Chapter XII · (continued 2)
Reading edition
"'Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.' Psalm 10:17.
"'Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.'
"'Thou shalt also consider in thy heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.' Deut. 8:2-6.
"'Thou, God, seest me.' Gen. 16:13.
"'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us to the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved; in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.' Eph. 1:3-12.
"'God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved,) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast; for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Now therefore ye,' Gentiles, 'are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.' Eph. 2:4, etc. 'I,' Paul, 'bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.' Eph. 3:14-21.
"'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. That we may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth' — ministers and people in the use of all appointed means — 'according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love.' Eph. 4:1, etc.
"'I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.' John 15:5, 7.
"'And Moses said, The Lord heareth your murmurings that ye murmur against him; and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord. And Moses said, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat. And the children of Israel did eat manna until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.' Exodus 16.
"'I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.' John 6:51, etc.
"'For of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.' 1 Cor. 1:30.
"'Seeing then that we have a great High-priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a High-priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.' Heb. 4:14. 'For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: and they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.' Heb. 8:10-13.
"'This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life.' 1 John 5:11, 12. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.' 2 Cor. 9:15.
"'Truly my soul waiteth upon God; from him cometh my salvation. He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from him: he only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God.' Psa. 62:1-7."
REST.
"'Thus the heavens and the earth were finished: and on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made, and he rested the seventh day from all his work which he had made; and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it he had rested from all his work that he had created and made.' Genesis 2:1-3.
"'And Moses said, To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord. So the people rested on the seventh day.' Exodus 16:23, 30.
"'And the women followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.' Luke 23:55, 56.
"Christ rested in the tomb of Joseph the last Sabbath under the law; but the evening and the morning were the first day. On that morning he closed his work of humiliation, manifested his victory over death — the curse denounced — by rising from the tomb, and rested on the first day of the week from all his humiliation work; his death, burial, and rest in the grave on the seventh day being the last part of that work."
__________ "My God, thy service well demands The remnant of my days: Why is this feeble life preserved, But to repeat thy praise? "Thine arms of everlasting love Do this weak frame sustain, While life is hovering o'er the grave, And nature sinks with pain. "Thou, when the pains of death assail, Wilt chase the fears of hell, And teach my pale and quivering lips Thy matchless grace to tell. "Calmly I'll lay my fainting head On thy dear faithful breast: Pleased to obey my Father's call To his eternal rest. "Into thy hands, my Saviour God, Do I my soul resign, In firm dependence on that truth That made salvation mine."
__________ THE INWARD WARFARE. "Strange and mysterious is my life; What opposites I feel within: A stable peace, a constant strife, The rule of grace, the power of sin. Too often I am captive led, Yet daily triumph in my Head. "I prize the privilege of prayer; But O, what backwardness to pray: Though on the Lord I cast my care, I feel its burden every day. I seek his will in all I do, Yet find my own is working too. "I call the promises mine own, And prize them more than mines of gold; Yet, though their sweetness I have known, They leave me unimpressed and cold. One hour upon the truth I feed; The next, I know not what I read. "I love the holy day of rest, When Jesus meets his gathered saints: Sweet day, of all the week the best, For its return my spirit pants; Yet often, through my unbelief, It proves a day of guilt and grief. "While on my Saviour I rely, I know my foes shall lose their aim; And therefore dare their power defy, Assured of conquest through his name; But soon my confidence is slain, And all my fears return again. "Thus different powers within me strive, And death and sin by turns prevail. I grieve, rejoice, decline, revive, And victory hangs in doubtful scale; But Jesus has his promise passed, That grace shall overcome at last."
__________ FLESH AND SPIRIT. "What different powers of grace and sin Attend our mortal state: I hate the thoughts that work within, Yet do the works I hate. "Now I complain, and groan, and die, While sin and Satan reign; Now raise my songs of triumph high, For grace prevails again. "So darkness struggles with the light, Till perfect day arise; Water and fire maintain the fight, Until the weaker dies. "Thus will the flesh and spirit strive, And vex and break my peace; But I shall quit this mortal life, And sin for ever cease."
