981 L. M. In the world, but not of it. O that I could for ever dwell, Delighted, at the Saviour’s feet; Behold the form I love so well, And all his tender words repeat! 2 The world shut out from all my soul, And heaven brought in with all its bliss, O! is there aught from pole to pole, One moment to compare with this? 3 This is the hidden life I prize— A life of penitential love; When I my follies most despise, And raise my highest thoughts above? 4 When all I am I clearly see, And freely own with deepest shame; When the Redeemer’s love to me Kindles within a deathless flame. 5 Thus would I live till nature fail, And all my former sins forsake; Then rise to God within the vail, And of eternal joys partake. 982 L. M. Retirement and meditation. Psalm 4:4. Return, my roving heart, return, And chase these shadowy forms no more; Seek out some solitude to mourn, And thy forsaken God implore. 2 O thou, great God, whose piercing eye Distinctly marks each deep recess; In these sequestered hours draw nigh, And with thy presence fill the place. 3 Through all the windings of my heart, My search let heavenly wisdom guide; And still its radiant beams impart Till all be searched and purified. 4 Then with the visits of thy love, Vouchsafe my inmost soul to cheer; Till every grace shall join to prove That God has fixed his dwelling there. 983 L. M. D. The gate of heaven. Our Father God! not face to face May mortal sense commune with thee, Nor lift the curtains of that place Where dwells thy secret Majesty: Yet wheresoe’er our spirits bend In reverent faith and humble prayer, Thy promised blessing will descend, And we shall find thy Spirit there. 2 Lord! be the spot where now we meet An open gateway into heaven; Here may we sit at Jesus’ feet, And feel our deepest sins forgiven. Here may desponding care look up; And sorrow lay its burden down, Or learn of him to drink the cup, To bear the cross and win the crown. 3 Here may the sick and wandering soul, To truth still blind, to sin a slave, Find better than Bethesda’s pool, Or than Siloam’s healing wave; And may we learn, while here, apart From the world’s passion and its strife, That thy true shrine’s a loving heart, And thy best praise a holy life! 984 C. M. Joy unspeakable. 1 Pet. 1:8. Sweet is the prayer whose holy stream In earnest pleading flows; Devotion dwells upon the theme, And warm and warmer glows.