Our souls, in faith and hope, aspire, With ardent love, and strong desire. 4 No more fatigue, no more distress, Nor sin nor death shall reach the place; No groans shall mingle with the songs Resounding from immortal tongues. 5 No rude alarms of raging foes, No cares to break the long repose, No midnight shade, no clouded sun, But sacred, high, eternal noon.

6 O long expected sabbath, come!
The weary pilgrims sigh for home;
When shall our souls, no more oppress'd,
Enter that everlasting rest!

SECTION THIRD. THE GOSPEL MINISTRY.

267.

S. M. The privilege of possessing the gospel ministry.

2

Who stand on Zion's hill!

Who bring salvation on their tongues,
And words of peace reveal!

How charming is their voice!
How sweet the tidings are!
Zion, behold thy Saviour king!
"He reigns and triumphs here."

3 How happy are our ears,

That hear this joyful sound,

Which kings and prophets waited for,
And sought but never found!

4

How blessed are our eyes,

That see this heav'nly light!

5

6

Prophets and kings desired it long,
But died without the sight.

The watchmen join their voice,
And tuneful notes employ ;
Jerusalem breaks forth in songs,
And deserts learn the joy.

The Lord makes bare his arm
Through all the earth abroad:
Let ev'ry nation now behold.
Their Saviour and their God!

268.

L. M. Faithful ministers the gift of Christ to his church. Jeremiah iii. 15. Ephesians iv. 11, 12.

1 SHEPHERD of Israel! thou dost keep, With constant care, thy humble sheep; By thee inferior pastors rise

To feed our souls, and aid our joys.

2 To all thy churches such impart,
Modell'd according to thine heart;
Whose courage, faithfulness, and love,
Men shall attest, and God approve.

3 Fed by their active, tender care,
Healthful may all thy sheep appear,
And by their fair example led,
The way to Zion's pastures tread.
4 Here hast thou listen'd to our vows,
And scatter'd blessings on thy house;
Thy saints are succour'd, and no more
As sheep without a guide deplore.
5 Completely heal each former stroke,
And bless the shepherd and the flock;
Confirm the hopes thy mercies raise,
And own this tribute of our praise.

269.

L. M. Seeking a pastor as the gift of Providence to the
Church. Isaiah xxx. 20, 21.

1 O God of Zion! bend thine ear,
Thy servants' pray'rs indulgent hear;
Perplex'd, distress'd, to thee we cry,
And seek the guidance of thine eye.
2 Thy comprehensive view surveys
Our wand'ring paths, our trackless ways;
Send forth, O Lord! thy truth and light,
To guide our doubtful steps aright.
3 With longing eyes, behold we wait,
As suppliants at thy mercy-seat;
Our drooping hearts, O God! sustain ;
Shall Zion seek thy face in vain?
4 O Lord! in ways of peace return,
Nor let thy flock neglected mourn;
Soon may our eyes a shepherd see,
Belov'd by us, belov'd by thee.

5 Fed by his care, our souls shall raise
A cheerful tribute to thy praise;
Our children learn the grateful song,
And theirs the cheerful notes prolong.

270.

C. M. The importance of the pastoral office. Heb xiii. 17.
1 LET Zion's watchmen all awake,
And take th' alarm they give;
Now let them from the mouth of God,
Their solemn charge receive.

2 'Tis not a cause of small import,
The pastor's care demands;

But what might fill an angel's heart,
And fill'd the Saviour's hands.

3 They watch for souls, for whom the Lord
Did heav'nly bliss forego;

For souls, which must for ever live
In happiness or woe.

4 May they that Jesus whom they preach
Their own Redeemer see;

And watch thou daily o'er their souls,
That they may watch for thee.

271.

L. M. Ministers or missionaries commended to the divine protection and blessing. 2 Thessalonians iii. 1, 2. 1 WITH heav'nly pow'r, O Lord, defend, Him whom we now to thee commend; His person bless, his soul secure, And make him to the end endure. 2 Gird him with all-sufficient grace; Direct his feet in paths of peace; Thy truth and faithfulness fulfil, And help him to obey thy will. 3 Before him thy protection send; O love him, save him to the end! Nor let him as thy pilgrim, rove Without the convoy of thy love. 4 Enlarge, inflame, and fill his heart; In him thy mighty pow'r exert: That thousands yet unborn may praise The wonders of redeeming grace.

272.

L.M. Prayer for missionaries or ministers.

Rom.xv. 29.

1 FATHER of mercies, bow thine ear,
Attentive to our earnest pray'r;

We plead for those who plead for thee;
Successful pleaders may they be!

2 How great their work, how vast their charge!
Do thou by grace their souls enlarge;

• Or "them," &c. if more than one.

Their best acquirements are our gain,
We share the blessings they obtain.
3 Clothe them with energy divine,
In christian virtues may they shine;
To them thy sacred truth reveal,
Suppress their fear, inflame their zeal.
4 Teach them to sow the precious seed,
Teach them thy chosen flock to feed:
Teach them immortal souls to win,
From darkness, and the pow'r of sin.
5 Let thronging multitudes around
Hear from their lips the joyful sound;
In humble strains thy grace implore,
And feel thy new-creating pow'r.

6 Let sinners break their massy chains;
Let mourning souls forget their pains;
Let light through distant realms be spread,
And Zion rear her drooping head.

*273.

8.7.4. Prayer for missionaries.

2 Thessalonians iii. 1, 2.

1 SPEED thy servants, Saviour! speed them;
Thou art Lord of winds and waves;

They were bound, but thou hast freed them,
Now they go to free the slaves;

Be thou with them,

"Tis thine arm alone that saves.

2 Friends, and home, and all forsaking,
Lord, they go at thy command;
As their stay thy promise taking,
While they traverse sea and land,
O preserve them,

Lead them safely by the hand.

3 When they reach the land of strangers,
And the prospect dark appears,