Olney Hymns (1840)/II

2 Amongst the foremost of the throng
Who dare thee to thy face,
He in rebellion stood too long,
And fought against thy grace.

3 But grace prevail'd, he mercy found.
And now by thee is sent,
To tell his fellow-rebels round,
And call them to repent.

4 In Jesus God is reconciled,
The worst may be forgiven;
Come, and he'll own you as a child,
And make you heir of heaven.

5 O may the word of gospel truth
Your chief desires engage!
And Jesus be your guide in youth,
Your joy in hoary age.

6 Perhaps the year that's now begun
May prove to some their last;
The sands of life may soon be run,
The day of grace be past.

7 Think, if you slight this embassy,
And will not warning take,
When Jesus in the clouds you see.
What answer will you make ?

1 WHEN Paul was parted from his friends
It was a weeping day;
But Jesus made them all amends,
And wiped their tears away.

2 Ere long they met again with joy
(Secure, no more to part,)
Where praises every tongue employ,
And pleasure fills each heart.

3 Thus all the preachers of His grace
Their children soon shall meet,

 
1 CHIEF Shepherd of thy chosen sheep,
From death and sin set free ;
May every under shepherd keep
His eye intent on thee !

2 With plenteous grace their hearts prepare
To execute thy will,
Compassion, patience, love, and care,
And faithfulness and skill.

3 Inflame their minds with holy zeal
Their flocks to feed and teach ;
And let them live, and let them feel
The sacred truths they preach.

4 Oh, never let the sheep complain,
That toys, which fools amuse,
Ambition, pleasure, praise, or gain,
Debase the shepherd s views.

5 He that for these forbears to feed
The souls whom Jesus loves,
Whate'er he may profess, or plead,
An idle shepherd proves.

6 The sword of God shall break his arm,
A blast shall blind his eye ;
His word shall have no power to warm,
His gifts shall all grow dry.

7 Lord, avert this heavy woe !
Let all thy shepherds say ;
And grace and strength on each bestow,
To labour while tis day.

 
1 SAVIOUR, visit thy plantation,
Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain !
All will come to desolation
Unless thou return again :

Keep no longer at a distance
Mime upon us from on high
Lest, for want of thine assistance,
Every plant should droop and die.

2 Surely once thy garden flourish'd
Every part look d gay and green;
Then thy word our spirits nourish'd
Happy seasons we have seen !
But a drought has since succeeded
And a sad decline we see
Lord thy help is greatly needed,
Help can only come from thee.

3 Where are those We counted leaders,
Fill'd with zeal and love and truth *
Old professors, tall as cedars,
Bright examples to our youth ?
borne, in whom we once delighted,
We shall meet no more below
Some, alas ! we fear are blighted
Scarce a single leaf they show/

4 Younger plants-the sight how pleasant-
Cover d thick with blossoms stood ;
But they cause us grief at present,
Frosts have nipp d them in the bud
Dearest Saviour, hasten hither
Thou canst make them bloom a*ain
Oh permit them not to wither,
Let not all our hopes be vain !

5 Let our mutual love be fervent
Make us prevalent in pray'rs
Let each one esteem d thy servant
Shun the world s bewitching snares;
Break the tempter s fatal power,
Turn the stony heart to flesh
And begin, from this good hour,
To revive thy work afresh

 
1 MY harp untuned, and laid aside,
(To cheerful hours the harp belongs,)
My cruel foes insulting cried,
" Come, sing us one of Zion s songs."

2 Alas ! when sinners, blindly bold,
At Zion scoff, and Zion s King;
When zeal declines, and love grows cold,
Is this a day for me to sing ?

3 Time was, whene er the saints I met,
With joy and praise my bosom glow d !
But now, like Eli, sad I sit,
And tremble for the ark of God.

4 While thus to grief my soul gave way
To see the work of God decline,
Methought I heard my Saviour say,
" Dismiss thy fears, the ark is mine.

5 " Though for a time I hide my face,
Rely upon my love and power ;
Still wrestle at a throne of grace,
And wait for a reviving hour.

6 " Take down thy long-neglected harp ;
I ve seen thy tears, and heard thy pray r;
The winter season has been sharp,
But spring shall all its wastes repair."

7 Lord, I obey ; my hopes revive ;
Come join with me, ye saints, and sing ;
Our foes in vain against us strive,
For God will help and healing bring.

 
1 THIS is the feast of heav nly wine,
And God invites to sup ;
The juices of the living vine
Were press d to fill the cup.

2 bless the Saviour, ye that eat,
With royal dainties fed ;
Not heaven affords a costlier treat,
For Jesus is the bread.

3 The vile, the lost, he calls to them,
Ye trembling souls, appear !|
The righteous in their own esteem
Have no acceptance here.

4 Approach, ye poor, nor dare refuse
The banquet spread for you :
Dear Saviour, this is welcome news,
Then I may venture too.

5 If guilt and sin afford a plea,
And may obtain a place,
Surely the Lord will welcome me.
And I shall see his face.

 
1 WHEN on the cross my Lord I see,
Bleeding to death for wretched me,
Satan and sin no more can move,
For I am all transform d to love.

2 His thorns and nails pierce through my heart,
In every groan I bear a part ;
I view his wounds with streaming eyes :

3 Come, sinners, view the Lamb of God,
Wounded and dead and bathed in blood !
Behold his side, and venture near,
The well of endless life is here.

4 Here I forget my cares and pains,
I drink yet still my thirst remains ;
Only the fountain-head above
Can satisfy the thirst of love.

5 Oh that I thus could always feel!
Lord, more and more thy love reveal!
Then my glad tongue shall loud proclaim
The grace and glory of thy name.

6 Thy name dispels my guilt and fear,
Revives my heart, and charms my ear,
Affords a balm for every wound,
And Satan trembles at the sound.

 
1 THE Saviour, what a noble flame
Was kindled in his breast,
When, hasting to Jerusalem,
He march d before the rest !

2 Good-will to men, and zeal for God,
His every thought engross ;
He longs to be baptized with blood,
He pants to reach the cross.

