Our own Hymn book part 7

Much thanks To my wife Tammy Tryban I Love You Wife....

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1 BEHOLD what wondrous grace
The Father hath bestow'd
On sinners of a mortal race.
To call them sons of God!

2 'Tis no surprising thing,
That we should be unknown:
The Jewish world knew not their King,
God's everlasting Son.

3 Nor doth it yet appear
How great we must be made,
But when we see our Saviour here,
We shall be like our Head.

4 A hope so much divine
May trials well endure,
May purge our souls from sense and sin,
As Christ the Lord is pure.

5 If in my Father's love,
I share a filial part,
Send down Thy Spirit, like a dove.
To rest upon my heart.

6 We would no longer lie
Like slaves beneath the throne;
My faith shall Abba Father cry,
And Thou the kindred own.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

729 — Sons of God blessed.
729Sons of God blessed.7s.
1 BLESSED are the sons of God;
They are bought with Jesus' blood,
They are ransom'd from the grave,
Life eternal they shall have.
With them number'd may we be,
Now and through eternity.

2 God did love them in His Son,
Long before the world begun;
They the seal of this receive,
When on Jesus they believe:
With, &c

3 They are justified by grace,
They enjoy a solid peace;
All their sins are wash'd away,
They shall stand in God's great day.
With, &c.

4 They produce the fruits of grace
In the works of righteousness!
Born of God, they hate all sin,
God's pure word remains within:
With, &c.

5 They have fellowship with God,
Through the Mediator's blood;
One with God, through Jesus one,
Glory is in them begun:
With, &c

6 Though they suffer much on earth,
Strangers to the worldling's mirth,
Yet they have an inward joy,
Pleasures which can never cloy:
With them number'd may we be.
Now and through eternity!
Joseph Humphreys, 1743.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

Unchanging Love
730 — Praise to Vie God of Love.
730Praise to Vie God of Love.8.7.4.
1 FATHER, 'twas Thy love that knew us
Earth's foundations long before:
That same love to Jesus drew us
By its sweet constraining power,
And will keep us
Safely now, and evermore.

2 God of love, our souls adore Thee!
We would still Thy grace proclaim,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
And in glory praise Thy name:
Hallelujah!
Be to God and to the Lamb!
James George Deck, 1837
—Our Own Hymn-Book

731 — The Refiner sitting by the Fire,
731The Refiner sitting by the Fire,C.M.
1 GOD'S furnace doth in Zion stand;
But Zion's God sits by,
As the refiner views his gold
With an observant eye.

2 His thoughts are high, His love is wise,
His wounds a cure intend;
And though He does not always smile,
He loves unto the end.

3 Thy love is constant to its line,
Though clouds oft come between:
Oh could my faith but pierce these clouds,
It might be always seen.

4 But I am weak, and forced to cry,
Take up my soul to Thee:
Then, as Thou ever art the same,
So shall I ever be.

5 Then shall I ever, ever sing,
Whilst Thou dost ever shine:
I have Thine own dear pledge for this;
Lord, Thou art ever mine.
John Mason, 1683.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

732 — The firm Foundation.
732The firm Foundation.11s.
1 HOW firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

2 In every condition—in sickness, in health,
In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
"As thy days may demand shall thy strength ever be."

3 "Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismay'd!
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous omnipotent hand.

4 "When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of grief shall not thee overflow:
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5 "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

6 "E'en down to old age, all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

7 "The soul that on Jesus hath lean'd for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!"
George Keith, 1787.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

733 — "I will never leave thee."
733"I will never leave thee."11s.
1 O ZION, afflicted with wave upon wave,
Whom no man can comfort, whom no man can save;
With darkness surrounded, by terrors dismay'd,
In toiling and rowing thy strength is decay'd.

2 Loud roaring the billows now nigh overwhelm.
But skilful's the Pilot who sits at the helm,
His wisdom conducts thee, His power thee defends,
In safety and quiet thy warfare He ends.

3 "O fearful! O faithless!" in mercy He cries,
"My promise, My truth, are they light in thine eyes?
Still, still I am with thee, My promise shall stand,
Through tempest and tossing I'll bring thee to land.

4 "Forget thee I will not, I cannot, thy name
Engraved on My heart doth for ever remain:
The palms of My hands whilst I look on I see
The wounds I received when suffering for thee.

5 "I feel at My heart all thy sighs and thy groans,
For thou art most near Me, My flesh and My bones.
In all thy distresses thy Head feels the pain.
Yet all are most needful, not one is in vain.

6 "Then trust Me, and fear not; thy life is secure;
My wisdom is perfect, supreme is My power;
In love I correct thee, thy soul to refine,
To make thee at length in My likeness to shine.

7 "The foolish, the fearful, the weak are My care,
The helpless, the hopeless, I hear their sad prayer:
From all their afflictions My glory shall spring,
And the deeper their sorrows, the louder they'll sing."
James Grant, 1784, a.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

734 — Begone, Unbelief.
734Begone, Unbelief.10.10.11.11.
1 BEGONE, unbelief, my Saviour is near,
And for my relief will surely appear;
By prayer let me wrestle, and He will perform,
With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.

2 Though dark be my way, since He is my guide,
'Tis mine to obey, 'tis His to provide;
Though cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail,
The word He has spoken shall surely prevail.

3 His love in time past forbids me to think
He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink;
Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,
Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.

4 Determined to save, He watch'd o'er my path
When, Satan's blind slave, I sported with death:
And can He have taught me to trust in His name,
And thus far have brought me to put me to shame?

5 Why should I complain of want or distress,
Temptation or pain? He told me no less;
The heirs of salvation, I know from His word,
Through much tribulation must follow their Lord.

6 How bitter that cup no heart can conceive,
Which He drank quite up, that sinners might live!
His way was much rougher and darker than mine;
Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?

7 Since all that I meet shall work for my good,
The bitter is sweet, the medicine is food;
Though painful at present 'twill cease before long,
And then, oh how pleasant, the conqueror's song!
John Newton, 1779.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

735 — Lovest Them Me?"
735Lovest Them Me?"7s.
1 HARK, my soul! it is the Lord;
'Tis thy Saviour, hear His word;
Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee:
"Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou Me?

2 "I deliver'd thee when bound,
And, when bleeding, heal'd thy wound;
Sought thee wand'ring, set thee right,
Turn'd thy darkness into light.

3 "Can a woman's tender care
Cease toward the child she bare?
Yes, she may forgetful be,
Yet will I remember thee.

4 "Mine is an unchanging love,
Higher than the heights above:
Deeper than the depths beneath,
Free and faithful, strong as death

5 "Thou shalt see My glory soon,
When the work of grace is done:
Partner of My throne shall be,
Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou Me?"

6 Lord, it is my chief complaint,
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love Thee and adore—
Oh for grace to love Thee more!
William Cowper, 1771.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

736 — "Who shall separate?"
736"Who shall separate?"7s., 6 lines.
1 HALLELUJAH! who shall part
Christ's own church from Christ's own heart?
Sever from the Saviour's side
Souls for whom the Saviour died?
Dash one precious jewel down
From Immanuel's blood-bought crown?

2 Hallelujah! shall the sword
Part us from our glorious Lord?
Trouble dark or dire disgrace
E'er the Spirit's seal efface?
Famine, nakedness, or hate,
Bride and Bridegroom separate!

3 Hallelujah! life nor death.
Powers above nor powers beneath,
Monarch's might, nor tyrant's doom,
Things that are, nor things to come.
Men nor angels, e'er shall part
Christ's own church from Christ's own heart.
William Dickinson, 1846.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

Security in Christ
737 — Saints' Trial and Safety.
737Saints' Trial and Safety.S.M.
1 FIRM and unmoved are they
That rest their souls on God;
Firm as the mount where David dwelt,
Or where the ark abode.

2 As mountains stood to guard
The city's sacred ground,
So God and His almighty love
Embrace His saints around.

3 What though the Father's rod
Drop a chastising stroke:
Yet, lest it wound their souls too deep,
Its fury shall be broke.

4 Nor shall the tyrant's rage
Too long oppress the saint;
The God of Israel will support
His children, lest they faint.

5 But if our slavish fear
Will choose the road to hell,
We must expect our portion there,
Where bolder sinners dwell.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

738 — Accepted and safe.
738Accepted and safe.8s.
1 A DEBTOR to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on,
My person and offering to bring:
The terrors of law, and of God,
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour's obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.

2 The work which His goodness began,
The arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is yea and amen,
And never was forfeited yet:
Things future nor things that are now,
Not all things below nor above,
Can make Him His purpose forego,
Or sever my soul from His love.

3 My name from the palms of His hands,
Eternity will not erase;
Impress'd on His heart it remains
In marks of indelible grace:
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is given;
More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in heaven.
Augustus M. Toplady, 1771.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

Final Preservation
739 — Preserved in Jesus.
739Preserved in Jesus.C.M.
1 REJOICE, believer, in the Lord,
Who makes your cause His own;
The hope that's built upon His word
Can ne'er be overthrown.

2 Though many foes beset your road,
And feeble is your arm,
Your life is hid with Christ in God,
Beyond the reach of harm.

3 Weak as you are, you shall not faint;
Or fainting, shall not die;
Jesus, the strength of every saint,
Will aid you from on high.

4 Though sometimes unperceived by sense,
Faith sees Him always near,
A guide, a glory, a defence;
Then what have you to fear?

