FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 
 Section 
 

Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://archive.org/details/sacredmeOOnewy 
 
:\v 
 
 tffo OF PRtHJfc 
 
 SACRED MM £ u 6 f) Pff S* 
 
 y0/ 
 
 HYMNS FOR YOUTH; 
 
 WITH APPROPRIATE 
 
 SELECTIONS FROM SCRIPTURE. 
 
 * "Sow, in thy youth, beseech of Him 
 Who giveth, upbraiding not, 
 That his light in thy heart become not dim, 
 
 And his love be unforgot; 
 And thy GoJ, in the darkest of days will be 
 Greenness, and beauty, and strength to thee." 
 
 Bernard Barton. 
 
 
 N EW-YORK: 
 
 % I L E Y AND PUT N A M 
 
 161 Broadwav. 
 
 184 1 
 
 f* 
 
 ft 
 
Entered according to the act of Congress, in the year 1840, 
 
 BY WILEY & PUTNAM, 
 
 In the Clerk's office of the District Court for the Southern District 
 of New-York. 
 
 
 
 Printed by William Osborn 8^ VVilliam-Bti-eef. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 It will not, perhaps, be considered irrelevant 
 to state the object of the author in presenting 
 this little work to the public. Every thing that 
 tends to interest the young in religion, must be 
 desirable to christian parents ; and there is 
 probably no religious exercise so agreeable to 
 children, as that of committing hymns to memory* 
 
 In the various and beautiful selections of de- 
 votional poetry which adorn our literature, there 
 are but few hymns adapted to the compre- 
 hension of children ; and this little work has 
 been written with the view of supplying a vol- 
 ume suitable for youth. The hymns are in- 
 tended, (with the selected texts of scripture,) 
 for Sabbath lessons ; and may be used by all 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 parents and teachers, who wish to bring up 
 children " in the nurture and admonition of 
 the Lord." 
 
 In this humble attempt to advance the cause 
 of the Redeemer, the author has been en- 
 couraged by a conviction of the great importance 
 of early religious culture. 
 
 Christian parent, although the seed be small 
 when sown in the bosom of thy offspring, yet, 
 by God's blessing, it will not die. And al- 
 though for years it may be, (as it too often is,) 
 unfruitful; still, when the dew of God's grace 
 shall visit that young heart, it will not fall on 
 sterile ground — and the seed planted will spring 
 up, and blossom, and at length yield an abund- 
 ant harvest. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page. 
 
 XT 9 
 
 Heaven, - 
 
 Gratitude to God, • - 
 
 t, • ..-- - 13 
 
 Evening, - 
 
 15 
 Brotherly Love, - - 
 
 Temptation, 
 
 The Sabbath, - - - * " 1J 
 
 Watchfulness of God, ----- 21 
 
 Dependance upon Christ, 
 Kindness to the Poor, - " J5 
 
 Death, 27 
 
 ~ . , 29 
 
 Guidance, - 
 
 31 
 
 Sickness, - 
 
 Reliance upon God, 
 
 Proper Use of Time 
 
 Early Piety, 
 
 Self-dedication, 
 
 Parental Influence, - 
 
 The Good Shepherd, - 43 
 
 Adoration of God, 
 
 Divine Aid, 
 
 Forgiveness, 
 
 47 
 49 
 
 Affliction, ---""' 51 
 
 Uncertainty of Life, 
 
 Daily Preservation, - 
 
 The Bible, ------ 57 
 
 59 
 
 Christmas, - 
 
 Funeral Hymn, 
 
 Obedience, - 
 
 The Joys of Heaven, - - - - . - 65 
 
 Daily Prayer, 
 
b CONTENTS. 
 
 Pa&c. 
 
 Sabbath Evening, - - - - - 69 
 
 Resignation, - - - - - 71 
 
 Salvation, ------ 73 
 
 Filial Duty, ----- 75 
 
 Humility, - - - - - 77 
 
 The Seasons, - - - - - 79 
 
 The Cross, ------ 81 
 
 Holiness, - - - - - 83 
 
 Trust in God, ------ 85 
 
 Pardon, 87 
 
 The better Friend, ----- 89 
 
 The Sufferings of Christ, - - - - 91 
 
 The Star of Bethlehem, - - - - - 93 
 
 Charity, ------ 95 
 
 The Closing Year, ----- 97 
 
 Christian Warfare, ----- 99 
 
 Truth, 101 
 
 The Orphan's Prayer, - - - - 103 
 
 Works of Creation, - - - - 105 
 
 The One Thing Needful, - - - 107 
 
 The Heavenly Rest, ----- 109 
 
 Song of Thanksgiving to the Trinity, - - 111 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 29, second verse, third line, for can'st, read canst. 
 M 33, first verse, " " " 
 
 11 53, first verse, first and third lines, " ** 
 
SACKED MELODIES. 
 
O TEXTS OP SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Rev. xxi. 1 and 21 to 27. 
 
 AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth : for 
 the first heaven and the first earth were passed 
 away; 
 
 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls ; every 
 several gate was of one pearl : and the street of the 
 city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 
 
 And I saw no temple therein : for the Lord God 
 Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 
 
 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of 
 the moon, to shine in it : for the glory of God did 
 lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 
 
 And the nations of them which are saved shall 
 walk in the light of it : and the kings of the earth 
 do bring their glory and honor into it. 
 
 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day : 
 for there shall be no night there. 
 
 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the 
 nations into it. 
 
 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing 
 that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomina- 
 tion, or maketh a lie : but they which are written in 
 the Lamb's book of life. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 
 
 HEAVEN. 
 
 11 Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into 
 the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them 
 that love him." 1 Cor. 2, 9. 
 
 JL HERE is a land I fain would call my own, 
 A land, where springs of comfort ever flow ; 
 
 Where sickness, pain, and anguish are unknown, 
 And virtue sheds its bright, celestial glow. 
 
 There is a home where peace and endless joy 
 
 Are ne'er o'ershadow'd by the gloom of care ; 
 
 Where love and praise ten thousand tongues employ, 
 And countless souls its tranquil blessings share. 
 
 There is a crown which time can never fade, 
 
 A crown, which earthly victors cannot wear; 
 
 A crown, for which a ransom hath been paid, 
 While untold millions in its glory share. 
 
 That land is heaven — that home is in the skies, 
 
 Where sainted Christians round their Saviour 
 press ; 
 'T is he who holds that bright and glitt'ring prize, 
 And bids them wear the crown of righteous- 
 ness. 
 
 2 
 
10 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE, 
 
 Ps. ciii. 1 to 6. 
 
 JdLESS the Lord, O my soul : and all that is with 
 in me, bless his holy name. 
 
 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his 
 benefits : 
 
 "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who healeth 
 all thy diseases : 
 
 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction ; who 
 crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender 
 mercies ; 
 
 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things ; so 
 that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 
 
 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment 
 for all that are oppressed. 
 
 Ps. ciii. 13 to 18. 
 
 JLjIKE as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord 
 pitieth them that fear him. 
 
 For he knoweth our frame ; he remembereth that 
 we are dust. 
 
 As for man, his days are as grass : 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 upon them that fear him, and his righte- 
 ousness unto children's children ; 
 
 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that 
 remember his commandments to do them. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 11 
 
 GRATITUDE TO GOD. 
 
 " Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his 
 wonderful works to the children of men." Psalm cvii. 8. 
 
 Jb ATHER ! I call upon thy name, 
 
 Oh ! listen to ray humble pray'r; 
 From thee my life, my being came, 
 
 Still let me own thy guardian care- 
 Each valued gift that I possess, 
 
 Was thine, oh ! Father, to bestow ; 
 While life shall last, let me confess, 
 
 That ev'ry good to thee I owe- 
 
 My parents — friends — and happy home ; 
 
 The comforts that around me press ; 
 I know, oh ! Father, that they come 
 
 From Thee, the fount of blessedness. 
 
 How can I then repay thee, Lord, 
 
 For all the mercies I have known % 
 
 My lips and heart with one accord 
 
 Shall praise the goodness thou hast shown* 
 
12 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Gen. i. 14 to 18. 
 
 AND God said, Let there be lights in the firmament 
 of the heaven to divide the day from the night ; and 
 let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, 
 and years : 
 
 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the 
 heaven to give light upon the earth : and it was so. 
 
 And God made two great lights ; the greater 
 light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the 
 night : he made the stars also. 
 
 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven 
 to give light upon the earth, 
 
 And to rule over the day and over the night, and 
 to divide the light from the darkness ; and God saw 
 that it was good. 
 
 Ps. cxxxix. 11 and 12. 
 
 IF I say, surely the darkness shall cover me; even 
 the night shall be light about me. 
 
 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee ; but the 
 night shineth as the day : the darkness and the light 
 are both alike to thee. 
 
 Ps. cii. 25 to 27. 
 
 OF old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: 
 and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 
 
 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure : yea, all 
 of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture 
 shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed : 
 
 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no 
 end. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 13 
 
 EVENING. 
 
 " Let my prayer be setforth before thee as incense ; and the lifting 
 up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Psalm clxi. 2. 
 
 A HE setting sun has sunk behind the hill, 
 The glowing sky is fading from my view ; 
 
 The rising moon is shining on the rill, 
 
 And nature wears a robe of deeper hue. 
 
 The whip-poor-will has sung his evening hymn, 
 The sportive lambs are gather'd in the fold ; 
 
 The twilight landscape to the eye grows dim, 
 And earth and sky a solemn stillness hold. 
 
 Whose is the hand that hung each gleaming star 
 "Within the vault of yonder deep'ning sky ! 
 
 The hand of God hath scatter'd them afar, 
 
 And bid them light the firmament on high. 
 
 Whose is the eye that watches o'er our sleep 
 
 When night's dark drapery is clos'd around % 
 
 When mortal eyes their vigils cease to keep, 
 And mortal ears are shut to every sound ? 
 
 God's eye can penetrate the darkest gloom 
 That ever shrouds our destiny below ; 
 
 From infant's cradle, to the old man's tomb, 
 Its vigil, no forge tfulness can know. 
 2* 
 
14 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Rom. xii. 10. 
 
 _OE kindly affectioned one to another with bro- 
 therly love ; in honor preferring one another. 
 
 1st John iv. 7. 
 
 J3E LOVED, let us love one another : for love is 
 of God ; and every one that loveth is born of God, 
 and knoweth God. 
 
 1st John iv. 20 and 21. 
 
 ±F a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, 
 he is a liar : for he that loveth not his brother whom 
 he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath 
 not seen % 
 
 And this commandment have we from him, that 
 he who loveth God love his brother also. 
 
 Heb. xiii. 1. 
 
 JLiET brotherly love continue. 
 
 Matt. vii. 3 to 6. 
 
 W HY beholdest thou the mote that is in thy bro- 
 ther's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in 
 thine own eye % 
 
 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull 
 out the mote out of thine eye ; and behold, a beam 
 is in thine own eye 1 
 
 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of 
 thine own eye : and then shalt thou see clearly to 
 cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 15 
 
 BROTHERLY LOVE. 
 
 "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor." Rom. xiii. 10. 
 
 X HE love of God I seek in vain, 
 If I can give my brother pain 
 
 By fretful words or angry blow ; 
 For God unseen can look within 
 And mark the nature of my sin, 
 
 And ev'ry hidden secret know. 
 
 In vain I say my hymn of praise, 
 In vain to God my voice I raise, 
 
 If I provoke my sister's tears ; 
 For He in anger will look down, 
 And see my harshness with a frown. 
 
 And punish me with guilty fears. 
 
 Then let me strive to love them well, 
 That while within one home we dwell 
 
 Our hearts may still united be ; 
 For death may come with sudden grasp, 
 And tear the dear ones from our clasp, 
 
 To meet — but in eternity. 
 
16 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 James i. 2, 3. 
 
 1VJ.Y brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into 
 divers temptations ; 
 
 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith work- 
 eth patience. 
 
