2 Pray'r makes the darken'a cloud withdraw; 3 Restraining pray'r-we cease to fight; 5 Were half the breath thus vainly spent, Your cheerful song would oft'ner be, "Hear what the Lord hath done for me!" Importunate. Luke xviii. 1-7. 1 JESUS, who knows full well 2 He bows his gracious ear- He bids us never give him rest, And never faint in pray'r: He sees, he hears, and from on high, HYMN 288. C. M. Montgomery. Clarendon. Brighton. Behold he prayeth. Acts ix. 11. 1 PRAY'R is the soul's sincere desire, Unutter'd or express'd, The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast. 2 Pray'r is the burden of a sigh, The upward glancing of an eye, 3 Pray'r is the simplest form of speech That infant lios can try; Pray'r the sublimest strains that reach 4 Pray'r is the Christian's vital breath, The Christian's native air, His watchword at the gate of death-- 5 Pray'r is the contrite sinner's voice While angels in their songs rejoice, And say, HYMN 289. L. M. Bath. Blendon. Hart. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thes. v. 17. 1 PRAY'R was appointed to convey The blessings God designs to give; Long as they live should Christians pray, For only while they pray they live. 2 If pain afflict, or wrongs oppress― If cares distract or fears dismayIf guilt deject-if sin distress, The remedy's before thee-pray. 3 'Tis pray'r supports the soul that's weak; Tho' thought be broken-language lame; Pray, if thou canst, or canst not speak, But pray with faith in Jesus' name. HYMN 290. L. M. Doddridge. Truro. Bath. Family worship. Gen. xviii. 19. 1 FATHER of all, thy care we bless, Which crowns our families with peace; From thee they spring, and by thy hand, They have been, and are still sustain'd. 2 To God, most worthy to be prais'd, Be our domestic altars rais'd; Who, Lord of heav'n, scorns not to dwell With saints, in their obscurest cell. 3 To thee may each united house, Morning and night present its vows; Our servants there, and rising race, Be taught thy precepts and thy grace. 4 Oh, may each future age proclaim The honors of thy glorious name; While pleas'd and thankful, we remove To join the family above. HYMN 291. S. M. Hoskins. Maryland. Little Marlboro'. Formal. Job xxvii. 8. 1 RELIGION'S form is vain, 2 Now he may credit gain, 4 Lord, search and know my heart, And bid hypocrisy depart, And keep my conscience clear. 1 HYMN 292. C. M. Doddridge. Abridge. Christmas. Ministers watch for souls. Heb. xiii. 17. 1 LET Zion's watchmen all awake, And take th' alarm they give; Now let them, from the mouth of God, Their awful charge receive. 2 'Tis not a cause of small import But what might fill an angel's heart- 3 They watch for souls, for which the Lord Did heav'nly bliss forego; For souls, which must for ever live, 4 May they that Jesus, whom they preach Their own Redeemer, see; And watch thou daily o'er their souls, HYMN 293. H. M. Doddridge. Bethesda. Eagle Street. A sweet savor. 2 Cor. ii. 15, 16. 1 PRAISE to the Lord on high, Is breath'd on every side: |