3 With all his suff rings full in view,
And woes to us unknown,
Forth to the task his spirit flew ;
Twas love that urged him on.

4 Lord, we return thee what we can !
Our hearts shall sound abroad,
Salvation to the dying Man,
And to the rising God !

5 And while thy bleeding glories here
Engage our wond ring eyes,

We learn our lighter cross to bear,
And hasten to the skies.

1 Let me dwell on Golgotha,
Weep and love my life away ,
While I see Him on the tree
Weep and bleed and die for me !

2 That dear blood for sinners spilt
Shows my sin in all its guilt ;
Ah ! my soul, He bore thy load,
Thou hast slain the Lamb of God.

3 Hark! his dying word, Forgive!
Father, let the sinner live :
Sinner, wipe thy tears away,
I thy ransom freely pay."

4 While I hear this grace reveal d,
And obtain a pardon seal d,
All my soft affections move,
Wakeii d by the force of love.

5 Farewell, world, thy gold is dross,
Now I see the bleeding cross ;
Jesus died to set me free
From the law and sin and thee !

6 He has dearly bought my soul ;
Lord, accept and claim the whole !
To thy will I all resign,
Now, no more my own, but thine.

 
1 IN evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopp d my wild career.
 
2 I saw one hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood,

Who fix d his languid eyes on me
As near his cross I stood.

3 Sure never till my latest breath
Can I forget that look ;
It seem d to charge me with his death
Though not a word He spoke.

4 My conscience felt, and own d the guilt
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins his blood had spilt,
And help d to nail Him there.J

5 Alas! I knew not what I did:
But now my tears are vain ;
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain.

6 A second look He gave, which said
" I freely all forgive ;
This blood is for thy ransom paid,
I die, that may may st live."

7 Thus while his death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
(Such is the mystery of grace,)
It seals my pardon too.

8 With pleasing grief and mournful joy
My spirit now is fill d,
That I should such a life destroy
Yet live by Him I kill d.

 
1 WHEN Isr el, by divine command,
The pathless desert trod,
They found, though twas a barren land
A sure resource in God.

2 A cloudy pillar mark d their road,
And screen d them from the heat;
From the hard rocks the water flow d,
And manna was their meat.

3 Like them, we have a rest in view,
Secure from adverse pow rs ;
Like them, we pass a desert too,
But Isr'el's God is ours.

4 Yes, in this barren wilderness
He is to us the same,
By his appointed means of grace,
As once he was to them.

5 His word a light before us spreads.
By which our path we see ;
His love, a banner o er our heads.
From harm preserves us free.

6 Jesus, the bread of life, is giv n
To be our daily food ;
We drink a wondrous stream from heav n,
Tis water, wine, and blood.

7 Lord, tis enough, I ask no more ;
These blessings are divine ;
I envy not the worldling s store
If Christ and heav n are mine.

 
1 REFRESHED by the bread and wine,
The pledges of our Saviour s love,
Now let our hearts and voices join
In songs of praise with those above.

2 Do they sing, "Worthy is the Lamb"?
Although we cannot reach their strains,
Yet we through grace can sing the same,
For us he died, for us he reigns.

3 If they behold him face to face,
While we a glimpse can only see,
Yet, equal debtors to his grace,
As safe and as beloved are we.

4 They had, like us, a suff'ring time,
Our cares and fears and griefs they knew ;

But they have conquer d all through Him,
And we ere long shall conquer too.

5 Though all the songs of saints in light
Are far beneath His matchless worth,
His grace is such, He will not slight
The poor attempts of worms on earth.

 
1 WHAT various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!
Yet who that knows the worth of pray'r
But wishes to be often there?

2 Pray'r makes the darken d cloud withdraw
Pray'r climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

3 Restraining pray'r, we cease to fight:
Pray'r makes the Christian s armour brio-ht
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

4 While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Isr el s side ;
But when through weariness they fail d,
That moment Amalek prevail'd.

5 Have you no words ? Ah ! think again ;
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature s ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

6 Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To Heaven in supplication sent,
Your cheerful song would oftener be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me.

1 IN themselves as weak as worms,
How can poor believers stand.
When temptations, foes, and storms.
Press them close on every hand?

2 Weak, indeed, they feel they are,
But they know the throne of grace ;
And the God who answers pray r
Helps them when they seek his face.

3 Though the Lord awhile delay,
Succour they at length obtain ;
He who taught their hearts to pray
Will not let them cry in vain.

4 Wrestling pray r can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits ;
Pray r can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates.

5 Hezekiah on his knees
Proud Assyria s host subdued ;
And, when smitten with disease,
Had his life by pray'r renew'd.

6 Peter, though confined and chain'd ?
Pray'r prevail d and brought him out
When Elijah pray d it rain'd,
After three long years of drought.

7 We can likewise witness bear,
That the Lord is still the same ;
Though we fear d he would not hear.,
Suddenly deliv'rance came.

8 For the wonders he has wrought,
Let us now our praises give ;
And, by sweet experience taught,
Call upon him while we live.

 
1 THE Spirit breathes upon the word,
And brings the truth to sight ;
Precepts and promises afford
A sanctifying light.

2 A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic, like the sun ;
It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none.

3 The hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise,
They rise, but never set.

4 Let everlasting thanks be thine
For such a bright display
As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heav nly day.

5 My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of Him I love,
Till glory breaks upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

 
1 PRECIOUS BIBLE ! what a treasure
Does the Word of God afford !
All I want for life or pleasure,
Food and med cine, shield and sword ;
Let the world account me poor,
Having this I need no more.

2 Food, to which the world's a stranger,
Here my hungry soul enjoys ;

Of excess there is no danger,
Though it fills, it never cloys :
On a dying Christ I feed,
He is meat and drink indeed !

3 When my faith is faint and sickly,
Or when Satan wounds my mind,
Cordials to revive me quickly,
Healing med cines, here I find :
To the promises I flee,
Each affords a remedy.