 James i. 12. 
 
 JDLESSED is the man that endureth temptation : 
 for when he is triecH he shall receive the crown of life, 
 which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 
 
 1 Cor. x. 13. 
 
 X HERE hath no temptation taken you but such as 
 is common to man : but God is faithful, who will not 
 suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; 
 but will with the temptation also make a way to 
 escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 
 
 Heb.iv. 15. 
 
 T OR we have not an high priest which cannot be 
 touched with the feeling of our infirmities : but was 
 in al 1 points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
 
 Rev. iii. 10. 
 
 JDECAUSE thouhast kept the word of my patience, 
 I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, 
 which shall come upon all the world, to try them 
 that dwell upon the earth. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 17 
 
 TEMPTATION. 
 
 " I also will keep from the hour of temptation." Rev. iii. 10. 
 
 _T ATHER ! grant to me thy blessing 
 While I kneel to worship Thee ; 
 
 Pardon, peace, and joy possessing, 
 Let me from temptation flee- 
 
 Father ! let not earthly treasure 
 
 Wean my priceless soul from Thee ; 
 
 Oh ! forbid that fleeting pleasure 
 Should seduce or fetter me. 
 
 Father ! pardon all the errors 
 
 Which thine eye alone can see ; 
 
 Let not Satan's guilty terrors 
 
 Keep my soul from heav'n and Thee, 
 
 Father ! each day's sins regretting, 
 I will pray on bended knee ; 
 
 And each wordly care forgetting, 
 To the cross of Christ I '11 flee. 
 
 Father ! let the precious burden 
 Which upon that cross I see, 
 
 Be my hope — my shield — my guerdon- 
 It can save, and shelter me, 
 
18 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. cxviii. 24. 
 
 X HIS is the day which the Lord hath made ; we 
 will rejoice and be glad in it. 
 
 Deut. v. 12 to 14. 
 
 X\.EEP the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord 
 thy God hath commanded thee. 
 
 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work : 
 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord 
 thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor 
 thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor 
 thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor 
 any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy 
 gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant 
 may rest as well as thou. 
 
 Is. lviii. 13 and 14. 
 
 J_F thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath ,from 
 doing thy pleasure on my holy day ; and call the 
 sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable ; 
 and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, 
 nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine 
 own words : 
 
 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and 
 I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the 
 earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy 
 father : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 19 
 
 THE SABBATH. 
 
 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Exodus xx. 8. 
 
 i. HEAR the sweet chimes of the church going 
 bells, 
 They call us to worship with praise and with 
 pray'r 
 The God who in heaven eternally dwells, 
 And loves us, when we to his temple repair. 
 
 I know that He smiles on the young of his fold, 
 When, singing the praise that is due to his name, 
 
 They offer a tribute that *s brighter than gold, 
 And yield him the incense to which he has claim. 
 
 I will pray to be pure — for Jesus was pure ; 
 
 I will pray to be good — for angels are good ; 
 I will pray him to bless the sick and the poor ; 
 
 And send to them comfort, and clothing, and food. 
 
 A week of enjoyment and blessing has flown, 
 And shall I not thank him for all he has giv'n ? 
 
 Oh ! yes, I will ask him to make me his own, 
 And take me at last to his bosom in heav'n. 
 
20 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. cxxxix. 1 to 12. 
 
 \J LORD, thou hast searched me, and know me. 
 
 Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up- 
 rising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 
 
 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, 
 and art acquainted with all my ways. 
 
 For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O 
 Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 
 
 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid 
 thy hand upon me. 
 
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me ; it is 
 high, I cannot attain unto it. 
 
 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit ] or whither 
 shall I flee from thy presence 1 
 
 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there : if I 
 make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 
 
 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in 
 the uttermost parts of the sea ; 
 
 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right 
 hand shall hold me. 
 
 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me ; 
 even the night shall be light about me. 
 
 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee ; but the 
 night shineth as the day : the darkness and the 
 light are both alike to thee. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 2i 
 
 THE WATCHFULNESS OF GOD. 
 
 ' The Lord is good to all : and his tender mercies are over all his 
 rks." Psalm cxlv. 9. 
 
 IN ev'ry lovely thing I trace 
 
 The hand of God divine ; 
 In ev'ry fiow'ring shrub and tree 
 
 I see his glories shine. 
 
 He made the earth — the sky — the sea — 
 
 And lighted ev'ry star 
 That glitters in the firmament, 
 
 And sheds its light afan 
 
 He made the birds that sweetly sing 
 
 Their early matin lay ; 
 They carol forth their joyful hymn 
 
 To greet the waking day. 
 
 The worm that crawls beneath my feet 
 
 Is worthy of my care ; 
 For ev'ry creature God hath made, 
 
 His watchfulness doth share. 
 
 In stormiest day, and darkest night, 
 He guards us all from harm ; 
 
 And spreads o'er earth, and sea, and heav'n, 
 His everlasting arm. 
 3 
 
22 TEXTS OP SCRIPTURE. 
 
 John vi. 35 to 40. 
 
 -TjlND Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of 
 life : he that cometh to me, shall never hunger ; and 
 he that believeth on me, shall never thirst. 
 
 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, 
 and believe not. 
 
 All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me ; 
 and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast 
 out. 
 
 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine 
 own will, but the will of him that sent me. 
 
 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, 
 that of all which he hath given me, I should lose 
 nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 
 
 And this is the will of him that sent me, that 
 every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on 
 him, may have everlasting life ; and I will raise him 
 up at the last day. 
 
 Matt. ix. 27 to 29. 
 
 AND when Jesus departed thence, two blind men 
 followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, 
 have mercy on us. 
 
 And when he was come into the house, the blind 
 men came to him : and Jesus saith unto them, Be- 
 lieve ye that I am able to do this 1 They said unto 
 him, Yea, Lord. 
 
 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to 
 your faith, be it unto you. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 
 
 23 
 
 DEPENDANCE UPON CHRIST. 
 
 '* Christ is the propitiation for our sins : and not for ours only ' 
 but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John ii. 2. 
 
 ALMIGHTY Father ! wilt thou bend 
 Thine ear unto an infant's pray'r ; 
 
 Oh ! let thy love on me descend, 
 
 Thy daily mercies let me share. 
 
 Father, I wish to do thy will, 
 
 And to thy arms my soul resign ; 
 
 Be thou my guide — my guardian still — 
 
 From childhood's dawn, to life's decline, 
 
 I bring no ofF'ring worthy thee, 
 
 For I am vile in word and deed ; 
 
 But Christ my Saviour died for me, 
 And lives, with thee to intercede. 
 
 In his beloved name I come ; 
 
 On his atonement I depend ; 
 Wilt thou not take the pilgrim home, 
 
 And be in death the oil prim's friend. 
 
24 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 P5. xli. 1 to 3. 
 
 XjLESSED is he that considereth the poor : the 
 Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 
 
 The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive ; 
 and he shall be blessed upon the earth ; and thou 
 wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. 
 
 The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of 
 languishing : thou wilt make all his bed in his sick- 
 ness. 
 
 Job xxix. 11 to 16. 
 
 W HEN the ear heard ?ne, then it blessed me ; and 
 when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me : 
 
 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the 
 fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 
 
 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came 
 upon me : and I caused the widow's heart to sing 
 for joy. 
 
 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me : my 
 judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 
 
 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 
 
 I was a father to the poor : and the cause which I 
 knew not I searched out. 
 
 Acts xx. 35. 
 
 A HAVE showed you all things, how that so labour- 
 ing ye ought to support the weak, and to remember 
 the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more 
 blessed to give than to receive. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 25 
 
 KINDNESS TO THE POOR. 
 
 " He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord ; and that 
 which he hath given will he pay him again. Prov. xix. 17. 
 
 \JH ! may I ne'er despise the poor 
 Who daily beg their scanty meal ; 
 
 Who, cold and faint, relief implore, 
 
 And trembling make their sad appeal. 
 
 Oh ! may I ne'er look down with scorn 
 Upon the tatter'd garb of age ; 
 
 Nor coldly let my heart refuse 
 
 The beggar's mis'ry to assuage. 
 
 God gave to me — withheld from them — 
 The wealth that so much ease secures ; 
 
 Let me not then forget the pangs 
 Which humble penury endures. 
 
 My daily wants are all supplied, 
 
 While cold and care 1 never knew; 
 
 How diff'rent far the lot of those, 
 
 Who suffer cold and hunger too, 
 
 Father ! incline my youthful heart 
 To look with pity on the poor ; 
 
 And let me add my little mite 
 
 Whene'er I see them at our door, 
 3* 
 
26 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. cxvi. 15. 
 
 PRECIOUS in the sight of the Lord is the death 
 of his saints. 
 
 Ps. xxxvii. 37. 
 
 JMaRK the perfect man, and behold the upright : 
 for the end of that man is peace. 
 
 Rom. xiv. 7 to 9. 
 
 IN ONE of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth 
 to himself. 
 
 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord ; and 
 whether we die, we die unto the Lord : whether we 
 live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 
 
 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and re- 
 vived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and 
 living. 
 
 Ps. lxxiii. 24 to 26. 
 
 X HOU shalt guide me with thy counsel, and after- 
 ward receive me to glory. 
 
 Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none 
 upon earth that I desire besides thee. 
 
 My flesh and my heart faileth : hut God is the 
 strength of my heart, and my portion forever. 
 
 Ps. xlix. 15. 
 
 Jj>UT God will redeem my soul from the power of 
 the grave : for he shall receive me. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 27 
 
 DEATH. 
 
 " The righteous hath hope in his death." Prov. xiv. 32. 
 
 1 HE hour of death is drawing near, 
 
 And it may quickly come ; 
 The christian's hope — the christian's fear- 
 Are giv'n to guide our sojourn here, 
 
 And point us to our home. 
 
 The shades of death where terrors lie, 
 
 With dark'ninghue will come; 
 But heav'nly help is ever nigh 
 To cheer our journey to the sky, 
 And lead us to our home. 
 
 A Saviour's love can light the gloom, 
 That o'er life's close may come ; 
 He died to save us from our doom, 
 And, rising from his lowly tomb, 
 He calls us to our home. 
 
 Christ is the rock on which we lay 
 
 Our surest hope to come ; 
 He sheds the true undying ray, 
 That lights the christian on his way, 
 
 To an eternal home. 
 
28 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Jer. iii. 4. 
 
 W ILT thou not from this time cry unto me, My 
 Father, thou art the guide of my youth % 
 
 Ps. xxxii. 8. 
 
 -1- will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way 
 which thou shalt go : I will guide thee with mine 
 eye. 
 
 Proy. iii. 5 and 6. 
 
 A RUST in the Lord with all thy heart : and lean 
 not unto thine own understanding. 
 
 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall 
 direct thy paths. 
 
 Ps. Ixi. 1 and 2. 
 
 JLXEAR my cry, O God ; attend unto my prayer. 
 
 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, 
 when my heart is overwhelmed : lead me to the rock 
 that is higher than I. 
 
 Jer. x. 23. 
 
 \J LORD, I know that the way of man is not in 
 
 himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his 
 steps. 
 
 Matt. xi. 28. 
 
 OOME unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy 
 laden, and I will give you rest. 
 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 29 
 
 GUIDANCE. 
 
 " Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me 
 to glory." — Psalm lxxiii. 24. 
 
 1 EACH me, oh God ! the paths of sin to shun, 
 
 And lead me onward in thy heav'nly way ; 
 My youthful heart its trial hath begun, 
 
 Oh ! may it never from thy guidance stray. 
 
 Each day I live, some sin the mast'ry gains, 
 
 Although with tears my weakness I deplore ; 
 
 But thou can'st purify the deepest stains, 
 And to the path of life my feet restore. 
 
 Dark is the soul without some heav'nly ray, 
 
 To guide it towards its goal of future rest ; 
 
 Be thou my father — friend — and firmest stay, 
 Until I reach the mansions of the blest. 
 