__________ "Join all the names of love and power That ever men or angels bore; All are too mean to speak his worth, Or set Emmanuel's glory forth. "But O, what condescending ways He takes to teach his heavenly grace: Mine eyes, with joy and wonder, see What forms of love he bears for me. "The Angel of the covenant stands, With his commission in his hands; Sent from his Father's milder throne, To make his great salvation known. "Great Prophet, let me bless thy name; By thee the joyful tidings came, Of wrath appeased and sins forgiven, Of hell subdued, and peace with heaven. "My bright Example, and my Guide, I would be walking by thy side; Oh, let me never run astray, Nor follow the forbidden way. "I love my Shepherd, he shall keep My wandering soul among his sheep; He feeds his flock, he tells their names, And in his bosom bears the lambs. "My Surety undertakes my cause, Answering his Father's broken laws: Behold my soul at freedom set, My Surety paid the dreadful debt. "Jesus, my great High-priest, has died, I seek no sacrifice beside; His blood did once for all atone, And now it pleads before the throne. "My Advocate appears on high, The Father lays his thunders by; Not all that earth or hell can say, Shall turn my Father's heart away. "My Lord, my Conqueror, and my King, Thy sceptre and thy sword I sing; Thine is the victory, and I sit A joyful subject at thy feet. "Aspire, my soul, to glorious deeds, The Captain of salvation leads; March on, nor fear to win the day, Though death and hell obstruct thy way. "Though death and hell, and powers unknown, Put all their forms of mischief on, I shall be safe, for Christ displays Salvation in more sovereign ways."
__________ "Be this my one great business here, With holy trembling, holy fear, To make my calling sure; Thine utmost counsel to fulfil, And suffer all thy righteous will, And to the end endure. "Then, Saviour, then my soul receive, Transported from this vale, to live, And reign with thee above: Where faith is sweetly lost in sight, And hope in full supreme delight, And everlasting love."
__________ "Hush, my distrustful heart, And cease to flow, my tears; For greater, Lord, thou art Than all my doubts and fears. Did Jesus once upon me shine? Then Jesus is for ever mine. "Unchangeable his will, Whatever be my frame: My Saviour's heart is still Eternally the same. My soul through many changes goes, His love no variation knows. "Thou, Lord, wilt carry on, And perfectly perform, The work thou hast begun In me, vile sinful worm. Mine own self-will brings grief and woe, But Jesus will not let me go. "The bowels of thy grace, At first did freely move; And still I see thy face, And feel that God is love. Into thine arms my soul I cast; By sovereign mercy saved at last. "The Priest and Ark now move To Jordan's gulfy strand; Come now in covenant love, Take firm thy promised stand: Only to me thy countenance show, I ask no more the Jordan through."
__________ "Come, let us join our cheerful songs With angels round the throne; Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, But all their joys are one. "Worthy the Lamb that died, they cry, To be exalted thus; Worthy the Lamb, our souls reply, For he was slain for us. "Jesus is worthy to receive Honor and power divine; And blessings, more than we can give, Be, Lord, for ever thine. "The whole creation join in one, To bless the sacred name Of Him that sits upon the throne, And to adore the Lamb."
__________ "Give me the wings of faith, to rise Within the veil, and see The saints above, how great their joys, How bright their glories be. "Once they were mourners here below, And wet their couch with tears; They wrestled hard, as we do now, With sins, and doubts, and fears. "I ask them whence their victory came: They, with united breath, Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, Their triumph to his death. "They marked the footsteps that he trod; His zeal inspired their breast; And following their incarnate God, Possessed the promised rest. "Our glorious Leader claims our praise, For his own pattern given; While the long cloud of witnesses Show the same path to heaven."
__________ "With heart and hands, and lifted eyes, I'll praise thee while I've life and breath; And, while my loosened spirit flies, I'll gasp thy praise in very death. "Faith fain would say, in cheerful mood, Thy name be glorified, By leading through the swelling flood, Or through the channel dried. "If grace in time of need I have, And strength as is my day, I'll triumph through the foaming wave, As through the side-walled way."
