4 As twilight wears a darker hue, And gathering night creation dims, The twilight and the midnight, too, Shall have their harmonies and hymns. 5 So shall sweet thoughts, and thoughts sublime, My constant inspirations be; And every shifting scene of time Reflect, my God, a light from thee. 424. C. M. Mrs. Brown. Secret Prayer. 1 I love to steal awhile away From every cumbering care, And spend the hours of setting day In humble, grateful prayer. 2 I love to think on mercies past, And future good implore, And all my cares and sorrows cast On him whom I adore. 3 I love by faith to take a view Of brighter scenes in heaven; The prospect doth my strength renew, While here by tempests driven. 4 Thus, when life's toilsome day is o'er, May its departing ray Be calm as this impressive hour, And lead to endless day. 425. S. M. C. Wesley. Prayer for Self-Consecration. 1 O God, my strength, my hope, On thee I cast my care, With humble confidence look up, And know thou hearest prayer. 2 O, for a godly fear, A quick-discerning eye, That looks to thee when sin is near, And sees the tempter fly!-- 3 A spirit still prepared, And armed with jealous care, Forever standing on its guard, And watching unto prayer! 4 Lord, let me still abide, Nor from my hope remove, Till thou my patient spirit guide To better worlds above. 426. L. M. Moore. Breathings of Grace. 1 Like morning, when her early breeze Breaks up the surface of the seas, That, in their furrows, dark with night, Her hand may sow the seeds of light; 2 Thy grace can send its breathings o'er The spirit, dark and lost before; And freshening all its depths, prepare For truth divine to enter there! 3 Till David touched his sacred lyre, In silence lay the unbreathing wire; But when he swept its chords along, E'en angels stooped to hear the song. 4 So sleeps the soul, till thou, O Lord, Shall deign to touch its lifeless chord; Till, waked by thee, its breath shall rise In music worthy of the skies. 427. S. M. Cowper. Dependence on God. 1 To keep the lamp alive, With oil we fill the bowl; 'T is water makes the willow thrive, And grace that feeds the soul. 2 The Lord's unsparing hand Supplies the living stream; It is not at our own command, But still derived from him. 3 Man's wisdom is to seek His strength in God alone; And e'en an angel would be weak, Who trusted in his own. 4 Retreat beneath his wings, And in his grace confide; This more exalts the King of kings Than all your works beside.