Chapter 6

Vouchsafe to me the noble light That from Thy countenance so bright On pious souls aye breaketh, And where the pow'r of wisdom true Through Thine own pow'r awaketh.

Give understanding from on high, That I henceforward may rely Upon mine own will never. Be Thou my counsel, that I may Fulfil the good, Lord! ever.

Prove all things well, whate'er is good Give to me, but what flesh and blood Doth choose, withhold it ever. The highest good, the fairest part, Thy glory is and favour.

Sun of my soul! my chief delight! Whate'er is pleasing in Thy sight, Oh! may I choose and do it; And what's displeasing unto Thee, May I, O Lord! eschew it.

Is it from Thee? my work then bless; Is it of man? withhold success, And change what I'm resolving. Dost Thou not work? 'twill come to nought, In failure soon involving.

But should Thine and our enemy Begin to rage revengefully Against the good Thou'rt meaning, My comfort is, Thou canst avert His wrath, me ever screening.

Draw near, and let it easy be, What seems impossible to me, A happy issue give it; What Thou Thyself didst undertake, Thy wisdom did conceive it.

Though hard at first the work may be, And I may through the deepest sea Of bitter grief be passing, Oh! may I only driven be To sighs and pray'r unceasing.

Whoever prays and trusteth Thee, With valiant heart shall victor be O'er all that frightens ever, In thousand pieces speedily Grief's heavy stone shall shiver.

The way to good is almost wild, With thorns and hedges is it fill'd; Along this way who goeth He by the Spirit's grace at last What heav'nly joy is knoweth.

I am Thy child, my Father Thou! Thou hast abundance to bestow, Nought can I find within me; Help, that I may maintain my ground, As victor home, Lord! bring me.

Thine be the glory and the pow'r! Thy mighty works I'll more and more From heart with rapture swelling, Before Thy folk and all the world, All my life long be telling.

TWOFOLD, FATHER! IS MY PRAYER.--PROV. XXX. 7-9.

Twofold, Father! is my pray'r, Twofold the desire I there Lay before Thee, who dost give What's good for us to receive; Grant the pray'r that Thou dost know, Ere my soul to Thee must go From the body's bands below.

Grant that far from me may be Lying and idolatry; Poverty immoderate Give me not, nor riches great; Too great wealth or poverty Is not good, for either may 'Neath the devil's pow'r us lay.

Give to me, my Saviour! give Modest portion while I live; Evermore supply my need, Giving me my daily bread; Little, with contented mood, And a conscience pure and good, Is the best can be bestow'd.

If my cup should overflow, Proud in spirit I might grow, Thee deny with scornful word, Asking who is God and Lord? For the heart with pride doth swell, Often knows not when 'tis well, How itself enough t' extol.

Should I bare and naked be, Sunk in too deep poverty, Faithless, I might wickedly Steal my neighbour's property; Force might use and artifice, Follow lawless practices, Never ask what Christian is.

God! my Treasure and my Light, Neither course for me were right, Either would dishonour Thee, Sink me into hell's dark sea; Therefore, give, Lord! graciously, What Thy heart designs for me, Moderate my portion be!

SIRACH'S PRAYER FOR A HAPPY AND TEMPERATE LIFE.

Creator, Father, Prince of might! Who life to me art giving, Unless Thou guid'st my life aright In vain here am I living. For while I'm living, I am dead, To sin devoted ever; Whose life in mire of sin is led, The true life he hath never Beheld one moment even.

Then turn on Thy poor child Thy face, In darkness do not leave me; That I may shun sin and disgrace, Good counsel ever give me! To keep my lips a guard, Lord, send, May no word ever leave them That e'er Thy people could offend Let nought I say e'er grieve them, Nor ever Thee dishonour!

Forbid, Father! that mine ear Upon this earth so evil, Against Thy name and pow'r should hear The wicked rage and cavil. Let not the poison and the gall Of slanderers defile me; If I such filth should touch at all It surely would beguile me, Might e'en quite overthrow me.

