Chapter 22

3 Thus through life's changing scenes we'll go, Its checkered paths of joy and woe, With holy care we'll tread: Quit its vain scenes without a tear, Without a trouble or a fear, And mingle with the dead.

626. C. M. Aveling.

Fear not.

1 Whene'er the clouds of sorrow roll, And trials whelm the mind,-- When, faint with grief, thy wearied soul No joys on earth can find,-- Then lift thy voice to God on high, Dry up the trembling tear, And hush the low complaining sigh: Fear not; thy God is near.

2 When dark temptations spread their snares And earth with charms allures, And when thy soul, oppressed with fears, The world's assault endures, Then let thy Father's friendly voice Thy fainting spirit cheer, And bid thy trembling heart rejoice: Fear not; thy God is near.

3 And when the final hour shall come, That calls thee to thy rest, To dwell within thy heavenly home, A welcome, joyful guest, Be calm; though Jordan's waves may roll, No ills shall meet thee there; Angels shall whisper to thy soul, Fear not; thy God is near.

627. C. M. Doddridge.

Trust in the Presence and Help of God.

1 And art thou with us, gracious Lord, To dissipate our fear? Dost thou proclaim thyself our God, Our God forever near?

2 Doth thy right hand, which formed the earth, And bears up all the skies, Stretch from on high its friendly aid, When dangers round us rise?

3 On this support our souls shall lean, And banish every care; The gloomy vale of death will smile, If God be with us there.

4 While we his gracious succor prove, 'Midst all our various ways, The darkest shades, through which we pass, Shall echo with his praise.

628. L. M. Beddome.

Submission.

1 Wait, O my soul, thy Maker's will! Tumultuous passions, all be still! Nor let one murmuring thought arise; His ways are just, his counsels wise.

2 He in the thickest darkness dwells, Performs his work,--the cause conceals; But though his methods are unknown, Judgment and truth support his throne.

3 In heaven, and earth, and air, and seas, He executes his firm decrees; And by his saints it stands confessed That what he does is ever best.

629. C. M. Burder's Coll.

Rejoicing in Adversity.

1 What though no flowers the fig-tree clothe Though vines their fruit deny, The labor of the olive fail, And fields no meat supply;--

2 Though from the fold, with sad surprise, My flock cut off I see; Though famine reign in empty stalls, Where herds were wont to be;--

3 Yet in the Lord will I be glad, And glory in his love; In him I'll joy, who will the God Of my salvation prove.

4 God is the treasure of my soul, The source of lasting joy-- A joy which want shall not impair, Nor death itself destroy.

630. C. M. Anonymous.

"Blessed are they that mourn."

1 In trouble and in grief, O God, Thy smile hath cheered my way; And joy hath budded from each thorn That round my footsteps lay.

2 The hours of pain have yielded good, Which prosperous days refused; As herbs, though scentless when entire, Spread fragrance when they're bruised.

3 The oak strikes deeper as its boughs By furious blasts are driven; So life's vicissitudes the more Have fixed my heart in heaven.

4 All-gracious Lord! whate'er my lot In other times may be, I'll welcome still the heaviest grief, That brings me near to thee.

631. L. M. Bowring.

God Merciful in Affliction.

1 Mysterious are the ways of God, And fear and blindness oft repine; We murmur 'neath his chastening rod, Because we read not his design.

2 Impending clouds his love has spread O'er this low vale where mortals dwell; And oft we mourn his spirit fled, When adverse tempests round us swell.

3 But in those storms that sometimes roll, Our mortal dwellings dark above, Whose threatening shades dismay the soul, Dwells the bright presence of his love.

4 We cannot see him--not a ray Of all his glory there appears, And oft we thread our darkened way, Trembling with anxious doubts and fears.

5 Yet faith still looks beyond the gloom, While hope's bright star illumes our night; Pilgrims of earth! though dark the tomb, It leads to scenes of bliss and light.

632. C. M. Moore.

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

1 O Thou who driest the mourner's tear, How dark this world would be, If, when deceived and wounded here, We could not fly to thee!

2 But thou wilt heal that broken heart, Which like the plants that throw Their fragrance from the wounded part, Breathes sweetness out of woe.

3 When joy no longer soothes or cheers, And e'en the hope that threw A moment's sparkle o'er our tears Is dimmed and vanished too;

4 O, who would bear life's stormy doom, Did not thy wing of love Come, brightly wafting through the gloom Our peace-branch from above?

5 Then sorrow touched by thee grows bright, With more than rapture's ray; The darkness shows us worlds of light We never saw by day.

633. C. M. Drummond.

"God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble."

1 Bereft of all, when hopeless care Would sink us to the tomb, O what can save us from despair? What dissipate the gloom?

