Chapter 16
102. S. M. Mrs. Steele.
G.o.d our Father.
1 My Father! cheering name!
O, may I call thee mine?
Give me the humble hope to claim A portion so divine.
2 Whate'er thy will denies, I calmly would resign; For thou art just, and good, and wise: O, bend my will to thine!
3 Whate'er thy will ordains, O give me strength to bear Still let me know a father reigns, And trust a father's care.
4 Thy ways are little known To my weak, erring sight; Yet shall my soul, believing, own That all thy ways are right.
5 My Father!--blissful name!
Above expression dear!
If thou accept my humble claim, I bid adieu to fear.
103. L. M. Bryant.
The Paternal Love of G.o.d.
1 Father! to thy kind love we owe All that is fair and good below; Bestower of the health that lies On tearless cheeks and cheerful eyes!
2 Giver of suns.h.i.+ne and of rain!
Ripener of fruits on hill and plain!
Fountain of light, that, rayed afar, Fills the vast urns of sun and star!
3 Yet deem we not that thus alone, Thy mercy and thy love are shown; For we have learned, with higher praise, And holier names, to speak thy ways.
4 In woe's dark hour, our kindest stay!
Sole trust when life shall pa.s.s away!
Teacher of hopes that light the gloom Of death, and consecrate the tomb!
104. C. M. Martineau's Coll.
Omnipotence of G.o.d.
1 'Twas G.o.d who fixed the rolling spheres, And stretched the boundless skies, Who formed
2 From everlasting is his might, Immense and unconfined; He pierces through the realms of light, And rides upon the wind.
3 He darts along the burning sky; Loud thunders round him roar; Through worlds above his terrors fly, While worlds below adore.
4 He speaks,--great nature's wheels stand still And leave their wonted round; The mountains melt; each trembling hill Forsakes its ancient bound.
5 Ye worlds, and every living thing, Fulfil his high command; Pay grateful homage to your King, And own his ruling hand.
105. C. M. H. K. White.
Almighty Power and Majesty of G.o.d.
1 The Lord our G.o.d is clothed with might; The winds obey his will; He speaks, and in the heavenly height The rolling sun stands still.
2 Rebel, ye waves, and o'er the land With threatening aspect roar; The Lord uplifts his awful hand, And chains you to the sh.o.r.e.
3 Ye winds of night, your force combine Without his high behest, Ye shall not, in the mountain pine, Disturb the sparrow's nest.
4 His voice sublime is heard afar; In distant peals it dies; He binds the whirlwinds to his car, And sweeps the howling skies.
5 Ye nations, bend; in reverence bend; Ye monarchs, wait his nod, And bid the choral song ascend To celebrate our G.o.d.
106. C. M. Watts.
G.o.d is Everywhere.
1 In all my vast concerns with thee, In vain my soul would try To shun thy presence, Lord, or flee The notice of thine eye.
2 Thine all-surrounding sight surveys My rising and my rest; My public walks, my private ways, And secrets of my breast.
3 My thoughts lie open to the Lord, Before they're formed within; And ere my lips p.r.o.nounce the word, He knows the sense I mean.
4 O, wondrous knowledge, deep and high; Where can a creature hide?
Within thy circling arms I lie, Beset on every side.
5 So let thy grace surround me still, And like a bulwark prove, To guard my soul from every ill, Secured by sovereign love.
107. L. M. Spirit of the Psalms.
Eternity of G.o.d.