4 In the hour of dark temptation,
Satan cannot make me yield ;
For the word of consolation
Is to me a mighty shield :
While the Scripture truths are sure ,
From his malice I m secure.

5 Vain his threats to overcome me
When I take the Spirit s sword ;
Then with ease I drive him from me,
Satan trembles at the word :
Tis a sword for conquest made,
Keen the edge and strong the blade.

6 Shall I envy then the miser,
Doating on his golden store ?
Sure I am, or should be, wiser :
I am rich, tis he is poor :
Jesus gives me, in his word,
Food and med cine, shield and sword.

 
1 THE gath ring clouds, with aspect dark,
A rising storm presage ;
Oh ! to be hid within the ark,
And shelter d from its rage !

2 See the commission d angel frown!
That vial in his hand,
Fill d with fierce wrath, is pouring down
Upon our guilty land !

3 Ye saints, unite in wrestling pray r,
If yet there may be hope ;
Who knows but mercy yet may spare,
And bid the angel stop ?

4 Already is the plague begun,
And, fired with hostile rage,
Brethren, by blood and interest one,
With brethren now engage.

5 Peace spreads her wings, prepared for flight;
And war, with flaming sword
And hasty strides, draws nigh, to fight
The battles of the Lord.

6 The first alarm, alas, how few,
While distant, seem to hear !
But they will hear, and tremble too,
When God shall send it near.

7 So thunder o er the distant hills
Gives but a murm ring sound ;
But as the tempest spreads, it falls
And shakes the welkin^[5] round.

8 May we, at least, with one consent,
Fall low before the throne :
With tears the nation s sins lament,
The church s, and our own.

9 The humble souls who mourn and pray
The Lord approves and knows ;
His mark secures them in the day
When vengeance strikes his foes.

 
1 OH may the pow r which melts the rock
Be felt by all assembled here !
Or else our service will but mock
The God whom we profess to fear.

2 Lord, while thy judgments shake the land,
Thy people s eyes are fix d on thee!
We own thy just uplifted hand,
Which thousands cannot, will not see.

3 How long hast thou bestow d thy care
On this indulged ungrateful spot,
While other nations far and near
Have envied and admired our lot !

4 Here peace and liberty have dwelt,
The glorious gospel brightly shone ;
And oft our enemies have felt
That God has made our cause his own.

5 But ah ! both heaven and earth have heard
Our vile requital of his love !
We, whom like children he has rear d,
Rebels against his goodness prove.

6 His grace despised, his power defied,
And legions of the blackest crimes,
Profaneness, riot, lust, and pride,
Are signs that mark the present times.

7 The Lord displeased has raised his rod :
Ah, where are now the faithful few
Who tremble for the ark of God,
And know what Isr el ought to do ?

8 Lord, hear thy people every -where,
Who meet to mourn, confess, and pray ;
The nation and thy churches spare,
And let thy wrath be turn d away !

 
1 WHILE Joshua led the armed bands
Of Israel forth to war ;
Moses apart with lifted hands
Engaged in humble pray r.

2 The armed bands had quickly fail d,
And perish d in the fight,
If Moses pray r had not prevailM
To put the foes to flight.

3 When Moses hands through weakness dropp d
The warriors fainted too ;
Isr el s success at once was stopp d,
And Am lek bolder grew.

4 A people, always prone to boast,
Were taught by this suspense,
That not a num rous armed host,
But God, was their defence.

5 We now of fleets and armies vaunt,
And ships and men prepare ;
But men like Moses most we want,
To save the state by pray r.

6 Yet, Lord, we hope thou hast prepared
A hidden few to-day,
(The nation s secret strength and guard,)
To weep and mourn and pray.

7 Oh hear their pray rs, and grant us aid,
Bid war and discord cease ;
Eeal the sad breach which sin has made,
And bless us all with peace.

 
1 SEE the gloomy ^ath ring cloud.
Hanging o er a sinful land !

Sure the Lord proclaims aloud, -
Times of trouble are at hand.
Happy they who love his name,
They shall always find him near ;
Though the earth were wrapp d in flame,
They have no just cause for fear.

2 Hark ! his voice in accents mild,
(Oh, how comforting and sweet!)
Speaks to every humble child,
Pointing out a sure retreat !
Come and in my chambers hide,
To my saints of old well known ;
There you safely may abide
Till the storm be overblown.

3 You have only to repose
On my wisdom, love, and care ;
When my wrath consumes my foes,
Mercy shall my children spare :
While they perish in the flood,
You that bear my holy mark,
Sprinkled with atoning blood,
Shall be safe within the ark.

4 Sinners, see the ark prepared !
Haste to enter while there s room !
Though the Lord his arm has bared,
Mercy still retards your doom :
Seek him while there yet is hope,
Ere the day of grace be past,
Lest in wrath he give you up,
And this call should prove your last.

1 ALTHOUGH on massy pillars built,
The earth has lately shook :
It trembles under Britain s guilt
Before its Maker s look.

2 Swift as the shock amazement spreads,
And sinners tremble too ;
What flight can screen their guilty heads,
If earth itself pursue ?

3 But mercy sparedus while itwarn d,
The shock is felt no more :
And mercy, now, alas ! is scorn d
By sinners, as before.

4 But if these warnings prove in vain,
Say, sinner, canst thou tell
How soon the earth may quake again,
And open wide to hell ?

5 Repent before the Judge draws nigh ;
Or else, when he comes down,
Thou wilt in vain for earthquakes cry,
To hide thee from his frown.

6 But happy they who love the Lord,
And his salvation know ;
The hope that s founded 011 his word,
No change can overthrow.

7 Should the deep-rooted hills be hurl d,
And plunged beneath the seas,
And strong convulsions shake the world,
Your hearts may rest in peace.

8 Jesus, your Shepherd, Lord, and Chief,
Shall shelter you from ill,
And not a worm or shaking leaf
Can move but at his will.

1 WEARIED by day with toils and cares,
How welcome is the peaceful night !
Sweet sleep our wasted strength repairs,
And fits us for returning light.

