25

EARLY PIETY.

"I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth."—1 KINGS Xviii. 12.

HAT bless'd examples do I find,

WH

Writ in the word of truth,

Of children that began to mind
Religion in their youth.

Jesus, who reigns above the sky,
And keeps the world in awe;
Was once a child as young as I,
And kept his father's law.

At twelve years old he talk'd with men,
(The Jews all wondering stand,)
Yet he obey'd his mother then,
And came at her command.

Children a sweet hosanna sung,

And bless'd their Saviour's name; They gave him honour with their tongue, While Scribes and Priests blaspheme.

Samuel, the child, was wean'd and brought,

To wait upon the Lord;

Young Timothy betimes was taught,

To know His holy word.

Then why should I so long delay
What others learnt so soon?
I would not pass another day
Without this work begun.

26

YOUTHFUL DEDICATION.

"While he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father."-2 CHRONICLES XXXIV. 3.

APPY the child whose tender years

HA

Receive instructions well;

Who hates the sinner's path, and fears
The road that leads to hell.

When we devote our youth to God,
'Tis pleasing in his eyes;

A flower, when offer'd in the bud,
Is no vain sacrifice.

'Tis easier work if we begin

To fear the Lord betimes;
While sinners that grow old in sin,
Are harden'd in their crimes.

"Twill save us from a thousand snares,
To mind religion young;

Grace will preserve our following years,
And make our virtue strong.

To thee, Almighty God, to thee,
Our childhood we resign;

"Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.

Let the sweet work of prayer and praise
Employ our youngest breath:
Thus we're prepared for longer days,
Or fit for early death.

27 THE HOLY SPIRIT'S GUIDANCE.

"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me."

PSALM xliii. 3.

HOME, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove,

COME,

With light and comfort from above: Be thou our guardian, thou our guide; O'er every thought and step preside.

The light of truth to us display,

And make us know and choose thy way:

Plant holy fear in every heart,

That we from God may not depart.

Lead us to holiness, the road

That we must take to dwell with God;
Lead us to Christ, the living way,

Nor let us from his precepts stray.

Lead us to God, our final rest,

To be with Him for ever blest :
Lead us to heaven, its joys to share,
Fulness of joy for ever there.

28

THE PRAYER OF YOUTH.

"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth."-PSALM lxxi. 17.

OW,

Now, in my early days,

Teach me thy will to know;
O God, thy sanctifying grace,
Betimes on me bestow.

Make an unguarded youth,
The object of thy care;

Help me to choose the way of truth,
And flee from ev'ry snare.

My heart, to folly prone,

Renew by power divine :

Unite it to thyself alone,

And make me wholly thine.

Oh, let thy word of grace,

My warmest thoughts employ :
Be this through all my future days,
My treasure and my joy.

May thy young servants learn,
By it to cleanse their way;
And there the sacred path discern,
Which leads to endless day.

29 HEBREW CHILDREN'S TRUST.

"Thou art my trust from my youth."-PSALM lxxi. 5.

L

ORD, we are come, of Israel's race,
Preserv'd by thy paternal care,

To offer, at the throne of grace,

Our grateful notes of praise and pray'r.

Though we are taught to read thy word,
Though we are bid to seek thy face,
Still thou must shine upon us, Lord,
Thou must direct us by thy grace.

Jesus, in faith we look to thee,

The giver of each good desire ;

Our friends are gen'rous, kind, and free,
'Tis thou who dost their hearts inspire.

Receive our thanks for ev'ry good,

For blessings temp'ral and divine;

O may our spirits be renew'd,

May soul and body, Lord, be thine!