5 As surely as He overcame,
And triumph'd once for you;
So surely you that love His name
Shall triumph in Him too.
John Newton, 1779.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

740 — "My Words shall not pass away."
740"My Words shall not pass away."L.M.
1 THE moon and stars shall lose their light:
The sun shall sink in endless night;
Both heaven and earth shall pass away;
The works of nature all decay.

2 But they that in the Lord confide,
And shelter in His wounded side,
Shall see the danger overpast,
Stand every storm, and live at last.

3 What Christ has said must be fulfill'd,
On this firm rock believers build:
His word shall stand, His truth prevail,
And not one jot or tittle fail.
Joseph Hart, 1759.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

741 — He will keep us.
741He will keep us.8.7.4.
1 SAVIOUR! through the desert lead us;
Without Thee we cannot go:
Thou from cruel chains hast freed us
Thou hast laid the tyrant low:
Let Thy presence
Cheer us all our journey through.

2 With a price Thy love has bought us;
Saviour! what a love is Thine!
Hitherto Thy power has brought us;
Power and love in Thee combine!
Lord of Glory!
Ever on Thy household shine.

3 Through a desert waste and cheerless
Though our destined journey lie,
Rendered by Thy presence fearless,
We may every foe defy:
Nought shall move us,
While we see our Saviour nigh.

4 When we halt (no track discovering),
Fearful lest we go astray,
O'er our path Thy pillar hovering,
Fire by night and cloud by day,
Shall direct us:
Thus we shall not miss our way,

5 When we hunger Thou wilt feed us,
Manna shall our camp surround;
Faint and thirsty, Thou wilt heed us,
Streams shall from the rock abound:
Happy Israel!
What a Saviour Thou hast found!
Thomas Kelly, 1804.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

742 — Saints in the Hands of Christ.
742Saints in the Hands of Christ.C.M.
1 FIRM as the earth Thy gospel stands,
My Lord, my hope, my trust;
If I am found in Jesus hands,
My soul can ne'er be lost.

2 His honour is engaged to save
The meanest of His sheep;
All that His heavenly Father gave
His hands securely keep.

3 Nor death nor hell shall e'er remove
His favourites from His breast;
In the dear bosom of His love
They must for ever rest.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

743Final Perseverance.7s.
743 Final Perseverance. C.M.
1 WHERE God begins His gracious work,
That work He will complete,
For round the objects of His love,
All power and mercy meet.

2 Man may repent him of his work,
And fail in his intent;
God is above the power of change,
He never can repent.

3 Each object of His love is sure
To reach the heavenly goal;
For neither sin nor Satan can
Destroy the blood-wash'd soul.

4 Satan may vex, and unbelief
The saved one may annoy,
But he must conquer; yes, as sure
As Jesus reigns in joy.

5 The precious blood of God's dear Son
Shall ne'er be spilt in vain;
The soul on Christ believing, must
With Christ for ever reign.
Albert Midlane, 1862.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

Support in Affliction
744 — "As thy Day, thy Strength shall be."
744"As thy Day, thy Strength shall be."7s.
1 WAIT, my soul, upon the Lord,
To His gracious promise flee,
Laying hold upon His word,
"As Thy day, thy strength shall be."

2 If the sorrows of thy case
Seem peculiar still to thee,
God has promised needful grace,
"As thy day, thy strength shall be."

3 Days of trial, days of grief,
In succession thou mayst see;
This is still thy sweet relief,
"As thy day thy strength shall be."

4 Rock of Ages, I'm secure
With Thy promise full and free,
Faithful, positive and sure:
"As thy day, thy strength shall be."
William Freeman Lloyd, 1835.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

745 — "As thy Day, thy Strength shall be."
745"As thy Day, thy Strength shall be."L.M.
1 AFFLICTED soul, to Jesus dear,
Thy Saviour's gracious promise hear;
His faithful word declares to thee
That, "as thy day, thy strength shall be."

2 Let not thy heart despond, and say,
How shall I stand the trying day?
He has engaged, by firm decree,
That, "as thy day, thy strength shall be."

3 Should persecution rage and flame,
Still trust in thy Redeemer's name;
In fiery trials thou shalt see
That, "as thy day, thy strength shall be."

4 When call'd to bear the weighty cross,
Or sore affliction, pain, or loss,
Or deep distress, or poverty,
Still, "as thy day, thy strength shall be."

5 When ghastly death appears in view,
Christ's presence shall thy fears subdue;
He comes to set thy spirit free;
And, "as thy day, thy strength shall be."
James Fawcett, 1782.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

746 — Sweetness of gracious Meditations.
746Sweetness of gracious Meditations.C.M.
1 WHEN languor and disease invade
This trembling house of clay,
'Tis sweet to look beyond the cage,
And long to fly away.

2 Sweet to look inward and attend
The whispers of His love;
Sweet to look upward to the place
Where Jesus pleads above.

3 Sweet to look back and see my name
In life's fair book set down;
Sweet to look forward and behold
Eternal joys my own.

4 Sweet to reflect how grace divine
My sins on Jesus laid;
Sweet to remember that His blood
My debt of sufferings paid.

5 Sweet in His righteousness to stand,
Which saves from second death;
Sweet to experience, day by day,
His Spirit's quickening breath.

6 Sweet on His faithfulness to rest,
Whose love can never end;
Sweet on His covenant of grace,
For all things to depend.

7 Sweet in the confidence of faith,
To trust His firm decrees;
Sweet to lie passive in His hand,
And know no will but His.

8 Sweet to rejoice in lively hope,
That, when my change shall come,
Angels will hover round my bed,
And waft my spirit home.

9 There shall my disimprison'd soul
Behold Him and adore;
Be with His likeness satisfied,
And grieve and sin no more.

10 Shall see Him wear that very flesh
On which my guilt was lain;
His love Intense, His merit fresh,
As though but newly slain.

11 Soon, too, my slumbering dust shall hear
The trumpet's quickening sound;
And by my Saviour's power rebuilt
At His right hand be found.

12 These eyes shall see Him in that day,
The God that died for me;
And all my rising bones shall say,
Lord, who is like to Thee?

13 If such the sweetness of the stream,
What must the fountain be,
Where saints and angels draw their bliss
Immediately from Thee!
Augustus M. Toplady, 1780.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

747 — Joy under Losses.
747Joy under Losses.C.M.
1 WHAT though no flowers the fig-tree clothe,
Though vines their fruit deny,
The labour of the olive fail,
And fields no meat supply:

2 Though from the fold, with sad surprise,
My flock cut off I see;
Though famine pine in empty stalls,
Where herds were wont to be:

3 Yet in the Lord will I be glad,
And glory in His love;
In Him I'll joy, who will the God
Of my salvation prove.

4 God is the treasure of my soul;
The source of lasting joy;
A joy which want shall not impair,
Nor death itself destroy.
William Cameron, 1781
—Our Own Hymn-Book

748 — Chosen in the Furnace of Affliction.
748Chosen in the Furnace of Affliction.8.7.4.
1 SONS of God, in tribulation,
Let your eyes the Saviour view,
He's the rock of our salvation,
He was tried and tempted too;
All to succour
Every tempted, burden'd son.

2 'Tis, if need be, He reproves us,
Lest we settle on our lees;
Yet, He in the furnace loves us,
'Tis express'd in words like these:
"I am with thee,
Israel, passing through the fire."

3 To His church, His joy, and treasure,
Every trial works for good:
They are dealt in weight and measure,
Yet how little understood;
Not in anger,
But from His dear covenant love.

4 With afflictions He may scourge us,
Send a cross for every day;
Blast our gourds, but not to purge us
From our sins, as some would say;
They were number'd
On the Scape Goat's head of old.

5 If to-day He deigns to bless us
With a sense of pardon'd sin,
He to-morrow may distress us,
Make us feel the plague within,
All to make us
Sick of self, and fond of Him.
John Kent, 1803.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

749 — Sweet Affliction.
749Sweet Affliction.8.7.4.
1 IN the floods of tribulation,
While the billows o'er me roll,
Jesus whispers consolation,
And supports my fainting soul;
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! praise the Lord.

2 Thus the lion yields me honey,
From the eater food is given,
Strengthen'd thus I still press forward,
Singing as I wade to heaven,
Sweet affliction,
And my sins are all forgiven.

3 'Mid the gloom, the vivid lightnings
With Increasing brightness play;
'Mid the thorn-brake beauteous flow'rets
Look more beautiful and gay;
Halleluiah!
Hallelujah! praise the Lord.

4 So, in darkest dispensations,
Doth my faithful Lord appear,
With His richest consolations
To re-animate and cheer:
Sweet affliction,
Thus to bring my Saviour near.

5 Floods of tribulations heighten,
Billows still around me roar,
Those that know not Christ ye frighten,
But my soul defies your power:
Halleluiah!
Hallelujah! praise the Lord.

6 In the sacred page recorded
Thus the word securely stands,
"Fear not, I'm in trouble near thee,
Nought shall pluck you from My hands:
Sweet affliction,
Every word my love demands.

7 All I meet I find assists me
In my path to heavenly joy:
Where, though trials now attend me,
Trials never more annoy.
Halleluiah,
Hallelujah! praise the Lord.

8 Blest there with a weight of glory,
Still the path I'll ne'er forget,
But, exulting, cry, it led me
To my blessed Saviour's seat;
Sweet affliction,
Which has brought to Jesus' feet.
Samuel Pearce, 1800
—Our Own Hymn-Book

750 — Welcoming the Cross.
750Welcoming the Cross.7s.
1 'TIS my happiness below
Not to live without the cross,
But the Saviour's power to know,
Sanctifying every loss:
Trials must and will befall;
But, with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all—
This is happiness to me.

