931. C. M. Heber. In Times of Domestic Distress. 1 O God, that madest earth and sky! The darkness and the day! Give ear to this thy family, And help us when we pray! For wide the waves of bitterness Around our vessel roar, And heavy grows the pilot's heart To view the rocky shore! 2 The cross our Master bore for us, For him we fain would bear, But mortal strength to weakness turns, And courage to despair! Then mercy on our failings, Lord! Our sinking faith renew! And when thy sorrows visit us, O send thy patience too. 932. C. M. Doddridge. Sickness and Recovery. 1 My God, thy service well demands The remnant of my days; Why was this fleeting breath renewed, But to renew thy praise? 2 Thine arms of everlasting love Did this weak frame sustain, When life was hovering o'er the grave, And nature sunk with pain. 3 I calmly bowed my fainting head On thy dear, faithful breast, And waited for my Father's call To his eternal rest. 4 Back from the borders of the grave, At thy command, I come; Nor will I ask a speedier flight To my celestial home. 5 Where thou appointest mine abode There would I choose to be; For in thy presence death is life, And earth is heaven with thee. 933. C. M. H. K. White. A Family Evening Prayer. 1 O Lord, another day is flown, And we, a lonely band, Are met once more before thy throne, To bless thy fostering hand. 2 And wilt thou lend a listening ear To praises low as ours! Thou wilt; for thou dost love to hear The song which meekness pours. 3 O, let thy grace perform its part, And let contention cease; And shed abroad in every heart Thine everlasting peace. 4 Thus chastened, cleansed, entirely thine, A flock by Jesus led, The Sun of holiness shall shine In glory on our head. 5 And thou wilt turn our wandering feet, And thou wilt bless our way, Till worlds shall fade, and faith shall greet The dawn of lasting day. 934. L. M. S. S. Cutting. Family Hymn. Evening. 1 Father, we bless the gentle care That watches o'er us day by day, That guards us from the tempter's snare, And guides us in the heavenward way:-- We bless thee for the tender love, That mingles all our hearts in one,-- The music of the soul;--above 'Tis purer spirits' unison. 2 Father, 'tis evening's solemn hour, And cast we now our cares on thee; Darkly the storm may round us lower,-- Peace is within,--Christ makes us free,-- And when life's toil and joy are o'er, And evening gathers on its sky, Our circle broke,--we sing no more,-- O, may we meet and sing on high. MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS.