It gives a light to every age;- 4 Eternal thanks, O Lord! be thine, As makes a world of darkness shine 5 O may our souls with joy pursue HYMN 87. (L. M. MONTGOMERY.) The Bible compared to the pillar of fire. 1 WHEN Israel through the desert pass'd, A fiery pillar went before,* To guide them through the dreary waste, 2 Such is thy glorious word, O God! And points the path to bliss and heaven. * Ex. xiii. 12. 4 Its promises rejoice our hearts; HYMN 88. (L. M. CANNOCK.) The Gospel dispensation of grace and mercy. 1 GOD, in the Gospel of his Son, Makes his eternal counsels known; Where love, in all its glory shines, And truth is drawn in fairest lines. 2 Here sinners, of a humble frame, May taste his grace, and learn his name; May read, in characters of blood, The wisdom, power, and grace of God. 3 The prisoner here may loose his chains; The weary rest from all his pains; The captive find his bondage cease; The mourner learn the way of peace. 4 Here faith reveals to mortal eyes A brighter world beyond the skies: Here shines the light which guides our way From earth to realms of endless day. 5 Oh! grant us grace, Almighty Lord! To read, and mark, thy holy word; Its truths with meekness to receive, And by its holy precepts live. HYMN 89. (C. M. LIVERPOOL.) Licentious abuse of the Gospel. 1 Too many, Lord! abuse thy grace, And, while they boast they see thy face 2 Thy word displays a gracious light, But these are dazzled with the sight, 3 Lull'd in a soft and fatal sleep, Were they indeed the Saviour's sheep, Would they not hear his voice? 4 Was it for this, ye lawless tribe, The great Redeemer bled? Is this the grace the saints imbibe From Christ their living Head? 5 Do ye continue yet in sin, That grace may more abound? 6 Be ours the comforts, that reclaim HYMN 90. (C. M. CAMBRIDGE.) Before a sermon. 1 ALMIGHTY God! Eternal Lord! Thy gracious power make known; N Touch, by the virtue of thy word, 2 Speak with the voice that wakes the dead, 3 May we receive the word we hear, Lay up the precious treasure there, 4. Now let our darkness comprehend 5 To us thy pardoning grace extend; HYMN 91. (P. M. CALVARY.) After a sermon. 1 LORD! dismiss us with thy blessing; Guide and bless us, Till we see thy heavenly face. 2 Thanks we give and adoration For the Gospel's joyful sound: May the fruit of thy salvation May we ever To the truth be faithful found! 3 So, whene'er the signal's given May we ever Reign with Christ in endless day! HYMN 92. (c. M. MANCHESTER.) The voice of wisdom calling to repentance. Prov. viii. 34, 35. 2 Jehovah, from his mercy-seat, He calls the sinner to his feet, 3 Let us approach then Wisdom's gates, No one, who watches there and waits, 4 No one who seeks, shall seek in vain, But grace and pardon here obtain, 5 Reclaim, O Lord! our wandering feet |