351.S. M.*Mrs. Howitt.He is Risen.1O spirit, freed from earth,Rejoice, thy work is done!The weary world’s beneath thy feet,Thou brighter than the sun!2Arise, put on the robesThat the redeemed win;Now sorrow hath no part in thee,Thou sanctified within!3Awake, and breathe the airOf the celestial clime!Awake to love which knows no change,Thou who hast done with time!4Awake, lift up thine eyes!See, all heaven’s host appears!And be thou glad exceedingly,—Thou, who hast done with tears.5Ascend! thou art not nowWith those of mortal birth;The living God hath touched thy lips,Thou who hast done with earth!352.S. M.Gaskell.No More!1“No more, on earth no more,Shall beam for us that eye;Closed in a strange forgetfulnessForever it must lie.2“No more, on earth no more,Shall we behold that face;Within the mournful halls of deathMust be its dwelling-place.3“No more, on earth no more,Shall those dear lips be heard;Cold silence there hath fixed its seal,Breathed is their latest word.”4’Tis so fond Nature mournsAffection’s broken ties;But Faith stands forth, she points on high,Serenely she replies:—5“No more, in heaven no more,That eye is dim with tears;But bright, and brighter still, the sceneBefore its view appears.6“No more, in heaven no more,That face a shadow bears;But looks of light, born of a blissUnknown to earth, it wears.7“No more, in heaven no more,That voice is faint with pain;It mingles with angelic bands,In their enraptured strain.8“No more, in heaven no more,The parting grief is known;But love has all eternityTo look through as its own.”353.C. M.Barton.The Dead.1The dead are like the stars by day,Withdrawn from mortal eye,Yet holding unperceived their wayThrough the unclouded sky.2By them, through holy hope and love,We feel, in hours serene,Connected with a world above,Immortal and unseen.8For death his sacred seal hath setOn bright and bygone hours;And they we mourn are with us yet,Are more than ever ours;—4Ours, by the pledge of love and faith,By hopes of heaven on high;By trust, triumphant over death,In immortality.354.P. M.Anonymous.The Departed.1The spirits of the loved and the departedAre with us, and they tell us of the sky,A rest for the bereaved and broken-hearted,A house not made with hands, a home on high;Holy monitions,—a mysterious breath,—A whisper from the marble halls of death.2They have gone from us, and the grave is strong,Yet in night’s silent watches they are near;Their voices linger round us, as the songOf the sweet bird that lingers on the ear,When, floating upward in the flush of even,Its form is lost from earth and swallowed up in heaven.355.11s. M.Anonymous.Are They Not All Ministering Spirits?1How dear is the thought, that the angels of GodMay bow their bright wings to the world they once trod;Will leave the sweet songs of the mansions above,To breathe o’er our bosoms some message of love!2They come, on the wings of the morning they come,Impatient to lead some poor wanderer home;Some sinner to save from his darkened abode,And lay him to rest in the arms of his God.3They come when we wander, they come when we pray,In mercy to guard us wherever we stray;A glorious cloud, their bright witness is given;Encircling us here are these angels of heaven.356.C. M.*J. H. Perkins.Spiritual Presence.1It is a faith sublime and sure,That ever round our headAre hovering, on noiseless wing,The spirits of the dead.2It is a faith sublime and sure,When ended our career,That it will be our ministryTo watch o’er others here;3To bid the mourners cease to mourn,The trembling be forgiven,To bear away from ills of clayThe deathless soul to heaven.357.C. M.Jane Taylor.The Unseen World.1There is a state unknown, unseen,Where parted souls must be;And but a step doth lie betweenThat world of souls and me.2I see no light, I hear no sound,When midnight shades are spread;Yet angels pitch their tents around,And guard my quiet bed.3The things unseen, O God, reveal;My spirit’s vision clear,Till I shall feel, and see, and know,That those I love are near.4Impart the faith that soars on high,Beyond this earthly strife;That holds sweet converse with the sky,And lives eternal life.358.P. M.Anonymous.Ministering Angels.1Brother, the angels say,Peace to thy heart!We, too, O brother, haveBeen as thou art,—Hope-lifted, doubt-depressed,Seeing in part,Tried, troubled, tempted,Sustained, as thou art.2Brother, they softly say,Be our thoughts one;Bend thou with us and pray,“Thy will be done!”Our God is thy God;He willeth the best;Trust Him as we trusted—Rest as we rest!3Ye, too, they gently say,Shall angels be;Ye, too, O brothers,From earth shall be free:Yet in earth’s loved onesYe still shall have part,Bearing God’s strength and loveTo the torn heart.4Thus when the spirit, triedTempted and worn,Finding no earthly aid,Heavenward doth turn,—Come these sweet angel-tones,Falling like balm,And on the troubled heartSteals a deep calm.359.C. M.Mrs. Miles.Foretaste of Heaven.1When, on devotion’s seraph wing,The spirit soars above,And feels Thy presence, Father, Friend,God of eternal love!The joys of earth, how swift they fadeBefore that living ray,Which gives to the rapt soul a glimpseOf pure and perfect day!2A gleam of Heaven’s own light, though nowIts brightness scarce appearsThrough the pale shadows that are spreadAround our earthly years;But Thine unclouded smile, O God!Fills that all-glorious place,Where we shall know as we are known,And see Thee, face to face.360.S. M.Briggs’ Coll.The Angels’ Call.1Come to the land of peace!From shadows come away;Where all the sounds of weeping cease,And storms no more have sway!2Fear hath no dwelling here;But pure repose and loveBreathe through the bright, celestial airThe spirit of the dove.3Come to the bright and blest,Gathered from every land;For here thy soul shall find its rest,Amidst the shining band.4In this divine abodeChange leaves no saddening trace;Come, trusting spirit, to thy God,Thy holy resting-place!361.C. M.Briggs’ Coll.A Vision of Heaven.1O, heaven is where no secret dreadMay haunt us by its power;Where from the past no gloom is shedUpon the present hour.2And there the living waters flowAlong the radiant shore;The soul, now wandering here, shall knowIts burning thirst no more.3The burden of the stranger’s heart,Which here unknown we bear,Like the night-shadow shall departWith our first wakening there.4And, borne on eagle’s wings afar,Free thought shall claim its dower,From every sphere, from every star,Of glory and of power.VIII. VARIOUS OCCASIONS.362.P. M.Sterling.A Hymn of Morning.1Sweet morn! from countless cups of gold,Thou liftest reverently on highMore incense fine than earth can hold,To fill the sky.2Where’er the vision’s boundaries glance,Existence swells with living power,And all the illumined earth’s expanseInhales the hour.3In man, O morn! a loftier good,With conscious blessing, fills the soul,—A life by reason understood,Which metes the whole.4To thousand tasks of fruitful hope,With skill against his toil, he bends,And finds his work’s determined scopeWhere’er he wends.5From earth and earthly toil and strifeTo deathless aims his soul may rise,Each dawn may wake to better life,With purer eyes.6Such grace from Thee, O God, be ours,Renewed with every morning’s ray,And freshening still with added flowersEach future day.7To man is given one primal star;One dayspring’s beam has dawned below;From Thine our inmost glories are,With Thine we glow.8Like earth awake and warm and bright,With joy the spirit moves and burns;So up to Thee, O Fount of Light,Our light returns.363.7s. M.Episcopal Coll.Morning Hymn.1Now the shades of night are gone;Now the morning light is come:Lord, may we be Thine to-day;Drive the shades of sin away.2Fill our souls with heavenly light,Banish doubt, and clear our sight;In Thy service, Lord, to-day,May we stand, and watch, and pray.3Keep our haughty passions bound;Save us from our foes around;Going out and coming in,Keep us safe from every sin.364.7s. M.Furness.Morning Hymn.1In the morning I will prayFor God’s blessing on the day;What this day shall be my lot,Light or darkness, know I not.2Should it be with clouds o’ercast,Clouds of sorrow, gathering fast,Thou, who givest light divine,Shine within me, Lord, O, shine!3Show me, if I tempted be,How to find all strength in Thee,And a perfect triumph winOver every bosom sin.4Keep my feet from secret snares,Keep mine eyes, O God, from tears!Every step Thy love attend,And my soul from death defend!365.C. M.St. Ambrose.Morning Hymn.1Now that the sun is beaming bright,Implore we, bending low,That He, the uncreated Light,May guide us as we go.2No sinful word, nor deed of wrong,Nor thoughts that idly rove,But simple truth be on our tongue,And in our hearts be love.3And while the hours in order flow,Securely keep, O God,Our hearts, beleaguered by the foeThat tempts our every road.4And grant that to Thine honor, Lord,Our daily toil may tend;That we begin it at Thy word,And in Thy favor end.366.L. M.Pierpont.Morning Hymn for a Child.1O God! I thank Thee that the nightIn peace and rest hath passed away,And that I see in this fair lightMy Father’s smile, that makes it day.2Be Thou my guide, and let me liveAs under Thine all-seeing eye;Supply my wants, my sins forgive,And make me happy when I die.367.P. M.Heber.Evening Aspiration.God that madest earth and heaven,Darkness and light!Who the day for toil hast given,For rest the night!May Thine angel guards defend us,Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us,Holy dreams and hopes attend us,This livelong night!368.7s. M.St. Gregory.Evening Hymn.1Source of light and life divine!Thou didst cause the light to shine;Thou didst bring Thy sunbeams forthO’er Thy new-created earth.2Shade of night and morning rayTook from Thee the name of day:Now again the shades are nigh,Listen to Thy children’s cry!3May we ne’er, by guilt depressed,Lose the way to endless rest;May no thoughts, corrupt and vain,Draw our souls to earth again.4Rather help them still to riseWhere our dearest treasure lies;Help us in our daily strife,Make us struggle into life!369.L. M.*Wordsworth.Sunset Hymn.1Up to the throne of God is borneThe voice of praise at early morn,And He accepts the reverent hymnSung as the light of day grows dim.2Look up to heaven! the obedient sunAlready through his course hath run;He cannot halt or go astray,But our immortal spirits may.3Lord, since his rising in the east,If we have faltered or transgressed,Guide, from Thy love’s abundant source,What yet remains of this day’s course.4Help with Thy grace, through all life’s day,Our upward and our downward way;And glorify for us the west,When we shall sink into our rest.370.P. M.Anonymous.Vespers.1Fading, still fading, the last beam is shining;Father in heaven! the day is declining;Safety and innocence flee with the light,Temptation and danger walk forth with the night;From the fall of the shade till the morning bells chime,Shield us from danger and keep us from crime!Father! have mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!2Father in heaven! O, hear, when we call,Through Jesus Christ, who is Saviour of all!Fainting and feeble, we trust in Thy might;In doubting and darkness Thy love be our light!Let us sleep on Thy breast while the night taper burns,And wake in Thy arms when the morning returns.Father! have mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!371.7s. M.