Or worship by another's creed?
Trusting Thy grace, we form our own,
And bow to Thy commands alone.

4 If wrong, correct; accept, if right;
While, faithful, we improve our light,
Condemning none, but zealous still
To learn and follow all Thy will.

289. 9 & 4s. M. Bowring.

The Spirit Giveth Life.

1 'Tis not the gift, but 'tis the spirit
With which 'tis given,
That on the gift confers a merit,
As seen by Heaven.

2 'Tis not the prayer, however boldly
It strikes the ear;
It mounts in vain, it falls but coldly
If not sincere.

3 'Tis not the deeds the loudest lauded
That brightest shine;
There's many a virtue unapplauded,
And yet divine.

4 'Tis not the word that sounds the sweetest
That's soonest heard;
A sigh, when humbled thou retreatest,
May be preferred.

5 The outward show may be delusive,--
A cheating name;
The inner spirit is conclusive
Of worth or shame.

VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

290. P. M. Bulfinch.

Prayer and Action.

1 O, not alone on the mount of prayer
Must the Christian serve his God;
But the burden of daily life must bear,
And tread where his Saviour trod.

2 Yet with him through every changing scene
Doth the spirit of prayer abide;
When earth is lovely, and heaven serene,
That spirit his course shall guide.

3 And when the storm rages, and woe and wrath
Would an earth-born courage quell,
He knows that his God is around his path,
And ordereth all things well.

291. L. M. Drummond.

Faith and Works.

1 One cup of healing oil and wine,
One tear-drop shed on mercy's shrine,
Is thrice more grateful, Lord, to Thee,
Than lifted eye or bended knee.

2 In true and genuine faith we trace
The source of every Christian grace;
Within the pious heart it plays,
A living fount of joy and praise.

3 Kind deeds of peace and love betray
Where'er the stream has found its way;
But where these spring not rich and fair,
The stream has never wandered there.

292.