 There I shall fear no more the tempter's pow'r, 
 
 For Christ hath snapp'd our chain, and set us 
 free ; 
 
 Sin ceas'd to triumph in his dying hour, 
 
 And death was " swallow'd up in victory." 
 
JU TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. vi. 1 to 9. 
 
 yj LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither 
 chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 
 
 Have mercy upon me, O Lord ; for I am weak : 
 
 Lord, heal me : for my bones are vexed. 
 
 My soul is also sore vexed : but thou, O Lord, 
 how long ? 
 
 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul : O save me for 
 thy mercies' sake ! 
 
 For in death there is no remembrance of thee : in 
 the grave who shall give thee thanks ] 
 
 I am weary with my groaning ; all the night make 
 
 1 my bed to swim ; I water my couch with my tears. 
 
 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth 
 old because of all mine enemies. 
 
 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity ; for 
 the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. 
 
 The Lord hath heard my supplication ; the Lord 
 will receive my prayer. 
 
 Ps. xxv. 16 to 18. 
 
 X URN thee unto me, and have mercy upon me ; for 
 I am desolate and afflicted. 
 
 The troubles of my heart are enlarged : bring 
 thou me out of my distresses. 
 
 Look upon mine affliction and my pain ; and for- 
 give all my sins. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 31 
 
 SICKNESS. 
 
 14 My flesh and my heart faileth : but God is the strength of my 
 heart, and my portion for ever." Psalm lxxiii. 26. 
 
 JhLlDE not thy face, oh ! God, when health has fled, 
 And sickness lays me on a fever'd bed ; 
 Thy sov'reign povv'r a holy balm can pour, 
 And to its wonted ease my frame restore. 
 
 In time of strength, I could forget the arm 
 That shelter'd this frail tenement from harm ; 
 But, feebly stretch'd upon a couch of pain, 
 I yearn to feel thy gift of health again. 
 
 Yet, without murm'ring, I would fain endure, 
 Until thy goodness shall see fit to cure ; 
 For well I know that mercy sends the pain, 
 To bring the wand'rer to thy arms again. 
 
 Here let me learn submission to thy will, 
 And be thy child in health or illness still; 
 Until I reach that ever blessed home, 
 Where sickness, pain, and sorrow never come. 
 
32 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. cxxv. 1 and 2. 
 
 A HEY that trust in the Lord shall be as mount 
 Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 
 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so 
 the Lord is round about his people from henceforth 
 even for ever. 
 
 Ps. xci. 9 to 11. 
 
 Jl5E CAUSE thou hast made the Lord which is my 
 refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation ; 
 
 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any 
 plague come nigh thy dwelling. 
 
 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to 
 keep thee in all thy ways. 
 
 Ps. xxvii. 14. 
 
 W AIT on the Lord : be of good courage, and 
 he shall strengthen thy heart : wait, I say, on the 
 Lord. 
 
 Ps. lv. 22. 
 
 \J AST thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sus- 
 tain thee : he shall never suffer the righteous to be 
 moved. 
 
 Ts. xxxvii. 5. 
 
 OOMMIT thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in 
 him : and he shall bring it to pass. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 33 
 
 RELIANCE UPON GOD. 
 
 " My Father, thou art the guide of my youth." Jer. iii. 4. 
 
 IVxY Father ! unto thee I come, 
 
 To thee in all my doubts repair; 
 
 For thou can'st guard me when I stray, 
 
 And snatch my soul from Satan's snare. 
 
 Guide of my youth ! oh make me free, 
 And fix my wav'ring heart on thee. 
 
 When from the truth I would depart — 
 
 When falsehood would my soul betray- 
 Then be thou near to check my sin, 
 
 And prove my safeguard and my stay. 
 Guide of my youth ! oh make me free, 
 And fix my wav'ring heart on thee. 
 
 Safe, when I trust thy promis'd love — 
 
 Lost, when I cease that love to prize — 
 
 Be thou the day-star from above, 
 
 To light me onward to the skies. 
 
 Guide of my youth ! oh make me free, 
 
 And fix my wand'ring heart on thee. 
 
34 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Prov. xxiv. 30 to 34. 
 
 I WENT by the field of the slothful, and by the 
 vineyard of the man void of understanding ; 
 
 And lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and net- 
 tles had covered 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. 
 
 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding 
 of the hands to sleep : 
 
 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth ; 
 and thy want as an armed man. 
 
 Prov. xiii. 4. 
 
 J. HE soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath 
 nothing : but the soul of the diligent shall be made 
 fat. 
 
 Prov. xii. 24. 
 
 JL HE hand of the diligent shall bear rule : but 
 the slothful shall be under tribute. 
 
 Matt. xii. 35 and 36. 
 
 A GOOD man, out of the good treasure of the 
 heart, bringeth forth good things : and an evil man, 
 out of the evil treasure, bringeth forth evil things. 
 
 But I say unto you, That every idle word that 
 men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in 
 the day of judgment. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 35 
 
 PROPER USE OF TIME. 
 
 ;( Go to the ant, thou sluggard ; consider her ways, and be wise." 
 
 Prov. vi. 6. 
 
 JL SEE the ant with busy toil 
 Her earthy cell prepare ; 
 
 And day by day her store of food 
 Lay by with watchful care. 
 
 I see her rising with the sun 
 
 Her labors to begin ; 
 While tiny helpmates crowd around, 
 
 Their share of spoil to win. 
 
 I would not waste the precious hours 
 
 Of youth by idle ways ; 
 But like the ant that youth employ, 
 
 And live, my God to praise. 
 
 Let industry be then my aim 
 
 In all my duties here ; 
 And through my life God's holy name 
 
 May I with love revere. 
 
36 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Eccles. xii. 1 to 7. 
 
 XVEMEMBER now thy Creator in the days of thy 
 youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years 
 draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure 
 in them ; 
 
 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the 
 stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after 
 the rain : 
 
 In the day when the keepers of the house shall 
 tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, 
 and the grinders cease because they are few, and 
 those that look out of the windows be darkened. 
 
 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when 
 the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up 
 at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of 
 music shall be brought low ; 
 
 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is 
 high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond 
 tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a 
 burden, and desire shall fail : because man goeth to 
 his long home, and the mourners go about the streets : 
 
 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden 
 bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the 
 fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 
 
 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was : 
 and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 37 
 
 EARLY PIETY. 
 
 "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Eccles. x\i.l. 
 
 W HILE the bright hours of youth are thine, 
 And childhood's joys are round thee ; 
 
 While parents' arras thy form entwine, 
 And comforts still surround thee ; 
 
 Remember Him who crowns thy joy, 
 
 And gives thee bliss without alloy. 
 
 Ere the glad hopes of youth are gone, 
 Its brightest prospects shaded — 
 
 Ere the blush from thy cheek has flown, 
 To leave it pale and faded — 
 
 Remember Him who guards thy years, 
 
 And saves thy cup from bitter tears. 
 
 He will bend down a willing ear 
 
 To childhood's lowly prayer ; 
 Thy love, that fades and withers here, 
 
 He will gladly garner there. 
 Remember then that Father's call, 
 And give to Him thy heart — thy all. 
 
38 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. xxvii. 1 to 8. 
 
 JL HE Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom 
 shall I fear ] the Lord is the strength of my life ; of 
 whom shall I be afraid 1 
 
 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, 
 came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and 
 fell. 
 
 Though a host should encamp against me, my 
 heart shall not fear : though war should rise against 
 me, in this will I be confident. 
 
 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I 
 seek after : that I may dwell in the house of the 
 Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of 
 the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. 
 
 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his 
 pavilion : in the secret of his tabernacle shall he 
 hide me ; he shall set me up upon a rock. 
 
 And now shall my head be lifted up above mine 
 enemies round about me : therefore will I offer in 
 his tabernacle sacrifices of joy ; I will sing, yea, I 
 will sing praises unto the Lord. 
 
 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice : have 
 mercy also upon me, and answer me. 
 
 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face ; my heart 
 said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 39 
 
 SELF DEDICATION. 
 
 1 My son, give me thine heart." Prov. xxiii. 26. 
 
 My God! it is thy call, 
 
 And can I silent be ? 
 Can I resist the voice that pleads, 
 
 So earnestly with me 1 
 
 Shall I refuse to give 
 
 My heart's best love to thee 1 
 When ev'ry blessing I enjoy, 
 
 Thou hast bestow'd on me ? 
 
 Oh ! take me to thy arms, 
 
 And make me ever thine ; 
 
 And grant that to thy sacred will, 
 My heart may still incline. 
 
 Save me from ev'ry sin — 
 
 Wash me from ev'ry stain — 
 
 And from my Shepherd's safe embrace, 
 May I ne'er stray again. 
 
40 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Prov. iv. 1 to 11. 
 
 JlIEAR, ye children, the instruction of a father, 
 and attend to know understanding. 
 
 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my 
 law. 
 
 For I was my father's son, tender and only he- 
 loved in the sight of my mother. 
 
 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thy 
 heart retain my words : keep my commandments, 
 and live. 
 
 Get wisdom, get understanding : forget it not ; 
 neither decline from the words of my mouth. 
 
 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee : love 
 her, and she shall keep thee. 
 
 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wis- 
 dom : and with all thy getting get understanding. 
 
 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee : she shall 
 bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. 
 
 She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace : 
 a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 
 
 Hear, O my son, and receive my saying ; and the 
 years of thy life shall be many. 
 
 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom ; I have 
 led thee in right paths. 
 
41 
 
 SACRED MELODIES. 
 
 PARENTAL INFLUENCE. 
 
 c: My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the 
 law of thy mother." Prov. i. 8. 
 
 WHEN from my duty I depart, 
 And wring with grief my father's heart, 
 Let his reproof my errors stay, 
 And lead me back to virtue's way ; 
 His kind instruction let me hear, 
 Nor deem his just rebuke severe. 
 
 When from my mother's gentle law 
 My heart inclines me to withdraw ; 
 Let me remember all her cares, 
 And think upon her anxious pray'rs ; 
 Her counsel let me ne'er forsake, 
 Nor cease her fond advice to take. 
 
 While thus I live, my God will bless 
 The earthly portion I possess ; 
 Will guide the flight of youthful years, 
 And save me from the sinner's fears. 
 His love will light me on the way 
 That leads to everlasting day. 
 
42 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 John x. 11 to 16. 
 
 J. AM the good shepherd : the good shepherd giveth 
 his life for the sheep. 
 
 But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, 
 whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, 
 and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth ; and the wolf 
 catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 
 
 The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and 
 careth not for the sheep. 
 
 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and 
 am known of mine. 
 
 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the 
 Father : and I lay down my life for the sheep. 
 
 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold : 
 them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice ; 
 and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 
 
 John x. 27 to 29. 
 
 iVxY sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and 
 they follow me : 
 
 And I give unto them eternal life ; and they shall 
 never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out 
 of my hand. 
 
 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than 
 all ; and no man is able to pluck them out of my 
 Father's hand. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 43 
 
 THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 
 
 "Feed my lambs." St John xxi. 15. 
 
 OAVIOUR, guardian of the fold, 
 See thy lambs in numbers come ; 
 
 Safe among thy flock enroll'd, 
 
 Guide them to their future home. 
 
 Many dangers crowd their way ; 
 
 Many snares their hearts deceive ; 
 When in errors path they stray, 
 
 From that path their souls retrieve. 
 
 Feed them with that better food, 
 
 Which thy hand alone can give ; 
 
 Wash them in thy precious blood, 
 And their early sins forgive. 
 
 Save them too from future ill — 
 
 Lead them to that blissful shore — 
 
 Where thy love awaits them still, 
 To be theirs for ever more. 
 
44 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. viii. 1 to end. 
 
 \J LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in 
 all the earth ! who hast set thy glory above the 
 heavens. 
 