*Furness.The Light of Stars.1Slowly, by God’s hand unfurled,Down around the weary worldFalls the darkness; O, how stillIs the working of His will!2Mighty spirit, ever nigh!Work in me as silently;Veil the day’s distracting sights,Show me heaven’s eternal lights.3Living stars to view be broughtIn the boundless realms of thought;High and infinite desires,Flaming like those upper fires!4Holy Truth, Eternal Right,Let them break upon my sight;Let them shine serene and still,And with light my being fill.372.L. M.Pierpont.Evening Hymn for a Child.1Another day its course hath run,And still, O God! Thy child is blest;For Thou hast been by day my sun,And Thou wilt be by night my rest.2Sweet sleep descends, mine eyes to close;And now, while all the world is still,I give my body to repose,My spirit to my Father’s will.373.L. M.Doddridge.The Eternal Sabbath.1Lord of the Sabbath, hear our vows,On this Thy day, in this Thy house;And own, as grateful sacrifice,The songs which from Thy churches rise.2Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love;But there’s a nobler rest above;To that our longing souls aspire,With earnest hope and strong desire.3No more fatigue, no more distress;Nor sin nor death shall reach the place;No groans to mingle with the songsWhich warble from immortal tongues.4No rude alarms of raging foes;No cares to break the long repose;No midnight shade, no clouded sun,But sacred, high, eternal noon.5O long expected day, begin;Dawn on these realms of woe and sin!Fain would we leave this weary road,And pass through death, to rest with God.374.C. M.Christian Hymns.Sabbath Morning.1How sweet, how calm, this Sabbath morn!How pure the air that breathes!How soft the sounds upon it borne!How light its vapor wreathes!2It seems as if the Christian’s prayer,For peace and joy and love,Were answered by the very airThat wafts its strain above.3Let each unholy passion cease,Each evil thought be crushed,And every care that mars our peaceIn Faith and Love be hushed.375.L. M.*Montgomery.Sabbath Evening.1Within Thy courts have millions met,Millions this day before Thee bowed;Their faces heavenward were set,Their vows to Thee, O God! they vowed.2Still as the light of morning brokeO’er island, continent, and deep,Thy far-spread family awoke,Sabbath all round the world to keep.3From east to west the sun surveyed,From north to south, adoring throngs;And still where evening stretched her shadeThe stars came forth to hear their songs.4And not a prayer, a tear, a sigh,Hath failed this day some suit to gain;To hearts that sought Thee Thou wast nighNor hath one sought Thy face in vain.5The poor in spirit Thou hast fed,The feeble soul hath strengthened been.The mourner Thou hast comforted,The pure in heart their God have seen.6And Thou, soul-searching God! hast knownThe hearts of all that bent the knee,And all their prayers have reached Thy throne,In soul and truth who worshipped Thee.376.C. M.*Baptism.1When from the Jordan’s gleaming waveCame forth the Sinless One,A voice athwart the heavens flashed,“Lo! my beloved son!”2The Baptist, gazing on his face,With the soul’s radiance bright,Beheld upon his sacred headA snow-white dove alight.3Now with baptismal waters touched,Thy children, Father, see!While heart and soul, and mind and strength,They consecrate to Thee.4Send down on them Thy holy dove,Thy spirit undefiled;Be each in purity and faithThy well-beloved child!5O help them in the wildernessTo conquer doubt and sin;To see above them still Thy Peace,And hear Thy voice within!377.L. M.W. Boston Coll.Baptism of a Child.1This child we dedicate to Thee,O God of grace and purity!Shield it from sin and threatening wrong,And let Thy love its life prolong.2O, may Thy spirit gently drawIts willing soul to keep Thy law;May virtue, piety, and truth,Dawn even with its dawning youth!3We, too, before Thy gracious sight,Once shared the blest baptismal rite,And would renew its solemn vow,With love, and thanks, and praises, now.4Grant that, with true and faithful heart,We still may act the Christian’s part,Cheered by each promise Thou hast given,And laboring for the prize in heaven.378.S. M.Disciples’ H. B.Baptism of a Child.1To Thee, O God in heaven,This little one we bring,Giving to Thee what Thou hast given,Our dearest offering.2Into a world of toilThese little feet will roam,Where sin its purity may soil,Where care and grief may come.3O, then, let Thy pure love,With influence serene,Come down, like water, from above,To comfort and make clean!379.S. M.Disciples’ H. B.Baptism of Children.1To Him who children blest,And suffered them to come,To Him who took them to his breast,We bring these children home.2To Thee, O God, whose faceTheir spirits still behold,We bring them, praying that Thy graceMay keep, Thine arms enfold.3And as this water fallsOn each unconscious brow,Thy holy spirit grant, O Lord,To keep them pure as now!380.C. M.Gaskell.Marriage Hymn.1We join to pray, with wishes kind,A blessing, Lord, from Thee,On those who now the bands have twined,Which ne’er may broken be.2We know that scenes not always brightMust unto them be given;But let there shine o’er all the lightOf love, and truth, and heaven.3Still hand in hand, their journey through,Meek pilgrims may they go;Mingling their joys as helpers true,And sharing every woe.4In faith, and trust, and heart, the same,The same their home above;May each in each still feed the flameOf pure and holy love.381.7s. M.Anonymous.Marriage Hymn.1Father, in Thy presence nowHas been pledged the nuptial vow;Heart to heart, as hand in hand,Linked in one Thy children stand.2God of love! this union bless,Not with earth’s low happiness;But with joys whose heavenly springShall diviner raptures bring.3May these blended souls be foundFirm in duty’s active round;Daily every burden share,Nightly seek Thy shadowing care.4When against their trembling formsShoot the arrows of life’s storms;Or when age and sickness waitHeralds at life’s parting gate;—5In the fulness of belief,May they look beyond the grief;And together fearless treadIn the path where Thou shall lead.382.L. M.Norton.Dedication of a Church.1Where ancient forests widely spread,Where bends the cataract’s ocean-fall;On the lone mountain’s silent head,There are Thy temples, God of all!2The tombs Thine altars are; for there,When earthly loves and hopes have fled,To Thee ascends the spirit’s prayer,Thou God of the immortal dead!3All space is holy, for all spaceIs filled by Thee;—but human thoughtBurns clearer in some chosen place,Where Thine own words of love are taught.4Here be they taught; and may we knowThat faith Thy servants knew of old,Which onward bears, through weal or woe,Till death the gates of heaven unfold.5Nor we alone; may those whose browShows yet no trace of human caresHereafter stand where we do now,And raise to Thee still holier prayers.383.C. M.Bryant.Dedication Hymns.1O Thou, whose own vast temple standsBuilt over earth and sea,Accept the walls that human handsHave raised to worship Thee!2Lord, from Thine inmost glory send,Within these courts to bide,The peace that dwelleth, without end,Serenely by Thy side!3May erring minds that worship hereBe taught the better way;And they who mourn, and they who fear,Be strengthened as they pray.4May faith grow firm, and love grow warm,And pure devotion rise,While round these hallowed walls the stormOf earth-born passion dies.384.C. M.*Ordination Hymn.1O God! Thy children, gathered here,Thy blessing now we wait;Thy servant, girded for his work,Stands at the temple’s gate.2A holy purpose in his heartHas deepened calm and still;Now from his childhood’s NazarethHe comes, to do Thy will.3O Father! keep his soul aliveTo every hope of good;And may his life of love proclaimMan’s truest brotherhood!4O Father! keep his spirit quickTo every form of wrong;And in the ear of sin and selfMay his rebuke be strong!5And as he doth Christ’s footsteps press,If e’er his faith grow dim,Then, in the dreary wilderness,Thine angels strengthen him!6And give him in Thy holy workPatience to wait Thy time,And, toiling still with man, to breatheThe soul’s serener clime.7O grant him many hearts to leadInto Thy perfect rest;Bless Thou him, Father, and his flock:Bless! and they shall be blest!385.C. M.*Ordination.1Go, preach the gospel in my name,Said he of Bethlehem:Teach of a crown more gloriousThan earthly diadem.2Teach ye as I have taught, in love;Be hate unthought, unspoken;Bind up the bleeding heart, nor letThe bruised reed be broken.3If any scorn you for the truthWhich ye shall publish free,Think of the lonely midnight hourIn dark Gethsemane:4Think of my prayers on Olivet,My musings by the sea;And though the heavy chain may bind,That truth shall make you free.386.L. M.*Ordination.1Thy servant’s sandals, Lord, are wetWith Jordan’s wave but lately met,And in that sacred river fallThe olden thoughts, the spirit’s pall.2He stands upon the holy land,And angels take his trustful hand;The Jordan sanctifies his breast,And Christ now leads him to his rest.3His rest? his battle! he must winFair Zion’s gate through ranks of sin;Why are these words, this solemn show,If sin be not his deadly foe?4There gathers here no heavenly host;No fiery tongues of Pentecost,—No gentle dove with winnowing wingsThe spirit to thy servant brings.5The still, small voice hath called him here,And thus is God himself most near:—My people, lift your hearts in prayer,And keep your God forever there.387.S. M.Drummond.A Public Fast.1“Is this a fast for me?”Thus saith the Lord our God;“A day for man to vex his soul,And feel affliction’s rod?2“No; is not this aloneThe sacred fast I choose:Oppression’s yoke to burst in twain,The bands of guilt unloose?3“To nakedness and wantYour food and raiment deal,To dwell your kindred race among,And all their sufferings heal?4“Then, like the morning ray,Shall spring your health and light;Before you, righteousness shall shine,Around, my glory bright!”388.7 & 6s. M.Italian.Prayer of a Stricken People.1O Thou, whose power stupendousUpholds the earth and sky,Thy grace preserving send us,—To Thee, O Lord! we cry.2From wilds of fearful error,Wherein we darkly stray,Oppressed with doubt and terror,For saving aid we pray.3O God of mercy, hear us!Our pain, our sorrow, see;Thy healing pity spare us,And bring us home to Thee!389.6s. M.Anonymous.The New Year.1Joy! joy! a year is born;A year to man is given,For hope, and peace, and love,For faith, and truth, and heaven.Though earth be dark with care,With death and sorrow rife,Yet toil, and pain, and prayer,Lead to our higher life.2Behold, the fields are white!No longer idly stand!Go forth in love and might;Man needs thy helping hand.Thus may each day and yearTo prayer and toil be given,Till man to God draw near,And earth become like heaven.390.C. M.Gaskell.A New Year.1Our Father! through the coming yearWe know not what shall be,But we would leave without a fearIts ordering all to Thee.2It may be we shall toil in vainFor what the world holds fair,And all its good we thought to gainDeceive, and prove but care.3It may be it shall darkly blendOur love with anxious fears,And snatch away the valued friend,The tried of many years.4It may be it shall bring us daysAnd nights of lingering pain,And bid us take our farewell gazeOf these loved haunts of men.5But calmly, Lord, on Thee we rest;No fears our trust shall move;Thou knowest what for each is best,And Thou art perfect love.
