XXX.

METRICAL PRAYERS.

BURNS IN PENITENCE. [Written in sickness.]

"Fain would I say, Forgive my foul offense.
Fain promise never more to disobey;
But should my Author health again dispense,
Again I might desert fair Virtue's way;
Again in folly's path might go astray;

Again exalt the brute and sink the man;

Then how should I for heavenly mercy pray,

Who act so counter heavenly mercy's plan,

Who sin so oft have mourned, yet to temptation ran?

"O Thou, great Governor of all below!

If I may dare a lifted eye to Thee,
Thy nod can make the tempest cease to blow,
Or still the tumult of the raging sea;

With that controlling power assist e'en me,
Those headlong furious passions to confine;
For all unfit I feel my powers to be,
To rule their torrent in the allowed line;
O aid me with thy help, Omnipotence divine.'

"THY KINGDOM COME.

"Lord! come away!

Why dost Thou stay?

Thy road is ready; and thy paths made straight With longing expectation wait

The consecration of thy beauteous feet! Ride on triumphantly! Behold, we lay Our lusts and proud wills in thy way!

"Hosanna!

Welcome to our hearts!

Lord, here

Thou hast a temple too; and full as dear

As that of Sion, and as full of sin:

Nothing but thieves and robbers dwell therein;

Enter, and chase them forth, and cleanse the floor!

Crucify them, that they may never more

Profane that holy place

Where Thou hast chose to set thy face!
And then, if our stiff tongues shall be
Mute in the praises of thy Deity,

The stones out of the temple wall

Shall cry aloud and call

Hosanna! and thy glorious footsteps greet! Amen!“

"One prayer I have all prayers in one

When I am wholly Thine

Thy will, my God, thy will be done,

And let that will be mine."

Montgomery.

66

LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT.

"Lead, kindly light, amid th' encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on;

The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead Thou me on;

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step's enough for me.

“I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;

I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.

"So long thy power has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on

O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,

And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!"
John Henry Newman. 1833.

"My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Saviour divine!

Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away;

O let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

"May thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!

As Thou hast died for me,
O, may my love to Thee

Pure, warm and changeless be,

A living fire!

"While life's dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide!

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow's tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

"When ends life's transient dream, When death's cold sullen stream Shall o'er me roll;

Blest Saviour! then in love

Fear and distrust remove;

O bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul!"

-Ray Palmer. 1840.

"LITANY.

"Saviour, when in dust to Thee,
Low we bend th' adoring knee;
When, repentant, to the skies
Scarce we lift our streaming eyes;
O, by all thy pains and woe,
Suffered once for man below,
Bending from thy throne on high,
Hear our solemn litany.