HYMNS. 4 1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 16 Divine instructor, gracious Lord, Be thou for ever near ; Teach me to love thy sacred word, with wonder and with And view my Saviour there. II. CREATION. 2 The stars, that in their courses roll, HYMN 3. (C. M.) Have much instruction given ; But thy good word informs my soul GREAT first of beings! mighty Lord How I may soar to heaven. frame Produc'd by thy creating word, 3 The fields provide me food, and show The world from nothing came 2 Thy voice sent forth the high comIn thy most holy word. 'Twas instantly obey'd ; (mand, 4 ilere are iny choicest treasures hid ; And through thy goodness all things stand, Here my best comfort lies; Here my desires are satisfied, Which by thy power were made. And here my hopes arise 3 Lord! for thy glory shine the whole, 5 Lord, make me understand thy law, For this--in course the planets roll, They all reflect thy light: And day succeeds the night. 4 For this—the sun disperses heat 6 Here would I learn how Christ has died and distant stars, in order set, And heams of cheering day; By night thy pow'r display: For this--the waters flow; 7 Then let me love my Bible more, And take a fresh delight, And blooming plants adorn the fields, And trees aspiring grow. 6 Inspir'd with praise, our minds pursue This wise and noble end (C. M.) That all we think, and all we do, Shall to thine honour tend. HYMN 4. (C. M.) For these celestial lines. Gencsis i. 2 Here may the wretched sons of want L ET heaven arise, let earth appear, ; Proclaim'd Riches above what earth can grant, The heav'n arose, the earth appear’d, And lasting as the mind. At his creating word. 3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,2 But formless was the earth, and void, And yields a free repast ; Dark, sluggish, and confus'd; Sublimer sweets than nature knows Till o'er the mass the Spirit mov'd, Invite the longing taste. And quick’ning pow'r diffus'd. 4 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice 3 Then spake the Lord Omnipotent Spreads heavenly peace around ; The mandate, “Be there light:" And life and everlasting joys, Light darted forth in vivid rays, Attend the blissful sound. And scatter'd ancient night. 5 O may these heavenly pages be 4 The glorious firmament he spread, My ever dear delight; To part the earth and sky; And still new beauties may I see, And fix'd the upper elements And still increasing light. Within their spheres on high, 395 F4 5 He bade the seas together flow; The mighty chorus aid; They left the solid land; And, soon as ev'ning veils the plain, And herbs, and plants, and fruitful trees, Thou moon, prolong the hallow'd straint. Sprung forth at his command. And praise hinn in the shade. 6 Above, he form’d the stars; and plac'd 3 Thou heav'n of heav'ns, his vast Two greater orbs of light; Proclaim the glories of thy God; (abode, The radiant sun to rule the day, Ye worlds, declare his might; The moon to rule the night. He spake the word, and ye were made 7 To all the varied living tribes Darkness and dismal chaos fled, And nature sprung to light. He gave their wondrous birth; Some forin'd within the wat'ry deep, 4 Let every element rejoice; Some, from the teeming earth. Ye thunders, burst with awful voice To him who bids you roll; 8 Then, chief o'er all his works below, Man, honour'd man, was made; His praise in softer notes declare, His soul with God's pure image stamp'd, Each whisp’ring breeze of yielding air And breathe it to the soul. With innocence array’d. HYMN 7. 9 Completed now the mighty work, (L. M.) God his creation view'd : Psalm. xix. And, please with all that one had niade, THE spacious firmament en bigh, “ good. blue ethereal sky, HYMN 5. (II. 1.) And spangled heav'ns, a shining Traine Their great Original proclaim. 2 Th’unwearied sun, from day to day BEGIN, my soul, th” exalted lay, Does his Creator's pow's display, Let each enraptur'd thought obey, And publishes to every land And praise th’ Almighty's name: The work of an Almighty hand. Let heaven and earth, and seas and skies, (3 Soon as the ev’ning shades prevail, In one melodious concert rise, The moon takes up the wondrous tale To swell th' inspiring theme. And, nightly, to the list’ning earth, 2 Ye angels, catch the thrilling sound, Repeats the story of her birth; While the adoring thrones around 4 Whilst all the stars that round her burn His boundless mercy sing ; And all the planets in their turn, Let ev'ry list ning saint above Confirm the tidings as they roll, Wake all the timeful soul of love, And spread the truth from pole to pole And touch the sweetest string. 