2 Lovely songsters join their voices,
Harmony the grove pervades ;
All in nature now rejoices,-
Light and joy succeed the shades:
Stars withdraw, and man arises,
To his labour cheerful goes:
Day's returning blessings prizes,
And in praise his pleasure shows!

3 May each morn, that in succession,
Adds new mercies ever free:
Leave a strong, and deep impression,
Of my debt, O God, to thee:
Debt of love, ah! how increasing,
Days and years fresh blessings bring;
But my praise shall flow unceasing,
And my Maker's love I'll sing!

PUBLIC CHARITIES, &c.

113. Charity to the Poor; or, Pity to the Afflicted.

1

BLEST

(L. M.)

LEST is the man, whose bowels move,
And melt with pity to the poor,
Whose soul, by sympathizing love,
Feels what his fellow-saints endure.

2 His heart contrives for their relief,
More good than his own hands can do;
He, in the time of general grief,
Shall find the Lord has bowels too.

3 His soul shall live secure on earth,
With secret blessings on his head,
When drought, and pestilence, and dearth
Around him multiply their dead.

4 Or, if he languish on his couch,
God will pronounce his sins forgiven,
Will save him with a healing touch,
Or take his willing soul to heaven.

114. The Blessings of the Pious and Charita

1

THRICH

(L. M.)

HRICE happy man who fears the Lor
Loves his commands, and trusts his wo

Honour and peace his days attend,

And blessings to his seed descend.

2 Compassion dwells upon his mind,
To works of mercy still inclin'd:
He lends the poor some present aid,
Or gives them, not to be repaid.

3 When times grow dark, and tidings spread
That fill his neighbours round with dread,
His heart is arm'd against the fear,
For God with all his power is there.

4 His soul, well fix'd upon the Lord,
Draws heav'nly courage from his word;
Amidst the darkness, light shall rise,
To cheer his heart, and bless his eyes.
5 He hath dispers'd his alms abroad,
His works are still before his God:
His name on earth shall long remain,
While envious sinners fret in vain.

115.

'HA

Liberality rewarded. (C. M.)

APPY is he that fears the Lord,
And follows his commands,
Who lends the poor without reward,
Or gives with liberal hands.

2 As pity dwells within his breast,
To all the sons of need;
So God shall answer his request,
With blessings on his seed.

3 No evil tidings shall surprise,
His well-establish'd mind;
His soul to God his refuge flies,
And leaves his fears behind.

4 In times of general distress,

Some beams of light shall shine;
To show the world his righteousness,
And give him peace divine.

5 His works of piety and love

Remain before the Lord;

Honour on earth, and joys above,
Shall be his sure reward.

116. God's Blessing on the Merciful. (L. M.)

1

BLEST is the man, whose generous mind

To works of mercy is inclin'd;

The love of Christ his heart constrains,
And in his breast compassion reigns.

2 With bounteous hands he feeds the poor, He gives, and still possesses more; A faithful God will thus regard, His deeds, which merit no reward. 3 The sons of need his pity move, He melts with sympathetic love; He gives to those who can't repay, Nor dares to frown the poor away. 4 A blessing Providence commands, On every labour of his hands;

In health, or sickness, he shall find The Lord is gracious, good, and kind. 5 The merciful shall mercy have,

In that bright world beyond the grave;
While those who have no mercy shown,
The God of mercy will disown.

117. After a Charity Sermon for the Benefit of t

1

BRIGH

Sick Poor. (C. M.)

RIGHT source of everlasting love!
To thee our souls we raise :

And to thy sovereign bounty rear

A monument of praise.

2 Thy mercy gilds the paths of life,
With every cheering ray;

Kindly restrains the rising tear,
Or wipes that tear away.

3 When sunk in guilt, our souls approach'd The borders of despair;

Thy grace, through Jesus' blood, proclaim'd
A free salvation near.

4 What shall we render, bounteous Lord,
For all the grace we see!
Alas! the goodness worms can yield,
Extendeth not to thee.

5 To tents of woe, to beds of pain,
We cheerfully repair,

And, with the gift thy hand bestows,
Relieve the mourners there.

6 The widow's heart shall sing for joy,
The orphan shall be glad ;

And hungering souls we'll gladly point
To Christ the living bread.

7 Thus passing through the vale of tears,
Our useful light shall shine;
And others learn to glorify

Our Father's name divine.

#118. For the Children of a Charity School. (L. M.) 1 HOW happy is our peaceful lot,

Tho' number'd with the labouring poor;

Boys.-The helpless sons of ignorance,
Girls.-Daughters of poverty obscure.

2 With pity our neglected youth,
The heavenly Shepherd did behold;
His
arm was stretch'd for our relief,
And we were gather'd to his fold.

3 Oft as the sabbath-day appears,
With cheerful steps, a youthful train,
Up to his holy courts we haste,
And join to raise th' adoring strain.