351.S. M.*Mrs. Howitt.He is Risen.1O spirit, freed from earth,Rejoice, thy work is done!The weary world’s beneath thy feet,Thou brighter than the sun!2Arise, put on the robesThat the redeemed win;Now sorrow hath no part in thee,Thou sanctified within!3Awake, and breathe the airOf the celestial clime!Awake to love which knows no change,Thou who hast done with time!4Awake, lift up thine eyes!See, all heaven’s host appears!And be thou glad exceedingly,—Thou, who hast done with tears.5Ascend! thou art not nowWith those of mortal birth;The living God hath touched thy lips,Thou who hast done with earth!
S. M.
*Mrs. Howitt.
1O spirit, freed from earth,Rejoice, thy work is done!The weary world’s beneath thy feet,Thou brighter than the sun!
1O spirit, freed from earth,
Rejoice, thy work is done!
The weary world’s beneath thy feet,
Thou brighter than the sun!
2Arise, put on the robesThat the redeemed win;Now sorrow hath no part in thee,Thou sanctified within!
2Arise, put on the robes
That the redeemed win;
Now sorrow hath no part in thee,
Thou sanctified within!
3Awake, and breathe the airOf the celestial clime!Awake to love which knows no change,Thou who hast done with time!
3Awake, and breathe the air
Of the celestial clime!
Awake to love which knows no change,
Thou who hast done with time!
4Awake, lift up thine eyes!See, all heaven’s host appears!And be thou glad exceedingly,—Thou, who hast done with tears.
4Awake, lift up thine eyes!
See, all heaven’s host appears!
And be thou glad exceedingly,—
Thou, who hast done with tears.
5Ascend! thou art not nowWith those of mortal birth;The living God hath touched thy lips,Thou who hast done with earth!
5Ascend! thou art not now
With those of mortal birth;
The living God hath touched thy lips,
Thou who hast done with earth!
352.S. M.Gaskell.No More!1“No more, on earth no more,Shall beam for us that eye;Closed in a strange forgetfulnessForever it must lie.2“No more, on earth no more,Shall we behold that face;Within the mournful halls of deathMust be its dwelling-place.3“No more, on earth no more,Shall those dear lips be heard;Cold silence there hath fixed its seal,Breathed is their latest word.”4’Tis so fond Nature mournsAffection’s broken ties;But Faith stands forth, she points on high,Serenely she replies:—5“No more, in heaven no more,That eye is dim with tears;But bright, and brighter still, the sceneBefore its view appears.6“No more, in heaven no more,That face a shadow bears;But looks of light, born of a blissUnknown to earth, it wears.7“No more, in heaven no more,That voice is faint with pain;It mingles with angelic bands,In their enraptured strain.8“No more, in heaven no more,The parting grief is known;But love has all eternityTo look through as its own.”
S. M.
Gaskell.
1“No more, on earth no more,Shall beam for us that eye;Closed in a strange forgetfulnessForever it must lie.
1“No more, on earth no more,
Shall beam for us that eye;
Closed in a strange forgetfulness
Forever it must lie.
2“No more, on earth no more,Shall we behold that face;Within the mournful halls of deathMust be its dwelling-place.
2“No more, on earth no more,
Shall we behold that face;
Within the mournful halls of death
Must be its dwelling-place.
3“No more, on earth no more,Shall those dear lips be heard;Cold silence there hath fixed its seal,Breathed is their latest word.”
3“No more, on earth no more,
Shall those dear lips be heard;
Cold silence there hath fixed its seal,
Breathed is their latest word.”
4’Tis so fond Nature mournsAffection’s broken ties;But Faith stands forth, she points on high,Serenely she replies:—
4’Tis so fond Nature mourns
Affection’s broken ties;
But Faith stands forth, she points on high,
Serenely she replies:—
5“No more, in heaven no more,That eye is dim with tears;But bright, and brighter still, the sceneBefore its view appears.
5“No more, in heaven no more,
That eye is dim with tears;
But bright, and brighter still, the scene
Before its view appears.
6“No more, in heaven no more,That face a shadow bears;But looks of light, born of a blissUnknown to earth, it wears.
6“No more, in heaven no more,
That face a shadow bears;
But looks of light, born of a bliss
Unknown to earth, it wears.
7“No more, in heaven no more,That voice is faint with pain;It mingles with angelic bands,In their enraptured strain.
7“No more, in heaven no more,
That voice is faint with pain;
It mingles with angelic bands,
In their enraptured strain.
8“No more, in heaven no more,The parting grief is known;But love has all eternityTo look through as its own.”
8“No more, in heaven no more,
The parting grief is known;
But love has all eternity
To look through as its own.”
353.C. M.Barton.The Dead.1The dead are like the stars by day,Withdrawn from mortal eye,Yet holding unperceived their wayThrough the unclouded sky.2By them, through holy hope and love,We feel, in hours serene,Connected with a world above,Immortal and unseen.8For death his sacred seal hath setOn bright and bygone hours;And they we mourn are with us yet,Are more than ever ours;—4Ours, by the pledge of love and faith,By hopes of heaven on high;By trust, triumphant over death,In immortality.
C. M.
Barton.
1The dead are like the stars by day,Withdrawn from mortal eye,Yet holding unperceived their wayThrough the unclouded sky.
1The dead are like the stars by day,
Withdrawn from mortal eye,
Yet holding unperceived their way
Through the unclouded sky.
2By them, through holy hope and love,We feel, in hours serene,Connected with a world above,Immortal and unseen.
2By them, through holy hope and love,
We feel, in hours serene,
Connected with a world above,
Immortal and unseen.
8For death his sacred seal hath setOn bright and bygone hours;And they we mourn are with us yet,Are more than ever ours;—
8For death his sacred seal hath set
On bright and bygone hours;
And they we mourn are with us yet,
Are more than ever ours;—
4Ours, by the pledge of love and faith,By hopes of heaven on high;By trust, triumphant over death,In immortality.
4Ours, by the pledge of love and faith,
By hopes of heaven on high;
By trust, triumphant over death,
In immortality.
354.P. M.Anonymous.The Departed.1The spirits of the loved and the departedAre with us, and they tell us of the sky,A rest for the bereaved and broken-hearted,A house not made with hands, a home on high;Holy monitions,—a mysterious breath,—A whisper from the marble halls of death.2They have gone from us, and the grave is strong,Yet in night’s silent watches they are near;Their voices linger round us, as the songOf the sweet bird that lingers on the ear,When, floating upward in the flush of even,Its form is lost from earth and swallowed up in heaven.
P. M.
Anonymous.
1The spirits of the loved and the departedAre with us, and they tell us of the sky,A rest for the bereaved and broken-hearted,A house not made with hands, a home on high;Holy monitions,—a mysterious breath,—A whisper from the marble halls of death.
1The spirits of the loved and the departed
Are with us, and they tell us of the sky,
A rest for the bereaved and broken-hearted,
A house not made with hands, a home on high;
Holy monitions,—a mysterious breath,—
A whisper from the marble halls of death.
2They have gone from us, and the grave is strong,Yet in night’s silent watches they are near;Their voices linger round us, as the songOf the sweet bird that lingers on the ear,When, floating upward in the flush of even,Its form is lost from earth and swallowed up in heaven.
2They have gone from us, and the grave is strong,
Yet in night’s silent watches they are near;
Their voices linger round us, as the song
Of the sweet bird that lingers on the ear,
When, floating upward in the flush of even,
Its form is lost from earth and swallowed up in heaven.
355.11s. M.Anonymous.Are They Not All Ministering Spirits?1How dear is the thought, that the angels of GodMay bow their bright wings to the world they once trod;Will leave the sweet songs of the mansions above,To breathe o’er our bosoms some message of love!2They come, on the wings of the morning they come,Impatient to lead some poor wanderer home;Some sinner to save from his darkened abode,And lay him to rest in the arms of his God.3They come when we wander, they come when we pray,In mercy to guard us wherever we stray;A glorious cloud, their bright witness is given;Encircling us here are these angels of heaven.
11s. M.
Anonymous.
1How dear is the thought, that the angels of GodMay bow their bright wings to the world they once trod;Will leave the sweet songs of the mansions above,To breathe o’er our bosoms some message of love!
1How dear is the thought, that the angels of God
May bow their bright wings to the world they once trod;
Will leave the sweet songs of the mansions above,
To breathe o’er our bosoms some message of love!
2They come, on the wings of the morning they come,Impatient to lead some poor wanderer home;Some sinner to save from his darkened abode,And lay him to rest in the arms of his God.
2They come, on the wings of the morning they come,
Impatient to lead some poor wanderer home;
Some sinner to save from his darkened abode,
And lay him to rest in the arms of his God.
3They come when we wander, they come when we pray,In mercy to guard us wherever we stray;A glorious cloud, their bright witness is given;Encircling us here are these angels of heaven.
3They come when we wander, they come when we pray,
In mercy to guard us wherever we stray;
A glorious cloud, their bright witness is given;
Encircling us here are these angels of heaven.
356.C. M.*J. H. Perkins.Spiritual Presence.1It is a faith sublime and sure,That ever round our headAre hovering, on noiseless wing,The spirits of the dead.2It is a faith sublime and sure,When ended our career,That it will be our ministryTo watch o’er others here;3To bid the mourners cease to mourn,The trembling be forgiven,To bear away from ills of clayThe deathless soul to heaven.
C. M.
*J. H. Perkins.
1It is a faith sublime and sure,That ever round our headAre hovering, on noiseless wing,The spirits of the dead.
1It is a faith sublime and sure,
That ever round our head
Are hovering, on noiseless wing,
The spirits of the dead.
2It is a faith sublime and sure,When ended our career,That it will be our ministryTo watch o’er others here;
2It is a faith sublime and sure,
When ended our career,
That it will be our ministry
To watch o’er others here;
3To bid the mourners cease to mourn,The trembling be forgiven,To bear away from ills of clayThe deathless soul to heaven.
3To bid the mourners cease to mourn,
The trembling be forgiven,
To bear away from ills of clay
The deathless soul to heaven.
357.C. M.Jane Taylor.The Unseen World.1There is a state unknown, unseen,Where parted souls must be;And but a step doth lie betweenThat world of souls and me.2I see no light, I hear no sound,When midnight shades are spread;Yet angels pitch their tents around,And guard my quiet bed.3The things unseen, O God, reveal;My spirit’s vision clear,Till I shall feel, and see, and know,That those I love are near.4Impart the faith that soars on high,Beyond this earthly strife;That holds sweet converse with the sky,And lives eternal life.
