Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 61

368. C. M. Doddridge.

The Christian Race.

1 Awake, my soul! stretch every nerve, And press with vigor on; A heavenly race demands thy zeal, And an immortal crown.

2 A cloud of witnesses around Hold thee in full survey; Forget the steps already trod, And onward urge thy way.

3 'T is G.o.d's all-animating voice That calls thee from on high; 'T is his own hand presents the prize To thine aspiring eye;--

4 That prize with peerless glories bright, Which shall new l.u.s.tre boast, When victors' wreaths and monarchs' gems Shall blend in common dust.

369. C. M. Watts.

Christian Courage and Self-denial.

1 Am I a soldier of the cross, A follower of the Lamb?

And shall I fear to own his cause, Or blush to speak his name?

2 Must I be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through b.l.o.o.d.y seas?

3 Sure I must fight, if I would reign; Increase my courage, Lord!

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by thy word.

4 Thy saints, in all this glorious war, Shall conquer, though they're slain: They see the triumph from afar, And soon with Christ shall reign.

5 When that ill.u.s.trious day shall rise, And all thy armies s.h.i.+ne In robes of victory through the skies, The glory shall be thine.

370. L. M. Watts.

The Christian Race.

1 Awake, our souls, away, our fears; Let every trembling thought be gone; Awake and run the heavenly race, And put a cheerful courage on.

2 True 'tis a strait and th.o.r.n.y road, And mortal spirits tire and faint; But they forget the mighty G.o.d, That feeds the strength of every saint.

3 From thee, the overflowing spring, Our souls shall drink a fresh supply, While such as trust their native strength, Shall melt away, and droop, and die.

4 Swift as an eagle cuts the air, We'll mount aloft to thine abode; On wings of love our souls shall fly, Nor tire amidst the heavenly road.

371. C. M. Montgomery.

What is Prayer?

1 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed, The motion of a hidden fire, That trembles in the breast.

2 Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear, The upward glancing of an eye, When none but G.o.d is near.

3 Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant lips can try, Prayer the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high.

4 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, The Christian's native air, The watchword at the gates of death; He enters heaven with prayer.

5 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, Returning from his ways; While angels in their songs rejoice, And cry "Behold, he prays!"

372. 7s. M. Mrs. Hemans.

"I will that men pray everywhere."

1 Child, amidst the flowers at play, While the red light fades away; Mother, with thine earnest eye Ever following silently; Father, by the breeze of eve Called thy daily work to leave; Pray! ere yet the dark hours be, Lift the heart and bend the knee!

2 Traveller, in the stranger's land, Far from thine own household band; Mourner, haunted by the tone Of a voice from this world gone; Captive, in whose narrow cell Suns.h.i.+ne hath not leave to dwell; Sailor, on the darkening sea-- Lift the heart and bend the knee!

373. 7s. & 6s. M. Edin. Lit. Review.

Pray without ceasing.

1 Go when the morning s.h.i.+neth, Go when the noon is bright, Go when the eve declineth, Go in the hush of night; Go with pure mind and feeling, Cast earthly thought away, And, in thy closet kneeling, Do thou in secret pray.

2 Remember all who love thee, All who are loved by thee; Pray, too, for those who hate thee, If any such there be; Then for thyself, in meekness, A blessing humbly claim, And blend with each pet.i.tion Thy great Redeemer's name.

3 Or, if 'tis e'er denied thee In solitude to pray, Should holy thoughts come o'er thee When friends are round thy way, E'en then the silent breathing, Thy spirit raised above, Will reach his throne of glory, Where dwells eternal love.

4 O, not a joy or blessing With this can we compare,-- The grace our Father gave us To pour our souls in prayer: Whene'er thou pin'st in sadness, Before his footstool fall; Remember, in thy gladness, His love who gave thee all.