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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
GIFT OF
DR. AND MRS. ELMER BELT
AI^VWIaXaI
mimm
^r\'r\rr\
A A n ^, u:.>*"
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DONATION BY
DR. AND ]v{rS. ELMER BELT
^''^•^O.r\AAi
^m&h^^^.
\/ery:
(TIk l^ooli of llratsc
LON'UO.N" : K. CLaY, son, and TAYLOR, 1'KlNTfc.RS,
BREAD STREET HILL.
T^vctityiiintli Thousa)id.
THl'
BOOK OF PRAISE
FRO^[ THE r.EST ENGLLSH HYMN \VRITERS
SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY
ROUND ELL PALMER
MAC MILL AN AND CO.
J'onbon ani) Camlnibcic,
1866
PREFACE.
US
A
The present is an attempt, not to add to the
great and constantly increasing multitude of
hymn-books intended for congregational use ;
but to present, under a convenient arrangement,
a collection of such examples of a copious
and interesting branch of popular literature, as,
after a study of the subject which for several
years has occupied part of his leisure hours,
have seemed to the Editor most worthy o
being separated from the mass to which they
belong.
A good hymn should have simphcity, fresh-
ness, and reality of feeling; a consistent ele-
vation of tone, and a rhythm easy and harmo-
nious, but not jingling or trivial. Its language
may be homely ; but should not be slovenly or
mean. Affectation or visible artifice is worse
than excess of homeliness : a hymn is easily
spoiled by a single falsetto note. Nor will the
ii Preface.
most exemplary somidness of doctrine atone
for doggrel, or redeem from failure a prosaic
didactic style.
There are many hymns in the English lan-
guage, which will bear the test of these rules,
as well, perhaps, as those of Germany, or of
the ancient Latin Church. But they are apt
to be presented in such company, or in such
a manner, as to detract much from their effect.
From the operation of causes connected with
the nature of such compositions, it happens,
that writers, who do not in general rise above
mediocrity, sometimes produce beautiful hymns;
while, on the other hand, there is far more dross
than gold in the works of all voluminous hymn-
writers. Nor are the principles, on which
popular collections of hymns for congregational
use are formed, favourable to that kind of se-
lection, which is here attempted. In such
collections, as a general rule, the taste of the
compilers is regulated by their theology : they
seem to be very easily satisfied with all that
they think orthodox and edifying, or liturgically
appropriate ; they do not submit hymns, derived
from sources which they respect, to any free or
independent criticism ; and, on the other hand,
they reject, with morbid fastidiousness, every
sentiment and expression in which they think
Preface. iii
they detect the traces of opinions which they
disHke. It is also their frequent habit to cut
down the compositions which they approve,
with little discrimination or judgment, to such
arbitrary dimensions, as suit their ideas of the
time which ought to be occupied, during Divine
service, by congregational singing.
The same regard to motives of (real, or
supposed,) convenience and edification has in-
troduced a system of tampering with the text
of hymns, which has now grown into so great
an abuse, that to meet with any author's genuine
text, in a book of this kind, is quite the exception.
Censurable as this practice is, in a literary point
of view, it must be confessed that those who
adopt it may plead, in their excuse, the examples
of many of the writers, whose compositions they
alter. The Wesleys altered the compositions of
George Herbert, Sandys, Austin, and Watts.
Toplady, Madan, and others, altered some of
Charles Wesley's hymns, much to his brother
John's discontent, as he testifies in the preface
to his Hynin-Book for Methodists. Toplady's
own hymns, even the " Rock of Ages," have
not escaped similar treatment. James Mont-
gomery complains much, in the preface to the
edition of his collected hymns published in
1853, of his share in this peculiar cross of
b 2
iv Preface.
hymn-writers, as he calls it. But he had him-
self, about tliirty years before, altered the works
of other men, in his Christiaii Psalmist. Bishop
Heber, scholar as he was, and editor of Jeremy
Taylor's works, silently altered Taylor's Advent
Hymn in his own hymn-book ; and the hymns
of Heber himself, and of writers still living,
such as Keble, Milman, Alford, and Neale, are
met with eveiy day in a variety of forms, which
their authors would hardly recognize. Perhaps,
vrhen the masters of the art have taken such
liberties, it may be explained on the same
principle as that on which musicians, and par-
ticularly the composers of anthems, produce
variations from, and improvements upon, the
works of their predecessors : and, indeed, some
such variations of hymns are sufficiently good
to take rank as new compositions ; better than
those by which they v>^ere suggested. But this
is a rare felicity; and the result is vridely dif-
ferent, when the work of alteration is under-
taken by incompetent hands.
In the present volume, while the Editor has
not thought it necessary to give the whole of
every composition, from which a selection of
parts might, in his judgment, more advan-
tageously be made, it has been his desire and
aim to adhere strictly, in all cases in which it
P7'eface. v
could be ascertained, to the genuine uncorrupted
text of the authors themselves. Great pains
have been taken to trace out and ascertain the
true authorship of such hymns, as were either
without names of authors, or attributed to
authors by whom they were not really written^
in the books from which the Editor in the first
instance took them. This was a task, which he
could himself scarcely have undertaken, and in
which he certainly could not have hoped to
succeed, but for the assistance of Mr. Sedgwick,
of No. 8 1, Sun Street, Bishopsgate ; who has
bestowed much time and attention on this
branch of literature, and has attained to a
knowledge of it, probably not possessed h^'
any other Englishman. By his valuable help,
the authorship of all but twelve o/ the com-
positions here collected has been traced, and
the text collated with the original works of
the authors. Thus aided, the Editor has been
enabled, before finally completing his selection,
to go through all, or almost all, the original
publications containing hymns or sacred poetry
of (amongst others), George Herbert, Sandys,
Wither, Quarles, Crashaw, John Austin, Ba-xter;,
Bishop Taylor, Bishop Patrick, Bishop Ken,
John Mason, Thomas Shepherd, Samuel Cross-
man, and Lancelot Addison (of the seventeenth
century); Joseph Addison, Watts, Simon Browne,
vi Pi'eface.
Ralph Erskine, Doddridge, Hammond, John
and Charles Wesley, Cennick, Seagrave, Grigg,
Be«ridge, Olivers, William Williams, Toplady,
Cowper, John Newton, Anne Steele, Hart,
Gibbons, Michael Bruce, Logan, Byrom, Skelton,
Swain, Daniel Turner, Ryland, Stennett, ^eed-
ham, Beddome, Medley, Henry Moore, and
Mrs. Barbauld (of the eighteenth century) ;
Gisborne, Kirke White, Anne Flowerdew,
Drennan, Bowdler, Kelly, James Montgomery,
Sir Robert Grant, Bishop Heber, Bishop Mant,
Bathurst, Lyte, Edmeston, Bernard Barton,
Grinfield, and Chandler (of the present cen-
tury); besides other writers, still living, whom
it is unnecessary to name ; and many mis-
cellaneous collections, old and modern. Of
the names thus enumerated, several are not
represented at all in this collection ; as the
Editor did not find anything in their works
which appeared to him to be suitable for his
purpose, and equal to the general standard of
merit, which he desired to maintain. But of
the great majority, as well as of some other
writers whose works are not accessible in a
collected form, specimens more or less numerous
will be found. A few examples of successful
variations or centoes (in all instances but tv>^o,
by known authors) from earlier compositions,
have also been included ; together with three
Preface. vii
original hymns, out of several which have been
communicated to the Editor, by the kindness
of the authors, in manuscript. Upon the works
of living authors generally, the Editor has not
thought it expedient to draw with the same
freedom, as upon those of earlier generations ;
although he has not deemed it necessary to
forego altogether the advantage of including in
his book specimens of those works, especially
of such of them as have obtained general
currency in popular hymn-books.
The arrangement which has been adopted in
this volume (and upon which some care has been
bestowed), may be explained in a few words.
The Catholic Creeds, and the Lord's Prayer,
presenting in their simplest forms, and in their
natural order, all the fundamental points of
Christianity, both objective and subjective,
appeared to the Editor to be the best basis for
a classification of those hymns of faith and
devotion, which express feelings at all times
appropriate to a Christian profession. These
two groups of hymns constitute Parts I. and II.
of the Collection. The Third Part consists of
hymns distinguished chiefly from those of the
two former classes, by having a special refer-
ence to particular times and occasions. In the
Fourth Part will be found distributed, under
viii Preface.
suitable heads, compositions of a kind inter-
mediate between hymns for general use and
private meditations ; which (although the dis-
tinction is better marked in some cases than
in others) seem to breathe, upon the whole, the
accents of particular, rather than general, con-
sciousness and experience. On this account, they
are, for the most part, out of place in ordinary
hymn-books, and unfit to be sung by public
congregations ; but their tone is not the less
spiritual and real ; and those who know any-
thing of their own wants, and of the power of
religion, can scarcely fail to be impressed with
their beauty and truth.
The Editor is not sure, whether it may not
appear to some to be an objection to this
classification, that, by bringing closely to-
gether a number of hymns on one subject, a
sense of repetition and monotony is created,
which might have been avoided by a different
method. The repetition, however, which will
undoubtedly be met with in the works, not only
of different, but even of the same hymn-writers,
is of a kind appropriate to such compositions ;
and, therefore, it ought not to be withdrawn
from observation. All lovers of Art are familiar
with the habitual repetition of Holy Families,
and other sacred subjects, by the early painters,
Preface. ix
down to and including RafFaelle. The constant
enthusiastic contemplation of a few subjects,
dear to the universal heart of Christendom, and
embodying the highest conceptions of Divme
purity and beauty, produced a simplicity, refine-
ment, and spirituality of style, which never tires,
notwithstanding its limited range. These are
the hymns of painters, addressed to the sense of
sight. A similar law has always governed, and
to this day governs Christian Hymnody; bind-
ing together by the force of a central attraction,
more powerful than all causes of difterence,
times ancient and modern, nations of various
race and language. Churchmen and Noncon-
formists, Churches reformed and unreformed.
It is refreshing to turn aside from the divisions
of the Christian world, and to rest for a little
time in the sense of tliat inward unity, which,
after all, subsists among all good Christians, and
which (is it too much to hope^) may perhaps
receive some illustration, even from a volume
like this.
Throughout the volume, the names of the
authors, when known, are aftixed to their hymns.
When more authors than one have been con-
cerned in the composition of a hymn, or when
it is a cento or variation by one person from
the work of another, the names of all the
X Preface,
writers concerned (so far as known) are given.
The dates added to the names signify, when
without brackets, the time at which each hymn
is beheved to have been first composed or
published : when within brackets, the date of
the edition or copy, from which the text of a
hymn (known or believed to have been published
at an earlier date, not correctly ascertained) has
been taken by the Editor. The text has been
verified by collation with the original work of
the author, or an authentic copy, in every case,
except those specified in the notes at the end
of the volume. The notes also show in what
cases the text consists of any selected parts or
part, less than the whole, of an original work.
When a double date is appended to a single
name, it signifies that the work, published at
the earlier date, was afterwards altered by the
author himself, the text of the later date being
that adopted.
The Editor cannot conclude without returning
his thanks to many friends, and to some not
personally known to him, for the kind assistance,
and offers of assistance, which he has received
from them, while this work was in progress.
His obligations to some of them will be found
specially acknowledged in the notes. He has
also to thank the owners of copyrights in many
Preface, xi
of the more modern hymns, which are included
in the vohmie, for the consent which they have,
in all cases wJien applied to, kindly given to
the use of their works. And if, in any instances,
he has, either through ignorance of the existence
of a copyright, or for want of means of com-
munication, made use of any work, in respect
of which a similar permission ought to have
been obtained, without actually obtaining it,
he ventures to hope that the oversight may be
excused, and the same liberality extended to
him, as if a request for permission had been
previously made.
In the present edition thirty-four Hymns are
added, which did not appear in the " Book of
Praise," as originally published. Some of these
came to the Editor's knowledge too late to be
included, and some were undesignedly omitted, in
the first edition. Others, which were then inten-
tionally omitted, are now added, in deference to the
judgment of critics and friends, whose estimate of
their merit is higher than the Editor's own.
The absence, in this volume, of any selection from
the Old or New Version of the Psalms, having been
the subject of some remark, the Editor wishes to
observe, that such a selection would have been
foreign to his design. The "Psalms" (so called)
of Watts, Lytc, Montgomery, and others, and the
xii Prcjace.
Scotch " Paraphrases," which are included in the
" Book of Praise," are compositions, into which,
although founded (as many of the best Hymns in
all languages are) upon particular passages of
Scripture, other elements, for the most part, largely
enter. But the i\uthorized Versions of the Psalms
profess to be, in the strict sense of the words,
metrical renderings of Holy Scripture. As such,
whatever degree of merit they may possess, they
differ in kind from ordinary Hymns : and, being
universally known, and accessible in every Prayer-
Book, it did not seem to the Editor either necessary
or appropriate to associate any of them, in this
place, with com.positions of a different class.
With respect to the translations from Latin and
German hymns, which are included in this collec-
tion, it also seems proper to explain, that the
choice has not been made with any reference to
the merits of the Latin or German originals ; but
solely because the labours of the translator had,
in each of these cases, resulted in the production
(according to the Editor's judgment) of a good
English hymn. From the unavoidable difficulties
of translation, this does not very often happen ;
and the excellence or popularity of the original, in
in its own language, seems to be no reason for in-
cluding, in a collection of this kind, an unsuccessful
attempt to reproduce it, or even an attempt which,
if partially successful, may, nevertheless be wanting
in the simplicity, freedom, and ease, of a genuine
English composition.
CONTENTS.
PART THE FIRST.
HYMNS ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE SUEJFXTS OF THE CREED.
I. The Holj^ Trinity . .
II. Godthe Creator . .
III. Christ Incarnate . .
IV. Christ Crucified . .
V. Clirist Risen . . .
Christ Ascended . .
Christ's Kingdom and
ment
God the Holv Ghost . .
IX. The Holy Catholic Church
X. The Communion of Saints
XI. The Forgiveness of Sins
XII. Resurrection and Eternal Li
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Ji
HTMN
PAGE
I.
to VII.
1
VIII
to XXIX. .
XXX.
to XLVII. .
32
XLVIII.
to LVII.
5?i
LVIII.
to LXIV.
(il
LXV.
to 1.XXIII .
69
LXXIV.
to XCII,
83
XCIII.
to CVII.
104
CVIII.
to CXXIX. .
120
CXXX.
to CXLI.
144
CXLII.
to CXLVIII.
155
CXLIX.
to CLXVIII.
162
PART THE SECOND.
HYMNS ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE SUBJECTS OF THE LORD'S
PKAYEIl.
'* Lord, teach us to pray" . .
I. " Our Father, which art m\
heaven, hallowed be Thy[
Name" j
II. " Thy kingdom come" . . .
III. " Tliy will 1)6 done in earth,'>
as it is in heaven " ... J
IV. " Give us this day our daily!
bread" J
V. " And forgive us our tres-'j
passes, as we forgive themV
that trespass against us" .J
VI. " And lead us not into temx>ta-'j
tion: but deliver us from!-
evil" j
Vri. '* For Thine is the kingdom,")
the power, and the glory, >
for ever and ever. Amen ")
CLXX
to CLXXIII.
. 180
. 186
LXXIV.
to CLXXX. .
. 191
.XXXI.
to CCIV. .
. 198
CCV.
to CCXVIII.
222
ccxix. to CCXXVI.
CCXXVII. to CCXLU.
CCXLIIl. to CCXLV.
234
240
253
Contents.
PART THE THIRD.
HYMNS FOR NATURAL AND SACRED SEASONS.
I. Day and Night ccxlvi. to cclxvi. ,
II. Seed Time and Harvest . . . cclxvii. to cclxxiv
III. The Old and New Year . . . cclxxv. to cclxxx.
IV. Baptism and Childhood . . . cclxxxi. to ccxci. ,
V. Holy Communion ccxcii. to ccxcviii
VI. Holy Matrimony . . . . . ccxcix
VII. Tlie Burial of the Dead . . . ccc. to cccvi. ,
VIII. Churcli Dedication .... cccv'ii. to cccix.
IX. The Lord's Day , .... cccx. to cccxxi.
257
286
294
299
310
317
318
323
32(5
PART THE FOURTH.
SONGS OF THE HEART.
I. The Call.— "Rise; He calleth) ,
thee." (Mark x. 49). . .} cccxxii. to cccxxxtv. . 341
II. The Answer.— " I will arise,)
and go to my Father."- cccxxxv. to cccxliv. . 355
(Luke XV. 18) )
III. Faith. -" Looking unto Jesus, ")
the Author and Finisher ofV cccxLV. to cccli. . . 365
our Faith." (Heb. xii. 2; .)
IV. Love. — " If ye love Me, keep)
my commandments." (John > ccclii. to ccclx. . . 375
xiv. 15) )
V. Hope.— "Set your affections on)
things above; not on things [ cccLXi. to ccclxxvi. . 387
on the earth." (Col. iii. 2) .J
VI. Joy.—" In whom, though now^
ye see Him not, yet believ- |
iug, ye rejoice with joy )■ c(;clxxvii. to ccclxxxvi. 404
unspeakable, and full of I
glory." (1 Pet. i. 8) . . .)
VII. Discipline.— "Whom the Lord)
loveth, He chasteneth."loccLxxxvii. to cccxcix. . 414
(Heb xii. 6) )
VIII. Patience.— "Be patient, there-)
fore, brethren, unto the I , .„ .
coming of the Lord." ^'"'^'- *« ccccxii. . 426
(James v. 7j /
ADDITIONAL HYMNS 419
NOTES 487
LIST OF AUTHORS 501
INDEX OF FIRST LINES 506
PART I.
HYMNS ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE
SUBJECTS OF THE CREED.
^ fi00ll xrf "^xmt
PART THE FIRST.
I.
THE HOLY TRINITY.
TAe Catholic Faith is this .- that ive worship one God in
Trinity, and Trinity in Unity."
Holy, holy, holy. Lord God Almighty !
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee ;
Holy, holy, holy ! Merciful and Mighty !
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity !
Holy, holy, holy ! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the
glassy sea,
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy ! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may
not see.
Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love and purity.
Holy, holy, holy. Lord God Almighty !
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name in earth
and sky and sea ;
Holy, holy, holy ! Merciful and Mighty !
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity !
' Bisliop Reginald Heber. 1827.
The Book of Praise,
II.
Round the Lord in glory seated
Cherubim and seraphim
Fill'd His temple, and repeated
Each to each th' alternate hymn.
" Lord, Thy glory fills the heaven,
" Earth is with its fulness stor'd ;
" Unto Thee be glory given,
" Holy, holy, holy Lord!"
Heaven is still with glory ringing,
Earth takes up the angels' cry,
" Holy, holy, holy," singing,
" Lord of hosts, the Lord most High !"
With His seraph train before Him,
With His holy Church below,
Thus conspire we to adore Him,
Bid we thus our anthem flow :
'• Lord, Thy glory fills the heaven,
" Earth is with its fulness stor'd ;
" Unto Thee be glory given,
"Holy, holy, holy Lord!"
Bishop Richard Mant 1 8 \i
III.
Holy, holy, holy, Lordj
God of hosts ! When heaven and earth
Out of darkness, at Thy word.
Issued into glorious birth,
All Thy works before Thee stood,
And Thine eye beheld them good,
While they sang, with one accord,
Hoi)-, holy, holy, Lord !
The Holy Trinity. 3
Holy, holy, holy ! Thee,
One Jehovah evermore,
Father, Son, and Spirit, we,
Dust and ashes, would adore :
Lightly by the world esteemed,
From that world by Thee redeemed,
Sing we here, with glad accord,
Holy, holy, holy Lord !
Holy, holy, holy ! All
Heaven's triumphant choir shall sing,
When the ransomed nations fall
At the footstool of their King :
Then shall saints and seraphim,
Hearts and voices, swell one hymn,
Round the Throne w^ith full accord,
Lloly, holy, holy, Lord !
James Mon tgom cry, 1853,
IV.
Te Dewn Lmidanuis.
God eternal. Lord of all,
Lowly at Thy feet we fall.
All the earth doth worship Thee ;
We amidst the throng would be. ,
All the holy angels cry,
Hail, thrice holy, God most High
Lord of all flie heavenly powers,
Be the same loud anthem ours.
Glorified apostles raise
Night and day continual praise t
Hast Thou not a mission too
For Thy children here to do '
B 2
The Book of Praise.
With Thy prophets' goodly line
We in mystic bond combine ;
For Thou hast to babes revealed
Things that to the wise were sealed.
Martyrs, in a noble host,
Of Thy cross are heard to boast ;
Since so bright the crown they wear.
Early we Thy cross would bear.
All Thy Church in heaven and earth,
Jesus ! hail Thy spotless birth ;
Own the God, who all has made ;
And the Spirit's soothing aid.
Offspring of a Virgin's womb ;
Slain, and Victor o'er the tomb ;
Seated on the Judgment-throne,
Number us among Thine own !
Day by day we magnify Thee,
And would eveiTnore be nigh Thee :
Keep us from the Tempter's snare ;
Spare Thy people, Jesu, spare !
James Elwin Millard. 1848.
Te Deiim Lauda^ntcs.
Thee w-e adore, eternal L^rd !
We praise Thy Name with one accord ;
Thy saints, who here Thy goodness see,
Through all the world do worship Thee.
To Thee aloud all angels cry,
And ceaseless raise their songs on high,
The Holy Trinity. 5
Both cherubin and seraphin,
The heavens and all the powers therein.
The Apostles join the glorious throng ;
The Prophets swell the immortal song ;
The Martyrs' noble army raise
Eternal anthems to Thy praise.
Thee, Holy, holy, holy King !
Thee, the Lord God of hosts, they sing :
Thus earth below, and heaven above,
Resound Thy glory and Thy love.
Thomas Cotterill. [18 10.]
VI.
I give immortal praise
To God the Father's love,
For all my comforts here
And better hopes above ;
He sent His own eternal Son
To die for sins that man had done.
To God the Son belongs
Immortal glory too,
Who bought us with His blood
From everlasting woe ;
And now He lives, and now He reigns,
And sees the fruit of all His pains.
To God the Spirit's name
Immortal worship give.
Whose new-creating power
Makes the dead sinner live ;
His work completes the great design.
And fills the soul with joy divine.
The Book of Praise.
Almighty God, to Thee
Be endless honours done ;
The undivided Three,
And the mysterious One !
Where reason fails with all her powers,
There faith prevails, and love adores.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
VII.
O King of kings, before whose throne
The angels bow, no gift can we
Present that is indeed our own,
Since heaven and earth belong to Thee :
Yet this our souls through grace impart,
The offering of a thankful heart.
O Jesu, set at God's right hand,
With Thine eternal Father plead
For all Thy loyal-hearted band,
Who still on earth Thy succour need ;
For them in weakness strength provide,
And through the world their footsteps guide,
O Holy Spirit, Fount of breath,
Whose comforts never fail nor fade,
Vouchsafe the life that knows no death,
Vouchsafe the light that knows no shade ;
And grant, that we through all our days
May share Thy gifts, and sing Thy praise.
Variation by Thomas Darli7ig. 1 85 7.
From John Quarles. 1654.
God the Creator. 7
II.
GOD THE CREATOR.
''/ believe iii one God, (lie Father Ahnighty, Maker of
heaven and earth, and of all things visible and
invisible. "
VIII.
Psalm C.
Before Jehovah's awful throne,
Ye nations, bow with sacred joy ;
Know that the Lord is God alone,
He can create, and He destroy.
His sov'reign power, without our aid,
Made us of clay, and formed us men ;
And when like wandering sheep we stray' d,
He brought us to His fold again.
We'll crowd Thy gates with thankful songs,
High as the heavens our voices raise ;
And earth, with her ten thousand tongues,
Shall fill Thy courts with sounding praise.
Wide as the world is Thy command,
Vast as eternity Thy love ;
Firm as a rock Thy truth must stand.
When rolling years shall cease to move.
Isaac Watts. 1719.
Varied by Charles Wesley. 1741.
The Book of Praise.
IX.
Psalm XCIII.
The Lord Jehovah reigns
And royal state maintains,
His head with awful glories crown'd ;
Arrayed in robes of light,
Begirt with sovereign might,
And rays of majesty around.
Upheld by Thy commands,
The world securely stands,
And skies and stars obey Thy word :
Thy throne was fixed' on high
Before the starry sky :
Eternal is Thy kingdom. Lord.
In vain the noisy crowd,
Like billows fierce and loud,
Against Thine empire rage and roar :
In, vain, with angry spite.
The surly nations fight,
And dash like waves against the shore.
Let floods and nations rage.
And all their powers engage ;
Let swelling tides assault the sky :
The terrors of Thy frown
Shall beat their madness down :
Thy throne for ever stands on high.
Thy promises are true,
Thy grace is ever new ;
There fixed, Thy Church shall ne'er remove :
Thy saints with holy fear
Shall in Thy courts appear.
And sing Thine everlasting love.
Isaac Watts. 1719.
God the C7-eator.
X.
Let all the world rejoice,
The great Jehovah reigns ;
The thunders are His awful voice ;
Our life His will ordains ;
The glories of His Name
The lightnings, floods, and hail proclaim.
He rules by sea and land,
O'er boundless realms He sways ;
He holds the oceans in His hand.
And mighty mountains weighs :
Unequalled and alone
In majesty He fills His throne.
The universe He made
By His prevailing might ;
The earth's foundations He hath laid,
And scattered ancient night ;
When heaven, and earth, and sea^
Proclaimed His awful majesty.
When the bright orb of day
First gleamed with ruddy light.
And yonder moon, with silver ray,
Marched up the vault of night ;
And stars bedecked the skies,
That seemed creation's thousand eyes ;
And earth's fair form was seen.
With flowers and blossoms drest ;
And trees, and fields, and meadows green,
Adorned her youthful breast.
Hung out in boundless space,
Amid the ocean's cool embrace ;
lo TJie Book of Praise.
Glad was the angel throng
To see His might prevail ;
And loud they sung a joyful song
This universe to hail,
While yet in youth it stood ;
The Maker, too, pronounced it good.
But this fair world shall die,
The creature of a day ;
In ashes and in ruins lie,
Its glory passed away:
As when before her birth,
Again shall be this mighty earth.
Soon shall the day be o'er
Of yonder brilliant sun ;
And he shall set to rise no more,
His race of glory run ;
And soon, alas ! all soon
Shall fade the stars, and yon pale moon.
But ever fix'd, the throne
Of the Eternal One
Shall stand, when all creation's gone,
Unequalled and alone ;
New worlds to make at will,
And His own wise designs fulfil.
John Hunt. 1853.
XI.
Psalm CXV.
Not unto us, Almighty Lord,
But to Thyself the glory be \
Created by Thy awful word,
We only live to honour Thee.
God the Creator. 1 1
Where is their God ? the heathen cry,
And bow to senseless wood and stone ;
Our God, we tell them, fills the sky,
And calls ten thousand worlds his own.
Vain gods ! vain men ! the Lord alone
Is Israel's worship, Israel's friend ;
O fear His power, His goodness own.
And love Him, trust Him, to the end.
Who lean on Him, from strength to strength.
From light to light, shall onward move,
Till through the grave they pass at length,
To sing on high His saving love.
Henry Francis Lytc. 1834.
xir.
Psalm CXLVI.
Happy the man, whose hopes rely
On Israel's God ; He made the sky,
And earth and seas Avith all their train ;
His truth for ever stands secure,
He saves the opprest, He feeds the poor ;
And none shall find his promise vain.
The Lord hath eyes to give the blind ;
The Lord supports the sinking mind ;
He sends the labouring conscience peace ;
He helps the stranger in distress,
The widow and the fatherless,
And grants the prisoner sweet release.
ril praise Him while He lends me breath,
And when my voice is lost in death
12 The Book of Praise.
Praise shall employ my nobler powers :
My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life and thought and being last,
Or immortality endures.
Isaac Watts. 1719.
XIII.
Psalm XIX.
The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky.
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty hand.
Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth ;
Whilst all the stars that round her bum,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings, as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
Move round the dark terrestrial ball ;
What, though no real voice or sound
Amidst their radiant orbs be found ;
In reason's ear they all rejoice.
And utter forth a glorious voice,
For ever singing, as they shine,
" The hand that made us is Divine."
Joseph Addison. 1728.
God the O'eator. 13
XIV.
There is a book, who runs may read,
Which heavenly truth imparts.
And all the lore its scholars need,
Pure eyes and Christian hearts.
The works of God, above, below,
Within us and around.
Are pages in that book, to show
How God Himself is found.
The glorious sky, embracing all,
Is like the Maker's love,
Wherewith encompass'd, great and small
In peace and order move.
The moon above, the Church below,
A wondrous race they run ;
But all their radiance, all their glow.
Each borrows of its sun.
The Saviour lends the light and heat
That crowns His holy hill ;
The saints, like stars, around His seat
Perform their courses still.
The saints above are' stars in Heaven ;
What are the saints on earth i
Like trees they stand, whom God has given,
Our Eden's happy birth.
Faith is their fix'd unswerving root,
Hope their unfading flower ;
Fair deeds of charity their fruit,
The glory of their bower.
14 The Boo'c of Praise.
The dew of heaven is hke Thy grace ;
It steals in silence down ;
But, where it lights, the favoured place
By richest fruits is known.
One name, above all glorious names,
With its ten thousand tongues
The everlasting sea proclaims,
Echoing angelic songs.
The raging fire, the roaring wind,
Thy boundless power display :
But in the gentler breeze we find
Thy Spirit's viewless way.
Two worlds are ours : 'tis only sin
Forbids us to descry,
The mystic heaven and earth within,
Plain as the sea and sky.
Thou who hast given me eyes to see
And love this sight so fair,
Give me a heart to find out Thee,
And read Thee everywhere.
John Keble. 1827.
XV.
Psalm LXV.
On God the race of man depends,
Far as the earth's remotest ends.
