 | Household Verses |  |
239
SILENT OR QUAKER GRACES.
“The Quakers, who go about their business of
every description with greater calmness than we, have more title
to the use of these benedictory prefaces. I have always,
therefore, the more admired their silent
grace.”
Charles Lamb's
Paper on
Grace before Meat.
[To these Thy gifts, and all to Thee we owe]
To these Thy gifts, and all to Thee we owe,Thy blessing, Lord! the crowning grace imparts;
Deign then to give it, and on us bestow
The added boon of humble, grateful hearts:
We ask this in His name, and for His sake,
Who, when below, thus blessed the bread He brake!
[Father, we thank Thee! from Thy bounteous store]
Father, we thank Thee! from Thy bounteous storeThy gifts, like manna, round us ever fall;
Teach us to feel Thy goodness, more and more,
Who for us gavest Thy Son! and to us—all!
240
[Whether we eat, or drink, or whatsoever]
Whether we eat, or drink, or whatsoeverWe do, or speak, or think; let all be done,
Said—thought,—in holy love, and godly fear
Of Thee, our Heavenly Father, and Thy Son!
That in the use of every good supplied,
The Giver by His gifts be glorified!
IN PROSPERITY.
“Rejoice with trembling!” May we think of this,When life's full cup is with thy bounty crowned:
That so we be not blinded by our bliss,
Or fall asleep upon “enchanted ground!”
IN ADVERSITY—OF GOD'S APPOINTING.
I opened not my mouth, for it was Thou,O Lord! who didst it; and Thou canst not err:
Enable me unto Thy will to bow,
And be, Thyself, Thy rod's interpreter!
THE END.
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