3.

When gloomy care, and keen distress,
Afflict my throbbing breast,

My tongue shall learn to speak thy praise,
And lull each pain to rest.

4.

Nor shall my tongue alone proclaim
The honours of my God;

My life, with all my active powers,
Shall spread thy praise abroad.

5.

When death is past, in endless strains
My grateful praise I'll pay:

The theme demands a nobler song,
And an eternal day.

297. c. M.

Gratitude to God for Individual Mercies.

1.

WHEN all thy mercies, O my GOD!
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love, and praise.

2.

Oh how shall words, with equal warmth,
The gratitude declare
That glows in my enraptur'd heart!
But thou canst read it there.

3.

Unnumber'd comforts, gracious GOD!
Thy tender care bestow'd,

Before my infant heart conceiv'd

From whom those comforts flow'd.

4.

Ten thousand thousand precious gifts,
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,
That tastes those gifts with joy.

5.

Through every period of my life,
Thy goodness I'll pursue;

And, after death, in scenes of bliss,
The glorious theme renew.
6.

Through all eternity, to thee
A joyful song I'll raise;
But oh! eternity's too short,
To utter all thy praise.

298. c. M.

Gratitude to God for Individual Mercies.

1.

My soul, in pleasing wonder lost,
Thy goodness, LORD! surveys;
Where shall my grateful lips begin,
Or where conclude thy praise!

2.

Thy providence my life sustain'd,
And all my wants redrest,
When in the silent womb I lay,
Or hung upon the breast.

3.

To all my weak complaints and cries
Thy mercy lent an ear,

Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt
To form themselves to prayer.

4.

When in the dangerous paths of youth,
With heedless steps I ran,

Thine arm, unseen, convey'd me safe,
And led me up to man.

5.

Through hidden dangers, toils, and deaths, It gently clear'd my way;

And through the pleasing snares of vice, More to be fear'd than they.

6.

Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss
Hath made my cup run o'er;
And, in a kind and faithful friend,
Hath doubled all my store.

7.

When worn with sickness, oft hast thou
With health renew'd my face;
And when in sins and sorrows sunk,
Reviv'd my soul with grace.

8.

•

Through every period of my life,
Thy goodness I'll adore;

I'll praise thee for thy mercies past,
And humbly hope for more.

9.

Through all eternity, to thee
A joyful song I'll raise:
But oh! eternity's too short,
To utter all thy praise.

299. c. M.

The Way of the Righteous known to God.

I.

To thee, O GOD! my days are known:
My soul enjoys the thought:
My actions are before thy face,
Nor are my wants forgot.

2:

Each secret wish devotion breathes,
Is vocal to thy ear;

My vacant hours, my active scenes,
Before thy sight appear.

3.

Each well-spent moment of my life,
Thy mercy will approve;
Each tender pang of sympathy,
And every care of love.

4.

Each golden hour of beaming light,
Is gilded by thy rays;

And dark affliction's midnight gloom,
A present GoD surveys.

5.

Full in thy view through life I pass,
And in thy view I die;

And when each earthly scene is o'er,
Thou, LORD! wilt still be nigh.

300. L. M.

A good Conscience the best Support.

1.

WHILE Some in folly's pleasures 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 betray their trust.

3.

With this companion in the shade,
My soul no more shall be dismay'd;
But fearless meet the midnight gloom,
And the pale monarch of the tomb.

4.

Though heaven afflict, shall I repine? The noblest comforts still are mine; Comforts which will o'er death prevail, And journey with me through the vale.

5.

Amidst the various scene of ills,
Each stroke some kind design fulfils:
And shall I murmur at my God,
When purest love directs the rod?

6.

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.