565
S.M. 8 lines.
I will both search My sheep, and seek them out.Ezek. 34. 11.
1 I WAS& wandering sheep,
I did not love the fold;
I did not love my Shepherd's voice, I woul
not be controlled:
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INFANTS' WORSHIP: PRAYER.
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I was a wayward child,
I did not love my home,
I did not love my Father's voice,
I loved afar to roam.
The Shepherd sought His sheep, The Father sought His child; They followed me o'er vale and hill, O'er deserts waste and wild: They found me nigh to death, Famished, and faint, and lone; They bound me with the bands of love, They saved the wandering one.
They spoke in tender love,
They raised my drooping head,
They gently closed my bleeding wounds, My fainting soul they fed:
They washed my filth away,
They made me clean and fair; They brought me to my home in peace, The long- sought wanderer.
Jesus my Shepherd is,
' Twas He that loved my soul,
' Twas He that washed me in His blood, ' Twas He that made me whole: ' Twas He that sought the lost, That found the wandering sheep; ' Twas He that brought me to the fold, ' Tis He that still doth keep.
I was a wandering sheep,
I would not be controlled;
But now I love my Shepherd's voice,
I love, I love the fold:
I was a wayward child,
I once preferred to roam;
But now I love my Father's voice ,
I love, I love His home.
H. BONAR.
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77.77.77.
In Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple -Psa. 5. 7..
1 FATHER, when I bend the knee,
Night and morn in prayer to Thee,
While my little hands I fold, Shut my eyes as I am told, Many times the words I say While my heart far away.
2 I forget that Thou art near, Waiting my request to hear; Grieved I should so heedless be Of Thine awful majesty. Pardon, Lord, Thy little child, Cleanse my heart, by sin defiled.
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3 Plant within, Thy holy fear; Make me know Thee very near; Teach me reverently to kneel; Cause me all my need to feel: Thankful Thou hast bid me pray, And hast taught me what to say.
4 For my Saviour's sake I ask, Let not worship seem a task; Make me love to praise and pray More than all my childish play; And from henceforth never dare Mock Thee with a heartless prayer. JANE E. LEESON.
567
C.M.
He giveth grace unto the lowly.- Prov. 3. 34.
1 WILL God, who made the earth and sea, The night and shining day,
Regard a little child like me,
And listen when I pray?
2 If I am hungry, poor, and cold, Then will He hear my cry? And when I shall be sick and old, Oh, then will God be nigh?
3 Yes; in His holy word we read Of His unfailing love;
And when His mercy most we need, His mercy He will prove.
4 To those who seek Him He is near, He looks upon the heart;
And from the humble and sincere He never will depart.
568
C.M.
The Lord will hear when I call unto Him.- Psa. 4. 8
1 GOD is in heaven. Can He hear
A little prayer like mine?.
Yes, that He can; I need not fear: He'll listen unto mine.