And though loud the wind is howling,
Fierce though flash the lightnings red,
Darkly though the storm-cloud's scowling
O'er the sailor's anxious head,
Thou canst calm the raging ocean,
All its noise and tumult still,
Hush the billow's wild commotion,
At the bidding of Thy will.

Thus my heart the hope will cherish,
While to heaven I lift mine eye,

Thou wilt save me ere I perish,

Thou wilt hear me when I cry;
And, though mast and sail be riven,
Life's short voyage will soon be o'er;
Safely moor'd in heaven's wide haven,
Storms and tempests vex no more.

George W. Bethune.

XVI.

"MY MEAT IS TO DO THE WILL OF

HIM THAT SENT ME."

(John iv. 34.)

PON the well by Sychar's gate,

UPO

At burning noon the Saviour sate,
Athirst and hungry, from the way
His feet had trod since early day;

The Twelve had gone to seek for food,
And left Him in His solitude.

They come, and spread before him there,
With faithful haste, the pilgrim fare,
And gently bid him, "Master, eat!
But God had sent Him better meat,
And there is on His gentle brow
Nor weariness nor faintness now.

For, while they sought the market-place,
His words had won a soul to grace;
And when He set that sinner free
From bonds of guilt and infamy,

His heart grew strong with joy divine,
More than the strength of bread and wine.

So, Christian, when thy faith is faint,
Amidst the toils that throng the saint,
Ask God that thou mayst peace impart
Unto some other human heart;

And thou thy Master's joy shalt share,
E'en while His cross thy shoulders bear.
George W. Bethune.

XVII.

BAPTISM.

WE

E come to the fountain, we stand by the wave,
That flows from the throne of the Mighty to

save;

We gaze on its bosom so pure and serene,
And seek, blessed Master, to wash and be clean.

We hear Thy sweet promise, Thy welcome command,
And clasp, in our weakness, the strength of Thy hand,
To plunge in the waters that o'er us may roll,
A flood of salvation for body and soul.

O Thou, who in Jordan didst bow Thy meek head, And, whelm'd in our sorrow, didst sink to the dead, Then didst rise from the darkness to glory above, And claim'dst for Thy chosen the kingdom of love,

Thy footsteps we follow, to bow in the tide,

And are buried with Thee in the death Thou hast died;
Then wake with Thy likeness to walk in the way
That brightens and brightens to shadowless day.

O Jesus our Saviour, O Jesus our Lord,

By the life of Thy passion, the grace of Thy word, Accept us, redeem us, dwell ever within,

To keep, by Thy Spirit, our spirits from sin;

Till, crown'd with Thy glory, and waving the palm, Our garments all white from the blood of the Lamb, We join the bright millions of saints gone before, And bless Thee, and wonder, and praise evermore. George W. Bethune.

WE

XVIII.

CHRISTMAS HYMN.

E come, we come, with loud acclaim,
To sing the praise of Jesus' name;
And make the vaulted temple ring
With loud hosannahs to our King.

With thrilling pulse and smiling face
We gather round the throne of grace,
And lowly bend to offer there,
From humble lips, our Christmas prayer.

We come, we come, the song to swell,
To Him who loved our world so well,
That, stooping from His Father's throne,
He died, to claim it as His own.

O, thus may we in heaven above

Unite in praises and in love;

While happy angels fill their home

With joyful cry: "They come, they come!"

George W. Bethune.

XIX.

THE APPREHENSION OF DEATH.

WH

HEN time seems short, and death is near,
And I am press'd by doubt and fear,

And sins, an overflowing tide,

Assail my peace on every side,

This thought my refuge still shall be,

I know the Saviour died for me.

His name is JESUS, and He died
For guilty sinners, crucified;
Content to die that He might win
Their ransom from the death of sin;
No sinner worse than I can be,
Therefore I know He died for me.

If grace were bought, I could not buy ;

If

grace were coin'd, no wealth have I;
By grace alone I draw my breath,
Held up from everlasting death;
Yet since I know His grace is free,
I know the Saviour died for me.

My faith is weak, but 'tis Thy gift;
Thou canst my helpless soul uplift,