LI. THE SINNERS’ PORTION. Who Wisdom’s path forsakes Leaves all true joy behind; He who the peace of others breaks, No peace himself shall find. Flowers above and thorns below, Little pleasure, lasting woe, Such is the fate that sinners know. The drunkard gaily sings Above his foaming glass, But shame and pain the revel brings Ere many hours can pass. Flowers above and thorns below, Little pleasure, lasting woe, Such is the fate that sinners know. The thief may count his gains;— If he the sum could see Of future punishment and pains, Sad would his reckoning be. Flowers above and thorns below, Little pleasure, lasting woe, Such is the fate that sinners know. The Sabbath-breaker spurns What Wisdom did ordain; God’s rest to Satan’s use he turns, A blessing to a bane. Flowers above and thorns below, Little pleasure, lasting woe, Such is the fate that sinners know. O Lord, to Thee we pray, Do Thou our faith increase, Make us to walk in Wisdom’s way, The only way of peace! For flowers above and thorns below, Little pleasure, lasting woe, Such is the fate that sinners know. LII. DEATH-BED HYMN. Standing upon the awful brink, Almost too faint to pray or think, Thou who canst pain and fear control, My God, have mercy on my soul! A chilling gloom I feel within, A trembling consciousness of sin; I cannot to my mind recall What sins—but Thou hast marked them all. Oh, let my soul some promise hear From Thy blest Word to calm her fear; Oh, bid this doubt, this anguish cease— My Saviour say, “Depart in peace!” Thou know’st I loved Thee,—weak might be My faith—but it was fixed on Thee; Thou didst a gracious promise make— Oh, save me for Thy mercy’s sake! Methinks I hear my Lord reply: “Fear not, for I am ever nigh; In life—in death—beyond the grave— My arm shall guide, support, and save. “Thy ransom hath been paid by love, Thy mansion is prepared above; No power of death, or hell, or sin, From Me one pardoned soul shall win!” LIII. SAVE ONE! Souls are perishing before thee, Save—save one! It may be thy crown of glory, Save—save one! From the waves that would devour, From the raging lion’s power, From destruction’s fiery shower, Save—save one! Not in thine own strength confiding, Save—save one; Faith and prayer thy efforts guiding, Save—save one! None can e’er, unless possessing Heavenly aid and heavenly blessing, To the work of mercy pressing, Save e’en one.