75. Passages and Prayers to be spoken during Labor

"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them."—Psalm exlv. 18, 19. I turn my thoughts from all around me,

And bend my eyes on Jesus' face;

I know that nothing will confound me,

So long as he vouchsafes his grace

On him my every hope is set,

I seek him and I hold him yet.

Like Jacob, I with him will wrestle,

I seek his help, for he is strong;

At last I'll in his bosom nestle,

And feel that I to him belong.

I'll cry, Lord! I release thee not,

Except thou bless me on the spot.

O my Jesus! be nigh unto me now, and remain with me until thou hast helped me; O fulfil my desire; I desire nothing but thy help, which thou hast promised in thy word.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."—Psalm xlii. 5. 48*

Why art thou sad, my suffering soul?

Be still and do not falter.

God is my strength and fortress whole;

His goodness cannot alter.

Suffer in silence yet a while

Suffering shall yield to gladness.

O my Jesus! I hope in thy salvation—I hope in thy comfort! O let it quickly appear; thou alone art my hope. Hear me, make me glad, and deliver me, and I will thank thee forever. "The Lord has called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer."—Isaiah, xi iv. 4, vi. 7. 8. O Jesus, help me soon! on thee my hope is grounded,

For thee I yearn that have been so severely wounded.

All help doth come from thee; from thee above 'tis sent,

O therefore quickly come to ease my languishment.

O my God, have mercy upon me; do not forsake me; thou art my God. O merciful God! my eyes look upon the sky, and long for thy comfort. Do not withdraw thy countenance from me; thy hand strengthens me, thy right hand keeps me. O Lord! how long, how long does the heart crave and yearn after thee. TO BE SPOKE DURING LABOR.

"Behold the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save."

—Isaiah, lix. 1.

No contraction bounds the action

Of the Lord's resistless brand;

Storms and dangers are no strangers

To the magic of his hand.

I know my God! that with thee nothing is impossible, therefore I rely upon thee; Lord, stretch out thy hand to me, as to Peter, when he sank; thy hand can save out of all things, in all things, and from all things. O Lord, look upon me, I yearn for thy grace. "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him. I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation."—Psalm xci. 14, 15, 16. Lord Jesus Christ the need is sore

That fiercely doth assail me;

O dearest Lord, delay no more,

But hasten to regale me.

No one but thee can me bestead,

No earthly creature gives me aid,

Without thee I must perish.

O Jesus! as no one can help me but thou, hasten hither with thy assistance. Lo, I am in great trouble; O rescue me according to thy promise. I covet thee; come and help me. My heart calls to thy mind thy word, ye shall seek my face; therefore, Lord, I seek thy face. "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee"—Isaiah, liv. 10. Where fails my strength, do thou sustain,

O Lord, my earthly weakness;

Grant that despair may never stain

My robe of holy meekness.

Preserve me, O most mighty Lord,

In full allegiance to thy word,

Preserve me from defection.

O Jesus, do not withdraw thy grace and thy Holy Ghost! O do not depart; fortify me for my labor, and in my labor. Remember the covenant thou hast made with me in holy baptism; by virtue of that covenant thou art my father, and I thy child; O my father, think of thy child! Help thy child, have mercy on thy child. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him."—Psalm ciii. 13.

My father and my God thou art,

My child is ever at thy heart,

Thy heart of more than love;

I am a hapless thing of dust

On earth I have no hope nor trust.

O my gracious God and Father, I know not where to find or seek assistance or consolation but in thee alone. Therefore I cry to thee, O help me, my father! Have mercy upon me, my father! O let my father's heart be melted, that I may soon rejoice, O thou with whom nothing is impossible, grant my prayer for thy mercy's sake. "This I surely know, that whoso serves God, he shall be comforted after adversity, and relieved from tribulation, and shall find grace after chastisement. For after the storm thou makest the sun to shine again, and after weeping and wailing thou dost overwhelm us with joy. To thy name be power and praise for evermore, thou God of Israel."—Tobit iii. 22, 23, Mishap was never of such long duration,

But that at last it found its termination;

Thy hand extend, and make amends,

Upon this earth my heart no more desires.

