1 The long-lost son, with streaming eyes, From folly just awake, Reviews his wanderings with surprise; His heart begins to break. 2 "I starve," he cries, "nor can I bear The famine in this land, While servants of my Father share The bounty of his hand. 3 "With deep repentance I'll return And seek my Father's face; Unworthy to be called a son, I'll ask a servant's place." 4 Far off the Father saw him move, In pensive silence mourn, And quickly ran with arms of love, To welcome his return. 5 O, let thy boundless mercy shine On my benighted soul, Correct my passions, mend my heart, And all my fears control. 325. L. M. 6l. Wesley's Coll. Imploring Forgiveness and Renewal of Heart. 1 Forgive us for thy mercy's sake; Our multitude of sins forgive; And for thy own possession take, And bid us to thy glory live; Live in thy sight and gladly prove Our faith by our obedient love. 2 The covenant of forgiveness seal, And all thy mighty wonders show; Our hidden enemies expel, And conquering them to conquer go, Till all of pride and wrath be slain, And not one evil thought remain. 3 O, put it in our inward parts The living law of perfect love: Write the new precept on our hearts; We shall not then from thee remove, Who in thy glorious image shine, Thy people, and forever thine. 326. L. M. Beddome. Inconstancy Lamented. 1 The wandering star and fleeting wind Are emblems of the fickle mind; The morning cloud and early dew Bring our inconstancy to view. 2 But cloud and wind and dew and star, Only a faint resemblance bear; Nor can there aught in nature be So changeable and frail as we. 3 Our outward walk and inward frame Are scarcely through an hour the same: We vow, and straight our vows forget, And then those very vows repeat. 4 With contrite hearts, Lord, we confess Our folly and unsteadfastness: When shall these hearts more stable be, Fixed by thy grace alone on thee? 327. S. M. Jervis. God's Mercy to the Penitent. 1 Sweet is the friendly voice Which speaks of life and peace; Which bids the penitent rejoice, And sin and sorrow cease. 2 No balm on earth like this Can cheer the contrite heart; No flattering dreams of earthly bliss Such pure delight impart. 3 Still merciful and kind, Thy mercy, Lord, reveal: The broken heart thy love can bind, The wounded spirit heal. 4 Thy presence shall restore Peace to my anxious breast: Lord, let my steps be drawn no more From paths which thou hast blessed. 328. L. M. Doddridge. Returning to God.