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EVENING.

[MORAVIAN.]

WITH Thee I lay me down to sleep,
To Thee I will commend me,
I trust, my Guardian, Thou wilt keep,
And in this night attend me:

Of death I'm not afraid,

Nor world nor hell I dread:

For who with Jesus shuts his eyes,
He also does with Jesus rise.

As oft this night as my pulse beats,
My spirit shall adore Thee;
Oft as my heart its throb repeats,
My soul shall bow before Thee.
Thus I to sleep recline:
Lord Jesus! I am thine!

Yea, my Redeemer! Thou art mine,

And I am now for ever thine.

EVENING.

[MORAVIAN.]

AUTHOR of the whole creation,
Light of light, eternal Word!
Soul and body's preservation
I commit to Thee, O Lord!
My Redeemer, dwell in me,
Let me sleep and wake with Thee,
And perceive thy benediction,

Both in joy and in affliction.

When I close mine eyes in slumber,
And my senses are asleep,
Let my waking heart, the number
Of thy mercies tell and keep;
Fill me with thy sacred love,
That I dream of things above,
And bestow on me the favour
Of thy presence, gracious Saviour!

Pardon, Jesus, each transgression,
Whether open or unknown,
Thus removing that oppression

Under which I else should groan;
I confess the guilt of sin,

But thy blood can make me clean:
Hear, O Lord, my supplication,
Grant me joy and consolation.

NIGHT.

[NOEL.]

WHEN restless on my bed I lie,
Still courting sleep, which still will fly,
Then shall reflection's brighter power
Illume the lone and midnight hour.

If hush'd the breeze, and calm the tide,
Soft will the stream of memory glide,
And all the past, a gentle train,
Waked by remembrance, live again.

Perhaps that anxious friend I trace,
Beloved till life's last throb shall cease,
Whose voice first taught a Saviour's worth,
A future bliss unknown on earth:

His faithful counsel, tender care,
Unwearied love, and humble prayer;-
O these still claim the grateful tear,
And all my drooping courage cheer!
If loud the wind, the tempest high,
And darkness wraps the sullen sky,
I muse on life's tempestuous sea,
And sigh, O Lord, to come to Thee.
Toss'd on the deep and swelling wave,
O mark my trembling soul, and save!
Give to my view that harbour near,
Where thou wilt chase each grief and fear!

MIDNIGHT.

[BISHOP KENN.]

MY GOD, I now from sleep awake, The sole possession of me take; From midnight terrors me secure, And guard my heart from thoughts impure. Bless'd angels, while we silent lie, You Hallelujahs sing on high; You, joyful, hymn the Ever-blest, Before the throne, and never rest. I with your choir celestial join, In offering up a hymn divine; With you in heaven I hope to dwell, And bid the night and world farewell. My soul, when I shake off this dust, Lord, in thy arms I will intrust: O make me thy peculiar care! Some mansion for my soul prepare. Give me a place at thy saints' feet, Or some fall'n angel's vacant seat; I'll strive to sing as loud as they, Who sit above in brighter day. O may I always ready stand, With my lamp burning in my hand! May I in sight of heaven rejoice, Whene'er I hear the Bridegroom's voice. All praise to Thee, in light array'd, Who light thy dwelling-place hast made: A boundless ocean of bright beams From thy all-glorious God-head streams. Bless'd Jesus, Thou on heaven intent, Whole nights hast in devotion spent ; But I, frail creature, soon am tired, And all my zeal is soon expired.

Shine on me, Lord, new life impart,
Fresh ardours kindle in my heart;
One ray of thy all-quickening light
Dispels the sloth and clouds of night.

Lord, lest the tempter me surprise,
Watch over thine own sacrifice;
All loose, all idle thoughts cast out,
And make my very dreams devout.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below:
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

MIDNIGHT.

[MONTGOMERY.]

In a land of strange delight,
My transported spirit stray'd:
I awake where all is night,
Silence, solitude, and shade.

Is the dream of Nature flown?
Is the universe destroy'd?
Man extinct, and I alone
Breathing through the formless void!

No: my soul, in God rejoice;
Through the gloom his light I see,
In the silence hear his voice,
And his hand is over me.

When I slumber in the tomb,
He will guard my resting-place;
Fearless, in the day of doom,
May I see Him face to race.

THE PREPARATION OF THE HEART.

[MONTGOMERY.]

LORD, teach us how to pray aright,
With reverence and with fear:
Though dust and ashes in thy sight,
We may, we must draw near.
We perish if we cease from prayer;
O grant us power to pray!

And when to meet Thee we prepare,
Lord, meet us by the way.

Burden'd with guilt, convinced of sin,
In weakness, want, and woe,
Fightings without, and fears within,
Lord, whither shall we go?

God of all grace, we come to Thee,
With broken, contrite hearts;
Give what thine eye delights to see,
-Truth in the inward parts :-
Give deep humility;-the sense
Of godly sorrow give;
-A strong, desiring confidence,
To hear thy voice, and live;-

Faith in the only sacrifice

That can for sin atone;

To cast our hopes, to fix our eyes,
On Christ, on Christ alone;

Patience, to watch, and wait, and weep,
Though mercy long delay;
Courage, our fainting souls to keep,
And trust Thee though Thou slay.

Give these, and then thy will be done
Thus strengthen'd with all might,
We, by thy Spirit and thy Son,
Shall pray and pray aright.

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