Where the Creator's name is known
By nature's feeble light alone.
He bids the noisy- tempests cease ;
He calms the raging crowd to peace.
God the O-eator. 15
When a tumultuous nation raves
Wild as the winds, and loud as waves.
Whole kingdoms, shaken by the storm.
He settles in a peaceful form ;
Mountains, establish'd by His hand,
Firm on their old foundations stand.
Behold His ensigns sweep the sky ;
New comets blaze, and lightnings fly !
The heathen lands, with swift surprise.
From the bright horrors turn their eyes.
At His command the morning ray
Smiles in the east, and leads the day ;
He guides the sun's declining wheels
Over the tops of western hills.
Seasons and times obey His voice ;
The evening and the morn rejoice
To see the earth made soft with showers,
Laden with fruit, and drest in flowers
'Tis from His watery stores on high
He gives the thirsty ground supply ;
He walks upon the clouds, and thence
Doth His enriching drops dispense.
The desert grows a fruitful field.
Abundant food the valleys yield ;
The valleys shout with cheerful voice,
And neighbouring hills repeat their joys.
Thy works pronounce Thy power divine ;
O'er every field Thy glories shine ;
Through every month thy gifts appear ;
Great God ! Thy goodness crowns the year !
Isaac Watts. 1719.
1 6 The Book of Praise.
XVI.
Thy goodness, Lord, our souls confess,
Thy goodness we adore ;
A spring, whose blessings never fail,
A sea without a shore.
Sun, moon, and stars, Thy love attest
In every cheerful ray ;
Love draws the curtains of the night.
And love restores the day.
Thy bounty every season crowns
With all the bliss it yields.
With joyful clusters bend the vines,
With harvests wave the fields.
But chiefly Thy compassions, Lord,
Are in the Gospel seen ;
There, like the Sun, Thy mercy shines
Without a cloud between.
Thomas Gibbons. 1784.
XVII.
I sing th' almighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise.
That spread the flowing seas abroad
And built the lofty skies.
i sing the wisdom that ordain'd
The sun to rule the day :
The moon shines full at His command,
And all the stars obey.
God the Creator. 17
I sing the goodness of the Lord
That filled the earth with food \
He formed the creatures with His word,.
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are display'd,
Where'er I turn my eye ;
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky !
There's not a plant or flower below,
But makes Thy glories known ;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne.
Creatures, as numerous as they be,
Are subject to Thy care ;
There's not a place where we can flee
But God is present there.
In Heaven He shines with beams of love,
With wrath in hell beneath ;
'Tis on His earth I stand or move.
And 'tis His air I breathe.
His hand is my perpetual guard ;
He keeps me with His eye :
Why should I then forget the Lord,
Who is for ever nigh ?
Isaac Watts, 1720.
The Book of Praise.
xviir.
Ves, God is good ; in earth and sky,
From ocean-depths and spreading wood,
Ten thousand voices seem to zry,
" God made us all, and God is good."
The sun that keeps his trackless way.
And downward pours his golden flood,
Night's sparkling hosts, all seem to say
In accents clear, that God is good.
The merry birds prolong the strain.
Their song with every spring renewed ;
And balmy air, and falling rain,
Each softly whisper, " God is good."
I hear it in the rushing breeze ;
The hills that have for ages stood,
The echoing sky and roaring seas,
All swell the chorus, " God is good."
Yes, God is good, all Nature says,
By God's own hand with speech endued ;
And man, in louder notes of praise,
Should sing for joy that God is good.
For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord ;
But chiefly for our heavenly food,
Thy pardoning grace, Thy quick'ning word ;
These prompt our song, that God is good.
J oh n Hampdcji Gu7'ncy. 1 83 8 — 1 85 1.
God the Creator. 19
XIX.
Nil laudibus nostris eges.
Our praise Thou need'st not ; but Thy love,
Our Father and our Friend,
Would have our prayers thus soar above,
In blessings to descend.
Thy secret judgments' depths profound
Still sings the silent night ;
The day upon his golden round
Thy pity infinite.
The soul lost in astonishment
Would speechless wonder fill ;
But, in the ravish'd bosom pent,
Love cannot all be still.
Feeble and faint, she fain would tell
Of our great Father's love,
Tempering the ills that with us d^vell,
And pledging good above.
Thither would our best thoughts aspire.
But chains on us abide ;
O quicken Thou our faint desire.
And to Thy presence guide !
Isaac Williams. 1839.
XX.
Let all the world in every corner sing
My God and King I
The heavens are not too high ;
His praise may thither fly :
c 3
20 The Book of Praise.
The earth is not too low ;
His praises there may grow.
Let all the world in every corner sing
My God and King !
The Church with psalms must shout ;
No door can keep them out :
But, above all, the heart
Must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in every corner sing
My God and King !
Herbert. 1632.
XXI.
Psalm CIV.
O worship the King,
All glorious above ;
O gratefully sing
His power and His love ;
Our Shield and Defender,
The Ancient of days,
PaviHoned in splendour,
And girded with praise.
O tell of His might,
O sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light,
Whose canopy space ;
His chariots of wrath
Deep thunder-clouds form,
And dark is His path
On the wings of the storm.
God the Creator. 2 1
The earth, with its store
Of wonders untold,
Almighty, Thy power
Hath founded of old,
Hath stablish'd it fast
By a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast,
Thy bountiful care
What tongue can recite ?
It breathes in the air.
It shines in the light ;
It streams from the hills.
It descends to the plain.
And sweetly distils
In the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust.
And feeble as frail,
In Thee do v/e trust.
Nor find Thee to fail :
Thy mercies how tender !
How firm to the end !
Our Maker, Defender,
Redeemer, and Friend !
O measureless Might !
Ineffable Love !
While angels delight
To hymn Thee above,
The humbler creation,
Tho' feeble their lays,
With true adoration
Shall lisp to Thy praise.
Sir Robert Grant. [ 1 839,]
22 The Book of Praise.
XXTI.
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice,
From realm to realm the notes shall sound \
And Heaven's exulting sons rejoice
To bear the full Hosanna round.
When, starting from the shades of night,
At dread Jehovah's high behest,
The Sun arrayed his limbs in light,
And Earth her virgin beauty drest;
Thy praise transported Nature sung
In pealing chorus loud and far ;
The echoing vault with rapture rung,
And shouted every morning star.
When, bending from His native sky,
The Lord of Life in mercy came.
And laid His bright effulgence by,
To bear on earth a human name ;
The song, by cherub voices raised,
Roll'd through the dark blue depths above ;
And Israel's shepherds heard amazed
The seraph notes of peace and love.
And shall not man the concert join.
For whom this bright creation rose ;
For whom the fires of morning shine,
And eve's still lamps, that woo repose ?
And shall not he the chorus swell.
Whose form the Incarnate Godhead wore ;
Whose guilt, whose fears, whose triumph tell
How deep the w^ounds his Saviour bore ?
God the Creator, 23
Long as yon glittering arch shall bend,
Long as yon orbs in glory roll,
Long as the streams of life descend
To cheer with hope the fainting soul,
Thy praise shall fill each grateful voice,
Shall bid the song of rapture sound :
And heaven's exulting sons rejoice
To bear the full Hosanna round.
John Bowdler. 1814.
XXIII.
Psalm CI II.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven ;
To His feet thy tribute bring ;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me His praise should sing }
Praise Him ! praise Him !
Praise the everlasting King !
Praise Him for His grace and favour,
To our fathers in distress ;
Praise Him, still the same for €ver,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless ;
Praise Him ! praise him !
Glorious in His faithfulness !
Father-like He tends and spares us ;
Well our feeble frame he knows ;
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes :
Praise Him ! praise him !
Widely as His mercy flows !
24 The Book of Praise.
Angels, help us to adore Him,
Ye behold Him face to face ;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Praise Him ! praise Him !
Praise with us the God of grace !
Henry Francis Lyte. 1834.
XXIV.
Psalm CL.
Praise the Lord, His glories show,
Saints within His courts below,
Angels round His throne above,
All that see and share His love.
Earth to heaven, and heaven to earth,
Tell his wonders, sing his worth ;
Age to age, and shore to shore.
Praise Him, praise Him, evermore !
Praise the Lord, His mercies trace ;
Praise His providence and grace,
All that He for man hath done,
All He sends us through His Son :
Strings and voices, hands and hearts,
In the concert bear your parts ;
All that breathe, your Lord adore,
Praise Him, praise Him, evermore !
Henry Francis Lyte. 1 834.
God the Creator. 25
XXV.
, Psalm CXLVIII.
Praise the Lord of Heaven, praise Him in the
height,
Praise Him, all ye angels, praise Him, stars an-d
light ;
Praise Him, skies, and waters, which above the skies,
When His word commanded, 'stablished did arise.
Praise the Lord, ye fountains of the deeps and seas,
Rocks and hills and mountains, cedars and all trees ;
Praise Him, clouds and vapours, snow, and hail, and
fire,
Stormy wind, fulfilling only His desire.
Praise Him, fowls and cattle, princes and all kings.
Praise Him, men and maidens, all created things ;
For the Name of God is excellent alone ;
Over earth His footstool, over heaven His throne.
T. B. Browne. 1844.
XXVI.
Hark, my soul, how every thing
Strives to serve our bounteous King
Each a double tribute pays.
Sings its part, and then obeys.
Nature's chief and sweetest quire
Him with cheerful notes admire ;
Chanting every day their lauds.
While the grove their song applauds.
26 The Book of Praise.
Though their voices lower be,
Streams have too their melody ;
Night and day they warbling run,
Never pause, but still sing on.
All the flowers that gild the spring
Hither their still music bring ;
If Heaven bless them, thankful they
Smell more sweet, and look more gay.
Only we can scarce afford
This short office to our Lord ;
We, on whom His bounty flows,
All things gives, and nothing owes.
Wake, for shame, my sluggish heart,
Wake, and gladly sing thy part ;
Learn of birds, and springs, and flowers,
How to use thy nobler pov/ers.
Call whole nature to thy aid.
Since 'twas He whole nature made ;
Join in one eternal song.
Who to one God all belong.
Live for ever, glorious Lord !
Live, by all Thy works ador'd !
One in Three, and Three in One,
Thrice we bow to Thee alone !
- . John Ausiiii. i663.
God the Creator. 2j
XXVII.
Come, O come ! in pious lays
Sound we God Almighty's praise ;
Hither bring, in one consent,
Heart, and voice, and instrument :
Music add of every kind,
Sound the trump, the cornet wind,
Strike the viol, touch the lute.
Let not tongue nor string be mute ;
Nor a creature dumb be found
That hath either voice or sound.
Let those things which do not live
In still music praises give ;
Lowly pipe, ye worms that creep
On the earth or in the deep :
Loud aloft your voices strain,
Beasts and monsters of the main ;
Birds, your warbling treble sing ;
Clouds, your peals of thunder ring ;
Sun and moon, exalted higher,
And bright stars, augment the choir.
Come, ye sons of human race.
In this chorus take your place.
And amid the mortal throng
Be you masters of the song .'
Angels and supernal powers,
Be the noblest tenor yours :
Let, in praise of God, the sound
Run a never-ending round,
That our song of praise may be
Everlasting, as is He.
28 The Book of Praise.
From earth's vast and hollow womb,
Music's deepest base may come ;
Seas and floods, from shore to shore,
Shall their counter-tenors roar :
To this concert,_when we sing.
Whistling winds your descants bring ;
That our song may over-climb
All the bounds of place and time.
And ascend, from sphere to sphere,
To the great Almighty's ear.
So from Heaven on earth -He shall
Let His gracious blessings fall ;
And this huge wide orb we see
Shall one choir, one temple be ;
Where in such a praiseful tone
We will sing what He hath done,
That the cursed fiends below
Shall thereat impatient grow :
Then, O come, in pious lays
Sound we God Almighty's praise !
George Wither. 1641.
XXVIII.
To God, ye choir above, begin
A hymn so loud and strong.
That all the universe may hear
And join the grateful song.
Praise Him, thou sun. Who dwells unseen
Amidst transcendent light.
Where thy refulgent orb would seem
A spot, as dark as night.
God the Creator. 29
Thou silver moon, ye host of stars,
The universal song
Through the serene and silent night
To listening worlds prolong.
Sing Him, ye distant worlds and suns,
From whence no travelling ray
Hath yet to us, through ages past,
Had time to make its way.
Assist, ye raging storms, and bear
On rapid wings His praise,
From north to south, from east to west.
Through heaven, and earth, and seas.
Exert your voice, ye furious fires
That rend the watery cloud.
And thunder to this nether world
Your Maker's w^ords aloud.
Ye works of God, that dwell unknown
Beneath the rolling main ;
Ye birds, that sing among the groves,,
And sweep the azure plain ;
Ye stately hills, that rear your heads.
And towering pierce the sky ;
Ye clouds, that wath an awful pace
Majestic roll on high ;
Ye insects small, to which one leaf
Within its narrow sides
A vast extended world displays,
And spacious realms provides ;
30 The Book of Pj-aise.
Ye race, still less than these, with which
The stagnant water teems,
To which one drop, however small,
A boundless ocean seems ;
Whate'er ye are, where'er ye dwell,
Ye creatures great or small,
Adore the wisdom, praise the power,
That made and governs all.
And if ye want or sense or sounds,
To swell the grateful noise,
Prompt mankind with that sense, and they
Shall find for you a voice.
From all the boundless realms of space
Let loud Hosannas sound ;
Loud send, ye wondrous works of God,
The grateful concert round.
Philip Skelton. 1784.
XXTX.
The strain upraise of joy and praise,
To the glory of their King
Shall the ransomed people sing,
Alleluia !
Alleluia !
And the choirs that dwell on high
Shall re-echo through the sky,
Alleluia !
They through the fields of Paradise who roam.
The blessed ones, repeat through that bright home.
Alleluia!
God the Creator. 3 1
The planets glittering on their heavenly way,
The shining constellations, join and say,
Alleluia !
Ye clouds that onward sweep,
Ye winds on pinions light,
Ye thunders, echoing loud and deep,
Ye lightnings, wildly bright,
In sweet consent unite your Alleluia !
Ye floods and ocean billows,
Ye storms and winter snow,
Ye days of cloudless beauty,
Hoar frost and summer glow ;
Ye groves that wave in spring,
And glorious forests, sing
Alleluia !
First let the birds, with painted plumage gay,
Exalt their great Creator's praise, and say
Alleluia !
Then let the beasts of earth, with var>'ing strain,
Join in creation's hymn, and cry again,
Alleluia!
Here let the mountains thunder forth sonorous.
Alleluia !
There let the valleys sing in gentler chorus,
Alleluia !
Thou jubilant abyss of ocean, ciy
Alleluia !
Alleluia !
Ye tracts of earth and continents, reply
To God, WTio all creation made.
The frequent hymn be duly paid ;
Alleluia !
This is the strain, the eternal strain, the Lord
Almighty loves ;
Alleluia !
32 The Book of Praise,
This is the song, the heavenly song, that Christ
Himself approves ;
Alleluia !
Wherefore we sing, both heart and voice awaking,
Alleluia!
And children's voices echo, answer making,
Alleluia.!
Nov/ from all men be outpoured
Alleluia to the Lord ;
With Alleluia evermore
The Son and Spirit we adore.
Praise be done to the Three in One,
Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Alleluia !
John Mason Neale. 1851.
CHRIST INCARNATE.
III.
'•^ And in one Lord Jestts Christ, the only -begotten Son
of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God
of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God,
Begotten, not made, being of one Substance with the
Father, by Whoni all things were made :
''^ Who for us men, and for our salvation, cajne down
from Heaven, and was Lncarnate by the Holy Ghost
of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.'''
XXX.
" Jam desinant suspiriay
Away with sorro^\''s sigh,
Our prayers are heard on high ;
And through Heaven's crystal door
On this our earthly floor
Comes meek-eyed Peace to walk with poor mortality.
Christ Incarnate. 33
In dead of night profound,
There breaks a seraph sound
Of never-ending morn ;
The Lord of glory born
Within a holy grot on this our sullen ground.
Now with that shepherd crowd
If it might be allowed,
We fain would enter there
With awful hastening fear,
And kiss that cradle chaste in reverend worship
bowed.
O sight of strange surprise
That fills our gazing eyes :
A manger coldly strew'd,
• And swaddling bands so rude,
A leaning mother poor, and child that helpless lies.
Art Thou, O wondrous sight,
Of lights the very Light ;
Who holdest in Thy hand
The sky and sea and land ;
Who than the glorious heavens art more exceeding
bright ?
'Tis so ; faith darts before.
And, through the cloud drawn o'er,
She sees the God of all.
Where angels prostrate fall.
Adoring tremble still, and trembling still adore.
No thunders round Thee break ;
Yet doth Thy silence speak
From that. Thy Teacher's seat,
To us around Thy feet.
To shun what flesh desires, what flesh abhors to seek.
D
34 The Book of Praise.
Within us, Babe divine,
Be born, and make us Thine ;
Within our souls reveal
Thy love and power to heal ;
Be born, and make our hearts Thy cradle and Thy
shrine.
Isaac Williams. 1839.
xxxr.
What sudden blaze of song
Spreads o'er the expanse of Heaven ?
In waves of light it thrills along,
Th' angelic signal given :
Glory to God ! from yonder central fire
Flows out the echoing lay beyond the starry quire.
Like circles widening round
Upon a clear blue river,
Orb after orb, the wondrous sound
Is echoed on for ever:
" Glory to God on high, on earth be peace,
And love towards men of love, salvation and
release ! "
Yet stay, before thou dare
To join that festal throng ;
Listen, and mark what gentle air
First stirred the tide of song :
'Tis not, " the Saviour born in David's home.
To whom for power and health obedient w^orlds
should come."
'Tis not, "the Christ the Lord :"
With fixed adoring look
Christ I Jt earn ate. 35
The quire of angels caught the word,
Nor yet their silence broke :
But when they heard the sign, where Christ
should be,
In sudden light they shone, and heavenly harmony.
Wrapped in His swaddling bands.
And in His manger laid.
The Hope and Glory of all lands
Is come to the world's aid :
No peaceful home upon His cradle smiFd ;
Guests rudely went and came, where slept the royal
Child.
But where Thou dwellest, Lord,
No other thought should be,
Once duly welcomed and adoi-'d.
How should I part with Thee ?
Bethlehem must lose Thee soon ; but Thou wilt
grace
The single heart to be Thy sure abiding place.
Thee, on the bosom laid
Of a pure virgin mind,
In quiet ever and in shade
Shepherd and sage may find ;
They, who have bowed untaught to Nature's
sway,
And they, who follow Truth along her star-paved
way.
The pastoral spirits first
Approach Thee, Babe divine ;
For they in lowly thoughts are nurst,
Meet for Thy lowly shrine :
D 2
36 The Book of Praise.
Sooner than they should miss where Thou dost
dwell,
Angels from Heaven will stoop to guide them to
Thy cell.
Still, as the day comes round
For Thee to be reveal'd,
By wakeful shepherds Thou art found
Abiding in the field :
All though the wintry heaven and chill night air
In music and in light Thou dawnest on their prayer.
O faint not ye for fear !
What though your wandering sheep.
Reckless of what they see and hear
Lie lost in wilful sleep ?
High Heaven, in mercy to your sad annoy.
Still greets you with glad tidings of immortal joy.
Think on the eternal home
The Saviour left for you ;
Think on the Lord most Holy, come
To dwell with hearts untrue :
So shall ye tread untired His pastoral ways.
And in the darkness sing your carol of high praise.
JohnKeble. 1827.
XXXII.
'Tis come, the time so oft foretold,
The time eternal love forecast ;
Four thousand years of hope have rolled.
And God hath sent His Son at last ;
Let heaven, let earth, adore the plan ;
Glory to God, and grace to man !
Christ Incarnate. 37
To swains that watch'd their nightly fold,
Of lowly lot, of lowly mind.
To these the tidings first were told,
That told of hope for lost mankind ;
God gives His Son ; no more He can ;
Glory to God, and grace to man !
And well to shepherds first 'tis known.
The Lord of angels comes from high.
In humblest aspect like their own,
Good Shepherd, for His sheep to die :
O height and depth, which who shall span ?
Glory to God, and grace to man !
Fain with those meek, those happy swains.
Lord, I would hear that angel quire ;
Till, ravished by celestial strains.
My heart responds with holy fire ;
(That holy fire Thy breath must fan ;)
Glory to God, and grace to man !
Thomas Grhifield. 1836.
XXXIII.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground.
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
" Fear not,*' said he ; (for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind ;)
" Glad tidings of great joy I bring
" To you and all mankind.
38 ■" TJie Book of Pi'aise.
"To you, in David's town, this day
" Is born of David's line
" The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord ;
" And this shaU be the sign.
" The heavenly Babe you there shall find
" To human view displayed,
" All meanly wrapt in swathing bands,
" And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the Seraph ; and forthwith
A_ppeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, and thus
Address'd their joyful song.
" All glory be to God on high,
" And to the earth be peace ;
" Good will henceforth from Heaven to men
Nahum Tate. 1703.
XXXIV.
Hark ! how all the welkin rings
Glory to the King of kings !
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled !
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of the skies ;
Universal nature say,
Christ the Lord is born to-day !
Christ, by highest Heaven adorea ;
Christ, the Everlasting Lord ;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a Virgin's womb :
Christ Incarnate. 39
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see ;
Hail, th' Incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus, our Immanuel here !
Hail ! the heavenly Prince of Peace !
Hail ! the Sun of Righteousness !
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His Avings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home !
Rise, the Woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head !
Now display Thy saving power.
Ruined nature now restore.
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine !
Adam's likeness. Lord, efface ;
Stamp Thy image in its place ;
Second Adam from above.
Reinstate us in Thy love !
Let us Thee, though lost, regain.
Thee, the Life, the Heavenly Man :
O I to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart !
Charles Wesley. 1743,
40 The Book of Praise.
XXXV.
We'll sing, in spite of scorn :
Our tlieme is conie from Heaven :
To us a Child is born,
To us a Son is given ;
The sweetest news that ever came
We'll sing, though all the world should blame.
The long-expected morn
Has dawn'd upon the earth ;
The Saviour Christ is born,
And angels sing His birth :
We'll join the bright seraphic throng,
We'll share their joys, and swell their song.
O ! 'tis a lofty theme.
Supplied by angels' tongues !
All other objects seem
Unw^orthy of our songs.
This sacred theme has boundless charms^
It fills, it captivates, it warms.
Now sing of peace divine,
Of grace to guilty man ;
No wisdom, Lord, but Thine
Could form the wondrous plan ;
Where peace and righteousness embrace,
And justice goes along with grace.
Give praise to God on high.
With angels round His throne ;
Give praise to God with joy,
Give praise to God alone !
'Tis meet His saints their songs should raise,
And give the Saviour endless praise.
TJiofnas Kelly. 1806 — 18;:
Christ Incarnate. 41
XXXVI.
The scene around me disappears,
And, borne to ancient regions,
While time recalls the flight of years,
I see angehc legions
Descending in an orb of light :
Amidst the dark and silent night
I hear celestial voices.
Tidings, glad tidings from above
To every age and nation !
Tidings, glad tidings ! God is Love,
To man He sends salvation !
His Son beloved, His only Son,
The work of mercy hath begun ;
Give to His Name the glory !
Through David's city I am led ;
Here all around are sleeping ;
A Light directs to yon poor shed ;
There lonely watch is keeping :
I enter ; ah ! what glories shine !
Is this Immanuel's earthly shrine,
Messiah's infant Temple ?
It is, it is ; and I adore
This Stranger meek and lowly.
As saints and angels bow before
The throne of God thrice Holy !
Faith through the veil of flesh can see
The Face of Thy Divinity,
My Lord, my God, my Saviour !
James Montgomery. 1825.
42 The Book of Praise.
XXXVII.
Though rude winds usher thee, sweet day,
Though clouds thy face deform,
Though nature's grace is swept av/ay
Before thy sleety storm ;
EVn in thy sombrest wintry vest,
Of blessed days thou art most blest.
Nor frigid air nor gloomy morn
Shall check our jubilee ;
Bright is the day when Christ was born,
No sun need shine but He ;
Let roughest storms their coldest blow,
With love of Him our hearts shall glow.
Inspired v^ith high and holy thought.
Fancy is on the wing ;
It seems as to mine ear it brought
Those voices carolling.
Voices through heaven and earth that ran,
Glory to God, good will to man.
I see the shepherds gazing wild
At those fair spirits of light ;
I see them bending o'er the Child
With that untold delight
Which marks the face of those who view
Things but too happy to be true.
There, in the lowly manger laid,
Incarnate God they see ;
He stoops to take, through spotless maid,
Our frail humanity :
Son of high God, creation's Heir,
He leaves His Heaven to raise us there
Christ hicarnaie. 43
Through Him, Lord, we are born anew,
Thy children once again ;
Oil ! day by day our hearts renew,
That Thine we may remain,
And, angel-hke, may all agree.
One sweet and holy family.
Oft, as this joyous morn doth come
To speak our Saviour's love,
Oh, may it bear our spirits home.
Where He now reigns above ;
That day which brought Him from the skies.
And man restores to Paradise !
Then let winds usher thee, sweet day.
Let clouds thy face deform ;
Though nature's grace is swept away
Before thy sleety storm ;
Ev'n in thy sombrest wintry vest
Of blessed days thou art most blest.
Sam uel Richards. 1825.
XXXVIII.
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old.
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold :
" Peace to the earth, goodwill to men
From Heaven's all-gracious King :"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurl'd ;
44 The Book of Praise.
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world :
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on heavenly wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long ;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong ;
And men, at war with men, hear not
The love-song which they bring :
Oh ! hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing !
And ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the chmbing way
With painful steps and slow ;
Look now ! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing :
Oh ! rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing !
For lo ! the days are hastening on,
By prophet-bards foretold.
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold ;
When Peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendours fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.
Edmund H. Sears, [il
Clirist Incarnate, 45
XXXIX.
The race that long in darkness pined
Have seen a glorious Light ;
The people dwell in Day, who dwelt
In Death's surrounding night.
To hail Thy rise, Thou better Sun,
The gathering nations come,
Joyous as when the reapers bear
The harvest-treasures home.
For Thou our burden hast removed,
And quell'd th' oppressor's sway,
Quick as the slaughtered squadrons fell
In Midian's evil day.
To us a Child of Hope is born,
To us a Son is given ;
Him shall the tribes of earth obey,
Him all the hosts of heaven.
His Name shall be the Prince of Peace,
For evermore adored,
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The great and mighty Lord.
His power increasing still shall spread.
His reign no end shall know :
Justice shall guard His throne above,
And Peace abound below.
Jo/ut Morrison. 1770.
46 The Book of Praise.
XL.
Bright v/as the guiding star that led
With mild benignant ray
The Gentiles to the lowly shed,
Where the Redeemer lay.
But lo ! a brighter, clearer light
Now points to His abode ;
It shines through sin and sorrow's night,
To guide us to our God.
O haste to follow where it leads ;
The gracious call obey ;
Be rugged wilds, or flowery meads.
The Christian's destined way.
O gladly tread the narrow path
While light and grace are given !
Who meekly follow Christ on earth,
Shall reign with Him in heaven.
Harriett A nber. i S29.
XLI.
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold ;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright ;
So, most gracious God, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger-bed ;
There to bend the knee before
' Him whom heaven and earth adore
CJirist Incarnate. 47
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy-seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare ;
So may we with holy-joy,
Pure, and free from sin's alloy,
All our costhest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus ! every day
Keep us in the narrow way ;
And, when earthly things are past.
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light ;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun, which goes not down :
There for ever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.
William Chatterton Dix. 1B60.
XLII.
Hark, the glad sound ! the'Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long ;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song !
He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan's bondage held ;
The gates of brass before Him burst.
The iron fetters yield.
48 The Book of Praise.
He comes, from thickest films of vice
To clear the mental ray,
And on the eye-balls of the blind
To pour celestial day.
He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of His grace
To enrich the humble poor.
Our glad Hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
Philip Doddridge. 1755.
XLIIL
Lo ! He comes ! let all adore Him !
'Tis the God of grace and truth !
Go ! prepare the way before Him,
Make the rugged places smooth !
Lo ! He comes, the mighty Lord !
Great His work, and His reward.
Let the valleys all be raised ;
Go, and make the crooked straight ;
Let the mountains be abased ;
Let all nature change its state ;
Through the desert mark a road,
Make a highway for our God.
Through the desert God is going,
Through the desert waste and wild,
Where no goodly plant is growing.
Where no verdure ever smiled ;
Chrkt Incarnate. 49
But the desert shall be glad,
And with verdure soon be clad.
Where the thorn and briar flourish'd,
Trees shall there be seen to grow,
Planted by the Lord and nourish' d,
Stately, fair, and fruitful too ;
They shall rise on every side.
They shall spread their branches wide.
From the hills and lofty mountains
Rivers shall be seen to flow,
There the Lord will open fountains,
Thence supply the plains below ;
As He passes, every land
Shall confess His powerful hand.
Thotnas Kelly. 1 809.
XLIV.
Psalm XCVHL
Joy to the world, the Lord is come :
Let earth receive her King ;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth ! the Saviour reigns ;
Let men their songs employ ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground :
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.
E
50 TJie Book of Praise.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.
Isaac Waits, 1709.
XLV.
Thus saith God of His Anointed ;
He shall let My people go ;
'Tis the work for Him appointed,
'Tis the work that He shall do ;
And My city
He shall found, and build it too.
He whom man with scorn refuses,
Whom the favoured nation hates,
He it is Jehovah chooses,
Him the highest place awaits ;
Kings and princes
Shall do homage at His gates.
He shall humble all the scorners,
He shall fill His foes with shame ;
He shall raise and comfort mourners
By the sweetness of His Name ;
To the captives
He shall liberty proclaim.
