Chapter C: S. Robinson, 1862

338

S. M. 8 l

O Thou who wouldst not have
One wretched sinner die,
Who diedst Thyself my soul to save
From endless misery,
Teach me my course to run,
While yet I sojourn here,
That when Thou comest on Thy throne
I may with joy appear.

2. Thou art Thyself the Way,
Thyself in me reveal;
So shall I pass my life’s short day
Obedient to Thy will;
So shall I love my God
Because He first loved me,
And praise Thee in Thy bright abode
Through all eternity.

Charles Wesley, 1749, a.

339

8, 8, 6, 8, 8, 6 (C. P. M.)

May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfil
And do on earth our Father’s will
As angels do above;
Still walk in Christ, the living Way,
With all Thy children and obey
The law of Christian love.

2. So may we join Thy name to bless,
Thy grace adore, Thy power confess,
From sin and strife to flee.
One is our calling, one our name,
The end of all our hopes the same,
A crown of life with Thee.

3. Spirit of Life, of Love and Peace,
Unite our hearts, our joy increase,
Thy gracious help supply.
To each of us the blessing give
In Christian fellowship to live,
In joyful hope to die.

Edward Osler, 1836, a.

340

8, 7, 8, 7, 4, 7

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more!

2. Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing streams do flow,
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield!

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee.

Wm. Williams, 1745; P. Williams, tr., 1771.

341

S. M.

The man is ever blest
Who shuns the sinners’ ways,
Among their counsels never stands,
Nor takes the scorners’ place;

2. But makes the Law of God
His study and delight
Amid the labors of the day
And watches of the night.

3. He like a tree shall thrive,
With waters near the root;
Fresh as the leaf his name shall live,
His works are heavenly fruit.

4. Not so th’ ungodly race,
They no such blessings find;
Their hopes shall flee like empty chaff
Before the driving wind.

5. How will they bear to stand
Before that judgment-seat
Where all the saints at Christ’s right hand
In full assembly meet?

6. He knows and He approves
The way the righteous go;
But sinners and their works shall meet
A dreadful overthrow.

Isaac Watts, 1719.

342

C. M.

O that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will!

2. Order my footsteps by Thy Word
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

3. Assist my soul, too apt to stray,
A stricter watch to keep;
And should I e’er forget Thy way,
Restore Thy wandering sheep.

4. Make me to walk in Thy commands,—
’Tis a delightful road,—
Nor let my head or heart or hands
Offend against my God.

Isaac Watts, 1719, a.

343

7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 8

God, from all eternity
In Thy Son Thou didst elect me;
Therefore, Father, graciously
In my course to heaven direct me;
Send to me Thy Holy Spirit
That His gifts I may inherit.

2. Though alive, I’m dead in sin,
To all good things lost by nature;
Holy Ghost, change me within,
Make of me a new-born creature;
For the flesh deserves damnation
And can never gain salvation.

3. Drive away the gloomy night
Of my sinful meditation;
Quench all thoughts that are not right,
Reason hold in limitation;
Grant that I from Thee with yearning
Wisdom always may be learning.

4. All desires and thoughts of mine,
From my youth, are only evil;
Save me by Thy power divine
From myself and from the devil;
Give me strength in ample measure,
Both to will and do Thy pleasure.

5. Such a heart create in me,
That in Thee, O God, believing,
At the base iniquity
Of my sins I may be grieving;
And when hours of woe betide me,
In the wounds of Jesus hide me.

6. As a branchlet in the Vine,
In my blessed Lord, implant me;
Ever of my Head divine
To remain a member grant me;
Oh, let Him, my Lord and Savior,
Be my Life and Love forever!

7. Faith and hope and charity
Graciously, O Father, give me;
Be my Guardian constantly
That no devil e’er may grieve me;
Grant me humbleness and gladness,
Peace and patience in my sadness.

8. Help me speak what’s right and just,
And keep silence on occasion;
Help me pray, Lord, as I must;
Help me bear my tribulation;
Help me die and let my spirit
Everlasting life inherit.

C. Neumann, 1680; A. Crull, tr.

344

6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6

How can I thank Thee, Lord,
For all Thy loving-kindness?
Thou hast so long a time
Had patience with my blindness
When dead in many sins
And trespasses I lay,
And kindled, holy God,
Thine anger every day.

2. Lord, Thou hast shown to me
Divine commiseration:
I persevered in sin,
But Thou in great compassion;
I did resist Thee, Lord,
Deferring to repent;
Thou didst defer Thy wrath
And instant punishment.

3. It is Thy work alone
That now I am converted,
Thy power o’er Satan’s work
In me Thou hast asserted;
Thy mercy, that doth reach
Unto the clouds, O Lord,
Did break my stony heart
By Thine almighty Word.

4. Though able to offend
Thee, Lord, by sin and failing,
Still to regain Thy grace
My strength was unavailing.
Though I could fall from grace
And choose the way of sin,
I had no strength to rise,
A new life to begin.

5. But Thou hast raised me up
And with divine compassion
Hast shown me, Lord, the way
That leadeth to salvation.
I thank Thee, Lord, that now
My former sins I hate
And freely—not from fear—
Dead works abominate.

6. That I may not backslide,
But life in heaven inherit,
Grant me, while here I live,
O Lord, Thy Holy Spirit
That He may give me strength
In mine infirmity
And e’er renew my heart
To serve Thee willingly.

7. O guide and lead me, Lord,
While here below I wander;
Grant that I follow Thee,
My Guide and my Commander.
For if I lead myself,
I soon am led astray;
But if Thou leadest me,
I do my duty aye.

8. O Father, God of Love,
Hear now my supplication!
Lord Jesus, Son of God,
O grant me Thy salvation!
And Thou, O Holy Ghost,
Always abide with me
That I may serve Thee here
And there eternally!

G. Gesenius, c. 1647; A. Crull, tr.

CONSECRATION.

345

9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8

Soul, what return has God, thy Savior,
For all He gives thee day by day?
O hast thou in thy gift a favor
That can delight and please Him?—say!
The best of offerings He requires;
Give Him thy heart with its desires.

2. Give God His own if aught thou’rt giving;
Say, soul, to whom belongs thy heart?
Can Satan, he who hates the living,
Or any creature claim a part?—
To Thee alone I will assign,
O Lord, my heart and all that’s mine.

3. Accept the gift which Thou requirest,
The first-fruits of my heart, O God!
The offerings Thou so much desirest,
For which Thy Son paid with His blood.
To Thee alone I now resign
My heart, to be forever Thine.

4. Whom should I give my heart’s affection
But Thee, who givest Thine to faith?
Thy fervent love is my protection;
Lord, Thou hast loved me unto death.
My heart with Thine shall ever be
One heart throughout eternity.