__________ "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath; And when my voice is lost in death, Praise shall employ my noblest powers; My days of praise shall ne'er be past, "While life and thought and being last. And immortality endures."
__________ "My God, indulge my humble claim; Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest; The glories that compose thy name Stand all engaged to make me blest. "Thou great and good, thou just and wise, Thou art my Father and my God; And I am thine by sacred ties, Thy child, thy servant, bought with blood. "With heart, and eyes, and lifted hands, For thee I long, to thee I look; As travellers in thirsty lands Pant for the cooling water-brook."
__________ "Jesus, the weary wanderer's rest, Give grace thy sovereign will to bear; With steadfast patience arm my breast, With holy love and lowly fear. "Thankful, I take the cup from thee, Prepared and mingled by thy skill; Though bitter to the taste it be, It has a sovereign power to heal. "Be thou a Rock of ages nigh; My savéd soul on thee alone Shall safely rest, and fears shall fly, As clouds before the mid-day sun. "Speak to my troubled conscience peace; Say to my trembling heart, Be still; My power thy strength and fortress is. Amen, to all thy sovereign will. "O Death, where is thy sting? where now Thy boasted victory, O grave? Who shall contend with God, or who Condemn whom he delights to save."
__________ "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer's ear: It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear. "It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast; 'Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary, rest. "Dear Name, the Rock on which I build, My Shield and Hiding-place; My never failing Treasury, filled With boundless stores of grace: "Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, My Prophet, Priest, and King, My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring. "Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought; But when I see thee as thou art, I'll praise thee as I ought. "Till then I would thy love proclaim With every fleeting breath; And may the music of thy name Refresh my soul in death."
__________ "Amazing grace! how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me: I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved: How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. "Through many dangers, toils, and snares, Already I have come: 'Twas grace that brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. "Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace." A swelling Jordan rolls between — A timid pilgrim, I; But grace shall order all the scene, And Christ himself be nigh. He shall roll back the foaming wave, Command the channel dry; No sting has death, no victory grave? With Jesus in my eye. "Come, thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of endless praise. "Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above; Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it — Mount of God's unchanging love. "Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by thy help I'm come, And I hope, by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. "Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to save my soul from danger, Interposed with precious blood. "Oh, to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be: Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to thee. "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here's my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it from thy courts above."
__________ Eternal God, I bless thy name, The same thy power, thy grace the same; The tokens of thy friendly care Open and crown and close the year. I mid ten thousand dangers stand, Supported by thy gracious hand; And see, when I survey thy ways, Ten thousand monuments of grace. Thus far thine arm has led me on; Thus far I make thy mercy known; And while I tread this desert land, New mercies shall new songs demand. My grateful soul on Jordan's shore Shall raise one sacred pillar more; Then bear, in thy bright courts above, Inscriptions of immortal love.
__________ No works to rest upon have I, No boast of moral dignity; If e'er I lisp a song of praise, Grace is the note my soul shall raise. 'Twas grace that quickened me when dead; 'Twas grace my soul to Jesus led, Grace brings me pardon for my sin, And grace subdues my lusts within. 'Tis grace that sweetens every cross, 'Tis grace supports in every loss; In Jesus' grace my soul is strong, Grace is my hope, and Christ my song. Thus, 'tis alone of grace I boast, And 'tis alone in grace I trust: For all that's past, grace is my theme, For what's to come 'tis still the same. And when I come to Jordan's shore, I'll raise one Ebenezer more; Th' ark of the covenant in my view, I'll sing of grace the Jordan through.
__________ "Is this the kind return, Are these the thanks we owe — Thus to abuse eternal love, Whence all our blessings flow? "To what a stubborn frame Has sin reduced our mind! What strange rebellious wretches we, And God as strangely kind! "Turn, turn us, mighty God! And mould our souls afresh; Break, sovereign grace, these hearts of stone, And give us hearts of flesh. "Let past ingratitude Provoke our weeping eyes; And hourly, as new mercies fall, Let hourly thanks arise."
__________ "O the sweet wonders of that cross, Where Christ my Saviour loved and died; Her noblest life my spirit draws, From his dear wounds and bleeding side. "I would for ever speak his name, In sounds to mortal ears unknown; With angels join to praise the Lamb, And worship at his Father's throne."
