CONFIRMATION.
We speak of its freedom from sin,
From sorrow, temptation, and care, From trials without and within;
But what must it be to be there? We speak of its anthems of praise,
With which we can never compare The sweetest on earth we can raise; But what must it be to be there? We speak of its service of love,
Of the robes which the glorified wear, The church of the First- born above; But what must it be to be there? Do thou, Lord, midst pleasure or woe, Still for heaven our spirits prepare; And shortly we also shall know, And feel what it is to be there.
Confirmation.
448 LORD, shall thy children come
to thee?
A boon of love divine we seek: Brought to thine arms in infancy,
Ere heart could feel, or tongue could! speak,
Thy children pray for grace, that they May come themselves to thee to- day. Lord, shall we come? and come again, Oft as we see yon table spread, And, tokens of thy dying pain,
The wine pour'd out, the broken bread? Bless, bless, O Lord, thy children's prayer,
That they may come and find thee there.
Lord, shall we come? not thus alone, At holy time, or solemn rite, But every hour till life be flown, Through weal or woe, in gloom or light,
Come to thy throne of grace, that we In faith, hope, love, confirm'd may be. Lord, shall we come? come yet again? Thy children ask one blessing more: To come, not now alone;-but then
When life, and death, and time are o'er, Then, then, to come, O Lord, and be Confirm'd in heaven, confirm'd by thee. ( 9)
449 O HAPPY day, that fix'd my
choice
450 JESUS, and shall it ever be, A mortal man ashamed of theef Ashamed of thee, whom angels praise, Whose glories shine through endless days?
On thee, my Saviour and my God; Well may this glowing heart rejoice, And tell its raptures all abroad.
O happy bond, that seals my vows To him ho merits all my love: Let cheerful anthems fill his house, While to that sacred shrine I move. Now rest my long- divided heart,
Fix'd on this blissful centre, rest: O who with earth would grudge to part, When call'd with angels to be bless'd? High heaven, that heard the solemn vow, That vow renew'd shall daily hear; Till in life's latest hour I bow,
And bless in death a bond so dear.( b)
Ashamed of Jesus,-of that Friend On whom my hopes of heaven depend? No, when I blush, be this my shame, That I no more revere his name. When I've no guilt to wash away, Ashamed of Jesus? Yes, I may No tear to wipe, no joy to crave, No fears to quell, no soul to save. Till then- nor is the boasting vainTill then I boast a Saviour slain; And O may this my portion be, That Saviour not ashamed of me.( a)
451 O JESUS, I have promised
To serve thee to the end; Be thou for ever near me, My Master and my Friend; I shall not fear the battle If thou art by my side, Nor wander from the pathway If thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel thee near me: The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, The tempting sounds I hear; My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within; But, Jesus, draw thou nearer, And shield my soul from sin. O let me hear thee speaking In accents clear and still, Above the storms of passion, The murmurs of self- will; O speak to re- assure me, To hasten, or control; O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul. O Jesus, thou hast promised To all who follow thee, That where thou art in glory, There shall thy servant be; And, Jesus, I have promised To serve thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, My Master and my Friend. O let me see thy footmarks And in them plant mine own: My hope to follow duly
Is in thy strength alone. O guide me, call me, draw me, Uphold me to the end;
And then in heaven receive me, My Saviour and my Friend.( s) 452 AWAKE, my soul, stretch every
nerve,
And press with vigour on: A heavenly race demands thy seal, And an immortal crown.
A cloud of witnesses around Hold thee in full survey: Forget the steps already trod, And onward urge thy way.