Dependence
Dependence To keep the lamp alive,With oil we fill the bowl; To keep the lamp alive,With oil we fill the bowl;‘Tis water makes the willow thrive,And grace that feeds the soul. The Lord’s unsparing handSupplies the living stream;It is not at our own command,But still derived from him. Beware of Peter’s word,Nor confidently say,“I never […]
The Narrow Way
The Narrow Way What thousands never knew the road!What thousands hate it when ’tis known! What thousands never knew the road!What thousands hate it when ’tis known!None but the chosen tribes of GodWill seek or choose it for their own. A thousand ways in ruin end,One only leads to joys on high;By that my willing […]
The New Convert
The New Convert The new born child of Gospel grace,Like some fair tree when summer’s nigh, The new-born child of Gospel grace,Like some fair tree when summer’s nigh,Beneath Emmanuel’s shining faceLifts up his blooming branch on high. No fears he feels, he sees no foes,No conflict yet his faith employs,Nor has he learnt to whom […]
Hatred of Sin
Hatred of Sin Holy Lord God! I love thy truth,Nor dare thy least commandment slight; Holy Lord God! I love thy truth,Nor dare thy least commandment slight;Yet pierced by sin, the serpent’s tooth,I mourn the anguish of the bite. But though the poison lurks within,Hope bids me still with patience wait;Till death shall set me […]
The Christian
The Christian Honour and happiness uniteTo make the Christian’s name a praise; Honour and happiness uniteTo make the Christian’s name a praise;How fair the scene, how clear the light,That fills the remnant of his days! A kingly character he bears,No change his priestly office knows;Unfading is the crown he wears,His joys can never reach a […]
True Pleasures
True Pleasures Lord, my soul with pleasure springsWhen Jesus‘ name I hear; Lord, my soul with pleasure springsWhen Jesus’ name I hear;And when God the Spirit bringsThe word of promise near:Beauties too, in holiness,Still delighted I perceive;Nor have words that can expressThe joys thy precepts give. Clothed in sanctity and grace,How sweet it is to […]
Mourning and Longing
Mourning and Longing The Saviour hides his face!My spirit thirsts to prove The Saviour hides his face!My spirit thirsts to proveRenewed supplies of pardoning grace,And never fading love. The favoured souls who knowWhat glories shine in him,Pant for his presence as the roePants for the living stream. What trifles tease me now!They swarm like summer […]
The Valley of the Shadow of Death
The Valley of the Shadow of Death My soul is sad, and much dismayed;See, Lord, what legions of my foes My soul is sad, and much dismayed;See, Lord, what legions of my foesWith fierce Apollyon at their head,My heavenly pilgrimage oppose! See, from the ever-burning lake,How like a smoky cloud they rise!With horrid blasts my […]
Seeking the Beloved
Seeking the Beloved To those who know the Lord I speak;Is my Beloved near? To those who know the Lord I speak;Is my Beloved near?The Bridegroom of my soul I seek,Oh! when will he appear? Though once a man of grief and shame,Yet now he fills a throne,And bears the greatest, sweetest nameThat earth or […]
On the Death of a Minister
On the Death of a Minister His master taken from his head,Elisha saw him go; His master taken from his head,Elisha saw him go;And in desponding accents said,“Ah, what must Israel do?” But he forgot the Lord, who liftsThe beggar to the throne;Nor knew that all Elijah’s giftsWould soon be made his own. What! when […]
Contentment
Contentment Fierce passions discompose the mind,As tempests vex the sea; Fierce passions discompose the mind,As tempests vex the sea;But calm content and peace we find,When, Lord, we turn to thee. In vain by reason and by ruleWe try to bend the will;For none but in the Saviour’s schoolCan learn the heavenly skill. Since at his […]
The Sower
The Sower Ye sons of earth, prepare the plough,Break up your fallow-ground; Ye sons of earth, prepare the plough,Break up your fallow-ground;The sower is gone forth to sow,And scatter blessings round. The seed that finds a stony soilShoots forth a hasty blade;But ill repays the sower’s toil,Soon withered, scorched, and dead. The thorny ground is […]
Vanity of the World
Vanity of the World God gives his mercies to be spent;“Your hoard will do your soul no good; God gives his mercies to be spent;“Your hoard will do your soul no good;Gold is a blessing only lent,Repaid by giving others food. The world’s esteem is but a bribe,To buy their peace you fell your own;The […]
A Fable
A Fable ’Tis Providence alone securesIn every change both mine and yours; A raven, while with glossy breastHer new-laid eggs she fondly press’d,And, on her wicker-work high mounted,Her chickens prematurely counted, (A fault philosophers might blame,If quite exempted from the same,)Enjoy’d at ease the genial day;’Twas April, as the bumpkins say, The legislature call’d it […]
A Comparison
A Comparison The lapse of time and rivers is the same,Both speed their journey with a restless stream, The lapse of time and rivers is the same,Both speed their journey with a restless stream.The silent pace, with which they steal awayNo wealth can bribe, no prayers persuade to stay. Alike irrevocable both when pastAnd a […]
The Love of the World Reproved
The Love of the World Reproved “Renounce the world!” the preacher cries.“We do!” a multitude replies. Thus says the prophet of the Turk,Good Mussulman, abstain from pork;There is a part in every swineNo friend or follower of mine May taste, whate’er his inclination,On pain of excommunication.Such Mahomet’s mysterious charge,And thus he left the point at […]