2. Sweet fields, beyond the swelling flood, Stand drest in living green :

So to the Jews once Canaan stood,
While Jordan roll'd between.
But timorous mortals start and shrink,
To cross this narrow sea;

And linger, shivering on the brink,
And fear to launch away.

3. Could we but make those doubts remove,
Those gloomy doubts that rise;
And view the Canaan that we love
With unbeclouded eyes :--

Could we but climb where Moses stood,
And view the landscape o'er;

Nor Jordan's streams, nor death's cold
flood

Should fright us from the shore.

CCLXXVII.

EARLY PIETY.

(An Anthem, "Canaan.")

1. HAPPY beyond description he, Who in the paths of piety

Loves, from his youth, to run!

Her

Her ways are ways of pleasantness ;
And all her paths are joy and peace,
And heaven on earth begun.

2. If this felicity were mine,
I every other would resign
With just and holy scorn;
Cheerful and blithe my way pursue,
And, with the promised land in view,
Singing, to God return.

CCLXXVIII.

HYMN AT THE RETURN OF

NIGHT.

(Doddridge.)

INTERVAL of grateful shade,
Welcome to my weary head!
Welcome slumbers to my eyes
Tired with glaring vanities:
My great Master still allows
Needful periods of repose.

By my heavenly Father blest,

Thus I give my powers to rest:

"Heavenly Father,"-gracious name!—

Night and day Thy love the same!

Far be each suspicious thought;

Every anxious care forgot.

THOU my ever bounteous God,
Crown'st my days with various good;
Thy kind eye, that cannot sleep,
These defenceless hours shall keep:

• Blest vicissitude to me!

WHAT though downy slumbers flee,
Strangers to my couch and me;
Sleepless well I know to rest,

Lodged within

my

Father's breast!

While the empress of the night

Scatters mild her silver light;

While the vivid planets stray
Various through their mystic way;
While the stars, unnumber'd, roll
Round the ever constant pole :
Far above the spangled skies
All my soul to GOD shall rise;
'Midst the silence of the night,
Mingling with those angels bright,
Q 2

Whose

Whose harmonious voices raise

Ceaseless love and ceaseless praise :-
Through their throng His gentle ear
Shall my tuneless accents hear:
From on high He doth impart
Secret comfort to my heart.

HE, in these serenest hours,
Guides my intellectual powers;
And His Spirit doth infuse
Sweeter far than midnight dews;
Lifting all my thoughts above
On the wings of faith and love.
Blest alternative to me,

'Thus to sleep or wake with Thee!"

CCLXXX.

THIRD PART.

WHAT if death my sleep invade ;
Should I be of death afraid?

Whilst encircled by Thine arm,
Death may strike, but cannot harm!
What if beams of opening day
Shine around my breathless clay?
Brighter visions from on high
Shall regale my mental eye.

Tender friends awhile may mourn
Me, from their embraces torn:
Dearer, better friends I have
In the realms beyond the grave.
See, the guardian angels nigh
Wait to waft my soul on high:
See the golden gates display'd:
See the crown to grace my head!
See a flood of sacred light,
Which no more shall yield to night!
Transitory world, farewell!

Jesus calls with Him to dwell.

With Thy heavenly presence blest,
Death is life, and labor rest.
Welcome sleep or death to me,
'Still secure, if still with Thee!'

CCLXXXI,

PENITENCE.

(See Psalm xcv. 7 to end.)

Words by C. Wesley. Music, as 123rd Ps. Mel. Sac. 1. STAY, Thou insulted SPIRIT, stay,

Though I have done thee much despite :
Nor cast the sinner quite away,
Nor take Thine everlasting flight.
Q 3

Though