5 What though in solemn silence all 3 Whate'er this living world contains, Move round this dark terrestrial ball That wings the air, or treads the plains, What though no real voice nor sound United praise bestow; Amidst their radiant orbs be found i And utter forth a glorious voice, 4 Let man, by nobler passions sway'd, " The hand that made us is divine.” For ever singing as they shine, III. PROVIDENCE. HYMN 8. (L. M.) (II. 1.) Well may thy praise our lips em While in thy temple we appear, (ploy, Psalm cxlvii. Praise from the Elements and Worlds. To hail thee, sov’reign of the year. 2 Wide as the wheels of nature roll, Y fields of light, celestial plains, Where pure, serene effulgence Thy band supports and guides the whole Ye scenes divinely fair, {reigns, The sun is taught by thee to rise, Your Maker's wondrous pow'r proclaim, And darkness when to veil the skies Tell how he form’d your shining frame, 3 The flow'ry spring at thy command, And breath'd the fluid air. Perfumes the air, and paints the land; 2 Join, all ye stars, the vocal choir : The summer rays with vigour shine Thou dazzling orb of liquid fire To raise the corn and cheer the villa 4 Thy hand in autumn richly pours 17 Through hidden dangers, tolls, and Through all our coasts redundant stores; It gently clear'd my way, (deaths, And winters, soften'd by thy care, And through the pleasing shares of vice, No more the face of horror wear. More to be fear'd than they. 5 Seasons, and months, and weeks, and 8 When worn with sickness, oft hast thou days, With health renew'd my face; Demand successive songs of praise ; And, when in sins and scrrows sunk, And be the grateful homage paid, Réviv'd my soul with grace. With morning light and ev’ning shade. 9 Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss 6 Here in thy house let incense rise; Has made my cup run o'er; And circling sabbaths bless our eyes, And in a kind and faithful triend Till to those lofty heights we soar, Has doubled all my store. Where days and years revolve no more. 10 Ten thousand thousand precious gifts HYMN 9. (II. 3.) My daily thanks employ; Psalm xxiii. Nor is the least a cheerful heart, HE Lord my pasture shall prepare, That tastes those gifts with joy. care; 11 Through every period of my life The glorious theme renew. 12 When nature fails, and day and night 2 When in the sultry glebe I faint, Divide thy works no more, Or on the thirsty mountain pant, My ever grateful heart, O Lord, To fertile vales and dewy meads Thy mercy shall adore. My weary wand'ring steps he leads, 13 Through all eternity, to thee, Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow, Amid the verdant landscape flow. A joyful song I'll raise ; But oh! eternity's too short 3 Though in the paths of death I tread, To utter all thy praise. With gloomy horrors overspread; KYMN 11. My steadfast heart shall fear no ill, (III. 1.) Psalm xxxi. 15. For thou, O Lord, art with me still : “My times are in thy hand.” Thy friendly crook shall give ine aid, OV'REIGN Ruler of the skies, And guide me through the dreadful Sony Ever gracious, ever wise, All our times are in thy hand, (C. M.) All events at thy command. O Order'd by his wise detree. 3 Times of sickness, times of health, That glows within my ravish'd heart! Blighting want, and cheerful wealth, But thou canst read it there. All our pleasures, all our pains, 3 Thy providence my life sustain'd, Come, and end, as God ordains. And all my wants redrest, 4 May we always own thy hand, When in the silent womb I lay, Suill to thee surrender'd stand, And hung upon the breast. Know that thou art God aione, 4 To all my weak complaints and cries We and ours are all thy own! Thy mercy lent an ear, HYMN 12. (C. M.) E'er yet my feeble thoughts had learnt GOD moves in a mysterious way . wonders to 5 Unnumber'd comforts to my soul He plants his footsteps in the sea, Thy tender care bestow'd, And rides upon the storm. Before my infant heart conceiv'd 2 Deep in unfathomable mines, From whom those comforts flow'd. With never failing skill, 6 When in the slipp'ry paths of youth He treasures up his bright designs, With heedless steps I ran, And works his gracious will. Thine arn, unseen, convey'd me safe, 3 Ye fearful sainits, fresh courage take i Aud led me up to ma The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break 5 And lo! the Son of God is slain To be this Mediator crown'd: 4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, In Him, my soul, be cleans'd from stain, But trust him for his grace : In Him thy righteousness be found ! Behind a frowning providence HYMN 15 (L. M.) He hides a smiling face. ALL glorious God, what hymns of 5 His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour : Shall our transported voices raise ! The bud inay have a bitter taste What ardent love and zeal are due, But sweet will be the flower. While heaven stands open to our view: 6 Blind unbelief is sure to err, 2 Once we were fall'n, and ( how low ! And scan his work in vain : Just on the brink of endless wo; God is his own interpreter, When Jesus, from the realms above, And he will make it plain. Borne on the wings of boundless love. 3 Scatter'd the shades of death and night, IV, REDEMPTION. And spread around his heavenly light! HYMN 13. (S. M.) By him what wondrous grace is shown Job ix. 2–6. To souls impoverish'd and undone! 4 He shows, beyond these mortal shores, A Be just before his God! A bright inheritance as ours; If he contend in righteousness, Where saints in light our coming wait, We sink beneath his rod. To share their holy, happy state! HYMN 16. 