3 Though in a bare and rugged way, And guide me through the dreadful shade. 84 March 24. C. M. Coronation. DESIGN OF CHRIST'S ADVENT. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised; to preach the acceptable* year of the Lord."— Luke iv. 18, 19. 1 HARK! the glad sound! the Saviour comes, Let every heart prepare a throne, 2 He comes the prisoner to release, -- In Satan's bondage held: The gates of brass before him burst, 3 He comes from darkening scales of vice 4 He comes the broken heart to bind, And with the treasures of his grace, 5 Our glad hosannas, Prince of peace, The "acceptable year" is the year of Jubilee, referred to in Leviticus xxv. 10, "And ye shall proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof." ་ 85 March 25. C. M. Christmas. THE JOYS OF HEAVEN. "Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."-Ps. xvi. 11. 1 COME, Lord! and warm each languid heart, Inspire each lifeless tongue, And let the joys of heaven impart 2 Then to the shining realms of bliss 3 Sorrow and pain, and fears and care, 4 There shall the followers of the Lamb And endless honors to his name Employ their tuneful tongues. 5 Lord! tune our hearts to praise and love,- Till in thy blissful courts above, We join the heavenly choir. 86 March 26. C. M. St. Martin's. COMMUNING WITH GOD IN RETIREMENT. "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain, apart, to pray."-Matt. xiv. 23. 1 FAR from the world, O Lord! I flee, From strife and tumult far: From scenes where Satan wages still 2 The calm retreat, the silent shade, 3 There, if thy Spirit touch the soul, Oh! with what peace, and joy, and love, 4 Author and Guardian of my life,- 5 What thanks I owe thee, and what love! A boundless, endless store, Thy praise shall sound through realms above, When time shall be no more. 87 March 27. L. M. "WHO ON EARTH ARE BLESSED ?" Portugal. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy: blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."-Matt. v. 7, 8. 1 BLEST are the men, whose hearts do move 2 Blest are the meek, who stand afar And plead their cause against the great. 3 Blest are the souls that thirst for grace,— 4 Blest are the pure, whose hearts are clean With endless pleasure they shall see 5 Blest are the sufferers, who partake 69 88 March 28. C. M. Balerma. SPEAK GENTLY. "And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." -Eph. iv. 32. 1 SPEAK gently, it is better far To rule by love than fear; Speak gently,-let no harsh word mar 2 Speak gently to the young, for they Pass through this life as best they may, 3 Speak gently to the aged one, 4 Speak gently to the erring ones; 5 Speak gently,-'tis a little thing 89 March 29. S. M. Silver Street. PRAISE TO OUR CREATOR. "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."-Ps. ciii. 1. 1 ALMIGHTY Maker, God, 2 How wondrous is thy name! Nature, in every dress, Her humble homage pays; And finds a thousand ways to express 3 The lark mounts up on high 4 5 With unambitious song, And bears her Maker's praise on high, My soul would rise and sing Her great Creator too; Fain would my tongue adore my King, And pay the homage due. For God then let me spend The remnant of my days, And ever may my soul ascend, In grateful songs of praise. 90 March 30. S. M. Lisbon. PRAISE FOR PRESERVING GRACE. "Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies."-Ps. ciii. 4. 1 TO God, the only wise, Our Saviour, and our King, Let all the saints below the skies Their humble praises bring. 2 'Tis his almighty love, 3 4 5 His counsel and his care, Preserves us safe from sin and death, And every hurtful snare. He will present our souls, Unblemished and complete, Before the glory of his face, With joys divinely great. Then all the chosen seed Shall meet around the throne: Shall bless the conduct of his grace, And make his wonders known. To our Redeemer God Wisdom with power belongs; Immortal crowns of majesty, And everlasting songs. |