3 The wounded conscience knows its pow'r,
The healing balm to give;
That balm the saddest heart can cheer,
And make the dying live.
4 Wide it unveils celestial worlds,
Where deathless pleasures reign,
And bids us seek our portion there,
Nor bids us seek in vain.
5 On that bright prospect may we rèst,
Till this frail body dies;
And then on faith's triumphant wings
To endless glory rise.
HYMN 230. P. M.
Freedom from Error, Guilt, and Folly.
LEST instructor! from thy ways
Who can tell how oft he strays?
Save from error's growth my mind,
Leave not, Lord, one root behind.
Purge me from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within my heart's disguise;
Let me thence, by thee renew'd,
Each presumptuous sin exclude:
2. So my lot shall ne'er be join'd
With the men whose impious mind,
Fearless of thy just command,
Braves the vengeance of thy hand.
Let my tongue, from error free,
Speak the words approv'd by thee;
To thine all all-observing eyes,
Let my thoughts accepted rise.
3 Taught by thee thy servant's breast
Joys the blessings to attest;
Heap'd on those whose hearts sincere
Learn thy precepts to revere.
While I thus thy name adore,
And thy healing grace implore,
The Birth of Christ proclaimed by Angels.
ARK! what celestial notes,
What melody we hear!
Soft on the morn it floats,
And fills the ravish'd ear.
The tuneful shell,
The golden lyre,
And vocal choir
The concert swell.
2 Th' angelic hosts descend, With harmony divine:
See! how from heav'n they bend,
And in full chorus join.
Fear not, say they,
Great joy we bring;
Jesus, your king,
Is born to-day.
He comes from error's night
Your wand'ring feet to save;
To realms of bliss and light
He lifts you from the grave.
This glorious morn,
(Let all attend!)
Your matchless friend,
Your Saviour's born.
Glory to God on high!
Ye mortals, spread the sound,
And let your raptures fly
To earth's remotest bound!
For peace on earth,
From God in heav'n,
To man is giv'n,
At Jesus' birth.
HYMN 232. P. M.
Fruitful showers, emblems of the effects of the Gospel.
WARK the soft-falling snow,
And the descending rain!
To heav'n whence it fell,
It turns not back again ;
But waters earth
And calls forth all
Through ev'ry pore,
Her secret store.
E love the volumes of thy word:
W.What light and joy those leaves afford
To souls benighted and distrest!
Thy precepts guide our doubtful way:
Thy fear forbids our feet to stray;
Thy promise leads our hearts to rest.
2 From the discov'ries of thy law,
The perfect rules of life we draw ;
These are our study and delight:
Not honey so invites the taste,
Nor gold that hath the furnace past,
Appears so pleasing to the sight.
3 Thy threat'nings wake our slumb'ring eyes,
And warn us where our danger lies;
But 'tis thy blessed gospel, Lord,
That makes the guilty conscience clean,
Converts the soul, subdues our sin,
And gives a free, but large, reward.
HYMN 234. P. M.
The Pleasures of Benevolence.
HALL, source of pleasures ever new!
While thy kind dictates we pursue,
We taste a joy sincere ;
Too high for sordid minds to know,
Who on themselves alone bestow
Their wishes and their care.
2 By thee inspir'd, the gen'rous breast,
In blessing others only blest,
With kindness large and free,
Delights the widow's tear to stay,
To teach the blind the smoothest way,
And aid the feeble knee.
3 O God of love! with pious care,
In others' joys and griefs to share,
Do thou our hearts incline;
Each low, each selfish wish control,
Warm with benevolence our soul,
And make us wholly thine.
HYMN 235. P. M.
Tranquillity and Contentment.
F solid happiness we prize,
Within our breasts this jewel lies,
And they are fools who roam :
The world has little to bestow;
From our ownselves our joys must flow;
Our bliss begins at home.
2 To be resign'd when ills betide,
Patient when favours are deny'd,
And pleas'd with favours giv'n :
This, gracious God! is wisdom's part,
This is that incense of the heart,
Whose fragrance reaches heav'n.
3 Thus thro' life's changing scenes we'll go,
Its chequer'd paths of joy and wo
With cautious steps we'll tread ;
Quit its vain scenes without a tear,
Without a trouble or a fear,
And mingle with the dead :
4 While conscience, like a faithful friend,
Shall through the gloomy vale attend,
And cheer our dying breath;
Shall, when all other comforts cease,
Like a kind angel, whisper peace,
And smooth the bed of death.
He shall feed his Flock like a Shepherd. Isa. xl. 10, 11.
TRONG is thine hand, Almighty King,
Thy potent arm shall rule for thee;
Salvation, 'tis thy work to bring,
And thy rewards are rich and free.
2 Like a kind shepherd thou wilt feed
Thy flock, in pastures green and fair
To crystal fountains wilt them lead,
And for them ev'ry good prepare.
3 Thine arm shall bear the tender lambs,
And thy soft bosom shall them warm ;
Gently will lead the teeming dams,
And shelter from the wind and storm.
4 Lord, how secure thy folds may rest,
Beneath the shadow of thy wing;
In safety lean upon thy breast,
While all thy saints thy praises sing.
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