He shall gather those that wander'd ;
When they hear the trumpet's sound,
They shall join the sacred standard,
They shall come and flock around ;
He shall save them.
They shall be with glory crown'd.
Thomas Keily. 1 809.
Christ hicarnate. 5 1
XLVI.
0 for a thousand tongues to sing
My dear Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace !
My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread, through all the earth abroad.
The honours of Thy Name.
Jesus, the Name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease ;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears,
'Tis life, and health, and peace !
He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive ;
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice.
The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ ;
Ye blmd, behold your Saviour come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy !
Charles Wesley. 1743.
XLVI I.
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's car!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drive§ away his fear!
E ?.
52 The Book of Praise.
It makes the wounded spirit whole.
And cahns the troubled breast ;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest.
Dear Name ! the rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding-place,
My never-failing treasury, fill'd
With boundless stores of grace,
By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled ;
Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.
Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.
Weak is the effort of my heart.
And cold my warmest thought ;
But, when I see Thee as Thou art,
I'll praise Thee as I ought.
Till then, I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath ;
And may the music of Thy Name
Refresh my soul in death !
John Newton. 1 779.
Christ Crucified, 53
IV.
And was Crucified for tis under Pontius Pilate ; He
suffered, and iv as buried.'"'
XLVIII.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God ;
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down !
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet.
Or thorns compose so rich a crown ?
Were the whole realm of nature mine.
That were a present far too small ;
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Isaac Watts. 1709.
XLTX.
We sing the praise of Him Who died,
Of Him Who died upon the cross ;
The sinner's hope let men deride.
For this wc count the world but loss.
54 1 he Book of Praise.
Inscribed upon the cross we see
In shining letters, God is Love ;
He bears our sins upon the tree,
He brings us mercy from above.
The Cross ! it takes our guilt away ;
It holds the fainting spirit up ;
It cheers with hope the gloomy day,
And sweetens every bitter cup ;
It makes the coward spirit brave,
And nerves the feeble arm for fight ;
It takes its terror from the grave,
And gilds the bed of death with light ;
The balm of life, the cure of woe.
The measure and the pledge of love,
The sinner's refuge here below,
The angels' theme in heaven above.
Thomas Kelly. 1 820.
Lord Jesu, when we stand afar
And gaze upon Thy Holy Cross,
In love of Thee and scorn of self,
Oh ! may we count the world as loss.
When we behold Thy bleeding wounds,
And the rough way that Thou hast trod.
Make us to hate the load of sin
That lay so heavy on our God.
Oh holy Lord ! uplifted high
With outstretched arms, in mortal woe.
Embracing in Thy wondrous love
The sinful world that lies below.
Christ Ci'itcijicd. 55
Give us an ever living faith
To gaze beyond the things we see ;
And in the mystery of Thy Death
Draw us and all men unto Thee !
William WaWiam How. [1854.]
LI.
Beneath Thy cross I lay me down,
And mourn to see Thy bloody crown ;
Love drops in blood from every vein ;
Love is the spring of all His pain.
Here, Jesus, I shall ever stay,
And spend my longing hours away,
Think on Thy bleeding wounds and pain.
And contemplate Thy woes again.
The rage of Satan and of sin,
Of foes without, and fears within,
Shall ne'er my conquering soul remove
Or from Thy cross, or from Thy love.
Secured from harms beneath Thy shade,
Here death and hell shall ne'er invade ;
Nor Sinai, with its thundering noise.
Shall e'er disturb my happier joys.
O unmolested happy rest !
Where inward fears are all supprest ;
Here I shall love, and live secure.
And patiently my cross endure.
Williain Williams. 1772.
56 The Book of Pi'aise.
LII.
Plunged in a gulf of dark despair
We wretched sinners lay,
Without one cheerful beam of hope,
Or spark of glimmering day.
With pitying eyes the Prince of Grace
Beheld our helpless grief :
He saw, and oh! amazing love!
He ran to our relief.
Down from the shining seats above
With jo}^ul haste He fled ;
Entered the grave in mortal flesh,
And dwelt among the dead.
Oh ! for this love, let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break.
And all harmonious human tongues
The Saviour's praises speak !
Angels, assist our mighty joys ;
Strike all your harps of gold !
But, when you raise your highest notes,
His love can ne'er be told.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
LIII.
Psalm VH I.
O Lord, how good, how great art Thou,
In heaven and earth the same !
There angels at Thy footstool bow,
Here babes Thy grace proclaim.
Christ Crucijied. 57
When glorious in the nightly sky
Thy moon and stars I see,
O, what is man ! I wondering cry,
To be so loved by Thee !
To him Thou hourly deign'st to give
New mercies from on high ;
Didst quit Thy Throne with him to live,
For him in pain to die.
Close to Thine own bright seraphim
His favoured path is trod ;
And all beside are serving him,
That he may serve his God.
O Lord, how good, how great art Thou,
In heaven and earth the same !
There angels at Thy footstool bow,
Here babes Thy grace proclaim.
Henry Francis Lyte. 1 834,
LIV.
Blow ye the trumpet, blow,
The gladly solemn sound ;
Let all the nations know.
To earth's remotest bound ;
The year of Jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
Jesus, our great High Priest,
Hath full atonement made ;
Ye weary spirits, rest ;
Ye mournful souls, be glad :
The year of Jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
$8 The Book of Praise,
Extol the Lamb of God,
The all-atoning Lamb ;
Redemption in His blood
Throughout the world proclaim :
The year of Jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
Your liberty receive ;
And safe in Jesus dwell,
And blest in Jesus live :
The year of Jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
Your heritage above,
Shall have it back unbought,
The gift of Jesus' love ;
The year of Jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
The Gospel Trumpet hear,
The news of heavenly grace ;
And, saved from earth, appear
Before your Saviour's face :
The year of Jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home,
Charles Wesley. 1751.
LV.
Now let us join with hearts and tongues,
And emulate the angels' songs ;
Yea, sinners may address their King
In songs that angels cannot sing.
Christ Onicified. 55
They praise the Lamb who once was slain ;
But we can add a higher strain ;
Not only say, He suffered thus,
But that He suffered all for us.
Jesus, who pass'd the angels by,
Assumed our flesh to bleed and die ;
And still He makes it His abode ;
As man He fills the throne of God.
Our next of kin, our Brother now,
Is He to whom the angels bow ;
They join with us to praise His Name,
But we the nearest interest claim.
But ah ! how faint our praises rise !
Sure 'tis the wonder of the skies.
That we, w^ho share His richest love,
So cold and unconcern'd should prove.
O glorious hour ! it comes with speed.
When we, from sin and darkness freed,
Shall see the God who died for man.
And praise Him more than angels can.
John Newton. 1779
LVI.
0 Saviour, may we never rest
Till Thou art form'd within ;
Till Thou hast calm'd our troubled breast,
And crush'd the power of sin.
O may we gaze upon Thy cross,
Until the wondrous sight
Makes earthly treasures seem but dross,
And earthly sorrows liglit.
6o The Book of Praise.
Until, releas'd from carnal ties,
Our spirit upward springs.
And sees true peace above the skies,
True joy in heavenly things.
There as we gaze, may we become
United, Lord, to Thee ;
And in a fairer, happier home,
Thy perfect beauty see.
William Hiley Bathnrst. 1831.
LVII.
Saviour, I lift my trembling eyes
To that bright seat, where, placed on high,
The great, the atoning Sacrifice,
For me, for all, is ever nigh.
Be Thou my guard on peril's brink ;
Be Thou my guide through weal or woe ;
And teach me of Thy cup to drink,
And make me in Thy path to go.
For what is earthly change or loss ?
Thy promises are still my own :
The feeblest frame may bear Thy cross,
The lowliest spirit share Thy Throne.
Alton, "J/. G. r." 1 83 1.
CJiJ'ist Risen. 6l
V.
CHRIST RISEN.
And the third day He rose again, according to the
Scriptures. "
LVIII.
Again the Lord of Life and Light
Awakes the kindhng ray,
Unseals the eyelids of the morn,
And pours increasing day.
O what a night was that which wrapt
The heathen world in gloom !
O what a sun, which broke this day
Triumphant from the tomb !
This day be grateful homage paid,
And loud hosannas sung ;
Let gladness dwell in every heart,
And praise on every tongue.
Ten thousand differing lips shall join
To hail this welcome morn.
Which scatters blessings from its wings
To nations yet unborn.
The powers of darkness leagued in vain
To bind His Soul in death ;
He shook their kingdom, when He fell,
With His expiring breath.
62 The Book of Praise.
And ROW His conquering chariot wheels
Ascend the lofty skies ;
While broke beneath His powerful cross
Death's iron sceptre lies.
Exalted high at God's right hand,
The Lord of all below,
Through Him is pardoning love dispens'd,
And boundless blessings flow.
And still for erring guilty man
A Brother s pity flows ;
And still His bleeding heart is touch'd
With memory of our woes.
To Thee, my Saviour and my King,
Glad homage let me give ;
And stand prepared like Thee to die,
With Thee that I may live !
Anna Lcetitia Barbauld. i ']']i.
LIX.
Christ the Lord is risen to-day,
Sons of men and angels say :
Raise your joys and triumphs high.
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply.
Love's redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won :
Lo ! our Sun's eclipse is o'er ;
Lo ! He sets in blood no more.
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal ;
Christ hath burst the gates of hell !
Christ Risen. 63
Death in vain forbids His rise ;
Christ hath open'd Paradise !
Lives again our glorious King :
Where, O Death, is now thy sting ?
Once He died, our souls to save :
Where thy victory, O Grave ?
Soar we now where Christ has led,
Following our exalted Head ;
Made like Him, like Him we rise ;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.
What though once we perish'd all,
Partners in our parents' fall ?
Second life we all receive.
In our Heavenly Adam live.
Risen with Him, we upward move ;
Still we seek the things above ;
Still pursue, and kiss the Son
Seated on His Father's Throne.
Scarce on earth a thought bestov/,
Dead to all we leave below ;
Heav'n our aim, and loved abode,
Hid our life with Christ in God :
Hid, till Christ our Life appear
Glorious in His members here ;
Join'd to Him, we then shall shine,
All immortal, all divine.
Hail the Lord of Earth and HeaA'cn !
Praise to Thee by both be given !
Thee we greet triumphant now !
Hail, the Resurrection Thou !
64
The Booh of Praise.
King of glory, Soul of bliss !
Everlasting life is this,
Thee to know, Thy power to prove,
Thus to sing, and thus to love !
Charles Wesley. 1743.
LX.
Jesus Christ is risen to-day,
Our triumphant holy day.
Who did once upon the cross
Suffer to redeem our loss ;
Hymns af praise then let us sing
Unto Christ our heavenly King,
Who endured the cross and grave,
Sinners to redeem and save ;
But the pain which He endured.
Our salvation has procured :
Now above the sky He's king.
Where the angels ever sing
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Hallelujah !
Sing we to our God above Hallelujah !
Praise eternal as His love ; Hallelujah !
Praise Him, all ye heavenly host, Hallelujah !
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; Hallelujah !
Afioji. [1750.]
{Last stanza by Charles Wesley.)
LXI.
Ad temp la nos 7'ursiis vocat.
Now morning lifts her dcAvy veil
With new-born blessings crown'd :
Oh ! haste we then her light to hail
In courts of holy ground !
Christ Risen, 65
But Christ, triumphant o'er the grave,
Shines more divinely bright :
Oh ! sing we then His power to save,
And walk wc in His light !
When from the swaddling bands of shade,
Sprang forth the world so fair,
In robes of brilliancy arrayed,
Oh, what a Power was there !
When He, who gave His guiltless Son
A guilty world to spare,
Restored to life the Holy One,
Oh, what a Love was there !
When forth from its Creator's hand
The earth in beauty stood,
All decked with light at His command.
He saw, and called it good.
But still more lovely in His sight.
The earth still fairer stood,
When the Holy Lamb had wash'd it white
In His atoning blood.
Still, as the morning rays return,
To the pious soul 'tis given
In fancy's mirror to discern
The radiant domes of Heaven.
But now that our eternal Sun
Hath shed His beams abroad,
In Him we see the Holy One,
And mount at once to God.
F
66 The Book of Praise.
Oh, holy, blessed Three in One !
May Thy pure light be given,
That we the paths of death may shun,
And keep the road to Heaven !
JoJdi Chmidler. 1837.
Variation from Isaac Wil'iams.
LXII.
The Son of God ! the Lord of Life !
How wondrous are His ways !
O for a harp of thousand strings,
To sound abroad his praise !
How passing strange, to leave the seat
Of Heaven's eternal throne,
And hosts of glittering Seraphim,
For guilty man alone !
And did He bow His sacred head,
And die a death of shame ?
Let men and angels magnify
And bless His holy name !
O let us live in peace and love,
And cast away our pride,
And crucify our sins afresh.
As He was crucified !
He rose again ; then let us rise
From sin, and Christ adore.
And dwell in peace with all mankind,
And tempt the Lord no more :
The Son of God \ the Lord of Life !
How wondrous are His ways !
O for a harp of thousand strings
To sound abroad His praise !
George Mogridgc. [i 85 1 .]
Christ Rtsm. 67
LXIIT.
Salvation ! oh ! the joyful sound !
'Tis pleasure to our ears !
A sovereign balm for every wound,
A cordial- for our fears !
Buried in sorrow and in sin,
At hell's dark door we lay ;
But we arise, by grace Divine,
To see a heavenly day.
Salvation ! let the echo fly
The spacious earth around,
While all the armies of the sky
Conspire to raise the sound !
Isaac Watfs. 1709
LXIV.
The foe behind, the deep before,
Our hosts have dared and past the sea
And Pharaoh's warriors strew the shore,
And Israel's ransom'd tribes are free.
Lift up, lift up your voices now !
The whole wide world rejoices now !
The Lord hath triumph'd gloriously !
The Lord shall reign victoriously !
Happy morrow,
Turning sorrow
Into peace and mirth !
Bondage ending,
Love descending
O'er the earth !
F 2
68 The Book of Praise.
Seals assuring,
Guards securing,
Watch His earthly prison :
Seals are shattered.
Guards are scattered,
Christ hath risen !
No longer must the mourners weep.
Nor call departed Christians dead ;
For death is hallowed into sleep
And every grave becomes a bed.
Now once more,
Eden's door
Open stands to mortal eyes ;
For Christ hath risen, and men shall rise :
Now at last,
Old things past,
Hope and joy and peace begin :
For Christ hath won, and man shall v/in.
It is not exile, rest on high :
It is not sadness, peace from strife :
To fall asleep is not to die ;
To dwell with Christ is better life.
Where our banner leads us,
We may safely go :
Where our Chief precedes us.
We may face the foe.
His right arm is o'er us,
He will guide us through ;
Christ hath gone before us ;
Christians ! follow you !
John Masoti Neale. 1851.
Christ A sce?ided. 69
VI.
CHRIST ASCENDED.
" And ascended into Heaven ; and sitteth on the right
hand of the Father.''^
LXV.
Thou art gone up on high
To mansions in the skies,
And round Thy throne unceasingly
The songs of praise arise.
But we are lingering here
With sin and care oppress'd ;
Lord ! send Thy promised Comforter,
And lead us to Thy rest !
Thou art gone up on high :
But Thou didst first come down,
Through earth's most bitter agony
To pass unto Thy crown :
And girt with griefs and fears
Our onward course must be ;
But only let that path of tears
Lead us, at last, to Thee !
Thou art gone up on high :
But Thou shalt come again
With all the bright ones of the sky
Attendant in Thy train.
Oh ! by Thy saving power
So make us live and die,
That we may stand, in that dread hour,
At Thy right hand on high !
Emma Tohe. 1351.
70 The Book of Praise.
LXVl
Thou, who didst stoop below
To drain the cup of woe
And wear the form of frail mortahty,
Thy blessed labours done,
Thy crown of victory won.
Hast pass'd from earth, pass'd to Thy home on
high.
It was no path of flowers
Through this dark world of ours.
Beloved of the Father, Thou didst tread :
And shall we in dismay
Shrink from the narrow way,
When clouds and darkness are around it spread ?
O Thou, who art our life,
Be with us through the strife !
Thy own meek head by rudest storms was bowed ;
Raise Thou our eyes above,
To see a Father s love
Beam, like a bow of promise, through the cloud.
E'en through the awful gloom
Which hovers o'er the tomb,
That light of love our guiding star shall be :
Our spirits shall not dread
^he shadowy way to tread.
Friend, Guardian, Saviour I which doth lead to
Thee.
S 11 sail L. Miles. [1840.]
Christ A sc ended. 7 1
LXVII.
To Him, who for our sins was slain,
To Him, for all His dying pain,
Sing we Hallelujah !
To Him, the Lamb our sacrifice,
Who gave His soul our ransom-price,
Sing we Hallelujah !
To Him, who died that we might die
To sin, and live with Him on high,
Sing we Hallelujah !
To Him, who rose that we might rise
And reign with Him beyond the skies,
Sing we Hallelujah !
To Him, who now for us doth plead
And helpeth us in all our need,
Sing we Hallelujah !
To Him, who doth prepare on high
Our home in immortality.
Sing we Hallelujah !
To Him be glory evermore ;
Ye heavenly hosts, your Lord adore ;
Sing we Hallelujah !
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One God most great, our joy and boast.
Sing we Hallelujah !
Arthur Tozer Rtissdl. 1851
Lxvur,
Saviour, when in du^t to Thee
Low we bend the adoring knee ;
When repentant to the skies
Scarce we lift our weeping eyes ;
72 The Book of Praise.
Oh ! by all the pains and woe
Suffered once for man below,
Bending from Thy throne on high,
Hear our solemn Litany !
By Thy helpless infant years.
By Thy life of want and tears,
By Thy days of sore distress
In the savage wilderness ;
By the dread mysterious hour
Of the insulting tempter's power ;
Turn, oh ! turn a favouring eye,
Hear our solemn Litany !
By the sacred griefs that wept
O'er the grave where Lazarus slept ;
By the boding tears that flowed
Over Salem's lov'd abode ;
By the anguish'd sigh that told
Treachery lurk'd within Thy fold ;
From Thy seat above the sky.
Hear our solemn Litany !
By Thine hour of dire despair ;
By Thine agony of prayer ;
By the cross, the nail, the thorn,
Piercing spear, and torturing scorn ;
By the gloom that veil'd the skies
O'er the dreadful sacrifice ;
Listen to our humble cr}^,
Hear our solemn Litany !
By Thy deep expiring groan ;
By the sad sepulchral stone ;
By the vault, whose dark abode
Held in vain the risincf God ;
Christ Asce7ided. 73
Oh ! from earth to heaven restored,
Mighty re-ascended Lord,
Listen, Hsten to the cry
Of our solemn Litany !
Sir Robe7't Grant. 1 8 1 5 .
LXIX.
Saviour, who, exalted high
In Thy Father's majesty,
Yet vouchsaf'st Thyself to show
To Thy faithful flock below ;
Foretaste of that blissful sight,
When, arrayed in glorious light,
Beaming with paternal grace.
They shall see Thee face to face :
Saviour, though this earthly shroud
Now my mortal vision cloud.
Still Thy presence let me see,
Manifest Thyself to me !
Son of God, to Thee I cry :
By the holy mystery
Of Thy dwelling here on earth,
By thy pure and holy birth.
Offspring of the Virgin's womb ;
By the light, through midnight gloom
Bursting on the shepherds' gaze ;
By the angels' song of praise :
By the leading of the star,
The Eastern sages' guide from far ;
By their gifts, with worship meet
Offer'd at thy infant feet :
Lord, Thy presence let me see,
Manifest Thyself to me !
Man of sorrows, hear me cry !
By Thy great humility ;
74 The Book of Praise.
By Thy meekly-bowed head ;
By Thy gentle spirit, fled
To the mansions of the dead ;
By the wound, whence issuing flow'd
Water mingled with Thy blood ;
By Thy breathless body, laid
In the rock's sepulchral shade.
Where man ne'er before reposed,
Straightly watch'd, securely closed ;
Lord, Thy presence let me see,
Manifest Thyself to me !
Lord of Glory, God most high,
Man exalted to the sky,
God and man, to Thee I cry !
With Thy love my bosom fill,
. Prompt me to perform Thy will ;
Grant me, v/hat Thou bidd'st, to do ;
What Thou proffer'st to pursue :
So may He, the Sire above,
Guard me with a Parent's love !
So may He, the Spirit blest.
Whisper comfort, hope, and rest !
So mayst Thou, my Saviour, come,
Make this froward heart Thy home,
And manifest Thyself to me
In the Triune Deity !
Bishop Richard Mant. 183:
LXX.
Jesu ! behold, the Wise from far,
Led to Thy cradle by a star,
Bring gifts to Thee, their God and King !
O guide us by Thy light, that we
The way may find, and still to Thee
Our hearts, our all, for tribute bring !
Christ Ascotded. 75
Jesu ! the pure, the spotless Lamb,
Who to the Temple humbly came.
Duteous, the legal rites to pay I
O make our proud, our stubborn will
All Thy wise, gracious laws fulfil,
Whate'er rebellious nature say !
Jesu ! who on the fatal wood
Pour'dst out Thy life's last drop of blood,
Nailed to the accursed shameful cross !
O may we bless Thy love, and be
Ready, dear Lord, to bear for thee
All shame, all grief, all pain, and loss I
Jesu I who, by Thine own love slain.
By Thine own Power took'st life again.
And Conqueror from the grave didst rise I
O may Thy death our souls revi\ e,
And ev'n on earth a new life give,
A glorious life, that never dies !
Jesu ! who to Thy heaven again
Return'dst in triumph, there to reign,
Of men and angels sovereign king I
O may our parting souls take flight
Up to that land of joy and light,
And there for ever grateful sing !
All glory to the sacred Three,
One undivided Deity !
All honour, power, and love, and praise !
Still may Thy blessed Name shine bright
In beams of uncreated light,
Crown'd with its own eternal rays !
Variation frovi John Austin. 166S.
I>y John Wesley J 1739-
76 The Book of Praise,
LXXT.
Hail, Thou once despised Jesus,
Hail, thou Galilean king !
Thou didst suffer to release us,
Thou didst free salvation bring :
Hail, Thou agonizing Saviour,
Bearer of our sin and shame ;
By Thy merits we find favour ;
Life is given through Thy Name !
Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
All our sins were on Thee laid ;
By Almighty Love anointed.
Thou hast full atonement made :
All Thy people are forgiven
Through the virtue of Thy Blood \
Opened is the gate of Heaven ;
Peace is made 'twixt man and God.
Jesus, hail ! enthroned in glory,
There for ever to abide ;
All the heavenly hosts adore Thee,
Seated at Thy Father's side.
There for sinners Thou art pleading ;
There Thou dost our place prepare ;
Ever for us interceding
Till in glory we appear.
Worship, honour, power, and blessing.
Thou art worthy to receive ;
Loudest praises, without ceasing,
Meet it is for us to give !
Help, ye bright angehc spirits.
Bring your sweetest, noblest lays ;
Help to sing our Saviour's merits.
Help to chant Immanuel's praise !
Christ Ascended. ^7
Soon we shall, with those in glory,
His transcendent grace relate ;
Gladly sing th' amazing story
Of His dying love so great :
In that blessed contemplation
We for evermore shall dwell,
Crown'd with bliss and consolation,
Such as none below can tell.
John Bakewell. 1 760.
LXXII.
Join all the glorious names
Of wisdom, love, and power,
That ever mortals knew,
That angels ever bore ;
All are too mean to speak His worth,
Too mean to set my Saviour forth.
But oh ! what gentle terms.
What condescending ways.
Doth our Redeemer use
To teach His heavenly grace !
Mine eyes with joy and wonder see
What forms of love He bears for me.
Array'd in mortal flesh
He like an Angel stands.
And holds the promises
And pardons in His hands ;
Commission'd from His Father's throne
To make His grace to mortals known.
Great Prophet of my God,
My tongue would bless Thy Name ;
By Thee the joyful news
Of our salvation came ;
78 The Book of Praise.
The joyful news of sins forgiven.
Of hell subdued, and peace with Heaven,
Be Thou my Counsellor,
My Pattern, and my Guide ;
And through this desert land
Still keep me near Thy side :
Oh, let my feet ne'er run astray,
Nor rove, nor seek the crooked way !
I love my Shepherd's voice ;
His watchful eyes shall keep
My wandering soul among
The thousands of His sheep :
He feeds His flock, He calls their names,
His bosom bears the tender lambs.
To this dear Surety's hand
Will I commit my cause ;
He answers and fulfils
His Father's broken laws :
Behold my soul at freedom set ;
My Surety paid the dreadful debt.
Jesus, my great High Priest,
Offer d His Blood and died ;
My guilty conscience seeks
No sacrifice beside :
His powerful Blood did once atone,
And now it pleads before the Throne.
]\Iy advocate appears
For my defence on high ;
The Father bows His ears
And lays His thunder by :
Not all that hell or sin can say
Shall turn His heart, His love awav.
Christ Ascended. ^(^
My dear Almighty Lord,
My Conqueror and my King,
Thy sceptre and Thy sword,
Thy reigning grace, I sing :
Thine is the power : behold I sit
In willing bonds before Thy feet !
Now let my soul arise,
And tread the Tempter down ;
My Captain leads me forth
To conquest and a crown ;
A feeble saint shall win the day,
Though death and hell obstruct the way.
Should all the hosts of death
And powers of hell unknown
Put their most dreadful forms
Of rage and mischief on,
I shall be safe ; for Christ displays
Superior power, and guardian grace.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
LXXIII.
Beyond the glittering starry globe
P'ar as th' eternal hills.
There, in the boundless worlds of light,
Our great Redeemer dwells.
Immortal angels, bright and fair,
In countless armies shine.
At His right hand, with golden harps,
To offer songs divine.
" Hail ! Prince," they cry, " for ever hail I
Whose unexampled love
Moved Thee to quit these glorious realms
And royalties above !"
8o The Book of Praise.
While Thou didst condescend on earth
To suffer rude disdain,
They cast their honours at Thy feet,
And waited on Thy train.
Blest Angels, who adoring wait
Around the Saviour's Throne,
Oh ! tell us, for your eyes have seen,
The wonders He has done.
Ye saw Him, when the heavens and eartli.
A chaos first, He made,
And night involved the formless deep
In her tremendous shade.
And when, amidst the darksome void,
He bade the light arise.
And kindled up those shining orbs
That now adorn the skies.
Ye saw ; — and in melodious song
Your powerful voices raise.
While all the new-born worlds resound
Their great Creator's praise.
And, when on earth He deign'd to dwell,
In mortal flesh array'd.
Ye wondering saw the Holy Child
In Bethlehem's stable laid.
WTiile in the lowly crib reposed,
His Mother's tender care.
Ye stood around His homely bed.
And watch'd His slumbers there.
Christ Ascended. 1
When fasting in the desert long
His spotless soul was tried,
Ye saw Him there the Tempter foil,
And soon His wants supplied.
Ye heard what gracious words He spoke,
The hearts of men to win ;
And saw, well pleased, the listening crowd
Drink the sweet doctrine in ;
Beheld diseases, tempests, death.
His sovereign word obey,
And how, on dark benighted minds,
He poured eternal day.
Saw Him, from busy scenes retired
To spend the midnight hours,
While pure devotion fill'd His soul
With all her rapturous powers.
When on the sacred mount He shone.
In His own light arra/d,
Ye saw, and own'd your Sovereign there.
And your just homage paid ;
Saw, when o'er Salem's fearful doom
He shed the tender tear ;
And how, to all His gracious calls,
She turned the deafened ear.
In all his toils, and dangers too.
Ye did His steps attend ;
Oft paused, and wondered, how at last
This scene of love would end.
G
The Book of Praise.
And when the Powers of Hell combined
To fill His cup of woe,
Your pitying eyes beheld His tears
In bloody anguish flow.
As on the torturing Cross He hung,
And darkness veil'd the sky.
Ye saw, aghast, that awful sight,
The Lord of Glory die !
Astonish'd, here ye search and learn
High Heaven's mysterious ways,
That thus to guilty dying man
Immortal life conveys.
Anon He bursts the gates of death,
Subdues the tyrant's power :
Ye saw th' illustrious Conqueror rise,
And hailed the blissful hour,
Tended His chariot up the sky,
And bore Him to His Throne ;
Then swept your golden harps, and cried
"The glorious work is done !"
My soul the joyful triumph feels.
And thinks the moments long,
Ere she her Saviour's glory sees,
And joins your rapturous song.
James Fa7ich and Daniel Turner. [1791.]
Chrisfs Kingdom and yudgmenf. 83
VI r.
CHRIST'S KINGDOM AND JUDGMENT.
"And He shall come again ivith Glory, to judge both the
quick and the dead : 7vhose Kingdom shall have no
end:'
LXXIV.
Now is the hour of darkness past ;
Christ has assumed His reigning power;
Behold the great accuser cast
Down from the skies to rise no more.
'Twas by Thy Blood, immortal Lamb,
Thine armies trod the Tempter down ;
'Twas by Thy word and powerful Name
They gained the battle and renown.
Rejoice, ye heavens ! let cvciy star
Shine with new glories round the sky !
Saints, while ye sing the heavenly war,
Raise your Deliverers Name on high I
Isaac Walls . 1709.
LXXV.
Rejoice, the Lord is King,
Your Lord and King adore ;
Mortals, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore :
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice ;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
G ?
84 The Book of Praise.
Jesus the Saviour reigns,
The God of truth and love ;
When he had purged our stains,
He took His seat above :
Lift up your heart, hft up your voice ;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
His kingdom cannot fail ;
He rules o'er earth and Heaven ;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus given :
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice ;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
He sits at God's right hand.
Till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command,
And fall beneath His feet :
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice ;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
He all His foes shall quell,
Shall all our sins destroy,
And every bosom swell
With pure seraphick joy :
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice, again I say. Rejoice.