O God, after my throes and pangs, let me peedily see thy assistance, thou art the help in need, the mighty Hero who alone can help, save me and let me find grace before thee, do not pass by thy handmaiden, thou lover of life, preserve my life and the life of my child; let us both live before thee, that we may praise thy name. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation; whereunto I may continually resort; thou hast given thy commandment to save me for thou art my rock and my fortress."—Psalm lxxi. 1, 2, 3. Lord Jesus unto thee I cry,

Incline thy ear and hear it!

Let thy almighty hand be nigh

To my distracted spirit.

The anguish and the woe I bear

Are greater than I may declare,

My heart is overloaded.

O Lord, thou well knowest my misery and wretchedness; Lord, Lord, the greater the need the more will I cry to thee for help, as my Jesus did, who prayed the more fervently, the more he wrestled with death.

"My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning; I say more than they that watch for the morning."

—Psalm cxxx. 6.

And should the morning turn to night,

And night again to morning,

My trusting soul shall take no flight,

All faint misgivings scorning.

My God! this is and shall be my firm resolve.

I will not doubt thy goodness, should evil tarry ever so long; even if the Lord would conceal his face from me, he will soon arise, and be merciful unto me.

"Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter, I did mourn as I dove; mine eyes fail with looking upward; O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me what shall I say? He hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it."—Isaiah xxxviii 14, 15.

From the deepest depth I call,

No one hears me of them all;

None but Jesus! thou my friend!

Thou wilt hear, and rescue send.

(The Lord Jesus answers:)

In the highest heights I hear

Of thy sorrows harsh and drear;

Then thy lips with fear be dumb

My relief shall quickly come.

O Jesus! all my hope rests in thee, as in my strong and mighty helper. O do as thou hast said! With thee I have begun my labor, O let thy blessing rest upon it. Help me and my child, let us joyfully behold each other, and live before thee. Lord! have mercy upon us! "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins."—Psalm xxv. 15, 18. Pour again the welcome guerdon

Of thy gladness on my heart:

Help to rid me of this burden,

Soothe the pain in which I smart.

If thou do not quickly help me,

My despair will overwhelm me.

Must I sigh and sigh thus vainly?

Will my prayer not be heard,

Art thou not the power that mainly

Saves the wretched with a word?

O command these throes to leave me,

Send thy angel to relieve me.

Lord Jesus, in faith I look to thee; O come to me, see how I suffer, fortify my faith, strengthen my assurance, that I may not swerve from thee. O stand thyself at my side. Lord, hear my prayer, do not forsake me. O, when will the time come for me to be gladdened by thy comfort? "Surely I come quickly. Even so, come Lord Jesus!"

Rev. xxii. 20.

Lord, if thou do not help me now,

I am destroyed forever;

Thou art alone who can'st bestead,

And me from anguish sever.

O come, Lord Jesus, come to me.

Thou seest what my sufferings be,

Thou never can'st forsake me.

O my Jesus! Such is the wish of my heart, and its desire, that thou mayest quickly come. O come and deliver me, come and make me glad, come and save me, let me see what I long to look upon. "Now Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Hear my prayers O Lord, and give car unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears."—Psalm xxxix. 7, 12.

I know thou never yet hast me forsaken,

Nor left my heart alone, in terror shaken,

When e'er so distaught, God is my thought,

Although my soul with pain and dread is taken.

Lord Jesus, hasten to me, help me, my God, my Helper, and I shall be well helped. I know not whither else to turn in this distress and trouble, therefore I beseech thee come, O come, and give me help. "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might be increaseth strength. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint."—Isaiah xxxx 29, 31. Lord Jesus Christ, God's only son,

In thee my trust is vested;

Thou art the truly beauteous one;

Whoe'er on thee has rested,

His faith, shall find in all distress,

A refuge that can ne'er grow less,

Therein is my reliance.

