C.M.

538 Let us put on the armour of light.

-Rom. 13, 12.

1 THOU plenteous Source of light and
From whom all grace proceeds, [love,
Chase from our souls the gloom of night,
And make us hate its deeds.

2 In armour clad of heavenly proof,
We will not fear or fly,

But bravely, through opposing hosts.
Press onwards to the sky.

3 If long and doubtful seem the strife,
Our pains and trials sore,
Such are the ills of mortal life,
And such our Saviour bore.

4 Once, humbled from His lofty throne,
He dwelt in weakness here,

And His has been the struggling sigh,
And His the falling tear.

5 When time has run its destined course
And all our years are fled,

He comes, with monarch's pomp and power,

"To wake and judge the dead.

6 Then help us, Lord, while sinners' hearts > Shall sicken with dismay,

To lift our heads, and joyful hail
Redemption's perfect day.

539

1

L.M.

Stedfast, unmoveable.-1 Cor. 15, 58.

FATHER, though storms on storms

appear,

Let not our faith forego her hold;
Deliver us from craven fear,

And make us stedfast, firm, and bold. 2 Out of our weakness make us strong, Arm us as in the ancient days;

Loose in Thy cause each stammering tongue,

And perfect, e'en in us, Thy praise.

3 Come, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord;
O Father: Son, and Spirit come!
Be mindful of Thy changeless word,
And make the faithful soul Thy home.

4 If we can witness, Lord, for Thee,
Let us despise our fleeting breath;
Give us the opening heaven to see,
And make us faithful unto death.

L.M.

540 They that wait upon the Lord shall

1

renew their strength.-Isa. 40, 31. WAKE our souls, away our fears,

1A Let every trembling thought be

gone;

Awake, and run the heavenly race, And put a cheerful courage on. 2 True, tis a strait and thorny road, And mortal spirits tire and faint; But they forget the mighty God, Who feeds the strength of every saint. 3 Thee, mighty God! whose matchless Is ever new and ever young, [power And firm endures, while endless years Their everlasting circles run.

4 From Thee, the overflowing Spring, Our souls shall drink a fresh supply, While such as trust their native strength

Shall faint away, and droop, and die. 5 Swift as an eagle cuts the air,

We'll mount aloft to Thine abode:
On wings of love our souls shall fly,
Nor tire amidst the heavenly road."

C.M.

541 So run that ye may obtain.—1 Cor.

9, 24.

1 AWAKE,my soul'stretch every nerve, And press with vigour on;

A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.

2 A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey:
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.

3 Tis God's all-animating voice
That calls thee from high;

Tis His own hand presents the prize. To thine aspiring eye,

4 Blest Saviour, introduced by Thee, Have I my race begun;

And, crowned with victory, at Thy feet I'll lay my honours down.

P.M.

542 Lay hold on eternal life.—1 Tim.

1

BRE

6, 12.

REAST the wave, Christian,
When it is strongest;

Watch for day, Christian,
When the night's longest
Onward and onward still,
Urge thine endeavour;
The rest that remaineth
Shall be for ever.

2 Fight the fight, Christian,
Jesus is o'er thee;

Run the race, Christian,
Heaven is before thee;
He who hath promised
Faltereth never,
The love of Eternity
Flows on for ever.

3

Raise the eye, Christian,

Just as it closeth;

Lift the heart, Christian,

Ere it reposeth.

Thee from the love of Christ

Nothing shall sever,

Mount when thy work is done,

Praise Him for ever.

1

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE:

DECLINE AND RECOVERY.

C.M.

543 Return, ye backsliding children.—

HO

Jer. 3, 22.

OW oft, alas! this wretched heart. Has wandered from the Lord: How oft my roving thoughts depart. Forgetful of His word!

2 Yet sovereign mercy calls "Return:"
Dear Lord, and may I come?
My vile ingratitude I mourn:
O take the wanderer home!

3 And canst Thou, wilt Thou yet forgive,
And bid my sins remove?
And shall a pardoned rebel live
To speak Thy wondrous love?
4 Almighty grace, Thy healing power
How glorious, how divine!

That can to life and bliss restore
So vile a heart as mine.

5 Thy pardoning love, so free, so sweet,
Dear Saviour, I adore;

O keep me at Thy sacred feet,

And let me rove no more.

L.M.

544 I have sinned against the Lord.

Iי

2 Sam. 12, 13.

LEFT the God of truth and light;

I left the God who gave me breath, To wander in the wilds of night, And perish in the snares of death. 2 Sweet was His service, and His yoke Was light and easy to be borne;

Through all His bonds of love I broke, I cast away His gifts with scorn.

3 Heart-broken, friendless, poor, cast down,

Where shall the chief of sinners fly,
Almighty vengeance, from Thy frown?
Eternal justice, from Thine eye?

4 Lo, through the gloom of guilty fears,
My faith discerns a dawn of grace;
The Sun of Righteousness appears
In Jesus' reconciling face.

5 Prostrate before the mercy-seat,
I dare not, if I would despair;
None ever perished at Thy feet,
And I will lie for ever there.

7.6.7.6.7.8.7.6.

545 The Lord turned and looked upon

Peter.-Luke 22, 61.

Jcall back a wandering sheep;

ESUS! let Thy pitying eye

False to Thee, like Peter, I
Would fain, like Peter, weep;
Let me be by grace restored,
On me be all long-suffering shown;
Turn and look upon me, Lord!
And break this heart of stone.
2 Saviour Prince! enthroned above,
Repentance to impart,

Give me, through Thy dying love,
The humble contrite heart.
Give, what I have long implored,
A portion of Thy love unknown;
Turn and look upon me, Lord!
And break this heart of stone.
3 See me, Saviour! from above,
Nor suffer me to die;

Life, and happiness, and love,
Smile in Thy gracious eye:
Speak the reconciling word,
And let Thy mercy melt me down;
Turn and look upon me, Lord!
And break this heart of stone.
4 Look, as when Thy languid eye,
Was closed that we might live;
"Father," at the point to die

1

My Saviour prayed, "forgive!" Surely with that dying word, He turns, and looks, and cries, Tis done! O my loving, bleeding Lord,

This breaks this heart of stone!

7.4.7.

546 Lead me in Thy truth and teach

THOU

me.-Ps. 25. 5.

who didst for Peter's faith
Kindly condescend to pray,
Thou whose loving-kindness hath
Kept me to the present day,
Kind Conductor,

Still direct my devious way.
2 When a tempting world in view
Gains upon my yielding heart
When its pleasures I pursue,
Then one look of pity dart;

Give me pleasures

Which the world can ne'er impart.