Your cheerful song would oftener be, XXX. THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF THE WORD. THE Spirit breathes upon the Word, A glory gilds the sacred page, The hand that gave it still supplies Let everlasting thanks be thine, As makes a world of darkness shine My soul rejoices to pursue The steps of him I love, XXXI. ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER. His master taken from his head, Elisha saw him go; And in desponding accents said, "Ah, what must Israel do ?" But he forgot the Lord who lifts What! when a Paul has run his course, Is Israel left without resource? Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives And shall be fed with what he gives, Who lives for evermore. XXXII. THE SHINING LIGHT. My former hopes are fled, I feel, alas! that I am dead Ah, whither shall I fly ! I hear the thunder roar; When I review my ways, I dread impending doom: But sure a friendly whisper says, "Flee from the wrath to come." I see, or think I see, A glimmering from afar; A beam of day, that shines for me, Forerunner of the sun,* It marks the pilgrim's way; XXXIII. SEEKING THE BELOVED. To those who know the Lord I speak, Is my beloved near? The bridegroom of my soul I seek, Though once a man of grief and shame, Yet now he fills a throne, And bears the greatest, sweetest name, Grace flies before, and love attends Though none can see him but his friends, He speaks-obedient to his call Then love in every heart would reign, Such Jesus is, and such his grace, And tell him, when you see his face, XXXIV. THE WAITING SOUL. BREATHE from the gentle south, O Lord, I wish, thou know'st, to be resign'd, Help me to reach the distant goal, Pity the sickness of a soul That faints for love of thee. Cold as I feel this heart of mine, It yields some hope of life divine I seem forsaken and alone, I hear the lion roar; And every door is shut but one, There, till the dear Deliv'rer come, * Cant. v. 8. XXXV. WELCOME CROSS. 'Tis my happiness below Not to live without the cross, Trials must and will befall; But with humble faith to see God in Israel sows the seeds Of affliction, pain, and toil; Trials make the promise sweet, Lay me low, and keep me there. Did I meet no trials here, No chastisement by the way: XXXVI. AFFLICTIONS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD. O HOW I love thy holy word, Thy gracious covenant, O Lord! Hebrews xii. 8. |