And the feeble frame is torn With anguish no medicine can ease, If thy presence be granted, the soul is blest; She flies to thy bosom, and there finds rest. 4 And then, her one desire, Is, to be conformed to thee, And to pass through the furnace fire, For if with them there, as, of old, thou wert, unhurt. 5 And oh when the heart is taught That in love each correction is sent; That thy tenderness changes not, But is proved by thy chastisement; Though the tear of distress unforbidden may flow, Submission, and thankfulness, mingle with woe 6 For the sense of thy pardoning love She knows that her treasure is laid up in store, And that soon, very soon, she will suffer no more. *CXXII. UNDER DEPRESSION OF SPIRITS. "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace."—Job xxii. 21. 1 ART thou acquainted, oh! my soul! 2 Why art thou then opprest with fears ? Knowledge of him should give thee peace; Should check these mournful thoughts, and tears, And bid these sad misgivings cease. 3 Is it the past that gives thee pain? Sins, errors, falls, dost thou deplore ? Thy God remembers them no more. And oh what sweet relief in prayer! 6 Dost thou with dread still greater, shrink From pain, for those on earth most dear? And oft, with sickening anguish, think On all they yet may suffer here ? 7 Oh! faithless, unbelieving heart! So slow to trust that tenderest friend; Who "loving, loves unto the end." To Him, who will "do all things well." СХХІІІ. "As thy days, so shall thy strength be."-Deut. xxxiii. 25. 1 AFFLICTED saint! to Christ draw near, Thy Saviour's gracious promise hear; His faithful word declares to thee, That, "as thy days, thy strength shall be.” 2 Let not thy heart despond and say, "How shall I stand the trying day ?" He has engaged by firm decree, That, "as thy days, thy strength shall be." 3 Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong, And, if the conflict should be long, Thy Lord shall make the tempter flee, For, "as thy days, thy strength shall be." 4 Should persecution rage and flame, Still trust in thy Redeemer's name; In fiery trials thou shalt see, That, "as thy days, thy strength shall be." 5 When thou art called to bear the cross, Still, as thy days, thy strength shall be." 6 When ghastly death appears in view, Christ's presence shall thy fears subdue ; He comes to set thy spirit free, " And, as thy days, thy strength shall be." *CXXIV. COMPOSED UNDER SEVERE PAIN. "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint."-Luke xviii. 1. 1 OFTEN, my God! when most I need Thy pitying aid, I seek it least ; And fail thy promises to plead, When weary, and with pain opprest. 2 For Satan, then, with guileful power, 3" Nor mind nor body now can bear K ? ? Oh! what could comfort me like prayer What cheer me like my Saviour's smile? 4 I will approach thee-I will force My way through obstacles to thee; To thee for strength will have recourse, To thee for consolation flee! 5 Not willingly dost thou so grieve And chasten thy still pardoned child; 6 Oh, cast me-cast me not away, From thy dear presence, gracious Lord! My burden at thy feet I lay; My soul reposes on thy word. 7 To those who faint and have no might, *CXXV. "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John xiv. 27. 1 SAVIOUR! address these words to me! Let not my heart thus troubled be, |