2 God in Israel sows the seeds
Of affliction, pain, and toil;
These spring up and choke the weeds
Which would else o'erspread the soil:
Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low and keep me there.

3 Did I meet no trials here,
No chastisement by the way,
Might I not, with reason, fear
I should prove a castaway?
Bastards may escape the rod,
Sunk in earthly vain delight;
But the true-born child of God
Must not, would not if he might.
William Cowper, 1779.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

751 — The suffering People.
751The suffering People.L.M.
1 "DOOR and afflicted," Lord, are Thine,
Among the great unfit to shine;
But though the world may think it strange,
They would not with the world exchange.

2 "Poor and afflicted," 'tis their lot,
They know it, and they murmur not;
'Twould ill become them to refuse
The state their Master deign'd to choose.

3 "Poor and afflicted," yet they sing,
For Jesus is their glorious King;
Through sufferings perfect now He reigns
And shares in all their griefs and pains.

4 "Poor and afflicted," but ere long
They join the bright, celestial throng;
Their sufferings then will reach a close,
And heaven afford them sweet repose.

5 And while they walk the thorny way,
They oft are heard to sigh and say,
Dear Saviour, come, oh quickly come,
And take Thy mourning pilgrims home.
Thomas Kelly, 1804.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

752 — Affliction leading to glory.
752Affliction leading to glory.C.M.
1 OFTEN the clouds of deepest woe
So sweet a message bear,
Dark chough they seem, 'twere hard to find
A frown of anger there.

2 It needs our hearts be wean'd from earth,
It needs that we be driven,
By loss of every earthly stay,
To seek our joys in heaven.

3 For we must follow in the path
Our Lord and Saviour run;
We must not find a resting-place
Where He we love had none.
Caroline Fry, 1826?
—Our Own Hymn-Book

753 — The grateful Review.
753The grateful Review.L.M.
1 THUS far my God hath led me on,
And made His truth and mercy known;
My hopes and fears alternate rise,
And comforts mingle with my sighs.

2 Through this wide wilderness I roam,
Far distant from my blissful home;
Lord, let Thy presence be my stay,
And guard me in this dangerous way.

3 Temptations everywhere annoy,
And sins and snares my peace destroy;
My earthly joys are from me torn,
And oft an absent God I mourn.

4 My soul, with various tempests toss'd,
Her hopes o'erturn'd, her projects cross'd,
Sees every day new straits attend.
And wonders where the scene will end.

5 Is this, dear Lord, that thorny road
Which leads us to the mount of God?
Are these the toils Thy people know,
While in the wilderness below?

6 'Tis even so, Thy faithful love
Doth thus Thy children's graces prove;
'Tis thus our pride and self must fall,
That Jesus may be all in all.
John Fawcett, 1783.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

754 — None shall pluck me from Thy Hand.
754None shall pluck me from Thy Hand.8.7.7.7.
1 CLOUDS and darkness round about Thee
For a season veil Thy face,
Still I trust, and cannot doubt Thee,
Jesus full of truth and grace;
Resting on Thy words I stand,
None shall pluck me from Thy hand.

2 Oh, rebuke me not in anger!
Suffer not my faith to fail!
Let not pain, temptation, languor,
O'er my struggling heart prevail!
Holding fast Thy word I stand.
None shall pluck me from Thy hand.

3 In my heart Thy words I cherish.
Though unseen Thou still art near;
Since Thy sheep shall never perish,
What have I to do with fear?
Trusting in Thy word I stand,
None shall pluck me from Thy hand.
Charlotte Elliott, 1834.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

755 — "Fear not, for I am with thee."
755"Fear not, for I am with thee."C.M.
1 INCARNATE God! the soul that knows
Thy name's mysterious power,
Shall dwell in undisturb'd repose,
Nor fear the trying hour.

2 Angels, unseen, attend the saints,
And bear them in their arms,
To cheer their spirit when it faints,
And guard their life from harms.

3 The angels' Lord Himself is nigh
To them that love His name;
Ready to save them when they cry,
And put their foes to shame.

4 Crosses and changes are their lot,
Long as they sojourn here;
But since their Saviour changes not,
What have His saints to fear?
John Newton, 1779.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

756 — "It is I, be not afraid."
756"It is I, be not afraid."C.M.
1 WHEN waves of trouble round me swell,
My soul is not dismay'd:
I hear a voice I know full well—
" 'Tis I—be not afraid."

2 When black the threatening skies appear,
And storms my path invade,
Those accents tranquillize each fear,
" 'Tis I—be not afraid."

3 There is a gulf that must be cross'd;
Saviour, be near to aid!
Whisper when my frail bark is toss'd,
" 'Tis I—be not afraid."

4 There is a dark and fearful vale,
Death hides within its shade;
Oh say, when flesh and heart shall fail,
" 'Tis I—be not afraid."
Charlotte Elliott, 1834.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

A Happy Portion
757 — The Christian's Treasure.
757The Christian's Treasure.L.M.
1 HOW vast the treasure we possess!
How rich Thy bounty, King of grace!
This world is ours, and worlds to come:
Earth is our lodge, and heaven our home.

2 All things are ours; the gift of God,
The purchase of a Saviour's blood;
While the good Spirit shows us how
To use and to improve them too.

3 If peace and plenty crown my days,
They help me, Lord, to speak Thy praise;
If bread of sorrows be my food,
Those sorrows work my real good.

4 I would not change my blest estate,
For all that earth calls good or great;
And while my faith can keep her hold,
I envy not the sinner's gold.

5 Father, I wait Thy daily will:
Thou shalt divide my portion still:
Grant me on earth what seems Thee best,
Till death and heaven reveal the rest.
Isaac Watts, 1721.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

758 — "Say ye to the Righteous, it shall be well with him."
758"Say ye to the Righteous, it shall be well with him."S.M.
1 WHAT cheering words are these!
Their sweetness who can tell?
In time and to eternal days,
'Tis with the righteous well.

2 Well, when they see His face,
Or sink amidst the flood;
Well in affliction's thorny maze,
Or on the mount with God

3 'Tis well when joys arise,
'Tis well when sorrows flow,
'Tis well when darkness veils the skies,
And strong temptations blow.

4 'Tis well when at His throne
They wrestle, weep, and pray,
'Tis well when at His feet they groan,
Yet bring their wants away.

5 'Tis well when they can sing
As sinners bought with blood,
And when they touch the mournful string,
And mourn an absent God.

6 'Tis well when on the mount
They feast on dying love,
And 'tis as well in God's account,
When they the furnace prove.
John Kent, 1803.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

759 — The favoured Saint.
759The favoured Saint.8.7.4.
1 GRACIOUS Lord, my heart is fixed,
Sing I will, and sing of Thee,
Since the cup that justice mixed,
Thou hast drank, and drank for me:
Great Deliverer!
Thou hast set the prisoner free.

2 Many were the chains that bound me,
But the Lord has loosed them all;
Arms of mercy now surround me.
Favours these, nor few nor small:
Saviour, keep me!
Keep Thy servant lest He fall.

3 Fair the scene that lies before me,
Life eternal Jesus gives;
While He waves His banner o'er me,
Peace and joy my soul receives:
Sure His promise!
I shall live because He lives.

4 When the world would bid me leave Thee,
Telling me of shame and loss,
Saviour, guard me, lest I grieve Thee,
Lest I cease to love Thy cross:
This is treasure!
All the rest I count but dross.
Thomas Kelly, 1806.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

Union to Christ
760 — The Reign of Grace.
760The Reign of Grace.8.7.4.
1 SOVEREIGN grace o'er sin abounding,
Ransom'd souls the tidings swell;
'Tis a deep that knows no sounding.
Who its breadth or length can tell?
On its glories
Let my soul for ever dwell.

2 What from Christ my soul shall sever,
Bound by everlasting bands?
Once in Him, in Him for ever;
Thus th' eternal covenant stands;
None shall pluck me
From the Strength of Israel's hands.

3 Heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus,
Long ere time its race begun;
To His name eternal praises!
Oh! what wonders love hath done!
One with Jesus,
By eternal union one.

4 On such love, my soul, still ponder,
Love so great, so rich, so free;
Say, whilst lost in holy wonder,
Why, O Lord, such love to me?
Hallelujah.
Grace shall reign eternally.
John Kent, 1827.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

761 — Union with Jesus.
761Union with Jesus.L.M.
1 'TWIXT Jesus and the chosen race
Subsists a bond of sovereign grace,
That hell, with its infernal train,
Shall ne'er dissolve nor rend in twain.

2 Hail! sacred union, firm and strong,
How great the grace, how sweet the song,
That worms of earth should ever be
One with Incarnate Deity!

3 One in the tomb, one when He rose,
One when He triumph'd o'er His foes,
One when in heaven He took His seat,
While seraphs sang all hell's defeat.

4 This sacred tie forbids their fears,
For all He is or has is theirs;
With Him, their Head, they stand or fall,
Their life, their surety, and their all.
John Kent, 1827, a.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

762 — One with Jesus.
762One with Jesus.C.M.
1 LORD, Jesus, are we one with Thee?
Oh height! Oh depth of love!
With Thee we died upon the tree,
In Thee we live above.

2 Such was Thy grace, that for our sake
Thou didst from heaven come down,
Thou didst of flesh and blood partake,
In all our sorrows one.

