2 Faith grasps the blessing she desires, Hope points the upward gaze; And love, untrembling love inspires The eloquence of praise. 3 But sweeter far the still, small voice, Heard by the human ear, When God hath made the heart rejoice, And dried the bitter tear. 4 Nor accents flow, nor words ascend; All utterance faileth there; But listening spirits comprehend, And God accepts the prayer. 985 C. M. Communion with God in retirement. Far from the world, O Lord, I flee, From strife and tumult far; From scenes where Satan wages still His 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 then communes with 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 Saviour!—thou art mine! 6 What thanks I owe thee, and what love— A boundless, endless store— Shall echo through the realms above, When time shall be no more. 986 C. M. Secret prayer. Matt. 6:6. Father divine, thy piercing eye Sees through the darkest night, In deep retirement thou art nigh, With heart-discerning sight. 2 There may that piercing eye survey, My duteous homage paid, With every morning’s dawning ray And every evening’s shade. 3 O let thy own celestial fire The incense still inflame; While my warm vows to thee aspire, Through my Redeemer’s name. 4 So shall the visits of thy love My soul in secret bless; So shalt thou deign in worlds above, Thy suppliant to confess. 987 C. M. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. 1 Pet. 3:15 O could I find, from day to day, A nearness to my God, Then would my hours glide sweet away While leaning on his word. 2 Lord, I desire with thee to live Anew from day to day, In joys the world can never give, Nor ever take away. 3 Blest Jesus, come and rule my heart, And make me wholly thine, That I may never more depart, Nor grieve thy love divine. 4 Thus, till my last, expiring breath, Thy goodness I’ll adore; And when my frame dissolves in death, My soul shall love thee more. 988 S. M. I am still with thee. Psalm 139:18.