4 [Led by that we brave the ocean;
Led by that the storms defy :
Calm amidst tumultuous motion,
Knowing that our Lord is nigh.
Waves obey him,
And the storms before him fly.]
5 Render'd safe by his protection,
We shall pass the wat'ry waste;
Trusting to his wise direction,

We shall gain the port at last;
And with wonder

Think on toils and dangers past. 6 [O! what pleasures there await us!

There the tempests cease to roar: There it is that those who hate us

Can molest our peace no more.
Trouble ceases

On that tranquil happy shore.]

323 Victory secured to the Believer.

C. M.

Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: my goodness, and my fortress; my high tower and my deliverer; my shield, &c.-PSALM cxliv. 1, 2.

FOR ever blessed be the Lord,
My SAVIOUR and my shield;
He sends his Spirit with his Word,
To arm me for the field.

2 When sin and hell their force unite,
He makes my soul his care,
Instructs me to the heav'nly fight,
And guards me thro' the war.

3 A friend and helper so divine
Does my weak courage raise;
He makes the glorious vict'ry mine,
And his shall be the praise.

*324. The Backslider Returning. C.M.

Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our GOD.-JEREMIAH iii. 22.

HOW oft, alas! this wretched heart
Has wander'd from the Lord;
How oft my roving thoughts depart,
Forgetful of his word!

2 Yet sov❜reign mercy calls," Return :" Dear Lord! and may I come?

My vile ingratitude I mourn;
O take the wanderer home.

3 And canst thou, wilt thou yet forgive,
And bid my crimes remove?
And shall a pardon'd rebel live
To speak thy wond'rous love?

The Hymns to the end of the Section relate to Chris. tian Experience.

4 Almighty grace, thy healing power
How glorious, how divine!

That can to life and bliss restore
So vile a heart as mine.

5 Thy pard'ning love, so free, so sweet, With wonder I adore ;

O keep me at thy sacred feet,
And let me rove no more.

325. The Backslider Mourning.
7-6-8.

O Israel, return unto the LORD thy GOD; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.—HOSEA xiv. 1. JESUS, let thy pitying eye

Call back a wand'ring sheep;
False to thee, like Peter, I

Would fain, like Peter, weep;
Let nie be by grace restor'd,

On me be all long-suffering shown:
Turn and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone.

2 SAVIOUR, Priuce, enthron'd above,
Repentance to impart,
Give me, through thy dying love,
The humble, contrite heart:
Give, most earnestly implor'd,

A portion of thy love unknown;
Turn and look upon me, Lord,

And break my heart of stone.

3 See me, SAVIOUR, from above,
Nor suffer me to die;
Life, and happiness, and love,
Fall from thy gracious eye:
Speak the reconciling word,

And let thy merey melt me down;
Turn and look upon me, Lord,

And break my heart of stone. 4 Look, as when thy pitying eye

Was clos'd that we might live;
"Father," (at the point to die,

Thy love exclaim'd) "Forgive."
Surely with that dying word,

Thou lookest, and the work is done;
Love, thy dying love, O Lord,
Breaks e'en my heart of stone.

326. The Backslider returning. C.M.

Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and 1 will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful saith the LORD.-JEREMIAH ii. 12.

•

THE Lord is kind in all his ways,
When most they seem severe;
He frowns, and scourges, and rebukes,
That we may learn his fear.

2 With thorns he fences up our path,
And builds a wall around;

To guard us from the death, that lurks
In sin's forbidden ground.

3 Return, ye wandering souls, return;
The Lord your misery knows,
His mercy ever is the same-
A balm for all our woes.

4 Behold, O GOD! we come to thee,
Confusion veils our face;

Yet, once again, we refuge seek
In thy long-slighted grace.

327. The Backslider returning. 112th.

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.-Hos. xiv. 4.

WEARY of wand'ring from my GOD,
And now made willing to return,
I hear and bow me to the rod;

For thee not without hope I mourn; I have an advocate above,

A friend before the throne of love.

2 O JESUS! full of truth and grace,

More full of grace than I of sin; Yet once again I seek thy face,

Open the ark and take me in: And freely my backslidings heal, And love the faithless sinner still.

3 Thou know'st the way to bring me My fallen spirit to restore [back, O for thy truth and mercy's sake, Forgive, and bid me sin no more