3 Our sins, our guilt, in love divine,
Confess'd and borne by Thee;
The gall, the curse, the wrath were Thine,
To set Thy members free.

4 Ascended now in glory bright,
Still one with us Thou art,
Nor life, nor death, nor depth, nor height,
Thy saints and Thee can part.

5 Oh teach us, Lord, to know and own
This wondrous mystery,
That Thou with us art truly one,
And we are one with Thee!

6 Soon, soon shall come that glorious day,
When, seated on Thy throne,
Thou shalt to wondering worlds display,
That Thou with us art one!
James George Beck, 1837.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

763 — Union to Christ.
763Union to Christ.S.M.
1 DEAR Saviour, I am Thine
By everlasting bands;
My name, my heart, I would resign;
My soul is in Thy hands.

2 To Thee I still would cleave
With ever-growing zeal:
If millions tempt me Christ to leave,
They never shall prevail.

3 His Spirit shall unite
My soul to Him my Head;
Shall form me to His image bright,
And teach His path to tread.

4 Death may my soul divide
From this abode of clay;
But love shall keep me near Thy side
Through all the gloomy way.

5 Since Christ and we are one,
Why should we doubt or fear?
If He in heaven hath fix'd His throne,
He'll fix His members there.
Philip Doddridge, 1755.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

The Golden Book of Communion with Jesus
764 — Sweet Communion.
764Sweet Communion.C.M.
1 I WOULD commune with Thee, my God;
E'en to Thy seat I come;
I leave my joys, I leave my sins,
And seek in Thee my home.

2 I stand upon the mount of God,
With sunlight in my soul;
I hear the storms in vales beneath;
I hear the thunders roll:

3 But I am calm with Thee, my God,
Beneath these glorious skies;
And to the heights on which I stand,
Nor storms nor clouds can rise.

4 Oh, this is life! Oh, this is joy,
My God, to find Thee so;
Thy face to see, Thy voice to hear,
And all Thy love to know.
George Burden Bubier, 1856.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

765 — Retirement and Meditation.
765Retirement and Meditation.L.M.
1 MY God, permit me not to be
A stranger to myself and Thee;
Amidst a thousand thoughts I rove,
Forgetful of my highest love.

2 Why should my passions mix with earth,
And thus debase my heavenly birth?
Why should I cleave to things below,
And let my God, my Saviour, go?

3 Call me away from flesh and sense;
One sovereign word can draw me thence;
I would obey the voice divine,
And all inferior joys resign.

4 Be earth with all her scenes withdrawn;
Let noise and vanity be gone:
In secret silence of the mind
My heaven, and there my God, I find.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

766 — "When wilt Thou comet"
766"When wilt Thou comet"C.M.
1 WHEN wilt Thou come unto me, Lord?
Oh come, my Lord most dear!
Come near, come nearer, nearer still,
I'm blest when Thou art near.

2 When wilt thou come unto me, Lord?
I languish for the sight;
Ten thousand sun when Thou art hid,
Are shades instead of light.

3 When wilt Thou come unto me, Lord?
Until Thou dost appear,
I count each moment for a day.
Each minute for a year.

4 There's no such thing as pleasure here,
My Jesus is my all;
As Thou dost shine or disappear,
My pleasures rise or fall.

5 Come, spread Thy savour on my frame,
No sweetness is so sweet;
Till I get up to sing Thy name,
Where all Thy singers meet.
Thomas Shepherd, 1692.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

767 — Jesus only.
767Jesus only.7s.
1 EVER to the Saviour cling,
Trust in Him and none beside;
Never let an earthly thing
Hide from thee the Crucified.

2 Ever cast on Him thy care,
He invites thee so to do;
Never let thy soul despair,
He will surely help thee through.

3 Ever live as in the view
Of the day of glory, near;
Never be to Christ untrue,
Thou shalt soon His glory share.
Albert Midlane, 1864.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

768 — None but Jesus.
768None but Jesus.C.M.
1 OH might this worthless heart of mine,
The Saviour's temple be!
Emptied of every love but Thine,
And shut to all but Thee!

2 I long to find Thy presence there,
I long to see Thy face;
Almighty Lord, my heart prepare
The Saviour to embrace.
Augustus M. Toplady, 1759.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

769 — Emptied of Earth.
769Emptied of Earth.L.M.
1 EMPTIED of earth I fain would be,
Of sin, myself, and all but Thee;
Only reserved for Christ that died,
Surrender'd to the Crucified:

2 Sequester'd from the noise and strife,
The lust, the pomp, and pride of life;
For heaven alone my heart prepare,
And have my conversation there.

3 Nothing, save Jesus, would I know;
My friend and my companion Thou!
Lord, seize my heart, assert Thy right,
And put all other loves to flight.

4 The idols tread beneath Thy feet,
And to Thyself the conquest get:
Let sin no more oppose my Lord,
Slain by the Spirit's two-edged sword.

5 Larger communion let me prove
With Thee, blest object of my love;
But, oh! for this no power have I;
My strength is at Thy feet to lie.
Augustus M. Toplady, 1759.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

770 — Go up, my Heart.
770Go up, my Heart.6s.
1 GO up, go up, my heart,
Dwell with thy God above;
For here thou canst not rest,
Nor here give out thy love.

2 Go up, go up, my heart,
Be not a trifler here:
Ascend above these clouds,
Dwell in a higher sphere.

3 Let not thy love flow out
To things so soil'd and dim;
Go up to heaven and God,
Take up thy love to Him.

4 Waste not thy precious stores
On creature-love below;
To God that wealth belongs,
On Him that wealth bestow.
Horatius Bonar. 1856.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

771 — Jesus' Presence desired.
771Jesus' Presence desired.C.M.
1 LORD, let me see Thy beauteous face!
It yields a heaven below;
And angels round the throne will say,
'Tis all the heaven they know.

2 A glimpse—a single glimpse of Thee,
Would more delight my soul
Than this vain world, with all its joys,
Could I possess the whole.
Beddome and Rippon, 1800.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

772 — "They saw no man, save Jesus."
772"They saw no man, save Jesus."S.M.
1 O PATIENT, spotless One!
Our hearts in meekness train,
To bear Thy yoke, and learn of Thee,
That we may rest obtain.

2 Jesus! Thou art enough
The mind and heart to fill;
Thy life to calm the anxious soul,
Thy love its fear dispel.

3 Oh fix our earnest gaze,
So wholly, Lord, on Thee,
That with Thy beauty occupied,
We elsewhere none may see.
Hymns for the Children of God, 1851.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

773 — Take my Heart.
773Take my Heart.8.7.4.
1 LOOK upon me, Lord, I pray Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in mine;
Thou hast sought me, Thou hast bought me
Only Thee to know I pine.
Let me find Thee!
Take my heart, and own me Thine!

2 Nought I ask for, nought I strive for,
But thy grace so rich and free;
That Thou givest whom Thou lovest,
And who truly cleave to Thee.
Let me find Thee,
He hath all things who hath Thee.
Joachim Neander, 1673;
tr. by Catherine Winkworth, 1858, a.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

774 — God all, and in all.
774God all, and in all.S.M.
1 MY God, my life, my love,
To Thee, to Thee I call:
I cannot live, if Thou remove,
For Thou art all in all.

2 Thy shining grace can cheer
This dungeon where I dwell;
'Tis paradise when Thou art here,
If Thou depart, 'tis hell.

3 The smilings of Thy face,
How amiable they are!
'Tis heaven to rest in Thine embrace,
And nowhere else but there.

4 To Thee, and Thee alone,
The angels owe their bliss;
They sit around Thy gracious throne,
And dwell where Jesus is.

5 Not all the harps above
Can make a heavenly place,
If God His residence remove,
Or but conceal His face.

6 Nor earth, nor all the sky,
Can one delight afford;
No, not a drop of real joy,
Without Thy presence, Lord.

7 Thou art the sea of love,
Where all my pleasures roll;
The circle where my passions move,
And centre of my soul.

8 To Thee my spirits fly
With infinite desire;
And yet, how far from Thee I lie!
Dear Jesus, raise me higher.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

775 — God my exceeding Joy.
775God my exceeding Joy.C.M.
1 WHERE God doth dwell, sure heaven is there,
And singing there must be:
Since. Lord, Thy presence makes my heaven,
Whom should I sing but Thee?

2 My God, my reconciled God,
Creator of my peace;
Thee will I love, and praise, and sing,
Till life and breath shall cease.

3 My soul doth magnify the Lord,
My spirit doth rejoice;
To Thee, my Saviour and my God,
I lift my joyful voice;

4 I need not go abroad for joys,
I have a feast at home;
My sighs are turned into songs,
My heart has ceased to roam.

5 Down from above the blessed Dove
Is come into my breast,
To witness Thine eternal love,
And give my spirit rest.

6 My God, I'll praise Thee while I live,
And praise Thee when I die,
And praise Thee when I rise again,
And to eternity.
John Mason, 1683, a.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

776 — My sole Delight.
776My sole Delight.C.M.
1 MY God, my God! who art my All,
Where art Thou to be found?
Thy presence is my sole abode,
My comforts there abound.

2 My wishes terminate above;
Thou art my whole delight;
Why dost Thou hide Thy holy face,
And roll Thyself in night?

3 Nor friends, nor comforts shall I wish,
Nor pleasures want to know;
Thou art the source of perfect bliss,
Thou art a heaven below.