2 Yet when our eyes in sleep arc closed,
Our rest may break ere well begun ;

To dangers every hour exposed
We neither can foresee nor shun.

3 "Pis of the Lord that we can sleep
A single night without alarms ;
His eje alone our lives can keep
Secure amidst a thousand harms.

4 For months and years of safety past
Ungrateful we, alas ! have been ;
Though patient long, he spoke at last,
And bid the fire rebuke our sin.

5 The shout oifire a dreadful cry,
Impress d each heart with deep dismay,
While the fierce blaze and redd ning sky
Made midnight wear the face of day.

6 The throng and terror who can speak ?
The various sounds that fill d the air!
The infant s wail, the mother s shriek,
The voice of blasphemy and pray r !

7 But pray r prevail d, and saved the town ;
The few who loved the Saviour s name
Were heard, and mercy hasted down,
To change the wind and stop the flame.

8 Oh, may that night be ne er forgot !
Lord, still increase thy praying few !
Were Olney left without a Lot,
Ruin like Sodom s would ensue.

 
1 KINDRED in Christ, for his dear sake,
A hearty welcome here receive ;
May we together now partake
The joys which only he can give!

2 To you and us by grace tis given
To know the Saviour s precious name,
And shortly we shall meet in heaven,
Our hope, our way, our end, the same.

3 May he, by whose kind care we meet,
Send his good Spirit from above,
Make our communications sweet,
And cause our hearts to burn with love !

4 Forgotten be each worldly theme,
When Christians see each other thus :
We only wish to speak of Him
Who lived and died and reigns for us.

5 We ll talk of all He did and said,
And suffer d for us here below;
The path He mark d for us to tread,
And what He s doing for us now.

6 Thus, as the moments pass away,
We ll love and wonder and adore,
And hasten on the glorious day
When we shall meet to part no more.

 
1 As the sun s enliv ning eye
Shines on every place the same ;
So the Lord is always nigh
To the souls that love his name.

2 When they move at duty s call,
He is with them by the way ;
He is ever near them all,
Those who go, and those who stay.

3 From his holy mercy-seat
Nothing can their souls confine ;
Still in spirit they may meet,
And in sweet communion join.

4 For a season call d to part,
Let us then ourselves commend
To the gracious eye and heart
Of our ever-present Friend.

5 Jesus, hear our humble pray rf
Tender Shepherd of thy sheep,

Let thy mercy and thy care
All our souls in safety keep.

6 In thy strength may we be strong,
Sweeten every cross and pain ;
Give us, if we live, ere long,
Here to meet in peace again.

7 Then if thou thy help afford,
Ebenezers shall be rear d ;
And our souls shall praise the Lord,
Who our poor petitions heard.

 
1 IN vain our fancy strives to paint
The moment after death,
The glories that surround the saints
When yielding up their breath.

2 One gentle sigh their fetters breaks ;
We scarce can say, "They re gone!
Before the willing spirit takes
Her mansion near the throne.

3 Faith strives, but all its efforts fail
To trace her in her flight ;
No eye can pierce within the veil
Which hides that world of lio-lit
 
4 Thus much (and this is all) we know,
They are completely bless d
Have done with sin and care and woe,
And with their Saviour rest.

5 On harps of gold they praise his name,
His face they always view ;
Then let us foll wers be of them,
That we may praise him too.

6 Their faith and patience, love and zeal,
Should make their mem ry dear;
And, Lord, do thou the pray rs fulfill
They offer d for us here.

7 While they have ga.in d we losers are,
We miss them day by day :
But thou canst every breach repair,
And wipe our tears away.

8 We pray, as in Elisha s case,
When great Elijah went
May double portions of thy grace
To us who stay be sent.

 
1 His master taken from his head,
Elisha saw him go ;
And in desponding accents said
"Ah, what must Isr el do ?"

2 But he forgot the Lord who lifts
The beggar to the throne ;
Nor knew that all Elijah s gifts
Will soon be made his own.

3 What, when a Paul has run his course,
Or when Apollos dies,
Is Isr el left without resource ?
And have we no supplies ?

4 Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives,
We have a boundless store,
And shall be fed with what he gives,
Who lives for evermore.

 
1 OFT as the bell, with solemn toll,
Speaks the departure of a soul,
Let each one ask himself "Am I
Prepared, should I be call d to die ?"

2 Only this frail and fleeting breath
Preserves me from the jaws of death;
Soon as it fails at once I'm gone,
And plunged into a world unknown.

3 Then leaving all I loved below,
To God's tribunal I must go,—
Must hear the Judge pronounce my fate,
And fix my everlasting state.

4 But could I bear to hear him say,
"Depart, accursed, far away;
With Satan in the lowest hell,
Thou art for ever doom'd to dwell" ?

5 Lord Jesus! help me now to flee,
And seek my hope alone in thee;
Apply thy blood, thy Spirit give,
Subdue my sin and let me live.

6 Then when the solemn bell I hear,
If saved from guilt I need not fear;
Nor would the thought distressing be—
Perhaps it next may toll for me.

7 Rather my spirit would rejoice,
And long and wish to hear thy voice;
Glad when it bids me earth resign,
Secure of heaven if thou art mine.

1 MY soul, this curious house of clay,
Thy present frail abode,
Must quickly fall to worms a prey,
And thou return to God.

2 Canst thou by faith survey with joy
The change before it come ?
And say—"Let death this house destroy,
I have a heav'nly home ?"

3 The Saviour, whom I then shall see
With new admiring eyes,

Already has prepared for me
A mansion in the skies.

4 I feel this mud-wall cottage shake,
And long to see it fall,
That I my willing flight may take
To Him who is my all.

5 Burden d and groaning then no more,
My rescued soul shall sing,
As up the shining path I soar,
" Death, thou hast lost thy sting!"

6 Dear Saviour, help us now to seek,
And know thy grace s power,
That we may all this language speak
Before the dying hour.