Lord, keep mine eyes, control their glance, May they work evil never; A bold and shameless countenance Keep Thou far from me ever! What's honest, keeps due boundaries, What angels seek in heaven, What is well-pleasing in Thine eyes, For it by me be striven, All luxury disdaining.

Oh! may I ne'er delighted be By revelling and eating; Be what Thou lov'st belov'd by me, Though others shun it, hating. The lusts wherein the flesh doth roll, To hell will draw us ever; The joys the world doth love, the soul And spirit will deliver To torment everlasting.

Oh! happy he who eats heav'n's bread, And heav'nly water drinketh, Who tastes nought else, nought else doth heed, Nought else desires, and thinketh Of that alone which strength can bring, The life we'll live for ever With God, and with the hosts who sing His praise, in joy that never Shall know an interruption.

FOR CONSTANT CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.

Jesus! Thou, my dearest Brother, Who dost well to me intend, Thou mine Anchor, Mast, and Rudder, And my truest Bosom-Friend. To Thee, ere was earth or heaven, Had the race of man been given; Thou, e'en me, poor guest of earth, Chosen hadst before my birth.

Thou art free from guile, Lord! ever Innocent of all that's base; But on this sad earth whenever I in meditation gaze, There I find deception living; Who excelleth in deceiving, Who the best dissemble can, He's the best and wisest man.

Hollow and unfaithful ever Is the friendship of the earth; Seemeth she a man to favour? 'Tis but for the gold he's worth; Are we prosp'rous, do we flourish? She will smile on us, and nourish; Doth misfortune o'er us low'r? She forsakes us in that hour.

Drive away from me, and shield me From such instability; If I, Father, have defil'd me (For I also human be) With this mire, and did I ever Falsehood love, oh! now deliver. All my guilt I own to Thee, Patience give, and grace to me!

May I ne'er be overtaken By the evils Thou hast said Come on those who've truth forsaken, And with wares deceptive trade; For Thou sayest Thou disownest, As abomination shunnest, Ev'ry hypocrite's false mood, Who talks, but doth not the good.

May my heart be constant ever, Faithful still to every friend; When to grief Thou dost deliver Them, and 'neath the cross they bend, May I even then ne'er shun them, But like unto Thee, Lord, own them, Who, when we were poor and bare, Tended'st us with fondest care.

After Thy will, Saviour, give me One in whom I may confide, Who will faithful counsel give me When my heart is sorely tried; To whom I may freely utter All I feel, with nought to fetter, In the measure I may need, 'Till my heart from care is freed.

Oh! let David's bliss betide me, Give to me a Jonathan Who will come and stand beside me Like a rock, though every man From my company should sever, Who his heart will give me ever, Who'll stand firm in every hour, When sun shines or tempests low'r.

Out of all the men who're living, Choose me a believing friend, Who to Thee is firmly cleaving, On Thine arm doth aye depend; Who may by Thy will relieve me, Help and comfort ever give me, Help, from sympathizing heart, Comfort, when I feel grief's smart.

When 'tis only the mouth loveth, Then the love is ill bestow'd; Whose love but to good words moveth While he keeps a hateful mood, Whom self-interest rules ever, Who when honey falls, stays never, But escapeth speedily,-- Ever far be such from me!

In my weakness and my sinning, Move my friend to speak to me, By his words of kindness winning, Never as an enemy. Who reproves in love and sadness Is like him, in days of gladness, Who pours balsam over me That by Jordan floweth free.

Riches great were I possessing, Priceless were my property; Jesus! did Thy hand such blessing Graciously bestow on me, Were such friend, Lord! ever near me, By His constancy to cheer me; Who doth honour Thee, and fear He hath such a treasure near.

Good friends like to staves are ever, Whereon men lean as they go, That the weak one can deliver, When he slides and lieth low: Sad his case who such ne'er knoweth, Who through life all friendless goeth, Weary is his lonely way, When he falls, to help who stay?