4 More welcome would be Thy return,
Of greater far delight,
Than to the pilgrim beauteous morn,
Who wander'd all the night.
William Williams, 1759.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

777 — Perfect Happiness in the Cross.
777Perfect Happiness in the Cross.8.8.6.
1 LONG plunged in sorrow, I resign
My soul to that dear hand of Thine,
Without reserve or fear;
That hand shall wipe my streaming eyes,
Or into smiles of glad surprise
Transform the falling tear.

2 My sole possession is Thy love;
In earth beneath, or heaven above,
I have no other store;
And, though with fervent suit I pray,
And importune Thee night and day,
I ask Thee nothing more.

3 Adieu! ye vain delights of earth,
Insipid sports, and childish mirth,
I taste no sweets in you;
Unknown delights are in the cross,
All joy beside to me is dross,
And Jesus thought so too.

4 The cross! Oh, ravishment and bliss,
How grateful e'en its anguish is,
Its bitterness, how sweet!
There every sense, and all the mind,
In all her faculties refined,
Taste happiness complete.
Jeanne Marie Guyon, 1722;
tr. by William Cowper, 1801
—Our Own Hymn-Book

778 — At Home everywhere with Jesus.
778At Home everywhere with Jesus.L.M.
1 O THOU, by long experience tried,
Near whom no grief can long abide;
My Love! how full of sweet content
I pass my years of banishment!

2 All scenes alike engaging prove
To souls impress'd with sacred love!
Where'er they dwell, they dwell in Thee!
In heaven, in earth, or on the sea.

3 To me remains no place nor time;
My country is in every clime;
I can be calm and free from care
On any shore, since God is there.

4 While place we seek or place we shun,
The soul finds happiness in none;
But with a God to guide our way,
"Us equal joy to go or stay.

5 Could I be cast where Thou art not,
That were indeed a dreadful lot;
But regions none remote I call,
Secure of finding God in all.
Jeanne Marie Guyon, 1722;
tr. by William Cowper, 1801
—Our Own Hymn-Book

779 — Perfect Safety in Jesus.
779Perfect Safety in Jesus.L.M.
1 MY country, Lord, art Thou alone;
Nor other can I claim or own:
The point where all my wishes meet;
My law, my love, life's only sweet!

2 I hold by nothing here below;
Appoint my journey, and I go;
Though pierced by scorn, oppress'd by pride,
I feel Thee good—feel nought beside.

3 No frowns of men can hurtful prove
To souls on fire with heavenly love;
Though men and devils both condemn,
No gloomy days arise from them.

4 Ah, then! to His embrace repair;
My soul, thou art no stranger there:
There love divine shall be thy guard,
And peace and safety thy reward.
Jeanne Marie Guyon, 1790;
tr. by William Cowper, 1801.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

780 — Jesus our Heart's Theme.
780Jesus our Heart's Theme.C.M.
1 I THINK of Thee, my God, by night,
And talk of Thee by day,
Thy love my treasure and delight,
Thy truth my strength and stay.

2 The day is dark, the night is long,
Unblest with thoughts of Thee,
And dull to me the sweetest song,
Unless its theme Thou be.

3 So all day long, and all the night,
Lord, let Thy presence be,
Mine air, my breath, my shade, my light,
Myself absorb'd in Thee.
John S. B. Monsell, 1863.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

781 — Grief that others love not Jesus.
781Grief that others love not Jesus.L.M.
1 AH! reign wherever man is found,
My Spouse beloved and divine!
Then I am rich, and I abound,
When every human heart is Thine.

2 A thousand sorrows pierce my soul,
To think that all are not Thine own:
Ah! be adored from pole to pole!
Where is thy zeal? arise; be known!

3 All hearts are cold, in every place,
Yet earthly good with warmth pursue;
Dissolve them with a flash of grace,
Thaw these of ice, and give us new!
Jeanne Marie Guyon, 1790;
tr. by William Cowper, 1801.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

782 — The unsearchable Love of God.
782The unsearchable Love of God.L.M.
1 O LOVE of God, how strong and true!
Eternal, and yet ever new,
Uncomprehended and unbought,
Beyond all knowledge and all thought.

2 We read Thee best in Him who came
To bear for us the cross of shame;
Sent by the Father from on high,
Our life to live, our death to die.

3 We read Thy power to bless and save,
Even in the darkness of the grave;
Still more in resurrection light,
We read the fulness of Thy might.

4 O love of God, our shield and stay,
Through all the perils of our way;
Eternal love, in Thee we rest,
For ever safe, for ever blest!
Horatius Bonar, 1861
—Our Own Hymn-Book

783 — "My Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
783"My Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."7.6.
1 TO Thee, O dear, dear Saviour!
My spirit turns for rest,
My peace is in Thy favour,
My pillow on Thy breast.

2 Though all the world deceive me,
I know that I am Thine,
And Thou wilt never leave me,
O blessed Saviour, mine.

3 O Thou whose mercy found me,
From bondage set me free,
And then for ever bound me,
With three-fold cords to Thee.

4 Oh for a heart to love Thee
More truly as I ought,
And nothing place above Thee,
In deed, or word, or thought.

5 Oh for that choicest blessing
Of living in Thy love,
And thus on earth possessing,
The peace of heaven above.
John S. B. Monsell, 1863.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

784 — Condescending Love.
784Condescending Love.C.M.
1 OH see how Jesus trusts Himself
Unto our childish love,
As though by His free ways with us
Our earnestness to prove!

2 His sacred name a common word
On earth He loves to hear;
There is no majesty in Him
Which love may not come near.

3 The light of love is round His feet,
His paths are never dim!
And He comes nigh to us when we
Dare not come nigh to Him.

4 Let us be simple with Him, then,
Not backward, stiff, or cold,
As though our Bethlehem could be
What Sina was of old.
Frederick William Faber, 1852.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

785 — "Whom having not seen we love."
785"Whom having not seen we love."C.M.
1 Jesus, these eyes have never seen
That radiant form of Thine!
The veil of sense hangs dark between
Thy blessed face and mine!

2 I see Thee not, I hear Thee not,
Yet art Thou oft with me;
And earth hath ne'er so dear a spot.
As where I meet with Thee.

3 Like some bright dream that comes unsought,
When slumbers o'er me roll,
Thine image ever fills my thought,
And charms my ravish'd soul.

4 Yet though I have not Been, and still
Must rest in faith alone;
I love Thee, dearest Lord! and will,
Unseen, but not unknown.

5 When death these mortal eyes shall seal
And still this throbbing heart,
The rending veil shall Thee reveal,
All glorious as Thou art!
Ray Palmer, 1858.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

786 — "Thy Name is as Ointment poured forth."
786"Thy Name is as Ointment poured forth."C.M.
1 JESUS, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

2 Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Thy blest name,
O Saviour of mankind!

3 Oh, hope of every contrite heart!
Oh, joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

4 But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus—what it is,
None but His loved ones know.

5 Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our crown wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity.
Bernard of Clairvaux, 1153;
tr. by Edward Caswall, 1849.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

787 — Most glorious King.
787Most glorious King.C.M.
1 O JESU, King most wonderful,
Thou Conqueror renown'd,
Thou sweetness most ineffable,
In whom all joys are found!

2 When once Thou visitest the heart,
Then truth begins to shine,
Then earthly vanities depart,
Then kindles love divine.

3 O Jesu, Light of all below,
Thou Fount of living fire,
Surpassing all the joys we know,
And all we can desire

4 Jesu, may all confess Thy name,
Thy wondrous love adore;
And, seeking Thee, themselves inflame
To seek Thee more and more.

5 Thee, Jesu, may our voices bless:
Thee may we love alone:
And ever in our lives express
The image of Thine own.
Edward Caswall, 1849.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

788 — "We love Him because He first loved us."
788"We love Him because He first loved us."C.M.
1 MY God, I love Thee; not because
I hope for heaven thereby,
Nor yet because who love Thee not
Must burn eternally.

2 Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails, and spear,
And manifold disgrace.

3 And griefs, and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;
Yea, death itself; and all for me
Who was Thine enemy.

4 Then why, O blessed Jesu Christ,
Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heaven,
Nor of escaping hell;

5 Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving Lord.

6 So would I love Thee, dearest Lord,
And in Thy praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God,
And my Eternal King.
Francis Xavier, 1552.
tr. by Edward Caswall, 1849.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

789 — We love Him for Himself.
789We love Him for Himself.S.M.
1 BLEST be Thy love, dear Lord,
That taught us this sweet way,
Only to love Thee for Thyself,
And for that love obey.

2 O Thou, our souls' chief hope!
We to Thy mercy fly;
Where'er we are, Thou canst protect,
Whate'er we need, supply.

3 Whether we sleep or wake,
To Thee we both resign;
By night we see, as well as day,
If Thy light on us shine.

4 Whether we live or die,
Both we submit to Thee;
In death we live, as well as life,
If Thine in death we be.
John Austin, 1668
—Our Own Hymn-Book

790 — Christ or nothing.
790Christ or nothing.7.6.
1 IF my Lord Himself reveal,
No other good I want;
Only Christ my wounds can heal,
Or silence my complaint.

2 He that suffer'd in my stead,
Shall my Physician be:
I will not be comforted
Till Jesus comforts me.
Augustus M. Toplady, 1759
—Our Own Hymn-Book

791 — Jesus and His Righteousness prized.
791Jesus and His Righteousness prized.C.M.
1 THE more my conduct I survey,
Or Thee my Master see,
My own sufficience dies away,
I find my need of Thee.