O Lord my God! Give me also new strength, bestow upon me the courage, power, and strength of thy holy Ghost, I am too weak to complete this work, but in the strength of my God I can do any and everything. Lord, strengthen me this time; my God help me to a joyful victory. The name of the Lord be praised.

"Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul."—Psalm xciv. 17, 19.

From the Lord my help is sent:

Therefore at the height of sorrow,

I will ever rest content;

Though no hope comes with the morrow,

And no mortal's aid is nigh,

I will lift my eyes on high.

Lord, almighty God! from whom all help cometh which is done on earth, hast thou not said, call upon me in adversity? at thy behest I call, and say, Lord help me, Lord! have mercy, take away the tribulation and distress of my soul, give me what I hope for, give me what I pray for, Lord! it is in thy hands. "We glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulations worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed."—Rom. v. 3, 4, 5.

Who hopes in God, and trusts in him,

Shall never be confounded;

Let come what will, misfortune grim,

If on this rock is founded

His confidence, a sure defence

Has he for all disaster.

Whate'er betide, his fortunes ride

Where tempests cannot master

O Lord! help me in thy great goodness and mercy, I wait for thy help, I hope for a glad delivery which is with thee; Look upon me, a poor afflicted woman, and make me happy again; let thine hour arrive, that I may thank thee with joyous lips. "The prayer of the wretched pierces the clouds, and will not stint, until it enter in, and will not cease until the Highest looks upon it."—Jesus Sirach xxxl. 21.

O God, give ear unto my supplications,

And let despair not set upon my patience;

Thou knowest my pain,

O hear me complain,

And put a period to my lamentations.

Pour thy contentment o'er my spirit rather,

And let my heart its wandering forces gather

To suffer in strength,

Until at length

Thou comest to relieve me, loving Father!

Lord, almighty God! thou who dost not despise the groans of the wretched, and condemnest not the desires of the hearts of the afflicted, accept our prayer, which we offer up to thee in our distress, and be graciously pleased to hear us. "Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me; I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and sorrow hath overwhelmed me."—Psalm lv 1, 2, 5. Hope on, thou spirit stricken,

Hope on, and never quail,

Though terrors round thee thicken

They never can prevail.

The darkness of thy present

Shall surely pass away;

Thine hours be smooth and pleasant.

And gladness grace the day.

O Lord, Lord, thou canst help me, for thou art an almighty God, thou wilt help me for thou art my loving God and father, O therefore hear me, let thy countenance shine upon me, and I shall be whole. "He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."—2 Cor. 6, 2. When all the help of this world fails,

And evil still grows greater,

The rescue comes, on summer gales

E'en from the great Creator,

Who doth his eyes in pity bend,

On all who have no other friend.

To God give praise and honor.

O Lord, has thine hour not yet come? Lord, how long wilt thou quite forget me? Yet I know that my God will not forget me, his love is too great, his heart is too warm, O save me for the sake of thy loving kindness. O how long, how long must the heart be pained and yearn after thee? "Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee, and judgments help me."—Psalm cxix. 170, 174, 175. Though it should seem he will not come,

Yet nevermore be frightened;

For he would never have it known

When by him cares are lightened.

Unto his word more faith impart

Than to the mutterings of thy heart

And nothing let disturb thee.

Lord, my God! Through all my wretchedness and pangs I will look upon thee alone; I will not look near me nor around me, for then I only see feeble men, but over me, heavenward, to thee almighty God! O let thy grace assist me, and thy arm sustain me, help me, God of my salvation, and I shall be safe. "I will turn their mourning into joy, and will convert them and make them rejoice from their sorrow."—Jer. 31, 1

Awhile he will have tarried,

His comfort kept at bay;

'Twill seem as though he carried

No thought of thy dismay.

And that shouldst thou remain

With fear and torture harried,

He would not turn again.

But if thou dost betoken

That thou art firm in faith

49*

Thy fetters shall be broken,

And thou released from death;

He will unbind thy chain;

His word shall soon be spoken,

And thou rejoice again.

O my God! relieve me of my burden, do not longer withhold thy help, turn my mourning into joy, and give me to rejoice over a safe delivery from my sorrow; in God is my salvation, and my pride; my trust is in God. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."—Psalm cxxi. 1, 2.