Gracious Saviour! let it please Thee, Be my Friend in every hour, Be my Friend, till death release me, Be my faithful Staff of pow'r! When Thou to Thyself wilt bind me, Then a heart Thou soon wilt find me, By Thy Holy Spirit fir'd With good thoughts to me inspir'd.

FOR TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL WELFARE.

O God, my Father! thanks to Thee I bring with deep humility, That Thou Thine anger endest, And that Thy Son, Our Joy and Crown, Into the world Thou sendest.

He hath appear'd, His precious blood Hath pourèd forth in such a flood, That all our sins it washes. Who to Him cleaves, He soon relieves Of burdens, and refreshes.

I come, Lord! as the best I may, Take me into the band, I pray, Of those who are forgiven, Who through this blood Are just and good, And shall be bless'd in heaven.

Oh! let mine eye and hand of faith This noble pledge keep without scath, Away from me ne'er casting; And let this light Lead me aright, To the light everlasting.

The mansion of my soul prepare, Cast out whate'er is evil there, And build in me Thy dwelling: Thy grace so free Reveal to me, My soul with Thy love filling.

All things are mine when I have Thee, Thou void of gifts canst never be; A thousand ways Thou knowest On earth to keep Thy feeble sheep; Enough Thou aye bestowest.

Grant that I in my station here Thee in Thy word may ever fear, So guide what things concern me, That found in me True faith may be, And may with truth adorn me.

And give me a contented mind, For when with godliness combin'd, Great gain thence ever floweth. Then what of good It pleaseth God To give, great peace bestoweth.

The little that by God's great grace The righteous as his portion has, To honour more commendeth, Than all the gold The world doth hold, And with proud spirit spendeth.

The faithful, Lord, to Thee are known, Thou art their Joy, and they Thine own, To shame thou putt'st them never; Comes scarcity, Their bread from Thee They find in all lands ever.

God loveth him who fears and cleaves To Him, sees that no mischance grieves, In his ways joyeth ever; And if he slide, God doth abide, Doth bless him and deliver.

God's eye is upon all who wait And hope in Him both soon and late, In all need to deliver, E'en in the hour When to devour Death threatens them for ever.

Lord, Thou canst only gracious be, Thou givest all to know and see Thy goodness and Thy favour, Who with their mouth And heart in truth Own Thee their only Saviour.

Make Her[9] Thy care especially, Whom Thou as monarch hast rais'd high This land and nation over; With rest and peace The land, Lord! bless, The throne with blessings cover.

Preserve, Lord! our dear native land In Thine embrace and mighty hand; Protect us all together From error's voice, From enemies, From fire and plague deliver.

All whom I love, keep every day, Let all the hosts of hell away From young and old be driven! Here, may we be In time by Thee Preserv'd, and there in heaven!

[9]For obvious reasons the original has been slightly altered. The German is, Insonderheit nimm wohl in acht Den Fürsten, &c.

FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

O Jesus Christ! my fairest Light, Who in Thy soul dost love me, I ne'er can tell it, nor its height Mete, 'tis so high above me, Grant that my heart may warm to Thee, With ardent love ne'er ceasing, Thee embracing, And as Thy property, Cleave to Thee, ever gazing.

Grant that an idol in me may Dwell e'en a moment never, Grant me to make Thy love, I pray, My crown and prize for ever! Cast all things out, take all away, That Thee and me would sever, So that ever By Thy love, my pow'rs may Be kindled, and cool never!

How friendly, blessèd, sweet, and fair Is Thy love, Jesus ever! While this remains, distress and care Can grieve my spirit never. Then let me only think of Thee, Be seeing, hearing, feeling, Loving, telling Of Thee, and Thy great love to me Oh! be Thou more revealing!

Oh! that this greatest, highest good, I might for aye be tasting! Oh! that in me this noble blood Might glow to everlasting! Help me to watch, Lord! day and night, This blessèd treasure shielding From unyielding Foes, who 'gainst us the might Of Satan's realm are wielding!

