CHARGE.
The Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel.—Exodus, vi. 13.
He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.—Psalm xci. 11.
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect. It is God that justifieth.—Romans, viii. 33.
A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify;
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfil;—
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master’s will.
Arm me with jealous care,
As in thy sight to live;
And Oh! thy servant Lord prepare,
A strict account to give.
Help me to watch and pray,
And on thyself rely;
Assured if I my trust betray,
I shall for ever die.
Wesley.
Since, with pure and firm affection,
Thou on God hast set thy love,
With the wings of His protection,
He will shield thee from above:
Thou shalt call on Him in trouble,
He will hearken, He will save,
Here for grief reward thee double,
Crown with life beyond the grave.
He shall charge His angel legions
Watch and ward o’er thee to keep,
Though thou walk through hostile regions,
Though in desert wilds thou sleep;
On the lion vainly roaring,
On his young, thy foot shall tread,
And, the dragon’s den exploring,
Thou shalt bruise the serpent’s head.
J. Montgomery.