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3 The force of their united cries
No power can long withstand;
For Jesus helps them from the skies
By his Almighty hand.

4 Then mountains sink at once to plains,
And light from darkness springs;
Each seeming loss improves their gains,
Each trouble comfort brings.

5 Though men despise them, or revile,
They count the trial small;
Whoever frowns, if Jesus smile,
It makes amends for all.

6 Though meanly clad, and coarsely fed,
And, like their Saviour, poor,

They would not change their gospel-bread
For all the worldling's store.

7 When cheer'd with faith's sublimer joys,
They mount on eagles' wings;
They can disdain, as children's toys,
The pride and pomp of kings.

8 Dear Lord, assist our souls to pay
The debt of praise we owe,

That we enjoy a gospel-day,
And heaven begun below.

1

XLVIII. Praise for the Continuance of the
Gospel.*

1 ONCE, while we aim'd at Zion's songs,
A sudden mourning check'd our tongues :
Then we were call'd to sow in tears
The seeds of joy for future years.

197

* Wherever a separation is threatened between a minister and people who dearly love each other, this hymn may be as seasonable as it was once in Olney.

3 Oft as that memorable hour

The changing year brings round again,
We meet to praise the love and power
Vhich heard our cries, and eas'd our pain.

Come, ye who trembled for the ark,
Unite in praise for answer'd prayer;
Did not the Lord our sorrows mark?
Did not our sighing reach his ear?
4 Then smaller griefs were laid aside,
And all our cares summ'd up in one;
"Let us but have thy word (we cried),
In other things thy will be done."
5 Since he has granted our request,
And we still hear the gospel voice;
Although by many trials prest,
In this we can and will rejoice.

6 Though to our lot temptations fall,
Though pain, and want, and cares annoy;
The precious gospel sweetens all,
And yields us med'cine, food, and joy.

XLIX. A Famine of the Word.

1 GLADNESS was spread through Israel's host
When first they manna view'd;
They labour'd who should gather most,
And thought it pleasant food.

2 But when they had it long enjoy'd,
From day to day the same,

Their hearts were by the plenty cloy'd,
Although from heaven it came.

3 Thus gospel-bread at first is priz'd,
And makes a people glad;

But afterwards too much despis'd,
When easy to be had.

4 But should the Lord, displeas'd, withhold The bread his mercy sends,

To have our houses fill'd with gold
Would make but poor amends.

5 How tedious would the week appear,
How dull the Sabbath prove,
Could we no longer meet to hear
The precious truths we love!

6 How would believing parents bear
To leave their heedless youth
Expos'd to every fatal snare,
Without the light of truth?

7 The gospel, and a praying few,
Our bulwark long have prov'd;
But Olney sure the day will rue
When these shall be remov'd.

8 Then sin, in this once favour'd town,
Will triumph unrestrain'd;

And wrath and vengeance hasten down,
No more by prayer detain'd.

9 Preserve us from this judgment, Lord,
For Jesus' sake we plead;
A famine of the gospel-word
Would be a stroke indeed!

L. Prayer for Ministers.

1 CHIEF Shepherd of thy chosen sheep, From death and sin set free

;

May every under shepherd keep

His eye intent on thee!

2 With plenteous grace their hearts prepare To execute thy will;

Compassion, patience, love, and care,
And faithfulness and skill.

3 Inflame their minds with holy zeal

Their flocks to feed and teach;
And let them live, and let them feel
The sacred truths they preach.

4 Oh, never let the sheep complain,
That toys, which fools amuse,
Ambition, pleasure, praise, or gain,
Debase the shepherd's views.

5 He that for these forbears to feed
The souls whom Jesus loves,
Whate'er he may profess, or plead,
An idle shepherd proves.*

6 The sword of God shall break his arm, A blast shall blind his eye;

His word shall have no power to warm,
His gifts shall all grow dry.

7 O Lord, avert this heavy woe,
Let all thy shepherds say!

And grace, and strength, on each bestow,
To labour while 'tis day.

LI. Prayer for a Revival.

1 SAVIOUR, visit thy plantation,
Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain!
All will come to desolation,

Unless thou return again :
Keep no longer at a distance,
Shine upon us from on high;
Lest, for want of thine assistance,
Every plant should droop and die.

2 Surely once thy garden flourish'd,
Every part look'd gay and green ;

Zechariah xi, 17.

Then thy word our spirits nourish'd,
Happy seasons we have seen!
But a drought has since succeeded,
And a sad decline we see;
Lord, thy help is greatly needed,
Help can only come from thee.

3 Where are those we counted leaders, Fill'd with zeal, and love, and truth? Old professors, tall as cedars,

Bright examples of our youth ?
Some, in whom we once delighted,

We shall meet no more below;
Some, alas! we fear are blighted,
Scarce a single leaf they show.

4 Younger plants-the sight how pleasant,
Cover'd thick with blossoms stood;
But they cause us grief at present,
Frosts have nipp'd them in the bud!
Dearest Saviour, hasten hither,

Thou canst make them bloom again; Oh, permit them not to wither, Let not all our hopes be vain ! 5 Let our mutual love be fervent, Make us prevalent in prayers; Let each one esteem'd thy servant Shun the world's bewitching snares; Break the tempter's fatal power, Turn the stony heart to flesh; And begin, from this good hour, To revive thy work afresh.

LII. Hoping for a Revival.

1 My harp untun'd, and laid aside, (To cheerful hours the harp belongs,) My cruel foes insulting cried,

"Come, sing us one of Zion's songs."

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