5 0 let thy smitten ones again Take up the chorus of the free,Praise ye the Lord! His power proclaim, For he hath conquered gloriously! 187 July 5. C. M. Christmas. GOD'S PRESENCE IS LIGHT IN DARKNESS. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."-Ps. cxix. 105. 1 MY God! the spring of all my joys, The glory of my brightest days, 2 In darkest shades, if thou appear, Thou art my soul's bright morning star 3 The opening heavens around me shine 4 My soul would leave this heavy clay And run with joy the shining way 188 July 6. C. M. CONFIDENCE IN GOD. Mear. "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."-Hab. iii, 17, 18. 1 SINCE all the varying scenes of time God's watchful eye surveys, Oh, who so wise to choose our lot, Or to appoint our ways! 2 Good, when he gives-supremely good, Nor less when he denies; E'en crosses, from his sovereign hand, 3 Why should we doubt a Father's love, 4 In thy fair book of life divine, 189 July 7. S. M. St. Thomas. CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. "The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men."-1 Thess. iii. 12. 1 2 3 4 BLEST be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love! The fellowship of kindred minds Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims, are one Our comforts and our cares. We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows When we are called to part, It gives us mutual pain; But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again. Our courage by the way; While each in expectation lives, And longs to see the day. 6 From sorrow, toil, and pain, And perfect love and friendship reign 190 July 8. Nuremburg. 78. A MORNING SONG. "Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me."-Ps. xl. 11. 1 THOU that dost my life prolong, 2 Thou didst hear my evening cry; 3 Thou hast kept me through the night; 4 Still my feet are prone to stray; 5 Gently, with the dawning ray, 191 July 9. L. M. LOVE TO GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOR. Hebron. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."-Matt. xxii. 37, 39. 1 THUS saith the first, the great command, "Let all thy inward powers unite, To love thy Maker, and thy God, With utmost vigor and delight. 2 "Then shall thy neighbor, next in place, Measure and rule thy love to him." 3 This is the sense that Moses spoke; And the whole law's fulfilled by love. 192 July 10. C. M. Medfield. CONTRITION. "God be merciful to me, a sinner."-Luke xviii. 13. 1 THOU! whose tender mercy hears Whose hand, indulgent, wipes the tears 2 See, low before thy throne of grace, 3 And shall my guilty fears prevail 4 Oh! shine on this benighted heart, 193 July 11. L. M. Effingham. DELIVERANCE FROM SIN DESIRED. "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions."-Ps. li. 1. 1 AND dost thou say, "Ask what thou wilt ?” Lord, I would seize the golden hour I pray to be released from guilt, And freed from sin's polluting power. 2 More of thy presence, Lord, impart; 3 Give me to read my pardon sealed, In all its height, and breadth, and length. 4 Grant these requests-I ask no more, 194 July 12. 7s. Benevento. PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE. "The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way."-Ps. xxv. 9. 1 GUIDE, O Lord, our youthful band Journeying toward the better land; Foes we know are to be met, Snares our daily path beset; Rough and dark the mountain's breast; 2 Guide us, while we onward move With the strength which thou hast given We may rise to thee and heaven. 3 God of love! on thee we all Humbly for thy guidance call; |