M. When we are tried by affliction, may we then learn obedience.

P. Thy ways, when mysterious, are often full of good to

our souls.

C. Teach us to bear the yoke in our youth.

All. Sanctify all our sorrows, that we may follow hard after Thee.

M. We rejoice that Christ, our Saviour, has kept the whole law.

P. Of Him, the prophets spake as perfect in all things. C. He delights in the early sacrifice, nor rejects the budding flower.

All. In Him, may we be perfected to obey Thee without fear.

M. O may all our acts be most holy;

P. And our words most chaste:

C. Our thoughts pure as refined gold;

All. In every way thy will our rule, in intelligence, wisdom, and love.

M. Christ is our example; may we keep it before our eye. P. Let his beauty charm our gaze;

C. His loveliness win our hearts.

All. May we grow up unto Him in all things, and be his valiant ones.

M. In suffering to be resigned:

P. In duty to be earnest and vigilant.

C. Humble and meek, fervent unto prayer.

All. May Christ's name be on our shield, and his spirit in our souls.

M. Thou lovest obedience more than the fat of rams;

P. The penitent one more than rivers of oil;

C. The child's lisping prayer more than frankincense

and gems.

All. The voices of thy faithful servants ascend in acceptable melody before thy throne.

M. But who is sufficient for thy will?
P. Or who can meet thy commands?
C. Which are exceeding broad.

All. O Christ, most pure and obedient, of Thee only is it written, that Thou wast undefiled, and separate from sinners.

M. May the fruits of his obedience descend upon the nations.

P. May all dominions obey Him.

C. From one generation to another let his truth be engraven on all hearts.

All. Send thy grace, that the wide world may be Christ's to obey Him, for ever.

M. Bless all obedient men.

P. May they leaven the social mass,

C. And be boons in every house.

All. Consecrate, O Lord, each tent of Jacob unto morn*ing and evening vows.

M. Thou hast put before us blessing, and cursing.

P. May we choose the way of mercy ;

C. For the way of transgressors is hard.

All. In thy righteousness may we live; may peace and salvation be our portion for ever.

XXXVII. PURITY.

M. Thy word, O Lord, is very pure; therefore I love it. P. Every word of our God is pure: He is a shield unto them who put their trust in Him.

C. We rejoice in thy precepts; for they are more precious than rubies.

All. We would be with Thee, and read thy words, which are pure words, unto all generations.

M. Thou dost sit as a refiner and purifier of silver over the hearts of the children of men.

P. May our souls be spotless mirrors, reflecting the beauty and glory of thy countenance.

C. And may thy holiness be no vain thing to our igno

All. The way of life is full of thy brightness, in the light thereof reveal us, O God, to ourselves, that we may behold thy throne with saint-like souls.

M. The world is a vain show, and its mists deceive us. P. How hath the fine gold become dim, and the jewelled spirit bereft of its gems.

C. The tarnish of corruption takes away our childhood, and we become as the stricken tree.

All. Yet there is a fountain open for all uncleanness, and its waters flow in pure streams of eternal life. M. Oh world, world! what gainest thou in thy strange pictures of unhallowed life?

P. Oh man! what gainest thou in the averting of thy

heart from the bright shining of the pure Jehovah ? C. Oh infant and youth! let the atmosphere of heaven

surround you, that your health may be as the pure breathings of the seraphim.

All. Holy, holy, holy Lord! change this thy world, that it may be the uncorrupted threshold to thy most inner temple.

M. May the pure myrrh and frankincense of thy Spirit ever anoint us;

P. And its fragrance ascend from our souls acceptably to Thee.

C. Cheerfulness will dwell in our borders morning and evening, we shall sing of thy love.

All. Our garments will be as those of princes, and we

shall stand by Thee, thy favourites, whom Thou delightest to honour.

M. Yet, alas! our hearts deceive us, and we dream. P. The grave comes quickly, then we know that things oft are not as they seem.

C. Unheeding truth, in this vain show we take for day the flickering gleam.

All. Oh Spirit, come and shine around,

That in thy life, without a bound,

Our souls may breathe pure morning air,
Thy bread and wine profusely share.
M. The wise man falls through treachery,
P. E'en of his own dark and troublous heart,
C. Which sings of lust with syren tones.
All. A cage of unclean birds it is;

A fathomless abyss of loathsome sin,
Dark, foul, beyond compare,-
Midnight, till God shine there.

M. Oh, Purity, where shall I find thee?

P. We would wear thee as a jewelled token on our hearts. C. We hear it sweetly speak; it has a voice soft as the summer's breeze.

All. This pure gem grant, Lord, to our adorning;

This sweet voice grant, Lord, to our cheering.
Our days thus bright, our songs thus pure,

Our hearts from sin Thou wilt allure.

M. We seek, and grope, but nought we see revealed.
P. The Spirit comes, and then day dawns.

C. The clouds pass away-the horizon clear and blue

appears.

All. This is God's heaven of Purity,-that bright unclouded sky is his creating,-we praise Thee, Lord, most humbly praise.

M. I would, but cannot sing'; my heart is full.

P. Lord, pardon us our broken tones,

1

C. And make our lisping voices as thine angel choir.
All. And yet we'll sing, for we had need well sing;
The scorching heat has gone, and the pure air
Plays with more than friendly breeze.

M. Old science could not thus teach.

P. Vain knowledge holds not the heart.

C. In God's realm of love, we learn, we feel, we know the truth.

All. To Him, its glory, the Sun of Righteousness and love, let every heart ascend.

M. Thy church, O Lord, endow with purity:

P. Let no profane altar be erected there.

C. Create clean consciences within us, that we may serve Thee.

All. Then shall thy church look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.

M. Make all men pure, we beseech Thee.

P. To the unbelieving and defiled, alas! there is nothing

pure.

C. Thou Great Refiner, purge away their dross and tin. All. Remove the iniquity of every house, and fill each one with hope to be like Thee, that He may purify himself, even as Thou art pure.

M. Sanctify the high places of our land,

P. And accomplish thy chosen designs, even amongst the great ones, the mighty and noble.

C. Let princes and people be purified by thy law.

All. Thrice happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. M. Many shall be found pure and white, ready for the marriage supper.

P. Their garments washed in the blood of the Lamb; C. Simple and innocent as children, they will approach thy throne.

All. We sing Hosanna to Thee, our Saviour, and crown