1 COURAGE, my soul! behold the prize
The Saviour s love provides
Eternal life beyond the skies
For all whom here he guides.

2 The wicked cease from troubling there,
The weary are at rest ;
Sorrow and sin and pain and care
No more approach the blest.

3 A wicked world and wicked heart
With Satan now are join d;
Each acts a too successful part
In harassing my mind.

4 In conflict with this threefold troop,
How weary, Lord, am I !
Did not thy promise bear me up
My soul must faint and die :

5 But fighting in my Saviour s strength,
Though mighty are my foes,
I shall a conq ror be at length
O er all that can oppose.

6 Then why, my soul, complain or fear ?
The crown of glory see I
The more I toil and suffer here,
The sweeter rest will be.

 
1 DAY of judgment, day of wonders !
Hark! the trumpet s awful sound,
Louder than a thousand thunders,
Shakes the vast creation round !
How the summons will the sinner s heart confound !

2 See the Judge our nature wearing,
Clothed in majesty divine !
You who long for his appearing
Then shall say " This God is mine !"
Uracious Saviour, own me in that day for thine.

3 At his call the dead awaken,
Rise to life from earth and sea.
All the powers of nature, shaken
By his looks, prepare to flee.
Careless sinner, what will then become of thee i

4 Horrors past imagination
Will surprise your trembling heart,
When you hear your condemnation,
" Hence, accursed wretch, depart!
Thou with Satan and his angels have thy part!"

5 Satan, who now tries to please you,
Lest you timely warning take,
When that word is past, will seiza you,
Plunge you in the burning lake :
Think, poor sinner, thy eternal all s at stake.

6 But to those who have confessed,
Loved and served the Lord below,
He will say " Come near, ye blessed,
Soe the kingdom I bestow :
You for ever shall my love and glory know."

7 Under sorrows and reproaches,
May this thought your courage raise,
Swiftly God s great day approaches,
Sighs shall then be changed to praise.
We shall triumph when the world is in a blaze.

 
1 GOD with one piercing glance looks through
Creation s wide-extended frame;
The past and future in his view,
And days and ages are the same.

2 Sinners who dare provoke his face,
Who on his patience long presume,
And trifle out his day of grace,
Will find he has a day of doom,

3 As pangs the labouring woman feels,
Or as the thief in midnight sleep,
So comes that day for which the wheels
Of time their ceaseless motion keep !

4 Hark ! from the sky the trump proclaims
Jesus the Judge approaching nigh !
See the creation wrapt in flames,
First kindled by his vengeful eye !

5 When thus the mountains melt like wax ;
When earth and air and sea shall burn ;
When all the frame of nature breaks ;
Poor sinner, whither wilt thou turn?

6 The puny works which feeble men
Now boast or covet or admire ;
Their pomp and arts and treasures then
Shall perish in one common fire.

7 Lord, fix our hearts and hopes above,
Since all below to ruin tends ;
Here may we trust, obey, and love,
And there be found amongst thy friends.

 
1 JOHN in vision saw the day
When the Judge will hasten down ;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
From the terror of his frown.
Dead and living, small and great,
Raised from the earth and sea,
At his bar shall hear their fate :
What will then become of me ?

2 Can I bear his awful looks?
Shall I stand in judgment then,
When I see the open d books,
Written by th Almighty s pen ?
If he to remembrance bring,
And expose to public view,
Every work and secret thing,
Ah, my soul, what canst thou do ?

3 When the list shall be produced
Of the talents I enjoy d,
Means and mercies how abused,
Time and strength how misemploy d,
Conscience, then compell d to read,
Must allow the charge is true ;
Say, my soul, what canst thou plead
In that hour what wilt thou do ?

4 But the book of life I see ;
May my name be written there :
Then from guilt and danger free,
Glad I ll meet him in the air.
That s the book I hope to plead,
Tis the gospel open d wide.
Lord, I am a wretch indeed,
I have sinri d, but thou hast died.

5 Now my soul knows what to do ;
Thus I shall with boldness stand,
Number d with the faithful few,
Own d and saved at thy right hand.

If thou help a feeble worm
To believe thy promise now,
Justice will at last confirm
What thy mercy wrought below.

 
1 That was a wonder-working word
Which could the vast creation raise f
Angels, attendant on their Lord
Admired the plan, and sung his praise.

2 From what a dark and shapeless mass
All nature sprang at his command !
Letthere be light ! and light there was,
And sun and stars and sea and land.

3 With equal speed the earth and seas
Their mighty Maker s voice obey d ;
He spake, and straight the plants and trees
And birds and beasts and man were made.

4 But man, the lord and crown of all,
By sin his honour soon defaced,
His heart (how alter d since the fall!)
Is dark, deform d, and void and waste.

5 The new creation of the soul
Does now no less his power display,
Than when he form d the mighty whole,
And kindled darkness into day.

6 Though self-destroy d, Lord, we are,
Yet let us feel what thou canst do ;
Thy word the ruin can repair,
And all our hearts create anew.

 
1 THE book of nature open lies,
With much instruction stored:
But till the Lord anoints our eyes
We cannot read a word.

2 Philosophers have pored in vain,
And guess d from age to age ;
For reason s eye could ne er attain
To understand a page.

3 Though to each star they give a name,
Its size and motions teach,
The truths which all the stars proclaim
Their wisdom cannot reach.

4 With skill to measure earth and sea,
And weigh the subtile air,
They cannot, Lord, discover thee
Though present everywhere.

5 The knowledge of the saints excels
The wisdom of the schools ;
To them his secrets God reveals
Though men account them fools.

6 To them the sun and stars on high,
The flow rs that paint the field,
And all the artless birds that fly,
Divine instructions yield.

7 The creatures on their senses press,
As witnesses to prove
Their Saviour s power and faithfulness,
His providence and love.

8 Thus may we study nature s book,
To make us wise indeed!
And pity those who only look
At what they cannot read.

 
1 WHEN the sun with cheerful beams
Smiles upon a low ring sky,
Soon its aspect soften d seems,
And a rainbow meets the eye :
While the skj remains serene
This bright arch is never seen.

