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OMETIMES a light surprises The Chriftian while He fings; It is the Lord, who rises With healing in His wings: When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again. A season of clear fhining To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation

We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new:

Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E'en let the unknown morrow
Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing

Will clothe His people too;
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed;
And He, who feeds the ravens,

Will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig-tree neither

Their wonted fruit fhall bear ;
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet, God the same abiding,
His praise fhall tune my voice;
For, while in Him confiding,

I cannot but rejoice.

William Cowper. 1779.

I SHALL NOT WANT.

THOI

HOU all-sufficient One,
Who art

The chosen portion of my heart!
Other rejoicing need I none, -
I can find all in Thee,

Thou chiefeft good to me!

Who has Thee is satisfied;
Who by Thee doth ftill abide
Is no more lonely, at Thy fide.

To whom Thou doft reveal
Thy face,

He lives in joy in every place,

In every time has what he will.

Who in his deep heart-ground
To Thee is firmly bound,
Still and joyful knows no fear.
Earth cofts him no bitter tear,

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Earth grows dim when Thou art near.

O highest joy of joy!
True reft!

Comfort of every aching breast!

Whom can earth trouble and annoy,
Whom Thou art near to bless,
Who does Thy love poffess?

All I seek for out of Thee
Hindrance to my joy might be,
And diminish peace in me.

Whom Thou doft call Thy child,
Thine own,

By all on earth may be unknown,
By all on earth may be reviled :
What then? if God be his

He needs no other bliss.

If I know that I have Thee,

Life and ftrength and joy may flee,

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Now in Thy light make me rejoice,

Come, fill the soul which Thou haft won.

Come, take the whole, that I
To Thee may live and die.
I am Thine, O, be Thou mine,
Until in yonder life divine

Thy face on me fhall fully fhine!

Tersteegen. 1731.

MAJESTY OF GOD.

HE Lord descended from above,

THE

And bowed the heavens moft high,

And underneath His feet He caft

The darkness of the sky.

On cherubim and seraphim.

Full royally He rode,

And on the wings of mighty winds
Came flying all abroad.

He sat serene upon the floods,

Their fury to restrain;

And He, as sovereign Lord and King

For evermore shall reign.

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CHRIST.

CHRIST'S MESSAGE.

H

ARK! the glad sound! the Saviour comes!
The Saviour promised long!

Let every heart prepare a throne,

And every voice a song.

On him the Spirit, largely poured,

Exerts its sacred fire;

Wisdom and might, and zeal and love,
His holy breaft inspire.

He comes, the prisoner to release,
In Satan's bondage held;

The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.

He comes from thickeft films of vice

To clear the mental ray,

And on the eyeballs of the blind
To pour celestial day.

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