AUTUMN.

209. Autumnal Hymn. (L. M.)
1
GI

REAT God! at whose all pow'rful ci

At first arose this beauteous frame, Thou bidd'st the seasons change, and all

The changing seasons speak thy name.
2 Thy bounty bids the infant year,

From winter-storms recover'd, rise ;
When thousand grateful scenes appear,

Fresh op’ning to our wond'ring eyes.
3 O how delightful 'tis to see,

The earth in vernal beauty drest!
While in each herb, and flow'r, and tree,

Thy blooming glories stand confest!
4 Aloft, full beaming reigns the sun,

And light and genial heat conveys :
And while he leads the seasons on,

From thee derives his quick’ning rays.
5 Around us from the teeming field,

Spring the rich grain, or purpled vine ;
At thy command they rise to yield,

The strength’ning bread, or cheering wine.
6 Indulgent God! from ev'ry part,
Thy plenteous blessings largely flow;

we taste, - let ev'ry heart, With grateful love and duty glow.

We see,

66

10. The Fall of the Leaf. Isaiah xxxiv. 4. (P. M.) I SEE the leaves around us falling,

, Dry and wither'd, to the : Thus to thoughtless mortals calling,

In a sad and solemn sound : “Sons of Adam, (once in Eden, “When like us, he blighted fell,) Hear the lecture we are reading,

" "Tis, alas, the truth we tell. 2 " Virgins, much,—too much presuming, On your

boasted white and red ; “ View us late in beauty blooming, ,

Number'd now among the dead :
Youths, though vet no losses grieve you,
“Gay in health, and many a grace;
Let not cloudless skies deceive you,

“ Summer gives to autumn place. 3“ Yearly in our course returning,

“Messengers of shortest stay; Thus we preach this truth concerning. “Heaven and earth shall pass away.' On the tree of life eternal,

Man, let all thy hopes be staid ; Which alone for ever vernal,

Bears a leaf that shall not fade. 11. We all do fade as a Leaf. Isaiah lxiv. 6. (P. M.) 1 CAN I view the pleasing season,

Now in autumn to expire ; And not find another reason, Works so glorious to admire !

Great Creator, may I ever,
While I see thy works, adore ;
Thee from nature never sever,

Know my God by nature more ! 2 Will not nature's fading foliage,

Talk to me in strains divine :
Tell me of my youth, and old age,
Every fading leaf a line :
In the book of nature placed,
Useful lessons to impart;
Here
may

truths be ever traced, That will fix and teach the heart. 3 Let all nature's glories vanish,

Let her beauties swift decay;
Jesus, -all my gloom shall banish,
Jesus,-all my fears allay!
Fade I must, but Christ resplendant,
Must by right for ever shine;
'Tis on him that I'm dependant,
Faith can call his glories mine!

WINTER.

212.

Winter. (C. M.) 1 STERN winter tbrows his icy chains, STEI

Encircling nature round,
How bleak, how comfortless the plains !

Late gay with verdure crown'd.
2 The sun withdraws his vital beams,

And light and warmth depart,
And drooping, lifeless nature seems

An emblem of my heart.

3 But if my soul's bright sun impart

His all enlivening smile,
The vital ray shall cheer my heart,

Till then a frozen soil.
4 Then faith, and hope, and love, shall rise,

Renew'd to lively bloom,
And breathe accepted to the skies,

Their humble sweet perfume.
5 Return, O blissful sun, and bring,

Thy soul-reviving ray;
This mental winter shall be spring,

This darkness, cheerful day.
6 But while to this low world confin'd,

Where changeful seasons roll,
My blooming pleasures will decline,

And winter pain my soul.
7 0 happy state, divine abode,

Where spring eternal reigns,
And perfect day, the smile of God,

Fills all the heavenly plains.

213.

The same. (L. M.)
1
SEE
EE how rude winter's icy hand,

Has stript the trees, and seal'd the ground!
But spring shall soon his rage withstand,
And spread new beauties all around.
2 My soul a sharper winter mourns,
Barren and fruitless I remain;
When will the gentle spring return,
And bid my graces grow again.

3 Jesus, my glorious sun, arise !

'Tis thine the frozen heart to move;
0! hush these storms, and clear my skies,

And let me feel thy vital love!
4 Dear Lord, regard my feeble cry,

I faint and droop till thou appear;
Wilt thou permit thy plant to die?

Must it be winter all the year?
5 Be still, my soul, and wait this hour,

With humble prayer, and patient faith ;
Till he reveals his gracious power,

Repose on what his promise saith.
6 He, by whose all-commanding word,

Seasons their changing course maintain,
In every change a pledge affords,

That none shall seek his face in vain. 214. Jesus seen in the Seasons ; or, I will praise tu

Lord at all Times. (P. M.) 1 WIN

TINTER has a joy for me,

While the Saviour's charms I read, Lowly, meek, from blemish free,

In the snow-drop's pensive head. 2 Spring returns, and brings along

Life-invigorating suns :
Hark! the turtle's plaintive song,

Seems to speak his dying groans ! 3 Summer has a thousand charms,

All expressive of his worth ;
'Tis his sun that lights and warms,
His the air that cools the earth.

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