Renew my will from day to day;
Blend it with Thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say,
"Thy will be done."

RALPH ERSKINE.

RALPH ERSKINE was born at Monilaws, Northumberland, on the 15th March, 1685. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated in 1704. He was licensed to preach in 1709, and in 1711 was ordained to the ministry at Dunfermline. In 1733 he adhered to his brother Ebenezer, and two other ministers, when they constituted the Associate Presbytery. He formally seceded in 1737, and in the year following was deposed by the General Assembly. His death took place on the 6th November, 1752. Ralph Erskine composed a poetical Paraphrase of the Song of Solomon, the Book of Lamentations, and portions of the Book of Job. His "Gospel Sonnets" have been often reprinted. Many of them are variations of the hymns of Dr. Watts.

GLORY OF GOD IN CHRIST.*

ALL nature spreads, with open blaze,
Her Maker's name abroad;
And every work of His displays
The power and skill of God.

But in the grace that rescued man
His brightest glory shines;

Here, on the cross, 'tis fairest drawn,
In precious bloody lines.

Here His whole name appears complete;

And who can guess or prove,
Which of the letters best are writ,
The wisdom, power, or love?

Justice and mercy, truth and grace,

In all their sweetest charms,

Here met, and joined their kind embrace

With everlasting arms.

*From a complete edition of Ralph Erskine's poetical works, 8vo. The preface

is dated Glasgow, Sept. 24, 1778.

PROSPECT OF GLORY.

OH, send me down a draught of love,
Or take me hence to drink above!
Here Marah's water fills my cup;
But there all griefs are swallow'd up.

Love here is scarce a faint desire ;
But there the spark's a flaming fire;
Joys here are drops that passing flee,
But there an overflowing sea.

My faith, that sees so darkly here,
Will there resign to vision clear;
My hope, that's here a weary groan,
Will to fruition yield the throne.

Here fetters hamper freedom's wing,
But there the captive is a king;
And grace is like a buried seed,
But sinners there are saints indeed.

My portion here's a crumb at best,
But there the Lamb's eternal feast;
My praise is now a smother'd fire,
But then I'll sing and never tire.

Now dusky shadows cloud my day,
But then the shades will flee away;
My Lord will break the dimming glass,
And show His glory face to face.

My numerous foes now beat me down,
But then I'll wear the victor's crown;
Yet all the revenues I'll bring

To Zion's everlasting King.

* We have followed Sir Roundell Palmer in adapting as a separate hymn the last seven of twenty verses of one of Erskine's Gospel sonnets, entitled "The Deserted Believer longing for perfect Pardon from Sin."

JOHN FAWCETT.

JOHN FAWCETT was born at Lidget Green, near Bradford, Yorkshire, on the 18th January 1739 In his sixteenth year, he was awakened to serious convictions by listening to a discourse by Whitefield. In 1763, he entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, and after two years, obtained the charge of a congregation at Wainsgate. He removed to Hebden Bridge, in the same neighbourhood, in 1777. In 1782, his volume of "Hymns adapted to the circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion," was published at Leeds. A second edition was issued by Mr. Fawcett shortly before his death. He died on the 25th July, 1817. He composed several theological works. His memoirs have been published.

SUPPORT IN AFFLICTION.

Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear,
Thy Saviour's gracious promise hear;
His faithful word declares to thee,
That as thy days thy strength shall be.

Let not thy heart despond and say,
"How shall I stand the trying day?"
He has engaged by firm decree
That as thy days thy strength shall be.

Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong;
Yet sure the conflict shan't be long:
Thy Lord shall make the tempter flee,
For as thy days thy strength shall be.

The Christian race with patience run,
Till grace complete the work begun ;
Wrestle and strive for victory,
For as thy days thy strength shall be.

Should persecution rage and flame,
Still trust in thy Redeemer's name;
In fiery trials thou shalt see,

That as thy days thy strength shall be.

When called to bear the weighty cross,
Or sore afflictions, pain, or loss,
Or deep distress, or poverty,
Still as thy days thy strength shall be.

When ghastly death appears in view,
Christ's presence shall thy fears subdue ;
He comes to set thy spirit free,
And as thy days thy strength shall be.

THE BIBLE.

How precious is the book divine,
By inspiration given !
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
To guide our souls to heaven.

Its light, descending from above,
Our gloomy world to cheer,
Displays a Saviour's boundless love,
And brings His glories near.

It shows to man his wand'ring ways,
And where his feet have trod;
And brings to view the matchless grace
Of a forgiving God.

When once it penetrates the mind,
It conquers ev'ry sin;

Th' enlighten'd soul begins to find
The path of peace divine.

It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts
In this dark vale of tears;

Life, light, and joy it still imparts,
And quells our rising tears.

This lamp thro' all the tedious night

Of life shall guide our way,

Till we behold the clearer light

Of an eternal day.

DELIGHT IN GOD.

PARENT of good, Thy works of might
I trace with wonder and delight;
Thy name is all divine;

There's nought in earth, or sea, or air,
Or heaven itself, that's good or fair,
But what is wholly Thine.

Immensely high Thy glories rise,
They strike my soul with sweet surprise,
And sacred pleasure yield;

An ocean wide, without a bound,
Where every noble wish is drown'd,
And every want is fill'd.

The riches of Thy matchless grace,
Display'd in my Redeemer's face,
Attract my wond'ring mind;
Here wisdom, love, and mercy meet,
In all their various rays complete,
With truth and justice join'd.

To Thee my warm affections move
In sweet astonishment and love,
While at Thy feet I fall;

I pant for nought beneath the skies,
To Thee my ardent wishes rise,
O my eternal All.

Were I deprived of all below,

Would'st Thou Thy gracious smile bestow,

I should be richly blest ;

Thy love is my unfailing store;

In darkness I Thy light implore,

To set my heart at rest.

This all my gloomy path shall cheer,

And banish every painful fear

That can my soul invade;

Should earth and hell against me join,
The beamings of Thy love divine
Would give me sov'reign aid.