Large drops of anguish are thick on his brow,-
O, what is earth and its pleasures now!
And what shall assuage his dark despair,
But the penitent cry of humble prayer?

Kneel down at the couch of departing faith,
And hear the last words the believer saith.
He has bidden adieu to his earthly friends;
There is peace in his eye that upward bends;
There is peace in his calm, confiding air;

For his last thoughts are God's, his last words, prayer.

The voice of prayer at the sable bier!

A voice to sustain, to soothe, and to cheer.
It commends the spirit to God who gave;
It lifts the thoughts from the cold, dark grave;
It points to the glory where He shall reign,
Who whispered, "Thy brother shall rise again.

The voice of prayer in the world of bliss!
But gladder, purer, than rose from this.
The ransomed shout to their glorious King,
Where no sorrow shades the soul as they sing;
But a sinless and joyous song they raise,
And their voice of prayer is eternal praise.

Awake, awake, and gird up thy strength
To join that holy band at length.

To Him who unceasing love displays,

Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise,

To Him thy heart and thy hours be given;
For a life of prayer is the life of neaven.

WARE.

TEACH ME TO PRAY.

"One of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray."- Luke xi. 1.

O GOD! may I look up to thee?
I would address thee if I may;
And this my one request should be,
Teach me to pray.

Now in my sickness I would ask,

What thoughts to think, what words to say;
Prayer is a new and arduous task;
Teach me to pray.

A heartless form will not suffice,
The self-deemed rich are sent away;
The heart must bring the sacrifice;
Teach me to pray.

To whom shall I, thy creature, turn?
Whom else address? Whom else obey?
Teach me the lesson I would learn, -

Teach me to pray.

Now, in my hour of trouble, deign
To bow my spirit to thy sway;
Now, let me ask thee not in vain ;·
Teach me to pray.

To thee alone my eyes look up,
Turn not, O God, thy face away,
Prayer is my only door of hope ;-
Teach me to pray.

FIRST REQUESTS.

"Ask what I shall give thee."-1 Kings iii. 5.

AND dost thou say, "Ask what thou wilt? Lord, I would seize the golden hour,

I pray to be released from guilt,

And freed from sin and Satan's power.

More of thy presence, Lord, impart,
More of thine image let me bear;
Erect thy throne within my heart,
And reign without a rival there.

Give me to read my pardon, sealed,

And from thy joy to draw my strength; To have thy boundless love revealed,

In all its height, and breadth, and length.

Grant these requests, I ask no more,
But to thy care the rest resign;
Sick or in health, or rich or poor,

All shall be well, if thou art mine.

NEWTON.

CHRIST'S PROMISE.

"Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." -John xvi. 24.

"Ask, and ye shall receive ";
This promise-O, how free!
Lord, help me firmly to believe
That promise made for me.

Much need have I to pray,
Pardon and grace I seek;
Defence and guidance every day,
And strength, for I am weak.

My prayer do thou inspire,

And, O, that prayer receive!

Lord, teach me what I should desire;

Lord, help me to believe.

THE MERCY-SEAT.

"And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat."- Exod. xxv. 22.

From every stormy wind that blows,

From every swelling tide of woes,

"T is found beneath the "Mercy-seat."

There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads;
A place than all beside more sweet,
It is the blood-bought " Mercy-seat."

There is a place where spirits blend,
Where friend holds fellowship with friend,
Though sundered far, by faith they meet
Around one common 66
Mercy-seat."

Ah! whither could we flee for aid,
When tempted, desolate, dismayed,
Or how the host of hell defeat,

Had suffering saints no "Mercy-seat " ?

There, there on eagle wings we soar,
And sin and sense molest no more,

And heaven comes down our souls to greet,
And glory crowns the "Mercy-seat.”

O, let my hand forget her skill,
My tongue be silent, cold, and still,
This throbbing heart forget to beat,
If I forget the "Mercy-seat."

STOWELL.