The wounded and the weak
He comforts, heals, and binds:
The lost he came from heav'n to seek,
And saves them when he finds,
HYMN 256. C. M.
AMIDST the mighty where is he
Who saith, and it is done?
Each varying scene of changeful life
Is from the Lord alone!
He gives in gladsome bow'rs to dwell,
Or clothes in sorrow's shroud;
His hand hath form'd the light; his hand
Hath form'd the thunder cloud.
Why should a living man complain
Beneath the chast'ning rod?
Our sins afflict us: and the cross
Must bring us back to God,
HYMN 257. C. M.
GOD moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain ;
God is his own interpreter,
And he shall make it plain.
Then, fearful hearts, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread,
Abound with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
HYMN 258. P. M.
THO' troubles assail, and dangers affright,
Tho' friends should all fail, and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The Scripture assures us the Lord will provide.
No strength of our own, no goodness we claim;
Yet if we have found the Saviour's great name,
In him, our strong tower, we safely may hide;
The Lord is our power,--the Lord will provide.
When fled is our youth, and death is in sight,
The word of his truth shall still be our light;
Tho' tempests may lour, with Christ on our side,
In death's darkest hour, the Lord shall provide.
HYMN 259. C. M.
FEW, few and evil are thy days,
Man of a woman born!
Peril and trouble haunt thy ways,
Short is thy fairest morn!
The tender infant springs to light,
Youth's fragrant blossoms rise,
But brightest flower is cropt ere night:
Man, like a shadow, flies!
And dost thou look on such a one?
Will God to judgment call
A worm, for what a worm hath done
Against the Lord of all?
O hide me, till thy wrath be past,
Thou, who canst slay or save!
Hide me, where hope may anchor fast
With Jesus in the grave!
HYMN 260. L. M.
I LEFT the God of truth and light,
I left the God, who gave me breath,
To wander in the wilds of night,
And perish in the snares of death. I dream'd of bliss in pleaure's bowers, While flow'ry pillows stayed my head, But serpents lurked among the flowers; I woke, and thorns were all my bed. But, O my slain and risen Lord, In sorrow now I turn to thee; I claim acceptance on thy word; My God, my God, forsake not me. Prostrate before thy mercy seat, I dare not, if I would, despair; None ever perished at thy feet, And I will lie for ever there.
HYMN 261. S. M.
THE Gospel is the light,
When other lamps grow dim, That never burns less purely bright, Or leads away from Him.
It is the golden key
To stores of heavenly wealth,
Joy to the sons of misery,
And to the sick man health.
It is the sweetest sound
The youngest love to hear,
Travelling across the holy ground,
With God and angels near.
There rests the aching head,
There age delights to go;
And how to smooth the dying bed,
O let the Christian show.
MERCY alone can meet my case,
For mercy, Lord, I cry ;
Jesus, Redeemer, shew thy face
In mercy, or I die!
Save me, for none beside can save;
At thy command I tread
With failing step life's stormy wave;–
The wave goes o'er my head.
I perish, and my doom is just !
But wilt thou leave me?-No:
I hold thee fast, my hope, my trust;
I will not let thee go.
Sure is thy promise :-there I cleave,—
Thy word is all my plea;
That word is truth, and I believe ;—
Have mercy, Lord, on me!
HYMN 263. C. M.
ALMIGHTY Father of mankind,
On thee my hopes remain ;
And when the day of trouble comes
I shall not call in vain.
I know the power in whom I trust,
The arm on which I lean;
my Saviour ever be,
Who has my Saviour been.
Thou will not cast me off, when age
And evil days descend;
Thou wilt not leave me in despair,
But keep me to the end.
Therefore in life I'll walk with thee,
In death I will adore;
And after death behold thy face,
Where troubles are no more.
ALL Scenes alike engaging prove
To souls impressed with sacred love;
Where'er they dwell, they dwell in thee,
In heav'n, or earth, or in the sea.
While place we seek, or place we shun,
The soul finds happiness in none;
But with my God to guide my way,
'Tis equal joy to go or stay.
Could I be cast, where thou art not,
That were indeed a dreadful lot;
But regions none remote I call,
Secure of finding God in all.
HYMN 265. L. M.
I FAIN Would love the day of rest,
Would still esteem this day the best :
But oft, alas! I've need to say,
"How barren is my soul this day!"
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