7 Not mine, not mine the choice,
In things or great or small;
Be Thou my Guide, my Strength,
My Wisdom and my All.

H. Bonar.

I

EVENING SONG FOR THE SABBATH-DAY.

MILLIONS within Thy courts have met,

Millions this day before Thee bow'd,

Their faces Zion-ward were set,

Vows with their lips to Thee they vow'd. 2 But Thou, soul-searching God, hast known The hearts of all that bent the knee, And hast accepted those alone,

In spirit and truth that worshipped Thee.

3 People of many a tribe and tongue,

Men of strange colours, climates, lands,
Have heard Thy truth, Thy glory sung,
And offer'd prayer with holy hands.
4 Still, as the light of morning broke,
O'er island, continent, or deep,
Thy far-spread family awoke,

Sabbath all round the world to keep.

5 From east to west, the sun survey'd

From north to south, adoring throngs; And still, where evening stretch'd her shade, The stars came forth to hear their songs.

6 Harmonious as the winds and seas,

In halcyon hours, when storms are flown, Arose earth's Babel languages,

In pure accordance to Thy throne.

7 Not angel-trumpets sound more clear, Not elders' harps, nor seraphs' lays, Yield sweeter music to Thine ear

Than humble prayer and thankful praise. 8 And not a prayer, a tear, a sigh,

Hath fail'd this day some suit to gain;
To those in trouble Thou wert nigh;
Not one hath sought Thy face in vain.
9 Thy poor were bountifully fed,

Thy chasten'd sons have kiss'd the rod;
Thy mourners have been comforted;

The pure in heart have seen their God.

10 Yet one prayer more-and be it one

In which both heaven and earth accord;
Fulfil Thy promise to Thy Son,

Let all that breathe call Jesus Lord!
James Montgomery.

THE CONTRITE HEART-ISA. LVII. 15.

Ton contrite hearts bestow;

HE Lord will happiness divine

Then tell me, gracious God, is mine
A contrite heart or no?

2 I hear, but seem to hear in vain,
Insensible as steel;

If aught is felt 'tis only pain,
To find I cannot feel.

3 I sometimes think myself inclin'd
To love Thee, if I could;
But often feel another mind,
Averse to all that's good.

4 My best desires are faint and few,
I fain would strive for more;
But when I cry, "My strength renew,"
Seem weaker than before.

5 Thy saints are comforted, I know,
Ánd love Thy house of prayer:
I therefore go where others go,
But find no comfort there.

6 Oh! make this heart rejoice or ache;
Decide this doubt for me;

And if it be not broken, break
And heal it, if it be.

Cowper.

I

HYMN FOR A SEASON OF SICKNESS.

Therefore, poor pilgrim, be thou of good cheer;

Though outward help and succour be denied, The Lord Himself shall for thy wants provide.

2 Though with His saints on earth thou can'st not meet,

With Him thou yet mayst hold communion sweet;
To Him in humble trust commit thy care,
He will thy sorrows and thy burden bear.

3 He knows thy frame, remembers thou art dust; In such a Saviour's love how sweet to trust; His covenanted mercies are secure,

His faithful promises shall all endure.

4 Though now through pain and suffering daily led,
His arm is underneath thy sinking head;
"Cast not," He saith, "thy confidence away,
Thy strength shall be proportioned to thy day.”

5 Look unto me, though death may be in view,
I have before thee passed that valley through;
All shall be well through my redeeming love,
My hand shall bring thee to thy home above.
M. B.

ROMANS XIII. 12.

I OON and for ever the breaking of day Shall chase all the night-clouds of sorrow away;

Soon and for ever we'll see as we're seen, And know the deep meaning of things that have been,

Where fightings without and conflicts within Shall weary no more in the warfare with sin, Where tears, and where fears, and where death shall be never,

Christians with Christ shall be, soon and for ever.

2 Soon and for ever, such promise our trust; Though ashes to ashes, and dust be to dust; Soon and for ever our union shall be

Made perfect, our glorious Redeemer, in Thee; When the cares and the sorrows of time shall be

o'er,

Its pangs and its partings remembered no more, Where life cannot fail, and where death cannot sever,

hristians with Christ shall be, soon and for ever.

3 Soon and for ever the work shall be done, The warfare accomplished, the victory won: Soon and for ever the soldier lay down

The sword for a harp, the cross for a crown; Then droop not in sorrow, despond not in fear, A glorious to-morrow is bright'ning and near, When, blessed reward for each faithful endeavour, Christians with Christ shall be, soon and for ever. J. S. Monsell.

I

TRUE HAPPINESS.

FIX my heart and eyes on Thine!

What are other objects worth?

But to see Thy glory shine,

Is a heaven begun on earth:
Trifles can no longer move;
Oh! I tread on all beside,
When I feel my Saviour's love,
And remember how He died.

2 Now my search is at an end;
Now my wishes rove no more;
Thus my moments I would spend,
Love, and wonder, and adore.
Jesus, source of excellence!
All Thy glorious love reveal;
Kingdoms shall not bribe me hence,
While this happiness I feel.

3 Take my heart, 'tis all thine own,
To Thy will my spirit frame;
Thou shalt reign and Thou alone,
Over all I have or am;