XXVI.

WELCOME TO THE TABLE.

1 THIS is the feast of heav'nly wine, And God invites to sup; The juices of the Living Vine

Were press'd to fill the cup.

z Oh, bless the Saviour, ye that eat, With royal dainties fed :

3

Not heav'n affords a costlier treat,
For JESUS is the bread!

The vile, the lost, he calls to them,
Ye trembling souls appear!
The righteous in their own esteem
Have no acceptance here.

4 Approach ye poor, nor dare refuse
The banquet spread for you:
Dear Saviour, this is welcome news,
Then I may venture too.

5 If guilt and sin afford a plea,
And may obtain a place;
Surely the LORD will welcome me,
And I shall see his face.

XXVII.

JESUS HASTING TO SUFFER.

THE Saviour, what a noble flame
Was kindled in his breast,

When hasting to Jerusalem
He march'd before the rest!

2 Good-will to men and zeal for God,
His ev'ry thought engross :

He longs to be baptiz'd with blood ;*
He pants to reach his cross.

3 With all his suff'rings full in view,
And woes, to us unknown,
Forth to the task his spirit flew,
'Twas love that urg'd him on.

4 LORD, we return thee what we can!
Our hearts shall sound abroad
Salvation to the dying Man,
And to the rising GOD!

5 And while thy bleeding glories here
Engage our wond'ring eyes;
We learn our lighter cross to bear,
And hasten to the skies.

XXVIII.

EXHORTATION TO PRAYER.

I WHAT various hindrances we meet

In coming to a mercy seat!

Yet who that knows the worth of pray'r
But wishes to be often there.

2 Pray'r makes the darken'd cloud withdraw!

Pray'r climbs the ladder Jacob saw !

Gives exercise to faith and love,

Brings ev'ry blessing from above.

* Luke, xii. 50.

3 Restraining pray'r we cease to fight; Pray'r makes the Christian's armour bright; And Satan trembles, when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees.

4 While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side ;*
But when through weariness they fail'd,
That moment Amalek prevail'd.

5 Have you no words? Ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

6 Were half the breath, thus vainly spent,
To heav'n in supplication sent;
Your cheerful song would oft'ner be,
"Hear what the LORD has done for me.*

XXIX.

THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF THE WORD.

THE Spirit breathes upon the word,
And brings the truth to sight;
Precepts and promises afford
A sanctifying light.

2 A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic like the sun;

It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none.

Exod. xvii. II.

3 The hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise,
They rise, but never set.

Let everlasting thanks be thine,
For such a bright display,

As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heav'nly day.

5 My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of him I love;
Till glory breaks upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

XXX.

ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER.

I HIS Master taken from his head,
Elisha saw him go;

And in desponding accents said,
66 Ah, what must Israel do!"

2 But he forgot the LORD who lifts
The beggar to the throne;
Nor knew, that all Elijah's gifts
Would soon be made his own.

3 What, when a Paul has run his course, Or when Apollos dies;

Is Israel left without resource?

And have we no supplies?

4 Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives, We have a boundless store;

I

2

3

4

And shall be fed with what he gives,
Who lives for evermore.

XXXI.

THE SHINING LIGHT.

MY former hopes are dead;
My terror now begins :

I feel, alas! that I am dead
In trespasses and sins.

Ah, whither shall I fly?
I hear the thunder roar;

The law proclaims destruction nigh,
And vengeance at the door.

When I review my ways,

I dread impending doom;

But sure a friendly whisper says,

"Flee from the wrath to come."

I see, or think I see,

A glimm'ring from afar ;

A beam of day that shines for me,

To save me from despair.

Fore-runner of the sun,*

It marks the pilgrim's way;

5