Trust in thy Saviour's might, Yea, till thy latest breath, Then rise to glory from the field, Great words are these, and strong; Valour and victory; If God be for me in the field, GOD, THE CHIEF GOOD. Cowper. THOU art the source and centre of all minds, Their only point of rest, Eternal Word! From thee departing, they are lost, and rove At random, without honour, hope, or peace : From thee is all that soothes the life of man, His high endeavour, and his glad success, His strength to suffer, and his will to serve. But O, thou bounteous Giver of all good, Thou art of all thy gifts thyself the crown! Give what thou canst, without thee we are poor: And with thee rich, take what thou wilt away. ON HIS BLINDNESS. Milton. WHEN I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, NATURE. John Bedson. OH! what beauty and perfection Every object bears impression From the sun, that cheers creation, Is there one endow'd with reason, Air and water, light and darkness, Do continually bear witness To His wisdom, love, and power. Yet the volume of creation Speaks not to the troubled breast; Tells it not of a foundation, Where its hopes and fears may rest. Never have the works of nature How his much-offended Maker May to him be reconciled. Flower, nor tree, nor rock, nor mountain, That could wash his guilt away. Man could never yet discover, From the sky, the earth, or sea, When his days on earth are over, Where or what his state should be. But the page of Inspiration Casts a light upon the whole, Bringing peace and consolation To the never-dying soul: Guiding every true believer To a land of pure delight, Purchased by a dying Saviour, Far above yon starry height. PRAYER. John Davidson. WHEN with the morn I first awake, And glance upon the new-born day, Be gratitude my earliest theme, Then kindly, Lord, teach me to pray. Amidst the busy hum of men, When each pursues his worldly way, Detach my mind from earthly cares And lead me oft to Thee to pray. When evening's sable period comes, Teach me Thy goodness to record, Whene'er temptation me besets, To walk with Thee, I humbly pray. |