A PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON, WHEN THERE APPEARETH SMALL HOPE OF RECOVERY.

Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need; We fly unto Thee for succour in behalf of this Thy servant, here lying under Thy hand in great weakness of body. Look graciously upon him, O Lord; and the more the outward man decayeth, strengthen him, we beseech Thee, so much the more continually with Thy grace and holy Spirit in the inner man. Give him unfeigned repentance for all the errors of his life past, and stedfast faith in Thy Son Jesus; that his sins may be done away by Thy mercy, and his pardon sealed in heaven, before he go hence, and be no more seen. We know, O Lord, that there is no word impossible with Thee; and that, if Thou wilt, Thou canst even yet raise him up, and grant him a long continuance amongst us: Det, forasmuch as in all appearance the time of his dissolution draweth near, so fit and prepare him, we beseech Thee, against the hour of death, that after his departure hence in peace, and in Thy favour, his soul may be received into Thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need;

W

F. S. Monsell.

HEN friend from friend is parting,

And in each speaking eye

The silent tears are starting,

To tell what words deny;
How could we bear the heavy load
Of such heart-agony,

Could we not cast it all, our God,
Our gracious God, on Thee?

And feel that Thou kind watch wilt keep
When we are far away;

That Thou wilt soothe us when we weep,
And hear us when we pray.

Yet oft these hearts will whisper,
That better 'twould betide,

If we were near the friends we love,
And watching by their side:

But sure Thou'lt love them dearer, Lord,

For trusting Thee alone;

And sure Thou wilt draw nearer, Lord,

The further we are gone.

Then why be sad? since Thou wilt keep

Watch o'er them day by day:

Since Thou wilt soothe them when they weep, And hear us when we pray.

O for that bright and happy land,
Where, far amidst the blest,
"The wicked cease from troubling, and
The weary are at rest;"

Where friends are never parted,

Once met around Thy throne;
And none are broken-hearted,

Since all, with Thee, are one!
Yet O, till then, watch o'er us keep,
While far from Thee away;
And soothe us, Lord, oft as we weep,

And hear us when we pray.

The more the outward man decayeth, strengthen him, we beseech Thee, so much the more continually with Thy grace and holy Spirit in the inner man.

From Sintram.

HEN death is coming near,

WHE

When thy heart shrinks in fear,

And thy limbs fail;

Then raise thy hands and pray
To Him who smooths thy way
Through the dark vale.

Seest thou the eastern dawn?
Hear'st thou in the red morn
The angels' song?

O lift thy drooping head,

Thou who in gloom and dread
Hast lain so long.

Death comes to set thee free,
O meet him cheerily

As thy true friend,

And all thy fears shall cease,
And in eternal peace,

Thy penance end.

The more the outward man decayeth, strengthen him, we beseech Thee, so much the more continually with Thy grace and holy Spirit in the inner man.

A

H. F. Lyte.

BIDE with me! Fast falls the eventide;

The darkness thickens; Lord, with me abide.

When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away:
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwelt'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free,
Come, not to sojourn, but abide, with me.

Come, not in terrors, as the King of kings;
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,

Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea,
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me!

I need Thy presence every passing hour:
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud, and sunshine, O, abide with me!

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless,
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness:
Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies! Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows1

flee!

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

11 Cant. ii. 17.