God never has forsaken

Of those a single one,

Who, with their trust unshaken

Him set their faith upon.

Though strange the times may seem,

Yet never doubt their fitness;

With rapture thou shalt witness

Thy bliss, as in a dream.

Lord, triune God! I have set all my hope on thee, for thee I yearn. Lord God Father, have mercy upon me and my child. Lord Jesus, strengthen me, and stand by me. O holy Ghost, refresh me with thy comfort, that I may be speedily rejoiced, delivered, refreshed, and rescued; triune God, have mercy upon me. "The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie, though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."—Habakkuk ii. 3. From God I will not wander,

He guides me on my way;

Follows me here and yonder,

And holds me when I stray;

He stretches forth his hand;

At morning and at even

His guardian care is given

To me, where'er I stand.

O yes, my God! I will not leave thee, except thou bless and help me. On the delay of thy help let the glorious hour of thy coming arise. Meantime I will persevere in sighs and prayer, and will say, Lord Jesus help me to strive, Lord Jesus help me to conquer, my delivery, my life, and my comfort are in thy hands. "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? Consider and hear me."—Psalm xiii 1, 2, 3. O when will thy pitying favor

Look upon my ceaseless pain?

When wilt thou return again?

Must I suffer thus forever?

O my God, how long, how long

Must I suffer and be strong?

O my gracious and merciful God? As thy

49* help is delayed I am seized with fear, yet I will not despair. Thou art my father, and I thy child. O conceal thy face from me no longer, speak but one word and I shall be well; for what thou speakest, is done, and what thou commandest, is performed; Lord in mercy hear me. "O Lord, the hope of Israel! Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Be not a terror unto me; thou art my hope in the day of evil."—Jeremiah xvii. 13, 14, 17. Where do I hear a cheering voice?

Thou, thou, Lord Jesus, art my choice;

With thee my heart does never miss

Comfort and counsel, peace and bliss;

Of all who still on Christ depend,

None e'er was left without a friend.

Yes, Lord Jesus! All my hope is now in thee, and thy omnipotence. Help me soon, my Saviour! if it be thy holy will; help me, that I may rejoice in thy assistance. O how will I praise thy name, and extol it, when thou shalt have gloriously saved me. My trust is in the name of the Lord, who has made the heavens and the earth. "I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."—Psalm xiii. 5, 6.

If I am weak thy thruthfulness

Shall be my firm reliance,

That to the storms that round me p 84,

I may bid sure defiance.

While faith and hope are still my share

While I persist in tears and prayer,

My heart is yet unconquered.

O thou faithful Saviour and lover of mankind!

my heart reminds thee of thy word, Ye shall seek my face; therefore I seek thy face, O Lord!

I know that thou canst help, and wilt gladly help; therefore I hope in thee, I hope from moment to moment. O God! let this be the time; Lord help me according to thy mercy.

Meantime my hope is firm in thee.

"My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord; remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance and is humbeld in me. This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope."—Lament iii. 18, 21. Even should the Lord be minded

For my death, my heart would cry,

With a faith not to be blinded,

And he could me nought deny.

Though his look be ever stern,

Yet his goodness will return;

He who soul and body gave me,

He will keep me, he will save me.

Yes, my God is mindful of me; therefore I say:

The Lord is mindful of me and blesseth me; he letteth his face shine. Though my power is not great, though I have no power to bring forth, yet in God I have strength and power. I shall yet rejoice in his help.

"Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."—Psalm lxxi. 20, 21. Be not too vehement with me,

Lest I might wholly perish,

Thou knowest my strength, and through my pains

Wilt none the less me cherish.

I am not made of steel nor stone,

But by a breath can be o'erthrown,

And never rise thereafter.

