1 Far from the world, O Lord! I flee, From strife and tumult far; From scenes, where sin is waging still Its most successful war. 2 The calm retreat, the silent shade, With prayer and praise agree; And seem, by thy sweet bounty, made For those who follow thee. 3 There, if thy spirit touch the soul, And grace her mean abode; O with what peace, and joy, and love, She communes with her God. 4 There, like the nightingale, she pours Her solitary lays; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise. 5 Author and Guardian of my life, Sweet Source of light divine, And all harmonious names in one, My Father--thou art mine! 464. C. M. J. J. Gurney. Silent Worship. 1 Let deepest silence all around Its peaceful shelter spread; So shall the living word abound, The word that wakes the dead. 2 How sweet to wait upon the Lord In stillness and in prayer! What though no preacher speak the word A minister is there: 3 He knows to bend the heart of steel, He bows the loftiest soul; O'er all we think and all we feel, How matchless his control! 4 And, O, how precious is his love In tender mercy given; It whispers of the blest above, And stays the soul on heaven. 5 From mind to mind, in streams of joy, The holy influence spreads; 'T is peace, 'tis praise without alloy, For God that influence sheds. 6 To thee, O God, we still will pray, And praise thee as before; For this thy glorious gospel-day, Teach us to praise thee more. 465. L. M. 6l. Bowring. "Help thou my unbelief." 1 If listening, as I listen still, O God! to thine instructive word, In spite of all my spirit's will, Some whispering voice of doubt is heard,-- That voice spontaneous from the soul, Which nought can check and nought control; 2 If when most earnestly I pray For light, for aid, for strength from thee, Some struggling thoughts will force their way, And break my soul's serenity;-- If reason, thy best gift, will hold The sceptre only half controlled:-- 3 Help and forgive! heaven's alphabet Hath many a word of mystery; I read not all thy record yet, Though perseveringly I try; But teach me, Lord! and none shall be More prompt, more pleased to learn of thee. 466. S. M. Herbert. Doing all to the Glory of God. 1 Teach me, my God and King, In all things thee to see; And what I do in anything, To do it as for thee! 2 To scorn the senses' sway, While still to thee I tend; In all I do be thou the way,-- In all be thou the end. 3 All may of thee partake: Nothing so small can be, But draws, when acted for thy sake, Greatness and worth from thee.