2 No balm that earthly plants distil Can soothe the mourner's smart; No mortal hand with lenient skill Bind up the broken heart.

3 But One alone, who reigns above, Our woe to peace can turn, And light the lamp of joy and love That long has ceased to burn.

4 Then, O my soul, to that One flee, To God thy woes reveal; His eye alone thy wounds can see, His hand alone can heal.

634. L. M. Montgomery.

The Same.

1 God is our refuge and defence, In trouble our unfailing aid; Secure in his omnipotence, What foe can make our soul afraid?

2 Yea, though the earth's foundations rock, And mountains down the gulf be hurled, His people smile amid the shock, They look beyond this transient world.

3 There is a river pure and bright, Whose streams make glad the heavenly plains, Where, in eternity of light, The city of our God remains.

4 Built by the word of his command, With his unclouded presence blessed, Firm as his throne the bulwarks stand; There is our home, our hope, our rest.

635. C. M. Anonymous.

Trust amid the Severities of God.

1 Thou Power supreme, whose mighty scheme These woes of mine fulfil, Here, firm, I rest; they must be best, Because they are thy will.

2 Then all I want,--O do thou grant This one request of mine,-- Since to enjoy thou dost deny, Assist me to resign.

RELIGIOUS EXULTATION.

636. 7s. & 6s. M. Montgomery.

Confidence in God. Ps. 27.

1 God is my strong salvation; What foe have I to fear? In darkness and temptation My Light, my Help, is near. Though hosts encamp around me, Firm to the fight I stand; What terror can confound me With God at my right hand?

2 Place on the Lord reliance; My soul, with courage wait; His truth be thine affiance, When faint and desolate; His might thine heart shall strengthen; His love thy joy increase; Mercy thy days shall lengthen; The Lord will give thee peace.

637. S. M. Moravian.

Reliance on God.

1 Give to the winds thy fears; Hope and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs, God counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.

2 Through waves, through clouds and storms, He gently clears thy way; Wait thou his time, so shall the night Soon end in joyous day.

3 He everywhere hath rule, And all things serve his might; His every act pure blessing is, His path unsullied light.

4 Thou seest our weakness, Lord, Our hearts are known to thee: O, lift thou up the sinking hand, Confirm the feeble knee!

5 Let us, in life or death, Boldly thy truth declare; And publish, with our latest breath, Thy love and guardian care.

638. L. M. Doddridge.

Praising God in Life and in Death.

1 God of my life! through all its days My grateful powers shall sound thy praise; The song shall wake with opening light, And warble to the silent night.

2 When anxious cares would break my rest, And griefs would tear my throbbing breast, Thy tuneful praises, raised on high, Shall check the murmur and the sigh.

3 But, O, when that last conflict's o'er, And I am chained to flesh no more; With what glad accents shall I rise To join the music of the skies!

4 Soon shall I learn the exalted strains Which echo o'er the heavenly plains; And emulate, with joy unknown, The glowing seraphs round thy throne.

639. H. M. Doddridge.

Faithfulness of God's Promise.

1 The promises I sing, Which sovereign love hath spoke; Nor will the eternal King His words of grace revoke; They stand secure, And steadfast still; Not Zion's hill Abides so sure.

2 The mountains melt away, When once the Judge appears, And sun and moon decay, That measure mortal years; But still the same, In radiant lines, The promise shines, Through all the flame.

640. C. M. Watts.

Salvation.

1 Salvation! O, the joyful sound! 'Tis pleasure to our ears, A sovereign balm for every wound, A cordial for our fears.

2 Buried in sorrow and in sin, At death's dark door we lay; But we arise, by grace divine, To see a heavenly day.

3 Salvation! let the echo fly The spacious earth around, While all the armies of the sky Conspire to raise the sound.

641. 8s. & 7s. M. Dublin Coll.

Praise from Earth and Heaven.

1 Praise the Lord! ye heavens adore him; Praise him, angels in the height; Sun and moon rejoice before him; Praise him, all ye stars of light! Praise the Lord, for he hath spoken; Worlds his mighty voice obeyed; Laws which never can be broken, For their guidance he hath made.

2 Praise the Lord! for he is glorious, Never shall his promise fail; God hath made his saints victorious, Sin and death shall not prevail: Praise the God of our salvation, Hosts on high his power proclaim; Heaven and earth, and all creation, Praise and magnify his name!

642. C. M. Watts.

Experience of God's Grace.

1 When God revealed his gracious name, And changed my mournful state, My rapture seemed a pleasing dream, The grace appeared so great.

2 The world beheld the glorious change, And did thy hand confess; My tongue broke out in unknown strains, And sung surprising grace.