Rejoice in glorious hope ;
Jesus the Judge shall come.
And take His servants up
To their eternal home :
We soon shall hear th' archangel's voice,
The Trump of God shall sound, rejoice.
Charles Wesley. 1745,
Chris fs Kingdo7n and Judgment. 85
LXXVI.
The Lord is King ! lift up thy voice,
O earth, and all ye heavens, rejoice !
From world to world the joy shall ring,
The Lord Omnipotent is King.
The Lord is King ! who then shall dare
Resist His will, distrust His care,
Or murmur at His wise decrees,
Or doubt His royal promises ?
The Lord is King ! Child of the dust,
The Judge of all the earth is just :
Holy and true are all His ways :
Let every creature speak His praise.
He reigns ! ye saints, exalt your strains ;
Your God is King, your Father reigns ;
And He is at the Father's side,
The ]Man of Love, the Crucified.
Come, make your wants, your burdens known,
He will present them at the Throne ;
And angel bands are waiting there
His messages of love to bear.
O, when His wisdom can mistake.
His might decay. His love- forsake.
Then may His children cease to sing.
The Lord Omnipotent is King.
Alike pervaded by His eye.
All parts of His dominion lie ;
This world of ours, and worlds unseen ;
And thin the boundary between.
86 The Book of Praise.
One Lord, one empire, all secures ;
He reigPxS, and life and death are yours :
Through earth and heaven one song shall ring.
The Lord Omnipotent is King.
Josiah Ccndci: 1824.
1.XXVII.
He, V/ho on earth as man was known,
And bore our sins and pains,
Now, seated on th' eternal Throne,
The God of Glory reigns.
His hands the wheels of Nature guide
With an unerring skill.
And countless worlds, extended wide,
Obey His sovereign will.
While harps unnumbered sound His praise
In yonder world above,
His saints on earth admire His Avays
And glory in His love.
His Righteousness, to faith reveal' d,
Wrought out for guilty worms,
Affords a hiding-place and shield
From enemies and storms.
This land, through which PI is pilgrims go.
Is desolate and dry ;
But streams of grace from Him o'erflow,
Their thirst to satisfy.
When troubles, like a burning sun,
Beat heavy on their head.
To this Almighty Rock they run^
And find a pleasing shade.
Christ's Kingdom and Judgment. 87
How glorious He ! how happy they
In such a glorious Friend !
Whose love secures them all the way,
And crowns them at the end.
John Newton. 1779.
Lxxviir.
The Head that once was crovv-n'd with thorns.
Is crown'd with glory now ;
A royal diadem adorns
The mighty Victor's brow.
The highest place that Heaven affords
Is His, is His by right,
The King of kings, and Lord of lords.
And Heaven's eternal Light.
The joy of all who dwell above,
The joy of all below,
To whom He manifests His love.
And grants His Name to know.
To them the Cross, with all its shame.
With all its grace, is given ;
Their name an everlasting name.
Their joy the joy of Heaven.
They suffer with their Lord below,
They reign with Him above,
Their prot^t and their joy to know
The mystery of His love.
The cross He bore is life and health,
Though shame and death to Him :
His people's hope, ?Iis people's wealth,
Their everlasting theme.
Thomas Kelly. 182a
88 The Book of Praise.
LXXIX.
Hosanna ! raise the pealing hymn
To David's Son and Lord ;
With Cherubim and Seraphim
Exalt the Incarnate Word.
Hosanna ! Lord, our feeble tongue
No lofty strains can raise :
But Thou wilt not despise the young,
Who meekly chant Thy praise.
Hosanna ! Sovereign, Prophet, Priest,
How vast Thy gifts, how free !
Thy Blood, our life ; Thy word, our feast
Thy Name, our only plea.
Hosanna ! Master, lo ! we bring
Our offerings to Thy Throne ;
Not gold, nor myrrh, nor mortal thing,
But hearts to be Thine own.
Hosanna I once Thy gracious ear
Approved a lisping throng ;
Be gracious still, and deign to hear
Our poor but grateful song.
O Saviour, if, redeem'd by Thee,
Thy temple we behold,
Hosannas through eternity
We'll sing to harps of gold.
William Hemy Havergal. 1 833.
Christ's Kingdom and Judgment.
LXXX.
Psalm LXXII.
Hail to the Lord's Anointed,
Great David's greater Son !
Hail, in the time appointed.
His reign on earth begun !
He comes to break oppression,
To let the captive free.
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
He comes with succour speedy,
To those who suffer wrong j
To help the poor and needy.
And bid the weak be strong :
To give them songs for sighing.
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemn'd and dying.
Were precious in His sight.
He shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth,
And love, joy, hope, like flowers,
Spring in His path to birth ;
Before Him, on the mountains,
Shall peace, the herald, go,
And righteousness, in fountains,
F'rom hill to valley flow.
Arabia's desert-ranger
To Him shall bow the knee ;
The Ethiopian stranger
His gloiy come to see :
90 The Book of Praise.
With offerings of devotion
Ships from the Isles shall meet,
To pour the wealth of ocean
In tribute at His feet.
Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring ;
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing ;
For He shall have dominion
O'er river, sea, and shore ;
Far as the eagle's pinion,
For Him shall prayer unceasing.
And daily vov/s ascend,
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end :
The mountain-dews shall nourish
A seed, in weakness sown,
Whose fruit shall spread and flourish,
And shake like Lebanon.
O'er every foe victorious
He on His throne shall rest,
From age to age more glorious,
All blessing and all-blest :
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove ;
His Name shall stand for ever.
That Name to us is Love.
James Moii fgomcry. 1822
Christ 's Kingdom and Judgment. 9 1
LXXXT.
Behold ! the Mountain of the Lord
In latter days shall rise
On mountain tops, above the hills,
And draw the wondering eyes.
To this the joyful nations round,
All tribes and tongues shall flow ;
Up to the hill of God, they'll say,
And to His house well go.
The beam that shines from Zion hill
Shall lighten every land ;
The King who reigns in Salem's towers
Shall all the world command.
No strife shall vex Messiah's reign,
Or mar the peaceful years ;
To ploughshares men shall beat their swords,
To pruning-hooks their spears.
No longer hosts encountering hosts
Their millions slain deplore ;
They hang the trumpet in the hall,
And study war no more.
Come, then ! O, come, from every land,
To worship at His shrine ;
And, walking in the Light of God,
With holy beauties shine.
Michael Bruee. 1 768.
92 The Book of P7'aise.
LXXXII.
Psalm LXXII.
Jesus shall reign where'er the snn
Does his successive journeys run ;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
For Him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises throng to crown His Head ;
His Name, like sweet perfume, shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song,
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His Name.
Blessings abound where'er He reigns ;
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains ;
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blest.
Where He displays His healing power,
Death and the curse are known no more ;
In Him the tribes of Adam boast
More blessings than their father lost.
Let every creature rise, and bring
Peculiar honours to our King ;
Angels descend with songs again.
And earth repeat the long Amen !
Isaac Watts. 1719.
Christ'' s Kingdom and Judgment. 93
LXXXIII.
Psalm LXXII.
Great God, Whose universal sway
The known and unknown worlds obey,
Now give the kingdom to Thy Son,
Extend His power, exalt His throne.
As rain on meadows newly mown,
So shall He send His influence do\\ n ;
His grace on fainting souls distils
Like heavenly dew on thirsty hills.
The heathen lands, that lie beneath
The shade of overspreading death,
Revive at His first dawning light,
And deserts blossom at the sight.
The saints shall flourish in His days,
Dress'd in the robes of joy and praise ;
Peace, like a river, from His Throne
Shall flow to nations yet unknown.
Isaac Watts. 1719.
LXXXIV.
From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand,
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain.
94 The Book of Praise.
What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle ;
Though every prospect pleases.
And only man is vile ;
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown ;
The heathen in his blindness
Bows down to vrood and stone.
Can we, whose souls are lighted
With v.'isdom from on high,
Can we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny ?
Salvation 1 O salvation !
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till each remotest nation
Has learnt Messiah's Name.
Waft, waft, ye winds, His story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till like a sea of glory
It spreads from pole to pole ;
Till o'er our ransomed nature
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator,
In bliss returns to reign.
Bishop Begin aid Hebcr, 1823.
LXXXV.
On the mountain's top appearing,
Lo ! the sacred herald stanSs,
Welcome news to Zion bearing,
Zion long in hostile lands ;
Mourning captive !
Cod Himself will loose thy bands.
Chris fs Kingdom and yudgment. 95
Has thy night been long and mournful?
Have thy friends unfai'.hful proved ?
Have thy foes been proud and scornful,
By thy sighs and tears unmoved ?
Cease thy mourning !
Zion still is well beloved !
God, thy God, will now restore thee ;
He Himself appears thy friend ;
All thy foes shall flee before thee ;
Here their boasts and triumphs end :
Great deliverance
Zion's King vouchsafes to send I
Enemies no more shall trouble ;
All thy vvTongs shall be redress'd ;
For thy shame thou shalt have double,
In thy Maker's favour bless'd ;
AH thy conflicts
End in everlasting rest !
Thomas Kelly. 1S04
LXXXVI.
O house of Jacob, come,
And walk with us in light :
No more bewildered roam
Like wanderers in the night ;
The Hope of Israel calls you near.
And Abraham's Shield, and Isaac's Fear.
O thou by tempests toss'd,
Reviled, distress'd, trod down,
In every region cross'd,
With grief familiar grown,
Scattered and abject, peel'd, forlorn.
Thy name a taunt, thyself a scorn ;
96 The Book of Praise.
Though thou art fill'd, alas !
And drunk with misery,
That cup begins to pass
To them that hated thee :
But know, we honour Israel's name,
Our God and Abraham's is the same.
Rise, Jacob, from thy woes,
And thy ^lessiah see ;
He, Who thy fathers chose,
Has not forgotten thee :
At His command, we bid you come ;
Her Israel Zion welcomes home.
William Hum, 1 8 1 3 .
LXXXVII.
The Lord of Might from Sinai's brow
Gave forth His voice of thunder;
And Israel lay on earth below,
Outstretch'd in fear and wonder :
Beneath His feet was pitchy night,
And at His left hand and His right
The rocks were rent asunder.
The Lord of Love on Calvary,
A meek and suffering stranger,
Upraised to heaven His languid eye
In nature's hour of danger ;
For us He bore the weight of woe,
For us He gave His blood to flow,
And met His Father's angler.
Christ's Ki7igdoin and Judgfnent, 97
The Lord of Love, the Lord of Might,
The King of all created,
Shall back return to claim His right
On clouds of glory seated ;
With trumpet-sound, and angel-song,
And hallelujahs loud and long.
O'er death and hell defeated.
Bishop Reginald Hcber. 1827.
LXXXVIII.
See, the ransomed millions stand,
Palms of conquest in their hand ;
This before the Throne their strain ;
" Hell is vanquish'd ; death is slain ;
" Blessing, honour, glory, might,
" Are the Conqueror's native right ;
" Thrones and powers before Him fall ;
" Lamb of God, and Lord of all ! "
Hasten, Lord ! the promised hour ;
Come in glory and in power ;
Still Thy foes are unsubdued ;
Nature sighs to be renewed :
Time has nearly reach'd its sum.
All things with Thy Bride say. Come ;
Jesus, whom all worlds adore.
Come, and reign for evermore !
J OS i ah Conder. 1837— 1856.
LXXXIX.
Thou Judge of quick and dead.
Before whose bar severe
With holy joy, or guilty dread,
We all shall soon appear ;
H
y8 The Book of Praise,
Our cautioned souls prepare
For that tremendous Day,
And fill us now with watchful care,
And stir us up to pray.
To pray, and wait the hour,
The awful hour unknown.
When, robed in majesty and power.
Thou shalt from Heaven come down,
The immortal Son of Man,
To judge the human race.
With all Thy Father's dazzling train,
With all Thy glorious grace.
To damp our earthly joys,
To increase our gracious fears.
For ever let the Archangel's voice
Be sounding in our ears ;
The solemn midnight cry,
" Ye Dead, the Judge is come !
"Arise, and meet Him in the sky,
" And meet your instant doom !"
O may we thus be found.
Obedient to His word,
Attentive to the trumpet's sound,
And looking for our Lord :
O may we thus insure
Our lot among the blest,
And watch a moment, to secure
An everlasting rest !
Charles Wesley. 1749.
Christ V Kingdom and Judgvient, 99
xc.
Lo ! He comes, with clouds descending,
Once for favoured sinners slain :
Thousand thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of His train :
Hallelujah !
God appears, on earth to reign !
Every eye shall now behold Him,
Robed in dreadful majesty ;
Those who set at nought and sold Him,
Pierced, and nailed Him to the Tree,
Deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.
Every island, sea, and mountain.
Heaven and earth shall flee away ;
All who hate Him must, confounded,
Hear the trump proclaim the day ;
Come to judgment !
Come to judgment, come away !
Now Redemption, long expected,
See in solemn pomp appear !
All His saints, by man rejected,
Now shall meet Him in the air ;
Hallelujah !
See the day of God appear !
Answer Thine own Bride and Spirit ;
Hasten, Lord, the general doom ;
The new Heaven and earth t' inhcri:
Take Thy pining exiles home :
All creation
Travails, groans, and bids Thee come !
H 2
loo The Book of Praise.
Yea, Amen ! let all adore Thee,
High on Thine eternal throne :
Saviour, take the power and glory ;
Claim the kingdom for Thine own :
O, come quickly,
Everlasting God, come down !
ya?-iation by Martin Madan. 1760.
From Charles Wesley. 1758.
Afid John Cennick. 1752.
xci.
Lo ! He com.es with clouds descending !
Hark ! the trump of God is blown,
And th' Archangel's voice attending
Makes the high procession known :
Sons of Adam !
Rise, and stand before your God !
Crowns and sceptres fall before Him,
Kings and conquerors own His sway ;
Haughtiest monarchs now adore Him,
While they see His lightnings play :
How triumphant
Is the world's Redeemer now !
Hear His voice, as mighty thunder
Sounding in eternal roar.
While its echo rends in sunder
Rocks and mountains, sea and shore *.
Hark ! His accents
Through th' unfathomed deep resound !
" Come, Lord Jesus ! O come quickly !"
Oft has prayed the mourning Bride :
" Lo !" He answers, " I come quickly !"
Christ V Kingdom and yiidgment.
Who Thy coming may abide ?
All who loved Him,
All who long'd to see His day.
" Come," He saith, " ye heirs of glory ;
'* Come, ye purchase of my blood ;
" Claim the Kingdom now before you,
" Rise, and fill the mount of God,
*' Fix'd for ever
"Where the Lamb on Sion stands."
See ! ten thousand burning seraphs
From their thrones as lightnings fly ;
" Take,' they cry, " your seats above us,
" Nearest Him that rules the sky !"
Patient sufferers.
How rewarded are ye now !
Now their trials all are ended :
Now the dubious warfare's o'er ;
Joy no more with sorrow blended,
They shall sigh and weep no more ;
God for ever
Wipes the tear from every eye.
Through His passion all victorious
Now they drink immortal wine ;
In Emmanuel's likeness glorious
As the firmament they shine ;
Shine for ever,
With the bright and morning Star.
Shout aloud, ye ethereal choirs !
Triumph in Jehovah's praiise !
Kindle all your heavenly fires,
All your palms of victoiy raise !
Shout His conquests.
Shout salvation to the Lamb !
lOr
102 The Book of Praise.
In full triumph see them marching
Through the gates of massy light,
While the City walls are sparkling
With meridian glory bright ;
O how lovely
Are the dwellings of the Lamb !
Hosts angelic all adore Him
Circling round His orient seat ;
Elders cast their crowns before Him.
Fall and worship at His feet ;
O how holy
And how reverend is Thy Name !
Hail, Thou Alpha and Omega !
First and Last, of all alone !
He that is, and was, and shall be,
And beside whom there is none !
Take the Glory,
Great Eternal Three m One !
Thomas Olii 'ers. [1757.]
XCII.
Dies ircB, dies ilia.
Day of anger, that dread Day
Shall the Sign in Heaven display,
And the Earth in ashes lay.
O what trembling shall appear,
When His coming shall be near.
Who shall all things strictly clear !
When the Trumpet shall command
Through the tombs of every land
All before the Throne to stand.
Christ 's Kingdom and Judgment. 1 03
Death shall shrink and Nature quake.
When all creatures shall awake,
Answer to tlieir God to make.
See the Book divinely penn'd,
In which all is found contain'd,
Whence the world shall be arraign'd !
When the Judge is on His Throne,
All that's hidden shall be shown,
Nought unpubllsh'd or unknown !
What shall I before Kim say ?
How shall I be safe that day,
When the righteous scarcely may ?
King of awful majesty,
Saving sinners graciously.
Fount of mercy, save Thou me !
Leave me not, my Saviour, one
For whose soul Thy course was run.
Lest I be that day undone.
Thou didst toil my soul to gain ;
Didst redeem me with Thy pain ;
Be such labour not in vain !
Thou just Judge of wrath severe,
C}rant my sins remission here.
Ere Thy reckoning day appear.
IMy transgressions grievous are ;
Scarce look up for shame I dare ;
Lord, Thy guilty suppliant spare !
I04 The Book of Praise.
Thou didst heal the sinner's grief.
And didst hear the dying thief :
Even I may hope rehef.
All unworthy is my prayer ;
Make my soul Thy mercy's care,
And from fire eternal spare !
Place me with Thy sheep, that band
Who shall separated stand
From the goats, at Thy right hand !
When Thy voice in wrath shall say,
Cursed ones, depart away !
Call me with the blest, I pray !
Lord, Thine ear in mercy bow !
Broken is my heart and low :
Guard of my last end be Thou !
In that day, that mournful day,
When to judgment wakes our clay,
Show me mercy, Lord, I pray !
Hen ry Alford. 184:
VIIL
^^ And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and
Giver of Lifej who proceedeth from the Fatlier
and the Son; who with the Father and the Son
together is worshipped and glorified j who spake
by the Prophets^
XCIIT.
When God of old came down from Heaven,
In power and wrath He came ;
Before His feet the clouds were riven,
Half darkness and half flame.
God the Holy Ghost. 105
Around the trembling mountain's base
The prostrate people lay ;
A day of wrath, and not of grace ;
A dim and dreadful day.
But, when He came the second time,
He came in power and love ;
Softer than gale at morning prime,
Hover'd His holy Dove.
The fires, that rush'd on Sinai down
In sudden torrents dread.
Now gently light, a glorious crown,
On every sainted head.
Wing'd with the sinner's doom :
But these, like tongues, o'er all the earth,
Proclaiming life to come.
And, as on Israel's awe-struck ear
The voice exceeding loud,
The trump, that angels quake to hear,
Thrill'd from the deep dark cloud ;
So, when the Spirit of our God
Came down, His flock to find,
A voice from heaven was heard abroad^
A rushing mighty wind.
Nor doth the outward ear alone
At that high warning start ;
Conscience gives back th' appalling tone
'Tis echoed in the heart.
ic6 The Book of Praise.
It fills the Church of God, it fills
The sinful world around ;
Only in stubborn hearts and wills
No place for it is found.
To other strains our souls are set ;
A giddy whirl of sin
Fills ear and brain, and will not let
Heav'n's harmonies come in.
Come, Lord I come Wisdom, LovC;, and Powei ;
Open our ears to hear I
Let us not miss the accepted hour ;
Save, Lord, by lo\e or fear I
JohnKeble, 1827
XCIV.
Veni Creato?- Spirit us.
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire ;
Thou the Anointing Spirit art,
Who dost Thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love :
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight ;
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of Thy grace ;
Keep far our foes ; give peace at home ;
Where Thou art guide, no ill can come ;
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee of Both, to be but One :
God the Holy Ghost. i oy
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song,
" Praise to Thy Eternal merit,
*' Father, Son, and Holy Spirit I ''
Amen !
Aii07t. {Ordination Se7'vice). 1662
XCV,
Vcni Creator Spiritus.
Holy Spirit, gently come,
Raise us from our fallen state,
Y\x Thy everlasting home
In the hearts Thou didst create !
Gift of God most High !
Visit ever>' troubled breast :
Light and Life and Love supply ;
Give our spints perfect rest !
Heavenly Unction from above,
Comforter of v/eary saints,
Fountain, Life, and Fire of Love,
Hear, and answer our complaints !
Thee we humbly pray,
Finger of the Living God,
Now Thy sevenfold grace display.
Shed our Saviour's love abroad !
Now Thy cjuickening influence bring,
On our spirits sweetly move ;
Open every mouth to sing
Jesus' everlasting love !
Lighten every heart ;
Drive our enemies away ;
Joy and peace to us impart ;
Lead us in the heavenly way !
loS The Book of P raise.
Take the things of Christ and show
What our Lord for us hath done ;
May we God the Father know
Only in and through the Son :
Nothing will we fear,
Though to wilds and deserts driven,
While we feel Thy Presence near,
Witnessing our sins forgiven.
Glory be to God alone,
God, whose hand created all !
Glor>^ be to God the Son,
W'ho redeem'd us from our fall !
To the Holy Ghost
Equal praise and glory be,
When the course of time is lost,
Lost in wide eternity !
Willia7n Hammond. 1 745,
XCVI.
Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
My sinful maladies remove ;
Be Thou my Light, be Thou my Guide,
O'er eveiy thought and step preside.
The light of truth to me display,
That I may know and choose my way ;
Plant holy fear within mine heart.
That I from God may ne'er depart.
Conduct me safe, conduct me far
From every sin and hurtful snare ;
Lead me to God, my final Rest,
In His enjoyment to be blest.
God the Holy Ghost. 109
Lead me to Christ, the Living Way,
Nor let me from His pastures stray :
Lead me to Heaven, the seat of bHss,
Where pleasure in perfection is.
Lead me to holiness, the road
That I must take to dwell with God ;
Lead to Thy Word, that rules must give,
And sure directions how to live.
Lead me to means of grace, where I
May own my wants, and seek supply :
Lead to Thyself, the Spring from whence
To fetch all quickening influence.
Thus I, conducted still by Thee,
Of God a child beloved shall be,
Here to His family pertain,
Hereafter with Him ever reign,
Simon Browne. 1720.
XCVII.
Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.
Look how we grovel here below,
Fond of these trifling toys ;
Our souls can neither fly nor go
To reach eternal joys !
In vain we tune our formal songs,
In vain we strive to rise ;
Hosannas languish on our tongues.
And our devotion dies.
no TJie Book of Praise.
Dear Lord, and shall we ever lie
At this poor dying rate ?
Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,
And Thine to us so great !
Coine, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers !
Come, shed abroad a Saviour's love.
And that shall kindle ours.
Isaac Watts 1709.
xcviir.
Come, Holy Spirit, come
Let Thy bright beams arise.
Dispel the darkness from our minds,
And open all our eyes.
Cheer our desponding hearts,
Thou heavenly Paraclete ;
Give us to lie, with humble hope
At our Redeemer's feet.
Revive our drooping faith.
Our doubts and fears rem^ove^
And kindle in our breasts the flame
Of never-dying love.
Convince us of our sin.
Then lead to Jesus' blood,
And to our wondering view reveal
The secret love of God.
Show us that loving Man
That rules the courts of bliss,
The Lord of hosts, the Mighty God,
The Eternal Prince cf Peace.
God the Holy Ghost. 1 1 1
'Tis Thine to cleanse the heart,
To sanctify the soul,
To pour fresh life in e\-ery part,
And new-create the whole.
Dwell therefore in our hearts,
Our minds from bondage free ;
Then we shall know, and praise, and love
The Father, Son, and Thee !
yoscJ)h Hart. 1 759,
XCIX.
Lord God the Holy Ghost,
In this accepted hour,
As on the day of Pentecost,
Descend in all Thy power !
We meet with one accord
In our appointed place,
And wait the promise of our Lord,
The Spirit of all grace.
Like mighty rushing wind
Upon the waves beneath.
Move with one impulse every mind,
One soul, one feeling breathe :
The young, the old, inspire
With wisdom from above,
And give us hearts and tongues of i\\•^
To pray, and praise, and love.
Spirit of Light, explore
And chase our gloom away,
With lustre shining more and more
Unto the perfect day !
: 1 2 Tlie Book of Pi^aise.
Spirit of Truth, be Thou
In hfe and death our Guide !
0 Spirit of adoption, now
May we be sanctified !
James Montgo7nery. 1819.
C.
O du allersuste Freiide. (Paul Gerhardt.)
Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness,
Pierce the clouds of sinful night ;
Come, Thou source of sweetest gladness,
Breathe Thy Life, and spread Thy Light !
Loving Spirit, God of Peace !
Great Distributor of grace !
Rest upon this congregation,
Hear, O hear our supplication !
From that height which knovrs no measure
As a gracious shower descend.
Bringing down the richest treasure
Men can wish, or God can send !
O Thou Glory, shining down
From the Father and the Son,
Grant us Thy illumination !
Rest upon this congregation !
Known to Thee are all recesses
Of the earth and spreading skies ;
Every sand the shore possesses
Thy Omniscient Mind descries.
Holy Fountain ! wash us clean
Both from error and from sin !
Make us fly what Thou refusest,
And delight in what Thou choosest !
God the Holy Ghost. 1 13
Manifest Thy love for ever-;
Fence us in on every side ;
In distress be our reliever,
Guard and teach, support and guide !
Let Thy kind effectual grace
Turn our feet from evil ways ;
Show Thyself our new Creator,
And conform us to Thy Nature !
Be our Friend on each occasion,
God ! omnipotent to save !
When we die, be our salvation,
When we're buried, be our grave !
And, when from the grave we rise,
Take us up above the skies,
Seat us with Thy saints in glory,
There for ever to adore Thee !
Variation by A 21 gust us M. Toplady. 1776.
■" From John Christian Jacobi, 1725.
cr.
Holy Spirit, in my breast
Grant that lively Faith may rest.
And subdue each rebel thought
To believe what Thou hast taught.
When around my sinking soul
Gathering waves of sorrow roll,
Spirit blest, the tempest still,
And with Hope my bosom fill.
I
114 The Book of Praise.
Holy Spirit, from my mind
Thought and wish and will unkind,
Deed and word unkind remo^'c,
And my bosom fill with love.
Faith, and Hope, and Charity,
Comforter, descend from Thee ;
Thou the Anointing Spirit art,
These Thy gifts to us impart,
Till our faith be lost in sight,
Hope be swallowed in delight,
And love return to dwell with Thee,
In the threefold Deity !
Bishop Richard Afajit. 1837.
CII.
Full of weakness and of sin,
We look to Thee for life :
Lord, Thy gracious work begin.
And calm the inward strife !
Though our hearts are prone to stray,
Be Thou a constant Friend :
Though we know not how to pray,
Thy saving mercy send !
Let Thy Spirit, gracious Lord,
Our souls with love inspire.
Strength and confidence afford,
And breathe celestial fire !
Teach us first to feel our need,
Then all that need supply ;
When we hunger, deign to teed,
And hear us when we cry !
Cod the Holy Ghost. r 1 3
When we cleave to earthly things,
Send Thy reviving grace ;
Raise our souls, and give them wings,
To reach Thy holy place !
Will lam Hlley Bathurst. 1831
cm.
There is a River, deep and broad,
Its course no mortal knows ;
It fills with joy the Church of God,
And widens as it flows.
Clearer than crystal is the stream.
And bright with endless day ;
The waves with every blessing teem,
And life and health convey.
Where'er they flow, contentions cease,
And love and meekness reign ;
The Lord Himself commands the peace,
And foes conspire in vain.
Along the shores, angelic bands
Watch every moving wave ;
With holy joy their breast expands.
When men the waters crave.
To them distressed souls repair,
The Lord invites them nigh ;
They leave their cares and sorrows there.
They drink, and never die.
Flow on, sweet Stream, more largely flow,
The earth with glory fill ;
Plow on, till all the Saviour know,
And all obey His will.
Williatn Huni. iSn.
I 2
1 1 6 The Book of P) mse.
CIV.
There is a Stream, which issues forth
From God's eternal Throne,
And from the Lamb, a hving stream
Clear as the crystal stone.
The stream doth water Paradise ;
It makes the angels sing ;
One cordial drop revives my heart ;
Hence all my joys do spring.
Such joys as are unspeakable,
And full of glory too ;
Such hidden manna, hidden pearls,
As worldlings do not know.
Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard,
From fancy 'tis concealed.
What Thou, Lord, hast laid up for Thine,
And hast to me revealed.
I see Thy face, I hear Thy voice,
I taste Thy sweetest love :
My soul doth leap : but O for wings,
The wings of Noah's dove !
Then should I flee far hence away,
Leaving this world of sin !
Then should my Lord put forth His hand,
And kindly take me in !
Then should my soul with angels feast
On joys that always last !
Blest be my God, the God of joy,
Who gives me here a taste.
yoh?i Mason. 1683
God the Holy Ghost. 1 17
cv.
Ye sons of earth, prepare the plough,
Break up your fallow ground ;
The Sower is gone forth to sow,
And scatter blessings round.
The seed that finds a stony soil
Shoots forth a hasty blade ;
But ill repays the sower's toil,
Soon wither' d, scorch'd, and dead.
The thorny ground is sure to balk
AlUiopes of harvest there ;
We find a tall and sickly stalk,
But not the fruitful ear.
The beaten path and highway side
Receive the trust in vain ;
The watchful birds the spoil divide,
And pick up all the grain.
But when the Lord of grace and power
Has bless'd the happy field,
How plenteous is the golden store
The deep-wrought furrows yield !
Father of mercies ! we have need
Of Thy preparing grace :
Let the same Hand, that gives the seed.
Provide a fruitful place !
IVtlliavi Cowper. 1779.
1 1 8 The Book of Praise.
cvi.
Psalm XIX.
Behold, the morning sun
Begins his glorious way ;
His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.
But where the gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light,
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.
How perfect is Thy word !
And all Thy judgments just !
For ever sure Thy promise, Lord ;
And men securely trust.
While with my heart and tongue
I spread Thy praise abroad,
Accept the worship and the song,
iVly Saviour and my God !
Isaac Waits 17 19.
CVI I.
Psalm XIX.
Tlie starry firmament on high,
And all the glories of the sky,
Yet shine not to Thy praise, O Lord,
So brightly as Thy written word ;
The hopes that holy word supplies,
Its truths divine, and precepts wise.
In each a heavenly beam I see,
And every beam conducts to Thee.
God the Holy Ghost. 1 1 9
When, taught by painful proof to know
That all is vanity below,
The sinner roams from comfort far.
And looks in vain for sun or star ;
Soft gleaming then those lights divine
Through all the cheerless darkness shine,
And sweetly to the ravish'd eye
?^isclose the Day-spring from on higli.
The heart, in sensual fetters bound,
And barren as the wintr>' ground,
Confesses, Lord, Thy quickening ray ;
Thy word can charm the spell away ;
With genial influence can beguile
The frozen wilderness to smile •
Bid living waters o'er it flov.-,
And all be paradise below.
Almighty Lord, the sun shall fail,
The moon forget her nightly talc.
And deepest silence hush on high
The radiant chorus of the sky :
But, fix'd for everlasting years.
Unmoved amid the wreck of sphcrco.
Thy word shall shine in cloudless day,
When heaven and earth have pass'd away
Sir Roh'^'-t Grant. [1839.
120 The Book of Praise.
IX.
THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH.
*' And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Chttrch.''
CVIII.
Jerusalem, my happy home,
When shall I come to thee ?
When shall my sorrows have an end,
Thy joys when shall I see ?
0 happy harbour of the saints !
O sweet and pleasant soil !
In thee no sorrow may be found,
No grief, no care, no toil.
There lust and lucre cannot dwell,
There envy bears no sway ;
There is no hunger, heat, nor cold,
But pleasure every way.
Thy walls are made of precious stones,
Thy bulwarks diamonds square ;
Thy gates are of right orient pearl,
Exceeding rich and rare.
Thy turrets and thy pinnacles
With carbuncles do shine ;
Thy very streets are paved with gold,
Surpassing clear and fine.
Ah, my sweet home, Jerusalem,
Would God I were in thee !
Would God my woes were at an end, •
Thy joys that I might see !
The Holy Catholic Cfiiirch. 121
Thy saints are crown'd with glory great ;
They see God face to face ;
They triumph still, they still rejoice,
Most happy is their case.
We that are here in banishment
Continually do moan,
We sigh, and sob, we weep, and wail,
Perpetually we groan.
Our sweet is mix'd with bitter gall,
Our pleasure is but pain.
Our joys scarce last the looking on,
Our sorrows still rem.ain.
But there they live in such delight.
Such pleasure and such play,
As that to them a thousand years
Doth seem as yesterday.
Thy gardens and thy gallant walks
Continually are green.
There grow such sweet and pleasant flowers
As nowhere else are seen.
Quite through the streets, with silver sound.
The flood of Life doth flow ;
Upon whose banks on every side
The wood of Life doth grow.
There trees for evermore bear fruit,
And evermore do spring ;
There evermore the angels sit,
And evermore do sing.
123 The Book of Praise,
Jerusalem, my happy home,
Would God I were in thcc !
Would God my woes were at an end,
Thy joys that I might see !
Anon.''F.B.P:' [1616.]
cix.
Sweet place, sweet place alone !
The court of God most High,
The Heaven of Heavens, the Tli!
Of spotless majesty !
O happy place !
When shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
The stranger homeward bends,
And sigheth for his rest :
Heaven is my home, my friends
Lodge there in Abraham's breast
O happy place !
When shall I be,
I\Iy God, v,ith Thee,
To see Thy i?^Q(i'^.
Earth's but a sorry tent
Pitch'd for a few frail days,
A short-leas'd tenement ;
Heaven's still my song, my praise
O happy place I
When shall I be,
]\Iy God, Avith Thee,
To see Thv face ?
The Holy Catholic Church. 123
No tears from any eyes
Drop in that holy quire ;
But Death itself there dies,
And sighs themselves expire.
O happy place !
When shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
There should temptations cease,
My frailties there should end ;
There should I rest in peace
In the arms of my best Friend.
O happy place !
When shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
Jerusalem on high
My song and City is.
My home whene'er I die.
The centre of my bliss :
O happy place I
When shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
To see Thv face .''
Tiiy walls, sweet city, thine,
With pearls are garnished ;
Thy gates with praises shine.
Thy streets with gold are spread
O happy place !
When shall I be.
My God, with Thee,
To sec Thv face ?
124 l'^^- Book of Praise,
No sun by day shines there,
Nor moon by silent night ;
Oh no ! these needless are ;
The Lamb's the city's Light :
O happy place !
When shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
There dwells my Lord, my King,
Judged here unfit to live ;
There angels to Him sing,
And lowly homage give :
O happy place !
When shall I be.
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
The Patriarchs of old
There from their travels cease ;
The Prophets there behold
Their long'd-for Prince of Peace \
O happy place !
When shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
The Lamb's Apostles there
I might with joy behold,
The Harpers I might hear
Harping on harps of gold ;
O happy place !
When shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
The Holy Catholic CJmrch. 125
The bleeding Martyrs, they
Within those courts are found,
Clothed in pure array,
Their scars with glory crown'd :
O happy place !
When shall I be.
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
Ah me ! Ah me ! that I
In Kedar's tents here stay !
No place like this on high !
Thither, Lord ! guide my way !
O happy place !
When shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
To see Thy face ?
SajHuel Grossman. 1664.
ex.
Jerusalem, my happy home.
Name ever dear to me !
When shall my labours have an end.
In joy and peace, and thee ?
When shall these eyes thy heaven-built walls,
And pearly gates behold ?
Thy bulwarks with salvation strong.
And streets of shining gold ?
There happier bowers than Eden's bloom.
Nor sin nor sorrow know :
Rlest seats ! through rude and stormy scenes
I onward press to you.
26 The Book of Praise.
Why should I shrink from pain and woe,
Or feel at death dismay ?
I've Canaan's goodly land in view,
And realms of endless day.
Apostles, martyrs, prophets, there
Around my Saviour stand ;
And soon my friends in Christ below
Will join the glorious band.
Jerusalem, my happy home !
My soul still pants for thee :
Then shall my labours have an end,
When I thy joys shall see.
Anon. [1801.]
CXI.
Rev. VII. 13—17.
What are these in bright array,
This innumerable throng.
Round the altar, night and day.
Hymning one triumphant song ?
" W^orthy is the Lamb, once slain,
Blessing, honour, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches, to obtain.
New dominion every hour."
These through fiery trials trod ;
These from great affliction came %
Now, before the Throne of God,
Seal'd with His Almighty Name,
Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor-palms in every hand,
Through their dear Redeemer's might,
More than conquerors they stand.
The Holy Catholic Chinxh. 127
Hunger, thirst, disease unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed ;
Them the Lamb amidst the Throne
Shall to living fountains lead :
Joy and gladness banish sighs ;
Perfect love dispels all fear ;
And for ever from their eyes
God shall wipe away the tear.
James Moiitgonioy. 1819.
CXII.
Rev. VII. 13—17.
Exalted high at God's right hand,
Nearer the throne than cherubs stand,
With glory crown'd, in white array,
My wondering soul says, who are they ?
These are the saints beloved of God,
Wash'd are their robes in Jesus' blood,
More spotless than the purest white
They shine in uncreated light.
Brighter than angels, lo ! they shine,
Their glories great, and all divine :
Tell me their origin, and say,
Their order what, and whence came they ?
Through tribulation great they came,
They bore the cross, and scorn'd the shame :
Within the Living Temple blest,
In God they dwell, and on Him rest.
And does the cross thus prove their gain ?
And shall they thus for ever reign.
Seated on sapphire thrones, to praise
The wonders of Redeeming grace 'i
128 The Book of Praise.
Hunger they ne'er shall feel again,
Nor burning thirst shall they sustain ;
To wells of living water led,
By God the Lamb for ever fed.
Unknown to mortal ears, they sing
The secret glories of their King :
Tell me the subject of their lays,
And whence their loud exalted praise ?
Jesus, the Saviour, is their theme ;
They sing the \\TDnders of His Name ;
To Him ascribing power and grace.
Dominion, and eternal praise.
Amen ! they cry, to Him alone,
Who dares to fill His Father's throne ;
They give Him glory, and again
Repeat His praise, and say. Amen !
Rowland Hill. 1783.
CXIII.
O happy saints, who dwell in light.
And walk with Jesus, clothed in white ;
Safe landed on that peaceful shore,
Where pilgrims meet to part no more.
Released from sin, and toil, and grief.-
Death was their gate to endless life ;
An open'd cage, to let them fly
And build their happy nest on high.
And now they range the heavenly plains,
And sing their hymns in melting strains ;
And now their souls begin to prove
The heights and depths of Jesus' love.
The Holy Catholic Omrch. 129
He cheers them with eternal smile ;
They sing hosannas all the while ;
Or, overwhelm'd with rapture sweet,
Sink down adoring at His feet.
Ah ! Lord ! with tardy steps I creep,
And sometimes sing, and sometimes weep ;
Yet strip me of this house of clay,
And I will sing as loud as they.
John Berridge. 1785.
CXIV.
Rev. VII. 13—17.
How bright these glorious spirits shine :
Whence all their white array ?
How came they to the blissful seats
Of everlasting day ?
Lo ! these are they from sufferings great
Who came to realms of light ;
And in the blood of Christ have wash'd
Those robes which shine so bright.
Now with triumphal palms they stand
Before the throne on high,
And serve the (iod they love, amidst
The glories of the sky.
His presence fills each heart with joy;
Tunes every mouth to sing ;
By day, by night, the sacred courts
With glad hosannas ring.
K
130 TJie Book of Praise,
Hunger and thirst are felt no more,
Nor suns with scorching ray ;
God is their Sun, whose cheering beams
Diffuse eternal day.
The Lamb, which dwells amidst the throne,
Shall o'er them still preside.
Feed them with nourishment divine.
And all their footsteps guide.
'Mong pastures green He'll lead His flock,
Where living streams appear ;
And God the Lord from every eye
Shall wipe off every tear.
William Cameron. 1770.
{Variation from Isaac Watts. 1709.)
cxv.
Rev. VII. i3-~i7.
Palms of glory, raiment bright,
Crowns that never fade away,
Gird and deck the saints in light,
Priests, and kings, and conquerors they.
Yet the conquerors bring their palms
To the Lamb amidst the throne,
And proclaim in joyful psalms
Victory through His cross alone.
Kings for harps their crowns resign.
Crying, as they strike the chords,
" Take the kingdom, it is Thine,
King of kings, and Lord of lords ! "
The Holy Catholic Church. 131
Round the altar priests confess,
If their robes are white as snow,
'Twas the Saviour's righteousness,
And His blood, that made them so.
Who vv^ere these ? on earth they dwelt ;
Sinners once, of Adam's race ;
Guilt, and fear, and suffering felt ;
But were saved by sovereign grace.
They were mortal, too, like us :
Ah ! when we, like them, must die.
May our souls, translated thus.
Triumph, reign, and shine on high !
James Montgomery. [1853.]
CXVL
Psalm LXXXVII.
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God ;
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Form'd thee for His own abode:
On the Rock of Ages founded.
What can shake thy sure repose ?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
Thou mayst smile at all thy foes.
See, the streams of living waters.
Springing from eternal love.
Well supply thy sons and daughters.
And all fear of want remove :
Who can faint, while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage ;
Grace, which, like the Lord the givcr^
Never fails from age to age ?
K 2
133 The Book of Praise.
Round each habitation hovering,
See the cloud and fire appear,
For a glory and a covering ;
Showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner
Light by night, and shade by day,
Safe they feed upon the manna.
Which He gives them when they pray.
Saviour, if of Zion's city
I, through grace, a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy Name :
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show ;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion s children know.
John Newton. 1779.
CXVII.
The Son of God goes forth to war,
A kingly crown to gain ;
His blood-red banner streams afar :
Who follows in His train .^
Who best can drink His cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain.
Who patient bears His cross below.
He follows in his train.
The martyr, first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave ;
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And call'd on Him to save.
The Holy Catholic Omrch. 133
Like Him, with pardon on his tongue,
In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the wrong :
Who follows in his train ?
A glorious band, the chosen few,
On whom the Spirit came ;
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mock'd the cross and flame.
They met the tyrant's brandish'd steel.
The lion's gory mane ;
They bow'd their necks the death to feel :
Who follows in their train ?
A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour's throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed.
They climb'd the steep ascent of heaven,
Through peril, toil, and pain ;
O God ! to us may grace be given
To follow in their train !
Bishop Reginald Heber. 1827.
CXVIII.
Ye servants of the Lord,
Each in his office wait,
Observant of His heavenly word.
And watchful at His gate.
Let all your lamps be bright.
And trim the golden flame ;
Gird up your loins, as in His sight,
For awful is His name.
IJ4 The Book of Praise..
Watch ; 'tis your Lord's command ;
And, while we speak, He's near ;
Mark the first signal of His hand,
And ready all appear.
O happy servant he,
In such a posture found !
He shall his Lord with rapture see,
And be with honour crown'd.
Christ shall the banquet spread
With His own Royal hand ;
And raise that favourite servant's head
Amid the angelic band,
Philip Doddridge. 1 755.
CXIX.
A soldier's course, from battles won
To new-commencing strife ;
A pilgrim's, restless as the sun ;
Behold the Christian's life !
Prepared the trumpet's call to greet.
Soldier of Jesus, stand !
Pilgrim of Christ, with ready feet
Await thy Lord's command.
The hosts of Satan pant for spoil ;
How can thy warfare close ?
Lonely, thou tread' st a foreign soil ;
How canst thou hope repose ?
Seek, soldier ! pilgrim ! seek thine home,
Reveal'd in sacred lore ;
The land, whence pilgrims never roam.
Where soldiers war no more :
The Holy Catholic Church, 135
Where grief shall never wound, nor death
Disturb the Saviour's reign ;
Nor sin, with pestilential breath,
His holy realm profane :
The land, where, (suns and moons unknown,
And night's alternate sway,)
Jehovah's ever-burning throne
Upholds unbroken day :
The land, (for Heaven its bliss unseen
Bids earthly types suggest,)
Where healing leaves and fadeless green
Where founts of life their treasures yield
In streams that never cease ;
Where everlasting mountains shield
Vales of eternal peace :
Where they who meet shall never part ;
Where grace achieves its plan ;
And God, uniting every heart,
Dwells face to face with man.
Thojnas Gisborjie, 1803.
cxx.
Hark, 'tis a martial sound !
To arms, ye saints, to arms !
Your foes are gathering round.
And peace has lost its charms :
Prepare the helmet, sword, and shield \
The trumpet calls you to the field.
No common foes appear
To dare you to the fight,
But such as own no fear
And glory in their might :
[36 The Book of Praise.
The Powers of Darkness are at hand ;
Resist, or bow to their command.
An arm of flesh must fail
In such a strife as this ;
He only can prevail
Whose arm immortal is :
'Tis Heaven itself the strength must yield,
And weapons fit for such a field.
And Heaven supplies them too :
The Lord, who never faints,
Is greater than the foe,
And He is with His saints :
Thus arm'd, they venture to the fight ;
Thus arm'd, they put their foes to flight.
And, wdien the conflict's past,
On yonder peaceful shore
They shall repose at last,
And see their foes no more ;
The fruits of victoiy enjoy.
And never more their arms employ.
Thomas Kelly. 1809
cxxi.
O Israel, to thy tents repair :
Why thus secure on hostile ground ?
Thy King commands thee to beware,
For many foes thy camp surround.
The trumpet gives a martial strain :
O Israel, gird thee for the fixght !
Arise, the combat to maintain.
And put thine enemies to flight J
The Holy Catholic Church. 137
Thou shouldst not sleep, as others do ;
Awake ; be vigilant ; be brave !
The coward, and the sluggard too,
Must wear the fetters of the slave.
A nobler lot is cast for thee ;
A kingdom waits thee in the skies :
With such a hope, shall Israel flee,
Or yield, through weariness, the prize ?
No ! let a careless world repose
And slumber on through life's short day,
While Israel to the conflict goes.
And bears the glorious prize away !
Thomas Kelly. 1806
CXXII.
Much in sorrow, oft in woe,
Onward, Christians, onward go ;
Fight the fight, and, worn with strife,
Steep with tears the Bread of Life.
Onward, Christians, omvard go ;
Join the war, and face the foe ;
Faint not ! much doth yet remain ;
Dreary is the long campaign.
Shrink not. Christians I will ye yield ?
Will ye quit the painful field .^
Will ye flee in danger's hour ?
Know ye not your Captain's power ?
Let your drooping hearts be glad ;
March, in heavenly armour clad ;
Fight, nor think the battle long ;
Victory soon shall tunc your song.
1 3 8 The Book of Praise.
Let not sorrow dim your eye,
Soon shall every tear be dry;
Let not woe your course impede ;
Great your strength, if great your need.
Onward then to battle move ;
More than conquerors ye shall prove ;
Though opposed by many a foe,
Christian soldiers, onward go.
Frag7nent by Henry Kirke White. 1806.
Completed by Fanny Fuller Maitland. 1827.
CXXIII.
Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known ;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
And thus surround the throne.
Let those refuse to sing
That never knew our God ;
But favourites of the Heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad.
The men of grace have found
Glory begun below ;
Celestial fruits on earthly ground
From faith and hope may grow.
The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets,
Before we reach the heavenly fields,
Or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound;
And every tear be dry :
We're marching through Emmanuel's ground
To fairer worlds on high.
Isaac Watts. 170Q.
The Holy Catholic Church. 139
cxxiv.
From Egypt lately come,
Where death and darkness reign,
We seek our new, our better home,
Where we our rest shall gain.
Hallelujah !
We are on our way to God !
To Canaan's sacred bound
We haste with songs of joy,
Where peace and liberty are found,
And sweets that never cloy.
Hallelujah !
We are on our v/ay to God !
There sin and sorrow cease.
And every conflict's o'er ;
There we shall dwell in endless peace.
And never hunger more :
Hallelujah !
We are on our way to God !
There in celestial strains
Enraptured myriads sing ;
There love in every bosom reigns,
For God Himself is King.
Hallelujah !
We are on our way to GoJ !
We soon shall join the throng,
Their pleasures we shall share.
And sing the everlasting song
With all the ransom'd there.
Hallelujah !
We are on our wav to God .'
T40 The Book of Praise.
How sweet the prospect is !
It cheers the pilgrim's breast !
We're journeying through the wilderness,
But soon shall gain our rest !
Hallelujah;
We are on our way to God !
Thomas Kelly. 1812.
cxxv.
When Israel, by Divine command,
The pathless desert trod.
They found, though 'twas a barren land,
A sure resource in God.
A cloudy pillar mark'd their road,
And screen'd them from the heat ;
From the hard rocks their v/ater flow'd,
And manna was their meat.
Like them, we have a rest in view,
Secure from adverse powers ;
Like them, we pass a desert too ;
And Israel's God is ours.
His Word a light before us spreads
By which our path we see ;
His Love, a banner o'er our heads,
From harm preserves us free.
Jesus, the Bread of Life, is given
To be our daily food ;
We drink a wondrous stream from Heaven,
'Tis water, wine, and blood.
Lord ! 'tis enough ! I ask no more,
These blessings are Divine ;
I envy not the worldling's store,
If Christ and Heaven are mine.
John Newton. 1779.
The Holy Catholic Church. 141
CXXVI.
Children of the Heavenly King,
As ye journey, sweetly sing ;
Sing your Saviour's worthy praise,
Glorious in His works and ways !
We are travelling home to God,
In the way the Fathers trod ;
They are happy now ; and we
Soon their happiness shall see.
O ye banish'd seed, be glad !
Christ our Advocate is made ;
Us to save, our flesh assumes ;
Brother to our souls becomes.
Shout, ye little flock, and blest !
You on Jesus' Throne shall rest ;
There your seat is now prepared,
There your kingdom and reward.
Lift your eyes, ye sons of Light !
Zion s city is in sight :
There our endless home shall be,
There our Lord we soon shall see.
Fear not, brethren ; joyful stand
On the borders of your land ;
Jesus Christ, your Father s Son,
Bids you undismayed go on.
Lord ! obediently we go.
Gladly leaving all below :
Only Thou our Leader be,
And we still will follow Thee !
142 The Book of Praise.
Seal our love, our labours end ;
Let us to Thy bliss ascend ;
Let us to Thy kingdom come ;
Lord ! we long to be at home.
Jolm Cennkk. 1742.
CXXVII.
Awake, and sing the song
Of Moses and the Lamb,
Wake every heart and every tongue
To praise the Saviour's Name.
Sing of His dying love ;
Sing of His rising power ;
Sing how He intercedes above
For those whose sins He bore.
Sing, till we feel our hearts
Ascending with our tongues ;
Sing, till the love of sin departs,
And grace inspires our songs.
Sing on your heavenly way,
Ye ransom'd sinners, sing ;
Sing on, rejoicing every day
In Christ the eternal King.
Soon shall ye hear Him say.
Ye blessed children, come ;
Soon will He call you hence away,
And take his wanderers home.
Variation froui Williain Hat7tmo7id. 1745.
By Martin Madan. 1760.
The Holy Catholic Church. 143
CXXVIII.
" Te lest a, mimdi CondztorP
Thou, great Creator, art possest,
And Thou alone, of endless rest ;
To angels only it belongs
To lift to Thee their ceaseless songs.
But we must toil and toil again
With ceaseless woe and endless pain ;
How then can we, in exile drear.
Lift the glad song of glory here !
Oh Thou, who wilt forgiving be
To all who truly turn to Thee,
Grant us to mourn the heavy cause
Of all our woe, Thy broken laws :
Then to such salutary grief
Let Faith and Hope bring due relief;
And we, too, soon shall be possest
Of ceaseless songs and endless rest.
John Chandler. 1837.
CXXIX.
Praise to the radiant Source of bliss,
Who gives the blind their sight.
And scatters round their wond'ring eyes
A flood of sacred light.
In paths unknown He leads them on
To His Divine abode,
And shows new miracles of grace
Through all the heavenly road.
144 The Book of Praise.
The ways all rugged and perplex'd
He renders smooth and straight,
And strengthens every feeble knee
To march to Zion's gate.
Through all the path I'll sing His Name,
Till I the Mount ascend,
Where toils and storms are known no more ,
And anthems never end !
Philip Doddridge. 1755.
X.
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.
'' The Connnunion of Saints''^ {Apostles Creed).
cxxx.
When Christ the Lord would come on earth,
His messenger before Him went.
The greatest born of mortal birth
And charged with words of deep intent.
The least of all that here attend
Hath honour greater far than he ;
He was the Bridegroom's joyful friend,
His Body and His Spouse are we.
A higher race, the sons of light.
Of water and the Spirit born ;
He the last star of parting night.
And v/e the children of the morn.
The Coninnaiwn of Sain fs. 145
And, as he boldly spake Thy word,
And joyed to hear the Bridegroom's voice,
Thus may Thy pastors teach, O Lord !
And thus Thy hearing Church rejoice,
Henry A /ford. 1S45.
CXXXT.
How rich Thy favours, God of grace,
How various and Divine !
Full as the ocean they are pour'd,
And bright as Heaven they shine.
He to eternal glory calls,
And leads the wondrous way
To His own Palace, where He reigns
In uncreated day.
Jesus, the Herald of His love,
Displays the radiant prize,
And shows the purchase of His Blood
To our admiring eyes.
He perfects what His hand begins,
And stone on stone he lays,
Till firm and fair the building rise
. A temple to His praise.
The songs of everlasting years
That mercy shall attend,
Which leads, through sufferings of an hour.
To joys that never end.
Ph Hip Doddridge. 1755.
146 The Book of Praise.
CXXXII.
Psalm LXXXIV.
Pleasant are Thy courts above
In the land of light and love ;
Pleasant are thy courts below
In this land of sin and woe.
O, my spirit longs and faints
For the converse of Thy saints,
For the brightness of Thy face,
For Thy fulness, God of grace !
Happy birds that sing and fly
Round Thy altars, O Most High !
Happier souls that find a rest
In a Heavenly Fathers breast !
Like the wandering dove, that found
No repose on earth around,
They can to their ark repair,
And enjoy it ever there.
Happy souls ! their praises flow
Even in this vale of woe ;
Waters in the desert rise,
Manna feeds them from the skies:
On they go from strength to strength.
Till they reach Thy throne at length,
At Thy feet adoring fall.
Who hast led them safe through all.
Lord I be mine this prize to v/in !
Guide me through a world of sin :
Keep me by Thy saving grace ;
Give me at Thy side a place :
Tlie Coinmunioii nf Saints. 14.7
Sun and Shield alike Thou art ;
Guide and guard my erring heart !
Grace and glory flow from Thee ;
Shower, O shower them, Lord, on me !
Henry Francis Lyte. 1 834.
CXXXIII.
Psalm LXXXIV.
Lord of the worlds above,
How pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of Thy love,
Thy earthly temples, are !
To Thine abode
My heart aspires
With warm desires
To see my God.
O happy souls that pray
Where God appoints to hear !
O happy men that pay
Their constant service there !
They praise Thee still ;
And happy they
That love the way
To Sion's hill.
They go from strength to strength
Through this dark vale of tears,
Till each arrives at length,
Till each in Heaven appears :
O glorious scat,
When God our King
Shall thither bring
Our wiUing feet !
Isaac Watts. 1719.
I, 2
The Book of Praise.
CXXXIV.
'Tis Heaven begun below
To hear Christ's praises flow
In Zion, v/here His Name is known :
What will it be above
To sing redeeming love,
And cast our crowns before His throne !
When we adore Him there,
We shall be void of fear,
Nor faith, nor hope, nor patience need :
Love will absorb us quite,
Love in the midst of light,
On God's eternal love shall feed.
Oh ! what sweet company
We then shall hear and see !
What harmony will there abound !
When souls unnumber d sing
The praise of Zion's King,
Nor one dissenting voice is found !
With everlasting joy,
Such as will never cloy.
We shall be fiU'd, nor v/ish for more ;
Bright as meridian day,
Calm as the evening ray,
Full as a sea without a shore-
Till that blest period come,
Zion shall be my hom.e ;
And may I never thence remove.
Till from the Church below
To heaven at once I go,
And there commune in perfect love I
Joseph Swaifi. 1 792.
The Comnumioii of Saints. 149
cxxxv.
Lo ! God is here ! Let us adore,
And own, how dreadful is this place !
Let all within us feel His power,
And silent bow before His face !
Who know His power, His grace who prove,
Serve Him with awe, with reverence love.
Lo ! God is here ! Him day and night
Th' united quires of angels sing :
To Him, enthroned above all height,
Heaven s hosts their noblest praises bring :
Disdain not, Lord, our meaner song,
Who praise Thee with a stammering tongue !
Gladly the toys of earth we leave.
Wealth, pleasure, fame, for Thee alone '.
To Thee our will, soul, flesh, we give ;
O take, O seal them for Thine own !
Thou art the God ! Thou art the Lord !
Be Thou by all Thy works adored !
Being of beings, may our praise
Thy courts with grateful fragrance fill ;
Still may we stand before Thy face.
Still hear and do Thy sovereign will !
To Thee may all our thoughts arise.
Ceaseless, accepted sacrifice !
In Thee we move ; all things of Thee
Are full. Thou source and life of all .'
Thou vast, unfathomable Sea !
Fall prostrate, lost in wonder fall.
Ye sons of men ; for God is Man !
All may we lose, so Thee we gain !
150 The Book of Praise.
As flowers their opening leaves display.
And glad drink in the solar fire,
So may we catch Thy every ray,
So may Thy influence us inspire ;
Thou Beam of the eternal Beam,
Thou purging Fire ; Thou quickening Flame !
Jolm Wesley. 1739.
F7'0Jn Gerhard Tersteegc7i.
CXXXVI.
Jesus, where'er Thy people m.eet,
There they behold Thy mercy-seat ;
Where'er they seek Thee, Thou art found,
And every place is hallowed ground.
For Thou, within no walls confined,
Inhabitest the humble mind ;
Such ever bring Thee where they com.e,
And going take Thee to their home.
Dear Shepherd of Thy chosen fev>'.
Thy former mercies here renew ;
Here to our waiting hearts proclaim
The sweetness of Thy saving Name.
Here may v/e prove the pov/er of prayer
To strengthen faith, and sweeten care.
To teach our faint desires to rise,
And bring all Heaven before our eyes.
Behold, at Thy commanding word.
We stretch the curtain and the cord ;
Come Thou, and fill this wider space,
And bless us with a large increase.
The Co7nmitnio7i of Saints. 151
Lord, we are few, but Thou art near ;
Nor short Thine arm, nor deaf Thine ear ;
O rend the heavens, come quickly down,
And make a thousand hearts Thine own !
William Cowper. 1779.
CXXXVII.
The heaven of heavens cannot contain
The Universal Lord ;
Yet He in humble hearts will deign
To dwell and be adored.
Where'er ascends the sacrifice
Of fervent praise and prayer,
Or on the earth, or in the skies.
The Heaven of God is there.
His presence there is spread abroad
Through realms, through worlds unknown ;
Who seeks the mercies of his God
Is ever near His Throne.
William Drennan. 18 15.
CXXXVIII.
How blest the sacred tie that binds,
In union sweet, according minds;
How swift the heavenly course they run,
Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes are oie
To each the soul of each how dear !
What jealous love, what holy fear !
How doth the generous flame within
Refme from earth, and cleanse from sin !
152 The Book of Praise.
Their streaming tears together flow
For human guilt and mortal woe ;
Their ardent prayers together rise
Like mingling flames in sacrifice.
Together both they seek the place
Where God reveals His awful face ;
How high, how strong, their raptures swell,
There's none but kindred souls can tell.
Nor shall the glowing flame expire,
When nature droops her sickening fire ;
Then shall they meet in realms above ;
A heaven of joy, because of love.
Amia LcBtitia Bcwbauld. [1773.]
cxxxix,
O quam jtivat fratres, Dens.
O Lord, how joyful 'tis to see
The brethren join in love to Thee ;
On Thee alone their heart relies,
Their only strength Thy grace supplies.
How SAveet, within Thy holy place.
With one accord to sing Thy grace,
Besieging Thine attentive ear
With all the force of fervent prayer.
O may we love the house of God,
Of peace and joy the blest abode ;
O may no angry strife destroy
That sacred peace, that holy joy.
The world without may rage, but we
Will only cling more close to Thee,
With hearts to Thee more wholly given.
More wean'd from earth, more fix'd on Heaven.
The Conwiunioji of Saints. 153
Lord, shower upon us from above
The sacred gift of mutual love ;
Each other's wants may we supply,
And reign together in the sky.
John Chandler. 1S37.
CXL.
Come, let us join our friends above,
That have obtain'd the prize,
And on the eagle wings of love
To joy celestial rise.
Let all the saints terrestrial sing
With those to glory gone.
For all the servants of our King,
In earth and Heaven, are one.
One family, we dwell in Him,
One Church, above, beneath.
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream of death.
One army of the living God,
To His command we bow ;
Part of His host hath cross'd the flood,
And part is crossing now.
Ten thousand to their endless home
This solemn moment fly ;
And we are to the margin come.
And we expect to die ;
His militant embodied host
With wishful looks we stand,
And long to see that happy coast,
And reach that heavenlv land.
154 The Book of Praise.
Our old companions in distress
We haste again to see,
And eager long for our release
And full felicity :
Even now by faith we join our hands
With those that went before,
And greet the blood-besprinkled bands
On the eternal shore.
Our spirits too shall quickly join,
Like theirs with glory crown'd,
And shout to see our Captain's sign,
To hear His trumpet sound.
Oh ! that we now might grasp our Guide !
Oh ! that the word were given !
Come, Lord of hosts ! the waves divide.
And land us all in Heaven !
Charles Wesley. 1759.
CXLI.
Hosanna to the Living Lord !
Hosanna to the Incarnate Word !
To Christ, Creator, Saviour, King,
Let earth, let Heaven, Hosanna sing.
Hosanna ! Lord ! Hosanna in the highest !
" Hosanna," Lord, Thine angels cry ;
" Hosanna," Lord, Thy saints reply :
Above, beneath us, and around,
The dead and living swell the sound.
Hosanna ! Lord ! Hosanna in the highest !
O Saviour, with protecting care
Return to this Thy house of prayer,
Assembled in Thy sacred Name,
Where we Thy parting promise claim.
Hosanna ! Lord ! Hosanna in the highest !
The Forgiveness of Sins . 155
But, chiefest, in our cleansed breast,
Eternal, bid Thy Spirit rest ;
And make our secret soul to be
A temple pure, and worthy Thee.
Hosanna ! Lord ! Hosanna in the highest !
So, in the last and dreadful day,
When earth and Heaven shall melt away,
Thy flock, redeem'd from sinful stain.
Shall swell the sound of praise again.
Hosanna ! Lord ! Hosanna in the highest !
Bishop Reginald Heber. 1 8 1 1 .
XL
THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
" I acknoiuledge one Baptisvi for the Revtission of Sins,'
CXLII.
Psalm CIII.
My soul, repeat His praise
Whose mercies are so great,
Wliose anger is so slow to rise,
So ready to abate.
High as the heavens arc raised
Above the ground we tread,
So far the riches of His grace
Our highest thoughts exceed.
His power subdues our sins ;
And His forgiving love,
Far as the cast is from the west,
Doth all our guilt remove.
156 The Book of Praise.
The pity of the Lord
To those that fear His Name,
Is such as tender parents feel ;
He knows our feeble frame.
Our days are as the grass,
Or like the morning flower ;
If one sharp blast sweep o'er the field,
It withers in an hour.
But Thy compassions, Lord,
To endless years endure.
And children's children ever find
Thy words of promise sure.
Isaac Watts. 1719
CXLIII.
There is a fountain fill'd with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel's veins ;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day ;
And there have I, as vile as he,
Wash'd all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb ! Thy precious Blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransom'd Church of God
Be saved, to sin no more.
E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
The Forgiveness of Sins. \ 5 7
Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I'll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave.
Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,
Unworthy though I be,
For me a blood-bought free reward,
A golden harp for me :
'Tis strung, and tuned for endless years.
And form'd by power divine,
To sound in God the Father's ears,
No other Name but Thine.
William Cowper. 1779.
CXLIV.
Jesu, Thou art my Righteousness,
For all my sins were Thine ;
Thy death hath bought of God my peace.
Thy life hath made Him mine.
Spotless and just in Thee I am ;
I feel my sins forgiven ;
I taste salvation in Thy Name,
And antedate my heaven.
For ever here my rest shall be.
Close to Thy bleeding side ;
This all my hope, and all my plea,
For me the Saviour died !
My dying Saviour and my God,
Fountain for guilt and sin,
Sprinkle me ever with Thy Blood,
And cleanse and keep me clean !
158 The Book of Praise,
Wash me, and make me thus Thine own ;
Wash me, and mine Thou art !
Wash me, but not my feet alone :
My hands, my head, my heart !
Th' atonement of Thy Blood apply,
Till faith to sight improve ;
Till hope in full fruition die.
And all my soul be love.
Charles Wesley. 1740.
CXLV.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee !
Let the water and the blood.
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure.
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
Not the labours of my hands
Can fulfil Thy law's demands ;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone ;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring ;
Simply to Thy Cross I cling ;
Naked, come to Thee for dress ;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace ;
Foul, I to the Fountain fly ;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die !
The Forgiveness of Sins. 1 5 9
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyestrings break in death,
When I soar through tracts unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment-throne ;
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee !
Augustus Montague Toplady. lyyt
CXLVT.
God of my salvation, hear.
And help me to believe ;
Simply do I now draw near,
Thy blessing to receive.
Full of guilt, alas ! I am.
But to Thy wounds for refuge flee ;
Friend of sinners ! spotless Lamb !
Thy Blood was shed for me.
Standing now as newly slain,
To Thee I lift mine eye ;
Balm of all my grief and pain,
Thy Blood is always nigh ;
Now as yesterday the same
Thou art, and v>'ilt for ever be ;
P>iend of sinners ! spotless Lamb !
Thy Blood was shed for me.
Nothing have I, Lord, to pay,
Nor can Thy grace procure ;
Empty send me not away,
For I, Thou know'st, am poor :
Dust and ashes is my name,
My all is sin and miser)' ;
Friend of sinners ! spotless Lamb !
Thy Blood was shed for me.
i6o The Book of Praise.
No good work, or word, or thought,
Bring I to gain Thy grace ;
Pardon I accept unbought,
Thy proffer I embrace ;
Coming, as at first I came,
To take, and not bestow on Thee ;
Friend of sinners ! spotless Lamb !
Thy Blood was shed for me.
Saviour ! from Thy wounded side
I never will depart ;
Here will I my spirit hide
When I am pure in heart :
Till my place above I claim,
This only shall be all my plea,
Friend of sinners ! spotless Lamb !
Thy Blood was shed for me.
Charles Wesley. 174.2.
CXLVII.
Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy Blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come !
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To" Thee, whose Blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come !
Just as I am, though toss'd about
With many a conilict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come I
The Forgivejiess of Si7is. i6i
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind,
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come !
Just as I am. Thou wilt receive.
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve !
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come !
Just as I am, (Thy Love unknown
Has broken every barrier down,)
Now, to be Thine, yea. Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come !
Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come !
Charlotte Elliott. 1836.
CXLVITI.
When wounded sore the stricken soul
Lies bleeding and unbound,
One only hand, a pierced hand.
Can salve the sinner's wound.
And tears of anguish flow,
One only heart, a broken heart,
Can feel the sinner's woe.
When penitence has wept in vain
Over some foul dark spot,
One only stream, a stream of blood,
Can wash away the blot.
'Tis Jesus' blood that washes white,
His hand that brings relief,
M
The Book of Praise.
His heart that's touch'd with all our joys
A_nd feeleth for our grief.
Lift up Thy bleeding hand, O Lord ;
Unseal that cleansing tide ;
We have no shelter from our sin,
But in Thy wounded side.
Cecil Frances A lexa^tder. 1 85 !
xn.
RESURRECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE.
And I look for the Kestirrectioji of the dead, and the
Life of the ivorld to come. Amen."
CXLIX.
Earth to earth, and dust to dust,
Lord, we own the sentence just ;
Head and tongue, and hand and heart,
All in guilt have borne their part ;
Righteous is the common doom,
All must moulder in the tomb.
Like the seed in spring-time sown.
Like the leaves in autumn strown,
Low these goodly frames must lie.
All our pomp and glory die ;
Soon the Spoiler seeks his prey,
Soon he bears us all away.
Yet the seed, upraised again,
Clothes with green the smiling plain ;
Onward as the seasons move,
Leaves and blossoms deck the grove ;
And shall we forgotten lie.
Lost for ever, when we die ?
Resurrection and Eternal Life. 1 63
Lord, from Nature's gloomy night
Turn we to the Gospel's light ;
Thou didst triumph o'er the grave,
Thou wilt all Thy people save ;
Ransom'd by Thy Blood, the just
Rise immortal from the dust.
John Hampden Gnrney. 1830.
CL.
O God, Thy grace and blessing give
To us, who on thy Name attend.
That we this mortal life may live
Regardful of our journey's end.
Teach us to know that Jesus died,
And rose again, our souls to save ;
Teach us to take Him as our Guide,
Our Help from childhood to the grave.
Then shall not death with terror come.
But welcome as a bidden guest,
The herald of a better home,
The messenger of peace and rest.
And, when the awful signs appear
Of Judgment, and the Throne above.
Our hearts still fix'd, we shall not fear,
God is our trust ; and God is Love.
Anon. [1853.]
CLI.
Dearest of names, our Lord, our King !
Jesus, Thy praise we humbly sing :
In cheerful songs we'll spend our breath.
And in Thee triumph over death.
M 2
The Book of Praise.
Death is no more among our foes,
Since Christ, the mighty Conqueror, rose ;
Both power and sting the Saviour broke ;
He died, and gave the finish'd stroke.
Saints die, and we should gently weep ;
Sweetly in Jesus' arms they sleep ;
Far from this world of sin and woe,
Nor sin, nor pain, nor grief, they know.
Death no terrific foe appears ;
An angel's lovely form he wears ;
A friendly messenger he proves
To every soul whom Jesus loves.
Death is a sleep ; and O ! how sweet
To souls prepared its stroke to meet !
Their dying beds, their graves are blest.
For all to them is peace and rest.
Their bodies sleep ; their souls take wing,
Uprise to Heaven, and there they sing
With joy before the Saviour's face,
Triumphant in victorious grace.
Soon shall the earth's remotest bound
Feel the Archangel's trumpet sound ;
Then shall the grave's dark caverns shake,
And joyful all the saints shall Avake.
Bodies?and souls shall then unite,
Arrayed in glory, strong and bright ;
And all His saints will Jesus bring
His face to see, His love to sins:.
Restirrectioji and Eternal Life. 165
0 may I live, with Jesus nigh,
And sleep in Jesus when I die !
Then, joyful, when from death I wake,
1 shall eternal bliss partake.
Samuel Medley. 1 800.
CLII.
We sing His love, Who once was slain.
Who soon o'er death revived again.
That all His saints through Him might have
Eternal conquests o'er the grave.
Soon shall the trumpet sound, and we
Shall rise to immortality.
The saints, who now with Jesus sleep,
His own Almighty power shall keep,
Till dawns the bright illustrious day
When death itself shall die away :
Soon shall the trumpet sound, and we
Shall rise to immortality.
How loud shall our glad voices sing,
When Christ His risen saints shall bring
From beds of dust, and silent clay,
To realms of everlasting day !
Soon shall the trumpet sound, and we
Shall rise to immortality.
When Jesus we in glory meet,
Our utmost joys shall be complete ;
When landed on that heavenly shore,
Death and the curse will be no more :
Soon shall the trumpet sound, and we
Shall rise to immortality.
1 66 The Book of Praise.
Hasten, dear Lord, the glorious day,
And this dehghtful scene display,
When all Thy saints from death shall rise
Raptured in bliss beyond the skies !
Soon shall the trumpet sound, and we
Shall rise to immortality.
Roiulaiid Hill. 1 796.
CLIII.
My life's a shade, my days
Apace to death decline ;
My Lord is Life, He'll raise
My dust again, ev'n mine.
Sweet truth to me !
I shall arise,
And with these eyes
JNIy Saviour see.
My peaceful grave shall keep
iMy bones till that sweet day ;
I wake from my long sleep
And leave my bed of clay.
Sweet truth to me !
I shall arise,
And with these eyes
My Saviour see.
My Lord His angels shall
Their golden trumpets sound,
At whose most welcome call
My grave shall be unbound.
Sweet truth to me !
I shall arise,
And with these eye-
My Saviour see.
Resurrection and Eternal Life, 167
I said sometimes with tears,
Ah me ! I'm loth to die !
Lord, silence Thou these fears :
My life's with Thee on high.
Sweet truth to m.e !
I shall arise,
And with these eyes
My Saviour see.
What means my trembling heart,
To be thus shy of death ?
My Life and I sha'nt part.
Though I resign my breath.
Sweet truth to me !
I shall arise,
And with these eyes
My Saviour see.
Then welcome, harmless grave !
By thee to heaven I'll go :
My Lord His death shall save
Me from the flames below.
Sweet truth to me !
I shall arise,
And with these eyes
My Saviour see.
Samuel Crossnian. 1664.
CLIV.
Why do we mourn departing friends.
Or shake at death's alarms ?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to His arms.
1 68 The Book of Praise.
Are we not tending upward too,
As fast as time can move ?
Nor would we wish the hours more siow
To keep us from our love.
Why should we tremble to convey
Their bodies to the tomb ?
There the dear flesh of Jesus lay^
And left a long perfume.
The graves of all His saints He bless'd,
And softened every bed :
Where should the dying members rest,
But with the dying Head ?
Thence He arose, ascending high,
And showed our feet the way ;
Up to the Lord oar flesh shall fly
At the great rising day.
Then let the last loud trumpet sound,
And bid our kindred rise :
Awake, ye nations under ground !
Ye saints, ascend the skies !
Isaac Watts. \yo().
CLV.
Spirit ! leave thine house of clay !
Lingering dust, resign thy breath !
Spirit ! cast thy chains away !
Dust, be thou dissolved in death !
Thus the Almighty Saviour speaks.
While the faithful Christian dies ;
Thus the bonds of life he breaks.
And the ransomed captive flies.
ResmTcctioii and Ekrna^ Life. 1 69
Prisoner, long detained below ;
Prisoner, now with freedom blest ;
Welcome from a world of woe,
Welcome to a Land of Rest !
Thus the choir of angels sing,
As they bear the soul on high,
While with hallelujahs ring
All the regions ot the sky.
Grave, the guardian of our dust !
Grave, the treasury of the skies !
Every atom of thy trust
Rests in hope again to rise.
Hark ! the Judgment trumpet calls :
Soul, rebuild thy house of clay.
Immortality thy walls.
And Eternity thy day !
Variatio?L [181 2.I
From Jajnes MoJtfgojnery. 1803,
CLVI.
Deathless principle, arise !
Soar, thou native of the skies ;
Pearl of price, by Jesus bought,
To His glorious likeness wrought !
Go, to shine before His throne ;
Deck his mediatorial crown ;
Go, His triumphs to adorn ;
Made for God, to God return !
Lo, He beckons from on high !
Fearless to His presence tiy !
Thine the merit of His Blood ;
Thine the Righteousness of God.
I/O The Book of Praise.
Angels, joyful to attend,
Hovering round thy pillow, bend.
Wait to catch the signal given,
And escort thee quick to Heaven.
Is thy earthly house distrest,
Willing to retain her guest ?
'Tis not thou, but she, must die ;
Fly, celestial tenant, fly !
Burst thy shackles, drop thy clay,
Sweetly breathe thyself away ;
Singing, to thy crown remove,
Swift of wing, and fired with love.
Shudder not to pass the stream ;
Venture all thy care on Him ;
Him, whose dying love and power
Still'd its tossing, hush'd its roar.
Safe is the expanded wave,
Gentle as a summer's eve ;
Not one object of His care
Ever suffered shipwreck there.
See the haven full in view ;
Love Divine shall bear thee through
Trust to that propitious gale ;
Weigh thy anchor, spread thy sail.
Saints, in glory perfect made,
Wait thy passage through the shade ;
Ardent for thy coming o'er.
See, they throng the blissful shore !
Resurrection and Eternal Life. lyi
Mount, their transports to improve ;
Join the longing choir above ;
Swiftly to their wish be given ;
Kindle higher joy in Heaven !
Such the prospects that arise
To the dying Christian's eyes ;
Such the glorious vista faith
Opens through the shades of death,
Augustus Montague Toplady, 1777-
CLVII,
Happy soul ! thy days are ended,
All thy mourning days below ;
Go, by angel guards attended,
To the sight of Jesus go !
Waiting to receive thy spirit,
Lo, the Saviour stands above,
Shews the purchase of His merit.
Reaches out the crown of love !
Struggle through thy latest passion
To thy dear Redeemer's breast,
To His uttermost salvation,
To His everlasting rest !
For the joy He sets before thee.
Bear a momentary pain ;
Die, to live the life of glory ;
Suffer, with thy Lord to reign !
diaries Wesley. 1749.
172 The Book of Praise.
CLVIII.
The waves of trouble, how they rise,
How loud the tempests roar !
But death shall land our weary scuis
Safe on the heavenly shore.
There, to fulfil His sweet commands,
Our speedy feet shall move ;
No sin shall clog our winged zeal,
Or cool our burning love.
There shall we sit, and sing, and tell
The wonders of His grace.
Till heavenly raptures fire our hearts,
And smile in every face.
For ever His dear sacred Name
Shall dwell upon our tongue,
And Jesus and salvation be
The close of every song.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
CLIX.
Ye golden lamps of heaven, farewell.
With all your feeble light :
Farewell, thou ever-changing moon,
Pale empress of the night.
And thou, refulgent orb of day,
In brighter flames array'd ;
My soul, that springs beyond thy sphere.
No more demands thine aid.
Resurrection and Eternal Life. 1 73
Ye stars are but the shining dust
Of my divine abode.
The pavement of those heavenly courts
Where I shall reign with God.
The Father of eternal light
Shall there His beams display,
Nor shall one moment's darkness mix
With that unvaried day.
No more the drops of piercing grief
Shall swell into mine eyes ;
Nor the meridian sun decline
Amid those brighter skies.
There all the millions of His saints
Shall in one song unite,
And each the bliss of all shall view
With infinite delight.
Philip Doddridge. 1755.
CLX.
Far from these narrow scenes of night
Unbounded glories rise,
And realms of infinite delight,
Unknown to mortal eyes.
Fair distant land ; could mortal eyes
But half its joys explore,
How would our spirits long to rise,
And dwell on earth no more !
74 The Book of Praise.
There pain and sickness never come,
And grief no more complains :
Health triumphs in immortal bloom,
And endless pleasure reigns.
No cloud those blissful regions kno-v^
For ever bright and fair ;
For sin, the source of mortal woe,
Can never enter there.
There no alternate night is known.
Nor sun's faint sickly ray ;
But glory from the sacred Throne
Spreads everlasting day.
The glorious monarch there displays
His beams of wondrous grace ;
His happy subjects sing His praise,
And bow before His face.
O may the heavenly prospect fire
Our hearts with ardent love.
Till wings of faith and strong desire
Bear every thought above !
Prepare us, Lord, by grace divine,
For Thy bright courts on high ;
Then bid our spirits rise, and join
The chorus of the sky.
An?ie Steele. 1760.
Rcsicrrcction and Eternal Life. 1 75
CLXI.
There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign,
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain.
There everlasting spring abides,
And never withering flowers ;
Death, like a narrow sea, divides
This heavenly land from ours.
Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood
Stand dress'd in living green :
So to the Jews old Canaan stood,
While Jordan roll'd between.
But timorous mortals start and shrink
To cross this narrow sea,
And linger shivering on the brink,
And fear to launch away.
O ! could we make our doubts remove,
These gloomy doubts that rise.
And see the Canaan that we love
With unbcclouded eyes ;
Could we but climb where Moses stood.
And view the landscape o'er ;
Not Jordan's stream, nor death's cold flood,
Should fright us from the shore.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
\j6 The Book of Praise.
CLXII.
There is a blessed Home
Beyond this land of woe,
Where trials never come,
Nor tears of sorrow flow ;
Vvhere faith is lost in sight.
And patient hope is crown'd,
And everlasting light
Its glory throws around.
There is a land of peace,
Good angels know it well ;
Glad songs that never cease
Within its portals swell ;
Around its glorious Throne
Ten thousand saints adore
Christ, with the Father One,
And Spirit, evermore.
O joy all joys beyond,
To see the Lamb who died,
And count each sacred wound
In hands, and feet, and side ;
To give to Him the praise
Of every triumph won.
And sing through endless days
The great things He hath done.
Look up, ye saints of God,
Nor fear to tread below
The path your Saviour trod
Of daily toil and woe ;
Wait but a little while
In uncomplaining love,
His own most gracious smile
Shall welcome you above.
Sir Henry Baker. t86i.
Resnrrectio7i and Eternal Life. i 'j'j
CLXiir.
The roseate hues of early dawn,
The brightness of the day,
The crimson of the sunset sky,
How fast they fade away !
Oh ! for the pearly gates of heaven !
Oh ! for the golden floor !
Oh ! for the Sun of Righteousness
That setteth nevermore !
The highest hopes we cherish here,
How fast they tire and faint !
How many a spot defiles the robe
That wraps an earthly saint !
Oh ! for a heart that never sins !
Oh ! for a soul wash'd white !
Oh ! for a voice to praise our King,
Nor weary day or night !
Here faith is ours, and heavenly hope,
And grace to lead us higher ;
But there are perfectness and peace
Beyond our best desire.
Oh ! by Thy love and anguish, Lord !
Oh ! by Thy life laid down !
Oh ! that we fall not from Thy grace,
Nor cast away our crown !
Cecil Frances Alexander. [1853.]
CLXIV.
Friend after friend departs ;
Who hath not lost a friend ?
There is no union here of hearts,
N
173 The Book of Praise,
That finds not here an end :
Were this frail world our only rest,
Living or dying, none were blest.
Beyond the flight of time,
Beyond this vale of death,
There surely is some blessed clime,
Where life is not a breath,
Nor life's affections transient fire,
Whose sparks fly upwards to expire.
There is a world above,
WTiere parting is unknown \
A whole eternity of love,
Form'd for the good alone :
And faith beholds the dying here
Translated to that happier sphere.
'I'hus star by star declines
Till all are pass'd away,
As morning high and higher shines
To pure and perfect day ;
Nor sink those stars in empty night ;
rhey hide themselves in heaven's own light.
James Montgomery, 1824.
CLXV.
Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings,
Thy better portion trace ;
Rise from transitory things
Towards Heaven, thy native place.
Sun and moon and stars decay ;
Time shall soon this earth remove ;
Rise, my soul^ and haste away
To seats prepared above.
Res7irrection and Eternal Life. lyg
Rivers to the ocean run,
Nor stay in all their course ;
Fire ascending seeks the sun ;
Both speed them to their source :
So my soul, derived from God,
Pants to view His glorious face,
Forward tends to His abode,
To rest in His embrace.
Fly me Riches, fly me Cares,
Whilst I that coast explore ;
Flattering vv^orld, with all thy snares,
Solicit me no more !
Pilgrims fix not here their home ;
Strangers tarry but a night ;
When the last dear morn is come,
They'll rise to joyful light.
Cease, ye pilgrims, cease to mourn ;
Press onward to the prize ;
Soon our Saviour will return
Triumphant in the skies.
Yet a season, and you know
Happy entrance will be given,
All our sorrows left below.
And earth exchanged for heaven.
r.ohe^-t Seai^rave. 1 748.
N 2
I So The Book of Praise.
CLXVI.
We seek a rest beyond the skies,
In everlasting day ;
Through floods and flames the passage Hes,
But Jesus guards the way :
The swelHng flood, and raging flame.
Hear and obey His Avord ;
Then let us triumph in His Name ;
Our Saviour is the Lord !
John Newton. 1779.
CLXVII.
There is an hour, when I must part
With all I hold most dear ;
And life, with its best hopes, will then
As nothingness appear.
There is an hour, when I must lie
Low on affliction's bed.
And anguish, pain, and tears become
My bitter daily bread.
There is an hour, when I must sink
Beneath the stroke of death.
And yield to Him, who gave it first,
My struggling vital breath.
There is an hour, when I must stand
Before the judgment seat,
And all my sins, and all my foes,
In awful vision meet.
Resurrection mid Eternal Life. 1 8 1
There is an hour, when I must look
On one eternity,
And nameless woe, or blissful life,
My endless portion be.
O Saviour, then, in all my need,
Be near, be near to me ;
And let my soul, in stedfast faith,
Find life and Heaven in Thee !
Andrew Reed. 1842.
CLXVIIT.
Psalm XC.
Our God, our help in ages past.
Our hope for years to come.
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home :
Under the shadow of Thy Throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure ;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
Before the hills in order stood.
Or earth received her frame.
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone ;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
1 82 The Book of Praise.
The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by Thy flood,
And lost in following years.
Time, like an ever-rolling streain,
Bears all its sons away ;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
Our God, our help in ages past ;
Our hope for years to come ;
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home !
Isaac Watts, 1719.
END OF PART I.
PART II.
HYMNS ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE
SUBJECTS OF THE LORD'S PRAYER.
t §odI\ of fraist.
PART THE SECOND.
LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY."
{L7d'e xi. I.)
CLXTX.
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Utter'd, -or unexpress'd ;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burthen of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of the eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try ;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways.
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, P>ehold, he prays !
1 86 71ie Book of Praise.
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air ;
His watchword at the gates of death ;
He enters Heaven with prayer.
The saints, in prayer, appear as one
In word, and deed, and mind ;
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellovv'ship they find.
Nor prayer is made by man alone :
The Holy Spirit pleads ;
And Jesus, on the eternal Throne,
For mourners intercedes.
O Thou, by Whom we come to God !
The Life, the Truth, the Way !
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod :
Lord ! teach us how to pray !
James Montgomery. 1S19.
OUR FATHER, WHICH ART LV HEAVEN
HALLOWED BE THY NAME."
CLXX.
Psalm LXHL
O God, Thou art my God alone ;
Early to Thee my soul shall cry ;
A pilgrim in a land unknown,
A thirsty land whose springs are dry.
" Our Father^ luhich art in Heaven y 187
Oh ! that it were as it hath been !
When, praying in the holy place,
Thy power and glory I have seen,
And marked the footsteps of Thy grace !
Yet, through this rough and thorny maze,
I follow hard on Thee, my God :
Thine hand unseen upholds my ways ;
I safely tread where Thou hast trod.
Thee, in the watches of the night.
When I remember on my bed.
Thy Presence makes the darkness light.
Thy guardian wings are round my head.
Better than life itself Thy love,
Dearer than all beside to me :
For whom have I in Heaven above.
Or what on earth compared to Thee?
Praise with my heart, my mind, my voice,
For all Thy mercy I will give ;
My soul shall still in God rejoice ;
My tongue shall bless Thee while I live,
James Montgomery. 1822.
CLXXT.
Psalm CXLV.
My God, my King, Thy various praise
Shall fill the remnant of my days ;
Thy grace employ my humble tongue,
Till death and glory raise the song.
1 88 The Book of Praise.
The wings of every hour shall bear
Some thankful tribute to Thine ear,
And every setting sun shall see
New works of duty done for Thee.
Thy truth and justice I'll proclaim ;
Thy bounty flows, an endless stream ;
Thy mercy swift, Thine anger slow,
But dreadful to the stubborn foe.
But who can speak Thy wondrous deeds ?
Thy greatness all our thoughts exceeds ;
Vast and unsearchable Thy ways,
Vast and immortal be Thy praise !
Isaac Watts. 1719.
CLXXII.
Psalm CXXXIX.
Lord, Thou hast form'd mine every part.
Mine inmost thought is known to Thee ;
Each word, each feeling of my heart,
Thine ear doth hear, Thine eye can see.
Though I should seek the shades of night,
And hide myself in guilty fear,
To Thee the darkness seems as light.
The midnight as the noonday clear.
The heavens, the earth, the sea, the sky,
All ovv'n Thee ever present there ;
Where'er I turn, Thou still art nigh.
Thy Spirit dwelling everywhere.
Oh may that Spirit, ever blest.
Upon my soul in radiance shine,
Till, welcomed to eternal rest,
I taste Thy Presence, Lord Divine !
Robert Allan Scoti. 1839.
" Our Father, w/ilch art in Heaven'' 189
CLXXIII.
When all Thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love, and praise.
O how shall words with equal warmtli
The gratitude declare,
That glows within my ravish'd heart !
But Thou canst read it there.
Thy Providence my life sustain'd.
And all my wants redrest.
When in the silent womb I lay.
And hung upon the breast.
To all my weak complaints and cries
Thy mercy lent an ear,
Ere yet my feeble thour;ats had learnt
To form themselves in prayer.
Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceived
From whence these comforts flowed.
When in the slippery paths of youth
With heedless steps I ran.
Thine arm, unseen, conveyed me safe,
And led me up to man.
IQO Tlie Book of Praise.
