Septuagesima and Lent.

31.

O FOR a closer walk with GOD,
A calm and heavenly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the LAMB!

Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest!

I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,

Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with GOD,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road

That leads me to the LAMB.

32.

LORD, when we bend before Thy throne

And our confessions pour;

Teach us to feel the sins we own,
And shun what we deplore.

Our contrite spirits pitying see;

True penitence impart ;

And let a healing ray from Thee

Beam hope on ev'ry heart.

When we disclose our wants in prayer,

May we our wills resign;

And not a wish our bosoms share,
Which is not wholly Thine.

In meek submission to Thy will

Let ev'ry prayer arise;

And teach us, LORD, 'tis goodness still

That grants it, or denies.

33.

O THOU from Whom all goodness flows,

I lift my heart to Thee;
In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes,
Great GOD, remember me.

When on my fearful burden'd heart
My sins press heavily,

My pardon speak, Thy peace impart,
In love remember me.

If strong temptations crowd my way,
And ills I cannot flee,

O, give me strength, LORD, as my day,
For good remember me.

If on my face, for Thy lov'd Name,
Shame and reproaches be,

All hail reproach, and welcome shame,
If Thou remember me.

And when at last I sink in death,

And meet Thy just decree,

Then, SAVIOUR, mark my trembling breath, And still remember me.

34.

WHEN the heart is sad within
With the sense of all its sin,
When the spirit sinks in fear,

When our heads are bowed with woe,
When the bitter tears o'erflow,

When we mourn in sorrow drear,
"JESUS, Son of Mary, hear."

Thou our throbbing flesh hast worn,
Thou our mortal griefs hast borne,
Thou hast shed the human tear,
"JESUS, Son of Mary, hear."

Thou the shame and grief hast known,
Though the sins were not Thine own,
Thou hast deigned their load to bear,
"JESUS, Son of Mary, hear."

Thou hast passed thro' death's dark shade,

Thou hast full atonement made,

Thou to God's right hand art near,

66

JESUS, Son of Mary, hear."

35.

HAVE mercy, LORD, on me,
As Thou wert ever kind;

Let me, opprest with loads of guilt,
Thy wonted mercy find.

Wash off my foul offence,

And cleanse me from my sin;
For I confess my crime, and see
How great my guilt has been.

Withdraw not Thou Thy help;
Nor cast me from Thy sight;
Nor let Thy HOLY SPIRIT take
Its everlasting flight.