Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 68

3 O happy Christian, richly blessed!

What floods of pleasure roll!

By G.o.d and man he stands confessed, In dignity of soul.

4 Substantial, pure, his every joy: His Maker is his friend; The n.o.blest business his employ, And happiness his end.

412. 7s. & 8s. M. Bowring.

"He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely."

1 He who walks in virtue's way, Firm and fearless, walketh surely; Diligent, while yet 'tis day, On he speeds, and speeds securely.

2 Flowers of peace beneath him grow, Suns of pleasure brighten o'er him; Memory's joys behind him go, Hope's sweet angels fly before him.

3 Thus he moves from stage to stage, Smiles of earth and heaven attending; Softly sinking down in age, And at last to death descending.

4 Cradled in its quiet deep, Calm as summer's loveliest even, He shall sleep the hallowed sleep; Sleep that is o'erwatched by Heaven.

413. C. M. Burns.

The Happiness of the Righteous.

1 The man, in life wherever placed, Hath happiness in store, Who walks not in the wicked's way, Nor learns their guilty lore:

2 Nor from the seat of scornful pride Casts forth his eyes abroad, But with humility and awe, Still walks before his G.o.d.

3 That man shall flourish like the trees Which by the streamlets grow; The fruitful top is spread on high, And firm the root below.

4 But he whose blossom buds in guilt Shall to the ground be cast, And, like the rootless stubble, tossed Before the sweeping blast.

414. L. M. Keble.

"Not that thou wouldst take them out of the world, but keep them from its evil."

1 Sweet is the bliss of souls serene, When they have sworn and steadfast mean, Counting the cost, in all t' espy Their G.o.d, in all themselves deny.

2 O could we learn that sacrifice, What lights would all around us rise!

How would our hearts with wisdom talk, Along life's dullest, dreariest walk!

3 We need not bid, for cloistered cell, Our neighbor and our work farewell, Nor strive to wind ourselves too high For sinful man beneath the sky:

4 The trivial round, the common task, Would furnish all we ought to ask; Room to deny ourselves; a road To bring us, daily, nearer G.o.d.

415. 7s. & 6s. M. Cowper.

Joy and Peace in Believing.

1 Sometimes a light surprises The Christian while he sings: It is the Lord, who rises With healing in his wings: When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again A season of clear s.h.i.+ning, To cheer it after rain.

2 In holy contemplation, We sweetly then pursue The theme of G.o.d'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."

3 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.

4 Though vine, nor fig tree neither, Its wonted fruit should bear; Though all the field should wither, Nor flocks, nor herds be there: Yet G.o.d the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice; For while in him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.

416. S. M. Anonymous.

For a Right Spirit.

1 I want a sober mind, A self-renouncing will, That tramples down and casts behind The baits of pleasing ill; A soul inured to pain, To hards.h.i.+p, grief and loss, Bold to take up, firm to sustain The consecrated cross.

2 I want a G.o.dly fear, A quick-discerning eye, That looks to thee when sin is near, And sees the tempter fly; A spirit still prepared, And armed with jealous care, Forever standing on its guard, And watching unto prayer.

3 I want a true regard, A single, steady aim, Unmoved by threatening or reward, To thee and thy great name; A zealous, just concern For thine immortal praise; A pure desire that all may learn And glorify thy grace.

417. S. M. Watts.

Heavenly Joy on Earth.

1 Come, ye that love the Lord, And let your joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround the throne.

2 The sorrows of the mind Be banished from the place!

Religion never was designed To make our pleasures less.

3 The men of grace have found Glory begun below; Celestial fruits on earthly ground From faith and hope may grow.