blow, — to feel the pain, 
 
 Yet render only love again : 
 
 One bore this spirit, who from heaven 
 
 Dwelt on our earth and was betrayed, 
 
 No curse he breathed, no plaint he made, 
 
 But when in death for thorn he sighed. 
 
 Prayed for his murderers, and died ? 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 8o 
 
 115. 
 
 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his 
 saints. The righteous hath hope in death.' 
 
 O when the hours of life are past, 
 
 And death's dark shade arrives at last, 
 It is not sleep — it is not rest, 
 
 'Tis glory opening on the blest : 
 For then the God of mercy sheds 
 
 His purest influence on our heads ; 
 And gilds the spirits round his throne 
 
 With glories radiant as his own. 
 
 116. 
 
 As for man, his days are as grass j as a flower of 
 the field, so he flourisheth ; for the wind passeth 
 over it and it is gone, and the place thereof shall 
 know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is 
 from everlasting to everlasting, to such as keep his 
 commandments to do them.' 
 
 The rose, the sweetly blooming rose, 
 
 Ere from the tree 'tis torn, 
 Is hke the charms which beauty shows 
 
 In life's exulting morn ! 
 
 But, O ! how soon its sweets are gone, 
 
 How soon it withering lies ! 
 So when the eve of life comes on, 
 
 Our beauty fades and dies. 
 
 Then since the fairest flower that's made. 
 
 We withering soon shall find, 
 Let us possess what ne'er will fade, 
 
 The beauties of the mind ! 
 
SP) HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 117. 
 
 ' Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is 
 our God forever and ever ; he will be our guide 
 even unto death.' 
 
 Through each perplexing path of life, 
 
 O Lord, my footsteps guide ; 
 Give me each day my needful food, 
 
 And raiment fit provide ; 
 O spread thy guardian care around, 
 
 Till all my wanderings cease ; 
 Till at thy glorious high abode 
 
 My soul arrive in peace. 
 
 118. 
 
 ' Our days upon earth are as a shadow. Yet will 
 
 we trust in the Lord : his promises are sure and 
 steadfast.' 
 
 Our youthful joys fly like a summer's gale, 
 And threaten stern the winter of our age ; 
 
 Life's busy scenes a short and varying tale ! 
 And ever changing like wide nature's stage ! 
 
 But does no friendly power to us dispense 
 The joyful tidings of some happier clime r 
 
 Find we no guide in gracious Providence, 
 Beyond the grave where all alike decline ? 
 
 O yes ! the sacred oracles we hear 
 
 Point the bright way to realms of endless joy ; 
 They bid our trembling hearts no danger fear. 
 
 Though clouds surround, and stormy skies 
 anno v. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 87 
 
 Then let us wisely for our change prepare, 
 Nor count this lower world our fixed abode ; 
 
 Obey the voice and trust our Maker's care, 
 To smooth the rough, and light the darksome 
 road. 
 
 Moses inspired, led safely Israel's host 
 
 Through dreary paths to Jordan's fruitful side ; 
 
 But we a nobler hope than theirs can boast, 
 A brighter promise and more perfect guide. 
 
 119. 
 
 ' Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure 
 of my days that I may know how frail I am.' 
 
 Our life advances to its close. 
 While scarce its earliest dawn it knows, 
 And soon our rapid years are run. 
 And we with earthly cares are done. 
 
 How many, e'en in youth's gay hour, 
 Brief pageants, like a noontide flower. 
 Have faded in their brightest bloom, 
 And early tenanted the tomb ! 
 
 God of our fathers ! here, as they. 
 We walk the pilgrims of a day ; 
 Like transient guests thy works admire, 
 And quickly to the tomb retire. 
 
 O Lord of life and seasons ! we 
 Our sole reliance place on thee : 
 On thee we trust with holy fear. 
 And bless thee for the new-born, year ! 
 
88 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 120. 
 
 • Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they 
 toil not, neither do they spin ; and yet I say unto 
 you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not 
 arrayed like one of these.' 
 
 Why should a weak and vain desire, 
 For outward show and gay attire, 
 Engage our thoughts, em|:loy our prime, 
 And waste our precious fleeting time ? 
 
 No dress can inward folly hide ; 
 Be virtue's garb our only pride ; 
 Her purity and taste refined, 
 Will teach us to adorn our mind. 
 
 121. 
 
 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth ;—— mortals 
 
 yield up their spirits, and where are they ? 
 
 Lord, so teach us to number our days, that we may 
 apply our hearts unto wisdom.' 
 
 Wlien a (ew years, or days perhaps. 
 Shall glide away in silent lapse, 
 
 Time then to me shall be no more ; 
 No more the sun these eyes shall view, 
 Earth o'er these limbs her dust shall strew, 
 
 And life's delusive dream be o'er. 
 
 My God ! how awful is the scene ! 
 A breath, a transient breath between, 
 
 And can I waste life's fleeting day ? 
 To earth, alas ! too firmly bound. 
 Trees deeply rooted in the ground, 
 
 Are shivered when they're torn away. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 89 
 
 Great Cause of all above, below ! 
 Who knows thee, must forever know, 
 
 Thou art immortal and divine : 
 Thine image on my soul imprest, 
 Of endless being is the test. 
 
 And bids eternity be mine. 
 
 122. 
 
 ' The stars that shine for ever and ever. Lo, they 
 
 are parts of his ways ! but how little a portion is 
 heard of them !' 
 
 Thought of wonder, O how mighty, 
 
 How stupendous, how profound ! 
 All the stars that sparkle yonder. 
 
 Roll in orbs of vastness round ! 
 
 Thousands through the hours of darkness 
 
 Stud the concave of the sky ; 
 Thousands, thousands, hid from science, 
 
 Shine, unseen by earthly eye. 
 
 Pause my thought — lo ! myriad beings 
 
 Move on every planet there ; 
 All, for breath, and life, and guidance,^ 
 
 Leaning on Almighty care. 
 
 Every world has hills and valleys. 
 And His hand formed every flower : 
 
 Every golden-winged insect . 
 Sporting in the fragrant bower : 
 
 Every little joy and sorrow. 
 Every hope, and every fear. 
 
 Follow his supreme direction 
 Fully as some mighty sphere. 
 
9Q HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 123. 
 
 Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found ; call up- 
 on him while he is near. Let the wicked for- 
 sake his way and the unrighteous man histhought ' 
 
 Think, O my soul, how much depends 
 On the short period of to-day ; 
 Shall time, which heaven in mercy lends, 
 Be negligently thrown away ? 
 
 Thy fleeting minutes strive to use ; 
 Awake ! rouse every active power ! 
 And not in dreams and trifles lose 
 This precious, this important hour ! 
 
 Rescued from sin's destructive way. 
 Where erring folly thoughtless roves ; 
 That heavenly virtue we'll display, 
 Which Jesus taught, which God approves. 
 
 124. 
 
 Praise ye the Lord ; for it is good to sing praises 
 unto our God.' 
 
 To God, while flowers bloom on the bankj 
 
 Or lambs sport on the lea ; 
 While larks with morning hymns ascend, 
 
 Or birds chant in the tree ; 
 To God let every creature join 
 
 In prayer, and thanks, and praise ; 
 Infants, their little anthems lisp. 
 
 And hallelujahs raise ! 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 91 
 
 125. 
 
 ' Thou carest for all thy works.' 
 
 My God, by thy protecting power 
 
 I safe have passed the night; 
 And pleasant is this morning hour, 
 
 Which should my praise incite. 
 
 Most gracious guardian of my days, 
 
 To thee my heart I owe ; 
 To thee ray earliest prayers I raise, 
 
 And fervent they shall flow. 
 
 Thou hast preserved my sleeping breath 
 
 Secure from harm and pain ; 
 While many an eye was closed in death, 
 
 That ne'er shall wake again. 
 
 O Lord, protect me till the last 
 
 Long hour of rest is nigh, 
 And then, when death's dark sleep is past, 
 
 Receive my soul on high ! 
 
 126. 
 
 All the works of the Lord are good, aud he will give 
 every needful thing in due season. And therefore 
 praise ye the Lord with your whole heart and 
 mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.' 
 
 O Father, though some anxious care 
 To-morrow's clouded brow may wear ; 
 Nought of disquietude shall sway 
 My thoughts on this, thy holy day. 
 
92 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 I would not with a listless mind, 
 
 Or heart tc earth's low scenes inclined. 
 
 To offer tliee a prayer pretend, 
 
 With which vain worldly passions blend. 
 
 O deep upon my thankful breast 
 Let all thy mercies be imprest ; 
 That I may never more forget, 
 The whole or any single debt. 
 
 Dispose me each revolving day 
 For all my gifts my thanks to pay ; 
 And let my life devoted be, 
 A sinless offering. Lord, to thee I 
 
 127. 
 
 Before man is life and death ; and which he chooseth 
 shall be given him ; for the wisdom of the Lord is 
 great.' 
 
 Father, whate'er of earthly bliss 
 
 Thy sovereign will denies, 
 Accepted at thy throne of grace 
 
 Let this petition rise. 
 
 Give me, O Lord, a thankful heart, 
 
 From every murmur free ; 
 The blesssings of thy grace impart, 
 
 And let me live to thee. 
 
