 | Poems |  |
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PRAYER.
“How much more, if we pray him, will his ear
Be open, and his heart to pity incline!”
Par. Lost, X. 1060.
Be open, and his heart to pity incline!”
Par. Lost, X. 1060.
Ere the morning's busy ray
Call you to your work away;
Ere the silent evening close
Your wearied eyes in sweet repose;
To lift your heart and voice in pray'r,
Be your first and latest care.
Call you to your work away;
Ere the silent evening close
Your wearied eyes in sweet repose;
To lift your heart and voice in pray'r,
Be your first and latest care.
He, to whom the pray'r is due,
From heav'n his throne shall smile on you;
Angels, sent by him, shall tend,
Your daily labours to befriend;
And their nightly vigils keep,
To guard you in the hour of sleep.
From heav'n his throne shall smile on you;
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Your daily labours to befriend;
And their nightly vigils keep,
To guard you in the hour of sleep.
When thro' the peaceful parish swells
The music of the sabbath bells,
Duely tread the sacred road
Which leads you to the house of God:
The blessing of the Lamb is there,
And “God is in the midst of her.”
The music of the sabbath bells,
Duely tread the sacred road
Which leads you to the house of God:
The blessing of the Lamb is there,
And “God is in the midst of her.”
Is the holy Altar spread?
True to him, for you who bled,
Cleanse from your heart each foul offence,
And “wash your hands in innocence,”
And draw near the mystic board,
In remembrance of your Lord.
True to him, for you who bled,
Cleanse from your heart each foul offence,
And “wash your hands in innocence,”
And draw near the mystic board,
In remembrance of your Lord.
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On th' appointed sacrifice
He shall look with fav'ring eyes,
With holy strength your breast inform,
And with holy rapture warm,
And whisper to your wounded soul,
“I will heal thee, be thou whole.”
He shall look with fav'ring eyes,
With holy strength your breast inform,
And with holy rapture warm,
And whisper to your wounded soul,
“I will heal thee, be thou whole.”
And O! where'er your days be past,
And O! howe'er your lot be cast,
Still think on him, whose eye surveys,
Whose hand is over all your ways.
And O! howe'er your lot be cast,
Still think on him, whose eye surveys,
Whose hand is over all your ways.
Does darkness veil your deeds in night?
Darkness to him is clear as light.
In secret he your deeds can see,
And shall reward them openly.
Darkness to him is clear as light.
In secret he your deeds can see,
And shall reward them openly.
About your path are comforts spread?
Does peace repose upon your bed?
Lift up your soul in praise to heaven,
Whence every precious gift is given;
And, thankful for the mercy, show
Love to your fellow men below.
Does peace repose upon your bed?
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Whence every precious gift is given;
And, thankful for the mercy, show
Love to your fellow men below.
Do woes afflict? Lift up your soul
To him, who bids the thunder roll;
And fearless brave the stormy hour,
Secure in his protecting pow'r,
Who sends distress your faith to try,
And your heart to purify.
To him, who bids the thunder roll;
And fearless brave the stormy hour,
Secure in his protecting pow'r,
Who sends distress your faith to try,
And your heart to purify.
Abroad, at home; in weal, in woe;
That service, which to heav'n you owe,
That bounden service duely pay,
And God shall be your strength alway.
That service, which to heav'n you owe,
That bounden service duely pay,
And God shall be your strength alway.
He only to the heart can give
Peace and true pleasure, while you live;
He only, when you yield your breath,
Can guide you thro' the vale of death:
He can, he will, from out the dust
Raise the blest spirits of the just;
Heal every wound; hush every fear;
From every eye wipe every tear;
And place them, where distress is o'er,
And pleasures dwell for evermore.
Peace and true pleasure, while you live;
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Can guide you thro' the vale of death:
He can, he will, from out the dust
Raise the blest spirits of the just;
Heal every wound; hush every fear;
From every eye wipe every tear;
And place them, where distress is o'er,
And pleasures dwell for evermore.
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