C. M.

553.

ANONYMOUS.

For a Christian Spirit.

1 FATHER, I know that all my life
Is portioned out to me;

The changes that must surely come
I do not fear to see;

I ask thee for the present mind,
Intent on pleasing thee.

2 I ask thee for a thankful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with cheerful smile,
And wipe the weeping eyes;
A heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathize.

3 I would not have the restless will,
That hurries to and fro,

Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be dealt with as a child,
And guided where to go.

4 Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoe'er estate,

I would have fellowship with hearts

To keep and cultivate;

A work of holy love to do,

For Him on whom I wait.

12s. M.

554.

ANONYMOUS.

"It is good for me to have been afflicted."

1 FOR what shall I praise thee, my God and my King? For what blessings the tribute of gratitude bring?

Shall I praise thee for pleasure, for health, and for

ease,

For the spring of delight, and the sunshine of peace?

2 Shall I praise thee for flowers that bloomed on my breast,

For joys in perspective, and pleasures possessed? For the spirits that heightened my day of delight, And the slumbers that sat on my pillow by night?

3 For this should I praise thee; but, if only for this, I should leave half untold the donation of bliss: I thank thee for sickness, for sorrow, for care, For the thorns I have gathered, the anguish I bear;

For nights of anxiety, watchings, and tears,
A present of pain, a perspective of fears.

I praise thee, I bless thee, my King and my God,
For the good and the evil thy hand hath bestowed.

The flowers were sweet, but their fragrance is flown,

They yielded no fruits, they are withered and gone; The thorn it was poignant, but precious to me,'Twas the message of it led me to thee.

S. M.

mercy,

1 My God, my strength, my hope,
On thee I cast my care,
With humble confidence look up,
And know thou hear'st my prayer.

Give me on thee to wait, Till I can all things do; On thee, almighty to create, Almighty to renew.

2 I want a sober mind, A self-renouncing will,

That tramples down and casts behind. The baits of pleasing ill;

A soul inured to pain,

To hardship, grief, and loss,
Bold to take up, firm to sustain,
The consecrated cross.

I want a godly fear,
A quick discerning eye,

That looks to thee when sin is near,
And sees the tempter fly;

A spirit still prepared,

And armed with jealous care, For ever standing on its guard, And watching unto prayer.

4 I want a true regard,

A single, steady aim,

Unmoved by threatening or reward,
To thee and thy great name;
A zealous, just concern
For thine immortal praise;
A pure desire that all may learn,
And glorify thy grace.

5 I rest upon thy word;

The promise is for me:

My succor and salvation, Lord,
Shall surely come from thee:

But let me still abide,
Nor from my hope remove,

Till thou my patient spirit guide
Into thy perfect love.

7s. M.

556.

CONDER.

Our Daily Bread.

1 DAY by day the manna fell:
O to learn this lesson well!
Still by constant mercy fed,
Give me, Lord, my daily bread.

2" Day by day," the promise reads;
Daily strength for daily needs:
Cast foreboding fears away;
Take the manna of to-day.

3 Lord! my times are in thy hand; All my sanguine hopes have planned To thy wisdom I resign,

And would make thy purpose mine.

4 Thou my daily task shalt give:
Day by day to thee I live;
So shall added years fulfil,
Not my own, my Father's will.

5 O to live exempt from care,
By the energy of prayer;

Strong in faith, with mind subdued, Yet elate with gratitude!

Jan=66

C. M.

557.

Habitual Devotion.

H. M. WILLIS

1 WHILE thee I seek, protecting Power!
Be my vain wishes stilled;
And may this consecrated hour
With better hopes be filled.

2 Thy love the powers of thought bestowed
To thee my thoughts would soar;
Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed,-
That mercy I adore!

3 In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see!

Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferred by thee.

4 In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,

My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer.

5 When gladness wings my favored hour,
Thy love my thoughts shall fill;
Resigned, when storms of sorrow lower,
My soul shall meet thy will.

6 My lifted eye, without a tear,

The gathering storm shall see;

My steadfast heart shall know no fear;—
That heart shall rest on thee!

78. M

558.

METHODIST COLL.

"I will that men pray everywhere."

1 THEY who seek the throne of grace
Find that throne in every place;