O God, if thou wilt have me suffer great pain and fright, be not too vehement with me, thou knowest the extent of my power, my strength is not hidden from thee. O therefore refresh me; lift me up when I sink; ease me, when I faint; strengthen me when I grow weary. Lord God of my life! Save my life, and the life of my child, and thy name shall be praised for evermore. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth."—Isaiah xii. 2, 5. As in thy counsel it is writ

That I my life must jeopard

Yet of thy grace give me full store,

Be still my gentle shepherd;

That faith to patience me may bring,

And patience to the heavenly spring

Of thy most precious favor.

Yes, my God, this is my comfort, that my sufferings shall come to a good and happy end, because thou art my strength, my comfort and deliverer; if I have God with me, I have a certain deliverance; therefore I will hope in silence; by silence and hope I shall grow strong. I can do all things through him who maketh me powerful, even Christ. "Be not far from me, for trouble is near: for there is none to help. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death."—Psalm xxii. 11, 16. "Jesus, and hast thou forever enwrapped me in sorrow, That I must languish through night to the dawn of the morrow?

How can it be,

Sweetest, that thou couldst decree

On me such wailing and sorrow?"

"Child, is thy hope thus extinguished, thy spirit abated That for a little my help and assistance have waited?

Knowest thou not

It is my heart's dearest thought

That thou shalt never lack comfort?"

Yes, dearest Jesus, thy love and truth is the foundation of my hope and trust, thou hast loved me from eternity, and often helped and delivered me, therefore I hope that thou wilt refresh me this time also; though my trouble is great, and help seems afar off, and with feebleness my tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth, yet in all things my heart is directed toward thee, thou wilt release me from all suffering. This I believe and know, Lord help my unbelief, and fortify my trust. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."—Lament. iii. 21, 22, 23. Think not, easily mistaken,

That the Lord has thee forsaken;

Know, howe'er thy lot be cast,

God will help thee at the last.

Help may be awhile belated

Without being all abated;

If not every wish succeed,

Yet he comes in time of need.

Gracious God, thy help is new, thou dost strengthen and preserve me in a moment. How could I accomplish all things? Thy supervision preserves my breath, thou dost sustain my head and my hands. Therefore I am not forsaken; God will never depart from me, neither will I depart from God; the hour of my deliverance will shortly come, because I have him with me, from whom my help cometh.

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. Know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him."

Psalm ii. 1, 3.

In thy hope be strong and cheerful

Though the Lord awhile delay;

He shall soon devise a method,

To fulfil what thou dost pray.

Therefore undisturbed endurance,

This alone can stand thy stead,

Thou must rest in God's disposal,

If thou wouldst not be dismayed.

Only cry, I see him here!

His heart yearns to have thee near.

Let thy hope be firmly grounded,

Faith can never be confounded.

Lord, I know that thou dost always hear my prayers, therefore I will trust in thee at this heavy hour; if hard storms break out, I will remain firm in thee. If thou dost lead me on strange paths, lead me to heaven. I know thou art near me, although thy help is not revealed;

I say in faith, hasten to assist me, Lord my God.

"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord."—Lament. iii. 25, 26.

I know that in thy own good time

Thou wilt take pity on me,

And in the hour of my distress,

Throw help and grace upon me.

O fortify my trembling hand,

And give my feet the strength to stand

That now so feebly totter.

Yes, my God, my soul waits for thee, my confidence fails not; loving Jesus, refresh me with thy kindness in my pangs, steady my sinking feet, strengthen my feeble hands, I hope in thy goodness, I wait for thy salvation, and am comforted by thy grace. O God of mercies, thou who dost give me comfort in distress, let me experience thy mercy. "I have called upon thee; for thou wilt hear me, O God! incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Show thy marvellous loving kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of thine eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings."—Psalm xvii. 6, 7, 8. Draw me, with thine arms of mercy,

With thy strong desire to bless;

Dearest Lord, thy loving kindness

Will subdue my bashfulness;

If thou wilt not draw me toward thee

I, alas, must fly before thee.

Draw me with thy cords of mercy,

Draw me onward by thy truth,

Do not longer stay nor tary

Holy Lord of Sabaoth.

I shall hope in all my anguish,

Though to death I lie and languish.

