I THE SOWER. Y renk up your fallow ground! E sons of earth, prepare the plough, The sower is gone forth to sow, 2 The seed that finds a stony soil 3 The thorny ground is sure to balk 4 The beaten path and highway side The watchful birds the spoil divide, power, 5 But where the Lord of grace and 6 Father of mercies, we have need Let the same hand that gives the seed, Cowper. "JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, TO-DAY, AND FOR EVER."-HEB. XIII, 8. I HERE'S nought on earth to rest on, All things are changing here, The smiles of joy we gaze on, The friends we count most dear. 2 The sweetest flower of summer, 3 Clouds soon o'ercast our sunshine, 4 E'en friendship's smile avails not One smile alone can gladden, 5 And thus our bark moves onward, In Him who changeth not. 6 There's nought on earth to rest on, Whose love has stood for ages, F. Whitfield. "WHAT SHALL I RENDER."-PSALM CXVI. 12, 13. I F Which daily I receive, OR mercies, countless as the sands, From Jesus my Redeemer's hands, 2 Alas! from such a heart as mine, 3 Yet this acknowledgment I'll make 4 The best returns for one like me, Is from His gifts to draw a plea, 5 I cannot serve Him as I ought, Newton. I HOPE. WHEN I can read my title clear, To mansions in the skies, I bid farewell to every fear, And wipe my weeping eyes. 2 Should earth against my soul engage, 3 Let cares like a wild deluge come, May I but safely reach my home, 4 There shall my wandering, weary soul, Find her eternal rest; And not a wave of trouble roll Across my peaceful breast. Watts. "BECAUSE THOU HAST BEEN MY HELP, THEREFORE IN THE SHADOW OF THY WINGS WILL I REJOICE.”—PSALM LXIII. 7. I BE ECAUSE the Lord, my Saviour, has brought me from afar, And led me to the pastures, where all His child ren are; Because He looked upon me in my wilfulness and pride, And broke down every self-built tower wherein I sought to hide ; Because He left my helpless soul to taste sin's bitter thrall, Till at His mercy's footstool He made me cast my all; Because He has forgiven what He alone can know, And new desires for heavenly grace continues to bestow; Therefore I praise his faithfulness, with heart, and soul, and voice, And in the shadow of His wings I cannot but rejoice. 2 Because He still looks on me with tenderness and love, And bids me trust His wisdom when all is dark above; Because the more I trust Him the more I feel I may, Through every pain and sorrow, and though He seem to slay; Because I know my waywardness still claims His chastening hand, And every grief and trouble is sent at His command. |