C. M.
Jane Taylor.
1There is a state unknown, unseen,Where parted souls must be;And but a step doth lie betweenThat world of souls and me.
1There is a state unknown, unseen,
Where parted souls must be;
And but a step doth lie between
That world of souls and me.
2I see no light, I hear no sound,When midnight shades are spread;Yet angels pitch their tents around,And guard my quiet bed.
2I see no light, I hear no sound,
When midnight shades are spread;
Yet angels pitch their tents around,
And guard my quiet bed.
3The things unseen, O God, reveal;My spirit’s vision clear,Till I shall feel, and see, and know,That those I love are near.
3The things unseen, O God, reveal;
My spirit’s vision clear,
Till I shall feel, and see, and know,
That those I love are near.
4Impart the faith that soars on high,Beyond this earthly strife;That holds sweet converse with the sky,And lives eternal life.
4Impart the faith that soars on high,
Beyond this earthly strife;
That holds sweet converse with the sky,
And lives eternal life.
358.P. M.Anonymous.Ministering Angels.1Brother, the angels say,Peace to thy heart!We, too, O brother, haveBeen as thou art,—Hope-lifted, doubt-depressed,Seeing in part,Tried, troubled, tempted,Sustained, as thou art.2Brother, they softly say,Be our thoughts one;Bend thou with us and pray,“Thy will be done!”Our God is thy God;He willeth the best;Trust Him as we trusted—Rest as we rest!3Ye, too, they gently say,Shall angels be;Ye, too, O brothers,From earth shall be free:Yet in earth’s loved onesYe still shall have part,Bearing God’s strength and loveTo the torn heart.4Thus when the spirit, triedTempted and worn,Finding no earthly aid,Heavenward doth turn,—Come these sweet angel-tones,Falling like balm,And on the troubled heartSteals a deep calm.
P. M.
Anonymous.
1Brother, the angels say,Peace to thy heart!We, too, O brother, haveBeen as thou art,—Hope-lifted, doubt-depressed,Seeing in part,Tried, troubled, tempted,Sustained, as thou art.
1Brother, the angels say,
Peace to thy heart!
We, too, O brother, have
Been as thou art,—
Hope-lifted, doubt-depressed,
Seeing in part,
Tried, troubled, tempted,
Sustained, as thou art.
2Brother, they softly say,Be our thoughts one;Bend thou with us and pray,“Thy will be done!”Our God is thy God;He willeth the best;Trust Him as we trusted—Rest as we rest!
2Brother, they softly say,
Be our thoughts one;
Bend thou with us and pray,
“Thy will be done!”
Our God is thy God;
He willeth the best;
Trust Him as we trusted—
Rest as we rest!
3Ye, too, they gently say,Shall angels be;Ye, too, O brothers,From earth shall be free:Yet in earth’s loved onesYe still shall have part,Bearing God’s strength and loveTo the torn heart.
3Ye, too, they gently say,
Shall angels be;
Ye, too, O brothers,
From earth shall be free:
Yet in earth’s loved ones
Ye still shall have part,
Bearing God’s strength and love
To the torn heart.
4Thus when the spirit, triedTempted and worn,Finding no earthly aid,Heavenward doth turn,—Come these sweet angel-tones,Falling like balm,And on the troubled heartSteals a deep calm.
4Thus when the spirit, tried
Tempted and worn,
Finding no earthly aid,
Heavenward doth turn,—
Come these sweet angel-tones,
Falling like balm,
And on the troubled heart
Steals a deep calm.
359.C. M.Mrs. Miles.Foretaste of Heaven.1When, on devotion’s seraph wing,The spirit soars above,And feels Thy presence, Father, Friend,God of eternal love!The joys of earth, how swift they fadeBefore that living ray,Which gives to the rapt soul a glimpseOf pure and perfect day!2A gleam of Heaven’s own light, though nowIts brightness scarce appearsThrough the pale shadows that are spreadAround our earthly years;But Thine unclouded smile, O God!Fills that all-glorious place,Where we shall know as we are known,And see Thee, face to face.
C. M.
Mrs. Miles.
1When, on devotion’s seraph wing,The spirit soars above,And feels Thy presence, Father, Friend,God of eternal love!The joys of earth, how swift they fadeBefore that living ray,Which gives to the rapt soul a glimpseOf pure and perfect day!
1When, on devotion’s seraph wing,
The spirit soars above,
And feels Thy presence, Father, Friend,
God of eternal love!
The joys of earth, how swift they fade
Before that living ray,
Which gives to the rapt soul a glimpse
Of pure and perfect day!
2A gleam of Heaven’s own light, though nowIts brightness scarce appearsThrough the pale shadows that are spreadAround our earthly years;But Thine unclouded smile, O God!Fills that all-glorious place,Where we shall know as we are known,And see Thee, face to face.
2A gleam of Heaven’s own light, though now
Its brightness scarce appears
Through the pale shadows that are spread
Around our earthly years;
But Thine unclouded smile, O God!
Fills that all-glorious place,
Where we shall know as we are known,
And see Thee, face to face.
360.S. M.Briggs’ Coll.The Angels’ Call.1Come to the land of peace!From shadows come away;Where all the sounds of weeping cease,And storms no more have sway!2Fear hath no dwelling here;But pure repose and loveBreathe through the bright, celestial airThe spirit of the dove.3Come to the bright and blest,Gathered from every land;For here thy soul shall find its rest,Amidst the shining band.4In this divine abodeChange leaves no saddening trace;Come, trusting spirit, to thy God,Thy holy resting-place!
S. M.
Briggs’ Coll.
1Come to the land of peace!From shadows come away;Where all the sounds of weeping cease,And storms no more have sway!
1Come to the land of peace!
From shadows come away;
Where all the sounds of weeping cease,
And storms no more have sway!
2Fear hath no dwelling here;But pure repose and loveBreathe through the bright, celestial airThe spirit of the dove.
2Fear hath no dwelling here;
But pure repose and love
Breathe through the bright, celestial air
The spirit of the dove.
3Come to the bright and blest,Gathered from every land;For here thy soul shall find its rest,Amidst the shining band.
3Come to the bright and blest,
Gathered from every land;
For here thy soul shall find its rest,
Amidst the shining band.
4In this divine abodeChange leaves no saddening trace;Come, trusting spirit, to thy God,Thy holy resting-place!
4In this divine abode
Change leaves no saddening trace;
Come, trusting spirit, to thy God,
Thy holy resting-place!
361.C. M.Briggs’ Coll.A Vision of Heaven.1O, heaven is where no secret dreadMay haunt us by its power;Where from the past no gloom is shedUpon the present hour.2And there the living waters flowAlong the radiant shore;The soul, now wandering here, shall knowIts burning thirst no more.3The burden of the stranger’s heart,Which here unknown we bear,Like the night-shadow shall departWith our first wakening there.4And, borne on eagle’s wings afar,Free thought shall claim its dower,From every sphere, from every star,Of glory and of power.
C. M.
Briggs’ Coll.
1O, heaven is where no secret dreadMay haunt us by its power;Where from the past no gloom is shedUpon the present hour.
1O, heaven is where no secret dread
May haunt us by its power;
Where from the past no gloom is shed
Upon the present hour.
2And there the living waters flowAlong the radiant shore;The soul, now wandering here, shall knowIts burning thirst no more.
2And there the living waters flow
Along the radiant shore;
The soul, now wandering here, shall know
Its burning thirst no more.
3The burden of the stranger’s heart,Which here unknown we bear,Like the night-shadow shall departWith our first wakening there.
3The burden of the stranger’s heart,
Which here unknown we bear,
Like the night-shadow shall depart
With our first wakening there.
4And, borne on eagle’s wings afar,Free thought shall claim its dower,From every sphere, from every star,Of glory and of power.
4And, borne on eagle’s wings afar,
Free thought shall claim its dower,
From every sphere, from every star,
Of glory and of power.
VIII. VARIOUS OCCASIONS.362.P. M.Sterling.A Hymn of Morning.1Sweet morn! from countless cups of gold,Thou liftest reverently on highMore incense fine than earth can hold,To fill the sky.2Where’er the vision’s boundaries glance,Existence swells with living power,And all the illumined earth’s expanseInhales the hour.3In man, O morn! a loftier good,With conscious blessing, fills the soul,—A life by reason understood,Which metes the whole.4To thousand tasks of fruitful hope,With skill against his toil, he bends,And finds his work’s determined scopeWhere’er he wends.5From earth and earthly toil and strifeTo deathless aims his soul may rise,Each dawn may wake to better life,With purer eyes.6Such grace from Thee, O God, be ours,Renewed with every morning’s ray,And freshening still with added flowersEach future day.7To man is given one primal star;One dayspring’s beam has dawned below;From Thine our inmost glories are,With Thine we glow.8Like earth awake and warm and bright,With joy the spirit moves and burns;So up to Thee, O Fount of Light,Our light returns.
P. M.
Sterling.
1Sweet morn! from countless cups of gold,Thou liftest reverently on highMore incense fine than earth can hold,To fill the sky.
1Sweet morn! from countless cups of gold,
Thou liftest reverently on high
More incense fine than earth can hold,
To fill the sky.
2Where’er the vision’s boundaries glance,Existence swells with living power,And all the illumined earth’s expanseInhales the hour.
2Where’er the vision’s boundaries glance,
Existence swells with living power,
And all the illumined earth’s expanse
Inhales the hour.
3In man, O morn! a loftier good,With conscious blessing, fills the soul,—A life by reason understood,Which metes the whole.
3In man, O morn! a loftier good,
With conscious blessing, fills the soul,—
A life by reason understood,
Which metes the whole.
4To thousand tasks of fruitful hope,With skill against his toil, he bends,And finds his work’s determined scopeWhere’er he wends.
4To thousand tasks of fruitful hope,
With skill against his toil, he bends,
And finds his work’s determined scope
Where’er he wends.
5From earth and earthly toil and strifeTo deathless aims his soul may rise,Each dawn may wake to better life,With purer eyes.
5From earth and earthly toil and strife
To deathless aims his soul may rise,
Each dawn may wake to better life,
With purer eyes.
6Such grace from Thee, O God, be ours,Renewed with every morning’s ray,And freshening still with added flowersEach future day.
6Such grace from Thee, O God, be ours,
Renewed with every morning’s ray,
And freshening still with added flowers
Each future day.
7To man is given one primal star;One dayspring’s beam has dawned below;From Thine our inmost glories are,With Thine we glow.
7To man is given one primal star;
One dayspring’s beam has dawned below;
From Thine our inmost glories are,
With Thine we glow.
8Like earth awake and warm and bright,With joy the spirit moves and burns;So up to Thee, O Fount of Light,Our light returns.
8Like earth awake and warm and bright,
With joy the spirit moves and burns;
So up to Thee, O Fount of Light,
Our light returns.
