Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 39

Home of my soul, how near At times to faith's foreseeing eye Thy golden gates appear!

4 I hear at morn and even, At noon and midnight hour, The choral harmonies of heaven Earth's Babel-tongues o'erpower.

5 And then I feel, that He, Remembered or forgot, The Lord, is never far from me, Though I perceive Him not.

6 Forever with the Lord!

Father, if 'tis Thy will, The promise of that blessed word Even here to me fulfil.

7 Be Thou at my right hand, Then can I never fail; Uphold Thou me, and I shall stand; Help, and I must prevail.

232. L. M. Montgomery.

Heaven.

1 Heaven is a state of rest from sin; But all who hope to enter there Must here that holy course begin, Which shall their souls for rest prepare.

2 Clean hearts, O G.o.d, in us create!

Right spirits, Lord, in us renew!

Commence we now that higher state, Now do Thy will as angels do.

3 In Jesus' footsteps may we tread, Learn every lesson of his love; And be from grace to glory led, From heaven below to heaven above.

233. L. M. Wesleyan.

Desire for Union with G.o.d.

1 O Love, how cheering is Thy ray!

All pain before Thy presence flies; Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away, Where'er Thy healing beams arise: O Father! nothing may I see, And nought desire or seek, but Thee.

2 Unwearied may I this pursue, Dauntless to this high prize aspire; Each hour within my soul renew This holy flame, this heavenly fire; And day and night be all my care To guard the sacred treasure there.

3 O, that I as a little child May follow Thee, and never rest, Till sweetly Thou hast breathed a mild And lowly mind into my breast!

Nor ever may we parted be, Till I become as one with Thee.

4 Still let Thy love point out my way; How wondrous things that love hath wrought!

Still lead me, lest I go astray; Direct my word, inspire my thought; And if I fall, soon may I hear Thy voice, and know Thy love is near.

234. 7s. M. *Newton.

For a Childlike Spirit.

1 Quiet, Lord, my froward heart; Make me loving, meek, and mild, Upright, simple, free from art; Make me as a little child; From distrust and envy free; Pleased with all that pleaseth Thee.

2 What Thou shalt to-day provide Let me as a child receive; What to-morrow may betide Calmly to Thy wisdom leave; 'Tis enough that Thou wilt care; Why should I the burden bear?

3 As a little child relies On a care beyond his own, Knows beneath his father's eyes He is never left alone; So would I with Thee abide, Thou my Father, Guard, and Guide!

235. S. M. Briggs' Coll.

Walking with G.o.d.

1 Father, I will not pray Freedom from earthly ill; But may Thy peace be o'er my way With its dove-pinion still!

2 O, let a sense of Thee, Of Thy sustaining love, My bosom-guest forever be, Where'er I rest or move!

3 A heavenly light serene, With its unfading beams, Within my trusting heart be seen, More bright than childhood's dreams!

4 So let me walk with Thee, Thy presence round my way; Made by Thine aiding spirit free; Thy love, my joy and stay.

236. L. M. Miss Bremer.

Thirst for Living Waters.

1 I thirst!--O, grant the waters pure Which they who drink shall thirst no more; O give me of that living stream, Which ever flows, with heavenly gleam, Forth from the presence of our G.o.d, Through fields by holy angels trod!

2 I thirst!--O bounteous Source of Truth, Give coolness to my fevered youth; Make the sick heart more strong and wise; Take spectral visions from mine eyes; O, let me quench my thirst in Thee, And pure, and strong, and holy be!

3 I thirst!--O G.o.d, great Source of Love!

Infinite Life streams from above.

O, give one drop, and let me live!

The barren world has naught to give; No solace have its streams for me; I thirst alone for heaven and Thee.

237. P. M. Jones Very.

Desires for G.o.d's Presence.