 May the blest hope that thou art mine, 
 
 My life and death attend ; 
 Thy presence through my journey shine, 
 
 And crown my journey's end. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 9c 
 
 128. 
 
 Blessed is he, whose conscience has not condemned 
 him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the 
 Lord.' 
 
 Our youthful years fleet quick away, 
 
 And time speeds on his race ; 
 In vain we ask a moment's stay, 
 
 He lessens not his pace. 
 
 Lord, make us truly wise to learn 
 
 How very frail we are ; 
 That we may mind our great concern, 
 
 And for our change prepare ; 
 
 May think of death and learn to die 
 
 To ail inferior things ; 
 Whilst our glad souls aspiring fly 
 
 To life's eternal springs. ' 
 
 129. 
 
 * My Father ! thou art the guide of my youth.' 
 
 Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us 
 O'er the world's tempestuous sea ; 
 Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us., 
 For we have no help but thee. 
 Still possessing every blessing, 
 If our God our Father be ! 
 
 Saviour ! breathe forgiveness o'er us ; 
 All our weakness thou dost know ; 
 Thou didst tread this world before us, 
 Thou didst feel its keenest woe ; . 
 
94 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Lone and dreary, weak and weary, 
 Tlu'ough the desert thou didst go ! 
 
 Spirit of our God, descending, 
 Fill our hearts with heavenly joy, 
 Love with kind affections blending, 
 Pleasures time can never cloy. 
 Thus provided, pardoned, guided, 
 Nothing shall our peace destroy ! 
 
 130. 
 
 •' Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord 
 thou »! ! great, and thy name is great in might.' 
 
 God ! — what a great and awful word ! 
 
 O who can speak his worth ? 
 By saints in heaven he is ador'd, 
 
 And feared by men on earth ; 
 And yet a little child may bend, 
 And say, ray Father and my Friend ! 
 
 The glorious sun, that blazes high, 
 The moon, more pale and dim, 
 
 And all the stars that fill the sky, 
 Are made and rul'd by him ; 
 
 And yet a child may ask his care, 
 
 And call upon his name in prayer ! 
 
 And this large world of ours below, 
 
 The waters and the land. 
 With all the trees and flowers that grow. 
 
 Were fashioned by his hand ; 
 Yes, and he forms our infant race, 
 And bids us early seek his face. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 95 
 
 131. 
 
 ' For our time is a very shadow that passeth away ; 
 
 and after our end there is no returning. Our 
 
 life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and 
 be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away by the 
 beams of the sun, and overcome with tho heat 
 
 thereof. But God created the spirit of man to 
 
 be immortal, and made him an image of his own 
 eternity.' 
 
 Here our brief and transient days 
 To their end speed swiftly on ; 
 Soon we pass life's little space, 
 Here to-day, to-morrow gone. 
 
 Lord, our humble prayers receive, 
 Pardon of our sins renew ; 
 Teach us by thy grace to live 
 With eternity in view. 
 
 Bless thy word to young and old; 
 Fill us with a Saviour's love ; 
 And, when life's short tale is told, 
 Take us to thy bliss above ! 
 
 132. 
 
 I have seen the insects sporting in the sunshine, their 
 wings glittered with gold and purple ; their bodies 
 shone like green emeralds. I returned ; they were 
 brushed into the pool ; they were perishing with 
 the evening breeze.' Jilrs. Barbauld. 
 
 Poor insect ! what a little day 
 
 Of sunny bliss is thine ! 
 And yet thou spread'st thy liirht wings gay, 
 
 And spreading, bidd'st them shine. 
 
96 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Thou humm'st thy short and busy tune, 
 
 Unmindful of the blast ; 
 And careless, while 'tis burning noon, 
 
 How quick that noon is past. 
 
 A shower would lay thy beauty low ; 
 
 A dew of twilight be 
 The torrent of thy overthrow, 
 
 Thy storm of destiny ! 
 
 Then spread thy little 'broidered wing. 
 
 Hum on thy busy lay ! 
 For soon thy beauties all will cease 
 
 Thy hfe will fade away ! 
 
 May I a lesson from thee learn 
 To improve with all my power ; 
 
 And be it here my chief concern 
 To fit for life's last hour. 
 
 133. 
 
 ^ Life is but a vapour, which appeareth for a little 
 time, and then vanisheth away.' 
 
 What is our life ? ah ! but a shining vapour, 
 Seen for awhile, then passing swift away ; 
 
 Pleased with its dazzling form 
 
 We scarce can think it frail. 
 
 Yet there's another life, to which this leads 
 If used aright, of bliss unmixed and pure. 
 
 Its glory unobscured, 
 
 Unbounded, without end. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 97 
 
 Then let ray heart and hopes, with new delight 
 And freshened vigour, to that life aspire; 
 
 Tliis mortal life will soon — 
 
 Ah ! very soon, — be past. 
 
 And then, sweet thought ! imraortal life is mine : 
 This hope can gild with smiles the darkest scene, 
 
 And shed a holy calm 
 
 Through the enlightened mind. 
 
 134. 
 
 God is every where — all places are filled by his pre- 
 sence.' 
 
 God is here ! — how sweet the sound ! 
 
 All I feel and all I see ; 
 Nature teems, above, around, 
 
 With universal Deity ! 
 
 Is there danger ? I'll not fear, 
 
 Though the death-winged arrow fly ; 
 
 I can answer — God is here, 
 And I move beneath his eye ! 
 
 When I pray, he hears my prayer ; 
 
 When I weep, He sees my grief: 
 Do I wander. He is there, 
 
 Ready to afford relief. 
 
 Distance cannot part my soul ; 
 
 Nor the morning in its flight. 
 Nor the widest seas that roll. 
 
 Nor the mount of greatest height. 
 
98 IIVMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Then I would not spend a care. 
 
 Where my future lot may lie ; 
 lam safe, for God is there, 
 
 And will be forever by ! 
 
 135. 
 
 ' I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper even 
 as thy soul prospereth Prosperity and adver- 
 sity, life and death, poverty and riches, corae 
 from the Lord.' 
 
 Prosperity ! thy cloudless hours 
 Are doubly bright when we perceive 
 Not only all thy sun and flowers, 
 Thy streams, and airs, and shady bowers, 
 But Him, from whom we all receive. 
 
 136. 
 
 ' The soul that sinneth shall perish. — The righteous 
 hath hope in death. — Jesus Cnrist hath brought life 
 and imraortality to light, through the gospel.' 
 
 Since soul decays not, freed from earth, 
 And earthly coils it bursts away j — 
 
 Receiving a celestial birth, 
 
 And spurning off its bonds of clay, 
 
 It soars, and seeks another sphere, 
 
 And blooms through heaven's eternal year. 
 
 Do good ; shun evil ; live not thou. 
 
 As if at death thy being died ; 
 Nor error's syren voice allow 
 
 To draw thy steps from truth aside j 
 Look to thy iourney's end — the grave ! 
 And trust in Him whose arm can save. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 99 
 
 U7. 
 
 ' death, where is thy sting ? O grave, where is thy 
 victory ? The sting of death is sin. But thanks be 
 unto God, which giveth us the victory through our 
 Lord Jesus Christ.' 
 
 Weep not for me because I must die, 
 And sink in death's coldness to rest ; 
 
 Weep not for me becau.se death is nigh, 
 I go to the home of the blest ! 
 
 It is but a moment — a pang — and no more — 
 A struggle — and that to be free ; 
 
 'Tis the spirit's last look on a journey theft's o'er, 
 O, death has no terrors for me. 
 
 Weep not for me, the christian should fling 
 His frailties and fears to the wind ; 
 
 But only in death, when his spirit takes wing, 
 Can he leave them forever behind. 
 
 Farewell to the world — the mist thickens fast, 
 And cold is the weight on my breast; 
 
 My moments are numbered — another — the last ; 
 I go to the home of the blest. 
 
 138. 
 
 '■ Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God. 
 
 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, they 
 rest from their labours, and their works do follow 
 them.' 
 
 Sweet is the scene where virtue dies, 
 Where sinks the righteous soul to rest ; 
 How mildly beam the closing eyes ! 
 How gently heaves the expiring breast ! 
 
100 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 So fades the summer cloud away; 
 So sinks the gale when storms are o'er j 
 So sweetly shuts the eye of day ; 
 So dies the wave along the shore. 
 
 A holy quiet reigns around, 
 A calm that nothinir can destroy; 
 And undisturbed the peace profound 
 Which their forgiven souls enjoy. 
 
 Its duty done, as sinks the clay, 
 Light from its load, the spirit wings ; 
 
 .' grave, where is thy victory? say. 
 Insatiate death, where are thy stings? 
 
 139. 
 
 < Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain 
 thee : he shall never sufler the righteous to be 
 moved.' 
 
 When gay in life, ere joys depart, 
 I'll give thee. Lord, a contrite heart : 
 O, on my infant spirit shed 
 Such hopes as cheer the dying bed. 
 