363.7s. M.Episcopal Coll.Morning Hymn.1Now the shades of night are gone;Now the morning light is come:Lord, may we be Thine to-day;Drive the shades of sin away.2Fill our souls with heavenly light,Banish doubt, and clear our sight;In Thy service, Lord, to-day,May we stand, and watch, and pray.3Keep our haughty passions bound;Save us from our foes around;Going out and coming in,Keep us safe from every sin.
7s. M.
Episcopal Coll.
1Now the shades of night are gone;Now the morning light is come:Lord, may we be Thine to-day;Drive the shades of sin away.
1Now the shades of night are gone;
Now the morning light is come:
Lord, may we be Thine to-day;
Drive the shades of sin away.
2Fill our souls with heavenly light,Banish doubt, and clear our sight;In Thy service, Lord, to-day,May we stand, and watch, and pray.
2Fill our souls with heavenly light,
Banish doubt, and clear our sight;
In Thy service, Lord, to-day,
May we stand, and watch, and pray.
3Keep our haughty passions bound;Save us from our foes around;Going out and coming in,Keep us safe from every sin.
3Keep our haughty passions bound;
Save us from our foes around;
Going out and coming in,
Keep us safe from every sin.
364.7s. M.Furness.Morning Hymn.1In the morning I will prayFor God’s blessing on the day;What this day shall be my lot,Light or darkness, know I not.2Should it be with clouds o’ercast,Clouds of sorrow, gathering fast,Thou, who givest light divine,Shine within me, Lord, O, shine!3Show me, if I tempted be,How to find all strength in Thee,And a perfect triumph winOver every bosom sin.4Keep my feet from secret snares,Keep mine eyes, O God, from tears!Every step Thy love attend,And my soul from death defend!
7s. M.
Furness.
1In the morning I will prayFor God’s blessing on the day;What this day shall be my lot,Light or darkness, know I not.
1In the morning I will pray
For God’s blessing on the day;
What this day shall be my lot,
Light or darkness, know I not.
2Should it be with clouds o’ercast,Clouds of sorrow, gathering fast,Thou, who givest light divine,Shine within me, Lord, O, shine!
2Should it be with clouds o’ercast,
Clouds of sorrow, gathering fast,
Thou, who givest light divine,
Shine within me, Lord, O, shine!
3Show me, if I tempted be,How to find all strength in Thee,And a perfect triumph winOver every bosom sin.
3Show me, if I tempted be,
How to find all strength in Thee,
And a perfect triumph win
Over every bosom sin.
4Keep my feet from secret snares,Keep mine eyes, O God, from tears!Every step Thy love attend,And my soul from death defend!
4Keep my feet from secret snares,
Keep mine eyes, O God, from tears!
Every step Thy love attend,
And my soul from death defend!
365.C. M.St. Ambrose.Morning Hymn.1Now that the sun is beaming bright,Implore we, bending low,That He, the uncreated Light,May guide us as we go.2No sinful word, nor deed of wrong,Nor thoughts that idly rove,But simple truth be on our tongue,And in our hearts be love.3And while the hours in order flow,Securely keep, O God,Our hearts, beleaguered by the foeThat tempts our every road.4And grant that to Thine honor, Lord,Our daily toil may tend;That we begin it at Thy word,And in Thy favor end.
C. M.
St. Ambrose.
1Now that the sun is beaming bright,Implore we, bending low,That He, the uncreated Light,May guide us as we go.
1Now that the sun is beaming bright,
Implore we, bending low,
That He, the uncreated Light,
May guide us as we go.
2No sinful word, nor deed of wrong,Nor thoughts that idly rove,But simple truth be on our tongue,And in our hearts be love.
2No sinful word, nor deed of wrong,
Nor thoughts that idly rove,
But simple truth be on our tongue,
And in our hearts be love.
3And while the hours in order flow,Securely keep, O God,Our hearts, beleaguered by the foeThat tempts our every road.
3And while the hours in order flow,
Securely keep, O God,
Our hearts, beleaguered by the foe
That tempts our every road.
4And grant that to Thine honor, Lord,Our daily toil may tend;That we begin it at Thy word,And in Thy favor end.
4And grant that to Thine honor, Lord,
Our daily toil may tend;
That we begin it at Thy word,
And in Thy favor end.
366.L. M.Pierpont.Morning Hymn for a Child.1O God! I thank Thee that the nightIn peace and rest hath passed away,And that I see in this fair lightMy Father’s smile, that makes it day.2Be Thou my guide, and let me liveAs under Thine all-seeing eye;Supply my wants, my sins forgive,And make me happy when I die.
L. M.
Pierpont.
1O God! I thank Thee that the nightIn peace and rest hath passed away,And that I see in this fair lightMy Father’s smile, that makes it day.
1O God! I thank Thee that the night
In peace and rest hath passed away,
And that I see in this fair light
My Father’s smile, that makes it day.
2Be Thou my guide, and let me liveAs under Thine all-seeing eye;Supply my wants, my sins forgive,And make me happy when I die.
2Be Thou my guide, and let me live
As under Thine all-seeing eye;
Supply my wants, my sins forgive,
And make me happy when I die.
367.P. M.Heber.Evening Aspiration.God that madest earth and heaven,Darkness and light!Who the day for toil hast given,For rest the night!May Thine angel guards defend us,Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us,Holy dreams and hopes attend us,This livelong night!
P. M.
Heber.
God that madest earth and heaven,Darkness and light!Who the day for toil hast given,For rest the night!May Thine angel guards defend us,Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us,Holy dreams and hopes attend us,This livelong night!
God that madest earth and heaven,
Darkness and light!
Who the day for toil hast given,
For rest the night!
May Thine angel guards defend us,
Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us,
Holy dreams and hopes attend us,
This livelong night!
368.7s. M.St. Gregory.Evening Hymn.1Source of light and life divine!Thou didst cause the light to shine;Thou didst bring Thy sunbeams forthO’er Thy new-created earth.2Shade of night and morning rayTook from Thee the name of day:Now again the shades are nigh,Listen to Thy children’s cry!3May we ne’er, by guilt depressed,Lose the way to endless rest;May no thoughts, corrupt and vain,Draw our souls to earth again.4Rather help them still to riseWhere our dearest treasure lies;Help us in our daily strife,Make us struggle into life!
7s. M.
St. Gregory.
1Source of light and life divine!Thou didst cause the light to shine;Thou didst bring Thy sunbeams forthO’er Thy new-created earth.
1Source of light and life divine!
Thou didst cause the light to shine;
Thou didst bring Thy sunbeams forth
O’er Thy new-created earth.
2Shade of night and morning rayTook from Thee the name of day:Now again the shades are nigh,Listen to Thy children’s cry!
2Shade of night and morning ray
Took from Thee the name of day:
Now again the shades are nigh,
Listen to Thy children’s cry!
3May we ne’er, by guilt depressed,Lose the way to endless rest;May no thoughts, corrupt and vain,Draw our souls to earth again.
3May we ne’er, by guilt depressed,
Lose the way to endless rest;
May no thoughts, corrupt and vain,
Draw our souls to earth again.
4Rather help them still to riseWhere our dearest treasure lies;Help us in our daily strife,Make us struggle into life!
4Rather help them still to rise
Where our dearest treasure lies;
Help us in our daily strife,
Make us struggle into life!
369.L. M.*Wordsworth.Sunset Hymn.1Up to the throne of God is borneThe voice of praise at early morn,And He accepts the reverent hymnSung as the light of day grows dim.2Look up to heaven! the obedient sunAlready through his course hath run;He cannot halt or go astray,But our immortal spirits may.3Lord, since his rising in the east,If we have faltered or transgressed,Guide, from Thy love’s abundant source,What yet remains of this day’s course.4Help with Thy grace, through all life’s day,Our upward and our downward way;And glorify for us the west,When we shall sink into our rest.
L. M.
*Wordsworth.
1Up to the throne of God is borneThe voice of praise at early morn,And He accepts the reverent hymnSung as the light of day grows dim.
1Up to the throne of God is borne
The voice of praise at early morn,
And He accepts the reverent hymn
Sung as the light of day grows dim.
2Look up to heaven! the obedient sunAlready through his course hath run;He cannot halt or go astray,But our immortal spirits may.
2Look up to heaven! the obedient sun
Already through his course hath run;
He cannot halt or go astray,
But our immortal spirits may.
3Lord, since his rising in the east,If we have faltered or transgressed,Guide, from Thy love’s abundant source,What yet remains of this day’s course.
3Lord, since his rising in the east,
If we have faltered or transgressed,
Guide, from Thy love’s abundant source,
What yet remains of this day’s course.
4Help with Thy grace, through all life’s day,Our upward and our downward way;And glorify for us the west,When we shall sink into our rest.
4Help with Thy grace, through all life’s day,
Our upward and our downward way;
And glorify for us the west,
When we shall sink into our rest.
370.P. M.Anonymous.Vespers.1Fading, still fading, the last beam is shining;Father in heaven! the day is declining;Safety and innocence flee with the light,Temptation and danger walk forth with the night;From the fall of the shade till the morning bells chime,Shield us from danger and keep us from crime!Father! have mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!2Father in heaven! O, hear, when we call,Through Jesus Christ, who is Saviour of all!Fainting and feeble, we trust in Thy might;In doubting and darkness Thy love be our light!Let us sleep on Thy breast while the night taper burns,And wake in Thy arms when the morning returns.Father! have mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!
P. M.
Anonymous.
1Fading, still fading, the last beam is shining;Father in heaven! the day is declining;Safety and innocence flee with the light,Temptation and danger walk forth with the night;From the fall of the shade till the morning bells chime,Shield us from danger and keep us from crime!Father! have mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!
1Fading, still fading, the last beam is shining;
Father in heaven! the day is declining;
Safety and innocence flee with the light,
Temptation and danger walk forth with the night;
From the fall of the shade till the morning bells chime,
Shield us from danger and keep us from crime!
Father! have mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!
2Father in heaven! O, hear, when we call,Through Jesus Christ, who is Saviour of all!Fainting and feeble, we trust in Thy might;In doubting and darkness Thy love be our light!Let us sleep on Thy breast while the night taper burns,And wake in Thy arms when the morning returns.Father! have mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!
2Father in heaven! O, hear, when we call,
Through Jesus Christ, who is Saviour of all!
Fainting and feeble, we trust in Thy might;
In doubting and darkness Thy love be our light!
Let us sleep on Thy breast while the night taper burns,
And wake in Thy arms when the morning returns.
Father! have mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!
