349. The Blessing of God on the Business and

Comforts of Life. (L. M.) 1 JF God succeed not, all the cost

| And pains to build the house are lost; If God the city will not keep,

The watchful guards as well may sleep. 2 What though you rise before the sun,

And work, and toil, when day is done,
Careful and sparing eat your bread,

To shun that poverty you dread:
3 'Tis all in vain, till God hath blest;

He can make rich, yet give us rest:
Children and friends are blessings too,

If God our Sov'reign make them so. 4 Happy the man, to whom he sends

Obedient children, faithful friends!
How sweet our daily comforts prove,
When they are season'd with his love!

50. The Providence of God. Gen. xxi. 14. (C. M.) I D'ATHER of love! from age to age,

T The wonders of thy grace;
The heart and lips of saints engage,

In cheerful songs, to praise.
2 Creatures, in various trains, to thee

Raise the dependant eye;
Thy stores of goodness, rich and free,

Their various wants supply.
3 But 0 ! the treasures of thy love,

To man's apostate race,
Are boundless mysteries, far above,

Both man's and angel's praise.

4 Jesus, in whom all fullness dwells,

Through endless years the same;
To every hungry soul reveals

The glories of his name.
5 Thousands in this dark world below,

His faithfulness attest;
In worlds above, ten thousand know,

That humble souls are blest.

351. The Mercies of God reviewed. Psalm ciii. 1

(C. M.) 1 W HEN all thy mercies, O my God,

My rising soul surveys ;
Transported with the view, I'm lost

In wonder, love, and praise. 2 Oh! how shall words, with equal warmth,

The gratitude declare,
That glows within my ravish'd heart;-

But thou canst read it there.
3 Thy providence my life sustain'd,

And all my wants redress'd ;
When in the silent womb I lay,

And hung upon the breast. 4 To all my weak complaints, and cries,

Thy mercy lent an ear;
Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt,

To form themselves in prayer. 5 Unnumber'd comforts to my soul,

Thy tender care bestow'd,
Before my infant heart conceiv'd,

From whom those comforts flow'd.

6 When in the slippery paths of youth,

With heedless steps I ran;
Thine arm, unseen, convey'd me safe,

And led me up to man.

7 Through hidden dangers, toils, and deaths,

It gently clear'd my way;
And through the pleasing snares of vice,
More to be fear'd than they.

8 When worn by sickness, oft hast thou

With health renew'd my face;
And when in sins and sorrows sunk,

Reviv'd my soul with grace.

9 Thy bounteous hand, with worldly bliss,

Has made my cup run o'er ; í And, in a kind and faithful friend,

Has doubled all my store.

10 Ten thousand, thousand precious gifts,

My daily thanks employ ;
Nor is the least, a cheerful heart,

That tastes those gifts with joy.

11 Through ev'ry period of my life,

Thy goodness I'll pursue;
And after death, in distant worlds,

The glorious theme renew.

2 When nature fails, and day and night

Divide thy works no more; My ever grateful heart, O Lord,

Thy mercy shall adore.

13 Through all eternity, to thee

A joyful song I'll raise ;
But 0, eternity's too short,

To utter all thy praise !

352. Providence mysterious. (C.M.) 1 MOD moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.
2 Deep in unfathomable mines,

Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,

And works his sov'reign will.
3 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,

The clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy, and shall break,

In blessings on your head.
4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,

He hides a smiling face.
5 His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.
6 Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.

d every where present to support and bless

his Servants. (C. M.)
How are thy servants blest, O Lord !
II How sure is their defence !
Eternal wisdom is their guide,

Their help, omnipotence.
2 In foreign realms, and lands remote,

Supported by thy care,
They pass unhurt through burning climes,

And breathe in tainted air.
3 Thy mercy sweetens ev'ry soil,

Makes ev'ry region please;
The hoary frozen hills it warms,

And smooths the boisť'rous seas.
4 Though by the dreadful tempest toss'd,

High on the broken wave;
They know thou art not slow to hear,

Nor impotent to save.
5 The storm is laid, the winds retire,

Obedient to thy will;
The seas that roar at thy command,

At thy command are still.
6 From all my griefs and straits, O Lord!

Thy mercy sets me free;
Whilst in the confidence of pray'r,

My heart takes hold on Thee.
in In midst of dangers, fears, and death,

Thy goodness I'll adore;
And praise thee for thy mercies past,

And humbly hope for more.