 1 raise above my wondering eye^. 
 And muse upon the starry skies ; 
 And think, that He who governs there. 
 Still keeps me in his guardian care. ^ 
 
 I gaze upon the opening flower, 
 Just moistened with the evening shower ; 
 And bless the love which made it bloom, 
 And shed around its soft perfume. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 101 
 
 I think, whene'er this mortal franne 
 
 Returns again from whence it came, 
 
 It will but shmiber in the ground, 
 
 'Till Heaven's awak'ning trumpet sound : ^ 
 
 Then wing my spirit's happy flight. 
 
 To regions of eternal light. 
 
 140. 
 
 Bless the Lord, O my soul ! He causeth the grass to 
 grow — and the trees. He appointeth tlie moon 
 for seasons — the sun knoweth the time of his going, 
 down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night. 
 Praise the Lord from all the earth : ye stormy 
 winds, fulfilling his word, for his glory is above the 
 earth and the heavens.' 
 
 Nature owns thee for her God, 
 Living plant, and flowering sod ; 
 Each fair thing thy power displays, 
 Twilight hour and noontide rays ; 
 All we love from thee is given. 
 
 Glorious God of earth and heaven ! 
 
 • 
 
 Ocean's vast unequalled force 
 Claims Thee for its mighty source : 
 Thee the storm-clad spirit hails 
 As he drives the racking gales ; 
 All we fear from Thee is given, — 
 Save us, Lord of earth and heaven ! 
 
 Thou hast formed a holier sphere 
 To reward our sufferings here ; 
 World of light, receive us home ! 
 Lasting pleasure, quickly come I 
 All we hope from Thee is given, 
 Glorious God of earth and heaven ! 
 
102 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 141. 
 
 ' Fear none of these things, which thou shalt suffer ; 
 be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a 
 crown of life.' 
 
 Father, I pray thee, may my heart 
 Subdue each idle, sinful fear ; 
 And may my soul, by thee still taught, 
 Tread firm the path of duty here. 
 
 Thy mercy bids all nature bloom. 
 Thy sun shines bright, and we are gay ; 
 Thine equal mercy sheds the gloom 
 That darkens o'er our transient day. 
 
 Full many a throb of grief and pain 
 Earth's frail and wand'ring child must know; 
 But not one prayer is breathed in vain, 
 Nor does one tear unheeded flow. 
 
 Thy various messengers employ ; 
 Thy purposes of love fulfil; 
 And mid the wreck of all our joy, 
 We, kneeling, will adore thee still. 
 
 142. 
 
 The Lord hath made known his salvation, his right- 
 eousness hath he openly showed. — Serve the Lord 
 with gladness; — bow down before him with praise.' 
 
 O Thou, to whom in ancient time, 
 
 The lyre of Hebrew bards was strung ; 
 
 Whom kings adored in song sublime. 
 
 And prophets praised with glowing tongue : 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 103 
 
 Not now, on Zion's height alone, 
 
 Thy favoured worshipper raay dwell, 
 
 Nor where, at sultry noon, thy Son 
 Sat, weary, by the Patriarch's well. 
 
 From every place below the skies, 
 
 The grateful song, the fervent prayer — 
 
 The incense of the heart — may rise 
 To heaven, and find acceptance there. 
 
 To thee, shall age, with snowy hair. 
 
 And strength and beauty, bend the knee. 
 
 And childhood lisp, with reverent air, 
 Its praises and its prayers to Thee. 
 
 143. 
 
 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see 
 God.' 
 
 O ! to be pure as morning light, 
 
 First issuing from the sun's bright spring 5 
 
 Ere it be sullied in its flight 
 
 By touch of any earthly thing. 
 
 O ! for an angePs soul of fire, 
 To tread the path by angels trod ^ 
 Through endless ages to aspire. 
 Nearer the eternal throne of God. 
 
 Poor are my words, and weak my strain, 
 His boundless mercy to repay ; 
 But I shall raise my song again, 
 With nobler powers some future day ! 
 
104 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN, 
 
 144. 
 
 ' By wisdom hast thou made them all. — Who by 
 searching can find out the Almighty unto perfec- 
 tion ? — This knowledge is too wonderful for me : 
 it is high, I cannot attain unto it.' 
 
 Hove to rove amidst the starry height, 
 To leave the litlle scenes of earth behind, 
 And let imagination wing her flight — 
 On eagle pinions swifter than the wind. 
 I love the planets in their course to trace ; 
 To mark the comets speeding to the sun, 
 Then launch into immeasurable space, 
 Where, lost to human sight, remote they run. 
 I love to view the moon, when high she rides 
 Amidst the heavens, in borrowed lustre bright : 
 To fathom how she rules the subject tides, 
 And how she gathers from the sun her light. 
 O ! these are wonders of the Almighty hand. 
 Whose wisdom first the circling orbits planned. 
 
 145. 
 
 ' The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. — He 
 gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should 
 not pass his commandment. — And God made two 
 great lights ; the greater light to rule the day, and 
 the lesser light to rule the night.' 
 
 I praised the earth in beauty seen 
 With garlands dressed and living green : 
 I praised the ocean's broad expanse 
 Whose bright waves ever ceaseless dance : 
 And earth and ocean seemed to say, 
 " Our glories are but for a day.'' 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 105 
 
 I praised the sun whose chariot rolled 
 'Mongst clouds of amber and of gold : 
 I praised the moon, whose softer e^'e 
 Shed milder radiance through the sky : 
 And sun and moon both seemed to say 
 " Our hours of light will pass away." 
 
 O, God ! thou ^ood beyond compare, 
 If thus thy earthly works are fair, 
 If thus thy glories gild the land 
 On this our earth for sinful man, 
 How glorious must those mansions be, 
 Inhabited by saints and Thee ! 
 
 146. 
 
 I have seen the insect, being' come to its full size, 
 languish and refuse to eat ; it spun itself a torab, 
 and was shrouded in the silken cone ; it lay, with- 
 out feet, or shape, or power to move. I looked 
 again ; it had burst the tomb, it was full of life, 
 and sailed on coloured wings through the soft air, 
 rejoicing in its new being. -r-Thus shall it be with 
 thee ; beauty shall spring from thy ashes, and life 
 from thy dust.' Mrs. Barbauld. 
 
 The shades of night were scarcely fled. 
 The air was mild, the winds were still, 
 
 And bright the rising sunbeams spread 
 O'er wood and lawn, o'er heath and hill. 
 
 From fleecy clouds of pearly hue 
 
 Had dropped a light and balmy shower ; 
 
 That hung like gems of morning dew 
 On every tree and every flower. 
 
106 HYMNS FOR CHILDREJ,. 
 
 When bursting forth to life and light, 
 The offspring of enraptured May; 
 
 A butterfly on pinions bright, 
 
 Launched in full splendour on the day. 
 
 Her slender form, etherial, light, 
 Her velvet-textured wings enfold, 
 
 With all the rainbow's colours bright, 
 And dropped with spots of burnished gold. 
 
 She balanced oft those 'broidered wings, 
 Through fields of air prepared to sail ; 
 
 Then on her venturous journey springs, 
 And floats along the rising gale. 
 
 Go, child of pleasure, range the fields, 
 Taste all the joys that spring can give; 
 
 Partake what bounteous summer yields, 
 And live while yet 'tis thine to live. 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 
 Go, sip the rose's fragrant dew, 
 The lily's honpy'd cup explore ; 
 
 From flower to flower the search renew, 
 And rifle all the woodbine's store : 
 
 And let me trace thy wandering flight, 
 Thy moments watch of short repose ; 
 
 And mark thee with renewed delight 
 Thy golden pinions ope and close. 
 
 But hark, while here I musing stand, 
 Pours on the gale an airy note : 
 
HVMN3 FOR CHILDREN. 107 
 
 And, whispered by a viewless band 
 Soft silvery tones around me float ! 
 
 They cease — A voice i seem to hear, 
 A gcnlle voice of hope and joy : — 
 
 * Thy hour of rest approaches near, 
 
 < Prepare thee, mortal ! — thou must die ! 
 
 ^ Yet start not ! — on thy closing eyes 
 ' Another dny shall soon unfold ; 
 
 • A sun of milder radiance rise, 
 
 ' A happier age of Joys untold. 
 
 rnir.D part. 
 
 .Shall the poor worm that shocks thy sight, 
 ^ Tiie humblest form in nature's train, 
 ^ Thus rise in new-born lustre bright, 
 ' And yet her lesson teach in vain ? 
 
 ' Ah ! where were once her brilliant eyes ? 
 
 * Her glittering wings of purple pride ? 
 
 • Concealed beneath a rude disguise, 
 
 * A shapeless mass, to earth allied. 
 
 • Like thee the hapless reptile lived, 
 
 ' Like thee he toiled, like thee he spun. 
 ' Like thine his closing hour arrived, 
 
 * His labour ceased, his web was done. 
 
 • And shalt thou, numbered with the dead, 
 
 ' No happier state of being know ? 
 And shall no future morrow shed 
 - On \hf^^ a beam of brighter glow ? 
 
108 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 *Is it the bound of Power Divine, 
 ^ To animate an insect frame ? 
 
 * Or shall not he, who moulded thine. 
 
 ^ Wake at his will the vital flame ? 
 
 ' Go, mortal ! in thy lowly state 
 
 * Enough to know thy mind is given ; 
 
 * Go, and this joyful truth relate, 
 
 ' A child of earth is heir of heaven !' 
 