__________ "Jesus, the vision of thy face Hath overpowering charms; Scarce shall I feel death's cold embrace, If Christ be in my arms."
__________ "O glorious hour! O blest abode! I shall be near and like my God; And flesh and sin no more control The sacred pleasures of my soul." "When in death's gloomy vale I tread, With joy e'en there I'll lift my head; From fear and dread he'll keep me free, His rod and staff shall comfort me."
__________ "Jesus, to thy dear faithful hand My naked soul I trust; My flesh but waits for thy command, To drop into the dust."
__________ "Before we quite forsake our clay, Or leave this dark abode, The wings of love bear us away To see our smiling God."
__________ "O make it true, my Saviour God; Raise me all fears above; And when I think on Jesus' blood, Let my last pulse beat love."
__________ "O for an overcoming faith, To cheer my dying hours; To triumph o'er the monster Death, And all his frightful powers. "Joyful, with all the strength I have, My quivering lips should sing, 'Where is thy boasted victory, Grave, And where the monster's sting?' "If sin be pardoned, I'm secure; Death has no sting beside; The law gives sin its damning power, But Christ, my Ransom, died. "Now to the God of victory, Immortal thanks be paid; Who makes us conquerors while we die, Through Christ, our living Head."
__________ All mortal vanities be gone, Nor tempt mine eyes, nor tire mine ears; Behold, amidst the eternal throne, A vision of the Lamb appears. All the assembling saints around, Fall worshipping before the Lamb; And in new songs of gospel sound, Address their honors to his name. Our voices join the heavenly strain, And with transporting pleasure sing, Worthy the Lamb that once was slain, Our blessed Prophet, Priest, and King. Thou hast redeemed our souls from hell, With thine invaluable blood; And wretches, that did once rebel, Are now made fav'rites of their God. Worthy for ever is the Lord, That died for treasons not his own, By every tongue to be adored, And dwell upon his Father's throne.
__________ THE NEW TESTAMENT IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. "The promise of my Father's love, Shall stand for ever good; He said, and gave his soul to death, And sealed it with his blood. "To this dear covenant of thy word, I set my worthless name; I seal the engagement of the Lord, And make my humble claim. "The light, and strength, and pardoning grace, And glory shall be mine; My life and soul, my heart and flesh, And all my powers are thine. "I call that legacy mine own, Which Jesus did bequeath; 'Twas purchased with a dying groan, And ratified in death. "Sweet is the memory of His name, Who blessed us in his will: And to his testament of love Made his own life the seal. "To him that washed me in his blood, Be everlasting praise; Salvation, honor, glory, power, Eternal as his days."
__________ "Blest be the Father, and his love, To which celestial source we owe Rivers of endless joys above, And rills of comfort here below. "Glory to the great Son of God; From his dear wounded body rolls A precious stream of vital blood, Pardon and life for dying souls. "We give thee, sacred Spirit, praise, Who in our hearts of sin and woe Mak'st living springs of grace arise, And into boundless glory flow. "Thus God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, we adore; The sea of life and love unknown, Without a bottom or a shore."
__________ "Let me but hear my Saviour say, Strength shall be equal to thy day; Then I rejoice in deep distress, Leaning on all-sufficient grace. "I glory in infirmity, That Christ's own power may rest on me: When I am weak, then am I strong; Grace is my shield, and Christ my song. "I can do all things, or can bear All sufferings, if my Lord be there; Sweet pleasures mingle with the pains, While his strong hand my head sustains. "Faith has an overcoming power, It triumphs in the dying hour; Christ is our life, our joy, our hope, Nor can we sink with such a prop."
__________ "Jesus, I love thy charming name, 'Tis music to mine ear; Fain would I sound it out so loud That heaven and earth should hear. "Yes, thou art precious to my soul, My transport and my trust; My Saviour, Shepherd, Husband, Friend, No other good I boast. "All my capacious powers can wish, In thee doth richly meet; Not to mine eye is light so dear, Nor friendship half so sweet. "Thy grace still dwells upon my heart, And sheds its fragrance there: The noblest balm of all my wounds, The cordial of my care. "I'll speak the honors of thy name With my last faltering breath; Then speechless clasp thee in my arms, The antidote of death."
