THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST. BEHOLD where in a mortal forni Appears each grace divine; The virtues all in Jesus met, With mildest radiance shine: The largest love of human kin", To spread the rays of heav'nly light, To preach glad tidings to the poor, Lowly in heart to all, his friends He wash'd their feet and wip'd their tears, Midst keen reproach and cruel scorn, His foes, ungrateful, sought his life,- To God he left his righteous cause, While humble prayer and holy faith, His fainting strength renew'd. In the last hour of deep distress, With soul resign'd he bow'd and said 66 Thy will, not mine, be done." Be Christ our pattern and our guide, Ob, may we tread his sacred steps, THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. WHEN marshall'd on the nightly plain, Can fix the sinner's wand'ring eye. Hark! hark! to God the chorus breaks, Once on the raging seas I rode, The storm was loud,-the night was dark, The ocean yawn'd,— and rudely blow'd The wind, that toss'd my found'ring bark. Deep horror then my vitals froze, Death-struck, I ceas'd the tide to stem When suddenly a star arose, It was the star of Bethlehem, It was my guide, my life, my all, Now safely moor'd- my perils o'er- I'll sing, first in night's diadem, For ever, and for evermore, The star, the star of Bethlehem. PRAISE TO GOD. FROM all that dwell below the skies, Let the Redeemer's name be sung, Eternal truth attends thy word; Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise and set no more. Your lofty themes, ye mortals bring, K GRATITUDE. WHEN all thy mercies, O my God, Oh, how shall words, with equal warmth, That glows within my ravish'd heart; Thy Providence my life sustain'd, To all my weak complaints and cries, Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt Unnumber'd comforts on my soul When in the slipp'ry paths of youth, Thine arm, unseen, convey'd me safe, Through hidden dangers, toils, and death, It gently clear'd my way; And through the pleasing snares of vice, When worn by sickness, oft has thou Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss Ten thousand thousand precious gifts Nor is the least a cheerful heart, That tastes those gifts with joy. Through ev'ry period of my life When nature fails, and day and night Through all eternity to thee A joyful song I'll raise; |