 147. 
 
 * The grass withereth, and the flower fadeth. 
 
 Sweet violet, thou that dwellest alone, 
 
 Near the foot of yon moss-covered hill ; 
 By solitude fostered, how fair thou art blown, 
 Now the wild storms of winter are over and 
 gone. 
 And the scene all around thee is still. 
 
 The sun-beams of evening now rest on thy bed, 
 The wild bee is humming around ; 
 
 Whilst thou, unassuming, still hidest thy head ; 
 
 But, ah ! though so lovely, ere spring shall 
 have fled. 
 Thy graces will fall to the ground. 
 
 Our life is like thine : though in spring-time it 
 blooms. 
 Yet full soon it will see a decline ! — 
 But its splendour, with increase, at length it 
 
 resumes ; 
 It revives when the day of eternity comes, 
 In verdure immortal to shine ! 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 109 
 
 148. 
 
 ' worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Teach 
 me, O Lord, the way of thy commandments. Give 
 me understanding, and I shall keep thy law } yea, 
 I shall observe it with my whole heart.' 
 
 O, come and learn this kind command, 
 To fear the Lord your God ; . 
 
 Love him with all your heart and mind 
 And speak his praise abroad. 
 
 Soon as your earthly days began, 
 They all were crowned with love ; 
 
 And every blessing you receive, 
 Is sent you from above. 
 
 Let your first thoughts by morning light 
 
 Ascend to God on high ; 
 iVnd in the evening raise your prayer, 
 
 To him who rules the sky. 
 
 149. 
 
 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of 
 my heart be acceptable to thee, Lord, my strength, 
 and my Redeemer.' 
 
 This is the sum of every part ; 
 
 To love thee. Lord ! with all my heart, 
 
 With all my soul, with all my might, 
 
 And in thy service to delight : 
 
 That I should love my neighbours too. 
 
 And what 1 wish from them, should do. 
 
 How short these rules, how good and plain, 
 Kasv to leain and to retain ! 
 
110 HYMNS FOR CHILDREiV. 
 
 O may heaven's grace my soul renewj 
 And I pure holiness pursue : 
 To God my constant worship pay, 
 And all his sacred laws obey ! 
 
 If to afflict me be his will, 
 I'll bear it with submission still ; 
 A tender Father sure he proves, 
 Who but corrects because he loves : 
 For sure 'tis fit my soul should know, 
 He is my Lord and Maker too. 
 
 His word wiih diligence I'll hear. 
 To him present my daily prayer ; 
 And while new mercies I implore. 
 For blessings past I will adore : 
 O ! my whole life shall here express 
 A heart impressed with thankfulness. 
 
 150. 
 
 ' Thou, even thou, art Lord alone ; thou hast made 
 the heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their 
 host, the earth and all things that are therein, tlie 
 seas and all that is therein, and thou preservest 
 them all.' \ 
 
 O God ! thy goodness fills all space, 
 
 Thy glory warms the world ; 
 Thy attributes I joy to trace 
 
 In every leaf unfurled. 
 
 O what can live, or breathe, or move, 
 
 Unless by thee still blest ; 
 Thy very chastisements are love, 
 
 And sufferers know thee best. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. Ill 
 
 Through earth, through air, through sea, 
 and sky, 
 
 Are blessings freely poured ; 
 And thy refulgent Deity 
 
 In all shaft be adored. 
 
 Though thunders roll, and lightnings blaze, 
 
 And we are by them awed ; 
 Yet thou alone coramandest praise, 
 
 For thou alone art God ! 
 
 151. 
 
 Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all 
 the earth ! who hast set thy glory above the hea- 
 vens ! Teach me thy way, O Lord !' 
 
 Who gave the sun his noon-day light ? 
 Who taught the moon to shine by night ? 
 Whose hand the arch of heaven unrolled, 
 Thick set with stars like drops of gold ? 
 
 Who gave the winds their course to know ? 
 The ocean tides to ebb and flow ? 
 And day and night to keep their bounds 
 And changing seasons know their rounds ? 
 
 Could man conceive the vast design ? 
 Could he the grand machine combine? 
 Stretch out his hand from pole to pole, 
 And bid earth on her centre roll ? 
 
 Could man with all his skill compose 
 The humblest blade of grass that grows ? 
 
112 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Or by his will ordain to be 
 The smallest insect that we see ? 
 
 'Tvvas God who gave creation birth, 
 Who formed this wondVous globe of earth, 
 And breathed throughout tiiis mighty whole 
 The likeness of a living soul. 
 
 Bow then to God— O all that live ! 
 To God eternal praises give ! 
 Who fashioned by his mighty hand, 
 Sun, moon, and stars ; the sea and land. 
 
 152. 
 
 ' For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 
 even so them also, which sleep in Jesus, will Qod 
 
 bring with him. The wages of sin is death : but 
 
 the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ 
 
 our Lord. Though I walk through the valley of 
 
 the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.' 
 
 The hour of my departure's come ; 
 I hear the voice that calls me home. 
 And now will earthly troubles cease, 
 And now shall 1 depart in peace. 
 
 I leave the world without a tear, 
 Save for the friends I hold so dear j 
 To heal their sorrows, Lord ! descend, 
 And prove to them a present friend. 
 
 Here busy life, here folly ends. 
 The tie of kindred and of friends ; 
 Here ends probation's hour, and here 
 Yirtue's hard strife with sin and care. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 113 
 
 The race appointed I have run 5 
 The combat's o'er, the prize is won; 
 And now my witness is on high, 
 And now my record's in the sky. 
 
 153. 
 
 ' Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. The path 
 of the just is as a shining light, that shineth mora 
 and more unto the perfect day.' 
 
 May our first dawn of reason rise 
 To Thee, O God, ! in sacrifice, 
 And our young minds and mem'ries be 
 Here trained to early piety. 
 
 May we, prepared for serious thought, 
 By Jesus' pure example taught, 
 Be led in early life to see 
 And seek our happiness in thee. 
 
 O may our hearts and following days 
 Be all devoted to thy praise ; 
 Our tempers and our lives still show, 
 That grace hath formed our souls anew. 
 
 154. 
 
 * The word of the Lord remaineth forever.' 
 
 The morning flowers display their sweets, 
 And gay their silken leaves unfold. 
 As careless of the noon-day heats, 
 And fearless of the evening cold. 
 
 k2 
 
114 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Nipp'd by the winds unkindly blast, 
 Parch'd by the sun's directer ray, 
 The momentary glories waste ; 
 The short-lived beauties die away. 
 So blooms the human face divine, 
 When youth its pride and beauty shows j 
 Fairer than spring the colours shine, 
 And sweeter than the op'ning rose. 
 Or worn by slowly rolling years, 
 Or broke by sickness in a day, 
 The fading glory disappears. 
 The short-lived beauties die away. 
 Yet these new rising from the tomb, 
 With lustre brighter far shall shine, 
 Revive with ever-during bloorn. 
 Safe from diseases and decline. 
 Though sickness blast, and doath devour, 
 Yet heaven will recompense our pains; 
 The grass may perish and the flower, 
 But firm the word of God remains. 
 
 155. 
 
 ' Remember me, God ! and spare me according to 
 
 the greatness of thy mercy. God looketh to the 
 
 ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole hea- 
 ven ; to make the weight of the winds ; and he 
 ireigheth the water by measure, when he made a 
 decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of 
 the thunder. 
 
 Let guilty souls impressed with fear, 
 
 When storms are raging nigh. 
 Dread the sharp lightning as it darts 
 
 In thunder through the sky. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 115 
 
 Protected by that hand, whose law 
 
 The threatening storms obey ; 
 Intrepid virtue smiles serene, 
 
 As in the sun's bright ray. 
 
 In the dark cloud's o'ershadowing gloomy 
 
 The hghtning's vivid glare, 
 It views the same all-gracious power. 
 
 That sheds the vernal air. 
 
 Through nature's ever-varying scene, 
 
 By different ways pursued. 
 The great eternal will of heaven 
 
 Is universal good. 
 
 156. 
 
 Keep thy heart with all diligence — for the ways of 
 man are before the Lord. Great is he that findeth 
 wisdom I yet is there none above him that feareth 
 the Lord.' 
 
 I'll bless Jehovah's glorious name, 
 
 Whose goodness heaven and earth proclaim, 
 
 With every morning light ; 
 And at the close of every day. 
 To him my cheerful homage pay, 
 
 Who guards me through the night. 
 
 And in his churches to appear, 
 And pay my humble worship there, 
 
 Shall be my sweet employ ; 
 The day, that saw my Saviour rise, 
 Shall dawn on my delighted eyes 
 
 With pure and holy joy. 
 
1 16 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 157. 
 
 ' Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, — execute 
 true judgment, and show mercy and compassion 
 every man to his brother : and oppress not the 
 widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the 
 poor ; and let none of you imagine evil against 
 
 his brother in your heart. Defend the poor and 
 
 fatherless ; do justice to the afflicted and needy.' 
 
 Go, like your blessRd Saviour, feed the poor, 
 And carry comfort to the sick man's door ; 
 Pity the widow, be the orphan's friend, 
 And, if you cannot give them, freely lend. 
 