 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast 
 thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, 
 that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 
 
 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy 
 fingers ; the moon and the stars, which thou hast 
 ordained : 
 
 What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? and 
 the son of man, that thou visitest him ] 
 
 For thou hast made him a little lower than the 
 angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. 
 
 Thou madest him to have dominion over the 
 works of thy hands : thou hast put all things under 
 his feet : 
 
 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the 
 field; 
 
 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and 
 whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 
 
 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in 
 all the earth ! 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 45 
 
 ADORATION OF GOD. 
 
 "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou 
 made them all : the earth is full of thy riches." Psalm civ. 24. 
 
 J_jET me adore the great and glorious God 
 Who dwells above the blue and shining sky ; 
 
 My sight can never reach that blest abode, 
 Nor penetrate the mysteries on high. 
 
 He spoke — and worlds were form'd at his command — 
 Sun, moon, and earth arose 'mid empty space— 
 
 The arch of heaven by starlight brightness spann'd 
 Is but the footstool of his dwelling place. 
 
 He breath'd — and man came forth a living soul— 
 A being form'd to love and worship him ; 
 
 But, early casting off divine control, 
 
 Man soon became the willing slave of sin. 
 
 E'en then, he ceas'd not to exert his pow'r, 
 And from the chains of sin he set us free ; 
 
 Christ died to save us in our dying hour, 
 And rose again to give us victory. 
 
 Tow'rds heaven then, let joyful strains ascend, 
 From hearts devoted to their Maker's praise ; 
 
 While saints above in heav'nly chorus blend, 
 And to his throne the grateful tribute raise. 
 5 
 
46 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. lxxxvi. 1 to 10. 
 
 .DOW down thine ear, O Lord, hear me : for I am 
 poor and needy. 
 
 Preserve my soul : for I am holy : O thou my 
 God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. 
 
 Be merciful unto me, O Lord : for I cry unto thee 
 daily. 
 
 Rejoice the soul of thy servant : for unto thee, O 
 Lord, do I lift up my soul. 
 
 For thou, Lord, art good and ready to forgive ; 
 and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon 
 thee. 
 
 Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer ; and attend to 
 the voice of my supplications. 
 
 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee : 
 for thou wilt answer me. 
 
 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O 
 Lord ; neither arc there any works like unto thy 
 works. 
 
 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and 
 worship before thee, O Lord ; and shall glorify thy 
 name. 
 
 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things : 
 thou art God alone. 
 
 Ps. xxv. 4 and 5. 
 
 JoHOW me thy ways, O Lord ; teach me thy paths. 
 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me : for thou art 
 the God of my salvation ; on thee do I wait all the 
 day. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 47 
 
 DIVINE AID. 
 
 " For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto 
 thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Is. xli. 13. 
 
 Jb ATHER ! teach ray lips to praise thee 
 For the mercies thou hast shown ; 
 
 Let the love that seeks to save me, 
 Make my spirit all thy own. 
 
 Ev'ry thing I see around me 
 
 Thy almighty impress wears; 
 
 Each kind blessing that surrounds me, 
 To my heart thy love endears. 
 
 May thy grace to me revealing 
 
 Hidden faults I know not now ; 
 
 Help to curb each wayward feeling — 
 Teach me at thy feet to bow. 
 
 Let not then my youth be wasting 
 
 In pursuit of idle glee ; 
 Lest the hour of death be hast'ning, 
 
 Ere from sin I learn to flee. 
 
48 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Matt, xviii. 15. 21 and 22. 
 
 lVlOREOVER,if thy brother shall trespass against 
 thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him 
 alone : if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy 
 brother. 
 
 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft 
 shall my brother sin against me, and 1 forgive him? 
 till seven times ? 
 
 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until 
 seven *times ; but, Until seventy times seven. 
 
 Luke xxiii. 33 and 34. 
 
 AND when they were come to the place which is 
 called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the 
 malefactors; one on the right hand, and the other on 
 the left. 
 
 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them : for they 
 know not what they do. 
 
 Eph. iv. 31 and 32. 
 
 XjET all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and 
 clamor, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, 
 with all malice : 
 
 And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, 
 forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake 
 hath forgiven you. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 49 
 
 FORGIVENESS. 
 
 :{ If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father 
 forgive your trespasses." Matt. vi. 15. 
 
 W HEN upon my bended knee, 
 
 Thy pardon I implore ; 
 Let the prayer address'd to thee, 
 Plead also for mine enemy, 
 And christian love restore. 
 
 Let not th' injury remain 
 
 To rankle in my breast ; 
 If those I love have giv'n me pain, 
 Let me- all angry thoughts restrain, 
 And leave to thee the rest. 
 
 Thus while early youth is mine, 
 
 May I thy precepts love; 
 And oh ! do thou ray heart incline, 
 To seek the aid and grace divine, 
 Imparted from above. 
 
 5* 
 
50 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Job v. 17 and 18. 
 
 JDEHOLD, happy is the man whom God correct- 
 eth : therefore despise not thou the chastening of 
 the Almighty. 
 
 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up : he wound- 
 eth, and his hands make whole. 
 
 Lam. iii. 32 and 33. 
 
 JdUT though he cause grief, yet will he have com- 
 passion according to the multitude of his mercies. 
 
 For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the 
 children of men. 
 
 Ps. cxl. 12. 
 
 A KNOW that the Lord will maintain the cause of 
 the afflicted, and the right of the poor. 
 
 Ps. xxxiv. 19. 
 
 1VJ.ANY are the afflictions of the righteous : but 
 the Lord delivereth him out of them all. 
 
 II Cor. iv. 17 and 18. 
 
 vJUR light affliction, which is but for a moment, 
 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal 
 weight of glory ; 
 
 While we look not at the things which are seen, 
 but at the things which are not seen : for the things 
 which are seen are temporal ; but the things which 
 are not seen are eternal. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 51 
 
 AFFLICTION. 
 
 11 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." 
 
 Psalm xlvi. 1. 
 
 W HEN sorrow rends my aching heart, 
 And fills my eye with tears ; 
 
 To thee, oh ! Father, I repair, 
 With all my anxious fears. 
 
 To thee I go when death dissolves 
 
 The ties of kindred love ; 
 A friend to find in Him, who took 
 
 The lost one — now above. 
 
 In ev'ry grief that bears me down, 
 
 1 seek thy tender care ; 
 My surest help is ever found 
 
 In humble, earnest pray'r. 
 
 Oh ! Father, lead me to thy feet 
 
 In ev'ry joy or ill ; 
 And let me cheerfully resign 
 
 My wishes to thy will. 
 
52 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Vs. xxxix. 4 and 5. 
 
 XjOKDj make me to know mine end, and the mea- 
 sure of my days, what it is ; that I may know }iow 
 frail I am. 
 
 Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth ; 
 and mine age is as nothing before thee : verily every 
 man at his best state is altogether vanity. 
 
 Luke xii. 16 to 21. 
 
 jlxND he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them, say- 
 ing, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth 
 plentifully : 
 
 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall 
 I do, because I have no room where to bestow my 
 fruits % 
 
 And he said, This will I do : I will pull down my 
 barns, and build greater ; and there will I bestow all 
 my fruits and my goods. 
 
 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much 
 goods laid up for many years ; take thine ease, eat, 
 drink, and be merry. 
 
 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy 
 soul shall be required of thee : then whose shall 
 those things be which thou hast provided ? 
 
 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and 
 is not rich towards God. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 53 
 
 UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE. 
 
 " So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts 
 unto wisdom." Psalm xc. 12. 
 
 feOUL, can'st thou tell me when the stroke of death 
 Shall lay this body in its earthy bed ] 
 
 Can'st tell me when the spirit's fleeting breath 
 
 Shall leave me, to be number'd with the dead 1 
 
 When will the summons from Jehovah come 
 That bids me on my final journey go ? 
 
 Alas ! the hour that calls me to my home, 
 
 None but the Saviour and the Spirit know. 
 
 The glowing hue of health may fade away, 
 
 And this young form be wrapp'd in death's em- 
 brace ; 
 
 No pray'rs — no tears are able to delay 
 
 The spirit's passage to its resting place. 
 
 Years may pass by— and I may still be spar'd 
 
 To serve my God with fervent, humble love ; 
 
 But when I'm calTd, oh ! may I be prepar'd 
 To enter the blest realms of bliss above. 
 
54 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. xxiii. 
 
 J_ HE Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want. 
 
 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he 
 leadeth me beside the still waters. 
 
 He restoreth my soul : he leadeth me in the paths 
 of righteousness for his name's sake. 
 
 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 
 shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art 
 with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 
 
 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence 
 of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil ; 
 my cup runneth over. 
 
 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the 
 days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of 
 the Lord for ever. 
 
 Ps. xxxi. 23 and 24. 
 
 \J LOVE the Lord, all ye his saints : for the Lord 
 preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth 
 the proud doer. 
 
 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your 
 heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 55 
 
 DAILY PRESERVATION. 
 
 11 The Lord is my Shepherd ; I shall not want. He maketh me 
 to lie down in green pastures : he leadeth me beside the still 
 waters." Psalm xxiii. 1 and 2. 
 
 A KNOW the hand which day by day 
 With blessings strews my peaceful way ; 
 Which leads me safe through danger's wave, 
 And crowns with joy the life he gave. 
 To him my feeble voice I'd raise, 
 And Father, Son, and Spirit praise. 
 
 Each passing hour I feel his care, 
 While all his bounteous gifts I share ; 
 My food and raiment, health and friends, 
 These precious gifts he kindly sends. 
 To him my grateful voice I'd raise, 
 And Father, Son, and Spirit praise. 
 
 In life's dark hours — in sorrow's gloom — 
 
 His Spirit will my soul illume ; 
 
 Upon my path its brightness throw, 
 
 And everlasting light bestow ; 
 
 To him my youthful voice I'd raise, 
 And Father, Son, and Spirit praise. 
 
56 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Heb. iv. 12. 
 
 X HE word of God is quick, and powerful, and 
 sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to 
 the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the 
 joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts 
 and intents of the heart. 
 
 Rom. xv. 4. 
 
 WHATSOEVER things were written aforetime, 
 were written for our learning, that we through 
 patience and comfort of the scriptures might have 
 hope. 
 
 II Tim. iii. 14. to 17. 
 
 CONTINUE thou in the things which thou hast 
 learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom 
 thou hast learned them ; 
 
 And that from a child thou hast known the holy 
 scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto 
 salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
 
 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and 
 is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, 
 for instruction in righteousness : 
 
 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly 
 furnished unto all good works. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 
 
 THE BIBLE. 
 
 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." 
 
 Psalm cxix. 105. 
 
 X HOU holy book ! upon each sacred page 
 
 I see the impress of a hand divine ; 
 Address'd to youth, to manhood, and to age, 
 
 Oh ! may 1 make thy precious precepts mine. 
 
 The gift of God — by which to shape our way 
 When error lures our yielding feet aside ; 
 
 Thy counsels can reclaim me when I stray, 
 And in the path of life my footsteps guide. 
 
 Thou show'st me too how man has left his God 
 To worship earthly idols which decay; 
 
 And how in love he sends his chast'ning rod 
 To wean us from the hopes on which we stay. 
 
 Thou lead'st me to th' atoning sacrifice, 
 
 Which nought but heav'nly mercy could have 
 plann'd ; 
 
 And as upon the cross I bend my eyes, 
 It points the pathway to a better land. 
 
 Close to my heart may God's blest gift remain, 
 And with my actions may its precepts blend ; 
 
 Until my soul shall future bliss attain, 
 
 And feel the happiness that knows no end. 
 6 
 
58 TEXTS OP SCRIPTURE, 
 
 Is. lii. 7. 
 
 jLLOW beautiful upon the mountains are the feet 
 of him that bringeth x good tidings, that publisheth 
 peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that pub- 
 lisheth sanation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy God 
 reigneth ! 
 
 Luke ii. 4. 8 to 14. 
 