2 Thus the Lord s supporting pow r
Brightest to his saints appears,
When affliction s threat ning hour
Fills their sky with clouds and fears :
He can wonders then perform,
Paint a rainbow on the storm.

3 All their graces doubly shine
When their troubles press them sore;
And the promises divine
Give them joys unknown before:
As the colours of the bow
To the cloud their brightness owe.

4 Favour d John a rainbow saw,
Circling round a throne above ;
Hence the saints a pledge may draw
Of unchanging cov nant love :
Clouds awhile may intervene,
But the bow will still be seen.

 
1 WHEN a black o erspreading cloud
Has darken d all the air,
And peals of thunder, roaring loud,
Proclaim the tempest near ;

2 Then guilt and fear, the fruits of sin,
The sinner oft pursue ;
A louder storm is heard within,
And conscience thunders too.

3 The law a fiery language speaks,
His danger he perceives ;
Like Satan, who his ruin seeks,
He trembles and believes.

4 But when the sky serene appears,
And thunders roll no more,
He soon forgets his vows and fears.
Just as he did before.

5 But whither shall the sinner flee
When nature s mighty frame,
The pond rous earth and air and sea,
Shall all dissolve in flame ?

6 Amazing day! It comes apace!
The Judge is hasting down !
Will sinners bear to see his face,
Or stand before his frown ?

7 Lord, let thy mercy find a way
To touch each stubborn heart,
That they may never hear thee say,
" Ye cursed ones, depart!"

8 Believers, you may well rejoice !
The thunder s loudest strains
Should be to you a welcome voice,
That tells you, " Jesus reigns !"

 
1 A GLANCE from heav n with sweet effect,
Sometimes my pensive spirit cheers ;
But, ere I can my thoughts collect,
As suddenly it disappears.

2 So lightning in the gloom of night
Affords a momentary day ;
Disclosing objects full in sight,
Which, soon as seen, are snatch d away,

3 Ah ! what avail these pleasing scenes !
They do but aggravate my pain ;

While darkness quickly intervenes,
And swallows up my joys again.

4 But shall I murmur at relief ?
Though short, it was a precious view.
Sent to control my unbelief,
And prove that what I read was true,

5 The lightning s flash did not create
The opening prospect it reveal d ;
But only showed the real state
Of what the darkness had conceal d.

6 Just so, we by a glimpse discern
The glorious things within the veil,
That, when in darkness, we may learn
To live by faith till light prevail.

7 The Lord s great day will soon advance,
Dispersing all the shades of night ;
Then we no more shall need a glance,
But see by an eternal light.

1 ,THE moon in silver glory shone,
And not a cloud in sight,
When suddenly a shade begun
To intercept her light

2 How fast across her orb it spread !
How fast her light withdrew ! ,
A circle, tinged with languid red,
Was all appear d in view.

3 While many, with unmeaning eye,
Gaze on thy works in vain,
Assist me, Lord, that I may try
Instruction to obtain.

4 Fain would my thankful heart and lips
Unite in praise of thee,
And meditate on thy eclipse
In sad Gethsemane.

5 Thy people s guilt, a heavy load,
(When standing in their room,)
Deprived thee of the light of God,
And fill d thy soul with gloom.

6 How punctu lly eclipses move,
Obedient to thy will !
Thus shall thy faithfulness and love
Thy promises fulfill.

7 Dark, like the moon without the sun,
I mourn thine absence, Lord !
For light or comfort I have none
But what thy beams afford.

8 But, lo ! the hour draws near apace,
When changes shall be o er ;
Then I shall see thee face to face,
And be eclipsed no more.

1 THE moon has but a borrow d light,
A faint and feeble ray ;
She owes her beauty to the night,
And hides herself by day.

2 No cheering warmth her beam conveys,
Though pleasing to behold ;
We might upon her brightness gaze
Till we were starved with cold.

3 Just such is all the light to man
Which reason can impart;
It cannot show one object plain,
Nor warm the frozen heart.

4 Thus moonlight views of truth divine
To many fatal prove ;
For what avail in gifts to shine,
Without a spark of love ?

5 The gospel, like the sun at noon,
Affords a glorious light ;

Then fallen reason s boasted moon
Appears no longer bright.

6 And grace, not light alone, bestows,
But adds a quick ning power;
The desert blossoms like the rose,
And sin prevails no more.

 
1 IF for a time the air be calm,
Serene and smooth the sea appears,
And shows no danger to alarm
Th inexperienced landsman's fears;

2 But if the tempest once arise,
The faithless water swells and raves ;
Its billows foaming to the skies,
Disclose a thousand threat'ning graves.

3 My untried heart thus seem d to me
(So little of myself I knew,)
Smooth as the calm unruffled sea,
But ah ! it proved as treach'rous too.

4 The peace of which I had a taste
When Jesus first his love reveal d,
I fondly hoped would always last
Because my foes were then conceal d.

5 But when I felt the tempter s power
Rouse my corruptions from their sleep,
I trembled at the stormy hour,
And saw the horrors of the deep.

6 Now on presumption's billows borne,
My spirit seem d the Lord to dare;
Now, quick as thought, a sudden turn
Plunged me in gulfs of black despair.

7 Lord, save me, or I sink, I pray'd;
He heard, and bid the tempest cease ;

The angry waves his word obey d,
And all my fears were hush d to peace.

8 The peace is" his, and not my own ;
My heart (no better than before)
Is still to dreadful changes prone,
Then let me never trust it more.

 
1 THOUGH small the drops of falling rain
If one be singly view d,
Collected, they o erspread the plain.
And form a mighty flood.

2 The house it meets with in its course
Should not be built on clay,
Lest, with a wild, resistless force,
It sweep the whole away.

3 Though for awhile it seem secure.
It will not bear the shock
Unless it has foundations sure,
And stands upon a rock.

4 Thus sinners think their evil deeds.
Like drops of rain, are small ;
But it the power of thought exceeds
To count the sum of all.