 Think of your heavenly Father's love to you, 
 And imitate that love in all you do ; 
 Mercy shall then your youthful steps attend. 
 And from the stings of death your soul defend. 
 
 For you the poor man's prayers shall reach to 
 
 Heaven, 
 And blessings in return to you be given ; 
 And when the righteous judge from heaven 
 
 descends, 
 Before the world he'll own you for his friends. 
 
 158. 
 
 He that keepeth thee shall neither slumber nor sleep. 
 He shall give his angels charge to keep thee ' 
 
 Our Father, yield an evening blessing 
 Ere repose our senses seal ; 
 Sin and want, we come, confessing, 
 Thou canst save, and thou canst heal ; 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 117 
 
 Though destruction walk around us, 
 Though the arrow past us fly, 
 Angel-guards from thee surround us, 
 We are safe, for thou art nigh. 
 
 Though the night be dark and dreary, 
 Darkness hides not us from thee ; 
 Thou art never, never weary — 
 Watching where thy children be : 
 And should death this night overtake us, 
 And our couch become our tomb ; 
 May the morn in heaven awake us, 
 In thy presence, Lord ! to bloom. 
 
 159. 
 
 Thou art the Lord, the mighty God ; — thou earnest 
 down upon Mount Sinai — and gavest right judg- 
 ments, and true laws, good statutes, and com- 
 mandments ; — and madest known thy holy sab- 
 bath. Now, therefore, make confession unto the 
 
 Lord God, and do his pleasure.' 
 
 Safely through another week 
 
 God has brought us on our way ; 
 Let us now a blessing seek 
 
 On the approaching Sabbath-day : 
 Pay of all the week the best, 
 Emblem of eternal rest. 
 
 Mercies multiplied each hour, 
 
 Through our lives our praise demand ; 
 
 Guarded by Almighty Power, 
 Fed and guided by God's hand : 
 
 Though ungrateful we have been — 
 
 Frequent made returns of sin, — 
 
118 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN^ 
 
 Lord we pray for pard'ning grace, 
 In our dear Redeemer s name ; 
 
 Sin remove, and in its place 
 Virtue's pure, unsullied flame 
 
 Raise, and from our sin's set free. 
 
 May we rest this night with thee. 
 
 160. 
 
 Be filled with the spirit ; speaking to yourselves in 
 psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing 
 and making melody in your heart to the Lord ; 
 giving thanks always for all things unto God.— 
 Praise ye the Lord.' 
 
 Glory be to God on high, — 
 God, whose glory fills the sky,— - 
 Lift your voices, children all. 
 Praise the God on whom ye call. 
 
 Praise, still praise, his name divine, 
 Praise him at the hallowed shrine, 
 In your humble hearts adore. 
 Praise his goodness and his power. 
 
 Children, all your earthly days, 
 Learn the sweetest notes to raise ; 
 Sing his name with one consent, 
 O how great, how excellent ! 
 
 Ye, who vital breath enjoy. 
 
 In his praise that breath employ, 
 
 In united chorus join, 
 
 Praise, still praise, his name divine. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 119 
 
 Glory be to God on high, — 
 God, whose glory fills the sky 5 
 Songs by all be freely given 
 To the Lord of earth and heaven. 
 
 161. 
 
 Let brotherly love continue. Behold how good 
 
 and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell togeth- 
 er in unity ! And Jesus said, This is my com- 
 mandment unto you, that ye love one another — 
 and by this shall all men know that ye are my dis- 
 ciples, if ye love one another. Let your love be 
 
 without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil ; 
 cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affection- 
 cd one to another, with brotherly love, in honour 
 preferring one another.' 
 
 How good and pleasant is the sight 
 
 Where kindred souls agree ; 
 How blest the house where hearts unite 
 
 In bands of piety. 
 
 All in their proper stations move, 
 
 And each fulfils his part, 
 In every care of life and love, 
 
 With sympathising heart. 
 
 Yes, happy are the sons of peace ; 
 
 Their hearts and hopes are one ; 
 And kind designs to serve and please 
 
 Through all their actions run. 
 
 Mild peace, like morning dew, distils 
 
 Its blessings from above ; 
 With grateful joy each bosom fills, 
 
 And every heart is love. 
 
120 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 162. 
 
 * Behold God exalteth by his power. Remember 
 
 that thou magnify his works.' 
 
 Thou didst make the darksome night, 
 
 Glorious Being ! thou the day, 
 Which we close with calm delight, 
 
 Pleased thy precepts to obey. 
 
 Bounteous Providence divine ! 
 
 O how gracious is thy sway ! 
 Duty and delight combine; 
 
 Truest bliss is to obey. 
 
 163. 
 
 When I consider the heavens the work of thy fingers, 
 the moon and stars which thou hast ordained, what 
 is man that thou art mindful of him ?' 
 
 When musing, I behold on high 
 Those starry orbs that deck the sky 
 
 At evening hour serene : 
 How vain is art's most gaudy show, 
 How trivial all things here below, 
 
 Compared with such a scene ! 
 
 I'll bid adieu to noisy mirth, 
 
 To trifling follies which give birth 
 
 To many a restless night ; 
 I'll leave the assemblies of the gay 
 And with superior joy survey 
 
 Those distant worlds of light. 
 
HYMXS FOR CHILDREN. 121 
 
 By them, thy glory, Lord, is told : 
 What wonders all thy works unfold 
 
 In every age and clime ! 
 What useful lessons they convey ! 
 How constantly to all display 
 
 Thy power and love divine ! 
 
 Then may I listen to their voice, 
 Make wisdom's ways my early choice, 
 
 As through life's path I go : 
 Nor would I e'er forget that love. 
 That sent a Saviour from above 
 
 To save from sin and wo. 
 
 164. 
 
 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, 
 and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, 
 and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, 
 and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke 
 is easy and my burthen is light.' 
 
 Come, said Jesus' sacred voice, 
 Come, and make my paths your choice 5 
 I will guide you to your home 5 
 Weary pilgrim ! hither come. 
 
 Thou, who houseless, sole, forlorn, 
 Long hast borne the proud world's scorn. 
 Long hast roamed the barren waste, 
 Weary pilgrim ! hither haste. 
 
 Ye, who tost on beds of pain. 
 Seek for ease, but seek in vain ; 
 Ye, whose swoll'n and sleepless eye?. 
 AV^atch to see the mornine rise : 
 
1^2 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Ye, by fiercer anguish torn, 
 In remorse for guilt who mourn, 
 On God repose your heavy care ; — 
 Conscience wounded, who can bear ! 
 
 Sinner, come, for here is found 
 Balm that flows for every wound ; 
 Peace that ever shall endure, 
 Rest eternal, sacred, sure. 
 
 165. 
 
 ' Sweet are the uses of adversity. 1 spake unto 
 
 thee in thy prosperity, but thou obeyedst not my 
 voice, saith the Lord.' 
 
 Oh ! whence is the freshness that gives the 
 flower 
 
 Its scent and its summer hue ? 
 It came in the dark and the midnight hour, 
 
 In drops of heavenly dew ; 
 So, often in sorrow, the soul receives 
 
 An influence from above. 
 That beauty, and freshness, and sweetness 
 gives 
 
 To patience, and faith, and love. 
 
 But the sun rises high, and the dew is dry, 
 
 And the flower has lost its bloom ; 
 Its bell droops low, and the passer-by 
 
 Inhales no sweet perfume ; 
 So, like again to the drooping flower 
 
 In the sunshine of fortune's ray, 
 The virtues that bloomed in a darksome hour 
 
 Have faded and passed away. 
 
HTKKS FOR CHILDKEN. 133 
 
 166. 
 
 ' Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Fa- 
 ther is this., to visit the fatherless and widows in 
 their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from 
 the world.' 
 
 Lord, while on earth we here remtiin, 
 Wilt thou our feeble souls sustain, 
 And on our path in mercy shine, 
 And shield us by thy power divine. 
 
 And noay we prize our youthful days, 
 And with true diligence apply 
 Our hearts to wisdom's sacred ways, 
 That we may learn to live and die. 
 
 167. 
 
 * The works of the Lord are great, and his righteous- 
 ness endureth forever. He hath made his wonder- 
 ful works to be remembered.' 
 
 Night has dropped her dusky veil — 
 
 All vain thoughts be distant far, 
 While, with silent awe, we hail 
 
 Flora's radiant evening star. * 
 
 See to life her beauties start ; 
 
 Hail ! thou glorious, matchless flower ! 
 
 * The night-flowering Cereus. The flower is white, 
 and nearly a foot in diameter. The most remarkable 
 circumstances with regard to the Cereus is the short 
 time it takes to expand, and the rapidity with which 
 it decays. It begins to open late in the evening, 
 flourishes for an hour or two, then droops, and before 
 morning is completely dead. 
 
124 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Much thou sayest to tlie heart 
 In thy solemn, fleeting hour. 
 
 Ere we have our homage paid, 
 
 Thou wilt bow thy head and die ; — 
 
 Thus our sweetest pleasurps fade, 
 Thus our brightest blessings fly. 
 
 Sorrow's rnjjged stem, like thine, 
 Bears a flower thus purely bright; 
 
 Thus, when sunny hours decline, 
 Friendship sheds her cheering light. 
 
