2 Sweet bower, where the pine and the poplar have spread,
And woven their branches a roof o'er my head;
How oft have I knelt on the ever green there,
And pour'd out my soul to my Saviour in prayer.
The early shrill notes of a loved nightingale,
That dwelt in the bower, I observed as my bell,
To call me to duty, while birds in the air
Sung anthems of praises as I went to prayer.
4 How sweet were the zephyrs perfumed by the pine,
The ivy, the balsam, and wild eglantine;
But sweeter, O sweeter superlative were
The joys that I tasted in answer to prayer.
5 For Jesus my Saviour oft deigned to meet,
And bless with his presence my humble retreat,
Oft fill'd me with rapture and blessedness there,
Inditing, in heaven's own language, my prayer.
6 Dear bower. I must leave you, and bid you adieu,
And pay my devotions in parts that are new,
Well knowing my Saviour resides ev'ry where,
And can in all places give answer to prayer.
7 Although I shall never revisit the shade,
But oft shall I think of the vows I have made,
And while at a distance, my mind will repair,
To the place where the Saviour, first answer'd
The glory of Christ. 11. 8.
10 thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all.
2 Where dost thou at noontide resort with thy sheep,
To feed in the pastures of love;
Say why in the valley of death should I weep?
Or alone in the wilderne s rove?
8 Ye children of Zion, declare have you seen
The star that on Israel shone?
Say, if in your tents my beloved has been,
And where with his flock he has gone?
4 The roses of Sharon, the lilies that grow
In the vales, on the banks of the streams;
On his cheek does the beauty of excellence glow,
And his eyes as the sun's radiant beams.
5 He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for his word;
He speaks, and eternity fill'd with his voice,
Re-echoes the praise of the Lord.
1. Midst scenes of confu-sion and crea-ture com-plaints,
How sweet to my soul is com- munion with
2 Sweet bonds that unite all the children of peace,
And their precious Jesus whose love cannot cease;
Though oft from thy presence in sadness I roam,
I long to behold thee in glory, my home.
3 I sigh from this body of sin to be free,
Which hinders my joy and communion with thee
Though now my temptations like billows may foam,
All, all will be peace, when I'm with thee at home.
4 I long, dearest Lord, in thy beauties to shine,
No more as an exile in sorrow to pine;
But in thy dear image arise from the tomb;
With glorified millions to praise thee at home.
Sweet Prayer.
1 When torn is the bosom by sorrow or care,
Be it ever so simple, there's nothing like prayer;
It eases, it softens, subdues, and sustains,
Gives vigor to hope, and puts passion in chains.
Prayer, prayer, O, sweet prayer,
Be it ever so simple, there's nothing like prayer.
2 When far from the friends we hold dearest we part,
What fond recollections still cling to the heart,
Past converse, past scenes, past enjoyments are there,
Oh how mournfully pleasing till hallowed by prayer.
3 When pleasure would woo us from piety's arms,
The siren sings sweetly, or silently charins,
We listen, we loiter, we're caught in the snare;
But looking to Jesus we conquer in prayer.
4 While strangers to prayer, we are strangers to peace,
Heaven pours its full streams thro' no medium like this,
And till we the seraph's full ecstacy share,
Our chalice of joy must be guarded by prayer.
1 Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near, And for my relief will surely appear;
By prayer let me wrestle, and he will perform; With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm. 2 Tho' dark be my way, since he is my guide, 'Tis mine to obey, 'tis his to provide; Tho' cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail, The word he hath spoken will surely prevail. 3 His love in time past, forbids me to think He'll leave me at last in troubles to sink; Each sweet Ebenezer 1 have in review, Confirms his good pleasure to help me quite through. 4 How bitter the cup. no heart can conceive, Which he drank quite up, that sinners might live! His way was much rougher and darker than mine! Did Jesus thus suffer, and shall I repine ?
on those joys that a-wait me, In
Where glo ri-fied spirits with welcome shall greet me, And
glory enshrouded, My happiness perfect, my mind's sky unclouded,
2 While angelic legions, with harps tuned celestial,
Harmoniously join in the concert of praise,
The saints, as they flock from the regions terrestrial,
In loud hallelujahs their voices shall raise;
Then songs to the Lamb shall re-echo through heaven,
My soul will respon l, to Immanuel be given,
All glory, all honor, all might and dominion,
Who brought us through grace to the Eden of love.
8 Then hail, blessed state! Hail ye songsters of glory!
Ye harpers of bliss, soon I'll meet von above!
And join your full choir in rehearsing the story,
"Salvation from sorrow, through Jesus's love."'
Though prisoned in earth, yet by anticipation,
Already my soul feels a sweet prelibation,
Of joys that await me. when freed from probation;
My heart's now in heaven, the Eden of love!
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