5 One sin can raise, though small it seem.
A flood to drown the soul ;
What then, when countless million stream-
Shall join to swell the whole!

6 Yet, while they think the weather fair,
If warn d they smile or frown :
But they will tremble and despair,
When the fierce flood comes down.

7 Oh! then on Jesus ground your hope.
That Stone in Zion laid ;
Lest your poor building quickly drop
With ruin on your head.

1 THE ice and snow we lately saw,
Which cover d all the ground,
Are melted soon before the thaw,
And can no more be found.

2 Could all the art of man suffice
To move away the snow,
To clear the rivers from the ice,
Or make the waters flow ?

3 No, tis the work of God alone ;
An emblem of the power
By which he melts the heart of stone
In his appointed hour.

4 All outward means, till he appears,
Will ineffectual prove ;
Though much the sinner sees and hears,
He cannot learn to love.

5 But let the stoutest sinner feel
The soft ning warmth of grace,
Though hard as ice or rocks or steel,
His heart dissolves apace.

6 Seeing the blood which Jesus spilt
To save his soul from woe,
His hatred, unbelief, and guilt,
All melt away like snow.

7 Jesus, we in thy name entreat,
Reveal thy gracious arm ;
And grant thy Spirit s kindly heat,
Our frozen hearts to warm.

1 As needles point towards the pole
When touch d by the magnetic stone ;
So faith in Jesus gives the soul
A tendency before unknown.

2 Till then, by blinded passions led,
In search of fancied good we range,
The paths of disappointment tread,
To nothing fix d but love of change.

3 But when the Holy Ghost imparts
A knowledge of the Saviour s love,
Our wand ring, weary, restless hearts
Are fix d at once, no more to move.

4 Now a new principle takes place,
Which guides and animates the will ;
This love, another name for grace,
Constrains to good, and bars from ill.

5 By love s pure light we soon perceive
Our noblest bliss and proper end ;
And gladly every idol leave,
To love and serve our Lord and Friend,

6 Thus, borne along by faith and hope,
We feel the Saviour s words are true ;
" And I, if 1 be lifted up,
Will draw the sinner upward too.

 
1 ON the same flow r we often see
The loathsome spider and the bee;
But what they get by working there
Is diffrent as their natures are.

2 The bee a sweet reward obtains,
And honey well repays his pains ;
Home to the hive he bears the store,
And then returns in quest of more.

3 But no sweet flow rs that grace the field
Can honey to the spider yield ;
A cobweb all that he can spin,
And poison all the stores within.

4 Thus in that sacred field, the Word,
With flow rs of God s own planting stored.

Like bees his children feed and thrive,
And bring home honey to the hive.

5 There, spider- like, the wicked come,
And seem to taste the sweet perfume;
But the vile venom of their hearts
To poison all their food converts.

6 From the same truths believers prize
They weave vain refuges of lies ;
And from the promise license draw
To trifle with the holy law.

7 Lord, shall thy word of life and love
The means of death to numbers prove?
Unless thy grace our hearts renew^[8]
We sink to hell with heaven in view.

 
1 THE subtle spider often weaves
His unsuspected snares
Among the balmy flowers and leaves,
To which the bee repairs.

2 When in his web he sees one hang,
With a malicious joy
He darts upon it with his fang,
To poison and destroy.

3 How welcome then some pitying friend,
To save the threaten d bee,
The spider s treach rous web to rend,
And set the captive free !

4 My soul has been in such a case :
When first I knew the Lord,
I hasted to the means of grace,
Where sweets I knew were stored.

5 Little I thought of danger near,
That soon my j oys would ebb ;
But ah ! I met a spider there,
Who caught me in his web.

Then Satan raised his pois nous sting,
And aim d his blows at me :
While I, poor helpless trembling thing.
Could neither fight nor flee.

7 But oh! the Saviour s pitying eye
Relieved me from despair ;
He saw me at the point to die,
And broke the fatal snare.

8 My case his heedless saints should warn,
Or cheer them if afraid ;
May you from me your danger learn,
And where to look for aid !

1 A LION, though by nature wild,
The art of man can tame ;
lie stands before his keeper mild
And gentle as a lamb.

2 He watches, with submissive eye,
The hand that gives him food,
As if he meant to testify
A sense of gratitude.

3 But man himself, who thus subdues
The fiercest beasts of prey,
A nature more unfeeling shows
And far more fierce than they.

4 Though by the Lord preserved and fed,
He proves rebellious still ;
And while he eats his Maker s bread
Resists his holy will.

5 Alike in vain, of grace that saves,
Or threat ning law, he hears ;
The savage scorns, blasphemes, and raves,
But neither loves nor fears.

6 O Saviour ! how thy wondrous power
By angels is proclaim d!

When in thine own appointed hour
They see this lion tamed !

7 The love thy bleeding cross displays
The hardest heart subdues !
Here furious lions, while they gaze,
Their rage and fierceness lose.

8 Yet we are but renew d in part,
The lion still remains ;
Lord, drive him wholly from my heart,
Or keep him fast in chains.

 
1 THE Saviour calls his people sheep,
And bids them on his love rely ;
For he alone their souls can keep,
And he alone their wants supply.

2 The bull can fight, the hare can flee,
The ant in summer food prepare ;
But helpless sheep, and such are we,
Depend upon the shepherd s care.

3 Jehovah is our Shepherd s name,
Then what have we, though weak, to fear ?
Our sin and folly we proclaim
If we despond while he is near.

4 When Satan threatens to devour,
When troubles press on every side,
Think on our Shepherd s care and power,
He can defend, He will provide.

5 See the rich pastures of his grace,
Where in full streams salvation flows!
There he appoints our resting-place,
And we may feel secure from foes.

6 There, midst the flock, the Shepherd dwells,
The sheep around in safety lie ;
The wolf in vain with malice swells,
For he protects them with his eye.

7 Dear Lord, if I am one of thine,
From anxious thoughts I would be free ;
To trust and love and praise is mine,
The care of all belongs to thee.