371.7s. M.*Furness.The Light of Stars.1Slowly, by God’s hand unfurled,Down around the weary worldFalls the darkness; O, how stillIs the working of His will!2Mighty spirit, ever nigh!Work in me as silently;Veil the day’s distracting sights,Show me heaven’s eternal lights.3Living stars to view be broughtIn the boundless realms of thought;High and infinite desires,Flaming like those upper fires!4Holy Truth, Eternal Right,Let them break upon my sight;Let them shine serene and still,And with light my being fill.
7s. M.
*Furness.
1Slowly, by God’s hand unfurled,Down around the weary worldFalls the darkness; O, how stillIs the working of His will!
1Slowly, by God’s hand unfurled,
Down around the weary world
Falls the darkness; O, how still
Is the working of His will!
2Mighty spirit, ever nigh!Work in me as silently;Veil the day’s distracting sights,Show me heaven’s eternal lights.
2Mighty spirit, ever nigh!
Work in me as silently;
Veil the day’s distracting sights,
Show me heaven’s eternal lights.
3Living stars to view be broughtIn the boundless realms of thought;High and infinite desires,Flaming like those upper fires!
3Living stars to view be brought
In the boundless realms of thought;
High and infinite desires,
Flaming like those upper fires!
4Holy Truth, Eternal Right,Let them break upon my sight;Let them shine serene and still,And with light my being fill.
4Holy Truth, Eternal Right,
Let them break upon my sight;
Let them shine serene and still,
And with light my being fill.
372.L. M.Pierpont.Evening Hymn for a Child.1Another day its course hath run,And still, O God! Thy child is blest;For Thou hast been by day my sun,And Thou wilt be by night my rest.2Sweet sleep descends, mine eyes to close;And now, while all the world is still,I give my body to repose,My spirit to my Father’s will.
L. M.
Pierpont.
1Another day its course hath run,And still, O God! Thy child is blest;For Thou hast been by day my sun,And Thou wilt be by night my rest.
1Another day its course hath run,
And still, O God! Thy child is blest;
For Thou hast been by day my sun,
And Thou wilt be by night my rest.
2Sweet sleep descends, mine eyes to close;And now, while all the world is still,I give my body to repose,My spirit to my Father’s will.
2Sweet sleep descends, mine eyes to close;
And now, while all the world is still,
I give my body to repose,
My spirit to my Father’s will.
373.L. M.Doddridge.The Eternal Sabbath.1Lord of the Sabbath, hear our vows,On this Thy day, in this Thy house;And own, as grateful sacrifice,The songs which from Thy churches rise.2Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love;But there’s a nobler rest above;To that our longing souls aspire,With earnest hope and strong desire.3No more fatigue, no more distress;Nor sin nor death shall reach the place;No groans to mingle with the songsWhich warble from immortal tongues.4No rude alarms of raging foes;No cares to break the long repose;No midnight shade, no clouded sun,But sacred, high, eternal noon.5O long expected day, begin;Dawn on these realms of woe and sin!Fain would we leave this weary road,And pass through death, to rest with God.
L. M.
Doddridge.
1Lord of the Sabbath, hear our vows,On this Thy day, in this Thy house;And own, as grateful sacrifice,The songs which from Thy churches rise.
1Lord of the Sabbath, hear our vows,
On this Thy day, in this Thy house;
And own, as grateful sacrifice,
The songs which from Thy churches rise.
2Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love;But there’s a nobler rest above;To that our longing souls aspire,With earnest hope and strong desire.
2Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love;
But there’s a nobler rest above;
To that our longing souls aspire,
With earnest hope and strong desire.
3No more fatigue, no more distress;Nor sin nor death shall reach the place;No groans to mingle with the songsWhich warble from immortal tongues.
3No more fatigue, no more distress;
Nor sin nor death shall reach the place;
No groans to mingle with the songs
Which warble from immortal tongues.
4No rude alarms of raging foes;No cares to break the long repose;No midnight shade, no clouded sun,But sacred, high, eternal noon.
4No rude alarms of raging foes;
No cares to break the long repose;
No midnight shade, no clouded sun,
But sacred, high, eternal noon.
5O long expected day, begin;Dawn on these realms of woe and sin!Fain would we leave this weary road,And pass through death, to rest with God.
5O long expected day, begin;
Dawn on these realms of woe and sin!
Fain would we leave this weary road,
And pass through death, to rest with God.
374.C. M.Christian Hymns.Sabbath Morning.1How sweet, how calm, this Sabbath morn!How pure the air that breathes!How soft the sounds upon it borne!How light its vapor wreathes!2It seems as if the Christian’s prayer,For peace and joy and love,Were answered by the very airThat wafts its strain above.3Let each unholy passion cease,Each evil thought be crushed,And every care that mars our peaceIn Faith and Love be hushed.
C. M.
Christian Hymns.
1How sweet, how calm, this Sabbath morn!How pure the air that breathes!How soft the sounds upon it borne!How light its vapor wreathes!
1How sweet, how calm, this Sabbath morn!
How pure the air that breathes!
How soft the sounds upon it borne!
How light its vapor wreathes!
2It seems as if the Christian’s prayer,For peace and joy and love,Were answered by the very airThat wafts its strain above.
2It seems as if the Christian’s prayer,
For peace and joy and love,
Were answered by the very air
That wafts its strain above.
3Let each unholy passion cease,Each evil thought be crushed,And every care that mars our peaceIn Faith and Love be hushed.
3Let each unholy passion cease,
Each evil thought be crushed,
And every care that mars our peace
In Faith and Love be hushed.
375.L. M.*Montgomery.Sabbath Evening.1Within Thy courts have millions met,Millions this day before Thee bowed;Their faces heavenward were set,Their vows to Thee, O God! they vowed.2Still as the light of morning brokeO’er island, continent, and deep,Thy far-spread family awoke,Sabbath all round the world to keep.3From east to west the sun surveyed,From north to south, adoring throngs;And still where evening stretched her shadeThe stars came forth to hear their songs.4And not a prayer, a tear, a sigh,Hath failed this day some suit to gain;To hearts that sought Thee Thou wast nighNor hath one sought Thy face in vain.5The poor in spirit Thou hast fed,The feeble soul hath strengthened been.The mourner Thou hast comforted,The pure in heart their God have seen.6And Thou, soul-searching God! hast knownThe hearts of all that bent the knee,And all their prayers have reached Thy throne,In soul and truth who worshipped Thee.
L. M.
*Montgomery.
1Within Thy courts have millions met,Millions this day before Thee bowed;Their faces heavenward were set,Their vows to Thee, O God! they vowed.
1Within Thy courts have millions met,
Millions this day before Thee bowed;
Their faces heavenward were set,
Their vows to Thee, O God! they vowed.
2Still as the light of morning brokeO’er island, continent, and deep,Thy far-spread family awoke,Sabbath all round the world to keep.
2Still as the light of morning broke
O’er island, continent, and deep,
Thy far-spread family awoke,
Sabbath all round the world to keep.
3From east to west the sun surveyed,From north to south, adoring throngs;And still where evening stretched her shadeThe stars came forth to hear their songs.
3From east to west the sun surveyed,
From north to south, adoring throngs;
And still where evening stretched her shade
The stars came forth to hear their songs.
4And not a prayer, a tear, a sigh,Hath failed this day some suit to gain;To hearts that sought Thee Thou wast nighNor hath one sought Thy face in vain.
4And not a prayer, a tear, a sigh,
Hath failed this day some suit to gain;
To hearts that sought Thee Thou wast nigh
Nor hath one sought Thy face in vain.
5The poor in spirit Thou hast fed,The feeble soul hath strengthened been.The mourner Thou hast comforted,The pure in heart their God have seen.
5The poor in spirit Thou hast fed,
The feeble soul hath strengthened been.
The mourner Thou hast comforted,
The pure in heart their God have seen.
6And Thou, soul-searching God! hast knownThe hearts of all that bent the knee,And all their prayers have reached Thy throne,In soul and truth who worshipped Thee.
6And Thou, soul-searching God! hast known
The hearts of all that bent the knee,
And all their prayers have reached Thy throne,
In soul and truth who worshipped Thee.
376.C. M.*Baptism.1When from the Jordan’s gleaming waveCame forth the Sinless One,A voice athwart the heavens flashed,“Lo! my beloved son!”2The Baptist, gazing on his face,With the soul’s radiance bright,Beheld upon his sacred headA snow-white dove alight.3Now with baptismal waters touched,Thy children, Father, see!While heart and soul, and mind and strength,They consecrate to Thee.4Send down on them Thy holy dove,Thy spirit undefiled;Be each in purity and faithThy well-beloved child!5O help them in the wildernessTo conquer doubt and sin;To see above them still Thy Peace,And hear Thy voice within!
C. M.
*
1When from the Jordan’s gleaming waveCame forth the Sinless One,A voice athwart the heavens flashed,“Lo! my beloved son!”
1When from the Jordan’s gleaming wave
Came forth the Sinless One,
A voice athwart the heavens flashed,
“Lo! my beloved son!”
2The Baptist, gazing on his face,With the soul’s radiance bright,Beheld upon his sacred headA snow-white dove alight.
2The Baptist, gazing on his face,
With the soul’s radiance bright,
Beheld upon his sacred head
A snow-white dove alight.
3Now with baptismal waters touched,Thy children, Father, see!While heart and soul, and mind and strength,They consecrate to Thee.
3Now with baptismal waters touched,
Thy children, Father, see!
While heart and soul, and mind and strength,
They consecrate to Thee.
4Send down on them Thy holy dove,Thy spirit undefiled;Be each in purity and faithThy well-beloved child!
4Send down on them Thy holy dove,
Thy spirit undefiled;
Be each in purity and faith
Thy well-beloved child!
5O help them in the wildernessTo conquer doubt and sin;To see above them still Thy Peace,And hear Thy voice within!
5O help them in the wilderness
To conquer doubt and sin;
To see above them still Thy Peace,
And hear Thy voice within!
377.L. M.W. Boston Coll.Baptism of a Child.1This child we dedicate to Thee,O God of grace and purity!Shield it from sin and threatening wrong,And let Thy love its life prolong.2O, may Thy spirit gently drawIts willing soul to keep Thy law;May virtue, piety, and truth,Dawn even with its dawning youth!3We, too, before Thy gracious sight,Once shared the blest baptismal rite,And would renew its solemn vow,With love, and thanks, and praises, now.4Grant that, with true and faithful heart,We still may act the Christian’s part,Cheered by each promise Thou hast given,And laboring for the prize in heaven.
L. M.
W. Boston Coll.
1This child we dedicate to Thee,O God of grace and purity!Shield it from sin and threatening wrong,And let Thy love its life prolong.
1This child we dedicate to Thee,
O God of grace and purity!
Shield it from sin and threatening wrong,
And let Thy love its life prolong.
2O, may Thy spirit gently drawIts willing soul to keep Thy law;May virtue, piety, and truth,Dawn even with its dawning youth!
