276 L. M. peculiar. Haste thee; escape thither. Gen. 19:22.
Haste, traveler, haste! the night comes on, And many a shining hour is gone; The storm is gathering in the west, And thou art far from home and rest: Haste, traveler, haste!
2 Awake, awake! pursue thy way With steady course, while yet ’tis day; While thou art sleeping on the ground, Danger and darkness gather round; Haste, traveler, haste!
3 The rising tempest sweeps the sky; The rains descend, the winds are high; The waters swell, and death and fear Beset thy path; no refuge near: Haste, traveler, haste!
4 Haste, while a shelter you may gain— A covert from the wind and rain; A hiding-place, a rest, a home— A refuge from the wrath to come: Haste, traveler, haste!
5 Then linger not in all the plain; Flee for thy life—the mountain gain; Look not behind, make no delay; O, speed thee, speed thee on thy way! Haste, traveler, haste!
277 L. M. The night cometh. John 9:4.
While life prolongs its precious light, Mercy is found, and peace is given; But soon, ah! soon, approaching night Shall blot out every hope of heaven.
2 While God invites, how blest the day! How sweet the gospel’s charming sound! Come, sinners, haste, O haste away, While yet a pardoning God is found.
3 Soon, borne on time’s most rapid wing, Shall death command you to the grave, Before his bar your spirits bring, And none be found to hear or save.
4 In that lone land of deep despair, No Sabbath’s heavenly light shall rise; No God regard your bitter prayer, Nor Saviour call you to the skies.
5 Now God invites, how blest the day! How sweet the gospel’s charming sound! Come, sinners, haste, O haste away, While yet a pardoning God is found.
278 L. M. Come unto me. Matt. 11:28.
With tearful eyes I look around; Life seems a dark and stormy sea; Yet midst the gloom I hear a sound, A heavenly whisper, Come to me!
2 It tells me of a place of rest; It tells me where my soul may flee: O! to the weary, faint, opprest, How sweet the bidding, Come to me!
3 Come, for all else must fail and die; Earth is no resting-place for thee; To heaven direct thy weeping eye; I am thy portion; Come to me!
4 O voice of mercy, voice of love! In conflict, grief, and agony, Support me, cheer me from above, And gently whisper, Come to me!
279 L. M. To-day, if you will hear his voice. Heb. 4:7.
To-day, if you will hear his voice, Now is the time to make your choice; Say will you to Mount Zion go? Say, will you come to Christ or no?
2 Say, will you be for ever blest, And with this glorious Jesus rest? Will you be saved from guilt and pain? Will you with Christ for ever reign?
3 Make now your choice, and halt no more; He now is waiting for the poor: Say, now, poor souls, what will you do? Say, will you come to Christ or no?
4 Fathers and sons for ruin bound, Amidst the gospel’s joyful sound, Come, go with us, and seek to prove The joys of Christ’s redeeming love.
5 Matrons and maids, we look to you; Are you resolved to perish, too? To rush in carnal pleasures on, And sink in flaming ruin down?
6 Once more we ask you in his name, (We know his love remains the same), Say, will you to Mount Zion go? Say, will you come to Christ or no?
280 L. M. An evening expostulation.
O, do not let the word depart, And close thine eye against the light; Poor sinner, harden not thy heart; Thou wouldst be saved; why not to-night?
2 To-morrow’s sun may never rise To bless thy long deluded sight; This is the time; O, then be wise! Thou wouldst be saved; why not to-night?
3 Our God in pity lingers still; And wilt thou thus his love requite? Renounce at length thy stubborn will; Thou wouldst be saved; why not to-night?
4 Our blesséd Lord refuses none Who would to him their souls unite; Then be the work of grace begun: Thou wouldst be saved; why not to-night?
281 L. M. Inviting.
Come, weary souls, with sin distressed, Come and accept the promised rest; The Saviour’s gracious call obey, And cast your gloomy fears away.
2 Oppressed with guilt, a heavy load, O! come and bow before your God; Divine compassion, mighty love, Will all the painful load remove.
3 Here mercy’s boundless ocean flows To cleanse your guilt and heal your woes; Pardon, and life, and endless peace— How rich the gift, how free the grace!
4 Lord, we accept with thankful heart The hope thy gracious words impart: We come with trembling, yet rejoice, And bless thy kind inviting voice.
282 L. M. One thing needful.