XII. Penitence of the awakened sinner........248, 831

XIII. Supplication for divine mercy.............270, 836

XIV. Salvation through Jesus Christ...........303, 841

XV. Christian experience......................

..355, 851

XVI. The means of grace

..483, 876

XVII. Kingdom and Church of Christ...........528, 881

4. Consecration of places of worship...........928

5. Special occasions

..932

6. Sickness and affliction.............

......956

THE SCRIPTURES.

The Bible the source of religious knowledge.

1 ETERNAL Spirit! 'twas thy breath

The oracles of truth inspired;

And kings and holy seers of old

With strong prophetic impulse fired. 2 Mov'd by thy great almighty pow'r,

L. M.

Their lips with heavenly wisdom flow'd; Their hands a thousand wonders wrought, Which bore the signature of God.

3 With gladsome hearts they spread the news
Of pardon, through a Savior's blood;
And to a num'rous seeking crowd
Mark'd out the path to his abode.

4 The powers of earth and hell in vain
Against the sacred word combine;
Thy providence through ev'ry age
Securely guards the work divine.

5 Thee, its great author, source of light,
Thee, its preserver, we adore;
And humbly ask a ray from thee
Its hidden wonders to explore.

2

1

Divine authority of the Bible.

WAS by an order from the Lord,

"TWA

L. M.

The ancient prophets spoke his word;

His Spirit did their tongues inspire,

And warm'd their hearts with heav'nly fire.

2 The works and wonders which they wrought Confirm'd the messages they brought:

The prophet's pen succeeds his breath,
To save the holy words from death.

3 Great God! mine eyes with pleasure look
On the dear volume of thy book;

There my Redeemer's face I see,
And read his name who died for me.

4 Let the false raptures of the mind

3

1

Be lost, and vanish in the wind;
Here I can fix my hope secure :
This is thy word, and must endure.

The Bible suited to our wants.

FATHER of mercies, in thy word

endless glory shines!

For ever be thy name ador'd

For these celestial lines.

2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;
Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
And yields a free repast;
Sublimer sweets than nature knows
Invite the longing taste.

4 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heav'nly peace around;
And life and everlasting joys

Attend the blissful sound.

5 0 may these heav'nly pages be
My ever dear delight;

And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light!

6 Divine Instructer, gracious Lord!
Be thou for ever near;

Teach me to love thy sacred word,
And view my Savior there.

C. M.

4

The word of God a rich treasure.

C. M.

ET av'rice, borne from shore to shore,
Her chosen good pursue:

Thy word, O Lord, we value more

Than India or Peru.

2 Here mines of knowledge, love, and joy,
Are open'd to our sight;
The purest gold without alloy,
And gems divinely bright.

3 The counsels of redeeming grace
These sacred leaves unfold;
And here the Savior's lovely face
Our raptur'd eyes behold.

4 Here light, descending from above,
Directs our doubtful feet;
Here promises of heav'nly love
Our ardent wishes meet.

5 Our num'rous griefs are here redrest,
And all our wants supplied;

5

Naught we can ask to make us blest
Is in this book denied.*

The value and comprehensiveness of the Bible.

ET all the heathen writers join
To form one perfect book:

C. M.

Great God! if once compar'd with thine,
How mean their writings look!

2 Not the most perfect rules they gave
Could show one sin forgiv'n,
Nor lead a step beyond the grave:
But thine conduct to heav'n.

3 Lord, I have made thy word my choice,
My lasting heritage;

There shall my noblest pow'rs rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.