Sabbath Evening.

But read in this book, and thy soul shall hear
His own almighty word."

Like a son, he has pressed the extended hand,
his mountain way:

And

gone on

There are more to be won-a work to be done,
Which must be done to-day.

But he has told in that humble abode,
A truth that will never die ;

Has opened a vision of faith and hope,
Which extends beyond the sky.
And the truth has kindled in sinking age
A life that will never cease,

But unfold in the ever expanding soul
The riches of love and peace.

SABBATH EVENING.

Gracious Lord, we humbly thank Thee,
For the mercy shown to-day;
Thou hast led our souls to worship,

Thou hast given us strength to pray:

83

84

Sabbath Evening.

Thou hast made us plead Thy promise,
More abundant grace to grant,
Passing all our expectation,

All our knowledge of our want.

To the all unbounded sources
Of Thy everlasting grace

We repaired, and blest discovery!
Lo, we found Thy dwelling-place!

Not a word was by us spoken,

Not a sound of praise or prayer,

But the homage of the broken

And the contrite heart was there.

Let us not despise the offering,
Which the Lord accepts indeed,

He in His abounding mercy,
We in poverty and need.

Let us thus for ever seek Him
Daily wait for daily bread,

And our souls with living substance

Shall abundantly be fed.

O Thou whose bounty fills my cup
With every blessing meet;
I give Thee thanks for every drop,

The bitter and the sweet.

I thank Thee for the desert road,
And for the river side;

For all Thy goodness has bestowed,
And all Thy grace denied.

I thank Thee for the smile and frown,
And for the gain and loss;

I bless Thee for the future crown,
And for the present cross.

I praise thee for the wing of love
Which stirred my worldly nest;

And for the stormy cloud which drove
The flutterer to Thy breast.

I bless Thee for the glad increase,
And for the exceeding joy;
And for this calm and settled peace,
Which nothing can destroy.

WHY STANDEST THOU AFAR OFF, O LORD?
WHY HIDEST THOU THYSELF IN TIMES OF TROUBLE?
Psalm x. 1.

Lord! we know that Thou art near us,

Though Thou seem to hide Thy face:
And are sure that Thou dost hear us,
Though no answer we embrace.

Not one promise shall miscarry;
Not one blessing come too late;
Though the vision long may tarry,
Give us patience, Lord, to wait.

While witholding, Thou art giving
In Thine own appointed way;
And while waiting, we're receiving
Blessings suited to our day.

On the Death of S. C. J.

Oh! the wondrous loving-kindness,
Planning, working out of sight!
Bearing with us in our blindness;
Out of darkness bringing light.

Weaving blessings out of trials;
Out of grief evolving bliss;
Answering prayer by wise denials,
When Thy children ask amiss.

And when faith shall end in vision,
And when prayer is lost in praise,
Then shall love in full fruition,
Show how just are all Thy ways.

87

ON THE DEATH OF S. C. J. AFTER A LONG

AND PAINFUL ILLNESS.

In the hush of this still chamber,
Whence a soul has been set free,
Teach us, Lord, the holy lessons

We would humbly ask of Thee.