They whom the world caresses most Poor though I am, despised, forgot, For whom the Lord vouchsafes to plead. XL.-THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. My soul is sad, and much dismayed; See, from the ever burning lake, How like a smoky cloud they rise! My throbbing heart with anguish tear; I hate the thought that wrongs the Lord; Come then and chase the cruel host, Heal the deep wounds I have received! Nor let the powers of darkness boast, That I am foiled, and Thou art grieved! XLL-PEACE AFTER A STORM. WHEN darkness long has veiled my mind, Then, my Redeemer, then I find The folly of my doubts and fears. Straight I upbraid my wandering heart, Or harbour one hard thought of Thee! Oh! let me then at length be taught Sweet truth, and easy to repeat ! But when my faith is sharply tried, I find myself a learner yet, Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide. But, O my Lord, one look from Thee Subdues the disobedient will, Drives doubt and discontent away, And thy rebellious worm is still. Thou art as ready to forgive As I am ready to repine; Thou, therefore, all the praise receive; XLII.-MOURNING AND LONGING. THE Saviour hides his face; The favoured souls who know What trifles tease me now! How dull the Sabbath day, How toilsome then to sing and pray, Of all the truths I hear, Yet let me (as I ought) No pleasure else is worth a thought, Though I am but a worm, The Lord will my desire perform, And grant me all my prayer. XLIII. SELF-ACQUAINTANCE. DEAR LORD! accept a sinful heart, And mourns, with much and frequent smart, The evil it contains. There fiery seeds of anger lurk, Legality holds out a bribe To purchase life from thee; While unbelief withstands thy grace, How eager are my thoughts to roam, But ah! when duty calls them home, Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour's blood, XLIV. PRAYER FOR PATIENCE. I would in humble silence mourn; Man should not faint at thy rebuke, When the cursed thing that Achan took Perhaps some golden wedge suppressed, Perhaps that Babylonish vest, Self-righteousness, provokes the rod. Ah! were I buffeted all day, Mocked, crowned with thorns, and spit upon, I yet should have no right to say, My great distress is mine alone. Let me not angrily declare No pain was ever sharp like mine, Nor murmur at the cross I bear, But rather weep, remembering thine. XLV. SUBMISSION. O LORD, my best desire fulfil, Life, health, and comfort to thy will, Why should I shrink at thy command, No, rather let me freely yield Thy favour, all my journey through, Wisdom and mercy guide my way, A poor blind creature of a day, But ah! my inward spirit cries, Else the next cloud that veils the skies XLVI. THE HAPPY CHANGE. How blessed thy creature is, O God, He views the lustre of thy word, The dayspring from on high! Through all the storms that veil the skies And frown on earthly things, The Sun of Righteousness he eyes, With healing on his wings. Struck by that light, the human heart, Sends the sweet smell of grace abroad, The soul, a dreary province once Feels a new empire formed within, The glorious orb whose golden beams Since first obedient to thy word, Has cheered the nations with the joys XLVII.-RETIREMENT. FAR from the world, O Lord, I flee, The calm retreat, the silent shade, There if thy Spirit touch the soul, And grace her mean abode, Oh, with what peace, and joy, and love, There like the nightingale she pours Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise. Author and guardian of my life, My Saviour thou art mine! What thanks I owe thee, and what love, Shall echo through the realms above, XLVIII. THE HIDDEN LIFE To tell the Saviour all my wants, |