Through hidden dangers, toils, and death,
It gently clear'd my way ;
And through the pleasing snares of vice,
More to be fear'd than they.
When worn with sickness, oft hast Thou
With health reneu^d my face ;
And, when in sins and sorrows sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.
Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss
Has made my cup run o'er ;
And in a kind and faithful friend
Has doubled all my store.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart
That tastes those gifts with joy.
Through every period of my life
Thy goodness I'll pursue ;
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.
When nature fails, and day and night
Divide thy works no more,
My ever-grateful heaTt, O Lord,
Thy mercy shall adore.
Through all eternity to Thee
A joyful song I'll raise :
But O ! eternity's too short
To utter all Thy praise !
Joseph Addison. 17;
" Thy Kifigdom comeP 191
II.
"THY KINGDOM COME."
CLXXIV.
Lord ! come away !
Why dost Thou stay ?
Thy road is ready ; and Thy paths made straight
With longing expectation wait
The consecration of Thy beauteous feet !
Ride on triumphantly ! Behold, we lay
Oar lusts and proud wills in Thy way !
Hosanna ! Welcome, to our hearts I Lord, here
Thou hast a temple too ; and full as dear
As that of Sion, and as full of sin :
Nothing but thieves and robbers dwell therein :
Enter, and chase them forth, and cleanse the floor !
Crucify them, that they may never more
Profane that holy place
Where Thou hast chose to set Thy face !
And then, if our stiff tongues shall be
Mute in the praises of Thy Deity,
The stones out of the temple wall
Shall cry aloud, and call
Hosanna ! and Thy glorious footsteps greet ! Amen !
Bishop Jeremy Taylor. 1655.
CLXXV.
Jesus, Thy Church with longing eyes
P^or Thy expected coming waits ;
When will the promised light arise.
And ,glory beam from Zion's gates ?
192 The Book of Praise.
Ev'n now, when tempests round us fall,
And wintry clouds o'ercast the sky,
Thy words with pleasure we recall,
And deem that our redemption's nigh.
Com.e, gracious Lord, our hearts renew,
Our foes repel, our wrongs redress,
Man's rooted enmity subdue,
And crown Thy Gospel with success.
O come, and reign o'er every land ;
Let Satan from his throne be hurFd ;
All nations bow to Thy command,
And grace revive a dying world !
Yes, Thou wilt speedily appear !
The smitten earth already reels ;
And not far off we seem to hear
The thunder of Thy chariot wheels.
Teach us in watchfulness and prayer
To wait for the appointed hour ;
And fit us by Thy grace to share
The triumphs of Thy conquering power.
William Hiley Bat hurst. 1831,
CLXXVI.
Light of the lonely pilgrim's heart,
Star of the coming day !
Arise, and with Thy morning beams
Chase all our griefs away !
" Thy Kingdom coined 1 93
Come, blessed Lord ! let every shore
And answering island sing
The praises of Thy royal name,
And own Thee as their King.
Bid the whole earth, responsive now
To the bright world above,
Break forth in rapturous strains of joy
In memory of Thy love.
Lord, Lord ! Thy fair creation groans.
The air, the earth, the sea.
In unison with all our hearts.
And calls aloud for Thee.
Thine was the Cross, with all its fruits
Of grace and peace divine :
Be Thine the crown of glory now.
The palm of victory Thine !
Sir Edward Den ny, 1 848,
CLXXVII.
O Saviour ! is Thy promise fled ?
Nor longer might Thy grace endure
To heal the sick, and raise the dead.
And preach the Gospel to the poor ?
Come, Jesus, come ! return again ;
With brighter beam Thy servants bless
Who long to feel Thy perfect reign,
And share Thy kingdom's happiness !
,-cn.
A feeble race, by passion driv(
In darkness and in doubt we roam,
And lift our anxious eyes to Heaven,
Our hope, our harbour, and our home.
o
[94 1^^^^ Book of Praise.
Yet, 'mid the wild and wintry gale,
When death rides darkly o'er the sea,
And strength and earthly daring fail,
Our prayers, Redeemer ! rest on Thee.
Come, Jesus, come ! and as of yore
The prophet went to clear Thy way,
A harbinger Thy feet before,
A dawning to Thy brighter day ;
So now may grace, with heavenly shower.
Our stony hearts for truth prepare ;
Sow in our souls the seed of power.
Then come, and reap Thy harvest there !
Bishop Reginald Heber. 1 8i i
CLXXVIII.
O Spirit of the living God !
In all Thy plenitude of grace,
Where'er the foot of man hath trod,
Descend on our apostate race !
Give tongues of fire and hearts of love
To preach the reconciling word ;
Give power and unction from above,
Whene'er the joyful sound is heard.
Be darkness, at Thy coming, Light ;
Confusion, order in Thy path ;
Souls without strength inspire with might ^
Bid mercy triumph over wrath.
O Spirit of the Lord ! prepare
All the round earth her God to meet ;
Breathe Thou abroad like morning air.
Till hearts of stone begin to beat.
" Thy Kingdom comer 195
Baptize the nations far and nigh ;
The triumphs of Thy Cross record ;
The name of Jesus glorify,
Till every kindred call Him Lord.
James Montgo7ne7y. 1825.
CLXXIX.
Speed Thy servants, Saviour, speed them !
Thou art Lord of winds and waves :
They were bound, but Thou hast freed them ;
NofVv they go to free the slaves :
Be Thou with them !
'Tis Thine arm alone that saves.
Friends and home and all forsaking,
Lord ! they go, at Thy command ;
As their stay Thy promise taking,
While they traverse sea and land :
O be with them !
Lead them safely by the hand !
Speed them through the mighty ocean,
In the dark and stormy day.
When the waves in wild commotion
Fill all others with dismay :
Be Thou with them !
Drive their terrors far away.
Wlien they reach the land of strangers.
And the prospect dark appears.
Nothing seen but toils and dangers.
Nothing felt but doubts and fears ;
Be Thou with them !
Hear their sighs, and count their tears.
o 2
196 The Book of Praise.
When they think of home, now dearer
Than it ever seem'd before,
Bring the promised glory nearer ;
Let them see that peaceful shore,
Where Thy people
Rest from toil, and weep no more !
Where no fruit appears to cheer them,
And they seem to toil in vain,
Then in mercy, Lord, draw near them,
Then their sinking hopes sustain :
Thus supported.
Let their zeal revive again !
In the midst of opposition
Let them trust, O Lord, in Thee :
When success attends their mission,
Let Thy servants humbler be :
Never leave them,
Till Thy face in Heaven they see ;
There to reap, in joy for ever,
Fruit that grows from seed here sown ;
There to be with Him, Who never
Ceases to preserve His own.
And with triumph
Sing a Saviour's grace alone !
Thomas Kelly. 1836.
Thy Kingdom comer i97
CLXXX.
Thou, Whose Almighty word
Chaos and darkness heard,
And took their flight ;
Hear us, we humbly pray ;
And, where the gospel's day
Sheds not its glorious ray.
Let there be light !
Thou, Who didst come to bring
On Thy redeeming wing
Heahng and sight,
Health to the sick in mind,
Sight to the inly blind.
Oh, now to all mankind
Let there be light !
Spirit of truth and love,
Life-giving, holy Dove,
Speed forth Thy flight !
Move on the waters' face
Bearing the lamp of grace,
And in earth's darkest place
Let there be light !
Holy and blessed Three,
Glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might !
Boundless as ocean's tide
Rolling in fullest pride.
Through the earth, far and wide.
Let there be light !
Jolm Marriott. 1816.
198 The Book of Pi^aise.
III.
''THY WILL BE DONE."
Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in Heaven.
CLXXXI.
Come, my soul, Thy suit prepare ;
Jesus loves to answer prayer :
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay.
Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring ;
For his grace and power are such.
None can ever ask too much.
With my burden I begin ;
Lord, remove this load of sin ;
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt.
Set my conscience free from guilt.
Lord, I come to Thee for rest ;
Take possession of my breast ;
There Thy blood-bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign.
As the image in the glass
Answers the beholder's face.
Thus unto my heart appear.
Print Thine own resemblance there.
While I am a pilgrim here,
Let Thy love my spirit cheer ;
As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
Lead me to my journey's end.
" Thy Will be doner 199
Shew me what I have to do ;
Every hour my strength renew ;
Let me Hve a Hfe of faith ;
Let me die Thy people's death.
John Newton. 1 779.
CLXXXII.
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine !
Now hear me while I pray ;
Take all my guilt away ;
O let me from tliis day
Be wholly Thine !
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire !
As Thou hast died for me,
O may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire !
While life's dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my Guide !
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow's tears away.
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
200 The Book of Praise.
When ends life's transient dream,^
When death's cold sullen stream
Shall o'er me roll ;
Blest Saviour ! then in love
Fear and distrust remove ;
O bear me safe above,
A ransom'd soul !
Ray Pahner. [1834.]
CLXXXIIT.
Psalm CXVI.
Redeem'd from guilt, redeem'd from fears.
My soul enlarged, and dried my tears.
What can I do, O Love Divine,
What, to repay such gifts as Thine ?
What can I do, so poor, so weak,
But from Thy hands new blessings seek,
A heart to feel Thy mercies more,
A soul to know Thee, and adore ?
O teach me at Thy feet to fall.
And yield Thee up myself, my all !
Before Thy saints my debts to own.
And live and die to Thee alone !
Thy Spirit, Lord, at large impart,
Expand and raise and fill my heart !
So may I hope my life shall be
Some faint return, O Lord, to Thee.
Hemy Francis Lyte. 1834.
" Thy Will be done': 201
CLXXXIV.
Psalm CI.
Lord, when I lift my voice to Thee,
To whom all praise belongs,
Thy justice and Thy love shall be
The subject of my songs.
Let wisdom o'er my heart preside,
To lead my steps aright,
And make Thy perfect law my guide,
Thy service my delight.
All sinful ways I will abhor.
All wicked men forsake ;
And only those, who love Thy law.
For my companions take.
Lord ! that I may not go astray,
Thy constant grace impart :
When wilt Thou come to point my way,
And fix my roving heart ?
William Hi ley Bath urst. 1 83 1 .
CLXXXV.
Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I go.
My daily labour to pursue,
Thee, only Thee, resolved to know,
In all I think, or speak, or do.
The task Thy wisdom hath assign'd
O let me cheerfully fulfil ;
In all my works Thy presence find.
And prove Thine acceptable will.
202 Ike Book of Praise.
Preserve me from my calling s snare,
And hide my simple heart above,
Above the thorns of choking care,
The gilded baits of worldly love.
Thee may I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes mine inmost substance see,
And labour on at Thy command.
And offer all my works to Thee.
Give me to bear Thy easy yoke,
And every moment watch and pray ;
And still to things eternal look,
And hasten to Thy glorious day.
For Thee delightfully employ
Whate'er Thy bounteous grace hath given,
And run my course with even joy.
And closely walk with Thee to Heaven.
Charles Wesley. 1749.
CLXXXVI.
Now it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or hve ;
To love and serve Thee is my share.
And this Thy grace must give.
If death shall bruise this springing seed
Before it come to fruit.
The will with Thee goes for the deed,
Thy life was in the root.
Would I long bear my heavy load,
And keep my sorrows long ?
Would I long sin against my God,
And His dear mercy wrong 1
" Thy Will be doner 203
How much is sinful flesh my foe,
That doth my soul pervert
To linger here in sin and woe,
And steals from God my heart !
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than He went through before ;
He that unto God's Kingdom comes
Must enter by this door.
Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet
Thy blessed face to see ;
For, if Thy work on earth be sweet,
What will Thy glory be ?
Then I shall end my sad complaints,
And weary sinful days,
And join with the triumphant saints
That sing Jehovah's praise.
My knowledge of that life is small ;
The eye of faith is dim ;
But it's enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with Him.
Richard Baxter. 1681.
CLXXxvir.
O Thou, who camest from above,
The pure celestial fire to impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
On the mean altar of my heart..
204 The Book of Praise.
There let it for Thy glory burn
With inextinguishable blaze ;
And, trembling, to its source return,
In humble prayer and fervent praise.
Jesus ! confirm my heart's desire
To work, and speak, and think for Thee ;
Still let me guard the holy fire ;
And still stir up Thy gift in me ;
Ready for all Thy perfect will,
My acts of faith and love repeat ;
Till death Thy endless mercies seal,
And make my sacrifice complete.
Charles Wesley. 1762.
CLXXXVTII.
Psalm XXXI.
My spirit on Thy care,
Blest Saviour, I recline ;
Thou wilt not leave me to despair,
For Thou art Love divine.
In Thee I place my trust,
On Thee I calmly rest ;
1 know Thee good, I know Thee just,
And count Thy choice the best.
Whate'er events betide.
Thy will they all perform ;
Safe in Thy breast my head I hide.
Nor fear the coming storm.
" Thy Will be doner 205
Let good or ill befal,
It must be good for me ;
Secure of having Thee in all,
Of having all in Thee.
Henry Francis Lyte. 1 834,
CLXXXIX.
Blest be Thy love, dear Lord,
That taught us this sweet way,
Only to love Thee for Thyself,
And for that love obey.
O Thou, our souls' chief hope !
We to Thy mercy fly ;
Where'er we are, Thou canst protect,
Whate'er we need, supply.
Whether we sleep or wake,
To Thee we both resign ;
By night we see, as well as day,
If Thy light on us shine.
Whether we live or die,
Both we submit to Thee ;
In death we live, as well as life,
If Thine in death we be.
John Austin. 1668.
cxc.
O Lord, my best desire fulfil,
And help me to resign
Life, health, and comfort to Thy will,
And make Thy pleasure mine.
2o6 The Book of Praise.
Why should I shrink from Thy command,
Whose love forbids my fears,
Or tremble at the gracious hand
That wipes away my tears ?
No, rather let me freely yield
What most I prize to Thee,
Who never hast a good withheld,
Or wilt withhold, from me.
Thy favour, all my journey through,
Thou art engaged to grant ;
What else I want, or think I do,
'Tis better still to want.
But ah ! my inward spirit cries,
Still bind me to Thy sway !
Else the next cloud that veils the skies.
Drives all these thoughts away.
William Cowper. 1779.
CXCI.
O for an heart to praise my God,
An heart from sin set free 1
An heart that always feels Thy Blood,
So freely spilt for me !
An heart resign'd, submissive, meek,
My dear Redeemer's throne ;
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.
An humble, lowly, contrite heart.
Believing, true, and clean :
Which neither life nor death can part
From Him that dwells within :
" Thy Will be doner 207
An heart in every thought rencw'd,
And full of love divine ;
Perfect, and right, and pure, and good.
A copy, Lord, of Thine.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart ;
Come quickly from above ;
Write Thy new Name upon my heart,
Thy new, best Name of Love.
Charles Wesley. 1742.
CXCII.
Oh what, if we are Christ's,
Is earthly shame or loss t
Bright shall the crown of glory be,
When wfe have borne the cross.
Keen was the trial once.
Bitter the cup of woe,
When martyrM saints, baptized in blood,
Christ's sufferings shared below.
Bright is their glory now.
Boundless their joy above.
Where, on the bosom of their God,
They rest in perfect love.
Lord ! may that grace be ours ;
Like them in faith to bear
All that of sorrow, grief, or pain,
May be our portion here !
Enough, if Thou at last
The word of blessing give,
And let us rest beneath Thy feet,
Where saints and angels live I
2o8 The Book of Praise. '
All glory, Lord, to Thee,
Whom Heaven and earth adore ;
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One God for evermore.
Sz'r He my Baker. [1852.
CXCIII.
My God and Father, while I stray
Far from my home, on life's rough way,
0 teach me from my heart to say.
Thy will be done !
Though dark my path and sad my lot,
Let me be still and murmur not.
Or breathe the prayer divinely taught,
Thy will be done !
What though in lonely grief I sigh :
For friends beloved, no longer nigh,
Submissive still would I reply,
Thy will be done !
Though Thou hast call'd me to resign
What most I prized, it ne'er was mine,
1 have but yielded what was Thine ;
Thy will be done !
Should grief or sickness waste away
My life in premature decay.
My Father ! still I strive to say.
Thy will be done.
Let but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God, to Thee I leave the rest ;
Thy will be done !
" Thy Will be doneV 209
Renew my will from day to day ;
Blend it with Thine ; and take away
All that now makes it hard to say,
Thy will be done !
Then, when on earth I breathe no more.
The prayer, oft mix'd with tears before,
I'll sing upon a happier shore,
Thy will be done !
Charlotte Elliott. 1834.
CXCIV.
O Lord, Thy heavenly grace impart,
And fix my frail inconstant heart ;
Henceforth my chief desire shall be
To dedicate myself to Thee,
To Thee, my God, to Thee !
Whate'er pursuits my time employ,
One thought shall fill my soul with joy ;
That silent, secret thought shall be.
That all my hopes are fix'd on Thee,
On Thee, my God, on Thee !
Thy glorious eye pervadeth space ;
Thou'rt present. Lord, in every place ;
And, wheresoe er my lot may be,
Still shall my spirit cleave to Thee,
To Thee, my God, to Thee !
Renouncing every worldly thing,
Safe 'neath the covert of Thy wing,
My sweetest thought henceforth shall be,
That all I want I find in Thee,
In Thee, my God, in Thee !
Mrs. Daniel Wilso7i. 1830.
From John Frederic Oberlin.
p
2 1 o The Book of Praise..
When I survey life's varied scene,
Amid the darkest hours
Sweet rays of comfort shine between,
And thorns are mix'd with flowers.
Lord, teach me to adore Thy hand,
From whence my comforts flow,
And let me in this desert land
A glimpse of Canaan know.
And 0 ! whate'er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign hand denies,
Accepted at Thy throne of grace
Let this petition rise :
Give me a calm, a thankful heart.
From every murmur free ;
The blessings of Thy grace impart,
And let me live to Thee.
Let the sweet hope, that Thou art mine.
My path of life attend.
Thy presence through my journey shine,
And bless its happy end !
A nne Steele, 1 760.
" Thy Will be do?iel" 2 1 1
cxcvi.
Father of Love, our Guide and Friend,
Oh lead us gently on,
Until life's trial-time shall end,
And heavenly peace be won !
We know not what the path may be
As yet by us untrod ;
But we can trust our all to Thee,
Our Father and our God !
If call'd, like Abraham's child, to climb
The hill of sacrifice.
Some angel may be there in time ;
Deliverance shall arise :
Or, if some darker lot be good,
Oh, teach us to endure
The sorrow, pain, or solitn.ide,
That make the spirit pure !
Christ by no flowery pathway came ;
And we, His followers here,
Must do Thy will and praise Thy Name,
In hope, and love, and fear.
And, till in Heaven we sinless bow,
And faultless anthems raise,
O Father, Son, and Spirit, now
Accept our feeble praise !
William Josiah Irons. 1853.
212 The Book of Praise.
CXCVII.
Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be !
Lead me by Thine own hand.
Choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough.
It will be still the best ;
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to Thy rest.
I dare not choose my lot ;
I would not, if I might ;
Choose Thou for me, my God ;
So shall I walk aright.
The kingdom that I seek
Is Thine ; so let the way
That leads to it be Thine ;
Else I must surely stray.
Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem ;
Choose Thou my good and ill ;
Choose Thou for me my friends.
My sickness or my health ;
Choose Thou my cares for me,
My poverty or wealth.
Not mine, not mine the choice,
In things or great or small ;
Be Thou my guide, my strength,
My wisdom, and my all !
Ho7'atius Bonar. 1856.
Thy Will be doner 213
CXCVIIT.
Father, I know that all my life
Is portion'd out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come
I do not fear to see ;
])Ut I ask Thee for a present rnind,
I ask Thee for a thoughtful love.
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles
And wipe the weeping ej^es ;
And a heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathize.
I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro ;
Seeking for some great thing to do.
Or secret thing to know :
I would be treated as a child.
And guided where I go.
Wherever in the world I am.
In whatsoe'er estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate,
And a work of lowly love to do,
For the Lord on whom I wait.
So I ask Thee for the daily strength
To none that ask denied.
And a mind to blend with outward life,
While keeping at Thy side ;
Content to fill a little space.
If Thou be glorified.
214 The Book of Praise.
And if some things I do not ask
In my cup of blessing be,
I would have my spirit fiU'd the more
With grateful love to Thee ;
More careful, not to serve Thee much,
But to please Thee perfectly.
There are briars besetting every path,
That call for patient care ;
There is a cross in every lot,
And an earnest need for prayer ;
But a lowly heart, that leans on Thee,
Is happy anywhere.
In a service which Thy will appoints
There are no bonds for me ;
For my inmost heart is taught the Truth
That makes Thy children free ;
And a life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of hberty.
Anna Laititia Wa?'ing. 1850 — 1860.
CXCIX.
Psalm CXXXI.
Quiet, Lord, my froward heart,
Make me teachable and mild,
Upright, simple, free from art.
Make me as a weaned child.
From distrust and envy free,
Pleased with all that pleases Thee
'' Thy Will be done:' 215
What Thou shalt to-day provide,
Let me as a child receive ;
What to-morrow may betide
Calmly to thy wisdom leave :
'Tis enough that Thou Avilt care ;
Why should I the burden bear ?
As a little child relies
On a care beyond his own,
Knows he's neither strong nor wise,
Fears to stir a step alone ;
Let me thus with Thee abide,
As my Father, Guard, and Guide.
Thus, preserv'd from Satan's wiles,
Safe from dangers, free from fears,
May I live upon Thy smiles
Till the promised hour appears.
When the sons of God shall prove
All their Father's boundless love !
John Newtoft. 1779.
CC.
Psalm CXXXL
Jesus, cast a look on me ;
Give me sweet simplicity.
Make me poor and keep me low,
Seeking only Thee to know ;
Weaned from my lordly self
Weaned from the miser's pelf,
Weaned from the scorner's ways.
Weaned from the lust of praise.
2i6 The Book of Praise.
All that feeds my busy pride,
Cast it evermore aside ;
Bid my will to Thine submit ;
Lay me humbly at Thy feet.
Make me like a little child.
Of my strength and wisdom spoil'd,
Seeing only in Thy light,
Walking only in Thy might.
Leaning on Thy loving breast,
Where a weary soul may rest ;
Feeling well the peace of God
Flowing from Thy precious Blood !
In this posture let me hve.
And hosannas daily give ;
In this temper let me die,
And hosannas ever cry !
JoJui Bejridge. 1785.
CCI.
Lord, I feel a carnal mind
That hangs about me still,
Vainly though I strive to bind
My own rebellious will ;
Is not haughtiness of heart
The gulph between my God and me ?
Meek Redeemer ! now impart
Thine own humility !
" Thy Will be dofier 217
Fain would I my Lord pursue,
Be all my Saviour taught,
Do as Jesus bade me do.
And think as Jesus thought :
But 'tis Thou must change my heart ;
The perfect gift must come from Thee ;
Meek Redeemer ! now impart
Thine own humility !
Lord, I cannot, must not rest.
Till I Thy mind obtain,
Chase presumption from my breast,
And all Thy mildness gain :
Give me. Lord, Thy gentle heart ;
Thy lowly mind my portion be :
Meek Redeemer ! now impart
Thine own humility !
Let Thy cross my will control ;
Conform me to my Guide !
In the manger lay my soul,
And crucify my pride !
Give me. Lord, a contrite heart,
An heart that always looks to Thee :
Meek Redeemer ! now impart
Thine own humility !
Tear away my every boast ;
My stubborn mind abase ;
Saviour, fix my only trust
In Thy redeeming grace !
Give me a submissive heart.
From pride and self-dependence free ;
Meek Redeemer ! now impart
Thine own humility !
Aiigusttis Montague Top lady. 1759.
2i8 The Book of Praise.
ecu.
Gracious Spirit, dwell with me ;
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would Thy life in mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.
Truthful Spirit, dwell with me ;
I myself would truthful be,
And with wisdom kind and clear
Let Thy life in mine appear,
And with actions brotherly
Speak my Lord's sincerity.
Tender Spirit, dwell with me ;
I myself would tender be.
Shut my heart up like a flower
At temptation's darksome hour,
Open it when shines the sun,
And His love by fragrance own.
Silent Spirit, dwell with me ;
I myself would quiet be,
Quiet as the growing blade
Which through earth its way has made.
Silently, like morning light,
Putting mists and chills to flight.
Mighty Spirit, dwell with me ;
I myself would mighty be,
Mighty so as to prevail
Where unaided man must fail,
Ever by a mighty hope
Pressing on and bearing up.
" Thy Will be done 219
Holy Spirit, dwell with me ;
I myself would holy be ;
Separate from sin, I would
Choose and cherish all things good,
And whatever I can be
Give to Him, who gave me Thee !
Thomas Toke Lyncli. 1855.
CCIII.
Matt. V. 3 — 10.
There is a dwelling-place above ;
Thither, to meet the God of love,
The poor in spirit go ;
There is a paradise of rest ;
For contrite hearts and souls distrest
Its streams of comfort flow.
There is a goodly heritage,
Where earthly passions cease to rage ;
The meek that haven gain :
There is a board, where they Avho pine,
Hungry, athirst, for grace divine,
May feast, nor crave again.
There is a voice to mercy tnie ;
To them who mercy's path pursue
That voice shall bliss impart ;
There is a sight from man concealed ;
That sight, the face of God revealed ;
Shall bless the pure in heart.
220 The Book of P^^aise.
There is a name, in heaven bestow' d ;
That name, which hails them sons of God,
The friends of peace shall know :
There is a kingdom in the sky.
Where they shall reign with God on high,
Who serve Him best below.
Lord ! be it mine like them to choose
The better part, like them to use
The means Thy love hath given !
Be holiness my aim on earth,
That death be welcomed as a birth
To life and bliss in Heaven !
Bishop Richard Mant. 1 83 1 ,
cciv.
Matthew V. 3 — 10.
Blest are the humble souls that see
Their emptiness and poverty ;
Treasures of grace to them are given,
And crowns of joy laid up in Heaven.
Blest are the men of broken heart
Who mourn for sin with inward smart ;
The Blood of Christ divinely .flows,
A healing balm for all their woes.
Blest are the meek, who stand afar
From rage and passion, noise and war ;
God will secure their happy state.
And plead their cause against the great.
" Thy Will be doner 221
Blest are the souls that thirst for grace,
Hunger and long for righteousness ;
They shall be well supplied and fed
With living streams and living bread.
Blest are the men whose bowels move
And melt with sympathy and lo\'e ;
From Christ the Lord shall they obtain
Like sympathy and love again.
Blest are the pure, whose hearts are clean
From the defiling power of sin ;
With endless pleasure they shall see
A God of spotless purity.
Blest are the men of peaceful life.
Who quench the coals of growing strife ;
They shall be call'd the heirs of bliss,
The sons of God, the God of peace.
Blest are the sufferers, who partake
Of pain and shame for Jesus' sake ;
Their souls shall triumph in the Lord,
Glory and joy are their reward.
Isaac Watts, lyog.
222 The Book of Praise.
IV.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD."
ccv.
Lord of my life, whose tender care
Hath led me on till now,
Here lowly at the hour of prayer
Before Thy throne I bow ;
I bless Thy gracious hand, and pray
Forgiveness for another day.
Oh ! may I daily, hourly, strive
In heavenly grace to gro^y ;
To Thee and to Thy glory live,
Dead else to all below ;
Tread in the path my Saviour trod,
Though thorny, yet the path to God !
With prayer my humble praise I bring
For mercies day by day ;
Lord, teach my heart Thy love to sing,
Lord, teach me how to pray !
All that I have, I am, to Thee
I offer through Eternity !
Anon, [1853.]
CCVI.
Lord, in the day Thou art about
The paths wherein I tread ;
And in the night, when I lie down,
Thou art about my bed.
'"'■Give us this day our Daily BreadT 223
While others in God's prisons He,
Bound with affliction's chain,
I walk at large, secure and free
From sickness and from pain.
'Tis Thou dost crown my hopes and plans
With good success each day ;
This crown, together with myself,
At Thy blest feet I lay.
O let my house a temple be.
That I and mine may sing
Hosanna to Thy Majesty,
And praise our heavenly King!
Cento by John Hampden Gnt'ney. 1838 — 1851.
From John Mason. 1683.
CCVII.
Shine on our souls, eternal God,
With rays of beauty shine !
O let Thy favour crown our days,
And all their round be thine !
Did we not raise our hands to Thee,
Our hands might toil in vain ;
Small joy success itself could give,
If Thou Thy love restrain.
With Thee let every week begin,
With Thee each day be spent ;
For Thee each fleeting hour improv'd.
Since each by Thee is lent.
224 The Book of Praise.
Thus cheer us through this desert road,
Till all our labours cease,
And Heaven refresh our weary souls
With everlasting peace !
Philip Doddridge. 1755.
CCVIII.
O how kindly hast Thou led me,
Heavenly Father, day by day !
Found my dwelling, clothed and fed me,
Furnish'd friends to cheer my way !
Didst Thou bless me, didst Thou chasten,
With Thy smile, or with Thy rod,
'Twas that still my step might hasten
Homeward, heavenward, to my God !
O how slowly have I often
Follow'd where Thy hand would draw !
How Thy kindness fail'd to soften !
How Thy chastening fail'd to awe !
Make me for Thy rest more ready
As Thy path is longer trod ;
Keep me in Thy friendship steady,
Till Thou call me home, my God !
Thomas Gr infield. 1836.
CCIX.
Heavenly Father, to Whose eye
Future things unfolded lie,
Through the desert where I stray.
Let Thy counsels guide my way.
" Give us this day our Daily Breads 225
Lord, uphold me day by day ;
Shed a hght upon my way ;
Guide me through perplexing snares ;
Care for me in all my cares.
All I ask for is, enough ;
Only, when the way is rough,
Let Thy rod and staff impart
Strength and courage to my heart.
Should Thy wisdom, Lord, decree .