O Lord, preserve me and my child from ill, cover us both with the shadow of thy wings, hear my sighs, and help me; when trouble increases, let a strong hand appear, I shall trust in thee although it should seem as if thou wouldst kill me. Thy hand is not shortened; I do not regard my weakness, but thee the gracious, strong and merciful God. "God maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee."—Job v. 18, 19.

Soon shall my woes be ended,

What boots this faint despair?

After I shall have suffered

On earth, all will be fair.

Then I shall sing, rejoicing,

In God is all my trust,

Therefore I yet shall triumph,

Although I bite the dust.

O God, the help so often extended to me gives me courage to think that at this time also thou wilt be my God, my deliver, and ally. Thou art still as strong as thou hast ever been; thou hast aided so many. O manifest thy goodness in me also; then, after the assistance rendered, my mouth shall be full of praise, and I will say, "This the Lord has done, the name of the Lord be praised."

"The Lord thy God is a merciful God; he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy father, which he sware unto them."—Deut. iii. 31,

See, my Jesus, my Redeemer,

How with pain I am distraught!

Thou, thou art my sole protector,

Other refuge have I nought

But with thee I fear no throes,

Cross, nor death, nor troops of woes;

Than my Saviour none know better

To release from every fetter.

O my father, think of the covenant thou hast made with me in holy baptism, remember that thou art my father, and I thy child, remember, O Jesus, that thou hast watched and purified me with thy holy blood; to thee I flee and invoke thy help; O deliver me, refresh me, make me glad! "The Lord will not cast off for ever: but, though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men."—Lament. iii. 31, 32, 33. There is on earth no truer word

Than that of Jesus Christ, our Lord,

I know thou nevermore wilt break

The covenant that thou didst make;

Thou art my faithful shepherd still,

Who wilt protect me from all ill.

My shepherd will not forsake his sheep, nor my father his child; thou hast caused my grief,

O God, make me rejoice again; if thou hast blessed me, let me see thy blessing. Lay my child into my arms, living and healthy; I will lay it into thy arms again in holy baptism, and restore to thee what thou hast given; if by the bodily birth it is mine, it shall be thine by regeneration.

"Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death."

—Psalm lxviii. 19, 20.

If God sends me an affliction,

Why should I not rely

On his benediction?

He who sends, knows how to shift it?

Has he not well bethought

How to check and lift it?

Lord, thou hast laid this burden upon me, C remove it again, thou aid and refuge of all the faithful. How easy is it for thee to deliver me, to loosen the bond, to open the door; with thee nothing is impossible; let me abide in this trust in thee constantly, to the hour of my release.

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DEVOTIONS

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."—Psalm 1. 15.

O God, what comfort dost thou give

To all who are forsaken;

The door is never closed on those

Whose trust remains unshaken.

Blind reason thinks all hope is lorn,

And knows not that the cross has torn

From death all true believers.

My God, I wait for thy salvation; without thee I am lost, therefore I cry to thee in my trouble. Save me, hear me, have mercy upon me. O comfort me with thine aid, let thy joyful Spirit keep me thine. "I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication. Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me. Lord, be thou my helper."—Psalm xxx. 8, 10.

He knows the real golden seasons;

He knows when it is well for us;

So he but finds us true sincerely,

Not false or seemly virtuous,

He comes before we are aware,

And makes us glad with heavenly fare.

Yes, Lord Jesus, let the hour of thy help come quickly, I wait for thee with impatience. Meanwhile I will sigh and pray, and thou wilt hear me, and aid me according to thy promise. IN CHILDBED

" Do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name's sake;

because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. Help me, O Lord my

God. O save me according to thy mercy."—Psalm cix. 21, 26.

In all my agonies

The Lord my comfort is.

He is my sure salvation

From every tribulation.

However great the peril,

His hand can make it sterile.

This is my comfort in all my sufferings; God is with me, the mighty protector of his children, to him I commend myself, he will do all things well.

NOTE.—If death should seem to be approaching, recourse must be had to the texts, prayers, and verses, to be found in the

Daily Hand Book, beginning at page 55.