411. C. M. Proud.

The Happiness of a Christian.

1When true religion gains a place,

And lives within the mind,

The sensual life subdued by grace,

And all the soul refined:

2The desert blooms in living green,

Where thorns and briers grew;

The barren waste is fruitful seen,

And all the prospect new.

3O happy Christian, richly blessed!

What floods of pleasure roll!

By God and man he stands confessed,

In dignity of soul.

4Substantial, pure, his every joy:

His Maker is his friend;

The noblest business his employ,

And happiness his end.

"He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely."

1He who walks in virtue's way,

Firm and fearless, walketh surely;

Diligent, while yet 'tis day,

On he speeds, and speeds securely.

2Flowers of peace beneath him grow,

Suns of pleasure brighten o'er him;

Memory's joys behind him go,

Hope's sweet angels fly before him.

3Thus he moves from stage to stage,

Smiles of earth and heaven attending;

Softly sinking down in age,

And at last to death descending.

4Cradled in its quiet deep,

Calm as summer's loveliest even,

He shall sleep the hallowed sleep;

Sleep that is o'erwatched by Heaven.