2 Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;

The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

3 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 by prayer.

5 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways,

While angels in their songs rejoice,
And say, "Behold, he prays."

6 O Thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray!

7s. M.

503.

MRS. HEMANS.

"I will that men pray everywhere."

1 CHILD, amidst the flowers at play,
While the red light fades away;
Mother, with thine earnest eye
Ever following silently;

2 Father, by the breeze of eve
Called thy harvest-work to leave;
Pray! ere yet the dark hours be,
Lift the heart and bend the knee!

355

× Prayer is the spirit of our
Returning whence it came ;,
Love is the saron fine with
And prayer the rising forme

3 Traveller in the stranger's land,
Far from thine own household band,
Mourner, haunted by the tone
Of a voice from this world gone;

4 Captive, in whose narrow cell
Sunshine hath not leave to dwell;
Sailor, on the darkening sea,
Lift the heart, and bend the knee!

5 Ye that triumph, ye that sigh,
Kindred by one holy tie,

Heaven's first star alike ye see;
Lift the heart, and bend the knee!

C. M.

504.

H. WARE, JR.

For God's Presence.

1 FATHER in heaven, to thee our hearts
Would lift themselves in prayer;
Drive from our souls each earthly thought,
And show thy presence there.

a Each moment of our lives renews
The mercies of our Lord;
Each moment is itself a gift
To bear us on to God.

3 Help us to break the galling chains
This world has round us thrown;
Each passion of our hearts subdue,
Each cherished sin disown.

4 O Father! kindle in our souls
A never-dying flame

Of holy love, of grateful trust
In thine almighty name.

S. M.

505.

BRIGGS'S COL.

1

2

Walking with God.

FATHER, I will not pray
Freedom from earthly ill;

But may thy peace be o'er my way,
With its dove-pinion, still.

O let a sense of thee,
Of thy sustaining love,
My bosom-guest for ever be,
Where'er I rest or move.

3 A heavenly light serene,
With its unfading beams,
Within my trusting heart be seen,
More bright than childhood's dreams.

4

So let me walk with thee,

Thy presence round my way; Made by thine aiding Spirit free; Thy love my joy and stay.

S. M.

506.

HEMANS.

1

2

For the Presence of Heavenly Thoughts.

COME to me, thoughts of heaven!

My fainting spirit bear

On your bright wings, by morning given,

Up to celestial air.

Away, far, far away,

From thoughts by passion given,
Fold me in blue, still, cloudless day,
O blessed thoughts of heaven!

Come in my tempted hour,
Sweet thoughts! and yet again

O'er sinful wish and memory shower
Your soft, effacing rain;

Waft me where gales divine

With dark clouds ne'er have striven,
Where living founts for ever shine,
O blessed thoughts of heaven!

L. M.

507.

ANONYMOUS.

The Presence of Jesus.

1 WHEN, blest Redeemer, thou art near,
The soul enjoys a sacred peace;
Thy presence calms our every fear,
And gives from every doubt release.

2 Be with us now, in truth and love,
In strength that conquers every sin;
O cleanse, and bless, and lift above,
And may thy cross our hearts still win.

3 In suffering may we strength receive
From memory of thy victory won;
In doubt our drooping hopes revive;—
Thus be thy presence with us shown!

4 Be ever near our spirits, Lord;

And, drawn by sympathy, may we
Still, through thy cross, thy life, thy word,
In faith and love come near to thee!

7s. M.

508.

GASKELL

Christ who strengtheneth me.

1 WHEN arise the thoughts of sin, When the world our hearts would win, When, to selfish pleasures given,

Droops the love that blooms for heaven,

Lord! we would remember thee,
Thou wilt our Redeemer be.

2 When, with footsteps faint and slow,
Duty's upward path we go;

When, by toils and hardship pressed,
Round we turn to look for rest;
Lord! we would remember thee,
Thou our Guide and Strength wilt be.

3 When the day grows dark and drear,
When, beset by doubt and fear,
We can see no beam of light
Struggling through the thickening night,
Lord! we would remember thee,

Thou our Comforter wilt be.

8 & 7s. M.

509.

GRANT.

The Christian encouraged.

1 KNOW, my soul, thy full salvation;
Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care;
Joy to find, in every station,
Something still to do or bear:
Think what Spirit dwells within thee;
Think what Father's smiles are thine;
Think what Jesus did to win thee:
Child of heaven, canst thou repine?

2 Haste thee on from grace to glory,

Armed by faith and winged by prayer; Heaven's eternal day 's before thee;

God's own hand shall guide thee there: Soon shall close thy earthly mission; Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days; Hope shall change to glad fruition, Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.