Straight I upbraid my wandering heart,

And blush that I should ever be

Thus prone to act so base a part,

Or harbour one hard thought of Thee.

Oh! let me then at length be taught
What I am still so slow to learn,
That God is love, and changes not,
Nor knows the shadow of a turn.

Sweet truth, and easy to repeat !
But when my faith is sharply tried,
I find myself a learner yet,

Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide.

But, O my Lord, one look from Thee
Subdues the disobedient will;
Drives doubt and discontent away,
And thy rebellious worm is still.

Thou art as ready to forgive

As I am ready to repine;

Thou, therefore, all the praise receive;

Be shame and self-abhorrence mine.

Cowper.

66

ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU."

HAT various hindrances we meet

In coming to a mercy-seat!

Yet who, that knows the worth of

prayer,

But wishes to be often there?

Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw;

Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;

Gives exercise to faith and love;

Brings every blessing from above.

Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees.

While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when through weariness they fail'd,
That moment Amalek prevail'd.

Have you no words? ah! think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To heaven in supplication sent,

Your cheerful song would oftener be,

"Hear what the Lord has done for me."

Cowper.

WHO COMFORTETH US IN ALL OUR

TRIBULATION."

JONG plunged in sorrow, I resign

My soul to that dear hand of Thine,
Without reserve or fear;

That hand shall wipe my streaming eyes,

Or into smiles of glad surprise
Transform the falling tear!

My sole possession is Thy love;
In earth beneath, or heaven above,
I have no other store;

And though with fervent suit I pray,
And importune Thee night and day,
I ask Thee nothing more.

My hours, with undiminish'd force
And speed, pursue their destined course
Obedient to Thy will:

Nor would I murmur at my doom,
Though still a sufferer from the womb,
And doom'd to suffer still.

By Thy command, where'er I stray,
Sorrow attends me all my way,
A never-failing friend;

And if my sufferings may augment
Thy praise, behold me well content,-
Let sorrow still attend!

It costs me no regret, that she

Who followed Christ, should follow me :
And though, where'er she goes,
Thorns spring spontaneous at her feet,
I love her, and extract a sweet

From all my

bitter woes.

Cowper, from Mad. Guion.

"MY SOUL IS EVEN AS A WEANED CHILD."

O

UIET, Lord, my froward heart :

Make me teachable and mild,
Upright, simple, free from art;
Make me as a weaned child;
From distrust and envy free,
Pleased with all that pleases Thee.

What Thou shalt to-day provide,
Let me as a child receive;
What to-morrow may betide,
Calmly to Thy wisdom leave :
'Tis enough that Thou wilt care,
Why should I the burden bear?

As a little child relies

On a care beyond his own;
Knows he's neither strong nor wise
Fears to stir a step alone;
Let me thus with Thee abide,
As my Father, Guard, and Guide.

;

Thus preserved from Satan's wiles,
Safe from dangers, free from fears,
May I live upon Thy smiles,

Till the promised hour appears,
When the sons of God shall prove
All their Father's boundless love.

Newton.

A FRIEND THAT STICKETH CLOSER THAN A

BROTHER."

NE there is, above all others,

Well deserves the name of

Friend;