2O, may Thy spirit gently draw
Its willing soul to keep Thy law;
May virtue, piety, and truth,
Dawn even with its dawning youth!
3We, too, before Thy gracious sight,Once shared the blest baptismal rite,And would renew its solemn vow,With love, and thanks, and praises, now.
3We, too, before Thy gracious sight,
Once shared the blest baptismal rite,
And would renew its solemn vow,
With love, and thanks, and praises, now.
4Grant that, with true and faithful heart,We still may act the Christian’s part,Cheered by each promise Thou hast given,And laboring for the prize in heaven.
4Grant that, with true and faithful heart,
We still may act the Christian’s part,
Cheered by each promise Thou hast given,
And laboring for the prize in heaven.
378.S. M.Disciples’ H. B.Baptism of a Child.1To Thee, O God in heaven,This little one we bring,Giving to Thee what Thou hast given,Our dearest offering.2Into a world of toilThese little feet will roam,Where sin its purity may soil,Where care and grief may come.3O, then, let Thy pure love,With influence serene,Come down, like water, from above,To comfort and make clean!
S. M.
Disciples’ H. B.
1To Thee, O God in heaven,This little one we bring,Giving to Thee what Thou hast given,Our dearest offering.
1To Thee, O God in heaven,
This little one we bring,
Giving to Thee what Thou hast given,
Our dearest offering.
2Into a world of toilThese little feet will roam,Where sin its purity may soil,Where care and grief may come.
2Into a world of toil
These little feet will roam,
Where sin its purity may soil,
Where care and grief may come.
3O, then, let Thy pure love,With influence serene,Come down, like water, from above,To comfort and make clean!
3O, then, let Thy pure love,
With influence serene,
Come down, like water, from above,
To comfort and make clean!
379.S. M.Disciples’ H. B.Baptism of Children.1To Him who children blest,And suffered them to come,To Him who took them to his breast,We bring these children home.2To Thee, O God, whose faceTheir spirits still behold,We bring them, praying that Thy graceMay keep, Thine arms enfold.3And as this water fallsOn each unconscious brow,Thy holy spirit grant, O Lord,To keep them pure as now!
S. M.
Disciples’ H. B.
1To Him who children blest,And suffered them to come,To Him who took them to his breast,We bring these children home.
1To Him who children blest,
And suffered them to come,
To Him who took them to his breast,
We bring these children home.
2To Thee, O God, whose faceTheir spirits still behold,We bring them, praying that Thy graceMay keep, Thine arms enfold.
2To Thee, O God, whose face
Their spirits still behold,
We bring them, praying that Thy grace
May keep, Thine arms enfold.
3And as this water fallsOn each unconscious brow,Thy holy spirit grant, O Lord,To keep them pure as now!
3And as this water falls
On each unconscious brow,
Thy holy spirit grant, O Lord,
To keep them pure as now!
380.C. M.Gaskell.Marriage Hymn.1We join to pray, with wishes kind,A blessing, Lord, from Thee,On those who now the bands have twined,Which ne’er may broken be.2We know that scenes not always brightMust unto them be given;But let there shine o’er all the lightOf love, and truth, and heaven.3Still hand in hand, their journey through,Meek pilgrims may they go;Mingling their joys as helpers true,And sharing every woe.4In faith, and trust, and heart, the same,The same their home above;May each in each still feed the flameOf pure and holy love.
C. M.
Gaskell.
1We join to pray, with wishes kind,A blessing, Lord, from Thee,On those who now the bands have twined,Which ne’er may broken be.
1We join to pray, with wishes kind,
A blessing, Lord, from Thee,
On those who now the bands have twined,
Which ne’er may broken be.
2We know that scenes not always brightMust unto them be given;But let there shine o’er all the lightOf love, and truth, and heaven.
2We know that scenes not always bright
Must unto them be given;
But let there shine o’er all the light
Of love, and truth, and heaven.
3Still hand in hand, their journey through,Meek pilgrims may they go;Mingling their joys as helpers true,And sharing every woe.
3Still hand in hand, their journey through,
Meek pilgrims may they go;
Mingling their joys as helpers true,
And sharing every woe.
4In faith, and trust, and heart, the same,The same their home above;May each in each still feed the flameOf pure and holy love.
4In faith, and trust, and heart, the same,
The same their home above;
May each in each still feed the flame
Of pure and holy love.
381.7s. M.Anonymous.Marriage Hymn.1Father, in Thy presence nowHas been pledged the nuptial vow;Heart to heart, as hand in hand,Linked in one Thy children stand.2God of love! this union bless,Not with earth’s low happiness;But with joys whose heavenly springShall diviner raptures bring.3May these blended souls be foundFirm in duty’s active round;Daily every burden share,Nightly seek Thy shadowing care.4When against their trembling formsShoot the arrows of life’s storms;Or when age and sickness waitHeralds at life’s parting gate;—5In the fulness of belief,May they look beyond the grief;And together fearless treadIn the path where Thou shall lead.
7s. M.
Anonymous.
1Father, in Thy presence nowHas been pledged the nuptial vow;Heart to heart, as hand in hand,Linked in one Thy children stand.
1Father, in Thy presence now
Has been pledged the nuptial vow;
Heart to heart, as hand in hand,
Linked in one Thy children stand.
2God of love! this union bless,Not with earth’s low happiness;But with joys whose heavenly springShall diviner raptures bring.
2God of love! this union bless,
Not with earth’s low happiness;
But with joys whose heavenly spring
Shall diviner raptures bring.
3May these blended souls be foundFirm in duty’s active round;Daily every burden share,Nightly seek Thy shadowing care.
3May these blended souls be found
Firm in duty’s active round;
Daily every burden share,
Nightly seek Thy shadowing care.
4When against their trembling formsShoot the arrows of life’s storms;Or when age and sickness waitHeralds at life’s parting gate;—
4When against their trembling forms
Shoot the arrows of life’s storms;
Or when age and sickness wait
Heralds at life’s parting gate;—
5In the fulness of belief,May they look beyond the grief;And together fearless treadIn the path where Thou shall lead.
5In the fulness of belief,
May they look beyond the grief;
And together fearless tread
In the path where Thou shall lead.
382.L. M.Norton.Dedication of a Church.1Where ancient forests widely spread,Where bends the cataract’s ocean-fall;On the lone mountain’s silent head,There are Thy temples, God of all!2The tombs Thine altars are; for there,When earthly loves and hopes have fled,To Thee ascends the spirit’s prayer,Thou God of the immortal dead!3All space is holy, for all spaceIs filled by Thee;—but human thoughtBurns clearer in some chosen place,Where Thine own words of love are taught.4Here be they taught; and may we knowThat faith Thy servants knew of old,Which onward bears, through weal or woe,Till death the gates of heaven unfold.5Nor we alone; may those whose browShows yet no trace of human caresHereafter stand where we do now,And raise to Thee still holier prayers.
L. M.
Norton.
1Where ancient forests widely spread,Where bends the cataract’s ocean-fall;On the lone mountain’s silent head,There are Thy temples, God of all!
1Where ancient forests widely spread,
Where bends the cataract’s ocean-fall;
On the lone mountain’s silent head,
There are Thy temples, God of all!
2The tombs Thine altars are; for there,When earthly loves and hopes have fled,To Thee ascends the spirit’s prayer,Thou God of the immortal dead!
2The tombs Thine altars are; for there,
When earthly loves and hopes have fled,
To Thee ascends the spirit’s prayer,
Thou God of the immortal dead!
3All space is holy, for all spaceIs filled by Thee;—but human thoughtBurns clearer in some chosen place,Where Thine own words of love are taught.
3All space is holy, for all space
Is filled by Thee;—but human thought
Burns clearer in some chosen place,
Where Thine own words of love are taught.
4Here be they taught; and may we knowThat faith Thy servants knew of old,Which onward bears, through weal or woe,Till death the gates of heaven unfold.
4Here be they taught; and may we know
That faith Thy servants knew of old,
Which onward bears, through weal or woe,
Till death the gates of heaven unfold.
5Nor we alone; may those whose browShows yet no trace of human caresHereafter stand where we do now,And raise to Thee still holier prayers.
5Nor we alone; may those whose brow
Shows yet no trace of human cares
Hereafter stand where we do now,
And raise to Thee still holier prayers.
383.C. M.Bryant.Dedication Hymns.1O Thou, whose own vast temple standsBuilt over earth and sea,Accept the walls that human handsHave raised to worship Thee!2Lord, from Thine inmost glory send,Within these courts to bide,The peace that dwelleth, without end,Serenely by Thy side!3May erring minds that worship hereBe taught the better way;And they who mourn, and they who fear,Be strengthened as they pray.4May faith grow firm, and love grow warm,And pure devotion rise,While round these hallowed walls the stormOf earth-born passion dies.
C. M.
Bryant.
1O Thou, whose own vast temple standsBuilt over earth and sea,Accept the walls that human handsHave raised to worship Thee!
1O Thou, whose own vast temple stands
Built over earth and sea,
Accept the walls that human hands
Have raised to worship Thee!
2Lord, from Thine inmost glory send,Within these courts to bide,The peace that dwelleth, without end,Serenely by Thy side!
2Lord, from Thine inmost glory send,
Within these courts to bide,
The peace that dwelleth, without end,
Serenely by Thy side!
3May erring minds that worship hereBe taught the better way;And they who mourn, and they who fear,Be strengthened as they pray.
3May erring minds that worship here
Be taught the better way;
And they who mourn, and they who fear,
Be strengthened as they pray.
4May faith grow firm, and love grow warm,And pure devotion rise,While round these hallowed walls the stormOf earth-born passion dies.
4May faith grow firm, and love grow warm,
And pure devotion rise,
While round these hallowed walls the storm
Of earth-born passion dies.
384.C. M.*Ordination Hymn.1O God! Thy children, gathered here,Thy blessing now we wait;Thy servant, girded for his work,Stands at the temple’s gate.2A holy purpose in his heartHas deepened calm and still;Now from his childhood’s NazarethHe comes, to do Thy will.3O Father! keep his soul aliveTo every hope of good;And may his life of love proclaimMan’s truest brotherhood!4O Father! keep his spirit quickTo every form of wrong;And in the ear of sin and selfMay his rebuke be strong!5And as he doth Christ’s footsteps press,If e’er his faith grow dim,Then, in the dreary wilderness,Thine angels strengthen him!6And give him in Thy holy workPatience to wait Thy time,And, toiling still with man, to breatheThe soul’s serener clime.7O grant him many hearts to leadInto Thy perfect rest;Bless Thou him, Father, and his flock:Bless! and they shall be blest!
C. M.
*
1O God! Thy children, gathered here,Thy blessing now we wait;Thy servant, girded for his work,Stands at the temple’s gate.
1O God! Thy children, gathered here,
Thy blessing now we wait;
Thy servant, girded for his work,
Stands at the temple’s gate.