 AND Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of 
 the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of 
 David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was. 
 of the house and lineage of David.) 
 
 And there w r ere in the same country shepherds 
 abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock 
 by night. 
 
 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, 
 and the glory of the Lord shone round about them ; 
 and they were sore afraid. 
 
 And the angel said unto them, Fear not : for be- 
 hold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which 
 shall be to all people. 
 
 For unto you is born this day, in the city of David 
 a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
 
 And this shall be a sign unto you ; Ye shall find 
 the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a 
 manger. 
 
 And suddenly there was with the angel a multi- 
 tude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 
 
 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
 good will toward men. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 59 
 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 " Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, 
 which is Christ the Lord." Luke ii. 11. 
 
 JJlEAR the glad sounds from earth ascend, 
 While angels in the chorus blend ; 
 " The Son has left his throne in heav'n, 
 The promis'd Saviour now is giv'n." 
 
 Again the blending voices rise 
 
 In joyful chorus to the skies ; 
 
 " He comes to break the chains of sin, 
 
 And wand'rinor souls to seek and win." 
 
 o 
 
 Another and a louder strain, 
 From earth and heav'n is heard again ; 
 " He comes the sinner's soul to save, 
 And give him victory o^er the grave." 
 
 Once more th' exulting hymn ascends, 
 While grateful love its tribute lends ; 
 To God on high all glory be, 
 Good-will, O earth, to man and thee ! 
 
60 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Eccles. iii. 20. 
 
 -txLL go unto one place ; all are of the dust, and 
 all turn to dust again. 
 
 Job xix. 23 to 27. 
 
 yj THAT my words were now written ! O that 
 they were printed in a book ! 
 
 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead 
 in the rock for ever ! 
 
 For I know that ray Redeemer liveth, and that he 
 shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : 
 
 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, 
 yet in my flesh shall I see God : 
 
 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall 
 behold, and not another. 
 
 Job xiv. 1 and 2. 
 
 IVl AN that is born of a woman is of few days, and 
 full of trouble. 
 
 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down : 
 he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. 
 
 John xi. 25 and 26. 
 
 J ESUS said, I am the resurrection, and the life : 
 he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet 
 shall he live : 
 
 And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall 
 never die. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 61 
 
 FUNERAL HYMN. 
 
 ; Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' : Rev. xiv. 13. 
 
 V\ E bear the body to its long, last home, 
 Unconscious of its cold and earthy bed ; 
 
 The soul to its final account hath gone — 
 The spirit to another world hath fled. 
 
 Oh ! pause upon the brink of this deep grave. 
 
 While slowly down, that coffin's weight descends: 
 What now to him, is all this earth e'er gave, 
 
 Or what the charm that worldly pleasure lends. 
 
 But a bright ray darts o'er the sadden'd soul — 
 A christian's love once glow'd within this clay ; 
 
 A christian's hope had pointed to the goal, 
 While yet on earth he trod his anxious way. 
 
 A Saviour's arms that parted soul receive — 
 A Father's home that weary pilgrim gains — 
 
 O'er this frail clay we cannot — should not grieve. 
 We joy for him — that joy our tears restrains. 
 
 6* 
 
62 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Deut. xxviii. 1 to 8. 
 
 Blessings promised o?i Obedience. 
 _/xND it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken 
 diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to 
 observe and to do all his commandments which I 
 command thee this day : that the Lord thy God will 
 set thee on high above all nations of the earth : 
 
 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and 
 overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice 
 of the Lord thy God. 
 
 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt 
 thou be in the field. 
 
 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 
 
 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and 
 blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 
 
 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up 
 against thee to be smitten before thy face : they shall 
 come out against thee one way, and flee before thee 
 seven ways. 
 
 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee 
 in thy store-houses, and in all that thou settest thy 
 hand unto : and he shall bless thee in the land which 
 the Lord thy God giveth thee. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 63 
 
 OBEDIENCE. 
 
 " Obey my voice, and I will be your God. 5 Jar. vii. 23. 
 
 FATHER ! I strive to seek 
 The strait and narrow way : 
 
 I know thou wilt not fail to hear, 
 When I for guidance pray. 
 
 Oh ! help me to obey 
 
 Thy wise and gracious will ; 
 Teach this young heart thy love to prize, 
 
 And holy fear instil. 
 
 Oh ! wean me from the world, 
 
 That spreads around its snares, 
 
 Let not my soul be tempted by 
 Th' alluring smile it wears. 
 
 Teach me to bear the cross, 
 
 Thou dost in mercy send : 
 'T will bring me to my Saviour's arms, 
 
 And strength unearthly lend. 
 
 That Saviour will support 
 
 My soul with heav'nly pow'r ; 
 
 He bore a heavier cross than mine 
 
 He felt a dying hour. 
 
64 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Bct . : 17. 
 
 AjFTKB tin I be beJd, and lo, a great multitude. 
 
 -.no ma: namber, of a- and 
 
 J tongues, stood before the 
 
 ::b, clothed with white 
 
 their ha 
 
 1 cried with a load - E nation to 
 
 our God :-th upon the throne, and unto the 
 
 1 
 
 I one of - answere ■ unto me, 
 
 ichare arrayed in white r: 
 and whence came they ? 
 
 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he 
 ese are they which came out of great 
 ition, and ha i their robes, and made 
 
 them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
 
 The e they before the throne of God, and 
 
 E him day and night in his temple : and he that 
 
 i on the throne shall dwell among them. 
 
 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any 
 
 - . neither shall the sun light on them, nor any 
 
 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne 
 1 :hera, and shall lead them unto living foun- 
 of waters ; and God shall wipe away all tears 
 their e 
 
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 TV 
 
 E : : T: i.;-: :•■*. ;:: .-. ::.■*: M:-.:.". Z.:.~. 1.1: .1"..: ::. ■: :.:~ :•: ". i-: 
 
 T - ; -":.f: ".~e :.i"e:fi:: : : _~ : -i:e : : : -:s: . 
 
 3 ^ : : u : 71 - 1 e t '::. r : - e - ':. e. '. -e 
 
 Strive :..t.. :.•-.. :.: reicb :ii.: 
 
 Jes -.5 : 1 ;■• Si — ; : 1: z 1 i's lire ;:z:.- . 
 
 T 1 r . 
 
 We shall be ever happy tfaeire, 
 
 A::.: :"fe" :. -:*::- — r/:~f: :: :i:.: 
 The joys of angels we shall share,, 
 
 ; 
 Tiiine. 7i::.e:'. ::-v I 5:::^ : : : e. 
 
 Ar.i e: ::e ^:^: ~; i::r:::: ::. :*:. ee 
 
66 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. cxli. 1 and 2. 
 
 J-iORD, I cry unto thee : make haste unto me ; 
 give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. 
 
 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense ; 
 and the lifting up of my hands as the evening 
 sacrifice. 
 
 Ps. v. 3. 
 
 IVJLY voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord ; 
 in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, 
 and will look up. 
 
 Is. lxv. 24. 
 
 AND it shall come to pass, that before they call, I 
 will answer ; and while they are yet speaking, I 
 will hear. 
 
 Matt.vi. 5 and 6. 
 
 A.ND when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the 
 hypocrites are : for they love to pray standing in 
 the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets,, 
 that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto 
 you, They have their reward. 
 
 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy 
 closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to 
 thy Father which is in secret ; and thy Father, 
 which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 
 
SACRED MELODIES, 67 
 
 DAILY PRAYER. 
 
 :{ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud ; 
 find he shall hear my voice." Psalm lv. 17. 
 
 SAVIOUR, let my humble prayer 
 To thy throne in beav'n ascend ; 
 
 All my youthful faults regretting, 
 Lowly on my knees I bend. 
 
 Saviour, let not wicked anger 
 
 Rule a breast so young as mine ; 
 
 Oh ! let gentle peace descending, 
 Make my heart entirely thine. 
 
 Saviour, let me ask thy blessing 
 Ev'ry morning when I rise ; 
 
 And as each day's sun 's declining, 
 Pray to thee beyond the skies. 
 
 Saviour, pardon all my errors, 
 
 Lead my youthful heart to thee ; 
 
 And upon thy care depending, 
 
 To thy sheltering arms I flee. 
 
£3 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. lxxxiv. 1 to 4 and 7. 
 HOW amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of 
 
 liosts ' 
 
 My soul longetli, yea, even fainteth for the courts 
 of the Lord : my heart and tny flesh crieth out for 
 the living God. 
 
 Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the 
 swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her 
 young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, 
 and my God. 
 
 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they 
 will be still praising thee. 
 
 They go from strength to strength, every one oj 
 them in Zion appeareth before God. 
 
 Ps. lxxxiv. 10 to 12. 
 FOR a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. 
 I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my 
 God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 
 
 For the Lord God is a sun and shield : the Lord 
 will give grace and glory; no good thing will he 
 withhold from them that walk uprightly. 
 
 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth 
 in thee. 
 
 Ps. lxv. 4. 
 
 BLESSED is the man whom thou choosest, and 
 causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in 
 thy courts : we shall be satisfied with the goodness 
 of thy house, even of thy holy temple. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 69 
 
 SABBATH EVENING. 
 
 u I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in 
 truth." 3 John 4. 
 
 J_ HE sun has sunk beneath the sky, 
 And stars are lighted up on high ; 
 Another Sabbath-day has past, 
 Perhaps on earth to be my last. 
 
 And if before a week has flown 
 God should recall me as his own ; 
 Oh ! am I now prepar'd to die, 
 And meet my Saviour in the sky 1 
 
 Is there no wicked deed or word, 
 Which God in heav'n has seen or heard ; 
 And which will make me fear to meet 
 My Saviour on his judgment seat ? 
 
 Have I to others gentle been, 
 
 And check'd the angry thought within ? 
 
 Or have I yielded to my pride, 
 
 And hop'd from God that sin to hide ? 
 
 Oh ! let me learn to love him here, 
 That when I at his bar appear, 
 My many sins may be forgiv'n 
 And I may dwell with him in heav'n. 
 
 7 
 
70 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Heb. xii. 5 to 11. 
 
 IVxY son, despise not thou the chastening of the 
 Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him : 
 
 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and 
 scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 
 
 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as 
 with sons : for what son is he whom the father chas- 
 teneth not 1 
 
 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are 
 partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 
 
 Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh 
 which corrected us, and we gave them reverence : 
 shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the 
 Father of spirits, and live ? 
 
 For they verily for a few days chastened us after 
 their own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that we 
 might be partakers of his holiness. 
 
 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be 
 joyous, but grievous : nevertheless, afterward it 
 yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto 
 them which are exercised thereby. 
 
 Job i. 21. 
 
 IN AKED came I out of my mother's womb, and 
 naked shall i return thither: The Lord gave, and 
 the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of 
 the Lord. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. *j \ 
 
 RESIGNATION. 
 
 "Father! if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; never- 
 theless, not my will, but thine, be done." Luke xxii. 42. 
 
 1 EACH me, oh ! God, my wishes to resign, 
 
 When thou recall's! the gifts thou dost bestow ; 
 It ill becomes thy creatures to repine, 
 
 When all they have, to thee alone they owe. 
 
 The health that now invigorates this frame, 
 May soon give place to sickness' painful sway : 
 
 From thee alone the precious blessing came, 
 'Twas thine to give— 'tis thine to take away. 
 
 Trials which heretofore have been withheld, 
 May try my soul with anguish now unknown ; 
 
 Thy chastening rod will future comfort yield, 
 And give in joy, what I in tears have sown. 
 
 Fearing no ill— dreading no earthly loss— 
 
 The christian's soul from sinful murm'rings free ; 
 
 May cast its burthen on the Saviour's cross, 
 And without tears resign its will to thee. 
 
12 
 
 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 1 Tim. i. 15. 
 
 JL HIS is a faithful saying, and worthy of all accep- 
 tation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save 
 sinners ; of whom I am chief. 
 
