Part 25 (1/2)

Should glory stimulate, And daring deeds propose, That only fame I'd emulate, To triumph in the cross.

Or should my yielding powers Acknowledge pleasure's sway, I'd think of sacred streams and bowers, And sweets that ne'er decay.

Should soaring science me Her votary avow, My only excellence should be Christ crucified to know.

Should wealth my mind impress, With the desire of more, In Christ the fullness I possess, Of Heaven's exhaustless store.

With all that nature craves, Fully from thence supplied, No aching want my bosom heaves No wish unsatisfied.

REJOICING IN HOPE.

Tost on the troubled sea of life, On every side a.s.sailed, Involved in pa.s.sion's stormy strife, In irksome suff'rance held.

The faithful word of promise cheers And bears my spirits up, Dispels my dark desponding fears And stablishes my hope.

Hope that shall every toil survive, That smoothes the rugged path, That mitigates the ills of life, And soothes the hour of death.

And when the storms of life are o'er, And all our conflicts cease, When landed on the heavenly sh.o.r.e To enjoy eternal peace.

Hope at the last, her charge resigned, Securely we dismiss, And an abundant entrance find, To the abodes of bliss.

Till then our progress she attends To solace and relieve: And waits till every conflict ends To take her final leave.

Possessed of all we hoped below, Our utmost wish attained, Our happiness complete, we know Our full perfection gained.

Thus may I cheerfully endure, Till thus my warfare past;-- Suffice for me the promise sure, I shall be crowned at last.

HYMN.

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of G.o.d.

--Hebrews 4:9.

Oh how I languish to possess, A safe and permanent abode!

To rest in unmolested peace, And cast my care on thee, my G.o.d.

In thee I joy, in thee I rest, Though all inferior comforts fail; No hopeless anguish heaves my breast, And no tormenting fears a.s.sail.

To thee with confidence I look, And calmly wait thy promised aid; I rest securely on that Rock, On which Almighty help is laid.

Oh may I on His firmness stand, The ground of my immortal hope; Or n.o.bly rise, at his command, To Pisgah's heaven-aspiring top.

That I may with ecstatic view, My future heritage descry, Where pleasures spring forever new, And perfect love shall never die.

REMORSE.