2A holy purpose in his heartHas deepened calm and still;Now from his childhood’s NazarethHe comes, to do Thy will.
2A holy purpose in his heart
Has deepened calm and still;
Now from his childhood’s Nazareth
He comes, to do Thy will.
3O Father! keep his soul aliveTo every hope of good;And may his life of love proclaimMan’s truest brotherhood!
3O Father! keep his soul alive
To every hope of good;
And may his life of love proclaim
Man’s truest brotherhood!
4O Father! keep his spirit quickTo every form of wrong;And in the ear of sin and selfMay his rebuke be strong!
4O Father! keep his spirit quick
To every form of wrong;
And in the ear of sin and self
May his rebuke be strong!
5And as he doth Christ’s footsteps press,If e’er his faith grow dim,Then, in the dreary wilderness,Thine angels strengthen him!
5And as he doth Christ’s footsteps press,
If e’er his faith grow dim,
Then, in the dreary wilderness,
Thine angels strengthen him!
6And give him in Thy holy workPatience to wait Thy time,And, toiling still with man, to breatheThe soul’s serener clime.
6And give him in Thy holy work
Patience to wait Thy time,
And, toiling still with man, to breathe
The soul’s serener clime.
7O grant him many hearts to leadInto Thy perfect rest;Bless Thou him, Father, and his flock:Bless! and they shall be blest!
7O grant him many hearts to lead
Into Thy perfect rest;
Bless Thou him, Father, and his flock:
Bless! and they shall be blest!
385.C. M.*Ordination.1Go, preach the gospel in my name,Said he of Bethlehem:Teach of a crown more gloriousThan earthly diadem.2Teach ye as I have taught, in love;Be hate unthought, unspoken;Bind up the bleeding heart, nor letThe bruised reed be broken.3If any scorn you for the truthWhich ye shall publish free,Think of the lonely midnight hourIn dark Gethsemane:4Think of my prayers on Olivet,My musings by the sea;And though the heavy chain may bind,That truth shall make you free.
C. M.
*
1Go, preach the gospel in my name,Said he of Bethlehem:Teach of a crown more gloriousThan earthly diadem.
1Go, preach the gospel in my name,
Said he of Bethlehem:
Teach of a crown more glorious
Than earthly diadem.
2Teach ye as I have taught, in love;Be hate unthought, unspoken;Bind up the bleeding heart, nor letThe bruised reed be broken.
2Teach ye as I have taught, in love;
Be hate unthought, unspoken;
Bind up the bleeding heart, nor let
The bruised reed be broken.
3If any scorn you for the truthWhich ye shall publish free,Think of the lonely midnight hourIn dark Gethsemane:
3If any scorn you for the truth
Which ye shall publish free,
Think of the lonely midnight hour
In dark Gethsemane:
4Think of my prayers on Olivet,My musings by the sea;And though the heavy chain may bind,That truth shall make you free.
4Think of my prayers on Olivet,
My musings by the sea;
And though the heavy chain may bind,
That truth shall make you free.
386.L. M.*Ordination.1Thy servant’s sandals, Lord, are wetWith Jordan’s wave but lately met,And in that sacred river fallThe olden thoughts, the spirit’s pall.2He stands upon the holy land,And angels take his trustful hand;The Jordan sanctifies his breast,And Christ now leads him to his rest.3His rest? his battle! he must winFair Zion’s gate through ranks of sin;Why are these words, this solemn show,If sin be not his deadly foe?4There gathers here no heavenly host;No fiery tongues of Pentecost,—No gentle dove with winnowing wingsThe spirit to thy servant brings.5The still, small voice hath called him here,And thus is God himself most near:—My people, lift your hearts in prayer,And keep your God forever there.
L. M.
*
1Thy servant’s sandals, Lord, are wetWith Jordan’s wave but lately met,And in that sacred river fallThe olden thoughts, the spirit’s pall.
1Thy servant’s sandals, Lord, are wet
With Jordan’s wave but lately met,
And in that sacred river fall
The olden thoughts, the spirit’s pall.
2He stands upon the holy land,And angels take his trustful hand;The Jordan sanctifies his breast,And Christ now leads him to his rest.
2He stands upon the holy land,
And angels take his trustful hand;
The Jordan sanctifies his breast,
And Christ now leads him to his rest.
3His rest? his battle! he must winFair Zion’s gate through ranks of sin;Why are these words, this solemn show,If sin be not his deadly foe?
3His rest? his battle! he must win
Fair Zion’s gate through ranks of sin;
Why are these words, this solemn show,
If sin be not his deadly foe?
4There gathers here no heavenly host;No fiery tongues of Pentecost,—No gentle dove with winnowing wingsThe spirit to thy servant brings.
4There gathers here no heavenly host;
No fiery tongues of Pentecost,—
No gentle dove with winnowing wings
The spirit to thy servant brings.
5The still, small voice hath called him here,And thus is God himself most near:—My people, lift your hearts in prayer,And keep your God forever there.
5The still, small voice hath called him here,
And thus is God himself most near:—
My people, lift your hearts in prayer,
And keep your God forever there.
387.S. M.Drummond.A Public Fast.1“Is this a fast for me?”Thus saith the Lord our God;“A day for man to vex his soul,And feel affliction’s rod?2“No; is not this aloneThe sacred fast I choose:Oppression’s yoke to burst in twain,The bands of guilt unloose?3“To nakedness and wantYour food and raiment deal,To dwell your kindred race among,And all their sufferings heal?4“Then, like the morning ray,Shall spring your health and light;Before you, righteousness shall shine,Around, my glory bright!”
S. M.
Drummond.
1“Is this a fast for me?”Thus saith the Lord our God;“A day for man to vex his soul,And feel affliction’s rod?
1“Is this a fast for me?”
Thus saith the Lord our God;
“A day for man to vex his soul,
And feel affliction’s rod?
2“No; is not this aloneThe sacred fast I choose:Oppression’s yoke to burst in twain,The bands of guilt unloose?
2“No; is not this alone
The sacred fast I choose:
Oppression’s yoke to burst in twain,
The bands of guilt unloose?
3“To nakedness and wantYour food and raiment deal,To dwell your kindred race among,And all their sufferings heal?
3“To nakedness and want
Your food and raiment deal,
To dwell your kindred race among,
And all their sufferings heal?
4“Then, like the morning ray,Shall spring your health and light;Before you, righteousness shall shine,Around, my glory bright!”
4“Then, like the morning ray,
Shall spring your health and light;
Before you, righteousness shall shine,
Around, my glory bright!”
388.7 & 6s. M.Italian.Prayer of a Stricken People.1O Thou, whose power stupendousUpholds the earth and sky,Thy grace preserving send us,—To Thee, O Lord! we cry.2From wilds of fearful error,Wherein we darkly stray,Oppressed with doubt and terror,For saving aid we pray.3O God of mercy, hear us!Our pain, our sorrow, see;Thy healing pity spare us,And bring us home to Thee!
7 & 6s. M.
Italian.
1O Thou, whose power stupendousUpholds the earth and sky,Thy grace preserving send us,—To Thee, O Lord! we cry.
1O Thou, whose power stupendous
Upholds the earth and sky,
Thy grace preserving send us,—
To Thee, O Lord! we cry.
2From wilds of fearful error,Wherein we darkly stray,Oppressed with doubt and terror,For saving aid we pray.
2From wilds of fearful error,
Wherein we darkly stray,
Oppressed with doubt and terror,
For saving aid we pray.
3O God of mercy, hear us!Our pain, our sorrow, see;Thy healing pity spare us,And bring us home to Thee!
3O God of mercy, hear us!
Our pain, our sorrow, see;
Thy healing pity spare us,
And bring us home to Thee!
389.6s. M.Anonymous.The New Year.1Joy! joy! a year is born;A year to man is given,For hope, and peace, and love,For faith, and truth, and heaven.Though earth be dark with care,With death and sorrow rife,Yet toil, and pain, and prayer,Lead to our higher life.2Behold, the fields are white!No longer idly stand!Go forth in love and might;Man needs thy helping hand.Thus may each day and yearTo prayer and toil be given,Till man to God draw near,And earth become like heaven.
6s. M.
Anonymous.
1Joy! joy! a year is born;A year to man is given,For hope, and peace, and love,For faith, and truth, and heaven.Though earth be dark with care,With death and sorrow rife,Yet toil, and pain, and prayer,Lead to our higher life.
1Joy! joy! a year is born;
A year to man is given,
For hope, and peace, and love,
For faith, and truth, and heaven.
Though earth be dark with care,
With death and sorrow rife,
Yet toil, and pain, and prayer,
Lead to our higher life.
2Behold, the fields are white!No longer idly stand!Go forth in love and might;Man needs thy helping hand.Thus may each day and yearTo prayer and toil be given,Till man to God draw near,And earth become like heaven.
2Behold, the fields are white!
No longer idly stand!
Go forth in love and might;
Man needs thy helping hand.
Thus may each day and year
To prayer and toil be given,
Till man to God draw near,
And earth become like heaven.
390.C. M.Gaskell.A New Year.1Our Father! through the coming yearWe know not what shall be,But we would leave without a fearIts ordering all to Thee.2It may be we shall toil in vainFor what the world holds fair,And all its good we thought to gainDeceive, and prove but care.3It may be it shall darkly blendOur love with anxious fears,And snatch away the valued friend,The tried of many years.4It may be it shall bring us daysAnd nights of lingering pain,And bid us take our farewell gazeOf these loved haunts of men.5But calmly, Lord, on Thee we rest;No fears our trust shall move;Thou knowest what for each is best,And Thou art perfect love.
C. M.
Gaskell.
1Our Father! through the coming yearWe know not what shall be,But we would leave without a fearIts ordering all to Thee.
1Our Father! through the coming year
We know not what shall be,
But we would leave without a fear
Its ordering all to Thee.
2It may be we shall toil in vainFor what the world holds fair,And all its good we thought to gainDeceive, and prove but care.
2It may be we shall toil in vain
For what the world holds fair,
And all its good we thought to gain
Deceive, and prove but care.
3It may be it shall darkly blendOur love with anxious fears,And snatch away the valued friend,The tried of many years.
3It may be it shall darkly blend
Our love with anxious fears,
And snatch away the valued friend,
The tried of many years.
4It may be it shall bring us daysAnd nights of lingering pain,And bid us take our farewell gazeOf these loved haunts of men.
4It may be it shall bring us days
And nights of lingering pain,
And bid us take our farewell gaze
Of these loved haunts of men.
5But calmly, Lord, on Thee we rest;No fears our trust shall move;Thou knowest what for each is best,And Thou art perfect love.
5But calmly, Lord, on Thee we rest;
No fears our trust shall move;
Thou knowest what for each is best,
And Thou art perfect love.