 John iii. 16 and 17. 
 
 VJOD so loved the world, that he gave his only be- 
 gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should 
 not perish, but have everlasting life. 
 
 For God sent not his Son into the world to con- 
 demn the world, but that the world through him 
 might be saved. 
 
 John iv. 13 and 14. 
 
 WHOSOEVER drinketh of this water, shall thirst 
 again : 
 
 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall 
 give him, shall never thirst ; but the water that I 
 shall give him, shall be in him a well of water 
 springing up into everlasting life. 
 
 Matt, xviii. 11. 
 
 JL HE Son of man is come to save that which 
 was lost. 
 
 Heb. vii. 25. 
 
 WHEREFORE he is able also to save them to 
 the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing 
 he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 
 
S.iCRED MELODIES. 73 
 
 SALVATION. 
 
 :: There is none other name under heaven given among men 
 whereby we must be saved." Acts iv. 12. 
 
 J ESUS ! source of my salvation, 
 Lead me to that healing spring ; 
 
 Open'd freely to each nation, 
 Flowing yet, relief to bring. 
 
 Guide, oh ! guide me to that fountain 
 Streaming still, a hallow'd rlood ; 
 
 From thy throne on Zion's mountain, 
 View the sinner through thy blood. 
 
 Lost and ruin'd — all degraded — 
 Man may at thy footstool bow ; 
 
 Love divine was never shaded, 
 Let me try its mercy now. 
 
 If a heart to thee surrender'd, 
 Proves its penitence sincere ; 
 
 Thou'lt forgive though it had wander'd, 
 And revoke its doom severe. 
 
 Thine the suff'ring — thine the power 
 To release the soul from sin ; 
 
 Break thou my fetters from this hour, 
 Help me future bliss to win. 
 7* 
 
74 
 
 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Eph. vi. 1 to 3. 
 
 CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord : for 
 this is right. 
 
 Honor thy father and mother, (which is the first 
 commandment with promise,) 
 
 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest 
 live long on the earth. 
 
 Prov. x. 1. 
 
 A. WISE son maketh a glad father : but a foolish 
 son is the heaviness of his mother. 
 
 Prov. xv. 5. 
 
 J\- FOOL despiseth his father's instruction : but 
 he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 
 
 Prov. vi. 20 to 23. 
 
 lVlY son, keep thy father's commandment, and for- 
 sake not the law of thy mother : 
 
 Bind them continually upon thy heart, and tie 
 them about thy neck. 
 
 When thou goest, it shall lead thee ; when thou 
 sleepest, it shall keep thee ; and when thou awakest, 
 it shall talk with thee. 
 
 For the commandment is a lamp ; and the law 
 is light ; and reproofs of instruction are the way 
 of life. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 75 
 
 FILIAL DUTY. 
 
 c: Honor thy father and thy mother." Exodus xx. 12. 
 
 VJTOD loves the child who early fears 
 
 To give fond parents pain, 
 By angry words or fretful tears, 
 
 When they some wish restrain. 
 
 For children surely cannot know 
 
 What prudence would condemn ; 
 
 And parents gladly will bestow, 
 What is the best for them. 
 
 And let not disobedience wound 
 The tender hearts of those 
 
 Who nurs'd your infancy, and found 
 A balm for all your woes. 
 
 They rock'd your cradle — but the grave 
 May soon their forms contain ; 
 
 Then you will wish, and yearn, and crave, 
 Their love to know again. 
 
76 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. li. 17. 
 
 X HE sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a 
 broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not 
 despise. 
 
 Ps. xxxiv. 18. 
 
 _L HE Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken 
 heart ; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 
 
 Luke xviii. 9 to 14. 
 
 AND he (Jesus) spake this parable unto certain 
 which trusted in themselves that they were righte- 
 ous, and despised others : 
 
 Two men went up into the temple to pray ; the 
 one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 
 
 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 
 God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, 
 extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this pub- 
 lican. 
 
 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that 
 I possess. 
 
 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift 
 up so much as 7iis eyes unto heaven, but smote upon 
 his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 
 
 I tell you, this man went down to his house justi- 
 fied rather than the other : for every one that exalt- 
 eth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth 
 himself shall be exalted. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 77 
 
 HUMILITY. 
 
 " Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift 
 you up." James iv. 10. 
 
 -H.ELP me, oh ! Father, to subdue 
 
 My heart's inherent pride ; 
 My secret sins hold up to view — 
 Repentance let me now renew — 
 
 Nor strive my guilt to hide. 
 
 Thou know'st my wand'rings — Thou alone 
 
 This erring heart canst see ; 
 Oh! may the mercies I have known, 
 Make my young spirit all thine own, 
 And lead my steps to thee. 
 
 Thou canst repress the rising pride 
 That 'gainst thee would rebel ; 
 
 The contrite sinner thou wilt guide, 
 
 And turn the shafts of sin aside, 
 And Satan's temptings quell. 
 
 Unworthy of thy tender care 
 
 I often stray from thee ; 
 Oh ! may I humbly seek in pray'r 
 Thy heavenly regard to share, 
 
 And strive from sin to flee. 
 
78 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. Ixv. I and 2. 
 
 X RAISE waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion : and 
 unto thee shall the vow be performed. 
 
 O thou that nearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh 
 come. 
 
 Ps. Ixv. 8 to 13. 
 
 i HEY also that dwell in the uttermost parts are 
 afraid at thy tokens : thou makest the out-goings of 
 the morning and evening to rejoice. 
 
 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it : thou 
 greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is 
 full of water : thou preparest them corn, when thou 
 hast so provided for it. 
 
 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly : 
 thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it 
 soft with showers : thou blessest the springing 
 thereof. 
 
 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness ; and 
 thy paths drop fatness. 
 
 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness : 
 and the little hills rejoice on every side. 
 
 The pastures are clothed with flocks ; the valleys 
 also are covered over with corn j they shout for joy, 
 they also sing. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 79 
 
 THE SEASONS. 
 
 : ' Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did 
 good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling 
 our hearts with food and gladness.' 5 Acts xiv. 17. 
 
 J X Spring, behold the tender bud 
 Just peeping from the stem ; 
 
 While tiny leaflets cloth'd in green, 
 Compose its diadem. 
 
 In Summer, see the op'ning flow'r 
 
 Its brilliant tints display ; 
 It gives fair promise of the fruit, 
 
 That will our toil repay. 
 
 In Autumn, see the plenteous store 
 We gather from the field ; 
 
 No hand but that of God could cause 
 The earth such fruit to yield. 
 
 But Winter comes — 'tis that the ground 
 May 'neath the snow repose ; 
 
 To gain fresh fruitfulness and strength, 
 Ere Spring's next blossom blows. 
 
 In ev'ry season let me trace 
 
 The goodness all divine, 
 That watches o'er the seed I plant, 
 
 And makes the increase mine. 
 
SO TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Phil. ii. 5 to 11. 
 
 JLiET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ 
 Jesus : 
 
 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not 
 robbery to be equal with G-od : 
 
 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon 
 him the form of a servant, and was made in the like- 
 ness of men ; 
 
 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled 
 himself, and became obedient unto death, even the 
 death of the cross. 
 
 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and 
 given him a name which is above every name : 
 
 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 
 of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things 
 under the earth ; 
 
 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus 
 Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
 
 Rev. v. 12 and 13. 
 
 W ORTHY is the Lamb that was slain to receive 
 power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and 
 honor, and glory, and blessing. 
 
 And every creature which is in heaven, and on 
 the earth, and under the earth, and. such as are in 
 the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying 
 Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, he unto 
 him thatsitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, 
 for ever and ever. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 81 
 
 THE CROSS. 
 
 u God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ." Gal. vi. 14. 
 
 A HE cross of Christ, oh ! pilgrim, view, 
 'T will cheer thee on thy weary road ; 
 Its friendly shade will strength renew — 
 Its shelter prove a blest abode. 
 
 The cross of Christ, oh ! mortal, see, 
 It points a home beyond the grave ; 
 
 A Saviour died upon that tree, 
 
 That Saviour lives thy soul to save. 
 
 The cross of Christ, oh ! sinner, seek, 
 And lay thy heavy burthen there ; 
 
 No pray'rs, no tears, can ever speak 
 
 The gratitude thy heart should share. 
 
 The cross of Christ, oh ! christian, prize — 
 It stands between thy Judge and thee; 
 
 A pledg'd memorial in his eyes, 
 An ark of safety still to be. 
 
82 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Matt. v. 6. 
 
 XjLESSED are they which do hunger and thirst 
 after righteousness : for they shall be filled. 
 
 Ps. xxxvii. 23 to 29. 
 
 JL HE steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : 
 and he delighteth in his way. 
 
 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down : 
 for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. 
 
 1 have been young, and now am old ; yet have I 
 not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging 
 bread. 
 
 He is ever merciful and lendeth ; and his seed is 
 blessed. 
 
 Depart from evil, and do good ; and dwell for 
 evermore. 
 
 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not 
 his saints ; they are preserved for ever : but the 
 seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 
 
 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell 
 therein for ever. 
 
 Ps. xxxvii. 6. 
 
 AND he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the 
 light, and thy judgment as the noon-day. 
 
 Ps. xxxvii. 9. 
 
 JT OR evil doers shall be cut off: but those that 
 wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 83 
 
 HOLINESS. 
 
 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no 
 man shall see the Lord." Heb. xii. 14. 
 
 A HOU great Jehovah ! in whose sight 
 The hue of heaven is not pure ; 
 
 Illume my soul with wisdom's light, 
 And teach me virtue to secure. 
 
 With tears to thee I humbly pray, 
 
 Oh ! wash my guiltiness away. 
 
 My feeble efforts can but fail, 
 
 Unless thy grace assistance give ; 
 
 Almighty power can prevail, 
 
 And bid the contrite sinner live. 
 
 That grace I crave — that pow'r implore — 
 Oh 1 make me thine for evermore. 
 
 Though young in years I know thy will, 
 And wish the paths of sin to shun ; 
 
 The stream of grace is flowing still — 
 Its precious blessings may be won. 
 
 To thee, oh ! God, I humbly pray, 
 
 Wash thou my guiltiness away. 
 
84 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Luke xii. 22 to 31. 
 
 XxND he (Jesus) said unto his disciples, There- 
 fore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, 
 what ye shall eat ; neither for the body, what ye 
 shall put on. 
 
 The life is more than meat, and the body is more 
 than raiment. 
 
 Consider the ravens : for they neither sow nor 
 reap : which neither have store-house nor barn ; and 
 God feedeth them. How much more are ye better 
 than the fowls ? 
 
 And which of you with taking thought can add 
 to his stature one cubit 1 
 
 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is 
 least, why take ye thought for the rest ? 
 
 Consider the lilies how they grow. They toil not, 
 they spin not ; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon 
 in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 
 
 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to-day 
 in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven ; 
 how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little 
 faith % 
 
 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye 
 shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 
 
 For all these things do the nations of the world 
 seek after : and your Father knoweth that ye have 
 need of these things. 
 
 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all 
 these things shall be added unto you. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 85 
 
 TRUST IN GOD. 
 
 ;( Cast thy burthen upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." 
 
 Psalm lv. 22. 
 
 vJH ! let me trust in God, 
 
 And fear no earthly ill ; 
 Convinc'd that he will shelter those 
 
 Who strive to do his will. 
 
 The lily of the field 
 
 In gorgeous robe I see ; 
 
 The God who ting'd its glowing hue, 
 Will also care for me. 
 
 The sparrow to its home 
 
 In other climes can flee ; 
 
 The God who guides it on the wing, 
 That God will care for me. 
 
 His pow'r divine, I trace 
 
 In each created thing ; 
 The blade of grass — the tow'ring oak 
 
 By him are made to spring. 
 
 Thus far throughout my life, 
 
 I've known his guardian care; 
 
 Oh ! may I still his goodness trust, 
 And his protection share. 
 
