I

J

NOT ASHAMED OF CHRIST.

ESUS! and shall it ever be,

A mortal man ashamed of Thee? Áshamed of Thee! whom angels praise, Whose glories shine through endless days. 2 Ashamed of Jesus! sooner far May evening blush to own a star! He sheds the beams of light divine O'er this benighted soul of mine. 3 Ashamed of Jesus! just as soon Let midnight be ashamed of noon; 'Tis midnight with my soul till He, Bright Morning Star, bids darkness flee. 4 Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may, When I've no guilt to wash away; No tears to wipe, no good to crave, No fear to quell, no soul to save.

5 Ashamed of Jesus! that dear friend,
On whom my hopes of heaven depend;
No, when I blush be this my shame,
That I no more revere His name.

6 Till then--nor is my boasting vain,
Till then-I boast a Saviour slain;
And O! may this my glory be,
That Christ is not ashamed of me!

I

JOHN XIV. 6.

Gregg.

Where nought the heart can cheer,

Who points beyond its ocean
To heaven's brighter sphere?

I

Our feeble footsteps guiding,
When from the path we stray,
Who leads to bliss abiding?
Christ,-'tis our only way.

2 When doubts and fears distress us,
And all around is gloom,
And shame and fear oppress us,
Who can our souls illume?
Heaven's rays are round us gleaming,
And making all things bright,
When Christ the Truth is beaming,
In glory on our sight.

3 Who fills our hearts with gladness
That none can take away?
Who shows us, midst our sadness,
The distant realms of day?
'Mid fears of death assailing,

Who stills the heart's wild strife?
Tis Christ! our aid unfailing,
The Way, the Truth, the Life!

From "Hymns for the Church on Earth."

IT IS WELL.

It is well, of God only wise;

T is well, in the guidance of infinite love,

It is well with the soul whose best hopes are above, Whose thoughts all aspire to a home in the skies.

2 'Tis true we've a changeable climate below,

We have sunshine and storm, parching drought and cool showers,

In our spring-time of promise the wintry winds blow,

To blight our fair fruit, and to wither our flowers.

3 The bud that before us in loveliness blows,

Sheds its delicate leaves on our path and is o'er, The tree 'neath whose covert we loved to repose, Bows its head to the spoiler and shades us no

more.

4 But the sunbeam that painted that beautiful flower,

The soft dews maturing that shadowing tree, Retain all their freshness, their warmth, and their

power,

An unchangeable promise secures them to me. 5 Shall I mourn them? oh yes! but I may not repine;

It is well, in the counsels of infinite love; It is well, when our choicest delights we resign, To the all-perfect will of our Father above.

6 I weep, but in sorrow's most desolate hour,

My Saviour is nigh, and He sees all my tears; In the cloud of my grief, though it heavily lowers, The soul-cheering bow of His mercy appears.

7 It is well! the fair symbol of covenant grace, The pledge of God's truth to the feeble in heart, The mountains shall tremble, the rocks leave their place,

Ere His word shall be broken, His kindness depart.

8 Press on, then, my soul, be thou stedfast till death! No perishing crown to the faithful is given; Let thy prayers be more fervent, more constant thy faith,

Thy home is above, thy best treasure in heaven!
M. S. Fox.

του

"ASK WHAT I SHALL GIVE THEE.”—1 KINGS III. 5.

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COME

'OME, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay.

2 Thou art coming to a king,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.

3 With my burden I begin ;
Lord, remove this load of sin!
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt.

4 Lord! I come to Thee for rest,
Take possession of my breast;
There Thy blood-bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign.

5 As the image in the glass
Answers the beholder's face;
Thus unto my heart appear,
Print Thy own resemblance there.

6 While I am a pilgrim here,
Let Thy love my spirit cheer,
As my guide, my guard, my friend,
Lead me to my journey's end.

7 Show me what I have to do,
Every hour my strength renew;
Let me live a life of faith,

Let me die Thy people's death.

Newton.

LO! WE HAVE LEFT ALL AND FOLLOWED THEE.

I

I cross have taken,

All to leave and follow Thee;

Naked, poor, despised, forsaken,

Thou, from hence, my all shalt be:
Perish every fond ambition,

All I've sought, or hoped, or known;
Yet how rich is my condition,

God and Christ are still my own?
2 Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me,
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And whilst Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love and might,
Foes may hate, and friends may scorn me,
Show Thy face, and all is bright!

3 Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come disaster, scorn and pain!
In Thy service pain is pleasure,
With Thy favour loss is gain.
I have called Thee, Abba, Father,
I have set my heart on Thee;
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,
All must work for good to me.

4 Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh! 'tis not in grief to harm me,
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh! 'twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.