488 S. M. DODDRIDGE. Singing in the Ways of God. Ps. cxxxviii. 5. 1 NOW let our voices join To form one pleasant song; 2 How straight the path appears! 3 But flowers of paradise In rich profusion spring; 4 See Salem's golden spires In beauteous prospect rise, 5 All honor to his name, Who drew the shining trace; To him who leads the wanderers on, 489 L. M. This Life leading to another. DODDRIDGE. 1 BEHOLD the path that mortals tread 2 Our kindred and our friends are gone; 3 From vital air, from cheerful light, 4 Awake, my soul, thy way prepare, 490 C. M. The Trials of Virtue. MERRICK. 1 PLACED on the verge of youth, my mind Life's opening scene surveyed; I viewed its ills of various kinds, 2 But chief my fear the dangers moved My heart the wise pursuit approved, 3 For, see, while yet her unknown ways A hostile world its terrors raise, 4 O, how shall I, with heart prepared, How from the thousand snares to guard 5 Let faith suppress each rising fear, 6 He to my every trial knows And faithful to relieve. 7 Though griefs unnumbered throng thee round, Still in thy God confide, Whose finger marks the seas their bound, 491 S. M. DODDRIDGE. Wise Use of the Light, before the Night cometh. 1 THE swift-declining day, How fast its moments fly! While evening's broad and gloomy shade. 2 Ye mortals, mark its pace, And use the hours of light; An instantaneous night. 3 His word blots out the sun In its meridian blaze, And cuts from smiling, vigorous youth 4 On the dark mountain's brow 5 Give glory to the Lord, Who rules the whirling sphere; 6 Then shall new lustre break Through horror's darkest gloom, 492 L. M. Life the Day of Grace and Hope. WATTS. 1 LIFE is the time to serve the Lord, 2 The living know that they must die, Their memory and their sense is gone, 3 Then what my thoughts design to do, 493 L. M. DODDRIDGE. The weeping Seed-Time and joyful Harvest. Ps. cxxvi. 5, 6. 1 THE darkened sky, how thick it lowers! Troubled with storms, and big with showers, No cheerful gleam of light appears, But Nature pours forth all her tears. 2 Yet let the sons of grace revive; 3 The seeds of ecstasy unknown 5 Then shall the trembling mourner come, 494 L. M. The narrow Way. COWPER. 1 WHAT thousands never knew the road! 2 A thousand ways in ruin end; One only leads to joys on high; By that my willing steps ascend, Pleased with a journey to the sky. 3 No more I ask or hope to find Delight or happiness below; Sorrow may well possess the mind That feeds where thorns and thistles grow. |