*IV. FOR A PERSON SUFFERING FROM A NERVOUS DREAD OF ILLNESS. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."-Psalm lvi. 3. 1 WHY should I take such anxious thought, Fearing this fragile frame's decay? When, "strong in faith," shall I be taught Just to live simply by the day? 2 Why mark each sign so anxiously, Lest fatal mischief be begun ? Soon, at the latest, I must die An hour-glass has not long to run! 66 3 But He who formed this mortal frame, 5 He will not lay upon me more Than he will aid me to sustain ; And soon, my term of suffering o'er, For me "there shall be no more pain." 6 And whether sudden, or prolonged, Gentle, or sharp, my final pain, My soul, which ne'er to earth belonged, 7 Be coward fears no longer mine, 8 Saviour! in my expiring hour, Show that thou art indeed my life, *V. FOR A PERSON UNDER DEPRESSION FROM TOTAL LOSS OF HEARING. "Is any among you afflicted, let him pray.”—James v. 13. 1 I am afflicted, let me pray— Cheer, thou, O God! my lonely day; 2 One task is given me to fulfil, To learn to know, and do thy will; That will, when rightly understood, Perfect in every part. 3 Is it thy will that I should be Bereft of man's society, And the sweet sound of speech ? Then, Lord, conform my will to thine! Forbid thy creature to repine, Thy child submission teach. 4 In solitude my soul prepare, 5 But is it solitude to me, Withdrawn from man, to walk with thee, When the chief troubles I have known, 6 I hear no earthly pastor's voice, The troubled mind be still That Comforter's sweet words are mine, 7 And I can read the word of life, Waiting that "Ephatha" from thee, *VI. FOR A BLIND PERSON. "He endured, as seeing him who is invisible."-Heb. xi. 27. 1 ARE Nature's charms all hidden, For ever from my view ? Am I in darkness bidden, My journey to pursue? My Father! oh, my Father! Thy child can trust thee still, 2 Though many a form be shrouded, 3 Vain things, that once deluded, The world's false glare, and show, By loss of sight excluded, Nor please, nor tempt me now; Should I not welcome blindness, If sent, my God, by thee, To break earth's spells for me? 4 Oh! if this sad privation, Which men misfortune deem, Which care, ambition, pleasure, 5 On thee, my God! reclining, where thou shalt lead. Loved looks, still lovelier seeming, Undimmed by sorrow's shade. 6 Loved voices still can cheer me, |