Be thou, long suffering, slow to wrath, 158 C. M. The Presence of God. 1 SHINE on our souls, eternal God, 2 Did we not raise our hands to thee, 3 With thee let every week begin, For thee each fleeting hour improved, 4 Thus cheer us through this desert road, Till all our labors cease, 159 And Heaven refresh our weary souls 7s M. 1 SOVEREIGN Ruler of the skies, 2 Thou didst form me by thy power; Ordered by thy wise decree. J 3 Times of sickness, times of health; 1 ALMIGHTY Maker! Lord of all! 2 Drive from the confines of my heart I'll bless the good, and to the ill 4 Feed me with necessary food: 5 May still my days serenely pass, 1 AMIDST a world of hopes and fears, A wild of cares, and toils, and tears, Where foes alarm and dangers threat, And pleasures kill, and glories cheat, 2 Shed down, O Lord, a heavenly ray, To guide me in the lonely way; And o'er me hold thy shield of power To guard me in the dangerous hour. 3 Teach me the flattering paths to shun, In which the thoughtless many run; Who for a shade the substance miss, And grasp their ruin in their bliss. 4 May never pleasure, wealth, or pride, Allure my wandering soul aside; But through this maze of mortal ill Safe lead me to thy heavenly hill. 1 AUTHOR of good, we rest on thee: 2 In thine all-gracious providence 3 And since, by passion's force subdued, Too oft, with stubborn will, We blindly shun the latent good, 4 Not what we wish, but what we want, Let mercy still supply: 163 The good unasked, O Father, grant; S. M. God our Shelter. 1 WHEN, o'erwhelmed with grief, 2 O, lead me to the rock That's high above my head, 3 Within thy presence, Lord, 164 Thou art the tower of my defence, C. M. 1 THE gifts indulgent Heaven bestows, Are variously conveyed; The human mind, like nature, knows 2 While changing aspects all things wear, Can we expect to find Unclouded sunshine all the year, 3 More gayly smiles the blooming spring, When wintry storms are o'er; Retreating sorrow thus may bring Delights unknown before. 4 Then, Christian, send thy fears away, Nor sink in gloomy care; 165 Tho' clouds o'erspread the scene to-day, C. M. 1 O LORD, my best desires fulfil, And help me to resign Life, health, and comfort to thy will, 2 Why should I shrink at thy command, 3 No! let me rather freely yield 4 But, ah! my inward spirit cries, 166 Else the next cloud that veils my skies C. M. In Time of Danger. 1 O GOD, that mad'st the earth and sky, The darkness and the day, |