Loath to forsake my earthly nest,

And cross the dark, unfathomed tide.

4 Why has the thought of death's bright hour,

-

The happiest hour the soul can hail—
Thus lost for me its quickening power?
Why thus do sense and fear prevail?
5 O Thou, who hast the golden key

Of death, and life, of hell and heaven,
Let not my call to come to thee,
In unpreparedness be given!

6 Loosen, by thine effectual power,
Each too attractive earthly tie;

Keep me each night, each morn, each hour, Ready alike to live or die!

*CLIII.

"I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." John xvii. 4.

1 0 THOU! whose arm omnipotent did vanquish

Both death, and him that had the power of death,"

Who, on the cross, 'mid shame, and bitterest anguish,

Cried "It is finished," with thy latest breath;

That blessed sentence, fraught with
heavenly power.

Shall bear me up, in my expiring hour.

2 For ever, and for ever, thou didst finish, The work thy Father gave thee to fulfil, Man can add nothing, nor can aught diminish,

That work remains consummate, perfect,

still;

Glorious salvation, full, eternal, free,

This was the work wrought out for us, by thee.

3 I fasten on that finished work, my hope; Saviour! on thee my trembling soul I cast! Death's dark and shadowy vale, for me will ope,

A way to that bright portal thou hast
passed,

Hast thrown it open, and hast left it wide,
E'en for the feeblest who in thee confide.

*CLIV.

"He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Heb. xiii. 5.

1 THE thought that I must leave ere long,

My friends beloved, at times will grieve

me;

But this, e'en then shall be my song,

The Lord will never, never leave me.

2 Well mayest thou ask, O Friend divine! "Am I thy God? dost thou believe

me ?"

Lord, 'tis enough if thou art mine,

If thou wilt never, never leave me! 3 Whither I go, my friends will come, Death will enrich and not bereave me; Will waft me to that blessed home,

Where thou wilt never, never leave me. 4 From the rough passage shall I start,

When there thou waitest to receive me? When I shall see thee as thou art,

And thou wilt never, never leave me?

5 Thou'rt gone my mansion to prepare, Thou art the truth-canst thou deceive me?

Soon thou wilt re-unite us there,

Nor e'er forsake, nor ever leave me!

*CLV.

"To depart and be with Christ is far better."-Philip. i. 23.

1 Он, how I long to reach my home,

My glorious home in heaven!

And wish the joyful hour were come,
The welcome mandate given!

2 Oh, how I long to lay aside

These worn out weeds of clay; And, led by my celestial guide,

T' explore yon azure way!

3 Oh, how I long to be with Christ,
Where all his glory beams!

To be from this dark world dismissed,
Which his dear name blasphemes!

4 Oh, how I long that world to hail,
Where sin can ne'er defile!

Where not a cloud shall ever vail
From me my Saviour's smile!

5 Oh, how I long to join the choir,
Who worship at his feet!

Lord, grant me soon my heart's desire!
Soon, soon, thy work complete!

CLVI.

"I know that my Redeemer liveth."-Job. xix. 25.

1 I KNOW that

my Redeemer lives:

(This thought transporting pleasure gives,) And standing at the latter day, On earth, his glories shall display.

2 And tho' this weak and mortal frame

Sink to the dust from whence it came

Tho' buried in the silent tomb,

And worms my skin and flesh consume ;

3 Yet on that happy rising morn,
New life this body shall adorn ;
These active powers refined shall be,
And God, my Saviour, I shall see.

4 Though mouldering in its bed of clay,
My mortal form to dust decay,

Yet, for myself, these wondering eyes
God shall behold, with glad surprise.

*CLVII.

FOR A DYING BED.

1 Он, weep not for me! I can never be blest,

Till my sorrowful spirit in Jesus shall

rest:

Till this body of sin and of death be destroyed,

And the soul for his glory alone be employed.

2 Oh, weep not for me! now my joys will begin ;

I shall know the full meaning of ceasing from sin;

I shall know how the saints are made perfect in love;

And be spotless and pure as the angels

above.