2 Were I a martyr at the stake
I'd plead my Saviour's name:
Intreat a pardon for His sake,
And urge no other claim.

3 If blest with that exalted love
Which tunes a seraph's tongue;
Yet from the cross I would not move,
For there my hopes are hung.

4 Could I get nearer to the throne
Than is the common length,
My soul with gratitude should own,
'Tis done by borrow'd strength.

5 O Thou, the antidote of fear,
The charmer of my heart;
My comforts bloom when Thou art near,
And fade if Thou depart.

6 Let others boast whate'er they please,
Their hopes I'll not contest:
Smile Thou and I can live at ease,
Or die divinely blest.
Thomas Greene, 1780.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

792 — Christ is all.
792Christ is all.C.M.
1 COMPARED with Christ, in all beside
No comeliness I see;
The one thing needful, dearest Lord,
Is to be one with Thee.

2 The sense of Thy expiring love
Into my soul convey:
Thyself bestow; for Thee alone
I absolutely pray.

3 Less than Thyself will not suffice,
My comfort to restore:
More than Thyself I cannot crave,
And Thou canst give no more.

4 Loved of my God, for Him again
With love intense I burn:
Chosen of Thee e'er time began,
I choose Thee in return.

5 Whate'er consists not with Thy love,
Oh teach me to resign:
I'm rich to all the intents of bliss,
If Thou, O God, art mine.
Augustus M. Toplady, 1772.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

793 — Idols destroyed and Jesus loved.
793Idols destroyed and Jesus loved.7s.
1 SOON as faith the Lord can see
Bleeding on a cross for me,
Quick my idols all depart,
Jesus gets and fills my heart.

2 None among the sons of men,
None among the heavenly train,
Can with Jesus then compare,
None so sweet, and none so fair!

3 Then my tongue would fain express
All His love and loveliness;
But I lisp, and falter forth
Broken words, not half His worth.

4 Vex'd I try and try again,
Still my efforts all are vain:
Living tongues are dumb at best,
We must die to speak of Christ.
John Berridge, 1785.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

794 — Jesus our only Care.
794Jesus our only Care.7.6.
1 CAN my heaven-born soul submit
To care for things below?
Nay, but never from the feet
Of Jesus may I go:

2 Anxious, Lord, for nothing here,
Alone I look to Thee:
Humbly cast my ev'ry care
On Him that cares for me.
Augustus M. Toplady, 1759, a.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

795 — Jesus our chief Delight.
795Jesus our chief Delight.L.M.
1 JESUS, my Lord, my chief delight,
For Thee I long, for Thee I pray,
Amid the shadows of the night,
Amid the business of the day.

2 When shall I see Thy smiling face,
That face which often I have seen?
Arise, Thou Sun of Righteousness,
Scatter the clouds that intervene.

3 Thou art the glorious gift of God
To sinners weary and distress'd;
The first of all His gifts bestow'd,
And certain pledge of all the rest.

4 Could I but say this gift is mine,
The world should lie beneath my feet;
Though poor, no more would I repine,
Or look with envy on the great.

5 The precious jewel I would keep,
And lodge it deep within my heart;
At home, abroad, awake, asleep,
It never should from thence depart!
Benjamin Beddome, 1818.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

796 — Desiring to abide with Jesus.
796Desiring to abide with Jesus.C.M.
1 OH, let my Jesus teach me how
I may in Him abide;
From wandering save my foolish heart,
And keep it near Thy side.

2 Thy side is all the tower I have
To screen me from my foes,
And in that side a fountain is,
Which healeth human woes.

3 Put round my heart Thy cord of love,
It hath a kindly sway,
But bind me fast, and draw me still,
Still nearer every day.
John Berridge, 1785.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

797 — "Who loved me, and gave Himself for me"
797"Who loved me, and gave Himself for me"8. 8. 6.
1 O LOVE divine, how sweet Thou art!
When shall I find my willing heart
All taken up by Thee?
I thirst, I faint, I die to prove
The greatness of redeeming lore,
The love of Christ to me!

2 Stronger His love than death or hell;
Its riches are unsearchable:
The first-born sons of light
Desire in vain its depths to see;
They cannot reach the mystery.
The length, and breadth, and height.

3 God only knows the love of God:
Oh that it now were shed abroad
In this poor stony heart:
For love I sigh, for love I pine:
This only portion, Lord, be mine,
Be mine this better part.

4 Oh that I could for ever sit
With Mary at the Master's feet;
Be this my happy choice:
My only care, delight, and bliss,
My joy, my heaven on earth, be this,
To hear the Bridegroom's voice.
Charles Wesley, 1748.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

798 — Rest in Divine Love desired.
798Rest in Divine Love desired.8s., 6 lines.
1 THOU hidden love of God, whose height,
Whose depth unfathom'd, no man knows;
I see from far Thy beauteous light,
Inly I sigh for Thy repose:
My heart is pain'd, nor can it be
At rest, till it finds rest in Thee.

2 Is there a thing beneath the sun
That strives with Thee my heart to share?
Ah, tear it thence, and reign alone,
The Lord of every motion there!
Then shall my heart from earth be free,
When it hath found repose in Thee.

3 Bach moment draw from earth away
My heart, that lowly waits Thy call;
Speak to my inmost soul, and say,
"I am thy Love, thy God, thy All!"
To feel Thy power, to hear Thy voice,
To taste Thy lore, be all my choice.
Gerhard Tersteegen, 1731.
tr. by John Wesley, 1739.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

799 — Abide in me.
799Abide in me.7s.
1 THOU, who art the incarnate God,
In mine heart make Thine abode:
Come, dear Lord, and come to stay,
Not just smile and go away!

2 Let not clouds Thy face eclipse,
Let not anger seal Thy lips:
Thy fair count'nance let me see;
With Thy sweet voice speak to me.

3 Rise then, Sun of Righteousness,
Me with Thy sweet beamings bless;
Winter then may stay or flee,
Lord, 'tis all alike to me.

4 If in life I have Thy grace,
And at death behold Thy face:
Life may stay, or life may flee,
Lord, 'tis all alike to me.
John Ryland, 1776.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

800 — Saviour, look on Thy Beloved.
800Saviour, look on Thy Beloved.8.7.
1 SAVIOUR, look on Thy beloved;
Triumph over all my foes;
Turn to happy joy my mourning;
Turn to gladness all my woes.

2 Live or die, or work or Buffer,
Let my weary soul abide,
In all changes whatsoever,
Sure and steadfast by Thy side.

3 Nothing will preserve my goings,
But salvation full and free;
Nothing will my feet dishearten,
But my absence, Lord, from Thee.

4 Nothing can delay my progress,
Nothing can disturb my rest,
If I shall, where'er I wander,
Lean my spirit on Thy breast.
William Williams, 1772.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

801 — Jesus is enough.
801Jesus is enough.C.M.
1 Jesus, my Saviour, is enough
When all is gone and spent;
He fills and over-fills my soul,
Thus I am pure content.

2 My covenant with flesh and blood,
And every sinful thing,
Is broken, and is steadfast made,
With Jesus Christ my King.

3 Vanish from me, ye objects vain,
All scenes of lower kind;
A pleasure equal to my wish
In God alone I find.
William Williams, 1759.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

802 — Beauties of Jesus.
802Beauties of Jesus.8.7.4.
1 WHITE and ruddy is my Beloved,
All His heavenly beauties shine;
Nature can't produce an object,
Nor so glorious, so divine;
He hath wholly
Won my soul to realms above.

2 Farewell, all ye meaner creatures,
For in Him is every store;
Wealth, or friends, or darling beauty,
Shall not draw me any more;
In my Saviour,
I have found a glorious whole.

3 Such as find Thee find such sweetness
Deep, mysterious, and unknown;
Far above all worldly pleasures,
If they were to meet in one;
My Beloved,
O'er the mountains haste away.
William Williams, 1772.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

803 — Jesus, reign in us.
803Jesus, reign in us.8.7.
1 Jesus, whose almighty sceptre
Rules creation all around,
In whose bowels love and mercy,
Grace, and pity, full are found.

2 In ray spirit rule and conquer,
There set up Thy eternal throne;
Win my heart from every creature,
Thee to love, and Thee alone.

3 In Thy bleeding wounds most happy,
Nought will do for wretched me,
But a Saviour full of mercy,
Dying, innocent, and free.

4 Climb, my soul, unto the mountain,
Ever-blessed Calvary,
See the wounded Victim bleeding,
Nailed to a cursed tree.

5 Love to miserable sinners,
Love unfathom'd, love to death,
Was the only end and motive,
To resign His gracious breath.
William Williams, 1772.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

804 — My Jesus, I love Thee.
804My Jesus, I love Thee.11s.
1 MY Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine,
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

2 I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

3 I will love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

4 In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
London Hymn Book, 1864.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

805 — Weaned from the World.
805Weaned from the World.L.M.
1 I THIRST, but not as once I did,
The vain delights of earth to share;
Thy wounds, Immanuel, all forbid
That I should seek my pleasures there.

2 It was the sight of Thy dear cross
First wean'd my soul from earthly things;
And taught me to esteem as dross
The mirth of fools and pomp of kings.

3 Dear fountain of delight unknown!
No longer sink below the brim;
But overflow, and pour me down
A living and life-giving stream!
William Cowper, 1779.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

806 — Longing to be with Jesus.
806Longing to be with Jesus.C.M.
1 MY soul amid this stormy world,
Is like some flutter'd dove;
And fain would be as swift of wing,
To flee to Him I love.