3 The Lord can clear the darkest skies, Can give us day for night; Make drops of sacred sorrow rise To rivers of delight.

4 Let those, who sow in sadness, wait Till the fair harvest come; They shall confess their sheaves are great, And shout the blessings home.

643. C. M. Beddome.

Fear not.

1 Ye trembling souls, dismiss your fears; Be mercy all your theme; For mercy like a river flows, In one perpetual stream.

2 Fear not the powers of earth and hell; God will those powers restrain; His arm will all their rage repel, And make their efforts vain.

3 Fear not the want of outward good; For his he will provide, Grant them supplies of daily food, And give them heaven beside.

4 Fear not that he will e'er forsake, Or leave his work undone; He's faithful to his promises, And faithful to his Son.

644. C. M. Heginbotham.

Rejoicing in God, our Father.

1 Come, shout aloud the Father's grace, And sing the Saviour's love; Soon shall you join the glorious theme, In loftier strains above.

2 God, the eternal, mighty God, To dearer names descends; Calls us his treasure and his joy, His children and his friends.

3 My Father, God! and may these lips Pronounce a name so dear? Not thus could heaven's sweet harmony Delight my listening ear.

4 Thanks to my God for every gift His bounteous hands bestow; And thanks eternal for that love Whence all these comforts flow.

645. C. M. Watts.

The Same.

1 The Lord of Glory is my Light, And my Salvation too: God is my strength, nor will I fear What all my foes can do.

2 One privilege my heart desires-- Oh grant me an abode Among the churches of thy saints, The temples of my God!

3 There shall I offer my requests, And see thy beauty still; Shall hear thy messages of love, And there inquire thy will.

4 When troubles rise and storms appear, There may his children hide: God has a strong pavilion, where He makes my soul abide.

5 Now shall my head be lifted high Above my foes around, And songs of joy and victory Within thy temple sound.

646. 7s. & 6s. M. Anonymous.

The Same.

1 To Thee, my God and Saviour, My soul exulting sings; Rejoicing in thy favor, Almighty King of kings! I'll celebrate thy glory With all thy saints above. And tell the joyful story Of thy redeeming love.

2 Soon as the morn with roses Bedecks the dewy east, And when the sun reposes Upon the ocean's breast; My voice in supplication, My Saviour, thou shalt hear: O grant me thy salvation, And to my soul draw near.

3 Thy gracious love possessing In all my pilgrim road, My soul shall feel thy blessing In thy divine abode. There bowing down before thee, My every conflict o'er, My spirit shall adore thee, Forever, evermore.

647. P. M. Warren St. Coll.

Triumph.

1 Daughter of Zion, awake from thy sadness! Awake! for thy foes shall oppress thee no more; Bright o'er thy hills dawns the day-star of gladness, Arise! for the night of thy sorrow is o'er.

2 Strong were thy foes, but the arm that subdued them And scattered their legions was mightier far; They fled like the chaff from the scourge that pursued them, Vain were their steeds and their chariots of war.

3 Daughter of Zion, the power that hath saved thee Extolled with the harp and the timbrel should be; Shout! for the foe is destroyed that enslaved thee; Th' oppressor is vanquished, and Zion is free.

648. C. M. J. Q. Adams.

Psalm 23.

1 My Shepherd is the Lord on high; His hand supplies me still; In pastures green he makes me lie, Beside the rippling rill: He cheers my soul, relieves my woes, His glory to display; The paths of righteousness he shows, And leads me in his way.

2 Though walking through death's dismal shade, No evil will I fear; Thy rod, thy staff shall lend me aid, For thou art ever near: For me a table thou dost spread In presence of my foes; With oil thou dost anoint my head; By thee my cup o'erflows.

3 Thy goodness and thy mercy sure Shall bless me all my days; And I, with lips sincere and pure, Will celebrate thy praise: Yes, in the temple of the Lord Forever I will dwell; To after time thy name record, And of thy glory tell.

649. 8s. & 7s. M. Bowring.

The Cross of Christ.

1 In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.

2 When the woes of life o'ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy, Never shall the cross forsake me; Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

3 When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon my way, From the cross the radiance streaming Adds more lustre to the day.

4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, By the cross are sanctified; Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide.

650. L. M. Wesley's Coll.

Glorying in Christ.

1 Let not the wise their wisdom boast; The mighty glory in his might; The rich in flattering riches trust, Which take their everlasting flight.

2 The rush of numerous years bears down The most gigantic strength of man; And where is all his wisdom gone, When dust he turns to dust again?

3 The Lord, my righteousness, I praise, I triumph in the love divine, The wisdom, wealth, and strength of grace In Christ through endless ages mine.

651. C. M. Doddridge.

The Way to the Heavenly City.

