O THOU who hast at thy command
The hearts of all men in thy hand!
These wayward erring hearts incline
To have no other will but thine.
Our wishes, our desires, control;
Mould every purpose of the soul;
O'er all may we victorious be,
That stands between ourselves and thee.
Twice blest will all thy blessings be,
When we can look through them to thee;
When each glad heart its tribute pays,
Of love, and gratitude, and praise.
Still make us, when temptation's near,
As our worst foe ourselves to fear:
And, each vain-glorious thought to quell,
Teach us how Peter vow'd and fell.
Yet may we, feeble, weak, and frail,
Against our mightiest foes prevail;
Thy word, our safety from alarm;
Our strength, thine everlasting arm.
And while we to thy glory live,
May we to thee all glory give,
Until the joyful summons come,
That calls thy willing servants home.
Preservation from Sin implored.
AMIDST a world of hopes and fears,
A wild of cares, and toils, and tears,
Where foes alarm, and dangers threat,
And pleasures kill, and glories cheat-
Shed down, O Lord, a heavenly ray
To guide me in the doubtful way;
And o'er me hold thy shield of power,
To guard me in the dangerous hour.
Teach me the flattering paths to shun,
In which the thoughtless many run;
Who for a shade the substance miss,
And grasp their ruin in their bliss.
Each noble principle impart,
The faith which sanctifies the heart, Hope that to heaven's high vault aspires, And love that warms with holy fires.
Whate'er is honest, pure, refin'd,
Just, generous, amiable, and kind,
That may my constant zeal pursue,
That may I love and practise too.
May never pleasure, wealth, or pride,
Allure my wandering soul aside;
Nor tempt me from the narrow road,
Which leads to happiness and God.
Supplication for Aid in the Duties of Life.
GOD, my strength, to thee I
pray!
Turn not thou thine ear away;
Gracious to my cry attend,
While the suppliant knee I bend.
Grant me, Lord, thy grace and light,
To direct my steps aright;
To protect, in trial's hour,
From the world's ensnaring power.
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Cleanse me from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within my heart's disguise;
Let me thence, by thee renew'd,
All presumptuous sin exclude.
Let my tongue, from rashness free,
Speak the words approv'd by thee:
And to thine all-searching eyes,
Let my thoughts accepted rise.
Hear, and to my soul display,
Mercy's all-enlivening ray:
Let it lead, in faith and love,
Onward to a home above.
Steadfastness and Watchfulness implored.
GREAT God! my Father, and my Friend! On whom I cast my constant care,
On whom for all things I depend!
To thee I raise my humble prayer.
Endue me with a holy fear;
The frailty of my heart reveal;
Sin and its snares are always near,
Thee may I always nearer feel.
Oh that to thee my constant mind
May with a steady flame aspire;
Pride in its earliest motions find,
And check the rise of wrong desire!
Oh that my watchful soul may fly
The first perceiv'd approach of sin;
Look up to thee when danger's nigh,
And feel thy fear control within!
Search, gracious God, my inmost heart;
From guilt and error set me free;
Thy light, and truth, and peace impart,
And guide me safe to heaven and thee.
Steadfastness and Watchfulness implored.
O GOD! my strength! my hope
On thee I cast my care;
With humble confidence look up
To thee who hearest prayer:
Grant me on thee to wait,
The work assign'd fulfil;
Oh may it all my powers engage
To do my Father's will!
Grant me a sober mind,
A quick discerning eye,
The first approach of sin to find,
And all temptation fly;
A spirit still prepar'd,
And arm'd with jealous care, For ever standing on its guard, And watching unto prayer.
Thy will may I pursue,
To thee in all things rise;
And all I think, and say, and do,
Be one great sacrifice :
Fill me with godly fear,
As in thy sight to live;
And oh! thy servant, Lord! prepare
A strict account to give.
For Self-Knowledge and Preservation from Sin.
Он hear me, Lord!-on thee I call,
And prostrate at thy footstool fall :
To thee my inmost thoughts are known;
I seek acceptance at thy throne.
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