__________ "Grace, 'tis a charming sound, Harmonious to my ear; Heaven with the echo shall resound, And all the earth shall hear. "Grace first contrived the way To save rebellious man; And all the steps that grace display, Which drew the wondrous plan. "Grace taught my wandering feet To tread the heavenly road; And new supplies each hour I meet, While pressing on to God. "Grace all the work shall crown, Through everlasting days; It lays in heaven the topmost stone, And well deserves the praise."
__________ "My God, the spring of all my joys, The life of my delights, The glory of my brightest days, And comfort of my nights: "In darkest shades, if thou appear, My dawning is begun; Thou art my soul's sweet Morning-star, And thou my rising Sun. "The opening heavens around me shine With beams of sacred bliss, While Jesus shows his heart is mine, And whispers I am his. "My soul would leave this heavy clay, At that transporting word; Run up with joy the shining way, T' embrace my dearest Lord. "Fearless of hell and ghastly death, I'd break through every foe; The wings of love, and arms of faith, Should bear me conqueror through."
__________ "Backward with humble shame I look, On my original; How is my nature dashed and broke, In our first father's fall. "To all that's good averse and blind, But prone to all that's ill; What dreadful darkness veils my mind, How obstinate my will. "Conceived in sin: O wretched state; Before I drew my breath, My first young pulse began to beat Iniquity and death. "How strong in my degenerate blood The old corruption reigns; And mingling with the crooked flood, Wanders through all my veins. "Yet, mighty God, thy wondrous love Can make my nature clean; While Christ and grace prevail above The tempter, death, and sin. "The second Adam shall restore The ruins of the first; Hosanna to that sovereign power, That new-creates our dust."
__________ JORDAN.* Joshua 1:11, chapter 3; Psalm 23:4; 73:24. *The three following effusions by Mrs. Graham, constituting a part of her "Provision," were found in a separate paper after her funeral sermon was preached. The hymn of Newton which she had annexed to the first, was selected by Dr. Mason and sung on that occasion; and the circumstances described at the beginning of the third, page 434, occurred at her death, as narrated in the memoir, though the existence of this paper was then unknown. The solemn hour, my soul, draws near, The holy ark and priests appear; They forward move to Jordan's flood, The type, thou knowest, thy covenant God. The signal too to thee is known; Obey, remove, and follow on; The ark appears, thy hallowed guide; Shrink not, but face the rolling tide. The waves toss high their foaming heads, But can'st thou perish? Jesus leads. This way before I ne'er did pass, But Jesus thy forerunner has. When all its banks it overflowed, All nature wrapt in midnight cloud; While darkness held its awful power, And all God's billows passed him o'er. The waves for him must not divide, Deep calls to deep on every side; Around his head the surges roll, And rush into his inmost soul. He was the sufferer in my stead, The curse for sin lay on his head; The law's demands came like a flood, My Surety met them with his blood. Till every tittle had been paid, Till due atonement had been made, No beam appeared of heavenly grace, A cloud concealed his Father's face. From brim to bottom he drank up Of wrath the deep mysterious cup; This Jordan passed, he rose on high, And captive led captivity. Justice now fully satisfied, The law now honored, magnified, At God's right hand he takes his place, Executor of covenant grace. Crowned by Jehovah's firm decree With universal sovereignty, All nature owns his powerful sway — He speaks, the elements obey. The emblem then thou may'st pursue, And safely pass this Jordan through; The priests but touch the watery space, When, lo, the floods desert their place. They gather up upon a heap, Leave dry the channel of the deep; The ark and priests there take their stand, And beckon thee to leave the land. I come, my best Beloved, I come; Now lead me to our Father's home; On thy dear person fix mine eye, And faith firm footing shall supply. I fear no ill while thou art near; But let thy voice salute my ear, Should spirits faint and 'scape the sigh, With these sweet words, "Fear not; 'tis I." With courage fresh my soul shall tread On faith's firm ground where thou dost lead; While still upon thy gracious face My steady eye maintains its place. And now, my Joshua, choose, and lay The stones in Jordan's middle way; Let them o'ertop the flowing wave, Memorial of thy power to save. For, once a suit I did prefer, With feeble hope and trembling fear, That I might have a Pisgah view, In Jordan's swells, of Canaan new. Thy softened glory let me see, Then cause thy face to shine on me; And tune my heart, and tune my voice, And language furnish to rejoice. That all around may lend their tongue, And sweetly join my dying song; Then, Newton, saved by grace like me, We'll sing of sovereign grace with thee.
