696. C. M.

1. SWEET is the prayer whose holy stream
In earnest pleading flows:
Devotion dwells upon the theme,
And warm and warmer glows.

2. Faith grasps the blessing she desires, Hope points the upward gaze; And love, untrembling love, inspires The eloquence of praise.

3. But sweeter far the still small voice,
Heard by no human ear,
When God hath made the heart rejoice,
And dried the bitter tear.

4. Nor accents flow, nor words ascend;
All utterance faileth there;
But listening spirits comprehend,
And God accepts the prayer.

697. C. M.

1. THE bud will soon become a flower,
The flower become a seed,
Then seize, O youth, the present hour,
Of that thou hast most need.

2. Do thy best always-do it now-
For in the present time,
As in the furrows of a plow,
Fall seeds of good or crime.

3. The sun and rain will ripen fast Each seed that thou hast sown, And every act and word at last By its own fruit be known.

4. And soon the harvest of thy toil,
Rejoicing, thou shalt reap,
Or o'er thy wild neglected soil,
Go forth in shame to weep.

JONES VERY.

698. C. M.

1. Thou art my hiding-place, O Lord,
In Thee I fix my trust,
Encouraged by Thy holy word,
A feeble child of dust.

2. I have no argument beside
I urge no other plea,
And 't is enough-the Saviour died,
The Saviour died for me.

3. When storms of fierce temptation beat, And furious foes assail,

My refuge is the mercy-seat,
My hope within the vail.