HYMN 391. L. M. [#]
Persecution and Intolerance absurd.
1 ABSURD and vain attempt to bind,
With iron chains, the free-born mind;
To force conviction, and reclaim
The wandering by destructive flame!'
2 Bold arrogance, to snatch from heaven
Dominion not to mortals given;
O'er conscience to usurp the throne
Accountable to God alone!
3 Our Master's gentle law of love
Does no such cruelties approve;
Mild as himself, his doctrine wields
No arms but those persuasion yields.
4 By proofs divine, and reasons strong,
It draws the willing soul along;
And conquests to his truth acquires
By eloquence which heaven inspires.
HYMN 392. C. M. [#]
Zeal and Vigour in the Christian Race.
1 AWAKE, my soul, stretch every nerve,
And press with vigour on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
2 A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey:
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.
3 'Tis God's all-animating voice
That calls thee from on high;
"Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye;-
4 That prize, with peerless glories bright,
Which shall new lustre boast,
When victors' wreaths and monarchs' gems
Shall blend in common dust.
5 My soul, with all thy wakened powers,
Survey the heavenly prize;
Nor let the glittering toys of earth
Allure thy wandering eyes.
HYMN 393. L. M. [#]
Holy Resolution.
1 Ан, wretched souls, who strive in vain,
Slaves to the world, and slaves to sin!
A nobler toil may I sustain,
A nobler satisfaction win.
2 I would resolve, with all my heart,
With all my powers, to serve the Lord;
Nor from his precepts e'er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.
3 O, be his service all my joy;
Around let my example shine,
Till others love the blest employ,
And join in labours so divine.
4 Be this the purpose of my soul,
My solemn, my determined choice,
To yield to his supreme control,
And in his kind commands rejoice
I never faint nor tire,
Nor wander from thy sacred ways: Great God, accept my soul's desire,
And give me strength to live thy praise.
HYMN 394. S. M. [#]
Obedience to God as our Father.
1 My Father, I adore
That all-commanding name;
O may it virtue's strength restore,
And raise devotion's flame.
2 I bow at his commands,
And filial homage pay;
With heart and life, with tongue and hands,
I'll cheerfully obey.
3 No more will I transgress,
As I too oft have done,
But every sinful thought suppress,
Each sinful action shun.
4 My Father thus I'll claim,
And prove myself his son;
And, while I bear the filial name,
The filial duties own.
5 Do thou the strength impart,
This purpose to fulfil:
Lord, write thy laws upon my heart,
That I may do thy will.
HYMN 395. L. M. [#]
The Christian Warfare.
1 ARISE, my soul, shake off thy fears,
And gird the gospel-armour on ;
March to the gates of endless joy,
Where thy great Leader, Christ, has gone.
2 Sin and the world resist thy course;
But these, my soul, are vanquished foes;
For Jesus nailed them to the cross,
And sang the triumph when he rose.
3 Then let my soul march boldly on,
Press forward to the heavenly gate;
There peace and joy eternal reign,
And glittering robes for conquerors wait.
4 There shall I wear a victor's crown,
And triumph in Jehovah's grace:
There all the just, in chorus joined,
Unite to celebrate his praise.
HYMN 396. C. M. [# or b ]
1 FATHER of light, conduct my feet
Through life's dark, dangerous road;
Let each advancing step still bring
Me nearer to my God.
2 Let heaven-eyed prudence be my guide,
And, when I go astray,
Recall my feet from folly's path,
To wisdom's better way.
3 Teach me in every various scene
To keep my end in sight;
And, whilst I tread life's mazy track,
Let wisdom guide me right.
4 That heavenly wisdom from above
Abundantly impart,
And let it guard, and guide, and warm,
And penetrate my heart.
HYMN 397. L. M. [#]
Resistance of Temptations.
1 AWAKE, my soul, lift up thine eyes,
See how thy foes against thee rise
In long array, a numerous host;
Awake, my soul, or thou art lost.
2 See how rebellious passions rage,
And fierce desires and lusts engage;
See pleasure's silken banners spread,
And willing souls are captive led.
3 I tread upon enchanted ground;
Perils and snares beset me round;
O let me, then, guard every part,
But most the traitor in my heart.
4 O teach thy servant how to wield,
Blest Saviour, thy immortal shield;
Put on thy armour, from above,
Of heavenly truth and heavenly love.
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