6 When tongues shall cease, and power decay,
And knowledge empty prove,
Do thou thy trembling servants stay
With faith, with hope, with love.

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P. M.

SPIRIT OF THE PSALMS

The Holy Ghost the Comforter.

1 OUR blest Redeemer, ere he breathed
His tender, last farewell,

A Guide, a Comforter, bequeathed
With us to dwell.

2 He came in tongues of living flame,
To teach, convince, subdue;

All-powerful as the wind he came,
As viewless too.

3 He came sweet influence to impart,
A gracious, willing Guest,

While he can find one humble heart
Wherein to rest.

4 And his that gentle voice we hear,
Soft as the breath of even,

That checks each fault, that calms each fear, And speaks of heaven.

5 And every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,

And every thought of holiness,
Are his alone.

6 Spirit of purity and grace,

Our weakness, pitying, see;

O, make our hearts thy dwelling-place,
And worthier thee.

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L. M.

The Descent of the Spirit.

CHANDLER.

From the Breviary

1 OUR prayer is heard; the holy Dove,
Sent from the Father's breast above,
Brings down to mortal man's abode
The gifts, the promised gifts, of God.
2 And, O, what wonders were displayed,
When he on earth his entrance made!
A blast, loud rushing through the sky,
Gave notice that the Lord was nigh.
3 And then the Holy Spirit came,
In form of fast-descending flame,
And rested on the assembled choir,
Like cloven tongues of living fire.

4 And those bright flames, thus gently shed
On each apostle's hallowed head,
Within their hearts and senses pour
A life and strength unknown before.
5 Amazed the Gentiles stand around,
And listen to the varied sound;
Each hears the gospel's glad command
In accents of his native land.

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1 'TWAS by an order from the Lord The ancient prophets spoke his word ; His Spirit did their tongues inspire,

And warmed their hearts with heavenly fire.

2 The works and wonders which they wrought
Confirmed the messages they brought;
The prophet's pen succeeds his breath
To save the holy words from death.

3 Let the false raptures of the mind
Be lost and vanish in the wind;
Here I can fix my hope secure ;
This is thy word, and must endure.

286

C. M.

MRS. STEELE.

The Excellency of the Holy Scriptures.

1 FATHER of mercies, in thy word

What endless glory shines!

Forever be thy name adored

For these celestial lines.

2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;

Riches, above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
And yields a free repast;
Sublimer sweets than nature knows
Invite the longing taste.

4 Here springs of consolation rise,
To cheer the fainting mind,
And thirsty souls receive supplies,
And sweet refreshment find.

5 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around,
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.

6 O, may these heavenly pages be
My ever-dear delight!

And still new beauties may I
And still increasing light!

see,

1 GOD, in the gospel of his Son, Makes his eternal counsels known; "Tis here his richest mercy shines, And truth is drawn in fairest lines.

2 Wisdom its dictates here imparts,

BEDDOME.

To form our minds, to cheer our hearts;
Its influence makes the sinner live;

It bids the drooping saint revive.

3 Our raging passions it controls,
And comfort yields to contrite souls;
It brings a better world in view,
And guides us all our journey through.

4 May this blest volume ever lie
Close to my heart and near my eye,
Till life's last hour my soul engage,
And be my chosen heritage.

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C. M.

WATTS.

The Excellency of Scripture. Ps. 119.

1 LORD, I have made thy word my choice, My lasting heritage ;

There shall my noblest powers rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

2 I'll read the histories of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight,
While through the promises I rove
With ever-fresh delight.

3 "Tis a broad land of wealth unknown,
Where springs of life arise,

Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

4 The best relief that mourners have,
It makes our sorrows blest,

Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.

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