MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS. My headstrong will, and every sinful thought. In silent shades retie'd 1 long to dwell, Far from the tumults of the busy world, And all the sounds of mirth and clamorous joy, 'Till every stormy passion is subdu'd, And God has full possession of my soul ; 'Till all my wishes centre in hiswill, And t no more am fetter'd to the world ; 'Till all the business of my life is praise, And my full heart o'erflows with heav'uly love While all created beauties lose their charms, And God is all in all. 427 3. A Midnight Hymn. TO thee, all glorious, ever - blessed pow'r, I consecrate this silent midnight. hour, While solemn darkness covers o'er the sky, And all things wrapp'd in gentle slumbers lie ; Unwearied let me praise thy holy name, And ev'ry thought with gratitude inflame, For the rich mercies which thy hands impart, Health to my flesh, and comfort to my heart. O may my prayers before thy throne arise, An humble but accepted sacrifice ! And when thou shalt my weary eyelids close, And to my body grant a soft repose, May my ethereal Guardian kindly spread His wings, and from the tempter screen my head ! Grant of celestial light some piercing beams, To bless my sleep and sanctify my dreams. 4. The dying Christian's Hope. WHEN faint, and sinking to the shades of death, I gasp, with pain for ev'ry lab'ring breath, O may my soul bysome blest foretaste know That she's deliver'd frometernal woe! May hope in Christ dispel each gloomy fear, And thoughts like these my drooping spirits chear. What tho' my sins are of a crimson stain, My Saviour's blood can wash me white again : Tho' numerous as the twinkling stars they be, Or sands along the margin of the sea ; Or as smooth pebbles on some beach), shore, The mercies of th' Almighty still are more: He looks upon my soul with pitying eyes, Sees all my fears, and listens to my cries: Ile knows the frailty of each human breast, What passions our unguarded hearts molest, And for the sake of his dear dying Son, Will pardonál1 the ills that 1 have done. Arm'd with so bright a hope, I shall not fear To see my death hourly approach more near ; But my faith strength'ning as my life decays, My dying breath shall mount to heav'n in praise. The company was not a little charmed with the unaffected air of piety and devotion which runs through all these Odes, and pronounced the pen which wrote Eusehia's character guiltless of E e2
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