My Saviour! Thou in love to me Hast down to death descended, And like a murd'rer on the tree And thief hast been suspended, Spit on, despis'd and wounded sore, The wounds which Thee have riven, May it even To me at the heart's core With love to feel be given.

The blood that hath been shed by Thee Is good and precious ever, My heart is wicked desp'rately, Hard as a millstone nether. Ah! let the virtue of Thy blood My flinty heart be bending, Entrance finding; And may Thy love, life's flood Through all my veins be sending.

Oh! were my heart op'd to receive The blood-drops that were falling From Thee, wrung by my sin that eve In agony appalling! Oh! that the fountains of mine eyes Were op'd, and with much sighing, And sore crying, Gush'd forth, as tears and sighs Of men in love who're dying.

Oh! that I as a little child With weeping eyes might trace Thee, E'en till Thy heart with love was fill'd And Thine arms did embrace me. And until Thou Thy heart to me With sweet love flowing over, Should'st discover, And we united be, Thy goodness for my cover.

Ah! draw me, Saviour! after Thee, And so shall I be hasting, I run, and in my heart shall be Thy love with rapture tasting; The gracious words from Thee I'll hear Sweet comfort shall give ever; Me deliver From sin, and every fear, These shall o'ercome me never.

My Comfort, Treasure, Health, and Light, My Life and Saviour tender! Ah! take me for Thy portion quite As I myself surrender! There's nought but pain apart from Thee, I nought but gall discover, Earth all over, Nought ever comforts me, No balm can me recover.

But Thou the Rest most blessed art, In Thee are joys eternal. Grant, Jesus! grant that my poor heart Feed in Thy pastures vernal! Be Thou the flame that burns in me, My Balsam, ease that giveth, And relieveth Pain that here constantly Makes me heave sighs, and grieveth.

Ah! fairest one, what faileth me In Thy great love, of blessing? It is my sun that lightens me, My well-spring, me refreshing! My sweetest wine, my heav'nly bread, My cov'ring when before Thee, And my glory, My shield in hour of need, My house that riseth o'er me!

Ah! dearest love, why was I born, If Thou my soul forsakest? If Thou withdraw'st, I'm all forlorn, All good from me Thou takest. O may I seek Thee as my guest, With all my best endeavour Keep Thee ever; And when I Thee arrest, Let Thee go from me never.

I've been belov'd by Thee for aye, To follow Thou did'st move me; Before I good could e'er essay, E'en then did Thy heart love me: Ah! noble Rock! Thy love below May it for ever guide me, And beside me Be it where'er I go, To aid whate'er betide me.

And may Thy love adorn my place, Where'er my lot Thou'rt casting; And if I wander from Thy ways, To bring me back be hasting. And let me ever counsel wise, Good works from Thee be learning, From sin turning, And when from falls I rise, Come back to Thee with yearning!

And ever be my joy in woe, When weak, with Thy strength stay me; And when my course is run below, I down to rest will lay me. Then may Thy love and truth with me, O Christ! abide for ever, Leave me never, Till I Thy glory see, Oh! may they waft me thither!

THE FIRST PSALM OF DAVID.

Bless'd is he who never taketh Counsel of ungodly men! Bless'd, the right who ne'er forsaketh, Nor in sinners' paths is seen, Who the scorners' friendship spurns, From their seats away who turns, Who delight in God's word taketh, This his meditation maketh.

Bless'd is he who pleasure taketh In God's laws' most perfect way, It is his lov'd resort who maketh Where he lingers night and day! Oh! His blessing blooms and grows, As the palm where water flows, And abroad its branches spreadeth, And the wayworn pilgrim shadeth.

He will truly ever flourish Who God's word delights to do, Air and earth alike will nourish Him, till ripe his fruit shall grow. Though his leaf grow old, yet he Ever fresh and green shall be, God success to his endeavour Giveth, and it prospers ever.