2 The cords that bound my heart to earth
Are broken by His hand;
Before His cross I found myself
A stranger in the land.

3 That visage marr'd, those sorrows deep,
The vinegar and gall,
These were His golden chains of love
His captive to enthral.

4 My heart is with Him on His throne,
And ill can brook delay;
Each moment listening for the voice,
"Rise up, and come away."

5 With hope deferred, oft sick and faint,
"Why tarries He?" I cry:
Let not the Saviour chide my haste,
For then would I reply:

6 "May not an exile, Lord, desire
His own sweet land to see?
May not a captive seek release,
A prisoner to be free?

7 "A child, when far away, may long
For home and kindred dear;
And she that waits her absent lord
May sigh till he appear.

8 "I would, my Lord and Saviour, know,
That which no measure knows:
Would search the mystery of Thy love,
The depths of all Thy woes.

9 "I fain would strike my harp divine
Before the Father's throne,
There cast my crown of righteousness,
And sing what grace has done.

10 "Ah, leave me not in this base world,
A stranger still to roam;
Come, Lord, and take me to Thyself,
Come, Jesus, quickly come!"
Robert C. Chapman, 1837.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

807 — Jesus our Choice.
807Jesus our Choice.L.M.
1 THOUGH all the world my choice deride,
Yet Jesus shall my portion be;
For I am pleased with none beside;
The fairest of the fair is He.

2 Sweet is the vision of Thy face,
And kindness o'er Thy lips is shed;
Lovely art Thou, and full of grace,
And glory beams around Thy head.

3 Thy sufferings I embrace with Thee,
Thy poverty and shameful cross;
The pleasures of the world I flee,
And deem its treasures only dross.

4 Be daily dearer to my heart,
And ever let me feel Thee near;
Then willingly with all I'd part,
Nor count it worthy of a tear.
Gerhard Tersteegen, 1731;
tr. by Samuel Jackson, 1832.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

808 — His Name is lovely.
808His Name is lovely.7s.
1 OTHER name than my dear Lord's,
Never to my heart affords
Equal influence to move
Its deep springs of joy and love.

2 He from youth has been my guide,
He to hoar hairs will provide,
Every light and every shade,
On my path His presence made.

3 He hath been my joy in woe,
Cheer'd my heart when it was low,
And, with warnings softly sad,
Calm'd my heart when it was glad.

4 Change or chance could ne'er befall,
But He proved mine all in all;
All He asks in answer is,
That I should be wholly His.

5 Oh that I may ever prove,
By a life of earnest love,
How, by right of grace divine,
I am His, and He is mine.
John S. B. Monsell, 1863.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

809 — "I did know Thee in the Wilderness."
809"I did know Thee in the Wilderness."C.M.
1 I KNEW Thee in the land of drought,
Thy comfort and control,
Thy truth encompass'd me about,
Thy love refresh'd my soul.

2 I knew Thee when the world was waste,
And Thou alone wast fair,
On Thee my heart its fondness placed,
My soul reposed its care.

3 And if Thine alter'd hand doth now
My sky with sunshine fill,
Who amid all so fair as Thou?
Oh let me know Thee still:

4 Still turn to Thee in days of light,
As well as nights of care,
Thou brightest amid all that's bright!
Thou fairest of the fair!

5 My sun is, Lord, where'er Thou art,
My cloud, where self I see,
My drought in an ungrateful heart,
My freshest springs in Thee!
John S. B. Monsell, 1863.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

810 — Hark, the Voice of my Beloved.
810Hark, the Voice of my Beloved.8.7.4.
1 HARK! the voice of my Beloved,
Lo, He comes in greatest need,
Leaping on the lofty mountains,
Skipping over hills with speed,
To deliver,
Me unworthy from all woe.

2 In a dungeon deep He found me,
Without water, without light,
Bound in chains of horrid darkness,
Gloomy, thick, Egyptian night;
He recover'd
Thence my soul with price immense.

3 And for this let men and angels,
All the heavenly hosts above,
Choirs of seraphims elected,
With their golden harps of love,
Praise and worship,
My Redeemer without end.

4 Let believers raise their anthems;
All the saints in one accord,
Mix'd with angels and archangels,
Sing their dear Redeeming Lord;
Love eternal,
Inconceivable, unknown.
William Williams, 1772, a.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

811 — The Strength of Christ's Love.
811The Strength of Christ's Love.L.M.
1 OH let my name engraven stand,
My Jesus, on Thy heart and hand:
Seal me upon Thine arm, and wear
That pledge of love for ever there.

2 Stronger than death Thy love is known,
Which floods of wrath could never drown;
And hell and earth in vain combine
To quench a fire so much divine.

3 But I am jealous of my heart,
Lest it should once from Thee depart;
Then let Thy name be well impress'd
As a fair signet on my breast.

4 Till Thou hast brought me to Thy home,
Where fears and doubts can never come.
Thy countenance let me often see,
And often Thou shalt hear from me.

5 Come, my Beloved, haste away,
Cut short the hours of Thy delay:
Fly like a youthful hart or roe
Over the hills where spices grow.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

812 — On Jesu's Heart and Arm.
812On Jesu's Heart and Arm.C.M.
1 I ASK my dying Saviour dear
To set me on His heart;
And if my Jesus fix me there,
Nor life, nor death shall part.

2 As Aaron bore upon his breast
The names of Jacob's sons,
So bear my name among the rest
Of Thy dear chosen ones.

3 But sea me also on Thine arm,
Or yet I am not right;
I need Thy love to ward off harm,
And need Thy shoulder's might.

4 This double seal makes all things sure,
And keeps me safe and well;
Thy heart and shoulder will secure
From all the host of hell.
John Berridge, 1785.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

813 — "To live is Christ, and to die is Gain."
813"To live is Christ, and to die is Gain."7s.
1 CHRIST, of all my hopes the ground,
Christ, the spring of all my joy,
Still in Thee may I be found,
Still for Thee my powers employ.

2 Fountain of o'erflowing grace,
Freely from Thy fulness give;
Till I close my earthly race,
May I prove it, "Christ to live."

3 Firmly trusting in Thy blood,
Nothing shall my heart confound;
Safely I shall pass the flood,
Safely reach Immanuel's ground.

4 When I touch the blessed shore,
Back the closing waves shall roll;
Death's dark stream shall never more
Part from Thee my ravish'd soul.

5 Thus, oh thus, an entrance give
To the land of cloudless sky!
Having known it, "Christ to live,"
Let me know it, "Gain to die."
Ralph Wardlaw, 1817.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

814 — Christ dwells in Heaven, but visits His Saints on Earth.
814Christ dwells in Heaven, but visits His Saints on Earth.L.M.
1 MY best-beloved keeps His throne
On hills of light, in worlds unknown;
But He descends and shows His face
In the young gardens of His grace.

2 He has engross'd my wannest love;
No earthly charms my soul can move:
I have a mansion in His heart,
Nor death nor hell shall make us part.

3 He takes my soul ere I'm aware,
And shows me where His glories are:
No chariot of Amminadib
The heavenly rapture can describe.

4 Oh, may my spirit daily rise
On wings of faith above the skies,
Till death shall make my last remove,
To dwell for ever with my love.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

815 — "With Thee is the Fountain of Life."
815"With Thee is the Fountain of Life."7s.
1 OBJECT of my first desire,
Jesus crucified for me!
All to happiness aspire,
Only to be found in Thee!

2 Thee to please and Thee to know,
Constitute our bliss below;
Thee to see and Thee to love,
Constitute our bliss above.

3 Lord, it is not life to lire,
If Thy presence Thou deny;
Lord, if Thou Thy presence give,
'Tis no longer death to die!

4 Source and giver of repose!
Singly from Thy smile it flows,
Peace and happiness are Thine,
Mine they are, if Thou art mine!
Augustus M. Toplady, 1774.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

816 — Love the Source of Love.
816Love the Source of Love.L.M.
1 WHAT wondrous cause could move Thy heart
To take on Thee my curse and smart?
When Thou foreknewest I should be
So cold and negligent to Thee?

2 The cause was love, I sink with shame be,
Before my sacred Jesu's name,
That Thou shouldst bleed and slaughter'd
Because, because Thou lovedst me.

3 Thou lovedst me, oh boundless grace!
Who can such wondrous mercy trace?
I, who unfaithful, foolish am,
Yet find Thee still a patient lamb.
Clare Taylor, 1742.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

817 — He is precious.
817He is precious.8.7.
1 PRECIOUS is the name of Jesus,
Who can half its worth unfold?
Far beyond angelic praises,
Sweetly sung to harps of gold.

2 Precious when to Calvary groaning,
He sustained the cursed tree;
Precious when His death atoning
Made an end of sin for me.

3 Precious when the bloody scourges
Caused the sacred drops to roll;
Precious when of wrath the surges
Overwhelm'd His holy soul.

4 Precious in His death victorious,
He the host of hell o'erthrows;
In His resurrection glorious,
Victor crown'd o'er all His foes.

5 Precious, Lord! beyond expressing,
Are Thy beauties all divine;
Glory, honour, power, and blessing
Be henceforth for ever Thine.
John Kent, 1841.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

818 — Beneath His Cross.
818Beneath His Cross.L.M.
1 BENEATH Thy cross I lay me down
And mourn to see Thy bloody crown:
Love drops in blood from every vein,
Love is the spring of all His pain.

2 Here, Jesus, I shall ever stay,
And spend my longing hours away,
Think on Thy bleeding wounds and pain,
And contemplate Thy woes again.