 
1 A GARDEN contemplation suits,
And may instruction yield
Sweeter than all the flow rs and fruits
With which the spot is fill'd.
 
2 Eden was Adam s dwelling-place
While blest with innocence ;
But sin o er whelm d him with disgrace?.
And drove the rebel thence.

3 Oft as the garden-walk we tread
We should bemoan his fall ;
The trespass of our legal head
In ruin plunged us all.

4 The garden of Gethsemane
The second Adam saw
Oppress d with woe, to set us free
From the avenging law.

5 How stupid we, who can forget,
With gardens in our sight,
His agonies and bloody sweat
In that tremendous night !

6 His church as a fair garden stands,
Which walls of love enclose ;
Each tree is planted by his hands,
And by his blessing grows.

7 Believing hearts are gardens too,
For grace has sown its seeds
Where once, by nature, nothing grew
But thorns and worthless weeds.

8 Such themes to those who Jesus love
May constant joys afford,

And make a barren desert prove
The garden of the Lord.

 
1 A shelter, from the rain or wind,
A shade from scorching heat,
A resting-place you here may find,
To ease your weary feet,

2 Enter, but with a serious thought,
Consider who is near!
This is a consecrated spot,—
The Lord is present here !

3 A question of the utmost weight,
While reading, meets your eye;
May conscience witness to your state,
And give a true reply!

4 Is Jesus to your heart reveal'd
As full of truth and grace?
And is his name your hope and shield,
Your rest and hiding-place?

5 If so, for all events prepared,
Whatever storms may rise,
He whom you love will safely guard,
And guide you to the skies.

6 No burning sun or storm or rain
Will there your peace annoy;
No sin, temptation, grief, or pain,
Intrude to damp your joy.

7 But if his name you have not known,
Oh, seek him while you may!
Lest you should meet his awful frown
In that approaching day.

8 When the avenging Judge you see
With terrors on his brow,
Where can you hide, or whither flee,
If you reject him now?

 
1 The water stood like walls of brass,
To let the sons of Isr'el pass,
And from the rock in rivers burst,
At Moses pray'r, to quench their thirst.

2 The fire, restrain d by God's commands,
Could only burn his people's bands;
Too faint, when he was with them there,
To singe their garments or their hair.

3 At Daniel's feet the lions lay
Like harmless lambs, nor touch d their prey;
And ravens, which on carrion fed,
Procured Elijah flesh and bread.

4 Thus creatures only can fulfill
Their great Creator's holy will;
And when his servants need their aid,
His purposes must be obey'd.

5 So, if his blessing he refuse,
Their pow'r to help they quickly lose;
Sure as on creatures we depend,
Our hopes in disappointment end.

6 Then let us trust the Lord alone,
And creature-confidence disown:
Nor if they threaten need we fear,
They cannot hurt if he be near.

7 If instruments of pain they prove,
Still they are guided by his love;
As lancets by the surgeon's skill,
Which wound to cure, and not to kill.

 
1 When slumber seals our weary eyes,
The busy fancy wakeful keeps;
The scenes which then before us rise
Prove something in us never sleeps.

2 As in another world we seem,
A new creation of our own;
All appears real, though but a dream,
And all familiar, though unknown.

3 Sometimes, the mind beholds again
The past day's business in review—
Resumes the pleasure or the pain,
And sometimes all we meet is new.

4 What schemes we form, what pains we take!
We fight, we run, we fly, we fall;
But all is ended when we wake,
We scarcely then a trace recall.

5 But though our dreams are often wild,
Like clouds before the driving storm;
Yet some important may be styled,
Sent to admonish or inform.

6 What mighty agents have access,
What friends from heaven, or foes from hell,
Our minds to comfort or distress,
When we are sleeping, who can tell?

7 One thing, at least, and tis enough,
We learn from this surprising fact—
Our dreams afford sufficient proof,
The soul without the flesh can act.

8 This life, which mortals so esteem,
That many choose it for their all,
They will confess, was but a dream,
When waken d by death's awful call.

 
1 See, the world for youth prepares,
Harlot-like, her gaudy snares!
Pleasures round her seem to wait,
But tis all a painted cheat.

2 Rash and unsuspecting youth
Thinks to find thee always smooth,

Always kind, till better taught,
By experience dearly bought.

3 So the calm but faithless sea,
(Lively emblem, world, of thee,)
Tempts the shepherd from the shore,
Foreign regions to explore.

4 While no wrinkled wave is seen,
While the sky remains serene,
Fill'd with hopes and golden schemes.
Of a storm he little dreams.

5 By ere long the tempest raves,
Then he trembles at the waves,
Wishes then he had been wise,
But too late—he sinks and dies.

6 Hapless, thus, are they, vain world,
Soon on rocks of ruin hurl'd,
Who, admiring thee untried,
Court thy pleasure, wealth, or pride.

7 Such a shipwreck had been mine.
Had not Jesus (name divine!)
Saved me with a mighty hand,
And restored my soul to land.

8 Now, with gratitude I raise
Ebenezers to his praise;
Now my rash pursuits are o'er,
I can trust thee, world, no more.

 
1 Blinded in youth by Satan s arts,
The world to our unpractised hearts
A flatt'ring prospect shows;
Our fancy forms a thousand schemes
Of gay delights, and golden dreams.
And undisturb'd repose.

2 So in the desert's dreary waste,
By magic power produced in haste,
(As ancient fables say,)

Castles and groves and music sweet,
The senses of the trav'ler meet,
And stop him in his way.

3 But while he listens with surprise,
The charm dissolves, the vision dies
'Twas but enchanted ground.
Thus if the Lord our spirit touch,
The world, which promised us so much,
A wilderness is found.

4 At first we start and feel distress'd,
Convinced we never can have rest
In such a wretched place;
But he whose mercy breaks the charm,
Reveals his own almighty arm,
And bids us seek his face,

5 Then we begin to live indeed,
When from our sin and bondage freed
By this beloved Friend:
We follow him from day to day,
Assured of grace through all the way,
And glory at the end.