A

Selection of HYMNS, &c.

SECT. 1.

For Juvenile Delinquents.

1. The All-seeing God.

ALMIGHTY God, thy piercing eye
Strikes thro' the shades of night;
And our most secret actions lie
All open to thy sight.

There's not a sin that we commit,
Nor wicked word we say,
But in thy dreadful book 'tis writ,
Against the judgment day.

And must the crimes that I have done
Be read and publish'd there?

Be all expos'd before the sun,
While men and angels hear?

Lord, at thy feet asham'd I lie;
Upward I dare not look;
Pardon my sins before I die,
And blot them from thy book.

Remember all the dying pains

That my Redeemer felt;

And let his blood wash out my stains,
And answer for my guilt.

O may I now for ever fear

T' indulge a sinful thought,* Since the great God can see and hear, And writes down ev'ry fault.

2. Solemn Thoughts of God and Deathe. THERE is a God that reigns above, Lord of the heav'ns, and earth, and seas, I fear his wrath, I ask his love,

And with my lips I sing his praise.

There is a law which he has writ,
To teach us all that we must do m
My soul to his commands submit,
For they are holy, just, and true.

There is a gospel of rich grace,

Whence sinners all their comforts draw;

Lord, I repent, and seek thy face,

For I have often broke thy law.

There is an hour when I must die,

Nor do I know how soon 'twill comes A thousand children, young as I,

Are called by death to hear their doom.

Let me improve the hours I have,
Before the day of grace is fled.
There's no repentance in the grave,
Nor pardon offer'd to the dead.

Just as a tree, cut down, that fell
To north or southward, there it lies;
So man departs to heav'n or hell,
Fix'd in the state wherein he dies.

8. Heaven and Hell.

THERE is beyond the sky

A heav'n of joy and love;
And holy children, when they die,
Go to that world above.

There is a dreadful hell,
And everlasting pains;

Where sinners must, with devils, dwell
In darkness, fire, and chains,

Can such a wretch as I
Escape this cursed end?
And may I hope whene'er I die,
I shall to heav'n ascend?

Then will I read and pray,
While I have life and breath;
Lest I should be cut off to-day,
And sent t' eternal death.

4. The Advantages of Early Religion. HAPPY the child whose tender years Receive instructions well!

Who hates the sinner's path, and fears 'The road that leads to hell.

When we devote our youth to God,
'Tis pleasing in his eyes:
A flow'r when offer'd in the bud,
Is no vain sacrifice.

"Tis easier work, if we begin
To fear the Lord betimes:
While sinners that grow old in sin
Are harden'd in their crimes.

Twill save us from a thousand snares,
To mind religion young:
Grace will preserve our following years
And make our virtue strong.

To Thee, Almighty God, to Thee,
Our childhood we resign:
"Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.

Let the sweet work of prayer and praise
Employ my youngest breath;

Thus I'm prepar'd for longer days,
Or fit for early death.

5. The Danger of Delay.

WHY should I say, 'tis yet too soon
To seek for heav'n, or think of death
A flow'r may fade before 'tis noon,
And I this day may lose my breath.

If this rebellious, heart of mine
Despise the gracious calls of heav'n
I may be harden'd in my sin,

And never have repentance giv'n?

What, if the Lord in wroth declare
While I refuse to read and pray
That he'll refuse to lend an ear
To all my groans another day!

What, if his dreadful anger burn,
While I refuse his offer'd grace,
And all his love to fury turn,

And strike me dead upon the place!

"Tis dangerous to provoke a God!

His pow'r and veng'ance none can tell; One stroke of his Almighty rod

Shall send young sinners quick to hell,

Then 'twill for ever be in vain

To cry for pardon and for grace ;.

To wish I had my time again,
Qr hope to see my Maker's face,