DEVOTIONAL POETRY. THE MERCIES OF AFFLICTION. O God, my God, the living God, For in the days of health my love Thou gavest youth, but in my youth From thee I went astray, Thy gift the cleansing word of truth— I kept not day by day. P Strength thou bestow'd-but with my strength I never loved thee,— Oh who can comprehend the length Of love thou hadst for me! Health, wealth, and friends thou freely gave; I counted them mine own— The friends I lov'd are in the grave, And health and wealth are flown. The sickly frame, the aching brow, These are the healing gifts which thou In Lord, bless them to me, grant that they May wean my heart from earth away K. T. "And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life." Deut. xxviii. 66. Christian! on thy sick couch laid, How did Judah in her pride Faint at sound of fallen leaf! When from faith she turn'd aside How her heart was wrung with grief! Christian! on thy sick couch laid, Then, though sickness long abide, God in anger doth not chide Ere He calls to realms above. K. T. "All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive." Matt. xxi. 22. Oft had I pray'd, believing pray'd, Yet nothing could obtain ; And in my folly, oft I said, I pray'd in youth, that I might win I pray'd for power, I pray'd for wealth; In lingering pain I pray'd for health, At the last, Wisdom spoke-" My son, Ask heavenly things-they shall be done,” The Rev. SAMUEL HINDS. When on bed of pain I lie Through the night with waking eye, And to Thee for help I cry, Hear me, O Lord! Thy kind mercy flies apace, And hear me, O Lord! When my nature lies opprest, Think not scorn of my request, But hear me, O Lord! |