PRAYER.

1. PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire, Utter'd, or unexpress'd;

The motion of a hidden fire,

That trembles in the breast.

2. Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;

The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

3. Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try ;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

4. Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air;

His watch-word at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.

5. Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways;

While angels in their songs rejoice,
Behold, he prays !"

And cry, 66

6. The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, and deed, and mind;
While with the Father, and the Son,
Sweet fellowship they find.

7. Nor prayer is made on earth alone;
The Holy Spirit pleads,

And Jesus on the eternal throne,
For mourners intercedes.

8. O Thou, by whom we come to God,
The life, the truth, the way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod :
Lord, teach us how to pray!

J. MONTGOMERY.