1 Sing, ye redeemed of the Lord, Your great Deliverer sing; Pilgrims, for Zion's city bound, Be joyful in your King.

2 A hand divine shall lead you on Through all the blissful road, Till to the sacred mount you rise, And see your Father, God.

3 There garlands of immortal joy Shall bloom on every head, While sorrow, sighing, and distress, Like shadows all are fled.

4 March on in your Redeemer's strength, Pursue his footsteps still, And let the prospect cheer your eye While laboring up the hill.

652. S. M. Doddridge.

Grace first and last in Salvation.

1 Grace! 'tis a charming sound! Harmonious to the ear! Heaven with the echo shall resound, And all the earth shall hear.

2 Grace first contrived the way To save rebellious man; And all the steps that grace display Which drew the wondrous plan.

3 Grace led my roving feet To tread the heavenly road; And new supplies each hour I meet While pressing on to God.

4 Grace taught my soul to pray, And made my eyes o'erflow; 'Twas grace that kept me to this day, And will not let me go.

5 Grace all the work shall crown, Through everlasting days; It lays in heaven the topmost stone, And well deserves the praise.

THE CHURCH, AND ORDINANCES.

653. 8s. & 7s. M. J. Newton.

"Glorious things spoken of Zion."

1 Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God! He whose word cannot be broken Formed thee for his own abode. On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, Thou mayst smile at all thy foes.

2 See! the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love, Well supply thy sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove. Who can faint while such a river Ever flows their thirst t' assuage? Grace, which, like the Lord the giver, Never fails from age to age.

3 Round each habitation hovering, See the cloud and fire appear! For a glory and a covering, Showing that the Lord is near. Fading is the worldling's pleasure, All his boasted pomp and show; Solid joys and lasting treasure None but Zion's children know.

654. S. M. Watts.

Safety of the Church.

1 How honored is the place Where we adoring stand!-- Zion, the glory of the earth, And beauty of the land.

2 Bulwarks of grace defend The city where we dwell, While walls, of strong salvation made, Defy th' assaults of hell.

3 Lift up th' eternal gates; The doors wide open fling; Enter, ye nations that obey The statutes of your King.

4 Here taste unmingled joys, And live in perfect peace, You that have known Jehovah's name, And ventured on his grace.

5 Trust in the Lord, ye saints, And banish all your fears; Strength in the Lord Jehovah dwells, Eternal as his years.

655. C. M. Anonymous.

The Jewish and the Christian Zion. Ps. 48.

1 With stately towers and bulwarks strong, Unrivalled and alone, Loved theme of many a sacred song, God's holy city shone.

2 Thus fair was Zion's chosen seat, The glory of all lands; Yet fairer, and in strength complete, The Christian temple stands.

3 The faithful of each clime and age This glorious church compose; Built on a rock, with idle rage The threatening tempest blows.

4 In vain may hostile bands alarm, For God is her defence; How weak, how powerless is each arm, Against Omnipotence!

656. S. M. Watts.

Gospel Order.

1 Far as thy name is known The world declares thy praise; Thy saints, O Lord, before thy throne, Their songs of honor raise.

2 Let strangers walk around The city where we dwell, Survey with care thine holy ground, And mark the building well,--

3 The order of thy house, The worship of thy court, The cheerful songs, the solemn vows, And make a fair report.

4 How decent and how wise! How glorious to behold! Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes, And rites adorned with gold.

5 The God we worship now Will guide us till we die,-- Will be our God while here below, And ours above the sky.

657. S. M. Dwight.

Attachment to the Church.

1 I love thy church, O God; Her walls before thee stand, Dear as the apple of thine eye, And graven on thy hand.

2 For her my tears shall fall; For her my prayers ascend; To her my cares and toils be given, Till toils and cares shall end.

3 Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways, Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.

4 Father and Friend divine, Our Saviour and our King, Thy hand, from every snare and foe, Shall great deliverance bring.

5 Sure as thy truth shall last, To Zion shall be given The brightest glories earth can yield, And brighter bliss of heaven.

658. C. M. S. F. Smith.

Christian Fellowship.

1 Planted in Christ, the living vine, This day with one accord, Ourselves, with humble faith and joy, We yield to thee, O Lord.

2 Joined in one body may we be: One inward life partake; One be our heart; one heavenly hope In every bosom wake.

3 In prayer, in effort, tears, and toils, One Wisdom be our guide; Taught by one Spirit from above, In thee may we abide.

4 Around this feeble, trusting band Thy sheltering pinions spread, Nor let the storms of trial beat Too fiercely on our head.

5 Then, when, among the saints in light, Our joyful spirits shine, Shall anthems of immortal praise, O Lamb of God, be thine.