1. WHILE thee I seek, protecting Power,
Be my vain wishes stilled;

And may this consecrated hour

With better hopes be filled.

2. Thy love the power of thought bestowed,
To thee my thoughts would soar;
Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed-
That mercy I adore.

3. In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see!

Each blessing to my soul most dear,
Because conferred by thee.

4. In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,

My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer.

5. When gladness wings my favored hour,
Thy love my thoughts shall fill;
Resigned, when storms of sorrow lower,
My soul shall meet thy will.

6. My lifted eye, without a tear,

The gathering storm shall see;

My steadfast heart shall know no fear;
That heart will rest on thee.

Williams.

88.

C. M.

Nearness to God desired.

1. O, FOR a closer walk with God!
A calm and heavenly frame!

A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

2. Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and his word?

3. What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

4. Return, O holy Dove, return,

Sweet messenger of rest!

I hate the sins that made thee mourn,

And drove thee from

my

breast.

5. The dearest idol I have known,

Whate'er that idol be,

Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee.

6. So shall my walk be close with God,

Calm and serene my frame;

So purer light shall mark the road

That leads me to the Lamb.

Cowper.

89.

C. M.

The Presence of God sought.

1. COME, O thou King of all thy saints,
Our humble tribute own;

While, with our praises and complaints,
We bow before thy throne.

2. How should our songs, like those above,
With warm devotion rise!

How should our souls, on wings of love,
Mount upward to the skies.

3. But ah, the song, how faint it flows,
How languid our desire!

How dim the sacred passion glows,
Till thou the heart inspire!

4. Dear Saviour, let thy glory shine,
And fill thy dwelling here;
Till life, and love, and joy divine,
A heaven on earth appear.

Steele.

90.

C. M.

Mourning over departed Comforts.

1. SWEET was the time when first I felt
The Saviour's pardoning blood,
Applied to cleanse my soul from guilt,
And bring me home to God.

2. Soon as the morn the light revealed,
His praises tuned my tongue;

And when the evening shades prevailed,
His love was all my song.

3. In prayer my soul drew near the Lord,
And saw his glory shine;

And when I read his holy word,
I called each promise mine.

4. But now, when evening shade prevails,
My soul in darkness mourns;

And when the morn the light reveals,
No light to me returns.

5. Now, Satan threatens to prevail,
And make my soul his prey;

Yet, Lord, thy mercies cannot fail;
O come, without delay!

Newton.

91.

C. M.

True hapiness to be found only in God.

1. IN vain I trace creation o'er,
In search of solid rest;
The whole creation is too poor
To make me truly blest.

2. Let earth and all her charms depart,
Unworthy of the mind;

In God alone this restless heart
Enduring bliss can find.

3. Thy favor, Lord, is all I want;

Here would my spirit rest;

O, seal the rich, the boundless grant,
And make me fully blest.

Steele.

92.

C. M.

Joyful anticipations of Heaven.

1. WHEN I can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,

I bid farewell to every fear,

And wipe my weeping eyes.

2. Should earth against my soul engage,
And hellish darts be hurled,
Then I can smile at Satan's rage,
And face a frowning world.

3. Let cares like a wild deluge come,
And storms of sorrow fall;

May I but safely reach my home,
My God, my heaven, my all;-

4. There shall I bathe my weary soul
In seas of heavenly rest;

And not a wave of trouble roll
Across my peaceful breast.

Watts.