MY FATHER'S AT THE HELM.
'Twas when the seas with angry roar,
A little bark assail'd;
That pallid fear, with awful power,
O'er each on board prevail'd.
Save one, the captain's darling child,
Who fearless view'd the storm,
And playful, with composure smiled
At danger's threat'ning form.
Why sporting thus, a seaman cried,
Whilst sorrows overwhelm ?
Why yield to grief? the boy replied,
My Father's at the helm.
Despairing soul; from hence be taught
How groundless is thy fear;
Think on what wonders Christ has wrought,
And He is always near.
THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE.
WHENCE, but of heaven, could men unskilled in arts,
In several ages born, in several parts,
Weave such agreeing truths? or how, or why
Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie?
Unasked their pains, ungrateful their advice,
Starving their gain, and martyrdom their choice.
DIVINE PROTECTION.
"How often would I have gathered thy children together," &c.-Luke xiii. 34.
HOLY Saviour, mighty King,
O'er me spread thy guardian wing;
When by trembling fears distress'd
Let me fly to Thee and rest.
Call me, keep me, by thy side,
Teach me there alone to hide;
Where, for safety, should I flee,
If my footsteps strayed from Thee?
Warn me with thy gentle voice,
Point my path, and guide my choice;
Let me, Lord, in Thee possess,
Wisdom, peace, and righteousness.
A LABOURER'S REPLY.
A MAN of subtle reasoning, ask'd
A labourer if he knew
Where was the inward evidence
That proved the Bible true?
The doubtful words of wrangling art
Had never reached his ear:
He laid his hand upon his heart,
And answered "It is here."
SUPPLICATIONS FROM THE LITANY.
IN time of tribulation, Lord,
Deliver me from fear;
Refresh me with thy holy word,
And bring thy comforts near.
In time of wealth, deliver me
From vanity and sin;
From pride of spirit set me free,
And make me pure within.
Deliver me in death's dark hour,
From terror and dismay :
Strengthened by thy supporting power,
Throughout the dreary way.
And when, according to thy word,
My time on earth is past,
In the great day of judgment, Lord,
Deliver me at last.
"STRANGERS!" "Pilgrims!" is it so?
Are we pilgrims here below?
Are our wants and wishes few?
Do we live as strangers do?
Strange to sinful thoughts and ways,
Dead to worldly blame or praise,
Pressing on, and passing through,
Jesus ever in our view?
A PRAYER TO THE REDEEMER.
THOU, to whom all power is given,
Here on earth, above in heaven,
Jesus, Saviour, mighty Lord,
Be thy holy name adored!
In our hearts victorious reign,
All the world be thy domain !
May redeemed man, we pray thee,
Like the angelic host, obey Thee.
Thou, who dost the ravens feed,
Grant us all our bodies' need:
Thou, in whom we move and live,
Daily grace sustaining give!
Pardon us our sins confessing;
Keep us from again transgressing,
May we pardon one another,
As becomes each erring brother.
In temptation's dangerous hour,
Aid us with thy Spirit's power,
And from Satan's wiles defend,
Saviour, Comforter, and Friend.
Glory be thine, great "First and Last,"
After both earth and time are past:
Glory supreme to Thee be given,
King of Kings, and Lord of Heaven!
ONWARD through a peaceful valley, Flowed a streamlet pure and bright; Day by day its silvery waters
Sparkled in the sunny light.
To the flowers that bloomed around it,
Calmly as it flowed along,
Did it tell its tale of gladness,
With a never-ceasing song.
But the flowers around it faded,
And the sunny gleam was gone,
Darker grew the streamlet's waters,
As the wint'ry blast came on.
Yet though earth was dull beside it,
Though the skies were bright no more,
Still I heard the streamlet's music,
Now more powerful than before;
Ever deepening, ever flowing,
Till its tones more clear and strong,
Joined the voice of many waters,
Swelled the mighty ocean's song.
May thy course alike be favoured,
May heaven's music, in thy heart
Whisper of a home unfading,
When life's fleeting joys depart. Whene'er sunny skies are o'er thee, Whene'er sorrow's tempest lowers, May hope brighten more thy sunshine, And illume thy darker hours;
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