The Otterbein Hymnal Part 29

3 Heavenly Guide from paths of error, Comforter of minds distressed, When the billows fill with terror; Pointing to an ark of rest.

4 Promised Pledge, eternal Spirit, Greater than all gifts below, May our hearts thy grace inherit; May our lips thy glories show!

Thomas J. Judkin.

177 Fill Me Now. 8s & 7s.

_The Source of Consolation._

Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness; Pierce the clouds of nature's night; Come, thou Source of joy and gladness, Breathe thy life, and spread thy light.

2 From the height which knows no measure, As a gracious shower descend, Bringing down the richest treasure Man can wish, or G.o.d can send.

3 Author of the new creation, Come with unction and with power; Make our hearts thy habitation; On our souls thy graces shower.

4 Hear, O hear our supplication, Blessed Spirit, G.o.d of peace!

Rest upon this congregation, With the fullness of thy grace.

Paul Gerhardt, 1653.

Tr. by J.C. Jacobi, 1725. Alt.

178 Kentucky. S.M.

_Guilt and Helplessness of Man._ (405)

Ah! how shall fallen man Be just before his G.o.d?

If he contend in righteousness, We fall beneath his rod.

2 If he our ways should mark With strict inquiring eyes, Could we for one of thousand faults A just excuse devise?

3 All-seeing, powerful G.o.d, Who can with thee contend?

Or who that tries the unequal strife, Shall prosper in the end?

4 Ah! how shall guilty man Contend with such a G.o.d?

None, none can meet him and escape, But through the Savior's blood.

Isaac Watts, 1707.

179 Kentucky. S.M.

_An Evil Heart._ (406)

Astonished and distressed, I turn mine eyes within; My heart with loads of guilt oppressed, The source of every sin.

2 What crowds of evil thoughts, What vile affections there!

Envy and pride, deceit and guile, Distrust and slavish fear.

3 Almighty King of saints!

These tyrant l.u.s.ts subdue; Drive the old serpent from his seat, And all my powers renew.

4 This done,--my cheerful voice Shall loud hosannas raise; My heart shall glow with grat.i.tude, My lips be filled with praise.

Benjamin Beddome, 1787.

180 Olmutz. S.M.

_The Reign of Sin._ (407)

How heavy is the night That hangs upon our eyes, Till Christ with his reviving light Over our souls arise.

2 Our guilty spirits dread To meet the wrath of heaven; But, in his righteousness arrayed, We see our sins forgiven.

3 The powers of h.e.l.l agree To hold our souls in vain; He sets the sons of bondage free, And breaks the cursed chain.

4 Lord, we adore thy ways To bring us near to G.o.d, Thy sovereign power, thy healing grace, And thine atoning blood.

Isaac Watts, 1709.

181 Downs. C.M.

_The Need of Regeneration._ (396)

How helpless guilty nature lies, Unconscious of its load!

The heart, unchanged, can never rise To happiness and G.o.d.

2 Can aught, beneath a power divine, The stubborn will subdue?

'Tis thine, almighty Spirit! thine, To form the heart anew.

3 'Tis thine, the pa.s.sions to recall, And upward bid them rise; To make the scales of error fall, From reason's darkened eyes.

4 Oh! change these wretched hearts of ours, And give them life divine; Then shall our pa.s.sions and our powers, Almighty Lord! be thine.

Anne Steele, 1760.

182 Downs. C.M.

_Pardon and Sanctification in Christ._ (397)

How sad our state by nature is!

Our sin--how deep it stains!

And Satan binds our captive minds, Fast in his slavish chains.