 8* 
 
86 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Is. i. 16 to 18. 
 
 W ASH you, make you clean : put away the evil 
 of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do 
 evil ; 
 
 Learn to do well ; seek judgment, relieve the op- 
 pressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 
 
 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the 
 Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be 
 as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, 
 they shall be as wool. 
 
 i, 
 
 Is. xliii. 25. 
 
 EVEN I, am he that blotteth out thy trans- 
 gression for mine own sake, and will not remember 
 thy sins. 
 
 Is. xliv. 22. 
 
 X HAVE blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy trans- 
 gressions, and as a cloud, thy sins : return unto me ; 
 for I have redeemed thee. 
 
 I John i. 7 to 9. 
 
 XF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we 
 have fellowship one with another, and the blood of 
 Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 
 
 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our- 
 selves, and the truth is not in us. 
 
 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to 
 forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- 
 righteousness. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 87 
 
 PARDON. 
 
 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his 
 thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have 
 mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon . 
 
 Is. lv. 7. 
 
 XVE MEMBER not, oh ! God, the sins of early years, 
 
 Nor mark the guilt that clings to this frail form 
 
 of clay ; 
 
 My youthful errors have been mourn'd with bitter 
 
 tears, 
 
 Yet tears of blood, alas, can ne'er wash sin away. 
 
 Another's intercession can with thee prevail — 
 Another's sacrifice can for my sins atone — 
 
 There is a fountain open'd that can never fail, 
 Its living waters cleanse the heart they flow upon. 
 
 Yes ! Father, here I plead, a Saviour's thorny 
 crown — ■ 
 
 A Saviour's heavy cross — a Saviour's cruel rod — 
 For me, those mortal suft'rings bore his spirit down, 
 
 For me, he fac'd the wrath of an offended God. 
 
 Beneath that blood-stain'd cross, my refuge I have 
 found ; 
 No mourning pilgrim to its shade e'er vainly came; 
 A blest Redeemer's arms my timid soul surround, 
 Thou, Father, wilt forgive, when I that shelter 
 claim. 
 
88 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. xlvi. I to 3. 
 
 vJOD is our refuge and strength, a very present 
 help in trouble. 
 
 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be 
 removed, and though the mountains be carried into 
 the midst of the sea ; 
 
 Though the waters thereof roar and. be troubled, 
 though the mountains shake with the swelling 
 thereof. 
 
 Ps. Ixii; 7 and 8. 
 
 IN God is my salvation and my glory : the rock of 
 my strength, and my refuge, is in God* 
 
 Trust in him at all times ; ye people, pour out 
 your heart before him :. God is a refuge for us. 
 
 John xv. 13 to 16. 
 
 VJREATER love hath no man than this, that a 
 man lay down his life for his friends. 
 
 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I com- 
 mand you. 
 
 Henceforth I call you not servants ; for the ser- 
 vant knoweth not what his lord doeth : but I have 
 called you friends ; for all things that I have heard 
 of my Father, I have made known unto you. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 89 
 
 THF BETTER FRIEND. 
 
 1 There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother ." 
 
 Prov. xviii. 24. 
 
 W HERE shall I seek a steadfast friend, 
 When earthly cares my spirit grieve % 
 
 When sorrows with ray comforts blende 
 And hope allures but to deceive ? 
 
 A father's kindness oft will cheer 
 
 The gloom of dark dejection's hour ; 
 
 A mother's love is doubly dear, 
 
 When clouds upon our pathway IbwV. 
 
 A youthful friend our lot may share, 
 Give smile for smile, and tear for tear ; 
 
 Yet buds that early friendships bear, 
 May blossom, but to wither here. 
 
 Ay, time or change may blight the love, 
 To which in youth we fondly cling ; 
 
 When earth deceives, we look above, 
 And seek the peace, that hope can bring. 
 
 A better friend is waiting there, 
 
 To soothe our griefs, and cheer our way ; 
 He never slights the suppliant's pray'r — 
 
 His friendship never knows decay. 
 
90 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Is. liii. 3 to 9. 
 
 JlAE (Christ) is despised and rejected of men ; a 
 man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we 
 hid as it were our faces from him ; he was despised, 
 and we esteemed him not. 
 
 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our 
 sorrows : yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten 
 of God, and afflicted. 
 
 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he 
 was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement of 
 our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we 
 are healed. 
 
 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have 
 turned every one to his own way ; and the Lord 
 hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 
 
 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he 
 opened not his mouth ; he is brought as a lamb to 
 the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is 
 dumb, so he opened not his mouth. 
 
 He was taken from prison and from judgment : 
 and who shall declare his generation % for he was 
 cut off out of the land of the living : for the trans- 
 gression of my people was he stricken. 
 
 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with 
 the rich in his death ; because he had done no vio- 
 lence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 91 
 
 THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST. 
 
 "A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Is* liii. 3. 
 
 M: 
 
 .Y Saviour, thou hast felt 
 Th' extreme of earthly wo ; 
 From Bethlehem's manger to the grave, 
 Thou didst no comforts know. 
 
 The bird can find a home, 
 
 And weave its downy bed ; 
 The Son of man, he knew not where 
 
 To lay his weary head. 
 
 They plac'd a crown of thorns 
 
 Upon that sacred brow ; 
 They knelt to thee in mockery, 
 
 Nor fear'd in scorn to bow. 
 
 A heavy cross was thine, 
 
 My Saviour, and my God ; 
 No mortal foot could tread the path 
 
 Which love divine hath trod. 
 
 Oh ! let thy sufferings melt 
 
 This stony heart of mine ; 
 Teach me repentance at thy cross, 
 
 And make my spirit thine. 
 
92 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Matt. ii. 3 to 10. 
 
 W HEN Herod the king had heard these things, he 
 was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 
 
 And when he had gathered all the chief priests 
 and scribes of the people together, he demanded of 
 them where Christ should be born. 
 
 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea : 
 for thus it is written by the prophet, 
 
 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not 
 the least among the princes of Juda : for out of thee 
 shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people 
 Israel. 
 
 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise 
 men, inquired of them diligently what time the star 
 appeared. 
 
 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, 
 and search diligently for the young child : and 
 when ye have found kim, bring me word again, that 
 I may come and worship him also. 
 
 When they had heard the king, they departed ; 
 and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went 
 before them, till it came and stood over where the 
 young child was. 
 
 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with ex- 
 ceeding great joy. 
 
 Rev. xxii. 16. 
 
 A AM am the root and the offspring of David, and 
 the bright and morning star. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 93 
 
 THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. 
 
 "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the 
 brightness of thy rising." Is. lx. 3. 
 
 A. HERE is a Star whose glowing light 
 
 Shines fairer than the eastern gem ; 
 Whose dazzling rays are always bright-*- 
 It is the Star of Bethlehem. 
 
 In highest heav'n it beams serene 
 On rich and poor — alike for them ; 
 
 The weary pilgrim hails the gleam 
 Of that fair Star of Bethlehem. 
 
 It rose upon a darken'd scene, 
 
 And shed the light of mystic gem f 
 
 On ev'ry eye that met the beam 
 Of that bright Star of Bethlehem. 
 
 *T is shining still for all who gaze, 
 And wish the waves of sin to stem ; 
 
 It lights the path of him who strays — 
 That guiding Star of Bethlehem. 
 
 It points to heav'n — it shows a crown 
 More bright than kingly diadem ; 
 
 'T will guide thee safe life's current down 
 That hallow'd Star of Bethlehem. 
 9 
 
94 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Mark xii. 41 to 44. 
 
 xxND Jesus sat over against the treasury, and be- 
 held how the people cast money into the treasury : 
 and many that were rich cast in much. 
 
 And there came a certain poor widow, and she 
 threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 
 
 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith 
 unto them, .Verily, I say unto you, That this poor 
 widow hath cast more in, than all they which have 
 cast into the treasury. 
 
 For all they did cast in of their abundance : but 
 she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all 
 her living. 
 
 1 Pet. iv. 8 to 10. 
 
 .xjLBOVE all things have fervent charity among 
 yourselves : for charity shall cover the multitude 
 of sins. 
 
 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 
 
 As every man hath received the gift, even so 
 minister the same one to another, as good stewards 
 of the manifold grace of God. 
 
 Is. lviii. 10. 
 
 IF thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and sa- 
 tisfy the afflicted soul ; then shall thy light rise in 
 obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon-day. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 95 
 
 CHARITY. 
 
 " Above all things put on charity, which is the bond of per- 
 fectness." Col. iii. 14. 
 
 Jb ATHER ! let thy love descending 
 Warm my soul with rays divine ; 
 
 Oh ! let christian graces blending, 
 In my daily conduct shine. 
 
 Kind to others, though they harm me, 
 May I learn the cross to bear ; 
 
 Human foes cannot alarm me, 
 Satan's guile is all I fear. 
 
 Oh ! may ev'ry precious blessing 
 Thou hast lavish'd upon me, 
 
 Be shar'd with others not possessing 
 Those good gifts that come from thee. 
 
 Check each selfish — unkind feeling 
 This young heart hath ever known ; 
 
 Let my pray'r to thee appealing, 
 Make my brother's cause my own. 
 
 Not in vain shall I have striven, 
 If one pray'r an answer earns ; 
 
 All I have, by thee was given — 
 All I give, to thee returns. 
 
96 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. xc. 1 to 1.0. 
 
 XjORD, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all 
 generations. 
 
 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever 
 thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even 
 from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 
 
 Thou turnest man to destruction ; and sayest, 
 Return, ye children of men. 
 
 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yes- 
 terday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 
 
 Thou earnest them away as with a flood; they are 
 as a sleep ; in the morning they are like grass which 
 groweth up. 
 
 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up ; in 
 the evening it is cut down, and withereth. 
 
 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy 
 wrath are we troubled. 
 
 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret 
 sins in the light of thy countenance. 
 
 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath : 
 we spend our years, as a tale that is told. 
 
 The days of our years are threescore years and 
 ten ; and if by reason of strength tkey be fourscore 
 years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow ; for it 
 is soon cut off, and we fly away. 
 
SAGRED MELODIES. 97 
 
 THE CLOSING YEAR. 
 
 " So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts 
 unto wisdom." Psalm xc. 12. 
 
 1 HEAR the knell of the departing year 
 As it goes down to an unfathom'd tomb ; 
 
 How many joys are laid upon its bier — 
 
 How many hopes have set, like it, in gloom. 
 
 The worldling's cherish'd pleasures are no more, 
 For death hath call'd the spirit to its home ; 
 
 The dawning year, fair buds of promise bore, 
 
 Whose wish'd for fruit, to him could never come. 
 
 The friends we lov'd — the dear ones by our side, 
 Have one by one return'd to kindred clay ; 
 
 Each passing year goes by with rapid stride, 
 
 And tears some blessings of this life away. 
 
 Yet a bright gleam of joy illumes the past, 
 As mem'ry calls to mind the happy few ; 
 
 Around whose dying hour religion cast 
 Her glowing halo of celestial hue. 
 
 Oh ! Father, give me grace while youth is mine, 
 To mark the rapid flight of passing years ; 
 
 T' obey the precepts that will make me thine, 
 And so to live, that death may bring no fears. 
 9* 
 
98 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Eph. vi. 11 to 18. 
 
 _t UT on the whole armour of God, that ye may be 
 able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
 
 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but 
 against principalities, against powers, against the 
 rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiri- 
 tual wickedness in high places. 
 
 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of 
 God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil 
 day, and having done all, to stand. 
 
 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with 
 truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteous- 
 ness. 
 
 And your feet shod with the preparation of the 
 gospel of peace ; 
 
 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith 
 ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the 
 wicked. 
 
 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword 
 of the Spirit, which is the word of God : 
 
 Piaying always with all prayer and supplication 
 in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all per- 
 severance and supplication for all saints. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 99 
 
 CHRISTIAN WARFARE. 
 
