Long as my trials last,
Long as the cross I bear,
O, let my soul on thee be cast
In confidence and prayer!
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed,
The motion of a hidden fire,
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high.
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.
Secret Prayer at Twilight. C. M.
I love to steal a while away
From every cumbering care,
And spend the hours of setting day
In humble, grateful prayer.
I love to think on mercies past,
And future good implore,
And all my cares and sorrows cast
On him whom I adore.
I love by faith to take a view
Of brighter scenes in heaven:
The prospect doth my strength renew
While here by tempests driven.
Thus, when life's toilsome day is o'er,
May its departing ray
Be calm as this impressive hour,
And lead to endless day.
God everywhere heareth Prayer. 7's M.
Though on dreary wilds alone,
Prayer's a pathway to the throne
Place the Christian where you will,
Eternal love is present still.
Who can trace a beam of light?
Prayer's more rapid in its flight;
Rocks of granite, gates of brass,
Bow to let the pleading pass.
'Neath the sceptre or the rod,
Lift thy spirit up to God;
Deity in every place
Opens wide the gates of grace.
"Blest are the meek," he said,
Whose doctrine is divine;
The humble-minded earth possess,
And bright in heaven will shine.
While here on earth they stay,
Calm peace with them shall dwell,
And cheerful hope and heavenly joy,
Beyond what tongue can tell.
No angry passions move,
No envy fires the breast;
The prospect of eternal peace
Bids every trouble rest.
O gracious Father! grant
That we this influence feel,
That all we hope, or wish, may be
Subjected to thy will.
I want a principle within
Of jealous, godly fear;
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel
Of pride, or fond desire;
To catch the wand'ring of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.
That I from thee no more may part,
No more thy goodness grieve,
The filial awe, the fleshly heart,
The tender conscience, give.
Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscience make!
Awake my soul, when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.
Sympathy. S. M.
How hallowed is the bliss
That holy spirits know,
Who, in a world of sin like this,
Feel for all human woe;
To whom the pleading eye
Hath power to sway the soul,
Who bring salvation's blessings nigh
To many a sinking soul.
Their hearts are temples pure,
Where God will e'er abide;
Their praise and incense shall endure,
And ever spread more wide;
And theirs the joy to be
With Christ from day to day;
They walk the earth with step more free
Than kings and warriors may.
Father divine! joys ever new,
While thy kind dictates we pursue,
Our souls delighted share;
Too high for sordid minds to know,
Who on themselves alone bestow
Their wishes and their care.
By thee inspired, the generous breast,
In blessing others only blessed,
With kindness large and free,
Delights the widow's tears to stay,
To teach the blind the smoothest way,
And aid the feeble knee.
O God! with sympathetic care,
In others' joys and griefs to share,
Do thou our hearts incline;
Each low and selfish will control,
Warm with benevolence the soul,
And make us wholly thine.
Let living light, from thy blessed word,
Guide those who seek and teach thy way;
And may each opening flower, O Lord,
Drink life from that eternal ray.
Bless those who first this vineyard dressed;
They reaped in joy, but sowed in doubt;
They smote the rock, and from its breast
Leaped life's eternal waters out.
They sowed in doubt - for dimly woke
The light toward which their footsteps trod
They reaped in joy-for glory broke
Unclouded from the throne of God.
O God! we lift our hearts to thee,
And grateful voices raise
We thank thee for this festive night, -
Accept our humble praise.
Regard our Sabbath school to-night,
Our youthful efforts bless,
And give to each aspiring heart
The hope of sure success.
O give us wisdom from above,
Life's various scenes to meet :
Let thy right hand direct our way,
And guide our youthful feet.
O crown our joys with thy rich faith,
And fill our hearts with love;
Let all our hopes, subdued by grace,
Be fixed on thee above.
Thou friend of childhood, dearest Lord,
What heart can silent be,
That hears the message of thy word,
"Bring children here to me?"
We meet in thy dear name to-night,
And seek our Father's throne;
Shed round our way the holy light
That once in Bethlehem shone.
Be in our hearts the love of truth,
And all our passions rule;
Give grace and virtue to our youth,
And bless our Sabbath school.
O bless our festal rites this eve;
And may each passing year
The fruits of holiest knowledge leave,
Till all in heaven appear.
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