__________ *"Let us love, and sing, and wonder, Let us praise the Saviour's name; He has hushed the law's loud thunder, He has quenched mount Sinai's flame; He has washed us in his blood, He has brought us nigh to God. *Olney Hymns, 82, book 3. "Let us love the Lord who bought us, Pitied us when enemies; Called us by his grace, and taught us; Gave us ears, and gave us eyes: He has wafted us in his blood, He presents our souls to God. "Let us sing, though strong temptation Threaten hard to bear us down: For the Lord, our strong salvation, Holds in view the conqueror's crown, He who washed us in his blood, Soon shall bring us home to God. "Let us wonder, grace and justice Join and point to mercy's store; When through grace, in Christ our trust is, Justice smiles, and asks no more. He who washed us in his blood, Has secured our way to God. "Let us praise, and join the chorus Of the saints enthroned on high; Here they trusted him before us, Now their praises fill the sky. Thou hast washed us in thy blood, Thou art worthy, Lamb of God. "Hark, the name of Jesus sounded Loud from golden harps above; On that rock our hopes are founded; Sovereign grace, and sovereign love. We shall conquer through his blood, Kings and priests be made to God." NEWTON.
__________ HEAVEN. To be where thou my Saviour art, To see, and be conformed to thee, Perfect in holiness this heart; This; this is heaven itself to me. To see thee in thy glory, Lord, Thy Father's glory and thy own; The eternal, the incarnate Word, Adored upon his Father's throne. To see as seen, to know as known, My Saviour in my flesh and blood; To be made like him, with him one, I in him, and he in God. The holy, holy, holy One, Who was, and is, and is to come, The earth his footstool, heaven his throne, The church his bride, he her Bridegroom. Angels and elders, earth and heaven, Are summoned to unseal the book; But silent all, no answer given, None worthy found therein to look. But Judah's Lion, David's Son, And David's Root, the great I AM, Appears upon his Father's throne, As slain for sacrifice, the Lamb. He takes the book he can unseal; He worthy is, and he has power God's secret counsels to reveal, And to fulfil each in its hour. The heavenly host united fall In humble worship at his feet; One glorious theme inspires them all, The joy is full, the concert sweet. New odors to the throne ascend, In accents new their praises soar; Each finds in each a glowing friend, And all the God of all adore. And shall I join that prostrate throng, In love's ecstatic heaven-taught lays, With powers expanded, that new song Hymn to the Lamb's exalted praise? "Worthy art thou to take the book, And loose the seals, and read therein, God's holy mysteries to unlock; Worthy art thou, for thou wast slain. "Thou hast redeemed us with thy blood, From every nation of the earth; And made us kings and priests to God, And sharers of a heavenly birth." Myriads of angels stand around, Uniting in the loud acclaim; And fill the temple with the sound Of our Redeemer's gentle name. "Worthy the Lamb that once was slain, A sacrifice for every sin, All power and glory to obtain, And universal empire win." Heaven, earth, and sea shall swell the tone Of fervent universal praise; And grateful joy around the throne, Its voice from age to age shall raise. In all these myriads, is there one Who had on earth so much forgiven? And shall I reach their highest tone Of love to Jesus? THIS IS HEAVEN. And when this breast to heave shall cease, And heart and lungs are hushed to peace, Some friendly hand the eyelids close, And leave the clay to short repose. Still on your knees be thanks expressed, According as the Lord has blessed; This tongue, then mute, can now foretell Jesus shall have done all things well. Should the great Sovereign will it so, That I in secret with him go, 'T will be enough that He stands by, He all my wants will well supply. Upon his dear, his faithful breast, My heart and head shall safely rest; The fluttering pulse and bursting sigh, He'll soothe with, "Fear not; it is I." Into his hands my spirit I'll breathe, Inhaling life from him in death; Though none should see, faith can foretell My Jesus shall do all things well. Though he deny my half-formed prayer, Well may I cast on Him my care; All things are mine, or life or death; In praise of Him I'll spend my breath. Be this my only wish beside, That God's great name be glorified, What me concerns faith can foretell, My Jesus shall do all things well.