 Religion, too, that heavenly flower, 
 That joy of never fading worth. 
 
 Waits, like th^e^ the darkest hour, 
 Then puts all her glories forth. 
 
 Then thy beauties are surpassed, 
 
 Splendid flower, that bloom'st to die ! 
 
 For friendship and religion last 
 When the morning beams on high. 
 
 168. 
 
 < Call the Sabbath a delight.* 
 
 There is a time when moments flow 
 More happily than all beside ; 
 It is, of all the times below, 
 A sabbath at the even tide. 
 
 O. then the setting sun shines fair, 
 And all below, and all above, 
 The various f<ums of nature wear 
 One universal garb of love. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 12S 
 
 And then the peace that Jesus brought, 
 The life of grace eternal beams, 
 And we by his example taught 
 Will prize the life his love redeems. 
 
 Delightful scene ! — a world at rest — 
 A God all love — no grief, no fear — 
 A heavenly hope — a peaceful breast — 
 A smile unsullied by a tear ! 
 
 Delightful hour ! how soon will night 
 Spread sombre darkness o'er thy reign, 
 And morrow's quick returning light 
 Must call us to the world again. 
 
 Yet there will be at last a day,— 
 A sun that never sets shall rise ; 
 Night will not veil the ceaseless ray ! 
 The heavenly sabbath never dies ! 
 
 169. 
 
 I will remember the works of the Lord, surely I will 
 remember his wondeis.' 
 
 How manifold thy works, O Lord, 
 In wisdom, power, and goodness, wrought ! 
 The earth is with thy riches stored. 
 And ocean with thy wonders fraught: 
 Unfathomed caves, beneath the deep, 
 For thee their hidden treasures keep. 
 
 There go tlie ships, with sails unfurled. 
 By Thee directed in their way ; 
 
 .l2 
 
126 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 There in his own mysterious world, 
 Levi-Jthan delights to play : 
 And tribes that range immensity, 
 Unknown to us, are known to Thee. 
 
 By Thee alone, the living live ; 
 Hide but thy face, their comforts fly; 
 They gather what thy seasons give ; 
 Take thou away their breath, they die : 
 Send forth thy Spirit from above, 
 And all again is life and love. 
 
 170. 
 
 * We-spcnd our years as a tale that is told. Keep 
 
 thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the 
 
 issues of life. Wake in wisdom, redeeming the 
 
 time.' 
 
 Seconds make minutes, minutes form the hours, 
 And circMng hours the day and night compose ; 
 Days form the week, and months the weeks 
 
 devour. 
 And to the months the year its fulness owes. 
 Yet seconds, minutes, hours, we throw away, 
 And heed not Time that wings his rapid flight; 
 In folly we consume the fleeting day, 
 In lengthened slumbers waste returning night ; 
 And weeks flow on, and months, and seasons too, 
 And years are lost as if too light to prize ; 
 And as we older grow, alas ! how (ew 
 Grow with their years more diligently wise ; 
 And yet that life is short we all complain, 
 With days, weeks^ months and years, all spent in 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. V2T 
 
 171. 
 
 ' The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firma- 
 ment showeth his handy work.' 
 
 Thy glory, Lord, the heavens declare, 
 The firmament displays thy skill ; 
 
 The changing clouds, the viewless air, 
 Tempest and calm thy word fulfil : 
 
 Day unto day doth utter speech, 
 
 And night to night thy knowledge teach. 
 
 Though voice nor sound inform the ear, 
 Well known the language of their song; 
 
 When one by one the stars appear, 
 Led by the silent moon along : 
 
 Till round the earth from all the sky, 
 
 Thy beauty beams on every eye. 
 
 172. 
 
 ' Praise the Lord ; for it is good to sing praises 
 unto Him.' 
 
 O my soul, with all thy powers. 
 Bless the Lord's most holy name ; 
 
 O my soul, till life's last hours. 
 
 Bless the Lord, his praise proclaim : 
 
 Thine infirmities he healed — 
 
 He thy peace and pardon sealed. 
 
 Mark the field-flower where it groweth 
 
 Frail and beautiful ; — anon, 
 When the south-wind softly bloweth, 
 
 Look again, — the flower is gone. 
 
128 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Such is man : his honours pass 
 Like the glory of the grass. 
 
 From eternity, enduring 
 
 To eternity, — the Lord, 
 Still his people's bliss insuring, 
 
 Keeps his covenanted word : 
 Yea, with truth and righteousness 
 Children's children he will bless. 
 
 As in heaven, his throne and dwelling, 
 King on earth he holds his sway ; 
 
 Angels, ye in strength excelling, 
 Bless the Lord, his voice obey : 
 
 All his works beneath the pole, 
 
 Bless the Lord, with thee, my soul. 
 
 173. 
 
 ' Let your conversation be without covetoiisness ; and 
 be content with such things as ye have : for God 
 has said, 1 will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 
 
 Godliness with contentment is great gain, for 
 
 we brought nothing with us into the world, and it 
 is certain we can carry nothing out ; and having 
 food and raiment, let us therewith be content.' 
 
 If solid happiness we prize, 
 Within our breasts this jewel lies ; 
 
 Unwise are they who roam ; 
 The world has nothing to bestow, 
 'Tis from ourselves our joys must flow, 
 
 And peace begins at home. 
 
 We'll therefore relish with content 
 Whate'er kind providence hath sent, 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 129 
 
 Nor aim beyond our power ; 
 And if our store of wealth be small, 
 With thankful hearts enjoy it all, 
 
 Nor lose the present hour. 
 
 Thus crown'd with peace, through life we'll go ; 
 Its varied paths of joy and wo 
 
 With cautious steps we'll tread ; 
 Quit its vain scenes without a tear, 
 Without a trouble or a fear, 
 
 And mingle with the dead. 
 
 174. 
 
 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night 
 showeth knowledge.' 
 
 My God ! all nature owns thy sway ; 
 Thou giv'st the night and shining day : 
 When all thy fair creation wakes. 
 When morn with golden lustre breaks. 
 And bathes in dew the budding flowers, 
 To thee we owe the fragrant hours ; 
 And when she pours her choral song. 
 Her melodies to thee belong. 
 
 Or when in paler tints arrayed, 
 The evening slowly spreads her shade ; 
 That soothing shade, that welcome gloom, 
 Can more than day's enlivening bloom, 
 Quiet each wild and vain desire, 
 And calmer, holier thoughts inspire ; 
 From earth our tranquil spirits free 
 And lead our softened hearts to thee. 
 
ioO HYMNS For children. 
 
 175. 
 
 Praise ye the Lord, praise him in the firmament of 
 his power.' 
 
 In every scene thy hands have drest, 
 
 In every form by thee imprest, 
 
 Upon the mountain's towering brow, 
 
 Or where the sheUering woods spread low ; 
 
 In every note that swells the gale, 
 
 Or winding stream that cheers the vale, 
 
 The cavern's depth, or echoing grove, — 
 
 A voice is heard of praise and love. 
 
 As o'er thy works the seasons roll, 
 And soothe, with varied joys, the soul, 
 O never may their smiling train 
 Pass by our infant minds in vain ! 
 But oft as on their charms we gaze, 
 Attune our wondering souls to praise 5 
 And be the joys we highest prize, 
 Those joys that from God's favour rise. 
 
 176. 
 
 Bless the Lord. O my soul ! bless his holy name. 
 
 O Lord God ! thou art very great, thou art 
 
 clothed with honour and majesty.' 
 
 My soul, adore the Lord of might ! 
 With uncreated glory crowned, 
 And clad in royalty of light, 
 He draws the curtained heavens round: 
 Dark waters his pavilion form, 
 Clouds are his car, his wheels the storm. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 131 
 
 When o'er a guilty world of old, 
 
 He summoned the destroying main, 
 
 At his rebuke, the billows rolled 
 
 Back to their parent-gulf again : 
 
 The mountains raised their joyful heads, 
 
 Like new creations from their beds. 
 
 Fed by the currents, fruitful groves 
 Expand their leaves, their fragrance fling. 
 Where the cool breeze at noontide roves, 
 And birds among the branches sing ; 
 Soft fall the showers when day declines, 
 And sweet the peaceful rainbow shines. 
 
 177. 
 
 ' And on the seventh day God rested from all the work 
 which he had made ; — and he blessed the seventh 
 
 Types of eternal rest — fair buds of bliss, 
 In heavenly flowers unfolding week by week ; 
 The next world's gladness imaged forth in this — 
 Days of whose worth the Christian heart can 
 speak. 
 
 Wakeners of prayer in man — his resting hours 
 As on he journeys in the narrow way ; 
 Periods appointed to renew his powers, — 
 A gleam of glory and eternal day ! 
 
 Foretastes of heaven on earth — pledges of joy 
 Surpassing fancy's flights, or fiction's story— 
 The preludes of a feast that cannot cloy. 
 And the bright out-courts of immortal glory! 
 
132 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 178. 
 
 * Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
 and good will toward men.' 
 
 Array'd in clouds of golden light 
 
 More bright than heaven's resplendent how, 
 
 Jehovah's angel came by night 
 
 To bless the sleeping world below ! 
 
