EXHORTATION TO PRAYER. NOT on a prayerless bed, not on a prayerless bed Compose thy weary limbs to rest; For they alone are blessed With balmy sleep Whom angels keep; Nor, though by care oppressed, Or anxious sorrow, Or thought in many a coil perplexed For coming morrow, Lay not thy head On prayerless bed. For who can tell, when sleep thine eyes shall close, That earthly cares and woes To thee may e'er return? Arouse, my soul! Slumber control, And let thy lamp burn brightly; Hast thou no pining want, or wish, or care, There is no trace of sorrow? Will be like this, and more Thy soul may wing its flight. Hast thou no being than thyself more dear, That ploughs the ocean deep, And when storms sweep O, then, on prayerless bed CHARITY. COULD I command, with voice or pen, Could I the martyr's flame endure, Could I behold with prescient eye Charity suffers long, is kind— The tongues of teachers shall be dumb, JAMES MONTGOMERY. FOR THOSE THAT WAIT FOR FULL REDEMPTION. LIGHT of life,-seraphic fire,Love divine, Thyself impart! Every fainting soul inspire ; Shine in every drooping heart; Every mournful sinner cheer; Scatter all our guilty gloom; Son of God, appear! appear! To Thine human temples come. Come in this accepted hour Bring Thine heavenly kingdom in; Fill us with the glorious power Rooting out the seeds of sin. Nothing more can we require, We will covet nothing less; Thou art all our heart's desire,All our joy, and all our peace. Whom but Thee have we in heavenWhom have we on earth but Thee? Only Thou to us be given All besides is vanity; Grant us love, we ask no more— Every other gift remove; Pleasure, fame, and wealth, and power, Still we all enjoy in love. CHARLES WESLEY. FOR BELIEVERS. THOU hidden source of calm repose, Thy mighty name salvation is, And keeps my happy soul above; Comfort it brings, and power, and peace, And joy, and everlasting love; To me, with Thy dear name, are given Pardon, and holiness, and heaven. Jesus, my all in all Thou art My rest in toil, my ease in pain; The medicine of my broken heart; In war my peace; in loss my gain; My smile beneath the tyrant's frown; In shame my glory and my crown; In want my plentiful supply; In weakness my almighty power; In bonds my perfect liberty; My light in Satan's darkest hour; In grief my joy unspeakable; My life in death, my heaven in hell. CHARLES WESLEY |