__________ WIDOWHOOD. WRITTEN IN THE ISLAND OF ANTIGUA SHORTLY AFTER DR. GRAHAM'S DEATH. PART I. Hail; thou state of widowhood, State of those that mourn to God; Who, from earthly comforts torn, Only live to pray and mourn. Meanest of the number, I For my dear companion sigh; Patiently my loss deplore, Mourn for one that mourns no more. Me my consort hath outrun, Out of sight he quite has gone; He his course has finished here, First come to the sepulchre. Following on with earnest haste, Till my mourning days are past, I my partner's steps pursue, I shall soon be happy too; Find the ease for which I pant, Gain the only good I want; Quietly lay down my head, Sink into my earthy bed. There my flesh shall rest in hope, Till the quickened dust mount up, When to glorious life I'll rise, To meet my husband in the skies.
PART II. Happy they who trust in Jesus, Jesus turns our loss to gain; Still his balmy mercies ease us, Sweeten all our grief and pain. When he calls our friends t' inherit All the glories of the blest, He assures the widowed spirit, "Thou shalt quickly be at rest." Though my flesh and spirit languish, Let me not too much complain; Sure at last t' outlive my anguish, Sure to find my friend again. Ransomed from a world of sorrow, He to-day is taken home; I shall be released to-morrow — Come, my dear Redeemer, come. From my sanctified distresses, Now, or when thou wilt, receive; Grant with him in thine embraces, After all my deaths, to live.
PART III. Hail, holy, holy, holy Lord, Mysterious Three in One! For ever be thy name adored, Thy will for ever done. For this alone on earth I wait, To glorify my God; And suffer, since thou will'st, the state Of sacred widowhood. And may I, in thy strength, fulfil My awful character; And prove thine acceptable will, And do thy pleasure here; The children to thyself restore, Whom thou to me hast given; And rule my house with all my power, And train them up for heaven. Be this my hospitable care: The stranger to receive, The burden of thy church to bear, And all their wants relieve; My labor of unwearied love With pleasure to repeat, My faith unto thy saints to prove, And gladly wash their feet. The servant of thy servants bless With active earnest zeal; And every work of righteousness I shall with joy fulfil.
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Occasioned by viewing the portrait of Mrs. Graham, prefixed to the first edition of her memoir. By the late Mrs. Margaret Brown, daughter of Rev. Dr. John Mason.
While in this faded form I trace The features which I loved so well, Remembrance brings each mental grace Within its hallowed shrine to dwell. For I have seen that darkened eye In all the fire of genius roll, With eagle-gaze explore the sky, Or with a keener glance descry The secret workings of the soul. And I have seen this pallid cheek Suffused with feeling's richest glow; And virtue's brightest halo deck With sacred charms these locks of snow. And on these lips in silence closed, With rapt attention oft I hung, And heard those wondrous truths disclosed Which sages taught or seraphs sung. And I have known this withered hand Extended wide the poor to bless; And this contracted breast expand With generous schemes to aid distress. And now, though far removed from earth And every scene of mortal pain, This dear memorial of her worth Shall many a drooping heart sustain. Still shall it dry the widow's tear, The hapless orphan's want supply, Guide to a blessed asylum here, And point to happier realms on high. My father's friend — how poor the praise, By his unworthy offspring given, Who thus records, in humble lays, What angels registered in heaven. FRANKFORT, Kentucky, August, 1816.
One hundred dollars was paid by John W. Hamersley, Esq. of New York, towards perpetuating this volume.