 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye 
 may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to 
 stand." Eph. vi. 13. 
 
 V-/H ! speed thee, Christian, on thy way, 
 
 And to thy armour cling ; 
 With girded loins the call obey 
 
 That grace and mercy bring. 
 
 There is a battle to be fought — 
 
 An uphill race to run — 
 A crown of glory to be sought — 
 
 A vie fry to be won. 
 
 The shield of faith, will blunt the dart 
 That Satan's hand may throw ; 
 
 His arrow cannot reach thy heart, 
 If Christ control the bow. 
 
 The glowing lamp of pray'r, will light 
 Thee on thy anxious road ; 
 
 'T will keep the goal of heav'n in sight, 
 And guide thee to thy God. 
 
 Oh ! faint not, Christian, for thy sighs 
 Are heard before his throne ; 
 
 The race must come before the prize — 
 The cross before the crown. 
 
100 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. xv. 1 and 2. 
 
 JLiORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle 1 who 
 shall dwell in thy holy hill ? 
 
 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righte- 
 ousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 
 
 Zech. viii. 16 and 17. 
 
 -L HESE are the things that ye shall do ; speak ye 
 every man the truth to his neighbor ; execute the 
 judgment of truth and peace in your gates : 
 
 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts 
 against his neighbor ; and love no false oath : for 
 all these are thirigs that I hate, saith the Lord. 
 
 Ps. xxxiv. 13. 
 
 IvEEP thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from 
 speaking guile. 
 
 Prov. xii. 19. 
 
 JL HE lip of truth shall be established for ever : 
 but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 
 
 Ps. li. 6. 
 
 JDEHOLD, thou desirest truth, in the inward 
 parts : and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to 
 know wisdom. 
 
 Eph. iv. 25. 
 
 W HEREFORE, putting away lying, speak every 
 man truth with his neighbor : for we are members 
 one of another. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 101 
 
 TRUTH. 
 
 " Lying lips are abomination to the Lord; but they that deal 
 truly are his delight." Prov. xii. 22. 
 
 J\. MONG the varied snares of sin, 
 By which the tempter seeks to win 
 
 The souls of thoughtless youth, 
 None will so easily betray, 
 And lead us into danger's way, 
 
 As disregard for truth. 
 
 The word untrue, or insincere, 
 Will in the eye of God, appear 
 
 A sin of deepest dye ; 
 Our motives he will closely scan, 
 And fathom the most subtle plan 
 
 That Satan's wile can try. 
 
 Oh ! let us strive a watch to keep 
 Upon those thoughts, that lie so deep 
 
 Within th' unguarded soul ; 
 That Satan may not tempt our youth, 
 To leave those sacred paths of truth, 
 
 That lead to Virtue's goal. 
 
102 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Ps. xxvii. 10. 
 
 W HEN my father and my mother forsake me, 
 then the Lord will take me up. 
 
 Ps. lxviii. 5. 
 
 J\. father of the fatherless, and a judge of the 
 widows, is God in his holy habitation. 
 
 Is. xli. 10. 
 
 JL EAR thou not ; for I am with thee : be not dis- 
 mayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee : 
 yea, I will help thee : yea, I will uphold thee with 
 the right hand of my righteousness. 
 
 Is. xli. 13. 
 
 Ju OR I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, 
 saying unto thee, Fear not ; I will help thee. 
 
 Is. xliii. 2. 
 
 W HEN thou passest through the waters, I will he 
 with thee ; and through the rivers, they shall not 
 overflow thee : when thou walkest through the fire, 
 thou shalt not be burned ; neither shall the flame 
 kindle upon thee. 
 
 Jer. xlix. 11. 
 
 I jEAVE thy fatherless children, I will preserve 
 them alive ; and let thy widows trust in me. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 103 
 
 THE DESTITUTE ORPHAN'S PRAYER. 
 
 11 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise 
 their prayer." Psalm cii. 17. 
 
 My Father ! I am left alone, 
 
 Without a tender parent's care ; 
 
 I have no friend — I have no home — 
 Oh ! listen to the orphan's pray'r. 
 
 Be thou the guardian of my youth, 
 And let me thy protection share ; 
 
 Instruct me in the ways of truth — 
 
 Oh ! Father, 't is the orphan's pray'r. 
 
 Save me from the wiles of sin — 
 
 Save me from each worldly snare — 
 
 Make me holy, pure within — 
 
 It is the erring orphan's pray'r. 
 
 If earthly friends should be denied, 
 
 And life no cheering prospect wear; 
 
 Be thou my friend — be thou my guide — 
 It is the lonely orphan's pray'r. 
 
 Until the lamp of life decline, 
 
 Thou 'It feed its flame with holy care; 
 Only make me truly thine — 
 
 Oh ! Father, 't is the orphan's pray'r. 
 
104 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Psalm cxlviii. 
 
 X RAISE ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from 
 the heavens : praise him in the heights. 
 
 Praise ye him, all his angels : praise ye him, all 
 his hosts. 
 
 Praise ye him, sun, and moon : praise him, all ye 
 stars of light. 
 
 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters 
 that be above the heavens. 
 
 Let them praise the name of the Lord ; for he 
 commanded, and they were created. 
 
 He hath also established them for ever and ever : 
 he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 
 
 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and 
 all deeps : 
 
 Fire, and hail ; snow, and vapor : stormy wind 
 fulfilling his word : 
 
 Mountains, and all hills ; fruitful trees, and all 
 cedars : 
 
 Beasts, and all cattle ; creeping things, and flying 
 fowl : 
 
 Kings of the earth, and all people ; princes, and 
 all judges of the earth : 
 
 Both young men, and maidens ; old men, and 
 children : 
 
 Let them praise the name of the Lord : for his 
 name alone is excellent ; his glory is above the earth 
 and heaven. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 105 
 
 WORKS OF CREATION. 
 
 "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and 
 power, for thou hast created al things, and for thy pleasure they 
 are and were created." Rev. iv. 11. 
 
 \jrOD gave his mandate from on high, 
 And earth appear'd 'mid empty space^ 
 
 The wat'ry waste and vaulted sky, 
 Each quickly filPd its destin'd place. 
 
 The sun, a light to rule the day — 
 
 The soften'd moon by night to shine — 
 
 The twinkling stars, and milky way — 
 Proclaim a power all divine. 
 
 The flocks upon a thousand hills — 
 
 The birds that haunt the summer air — 
 
 The myriads in mountain rills — 
 Proclaim the God that plac'd them there. 
 
 Man too, most glorious of all, 
 
 Was form'd God's crowning work to be — 
 The spirit at its Maker's call 
 
 Awoke to immortality. 
 
 10 
 
106 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Luke x. 38 to 42. 
 
 i\ OW it came to pass, as they went, that he en- 
 tered into a certain village : and a certain woman, 
 named Martha, received him into her house. 
 
 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat 
 at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 
 
 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, 
 and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care 
 that my sister hath left me to serve alone ? bid her 
 therefore that she help me. 
 
 And Jesus answered, and said unto her, Martha, 
 Martha, thou art careful, and troubled about many 
 things : 
 
 But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen 
 that good part, which shall not be taken away 
 from her. 
 
 Matt. vi. 19 to 21. 
 
 J_jAY not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, 
 where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where 
 thieves break through and steal : 
 
 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
 where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 
 where thieves do not break through nor steal. 
 
 For where your treasure is, there will your heart 
 be also. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 107 
 
 THE ONE THING NEEDFUL. 
 
 " But one thing is needful." Luke x. 42. 
 
 JL HE things of earth must soon decay, 
 And fade like summer flow'rs away ; 
 The glitt'ring treasure of the mine, 
 Can only until death be thine — 
 The one thing needful strive to gain, 
 Christian, thou wilt not strive in vain. 
 
 The friends of earth may now caress, 
 And round thy path in gladness press; 
 Yet can they light thy dying hour, 
 Or soothe thee with a Saviour's pow'r ? 
 That heav'nly friend, oh strive to gain, 
 Christian, thou wilt not strive in vain. 
 
 The hopes of earth are broken reeds 
 Which pierce the heart that inly bleeds ; 
 They prop thee not when storms assail — 
 They stay thee not when comforts fail — 
 The hope of heav'n, oh ! strive to gain, 
 Christian, thou wilt not strive in vain. 
 
10S TEXTS OP SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Heb. xii. 22 to 24. 
 
 X E are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city 
 of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to 
 an innumerable company of angels, 
 
 To the general assembly and church of the first 
 born, which are written in heaven, and to God the 
 Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made 
 perfect, 
 
 And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, 
 and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better 
 things than that of Abel. 
 
 John xiv. 2, and 3, 
 
 XN my Father's house are many mansions : if it 
 were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare 
 a place for you. 
 
 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will 
 come again and receive you unto myself; that where 
 I am, there ye may be also. 
 
 Job iii. 17 and 18. 
 
 JL HERE the wicked cease from troubling ; and 
 there the weary be at rest. 
 
 There the prisoners rest together ; they hear not 
 the voice of the oppressor. 
 
 Rev. xiv. 13. 
 
 AND I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto 
 me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the 
 Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that 
 they may rest from their labors ; and their works do 
 follow them. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. 109 
 
 THE HEAVENLY REST. 
 
 11 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord : yea, saith the Spi- 
 rit, that they may rest from their labors." Rev. xiv. 13 . 
 
 JtVEST, pilgrim, rest, the thorny path is trod 
 That leads to an eternal, blest abode ; 
 No more thy weary feet shall trembling fail — 
 No more the blasts of sin thy soul assail. 
 
 Rest, wand'rer, rest, the home long sought is found- 
 Arid heav'nly friends thy spirit now surround ; 
 The lonely pilgrimage of life is done, 
 A happy mansion in the skies is won. 
 
 Rest, mourner, rest, thy grief hath pass'd away — 
 And earth's dark night is turn'd to endless day ; 
 The bitter tears no more in anguish flow — 
 No more thy soul can worldly sorrow know. 
 
 Rest, Christian, rest, the strife of sin is past, 
 And Christ hath giv'n thee victory at last ; 
 The crown of glory that adorns thy brow, 
 No earthly sin can tear it from thee now. 
 
110 TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 I John v. 5 to 12* 
 
 W HO is he that overcometh the world, but he 
 that believeth that Jesus is the son of God ? 
 
 This is he that came by water and blood, even 
 Jesus Christ ; not by water only, but by water and 
 blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, 
 because the Spirit is truth. 
 
 For there are three that bear record in heaven, 
 the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost : and 
 these three are one. 
 
 And there are three that bear witness in earth, 
 the spirit, and the water, and the blood : and these 
 three agree in one. 
 
 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of 
 God is greater : for this is the witness of God which 
 he hath testified of his Son. 
 
 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the 
 witness in himself: he that believeth not God, hath 
 made him a liar, because he believeth not the re- 
 cord that God gave of his Son. 
 
 And this is the record, that God hath given to us 
 eternal life : and this life is in his Son. 
 
 He that hath the Son, hath life ; and he that hath 
 not the Son of God, hath not life. 
 
SACRED MELODIES. Ill 
 
 SONG OF THANKSGIVING TO THE 
 TRINITY. 
 
 " For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the 
 Word, and the Holy Ghost : and these three are one." 1 John v. 7. 
 
 X* ATHER ! let my spirit praise thee 
 For the good thy hand bestows ; 
 
 Let me prize the grace that saves me, 
 And the love that from thee flows. 
 
 Saviour ! let me ever bless thee 
 
 For the mercy thou hast shown ; 
 
 Sin and sorrow may distress me — 
 But thou claim'st me as thy own. 
 
 Spirit ! may I ever prize thee 
 For thy sanctifying care ; 
 
 For the peace this world denies me, 
 And the happiness I share. 
 
 Father, Son, aud Spirit blending, 
 
 Holy Trinity I praise ; 
 Blessings to thy throne ascending, 
 
 From my youthful heart I raise. 
 
%* 
 
i -w :