5 Let atheists scoff, and Jews blaspheme
Th' eternal life and Jesus' name;
Yet our immortal hopes are laid
In thee our surety and our head.

6 Thy cross, thy cradle, and thy throne
Are full of glories, yet unknown;
'Tis heaven on earth, 'tis heaven above,
To see thy face, to sing thy love,

WATTS.

HYMN CCLXXXI. Common Metre. * or b
Mercy before Sacrifice.

1 WHEREWITH shall guilty man appear
Before Jehovah's throne;
Or how procure thy kind regard,
And for his sins atone?

2 Shall altars flame, and victims bleed,
And spicy fumes ascend?

Will these our earnest wish succeed,
And make our God our friend?

3 Should thousand rams in flames expire,
Would these thy favours buy?

Or oil that should for holy fire
Ten thousand streams supply?

4 With trembling hands and bleeding heart Should we our offspring slay;

Would this atone for ill desert,

And take our guilt away?

5 "No," saith the Lord, " 'tis fruitless all, "Such costly rites are vain;

"No victims from the field or stall "My favour can obtain.

6" But truth to men and justice show, "And proofs of mercy give;

"Then humbly walk with God below, "And you with God shall live.

7 "Hands that are clean, and hearts sincere, "I never will despise ; "And cheerful duty will prefer

"To costly sacrifice."

Liverpool Collection.

HYMN CCLXXXII. Common Metre.
The Nativity of Christ.

I WHILST shepherds watch their flocks by
Near Bethle'm's happy ground,

The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.

[night,

2 "Fear not," said he, (for mighty dread
Had seiz'd the troubled mind,)
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
"To you and all mankind.

3 "To you, in David's town, this day
"Is born, of David's line,

"The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,
"And this shall be the sign.

4 "The heavenly babe you there shall find
"To human view display'd;

"But meanly wrapt in swathing-bands,
"And in a manger laid."

5 Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appear'd a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, and thus
Address'd their joyful song.

6" All glory be to God on high !
And to the earth be peace!

"Good will henceforth from heaven to men

"Begin and never cease!"

PATRICK, or TATE.

HYMN CCLXXXIII. Long Metre. * or b
Peace of Conscience.

1 WHILST some in folly's pleasure roll,
And seek the joys which hurt the soul;
Be mine that silent calm repast,
A peaceful conscience to the last :

2 That tree which bears immortal fruit,
Without a canker at the root;

That Friend who never fails the just, When other friends desert their trust. 3 With this companion in the shade, My soul no more shall be dismay'd; I will defy the midnight gloom, And the pale monarch of the tomb. 4 Though God afflicts, I'll not repine, The noblest comforts still are mine; Comforts which shall o'er death prevail, And journey with me through the vale. 5 Amidst the various scenes of ills, Each stroke some kind design fulfils ; And shall I murmur at my God, When sovereign love directs the rod ? • His hand will smooth my rugged way, And lead me to the realms of day; To milder skies and brighter plains, Where everlasting pleasure reigns. ENFIELD'S Collection

HYMN CCLXXXIV. Common Metre. *

Devotion.

1 WHILST thee I seek, protecting Power! Be my vain wishes still'd; And may this consecrated hour

With better hopes be fill'd.

2 Thy love the power of thought bestow'd,
To thee my thoughts would soar;
Thy mercy o'er my life has flow'd;
That mercy I adore.

3 In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see!

Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferred by thee.

4 In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,

My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer.

5 When gladness wings my favour'd hour,
Thy love my thoughts shall fill :
Resign'd, when storms of sorrow lower,
My soul shall meet thy will.

6 My lifted eye, without a tear,

The gathering storm shall see ;

My steadfast heart shall know no fear;
That heart will rest on thee!

40

Miss H, M. WILLIAMS.

HYMN CCLXXXV. Long Metre. or b

REANIMATION.

A Hymn for the Humane Society.

1 WHO, from the shades of gloomy night,
When the last tear of hope is shed,
Can bid the soul return to light,

And break the slumber of the dead?
2 No human skill that heart can warm,
Which the cold blast of nature froze ;
Recal to life the perish'd form;

The secret of the grave disclose.
3 But thou, our saving God, we know,
Canst arm the mortal hand with power
To bid the stagnant pulses flow,
The animating heat restore.

4 Thy will, ere nature's tutor❜d hand
Could with young life, these limbs unfold;
Did the imprison'd brain expand,

And all its countless fibres told.

5 As from the dust, thy forming breath
Could the unconscious being raise;
So can the silent voice of death
Wake at thy call, in songs of praise.
6 Since twice to die is ours alone,
And twice the birth of life to see ;
O let us, suppliant at thy throne,
Devote our second life to thee.

Mrs. MORTON.