 How soft the music of his tongue ! 
 
 How sweet the hallowed strains he sung ! 
 
 " Good will henceforth to man be given/* 
 The light of glory beams on earth ; 
 Let angels tune the harps of heaven, 
 And saints below rejoice with mirth : 
 On Bethlehem's plains the shepherds sing, 
 And Judah's children hail their king! 
 
 179. 
 
 < Behold God is mighty ; he is mighty in strength and 
 
 wisdom. Behold God is great, and we know 
 
 him not, neither can the number of his years be 
 searched out.' 
 
 There is a God, all nature speaks, 
 Through earth and air, through sea and skies; 
 Lo ! from the clouds his glory breaks, 
 When the first beams of morning rise. 
 
 The glorious sun, serenely bright, 
 O'er the wide earth's extended frame. 
 Inscribes in characters of light 
 The Almighty Maker's glorious name. 
 
HYiMNS FOR CHILDREN. 133 
 
 Unbounded goodness, power divine, 
 The fields and verdant raeads display ; 
 O, bless the Lord, who made them shine 
 With varied charms in colours gay. 
 
 For man and beast, here, daily food 
 In wide diffusive plenty grows ; 
 And, there for drink the crystal flood 
 In winding streams unceasing flows. 
 
 Where'er we turn our eyes abroad, 
 And scan creation's wonders o'er, 
 We trace the workmanship of God, 
 And humbly his great power adore. 
 
 180. 
 
 This is the day that the Lord hath made ; we will 
 rejoice and be glad in it. I was glad when they 
 said unto me, Let us go into the house of the 
 
 Lord. Blessed is every one that feareth the 
 
 Lord and walketh in his ways.' 
 
 Dear is the hallowed morn to me. 
 When cheerful bells awake the day : 
 And, by their sacred minstrelsy. 
 Call me from earthly cares away : 
 
 And dear to me the sacred hour 
 Spent in thy holy temples, Lord ! 
 To feel devotion's soothiiig power, 
 To hear the teachings of thy word. 
 
 Oft, when the world with iron hands 
 Has bound me in its six days' chain, 
 
134 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 This bursts me from the earthly bands, 
 And sets my spirit free again. 
 
 Yes, dear to me the Sabbath morn ; 
 The cheerful bells, with wak'ning voice, 
 Have often found my heart forlorn. 
 But always bid that heart rejoice. 
 
 181. 
 
 ' Watch and pray, for ye know not the day nor the 
 
 hour when your Lord coraeth. All that are of 
 
 the earth shall turn to earth again.' 
 
 Leaves have their time to fall. 
 And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, 
 
 And stars to set ; — but aZ/, 
 Thou hast all seasons for thine own — O, death. 
 
 Day is for mortal care ; 
 Eve for glad meetings round the joyous hearth ; 
 
 Night for the dreams of sleep, — the voice of 
 prayer,— 
 But all for thee, thou mightiest of the earth. 
 
 Youth and the opening rose. 
 May look like things too glorious for decay ; 
 
 And smile at thee ; but thou art none of those 
 That wait the ripened bloom to seize their prey. 
 
 Is it when spring's first gale, 
 Comes forth to whisper where the violets lie ? 
 
 Is it when roses in our path grow pale ? 
 They have one season — all are ours to die ! 
 
HYMNS rOR CHILDREN. 135 
 
 Leaves have their time to fall, 
 And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath. 
 
 And stars to set ; — but all, 
 Thou hast all seasons for thine own — O, death ! 
 
 182. 
 
 ' Fear not the sentence of death. Take no heavi- 
 ness to heart, drive it away, and remember thy 
 last end VVhen the dead is at rest, let his re- 
 membrance rest.' 
 
 Yes, — all we know must die, — 
 Though none can tell the exact appointed hour ; 
 
 Nor should it cost the virtuous heart a sigh, 
 Whether de&th crush the oak, or nip the opening 
 flower \ 
 
 The Christian is prepared. 
 Though others tremble at the hour of gloom j 
 
 His soul is always ready on his guard ; 
 His lamp is lighted 'gainst the summons come. 
 
 It matters not the time 
 When we shall end our pilgrimage below; 
 
 Whether in youth's bright morn, or man- 
 hood's prime, 
 Or when the frost of age has whitened o'er our 
 brow ! 
 
 The youth whose pulse beats high. 
 Eager through glory's brilliant course to run ; 
 
 Why should we shed a tear, or breathe a sigh, 
 That the bright goal is gained — the prize thus 
 early won ? 
 
136 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 True ; all we know must die, — 
 Though none can tell the exact appointed hour ; 
 
 Nor should it cost the virtuous heart a sigh, 
 Whether death crush the oak, or nip the opening 
 flower ! 
 
 183. 
 
 See then that ye walk circumspectly — redeeming 
 the time. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but un- 
 derstand what the will of the Lord is.' 
 
 See the fair summer now is past ! 
 The foliage late that clad the trees, 
 Stript by the equinoctial blast. 
 Falls, like the dew-drop on the breeze. 
 
 So, life, thy summer soon will end, 
 Thine autumn, too, will quick decay. 
 And winter come, when thou shalt bend 
 Within the tomb to mould away. 
 
 And, O ! thy summer passed away, 
 Can never, never hope return ! 
 Cold winter comes, with cheerless ray, 
 To beam upon its dreary urn ! 
 
 Then may we daily seek to win 
 A mansion in the heavenly skies : 
 Where blooming summers never cease 
 And radiant glory never dies ! 
 
 There an eternal life shall bloom. 
 With joys as vast as angel powers ! 
 And thrice ten thousand harps in tune 
 Shall praise the love that made it ours. 
 
HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 137 
 
 184. 
 
 Jesus said, he that hath my commandments, and 
 keepeth them, he it is that loveth me : and he that 
 loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will 
 love him, and will manifest myself unto him. 
 In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but be of 
 good cheer : I have overcome the woi'ld.' 
 
 How sweetly flowed the gospel's sound 
 From lips of gentleness and grace, 
 When listening thousands gathered round. 
 And joy and reverence filled the place ! 
 
 From heaven he came, of heaven he spoke, 
 To heaven he led his followers' way; 
 Dark clouds of gloomy night he broke, 
 Unveihng an immortal day. 
 
 " Come, wanderers, to my Father's home, 
 Come all ye weary ones and rest !" 
 Yes, sacred Teacher, we will come, 
 Obey thee, love thee, and be blest. 
 
 185. 
 
 Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made 
 it ; very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof. 
 It compasseth the heavens about with a glorious 
 circle, and the hands of the Most High hath bend- 
 ed it.' 
 
 Ere yet the clouds have past away 
 The sacred rainbow paints the sky ; 
 
 And bright on every flower and spray 
 Hang sparkling gems of varied dye, 
 
 m2 
 
138 HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 Fast sinking in the golden west 
 Belii)ld the sun's departing beam ; 
 
 The soul elated, soaring, blest, 
 
 Dwells 'raptured on the glorious scene. 
 
 She views the Author, in the light 
 
 That gilds the waters, field, and grove ; 
 
 Puts each unhallowed thought to flight, 
 And soothes to heavenly peace and love. 
 
 186. 
 
 * Lord ! thou art great, and thy name is great in 
 
 might. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of 
 
 the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy 
 bands ; — they shall perish, but thou shalt endure 
 
 thou art forever the same, and thy years shall 
 
 have no end.' 
 
 Suns and planets — every orb. 
 
 Speak of Thee, who shin'st forever; 
 
 Time will quench them — age absorb — 
 Th.^y will die ; — but God will — never. 
 
 Wealth and beauty, pride and power — 
 Ties which only death could sever— 
 
 Every fruit of earth, and flower — 
 All shall fade — but He will — never. 
 
 All the field of nature's reign — 
 Sunny landscapes smiling ever — 
 
 Brilliant moon and starry train — 
 
 All shall fade — but Thou wilt — never. 
 
 AH shall fade from earth and sea ; 
 
 Oceans fail, — and mountains sever; 
 Tide and time shall cease to be — 
 
 God in Heaven remains forever. 
 
INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 
 
 HTMK 
 
 •&j?ain time's never tiring hand 104 
 
 A God appears of grace and power 64 
 
 All nature shows in various ways 5 
 
 Almighty God, by thy great power 2 
 
 Almighty God, and kins on high _ 98 
 
 Almighty God, most gracious power 111 
 
 Almighty Lord, to thee alone 65 
 
 Almighty ruler of the skies 49 
 
 Another day its course has run 4 
 
 Another nighi has passed away 15 
 
 Another fleeting day is gone 16 
 
 Arrayed in clouds of golden light 178 
 
 Art thou my Father 28 
 
 Author of life, of joy, of health 47 
 
 Author of life, with reason's dawn 83 
 
 Awake, my heart, and sing the praise 21 
 
 Awake, ray soul, and with the sun 23 
 
 Begin, my child, in early youth *74 
 
 Be it my only wisdom here 102 
 
 Beyond, beyond that boundless sea 112 
 
 Bright stars of eve, your lucid rays 91 
 
 By the cutting north wind rent 75 
 
 Child of patient industry 43 
 
 Come, said Jesus sacred voice 164 
 
 Dark is the sky when day retires 42 
 
 Dear is the hallowed morn to ne 180 
 
 Ere yet the clouds heve passed away 185 
 
 Evening hail, thou grateful shade 46 
 
 Far from mortal cares retreating 67 
 
 Father, beneath whose watchful eye 19 
 
 Father, I would not live in vain 45 
 
 Father of good, to whom belong 55 
 
 Father of heaven, thy wondrous power 85 
 
140 INDEX OF FIRST LINES, 
 
 HvaiN 
 
 Father, wliate'er of earthly bliss 127 
 
 Father, I pray thee, may my heart 141 
 
 For life with all its varied joy 39 
 
 Frail though ray young devotions be 59 
 
 Fruitless the wish and vain the prayer 54 
 
 Glory to our heavenly king 70 
 
 Glory be to God on high 160 
 
 God, — what a great and awful word 130 
 
 God is good, each perfumed flower 1 
 
 God of mercy, God of love 72 
 
 God is here, how sweet the sound 134 
 
 Go, like your blessed Saviour feed the poor 157 
 
 Go mark the tear in pity's eye 108 
 
 Greatest of beings, source of life 99 
 
 Great God, I would not seek to know 56 
 
 Great source of unexhausted good 63 
 
 Great God, and wilt thou condescend 31 
 
 Guard me from pride, from vain desire 27 
 
 Guide of our youth, to thee we pray 40 
 
 Hail, sacred season, peaceful day 73 
 
 Hast thou, my soul, improved each power 92 
 
 Here our larief and tiansient days 131 
 
 How good and pleasant is the sight 161 
 
 How manifold thy works, O Lord 169 
 
 How pleasant it is at the close of the day 11 
 
 How sweetly flo\yed the gospel's sound 184 
 
 Humblj \7alk and heaven will love thee 52 
 
 If solid happiness we prize 173 
 
 I live again to see the day 93 
 
 I'll bless Jehovah's glorious name 156 
 
 I love to rove amid the starry height 144 
 
 In every scene thj'^ hands have drest 175 
 
 I praised the earth 145 
 
 I see a God at every step ' 63 
 
 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us 129 
 
 Leaves have their time to fall 181 
 
 Let guilty souls imprest v.itb fear 155 
 
INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 141 
 
 HYM!? 
 
 Let me with fervour praise the Lord 87 
 
 Look through creation and behold 81 
 
 Lord of universal nature 103 
 
 Lord, through the slippery paths of youth 79 
 
 Lotd, while on earth we here remain 166 
 
 Love God with all your soul 89 
 
 May our first dawn of reason rise 153 
 
 Mortal, while the sunny beam 66 
 
 My God, I thank thee that the night 3 
 
 My God, thy boundless love I praise 78 
 
 My God, by thy protecting power 125 
 
 My God, all nature owns thy sway 174 
 
 My soul, adore the Lord of might 176 
 
 Nature owns thee for her God 140 
 
 Night has dropt her dusky veil 167 
 
 Night is the time for rest 71 
 
 Now behold the mid-day sun 41 
 
 Of all the gifts in virtue's power 100 
 
 O come and learn this kind command 148 
 
 O Father, spread thy guardian arm 50 
 
 O Father, though some anxious care 126 
 
 O God, to thee who first hast given 57 
 
 O God, thy goodness fills all space 150 
 
 O grant thy blessing, Lord, to-day 97 
 
 O heavenly Father, gracious friend 7 
 
 O happy is the child that hears 20 
 
 O I will wake and quickly rise 35 
 
 O is there not a mighty -power 95 
 
 O my soul, with ail thy powers 172 
 
 O to be pure as morning light 343 
 
 O thou to whom in ancient time 142 
 
 O thou to whom the grateful song 34 
 
 O thou, who rulest the realms on high 26 
 
 G when the hours of life are past 115 
 O whence is the freshness that gives the flower 165 
 
 Once more, my soul, the rising day 22 
 
 Onward, onward, may we press 69 
 
 On the waves there is a form ] 13 
 
142 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 
 
 HIMN 
 
 Our youthful joys fly like a summer's gale 118 
 
 Our life advances to its close 119 
 
 Our youthful years fleet quick awuy 128 
 
 Our Father God who dwell'st in heaven 24 
 
 Our Father, yield an evening blessing 158 
 
 Poor insect, what a little day 132 
 
 Prosperity, thy cloudless hours 135 
 
 Providence profusely kind 84 
 
 Sabbath day of peace and joy 14 
 
 Safely through another week 159 
 
 Say what is life 32 
 Seconds make minutes, minutes form the hours 170 
 
 See the leaves around us fallinof 48 
 
 See the fair summer now is past 183 
 
 See the golden orb of day 90 
 
 See the gleams of daylight swim 94 
 
 Shun delays, they bring remorse 82 
 
 Since soul decays not, freed from earth 136 
 
 Suns and planets, every orb 186 
 
 Sweet is the voice of well-earned praise 9 
 
 Sweet is the scene where virtue dies 138 
 
 Sweet violet, thou that dwellest alone 147 
 
 Taste not from envy's poisonous fountain 58 
 
 Tell me, moments now no more 76 
 
 Teach me, O Lord, while here below 110 
 
 The shades of night were scarcely fled 146 
 
 The hour of ray departure's come 152 
 
 The morning flowers display their sweets 154 
 
 The wind blows down the largest tree 25 
 
 The summer winds sings lullaby 33 
 
 The morning hours of cheerful light 37 
 
 The sun goes down, another sabbath day 61 
 The willow that droops by the side of the river 77 
 
 The summer ends its short career 86 
 
 The infant deems some pleasure lies 107 
 
 The rose, the sweetly blooming rose 116 
 
 There is a time when moments flow 168 
 
 There is a tongue in every leaf 18 
 
INDEX OF FIRST LINES, 
 
 143 
 
 TMN 
 
 There's not a tint that paints the rose 44 
 
 There is a God, all nature speaks 179 
 
 There is an eye that all surveys 106 
 
 There is a world we have not seen 51 
 
 These emmets how little they are 17 
 
 Think, O my soul, how much depends 123 
 
 This is the sum of every part 149- 
 
 Thou shalt not steal thy neighbour's right 8 
 
 Thou art, O God, the life and light 68 
 
 Thou didst make the darksome night 162 
 
 Thought of wonder, O how mighty 122 
 
 Through each perplexing path of life 117 
 
 Thy glory. Lord, the heavens declare 171 
 
 To God, while flowers bloom on the bank 124 
 
 To thee, almighty God and king 105 
 
 To thee, O Lord, we humbly pray 88 
 
 To be resigned, when ills betide 6 
 
 Types of eternal rest, fair buds of bliss 177 
 
 Wake, wake, see the dawn, it is time to arise 12 
 
 Weep not for me because I must die 137 
 
 We sing thy mercy, God of love 30 
 
 We've passed a pleasant sabbath, day 35 
 
 What pleasure can the idle feel 10 
 
 What can I, my maker, do 13 
 
 Whate'er thou purposest to do 62 
 
 What is our life ? ah, but a shining vapour 133 
 
 When gay in life, ere joys depart 139 
 
 When near, Lord, thy heavenly throne 60 
 
 When in thy temple, Lord, we bow 80 
 
 When in the morning of my days 96 
 
 When on the fragrant sandal tree 114 
 
 When a (ew weeks or days perhaps 121 
 
 When rousing I behold on high l6iJ 
 
 Who gave the sun his noon-day light 151 
 
 Why should a weak or vain desire 120 
 
 With warm affection let us view 29 
 
 With firm resolve and equal mind .38 
 
 With grateful joy will we record 101 
 
 Yes, all we know must die 382 
 
 Yon trlorious clouds that curtaia rouud 109 
 
No. 128, Washington-Strett, Boston. 
 MUNROE AND FRANCIS have lately published, 
 By the Author of this work, 
 
 COXTVEXlSATIOirs 
 
 OR 
 
 <3futtre to mnotoletJfle ; 
 
 WITH 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 FOR THE USE OP SCHOOLS. 
 
 Extract from the ZJ. S. Literary Gazette. 
 It is not easy to say of what this little book treats, 
 except by selectmg^ subjects from the Index. There we 
 find nearly three hundred topics, more or less interest- 
 ing, upon which a mother and her daughter converse in 
 a very intelligent and intelligible manner. We are grat- 
 ified with finding an American writer, who duly esti- 
 mates the importance of giving to children such knowl- 
 edge as will be actually useful to them, instead of filling 
 their minds with vague, and therefore useless notions of 
 subjects, which are not accommodated to their age. We 
 do not mean to imply that this point has been hitherto 
 wholly neglected ; but that our school hooks are gener- 
 ally very deficient in facts which children can under- 
 stand, and which are directly adapted to tell them what 
 they most need to know. To form their minds rightly, 
 they should have descriptions of such things as actually 
 exist, and not learned discussions, nor abstract specula- 
 tions, nor imperfect rudiments of sciences, which can- 
 not yet be learned. Whoever considers how limited 
 their knowledge is, will easily believe that they are in- 
 capable even of increasing it by m,any, if not most, of 
 the lessons which compose their books for reading^. 
 
. "^0 i 1-*,t,l 
 
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