3 The rage of Satan, and of sin,
Of foes without, and fears within,
Shall ne'er my conquering soul remove,
Or from Thy cross or from Thy love.

4 Secured from harms beneath Thy shade,
Here death and hell shall ne'er invade,
Nor Sinai, with its thundering noise,
Shall e'er disturb my happier joys.

5 Oh, unmolested happy rest!
Where inward fears are all suppress'd,
Here I shall love and live secure,
And patiently my cross endure.
William Williams, 1772.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

819 — Holy Admiration of Jesus.
819Holy Admiration of Jesus.L.M.
1 JESUS, when faith with fixed eyes,
Beholds Thy wondrous sacrifice,
Love rises to an ardent flame,
And we all other hope disclaim.

2 With cold affections who can see
The thorns, the scourge, the nails, the tree,
Thy flowing tears, and purple sweat,
Thy bleeding hands, and head, and feet?

3 Look, saints, into His opening side,
The breach how large, how deep, how wide!
Thence issues forth a double flood
Of cleansing water, pardoning blood.

4 Hence. O my soul, a balsam flows
To heal thy wounds, and cure thy woes;
Immortal joys come streaming down,
Joys, like His griefs, immense, unknown.

5 Thus I could ever, ever sing
The sufferings of my heavenly King;
With glowing pleasure spread abroad
The mysteries of a dying God.
Benjamin Beddome, 1818.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

820 — Christ the Eternal Life.
820Christ the Eternal Life.L.M.
1 Jesus, our Kinsman and our God,
Array'd in majesty and blood,
Thou art our life; our souls in Thee
Possess a full felicity.

2 All our immortal hopes are laid
In Thee, our Surety and our Head;
Thy cross. Thy cradle, and Thy throne,
Are big with glories yet unknown.

3 Oh, let my soul for ever lie
Beneath the blessings of Thine eye;
'Tis heaven on earth, 'tis heaven above,
To see Thy face, and taste Thy love.
Isaac Watts, 1734.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

Death
821 — Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah.
821Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah.8.7.4.
1 GUIDE me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven!
Feed me now and evermore.

2 Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing streams do flow;
Let the fiery cloudy pillar,
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong Deliv'rer!
Be Thou still my strength and shield.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of deaths, and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee.
William Williams, 1773.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

822 — Victory over Death.
822Victory over Death.C.M.
1 OH for an overcoming faith
To cheer my dying hours;
To triumph o'er the monster death,
And all his frightful powers!

2 Joyful, with all the strength I have,
My quivering lips should sing,
Where is thy boasted victory, Grave?
And Where's the monster's sting?

3 If sin be pardon'd, I'm secure;
Death hath no sting beside;
The law gives sin its damning power;
But Christ, my ransom, died.

4 Now to the God of victory
Immortal thanks be paid,
Who makes us conquerors while we die
Through Christ our living Head.
Isaac Watts, 1709
—Our Own Hymn-Book

823 — "The Time is short."
823"The Time is short."L.M.
1 THE time is short ere all that live
Shall hence depart, their God to meet:
And each a strict account must give,
At Jesu's awful judgment-seat.

2 The time is short, oh, who can tell
How short his time below may be?
To-day on earth his soul may dwell,
To-morrow in eternity.

3 The time is short; sinner, beware!
Nor squander these brief hours away;
Oh flee to Christ by faith and prayer,
Ere yet shall close this fleeting day.

4 The time is short; ye saints, rejoice!
Your Saviour-Judge will quickly come;
Soon shall you hear the Bridegroom's voice
Invite you to His heavenly home.

5 The time is short, ere time shall cease,
Eternity be usher'd in,
And death shall die. and joy and peace
O'er the new earth benignant reign.
Joseph Hoskins, 1789, a.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

824 — The solemn Hour.
824The solemn Hour.C.M.
1 WHERE is an hour when I must part
With all I hold most dear;
And life with its best hopes will then
As nothingness appear.

2 There is an hoar when I must sink
Beneath the stroke of death;
And yield to Him, who gave it first,
My struggling, vital breath.

3 There is an hour when I must stand
Before the judgment-seat;
And ail ray sins, and all my foes,
In awful vision meet.

4 There is an hour when I must look
On one eternity;
And nameless woe, or blissful life,
My endless portion be.

5 O Saviour, then, in all my need
Be near, be near to me;
And let my soul, by steadfast faith,
Find life and heaven in Thee.
Andrew Reed, 1842.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

825 — Death and Eternity.
825Death and Eternity.C.M.
1 STOOP down, my thoughts, that use to rise,
Converse awhile with death:
Think how a gasping mortal lies,
And pants away his breath.

2 His quivering lip hangs feebly down,
His pulses faint and few;
Then speechless, with a doleful groan
He bids the world adieu.

3 But, oh, the soul that never dies!
At once it leaves the clay;
Ye thoughts, pursue it where it flies,
And track its wondrous way.

4 Up to the courts where angels dwell,
It mounts triumphant there;
Or devils plunge it down to hell,
In infinite despair.

5 And must my body faint and die?
And must this soul remove?
Oh, for some guardian-angel nigh,
To bear it safe above!

6 Jesus, to Thy dear faithful hand
My naked soul I trust;
And my flesh waits for Thy command,
To drop into the dust.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

826 — Peace in the Prospect of Death.
826Peace in the Prospect of Death.L.M.
1 SHRINKING from the cold hand of death,
I soon may gather up my feet;
May swift resign this fleeting breath,
And die, my fathers' God to meet.

2 Number'd among Thy people, I
Expect with joy Thy face to see:
Because Thou didst for sinners die,
Jesus, in death, remember me!

3 Oh that without a lingering groan
I may the welcome word receive:
My body with my charge lay down,
And cease at once to work and live!
Charles Wesley, 1762, a.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

827 — The tolling Bell.
827The tolling Bell.L.M.
1 OFT as the bell, with solemn toll,
Speaks the departure of a soul,
Let each one ask himself, "Am I
Prepared, should I be call'd to die?"

2 Only this frail and fleeting breath
Preserves me from the jaws of death;
Soon as it fails, at once I'm gone,
And plunged into a world unknown.

3 Then, leaving all I loved below,
To God's tribunal I must go:
Must hear the Judge pronounce my fate,
And fix my everlasting state.

4 Lord Jesus, help me now to flee,
And seek my hope alone in Thee;
Apply Thy blood, Thy Spirit give,
Subdue my sin, and let me live.

5 Then when the solemn bell I hear,
If saved from guilt, I need not fear;
Nor would the thought distressing be,
"Perhaps it next may toll for me!"

6 Rather, my spirit would rejoice,
And long, and wish, to hear Thy voice;
Glad when it bids me earth resign,
Secure of heaven, if Thou art mine.
John Newton, 1779.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

828 — It is not Death to Die.
828It is not Death to Die.S.M.
1 IT is not death to die,
To leave this weary road,
And, 'midst the brotherhood on high,
To be at home with God.

2 It is not death to close
The eye long dimm'd by tears,
And wake in glorious repose
To spend eternal years.

3 It is not death to bear
The wrench that sets us free
From dungeon chain, to breathe the air
Of boundless liberty.

4 It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust,
And rise, on strong exulting wing,
To live among the just.

5 Jesus, Thou Prince of life!
Thy chosen cannot die;
Like Thee, they conquer in the strife,
To reign with Thee on high.
From the French; George W. Bethune, 1847.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

829 — Christ's Presence makes Death easy.
829Christ's Presence makes Death easy.L.M.
1 WHY should we start, or fear to die?
What timorous worms we mortals are!
Death is the gate of endless joy,
And yet we dread to enter there.

2 The pains, the groans, the dying strife,
Fright our approaching souls away;
Still we shrink back again to life,
Fond of our prison and our clay.

3 Oh, if my Lord would came and meet,
My soul should stretch her wings in haste,
Fly fearless through death's iron gate,
Nor feel the terrors as she pass'd.

4 Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on His breast I lean my head,
And breathe ray life out sweetly there.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

830 — On a Believer's Death.
830On a Believer's Death.C.M.
1 IN vain my fancy strives to paint
The moment after death,
The glories that surround the saint,
When yielding up his breath.

2 One gentle sigh the fetter breaks:
We scarce can say, "They're gone!"
Before the willing spirit takes
Her mansion near the throne.

3 Faith strives, but all its efforts fail,
To trace her in her flight;
No eye can pierce within the veil
Which hides that world of light.

4 Thus much (and this is all) we know,
They are completely blest;
Have done with sin, and care, and woe,
And with their Saviour rest.

5 On harps of gold they praise His name,
His face they always view;
Then let us followers be of them,
That we may praise Him too.
John Newton, 1779.
—Our Own Hymn-Book

831 — Victory over Death.
831Victory over Death.P. M.
1 VITAL spark of heavenly flame,
Quit, oh quit this mortal frame!
Trembling, hoping, lingering, flying,
Oh the pain, the bliss of dying!
Cease, fond nature, cease thy strife,
And let me languish into life.

2 Hark! they whisper: angels say,
Sister spirit, come away.
What is this absorbs me quite—
Steals my senses—shuts my sight—
Drowns my spirit—draws my breath?
Tell me, my soul, can this be death?

3 The world recedes; it disappears!
Heaven opens on my eyes! my ears
With sounds seraphic ring:
Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!
O grave, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?
Alexander Pope, 1736.
—Our Own Hymn-Book