146

May 25.

L. M.

Uxbridge.

THE NOBLEST RESOLUTION.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."-Josh. xxiv. 15.

1 MAY I resolve, with all my heart,

With all my powers, to serve the Lord;

Nor from his precepts e'er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.

2 Oh! be his service all my joy!—
Around let my example shine,
Till others love the blest employ,
And join in labors so divine.
3 Be this the purpose of my soul,

My solemn, my determined choice,
To yield to his supreme control,
And in his kind commands, rejoice.

4 Oh! may I never faint nor tire,

Nor wandering leave his sacred ways;
Great God! accept my soul's desire,
And give me strength to live thy praise.

147

May 26. C. M.

Arlington.

TRUSTING AND PRAISING GOD.

"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."-Ps. xxxiv. 7.

1

THROUGH all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,

The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.

2 Oh! magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt his name;

When in distress to him I called,
He to my rescue came.

8 The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Deliverance he affords to all
Who on his succor trust.

4 Oh! make but trial of his love;
Experience will decide-

How blest are they, and only they,
Who in his truth confide.

5 Fear him, ye young, and ye will then
Have nothing else to fear;

Make ye his service your delight-
He'll make your wants his care.

148

May 27. L. M.

GOD'S BLESSING INVOKED.

Tallis' Chant.

"Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long."-Prov. xxiii. 17.

1

GREAT God! to thee our songs we raise,

To thee pour forth our notes of praise;
Hear thou our morning prayer, and deign
To pardon sin, and cleanse its stain.

2 As yield deep shades to morning's light,
As from the day-star flees the night,
So to our souls, made dark by sin,
Pour thine own holy radiance in.
3 Thy Holy Spirit's beams impart
To warm and purify the heart;
Thou Fountain of our soul's true day,
Make bright before us all our way.
4 Guide thou and govern all our mind,
All our desires let chasteness bind;
And make our adverse times to be
But times of blessing ruled by thee.
5 With earnest cry we beg, this day,
That thou wilt drive all sin away;
So we, defended by thy power,
Will praise thy name for evermore.

149

May 28. C. M.

THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE.

Christmas.

"No mention shall be made of coral or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies."-Job xxviii. 18.

E glittering toys of earth, adieu,

1

YE

A nobler choice be mine;

A real prize attracts my view

A treasure all divine.

2 Begone, unworthy of my cares, Ye flattering baits of sense; Inestimable worth appears,

The pearl of price immense!

3 Should earth's vain treasures all depart, Of this dear gift possessed,

I'd clasp it to my joyful heart,

And be for ever blest.

4 Dear Sovereign of my soul's desires,
Thy love is bliss divine;

Accept the praise that grace inspires,
Since I can call thee mine.

150

May 29.

7s.

ADORATION.

Nuremburg.

"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."Isa. vi. 3.

1 HOLY, holy, holy Lord,

Be thy glorious name adored;
Lord, thy mercies never fail;
Hail, celestial goodness, hail.

2 Though not worthy of thine ear,
Deign our humble songs to hear;
Purer praise we hope to bring,
When around thy throne we sing.

3 There no tongue shall silent be;
All shall join in harmony;

That, through heaven's capacious round,
Praise to thee may ever sound.

4 Lord, thy mercies never fail;
Hail, celestial goodness, hail!
Holy, holy, holy Lord,

Be thy glorious name adored.

151

May 30. L. M.

GOD SEEN IN ALL THINGS.

Old Hundred.

"Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind."-Ps. civ. 2, 3.

1 THERE is a God,—all nature speaks,

Through earth, and air, and sea, and skies; See, from the clouds his glory breaks,

When earliest beams of morning rise.

2 The rising sun, serenely bright,

Throughout the world's extended frame, Inscribes, in characters of light,

His mighty Maker's glorious name.

3 Ye curious minds, who roam abroad,
And trace creation's wonders o'er,
Confess the footsteps of your God,-
Bow down before him, and adore.

152

May 31.

7s.

Nuremburg.

INFLUENCES OF THE SPIRIT INVOKED.

"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."-Ps. cxliii. 10.

1

GRACIOUS Spirit—Love divine!

Let thy light within me shine;

All my guilty fears remove,
Fill me with thy heavenly love.

2 Speak thy pardoning grace to me,
Set the burdened sinner free;
Lead me to the Lamb of God,
Wash me in his precious blood.

3 Life and peace to me impart;
Seal salvation on my heart:
Come and dwell within my breast,
Earnest of immortal rest.

4 Let me never from thee stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Fill my soul with joy divine;
Keep me, Lord, for ever thine.

153

June 1. 7s & 6s.

Romaine.

SUMMER.

"Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter."-Ps. lxxiv. 17.

1 'TIS summer, glorious summer, Look to the glad green earth,

How from her grateful bosom

The herb and flower spring forth ;-
These are her rich thanksgivings,
The incense floats above!
Father! what may we offer?
Thy chosen flower is love.
2 'Tis summer, blessed summer,-
The lofty hills are bright;
All nature's fountains sparkle,—
Shall ours have lesser light?
No! bid each spirit praise him,
Who hangs on every tree
A thousand living lyres,
Awaking harmony.

3 'Tis summer in our bosoms,

When youthful snares we fly, And strength and peace are given By angel ministry.

'Tis summer in yon heaven,

Where, teachers, ye shall know While time shall last, the blessedness. Wrought by your love below.

154

June 2.

S. M.

NATURE AND REVELATION.

St. Thomas.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation."Isa. lii. 7.

1

2

BEHOLD the sun, how bright

From yonder east he springs,
As if the soul of life and light
Were breathing from his wings.
So bright the gospel broke
Upon the souls of men;