9 If the weak tendril round Thee twine,
It ne'er is hidden from thine eye;
I cling to Thee, life-giving Vine!
Strength, verdure, fruitfulness, supply.

II.

ON BEING PREVENTED FROM GOING TO
CHURCH BY ILLNESS.

"Truly our fellowship is with the Father, aud with His Son, Jesus Christ."-1 John i. 3.

1 This is enough-although 'twere sweet,
Thee in thy House of Prayer to meet,
Amid the assembly of thy Saints,
For which, at times, my spirit faints.

2 But oh, my God! I love thy will,
I will not murmur, but "be still;"
I will not sigh for joys once mine,
Which Thou hast bidden me resign.

3 May those who haste to meet thee there,
Thy richest, choicest blessings share!
Yet thou hast still a blessing left
For me, though lonely and bereft.

4 "Bereft ?" oh, no! if thou, my God,
With me wilt take up thine abode,
And grant me fellowship with thee,
Nor sad, nor lonely can I be.

5 My Father's smile, my Saviour's love,
Foretastes by faith of joys above,
These, with the blessed Spirit's peace,
Shall bid each thought regretful cease.

III.

WHEN UNABLE TO SLEEP FROM RESTLESSNESS OR PAIN.

1 Celestial Guardian! thou who slumber

est not,

Does not thy gracious eye behold the spot On which this weak and weary frame reclines,

Though now, no cheering light around me shines?

2 Oh yes! with heavenly pity thou look'st down

On me, e'en me, whose sins deserve thy

frown;

Gild now th' oppressive darkness with thy smile,

And these sad hours of restlessness be

guile.

3 Though sweet repose forsake my uneasy bed,

Like silent dew thy grace benignant shed;
If thou beside me these night watches keep,
Thy presence will refresh far more than
sleep.

4 The restless feverish body thou canst calm, And on th' unquiet mind drop healing

balm;

Canst round the soul such cheering radiance pour,

That outward darkness shall be felt no

more.

5 Oh Thou! who, when on earth, would'st

oft repair

To some lone mount, and pass the night

in prayer,

Set free my spirit from its cumberous clod,
And be these waking hours all spent with

God.

IV.

FOR A PERSON SUFFERING FROM NERVOUS DREAD OF ILLNESS.

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”—Psalm lvi. 3.

1 Why should I take such anxious thought, Fearing this fragile frame's decay? When, "strong in faith," shall I be taught Just to live simply by the day?

2 Why mark each sign so anxiously, Lest fatal mischief be begun? Soon, at the latest, I must die

An hour-glass has not long to run.

3 But he who formed this mortal frame,
"Fearfully, wonderfully made,"
He bears a Father's tender name;
Why is my fluttering heart afraid ?

4 His word commands me not to fear

Those who can kill this body frail; Nor aught that I may suffer here

Then why should unbelief prevail?

5 He will not lay upon me more
Than he will aid me to sustain;
And soon, my term of suffering o'er,
For me "there shall be no more pain."

6 And whether sudden or prolonged,
Gentle or sharp my final pain,
My soul, which ne'er to earth belonged,
Through it, her glorious rest will gain.

7 Be coward fears no longer mine,

Faith trembles not at pain or death;
Clothed with its panoply divine,
In peace shall I resign my breath.

8 Saviour! in my expiring hour,

Show that thou art indeed my life, And make me, by thy glorious power, A conqueror in that awful strife.

V.

FOR A PERSON UNDER DEPRESSION FROM TOTAL

LOSS OF HEARING.

"Is any among you afflicted, let him pray."-James v. 13. 1 I am afflicted, let me pray

Cheer, thou, O God! my lonely day;
And, though from man shut out,