336

The dead and the living.

L. M.

WHERE are the dead?-In heaven or hell

W their disembodied spirits dwell;

Their perish'd forms, in bonds of clay,
Reserved until the judgment-day.

2 Where are the living?—On the ground
Where prayer is heard and mercy found;
Where, in the compass of a span,
The mortal makes the' immortal man.
3 Then, timely warn'd, let us begin
To follow Christ and flee from sin;
Daily grow up in him our Head,
Lord of the living and the dead.

337

Warnings from the grave.

C. M.

SBIs equal warning given;

ENEATH our feet, and o'er our head,

Beneath us lie the countless dead,-
Above us is the heaven.

2 Death rides on every passing breeze,
And lurks in every flower;

Each season has its own disease,-
Its peril every hour.

3 Our eyes have seen the rosy light
Of youth's soft cheek decay,
And fate descend in sudden night
On manhood's middle day.

4 Our eyes have seen the steps of age
Halt feebly to the tomb;

And shall earth still our hearts engage,
And dreams of days to come?

5 Turn, mortal, turn; thy danger know:
Where'er thy foot can tread,

The earth rings hollow from below,
And warns thee by her dead.

: 6 Turn, mortal, turn; thy soul apply
To truths divinely given:
The dead who underneath thee lie,
Shall live for hell or heaven.

338

Sin kills beyond the tomb.

C. M.

AIN man, thy fond pursuits forbear;
Repent, thine end is nigh;

Death, at the farthest, can't be far:
O think before thou die.

2 Reflect, thou hast a soul to save;
Thy sins, how high they mount!
What are thy hopes beyond the grave?
How stands that dark account?

3 Death enters, and there's no defence;
His time there's none can tell;
He'll in a moment call thee hence,
To heaven, or down to hell.

4 Thy flesh (perhaps thy greatest care) Shall into dust consume;

But, ah! destruction stops not there;
Sin kills beyond the tomb.

339

Fear of hell.

C. M.

TERRIBLE thought! shall I alone,
Who may be saved, shall I,

T

Of all, alas! whom I have known,
Through sin forever die?

2 While all my old companions dear,
With whom I once did live,
Joyful at God's right hand appear,
A blessing to receive:-

3 Shall I, amidst a ghastly band,
Dragg'd to the judgment-seat,
Far on the left with horror stand,
My fearful doom to meet ?

4 Ah! no;-I still may turn and live,
For still his wrath delays;
He now vouchsafes a kind reprieve,
And offers me his grace.

5 I will accept his offers now-
From every sin depart―
Perform my oft-repeated vow,
And render him my heart.

6 I will improve what I receive,
The grace through Jesus given;
Sure, if with God on earth I live,
To live with God in heaven.

340

6th P. M. 6 lines 7s.

What sin hath done.

EARTS of stone, relent, relent!
Break, by Jesus' cross subdued;

See his body mangled, rent,

Stain'd and cover'd with his blood! Sinful soul, what hast thou done? Crucified the' eternal Son.

2 Yes, thy sins have done the deed; ***** Driven the nails that fix'd him there; Crown'd with thorns his sacred head; Plunged into his side the spear;

Made his soul a sacrifice,

While for sinful man he dies.

3

Wilt thou let him bleed in vain ? Still to death thy Lord pursue? Open all his wounds again,

And the shameful cross renew? No; with all my sins. I'll part; Saviour, take my broken heart.

Jesus ready stands to save you,

Full of pity, love, and power:
He is able,

He is willing: doubt no more.

2 Now, ye needy, come and welcome; God's free bounty glorify;

True belief and true repentance,

Every grace that brings you nigh,—
Without money,

Come to Jesus Christ and buy. T
3 Let not conscience make you linger;
Nor of fitness fondly dream:
All the fitness he requireth
Is to feel your need of him:
This he gives you,-

'Tis the Spirit's glimmʼring beam.

4 Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Bruised and mangled by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all;
Not the righteous,

Sinners Jesus came to call.

3

5 Agonizing in the garden,
Your Redeemer prostrate lies;
On the bloody tree behold him!
Hear him cry, before he dies,
It is finish'd!—'

Sinners, will not this suffice?

6 Lo! the' incarnate God, ascending,
Pleads the merit of his blood:
Venture on him,-venture freely;
Let no other trust intrude:
None but Jesus

Can de helpless sinners good.

7 Saints and angels, join'd in concert,
Sing the praises of the Lamb;
While the blissful seats of heaven
Sweetly echo with his name:
Hallelujah!

Sinners here may do the same.

342

JEST

He waiteth to be gracious. ESUS, Redeemer of mankind, Display thy saving power; Thy mercy let the sinner find, And know his gracious hour.

: C. M.

2 Who thee beneath their feet have trod,
And crucified afresh,

Touch with thine all-victorious blood,
And turn the stone to flesh.

3 Open their eyes thy cross to see,
Their ears, to hear thy cries:
Sinner, thy Saviour weeps for thee;
For thee he weeps and dies.

4 All the day long he meekly stands,

His rebels to receive;

And shows his wounds, and spreads his hands,

And bids you turn and live.

5 Turn, and your sins of deepest dye,

He will with blood efface;

E'en now he waits the blood to' apply;--
Be saved, be saved by grace.