2 If he our ways should mark (C. M.) With strict inquiring eyes, sound Could we for one of thousand faults Glad tidings to our ears, A just excuse devise? A sov'reign balm for every wound, A cordial for our fears. 3 All-seeing, pow'rful God! Who can with thee contend? 2 Salvation ! buried once in sin, Or who that tries th’ unequal strife, At hell's dark door we lay; Shall prosper in the end ? But now we rise by grace divine, 4 The mountains, in thy wrath, And see a heavenly day. Their ancient seats 'forsake! 3 Salvation! let the echo fly The trernbling earth deserts her place, The spacious earth around; Her rooted pillans shake! While all the armies of the sky 5 Ah, how shall guilty man Conspire to raise the sound. Contend with such a God? 4 Salvation ! O thou bleeding Lamb, None, none can meet him, and escape, To Thee the praise belongs : But through the Saviour's blood, Our hearts shall kindle at thy name, HYMN 14. (L. M.) Thy name inspire our songs. Job ix. 30-33. Chorus, for the end of each verse Glory, honour, praise, and power, THOUGH I should seek to wash me clean Be unto the Lamb for ever! In water of the driven snow, Jesus Christ is our Redeemer! My soul would yet its spot retain, Hallelujah, praise the Lord ! And sink in conscious guilt and wo: HYMN 17. (C. M.) 2 The Spirit, in his pow'r divine, Would cast my vaunting soul to earth, To our Redeemer's glorious name : Awake the Expose the foulness of its sin, O may his love (immortal flame!) And show the vileness of its worth. Tune every heart and tongue. 3 Ah, not like erring man is God, 2 His love, what mortal thought can That men to answer him should dáre; What mortal tongue display! [reach Condemn'd, and into silence aw'd, Imagination's utmost streich They helpless stand before his bár. In wonder dies away. 4 There, must a Mediator plead, 3 He left his radiant throne on high, Who, God and man, may both em- Left the bright realms of bliss, With God, for man to intercede, [brace; And came to earth to bleed and die ! And offer man the purchas'd grace. Was ever love like this." 4 Dear Lord, while we adoring pay 13 Can aught beneath a power divine Our humble thanks to thee, The stubborn will subdue ? May every heart with rapture say, "Tis thine, Almighty Saviour, thine "The Saviour died for me." To form the heart anew. 5 O may the sweet, the blissful theme 4 Tis thine the passions to recall, Fill every heart and tongue; And upwards bid them rise; Till strangers love thy charming name, And make the scales of error fall And join the sacred song. From reason's darken'd eyes. HYMN 18. (III. 3.) 5 To chase the shades of death away, And bid the sinner live; SA AVIOUR, source of every blessing, A beam of heaven, a vital ray, Tune my heart to grateful lays; 'Tis thine alone to give. Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for ceaseless songs of praise. 6 O change these wretched hearts of And give them life divine ! [ours, 2 Teach me some melodious measure, Then shall our passions and our powers, Sung by raptur'd saints above; Almighty Lord, be thine. HYMN 21 (C. M.) 3 Thou didst seek me when a stranger, FATHER, to thee my soul I lin, On thee my hope depends, Wand'ring from the fold of God; Convinc'd that every perfect gift Thou, to save my soul from danger, From thee alone descends. Didst redeem me with thy blood. 4 By thy hand restor’d, defended, 2 Mercy and grace are thine alone, Safe through life thus far I'm come; And pow'r and wisdom too; Without the Spirit of thy Son Safe, O Lord, when life is ended, We nothing good can do. Bring me to my heavenly home. 3 Thou all our works in us hast wrought, HYMN 19. (C. M.) Our good is all divine; Titus iii. 4-7. The praise of every holy thought And righteous word is thine. My grateful soul, for ever praise, his , 4 From thee, through Jesus, we receive Who turn’d thee from the fatal paths The pow'r on thee to call, Cí folly, sin, and shame In whom we are, and move, and live:: 2 Vain and presumptuous is the trust Our God is all in all, HYMN 22. (III. 1.) Who, from yon bright throne above, 3 'Tis from the love of God through Ever watchful o'er our race, That all our hopes begin; (Christ, Still to man extends his grace. His mercy sav'd our souls from death, 2 Heav'n and earth by him were made, And wash'd us from our sin. All is by his sceptre sway'd; So much love to us below? 3 God, the merciful and good, Bought us with the Saviour's blood i 5 Thuš rais’d from death, we live anew; And, to make our safety sure, And, justifi'd by grace, Guides us by his Spirit pure. We hope in glory to appear, 14 Sing, my soul, adore his name; And see our Father's face. Let his glory be thy theme: Praise him till he calls thee home, Trust his love for all to come. HYMN 23. (S. M.) The heart unchang'd can never rise GRACE! 'tis a charming sound! To happiness and God. 2 The will perverse, the passions blind, Ileaven with the echo shall resound, In paths of ruin stray: And all the earth shall hear. Recii dehas'd can never find 2 Grace first contriv'd a way The case, the narrow way To save rebellious man, ز |