259. C. M. Cowper. The Mysteries of God's Providence. 1 God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. 2 Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up His vast designs, And works His sovereign will. 3 Ye fearful saints! fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and will break In blessings on your head. 4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. 5 His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. 6 Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. 260. C. M. Merrick. "He Knoweth What Ye Have Need Of." 1 Author of good, we rest on Thee; Thine ever watchful eye Alone our real wants can see, Thy hand alone supply. 2 In Thine all-gracious providence Our cheerful hopes confide; O, let Thy power be our defence, Thy love our footsteps guide! 3 And since, by passion's force subdued, Too oft, with stubborn will, We blindly shun the latent good, And grasp the specious ill,-- 4 Not what we wish, but what we want, Thy mercy still supply! The good unasked, O Father, grant; The ill, though asked, deny! 261. L. M. Collett. Reliance. 1 Through all the various shifting scene Of life's mistaken ill or good, Thy hand, O God! conducts, unseen, The beautiful vicissitude. 2 Thou givest with paternal care, Howe'er unjustly we complain, To all their necessary share Of joy and sorrow, health and pain. 3 All things on earth, and all in heaven, On Thine eternal will depend; And all for greater good were given, Would man pursue the appointed end. 4 Be this my care!--to all beside Indifferent let my wishes be; Passion be calm, and dumb be pride, And fixed my soul, great God! on Thee. 262. C. M. Anonymous. Trust in the Lord. 1 When grief and anguish press me down, And hope and comfort flee, I cling, O Father, to Thy throne, And stay my heart on Thee. 2 When death invades my peaceful home, The sundered ties shall be A closer bond, in time to come, To bind my heart to Thee. 3 Lord, not my will, but Thine, be done! My soul, from fear set free, Her faith shall anchor at Thy throne, And trust alone in Thee.