But he who in sin's ways goeth Is like chaff the wind before, When it riseth up and bloweth, And we find it here no more. Where the Lord His people guide, There the godless ne'er abide, God the faithful loves and guideth, On the wicked wrath abideth.

THE 112TH PSALM OF DAVID.

Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth, At His word doth tremble aye! Bless'd whose heart him freely moveth God's commandments to obey. Who the Highest loves and fears, Findeth increase with the years Of all that to him is given By the bounteous hand of Heaven.

His dear children shall stand ever Like to roses in their blow; Flowing with God's goodness over, On his generations go. What the body needs below God who rules all will bestow, He will bounteously relieve them, Plenty in their dwellings give them.

The right deeds of the believer Nought can shake, they stand secure; If a storm o'ertakes him ever, Still doth God, his Light endure, Comforts, shieldeth with His pow'r, So that after darkness' hour, After night of tears and sorrow, Joy and sunshine glad the morrow.

God's compassion, grace, and favour For the faithful still endure. Blessèd are the souls who ever Think upon the needy poor, Love them, seek to do them good; For the ever-living God In His arms of grace will bear them, And a home above prepare them.

When the black clouds o'er them lighten, And the pealing thunders shock, They shall sit, and nought shall frighten, Like the dove hid in the rock; They'll remain eternally, And their memory shall be Upon every side extending, As their branches trees are sending.

When misfortunes overtake them, Whereby sinners low are laid, Firm their courage, nought can shake them, And their hearts are undismay'd; Undismay'd, from care are free, Hearts that unreservedly To the Lord their God are given, Love Him when forsaken even.

Who delight take in relieving Sad ones, to the Lord are dear; What the loving hands are giving, God will recompense e'en here. Who much giveth much will gain, He shall not desire in vain, What his heart desires and willeth, God in His good time fulfilleth.

But the foes who triumph'd o'er them, They shall see depart beneath; Satan who such malice bore them, Evermore shall gnash his teeth: Sorely will it him displease When their blessedness he sees, Yet that he can rob them never, Only waste himself for ever.

THE 121ST PSALM OF DAVID.

Lord! to Thee alone I raise Evermore mine eager eyes, Upturn'd is my constant gaze To the hills that pierce the skies: To the hills whence flow to me Help and saving health from Thee!

All my succour comes to me From my great Creator's hand, Who hath deck'd so beauteously Earth and sky, air, sea, and land, And with ev'ry good supplied, That our needs be satisfied.

Lest thy feet, my soul! should stray From the narrow path of right, He is with thee in the way, And preserves thee day and night. Trust Him! and the hosts of hell Never more shall work thee ill.

Sleepless vigils doth He keep When thou liest down to rest; When thou'rt sunk in slumbers deep, To thy side at His behest Angel hosts then wing their flight, Thee to guard through all the night.

All thou hast and all thou art Is encircled by His love; Ev'ry grief that wrings thy heart Doth He graciously remove. Soul and body shieldeth He, When dark tempests threaten thee.

When the noonday's burning sun All thy body's strength doth blight, When the midnight stars and moon Dazzle with their brilliant light, Then His hand of mighty pow'r, Shades thee in the trying hour.

May He still protection yield, Faithful Shepherd be, and near Still remain thy rock and shield, When thy heart's oppress'd with fear. When of need thou feel'st the smart, May He press thee to His heart.

Dost thou sit or rise again, Dost thou speak or dost thou hear, Still at home dost thou remain, Art abroad when none is near, Dost thou wander in or out? He will compass thee about.

THE 139TH PSALM OF DAVID.

Lord, Thou my heart dost search and try, And what is hidden from mine eye Thou seest, all I am and own To Thine omniscient mind is known.

Whene'r I sit, lie down, or stand, Or walk, or run, on ev'ry hand Thy presence doth encompass me, At all times I am hard by Thee.

And all the thoughts that stir my heart, That lurk in its most secret part, Thy searching eye doth scrutinize Ere they to consciousness arise.