Trials long and sharp for me,
Pain or sorrow, care or shame,
Father ! glorify Thy Name !
Let me neither faint nor fear.
Feeling still that Thou art near,
In the course my Saviour trod.
Tending still to Thee, my God.
Josiah Coitder. 1837.
ccx.
Sovereign Ruler of the skies.
Ever gracious, ever wise.
All my times are in Thy hand,
Ail events at Thy command.
His decree, who form'd the earth,
Fix'd my first and second birth ;
Parents, native place, and time,
All appointed were by Him.
Q
226 The Book of Praise.
He that form'd me in the womb,
He shall guide me to the tomb ;
All my times shall ever be
Order d by His wise decree;
Times of sickness, times of health,
Times of penury and wealth ;
Times of trial and of grief,
Times of triumph and relief;
Times the Tempter s power to prove,
Times to taste a Saviour's love ;
All must come, and last, and end,
As shall please my heavenly Friend.
Plagues and deaths around me fly ;
Till He bids, I cannot die :
Not a single shaft can hit
Till the God of love sees fit.
0 Thou Gracious, Wise, and Just !
In Thy hands my life I trust :
Have I something dearer still ?
1 resign it to Thy will.
May I always own Thy hand ;
Still to the surrender stand ;
Know, that Thou art God alone ;
I and mine are all Thy own.
Thee at all times will I bless ;
Having Thee, I all possess ;
How can I bereaved be,
Since I cannot part with Thee ?
John Ryland. ITTJ,
" Give us this day our Daily B?rad''' 227
ccxi.
0 Lord, I would delight in Thee,
And on Thy care depend ;
To Thee in every trouble flee,
My best, my only Friend.
When all created streams are dried,
Thy fulness is the same ;
May I with this be satisfied.
And glory in Thy Name !
Why should the soul a drop bemoan.
Who has a fountain near ;
A fountain, which will ever run
With waters sweet and clear ?
No good in creatures can be found,
But may be found in Thee ;
1 must have all things, and abound,
While God is God to me.
Oh ! that I had a stronger faith.
To look within the veil !
To credit what my Saviour saith.
Whose word can never fail !
He that has made my heaven secure.
Will here all good provide ;
While Christ is rich, can I be poor ?
What can I want beside ?
O Lord, I cast my care on Thee ;
I triumph and adore :
Henceforth my great concern shall be
To love and please Thee more.
John Ry land. I'JTJ.
228 The Book of Praise.
CCXII.
How gentle God's commands,
How kind His precepts are !
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord,
And trust His constant care.
While Providence supports,
Let saints securely dwell ;
That Hand, which bears all Nature up,
Shall guide His children well
Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind ?
Haste to your heavenly Fathei-'s throne,
And sweet refreshment find.
His goodness stands approved
Down to the present day :
I'll drop my burden at His feet,
And bear a song away.
Ph Hip Doddridge. 1755.
CCXIII.
O God of Bethel, by whose hand
Thy people still are fed.
Who through this weary pilgrimage
Hast all our fathers led ;
Our vows, our prayers, we now present
Before Thy throne of grace ;
God of our fathers ! be the God
Of their succeeding race.
Give us this day our Daily Breadr 229
Through each perplexing path of hfe
Our wandering footsteps guide ;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.
O spread Thy covering wings around
Till all our wanderings cease,
And at our Father's loved abode
Our souls arrive in peace !
Such blessings from Thy gracious hand
Our humble prayers implore ;
And Thou shalt be our chosen God,
And portion evermore.
Variation by John Logan, ijyo.
Frojn Philip Doddridge. 1755.
CCXIV.
O King of earth, and air, and sea !
The hungry ravens cry to Thee ;
To Thee the scaly tribes, that sweep
The bosom of the boundless deep :
To Thee the lions roaring call ;
The common Father, kind to all :
Then grant Thy servants. Lord, we pray,
Our daily bread from day to day.
The fishes may for food complain.
The ravens spread their wings in vain,
The roaring lions lack and pine ;
But, God, Thou carest still for Thine :
Thy bounteous hand with food can bless
The bleak and lonely wilderness ;
And Thou hast taught us. Lord, to pray
For daily bread from day to day.
230 The Book of Praise.
And oh ! when through the wilds we roam
That part us from our heavenly home ;
When, lost in danger, want, and woe,
Our faithless tears begin to flow ;
Do Thou the gracious comfort give,
By which alone the soul may live ;
And grant Thy servants, Lord, we pray,
The bread of life from day to day !
Bish op Reginald Heber. 1827.
CCXV.
Jesus, the Shepherd of the sheep,
Thy little flock in safety keep.
The flock for which Thou cam'st from Heaven,
The flock for which Thy life was given.
Thou saw'st them wandering far from Thee
Secure, as if from danger free ;
Thy love did all their wanderings trace,
And brought them to a wealthy place.
O guard Thy sheep from beasts of prey,
And guide them that they never stray ;
Cherish the young, sustain the old,
Let none be feeble in Thy fold !
Secure them from the scorching beam,
And lead them to the living stream ;
In verdant pastures let them lie,
And watch them with a Shepherd's eye !
Oh, may Thy sheep discern Thy voice.
And in its sacred sound rejoice ;
From strangers may they ever flee,
And know no other guide but Thee !
" Give us this day our Daily BrcadV 23 1
Lord, bring Thy sheep that wander yet,
And let the number be complete :
Then let Thy flock from earth remove,
And occupy the fold above.
Thomas Kelly. 1 804- 1 836.
CCXVI.
Psalm XXIII.
The Lord my pasture shall prepare.
And feed me with a Shepherd's care ;
His presence shall my wants supply,
And guard me with a watchful eye ;
My noon-day walks He shall attend,
And all my midnight hours defend.
When in the sultry glebe I faint.
Or on the thirsty mountain pant.
To fertile vales and dewy meads
My weaiy, wandering steps He leads.
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow.
Though in the paths of death I tread.
With gloomy horrors overspread.
My stedfast heart shall fear no ill.
For Thou, O Lord, art with me still ;
Thy friendly crook shall give me aid.
And guide me through the dreadful shade.
Though in a bare and rugged way,
Through devious lonely wilds I stray,
Thy bounty shall my wants beguile ;
The barren wilderness shall smile
With sudden greens and herbage crown'd,
And streams shall murmur all around.
Joseph Addison. \']2%.
232 The Book of Praise.
CCXVII.
Psalm XXIII.
My Shepherd will supply my need,
Jehovah is His Name ;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy's sake,
In paths of truth and grace.
When I walk through the shades of death,
Thy presence is my stay :
A word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in spite of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread ;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days ;
O may Thy house be mine abode,
And all m.y work be praise !
There would I find a settled rest,
W^hile others go and come ;
No more a stranger or a guest,
But like a child at home.
Isaac Watts. 1719.
" Give lis this day our Daily Bread]'' 233
CCXVTII.
Psalm XXIII.
The Lord my Shepherd is,
I shall be well supplied ;
Since He is mine, and I am His,
What can I want beside ?
He leads me to the place
Where heavenly pasture grows,
Where living waters gently pass,
And full salvation flows.
If e'er I go astray.
He doth my soul reclaim.
And guides me in His own right way
For His most holy Name.
While He affords His aid,
I cannot yield to fear ;
Though I should walk through death's dark shade,
My Shepherd's with me there.
In spite of all my foes
Thou dost my table spread ;
My cup with blessings overflows,
And joy exalts my head.
The bounties of Thy love
Shall crown my following days ;
Nor from Thy house will I remove.
Nor cease to speak Thy praise.
Isaac Watts. 1719.
^34 The Book of Praise.
V.
AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES.
And forgive us our trespasses ; as "we forgive them that
trespass against ns^
CCXTX.
Approach, my soul, the mercy -seat
Where Jesus answers prayer ;
There humbly fall before His feet,
For none can perish there.
Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh ;
Thou callest burden'd souls to Thee,
And such,
Bow'd down beneath a load of sin,
By Satan sorely prest,
By war without, and fears within,
I come to Thee for rest.
Be Thou my shield and hiding-place,
That, shelter'd near Thy side,
T may my fierce accuser face,
And tell him, Thou hast died !
O wondrous love ! to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame,
That guilty sinners, such as I,
Might plead Thy gracious Name !
John Newton. 1779.
And forgive us our Trespasses T 235
CCXX.
Almighty God, Thy piercing eye
Strikes through the shades of night ;
And our most secret actions he
All open to Thy sight.
There's not a sin that we commit,
Nor wicked word we say,
But in Thy dreadful book 'tis writ
Against the judgment-day.
And must the crimes that I have done
Be read and publish' d there,
Be all expos'd before the sun,
While men and angels hear ?
Lord ! at Thy foot ashamed I lie,
Upward I dare not look ;
Pardon my sins before I die,
And blot them from Thy book !
Remember all the dying pains
That my Redeemer felt,
And let His Blood wash out my stains,
And answer for my guilt !
Isaac Waifs. 1720.
ccxxi.
Mercy alone can meet my case ;
For mercy. Lord, I cry :
Jesus ! Redeemer ! show Thy face
In mercy, or I die.
236 The Book of Praise.
Save me, for none beside can save ;
At Thy command I tread
With faihng step hfe's stormy wave ;
The wave goes o'er my head.
I perish, and my doom were just ;
But wilt Thou leave me ? No :
I hold Thee fast, my hope, my trust ;
I will not let Thee go !
Still sure to me Thy promise stands,
And ever must abide ;
Behold it written on Thy hands.
And graven in Thy side !
To this, this only, will I cleave ;
Thy word is all my plea ;
Thy word is truth, and I believe :
Have mercy. Lord, on me !
James Mo7itgomery. 1825.
CCXXII.
O Jesus, Saviour of the lost.
My Rock and Hiding-place,
By storms of sin and sorrow tost,
I seek Thy sheltering grace.
Guilty, forgive me. Lord ! I ciy ;
Pursued by foes I come ;
A sinner, save me, or I die ;
An outcast, take me home;
Once safe in Thine almighty arms,
Let storms come on amain ;
There danger never, never harms ;
There death itself is gain.
" And forgive us our Trespasses:' 237
And when I stand before Thy throne,
And all Thy glory see,
Still be my righteousness alone
To hide myself in Thee.
Edward Henry Bicker steth. 1 85 8.
CCXXIII.
WTien at Thy footstool. Lord, I bend,
And plead with Thee for mercy there,
Think of the sinner's dying friend,
And for His sake receive my prayer.
O think not of my shame and guilt.
My thousand stains of deepest dye ;
Think of the blood which Jesus spilt,
And let that blood my pardon buy.
Think, Lord, how I am still Thy own,
The trembling creature of Thy hand ;
Think how my heart to sin is prone.
And what temptations round me stand.
O think upon Thy holy word.
And every plighted promise there ;
How prayer should evermore be heard,
And how Thy glory is to spare.
O think not of my doubts and fears.
My strivings with Thy grace Divine :
Think upon Jesus' woes and tears,
And let His merits stand for mine.
Thine eye. Thine ear, they arc not dull ;
Thine arm can never shorten'd be ;
Behold me here ; my heart is full ;
Behold, and spare, and succour me !
Hc7iry Francis Lytc. 1833
238 The Book of Praise.
CCXXIV.
As o'er the past my memory strays,
Why heaves the secret sigh ?
'Tis that I mourn departed days,
Still unprepared to die.
The world, and worldly things beloved,
My anxious thoughts .employed,
And time unhallow'd, unimproved,
Presents a fearful void.
Yet, holy Father, wild despair
Chase from my labouring breast !
Thy grace it is, which prompts the prayer ;
That grace can do the rest.
My life's brief remnant all be Thine I
And, when Thy sure decree
Bids me this fleeting breath resign,
O, speed my soul to Thee !
Bishop Thomas Fatishaw Middloton. [1831,
ccxxv.
Forth from the dark and stormy sky.
Lord ! to Thine altar's shade we fly :
Forth from the world, its hope and fear.
Saviour ! we seek Thy shelter here :
Weary and weak. Thy grace we pray :
Turn not, O Lord, Thy guests away !
Long have we roam'd in want and pain ;
Long have we sought Thy rest in vain ;
Wilder'd in doubt, in darkness lost,
Long have our souls been tempest-tost :
Low at Thy feet our sins we lay ;
Turn not, O Lord, Thy guests away !
Bishop Reginald Heber. 1827.
" And foi'give its our Tix'spasses'^ 239
ccxxvi.
O Lord, turn not Thy face away
From them that lowly lie,
Lamenting sore their sinful life
With tears and bitter cry :
Thy mercy-gates are open wide
To them that mourn their sin ;
O shut them not against us, Lord,
But let us enter in.
We need not to confess our fault,
For surely Thou canst tell ;
What we have done, and what we are,
Thou knowest very well ;
Wherefore, to beg and to entreat,
With tears we come to Thee,
As children that have done amiss
Fall at their father's knee.
And need we then, O Lord, repeat
The blessing which we crave.
When Thou dost know, before we speak.
The thing that we would have ?
Mercy, O Lord, mercy we ask.
This is the total sum ;
For mercy, Lord, is all our prayer ;
O let Thy mercy come !
Variation by Bishop Reginald Hcbcr. 1827.
From John Mardley. 1562.
240 The Book of Praise.
VI.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION:
BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL."
CCXXVII.
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
O'er the world's tempestuous sea ;
Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
For we have no help but Thee ;
Yet possessing
Every blessing,
If our God our Father be.
Saviour, breathe forgiveness o'er us ;
All our weakness Thou dost know ;
Thou didst tread this earth before us,
Thou didst feel its keenest woe ;
Lone and dreary.
Faint and weary,
Through the desert Thou didst go.
Spirit of our God, descending.
Fill our hearts with heavenly joy ;
Love with every passion blending.
Pleasure that can never cloy :
Thus provided,
Pardon'd, guided,
Nothing can our peace destroy.
James Ediueston. 1820.
" Lead lis not i?iio Temptatiofir 241
CCXXVIII.
Jesu ! guide our way
To eternal day !
So shall we, no more delaying,
Follow Thee, Thy voice obeying ;
Lead us by Thy hand
To our Father s land !
When we danger meet,
Stedfast make our feet !
Lord, preserve us uncomplaining
'Mid the darkness round us reigning !
Through adversity
Lies our way to Thee.
Order all our way
Through this mortal day ;
In our toil with aid be near us ;
In our need with succour cheer us ;
When life's course is o'er,
Open Thou the door !
A rthur Tozer Russell. 1 85 1 .
From Louis, Coimt Zinzendorf.
CCXXIX.
Star of morn and even,
Sun of Heaven's heaven.
Saviour high and dear.
Toward us turn Thine ear ;
Through whate'er may come,
Thou canst lead us home,
R
242 The Book of Praise.
Though the gloom be grievous,
Those we leant on leave us,
Though the coward heart
Quit its proper part,
Though the Tempter come,
Thou wilt lead us home.
Saviour pure and holy,
Lover of the lowly.
Sign us with Thy sign,
Take our hands in Thine,
Take our hands and come.
Lead Thy children home !
Star of morn and even.
Shine on us from Heaven,
From Thy glory-throne
Hear Thy very own !
Lord and Saviour, come.
Lead us to our home !
Francis Turner Palo-rave. 1862.
ccxxx.
O Thou, to whose all-searching sight
The darkness shineth as the light.
Search, prove my heart ; it pants for Thee
O, burst these bands, and set it free !
Wash out its stains, refine its dross ;
Nail my affections to the cross ;
Hallow each thought ; let all within
Be clean, as Thou, my Lord, art clean.
^^ Lead 21s not into TemptationV 243
If in this darksome wild I stray,
Be Thou my Light, be Thou my Way ;
No foes, no violence I fear,
No fraud, while Thou, my God, art near.
When rising floods my soul o'erflow.
When sinks my heart in waves of woe,
Jesu, Thy timely aid impart,
And raise my head, and cheer my heart.
Saviour ! where'er Thy steps I see.
Dauntless, untired, I follow Thee :
O let Thy hand support me still,
And lead me to Thy holy hill !
If rough and thorny be the way.
My strength proportion to my day ;
Till toil, and grief, and pain shall cease
Where all is calm and joy and peace.
John Wesley. i739— 1743-
From the German.
ccxxxi.
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah !
Pilgrim through this barren land ;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand !
Bread of Heaven ! Bread of Heaven !
Feed me now and evermore !
Open now the crystal Fountain,
Whence the healing streams do flow ;
Let the fiery cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through ;
Strong Deliverer ! Strong Deliverer !
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield i
R 2
244 The Book of Praise.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside ;
Death of death, and Hell's Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side ;
Songs of praises. Songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee !
Willia7n Williams. 1774.
CCXXXII.
Jesus ! lead us with Thy power
Safe unto the promised Rest ;
Hide our souls within Thy bosom ;
Let us slumber on Thy breast ;
Feed us with the heavenly manna,
Bread that angels eat above ;
Let us drink from the holy Fountain
Draughts of everlasting Love !
Throughout the desert wild conduct us
With a glorious pillar bright.
In the day a cooling comfort,
And a cheering fire by night ;
Be our guide in every peril.
Watch us hourly night and day ;
Otherwise we'll err and wander
From Thy Spirit far away.
In Thy Presence we are happy ;
In Thy Presence we're secure ;
In Thy Presence all afflictions
We will easily endure ;
In Thy Presence we can conquer.
We can suff"er, we can die ;
Far from Thee, we faint and languish :
Lord, our Saviour, keep us nigh !
William Williams. 1772.
" Lead us ?iot into Temptation'' 245
ccxxxiii.
Psalm CXXI.
Up to the hills I lift mine eyes,
The eternal hills beyond the skies ;
Thence all her help my soul derives,
There my Almighty Refuge lives.
He lives, the everlasting God,
That built the vv-orld, that spread the flood ;
The heavens with all their hosts He made.
And the dark regions of the dead.
He guides our feet, He guards our way ;
His morning smiles bless all the day ;
He spreads the evening veil, and keeps
The silent hours while Israel sleeps.
Israel, a name divinely blest,
May rise secure, securely rest ;
Thy holy Guardian's wakeful eyes
Admit no slumber nor surprise.
No sun shall smite thy head by day,
Nor the pale moon with sickly ray
Shall blast thy couch ; no baleful star
Dart his malignant fire so far.
Should earth and hell with malice burn,
Still thou shalt go, and still return.
Safe in the Lord ; His heavenly care
Defends thy life from every snare.
On thee foul spirits have no power ;
And, in thy last departing hour,
Angels, that trace the airy road.
Shall bear thee homeward to thy God.
Isaac Watts. 1719.
246 The Book of Praise.
ccxxxiv.
Psalm CXXI.
To Heaven I lift mine eye,
To Heaven, Jehovah's throne,
For there my Saviour sits on high,
And thence shall strength and aid supply
To all He calls His own.
He will not faint nor fail.
Nor cause thy feet to stray :
For Him no wear}^ hours assail,
Nor evening darkness spreads her veil
O'er His eternal day.
Beneath that light divine
Securely shalt thou move ;
The sun with milder beams shall shine,
And eve's still queen her lamp incline
Benignant from above.
For He, thy God and Friend,
Shall keep thy soul from harm.
In each sad scene of doubt attend.
And guide thy life, and bless thine end,
With His Almighty arm.
John Bowdler. 1814.
ccxxxv.
Psalm XI.
My trust is in the Lord,
What foe can injure me ?
Why bid me like a bird
Before the fowler flee ?
The Lord is on His heavenly throne,
And He will shield and save His own.
" But deliver 7isf?v??t EvilP 247
The wicked may assail,
,The Tempter sorely try,
All earth's foundations fail,
All nature's springs be dry ;
Yet God is in His holy shrine,
And I am strong while He is mine.
His flock to Him is dear,
He watches them from high ;
He sends them trials here
To form them for the sky ;
But safely will He tend and keep
The humblest, feeblest, of His sheep.
His foes a season here
. May triumph and prevail ;
But ah ! the hour is near
When all their hopes must fail ;
While, like the sun, His saints shall rise,
And shine with Him above the skies.
Henry Fraiicis Lyte. 1834.
ccxxxvi.
Psalm XLVI.
God is our Refuge, tried and proved,
Amid a stormy world ;
We will not fear, though earth be moved,
And hills in ocean hurled.
The waves may roar, the mountains shake,
Our comforts shall not cease ;
The Lord His saints will not forsake,
The Lord will give us peace.
24S The Book of Praise.
A gentle stream of hope and love
To us shall ever flow ;
It issues from His throne above,
It cheers His Church below.
When earth and hell against us came,
He spake, and quell'd their powers ;
The Lord of hosts is still the same ;
The God of grace is ours.
Henry Francis Lyte. 1 834
CCXXXVII.
Psalm XCI.
There is a safe and secret place
Beneath the wings divine,
Reserved for all the heirs of grace ;
O, be that refuge mine !
The least and feeblest there may bide,
Uninjured and unawed ;
While thousands fall on every side,
He rests secure in God.
The angels watch him on his way,
And aid with friendly arm ;
And Satan, roaring for His prey.
May hate, but cannot harm.
He feeds in pastures large and fair
Of love and truth divine :
O child of God, O glory's heir,
How rich a lot is thine !
" But deliver us fro7n EvilP 249
A hand Almighty to defend,
An ear for every call,
An honour'd life, a peaceful end,
And Heaven to crown it all !
Henry Francis Lyte. 1834.
CCXXXVIII.
Oh help us, Lord ! each hour of need,
Thy heavenly succour give ;
Help us in thought, and word, and deed.
Each hour on earth we live !
Oh, help us when our spirits bleed
With contrite anguish sore ;
And when our hearts are cold and dead,
Oh, help us, Lord, the more !
Oh, help us, through the prayer of faith,
More firmly to believe ;
For still, the more the servant hath,
The more shall he receive.
If strangers to Thy fold w'e call.
Imploring at Thy feet
The crumbs that from Thy table fall,
'Tis all we dare entreat.
But be it. Lord of mercy, all.
So Thou wilt grant but this :
The crumbs that from Thy table fall
Are light, and life, and bliss.
250 The Book of Praise.
Oh, help us, Jesus, from on high !
We know no help but Thee :
Oh, help us so to live and die,
As Thine in Heaven to be !
He7i ry Hart Mihnan. 1827.
ccxxxix.
O Thou, from whom all goodness flows,
I lift my heart to Thee ;
In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes,
Dear Lord, remember me !
When groaning on my burden'd heart
My sins lie heavily,
My pardon speak, new peace impart,
In love remember me !
Temptations sore obstruct my way ;
And ills I cannot flee :
Oh, give me strength. Lord, as my day ;
For good remember me !
Distrest in pain, disease, and grief.
This feeble body see !
Grant patience, rest, and kind relief ;
Hear, and remember me !
If on my face, for Thy dear Name,
Shame and reproaches be ;
All hail reproach, and welcome shame.
If Thou remember me !
'''■But deliver us from EvilT 25 1
The hour is near ; consign'd to death
I own the just decree :
" Saviour !" with my last parting breath,
I'll cry, " RememlDer me !"
Thomas Haiveis. 1 792.
CCXL.
Jesu, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high !
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life is past,
Safe into the haven guide ;
O receive my soul at last !
Other refuge have I none ;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee ;
Leave, ah ! leave me not alone.
Still support and comfort me !
All my trust on Thee is stay'd.
All my help from Thee I bring :
Cover my defenceless head
With the shadow of Thy wing !
Wilt Thou not regard my call ?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer ?
Lo ! I sink, I faint, I fall !
Lo ! on Thee I cast my care !
Reach me out Thy gracious hand !
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
Dying, and behold I live !
252 The Book of Praise.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want ;
More than all in Thee I find :
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind '.
Just and holy is Thy Name ;
I am all unrighteousness ;
False and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin ;
Let the healing streams abound ;
Make and keep me pure within !
Thou of Life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee ;
Spring Thou up within my heart !
Rise to all eternity !
Charles IVeshy. 1740.
CCXLI.
Now may He, who from the dead
Brought the Shepherd of the sheep,
Jesus Christ, our King and Head,
All our souls in safety keep 1
May He teach us to fulfil
What is pleasing in His sight,
Perfect us in all His will,
And preserve us day and night !
To that dear Redeemer's praise
Who the covenant seal'd with blood,
Let our hearts and voices raise
Loud thanksgivings to our God !
Joh7t Newton. 1779.
For Thine is the Kingdojn]'' &^c. 253
CCXLII.
O most merciful,
O most bountiful,
God the Father Almighty !
By the Redeemer's
Sweet intercession,
Hear us, help us, when we cry !
Bishop Reginald Heber. 1827.
VII.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER,
AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER AND EVER.
AMEN."
CCXLIII.
Now to Him, w^ho loved us, gave us
Every pledge that love could give,
Freely shed His Blood to save us.
Gave His life that w^e might live :
Be the kingdom, and dominion,
And the glory, evermore !
Variation. [i844.J
Fro7n Sa?nuel Miller Waring. 1827.
CCXLIV.
Worship, honour, glor>', blessing,
Lord, we offer to Thy Name :
Young and old their praise expressing,
Join Thy goodness to proclaim.
As the saints in Heaven adore Thee,
We would bow before Thy throne ;
As the angels serve before Thcc,
So on earth Thy will be done !
Edward Osier 1 836.
254 The Book of P^-aise.
CCXLV.
Psalm CXVII.
From all that dwell below the skies
Let the Creator's praise arise ;
Let the Redeemer's Name be sung
Through every land, by every tongue !
Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord !
Eternal truth attends Thy word :
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore.
Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Isaac Watts. 17 ig.
END OF PART 11.
PART III.
HYMNS FOR NATURAL AND SACRED
SEASONS.
®lje §0oli of f raist.
PART THE THIRD.
HYMNS FOR NATURAL AND SACRED
SEASONS.
I.
DAY AND NIGHT.
CCXLVI.
Morning.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run ;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
To pay Thy morning sacrifice.
Thy precious time mis-spent redeem ;
Each present day thy last esteem ;
Improve thy talent with due care ;
For the great day thyself prepare.
In conversation be sincere ;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear ;
Think how All-seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
By influence of the light divine
Let thy own light to others shine ;
Reflect all Heaven's propitious rays,
In ardent love and cheerful praise.
s
258 The Book of Praise.
Wake and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who, all night long, unwearied sing
High praise to the Eternal King.
I wake ! I wake I Ye heavenly choir,
May your devotion me inspire,
That I, like you, my age may spend,
Like you may on my God attend !
May I, like you, in God delight,
Have all day long my God in sight,
Perform like you my Maker's will !
0 may I never more do ill !
Had I your wings, to Heaven I'd fly ;
But God shall that defect supply ;
And my soul, wing'd with warm desire,
Shall all day long to Heaven aspire.
All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept.
And hast refresh'd me whilst I slept !
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
1 may of endless light partake !
I w^ould not wake, nor rise again,
A.nd Heaven itself I w^ould disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyd,
And I in hymns to be employ'd !
Heaven is, dear Lord, where'er Thou art ;
O never then from me depart !
For, to my soul, 'tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.
Lord, I my vows to Thee renew ;
Disperse my sins as morning dev/ ;
Day and Night. 259
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say ;
That all my powers, with all their might.
In Thy sole glory may unite.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ;
Praise Him, all creatures here below !
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host ;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost !
Bishop Thomas Ke7i. 1697— 1709.
CCXLVII.
Morning.
God of tlie morning, at whose voice
The cheerful sun makes haste to rise,
And like a giant doth rejoice
To run his journey through the skies ;
From the fair chambers of the east
The circuit of his race begins ;
And, without weariness or rest.
Round the whole earth he flies and shines
O, like the sun, may I fulfil
Th' appointed duties of the day,
With ready mind and active will
March on, and keep my heavenly way !
But I shall rove and lose the race,
If God, my sun, should disappear.
And leave me in this world's wide maze
To follow every wandering star.
s 2
56o The Book of Praise.
Lord ! Thy commands are clean and pure,
Enlightening our beclouded eyes ;
Thy threatenings just, Thy promise sure ;
Thy Gospel makes the simple wise.
Give me Thy counsel for my guide,
And then receive me to Thy bliss :
All my desires and hopes beside
Are faint and cold, compared with this !
Isaac Watts. 1719.
CCXLVIII.
Monmig.
O timely happy, timely wise.
Hearts that with rising morn arise !
Eyes that the beam celestial view,
Which evermore makes all things new !
New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove.
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life, and power, and thought.
New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray ;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.
If, on our daily course, our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.
Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be.
As more of Heaven in each we see ;
Some softening gleam of love and prayer
Shall dawn on eveiy cross and care.
Day and Night. 261
As for some dear familiar strain
Untired we ask, and ask again ;
Ever, in its melodious store,
Finding a spell unheard before ;
Such is the bliss of souls serene,
When they have sworn, and steadfast mean,
Counting the cost, in all t' espy
Their God, in all themselves deny.
O could we learn that sacrifice.
What lights would all around us rise !
How would our hearts with wisdom talk
Along life's dullest, dreariest walk !
We need not bid, for cloister'd cell,
Our neighbour and our work farewell,
Nor strive to wind ourselves too high
For sinful man beneath the sky :
The trivial round, the common task.
Will furnish all we ought to ask ;
Room to deny ourselves ; a road
To bring us, daily, nearer God.
Seek we no more : content with these,
Let present rapture, comfort, case.
As Heaven shall bid them, come and go;
The secret this of rest below.
Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love
Fit us for perfect rest above ;
And help us, this and every day,
To live more nearly as we pray !
JohnKcble. 1827.
262 The Book of Praise.
CCXLIX.
M or fling.
Since Thou hast added now, O God !
Unto my hfe another day,
And giv'st me leave to walk abroad,
And labour in my lawful way ;
My walks and works with me begin,
Conduct me forth, and bring me in.
In every power my soul enjoy»
Internal virtues to improve ;
In every sense that she employs
In her external works to move ;
Bless her, O God ! and keep me sound
From outv/ard harm and inward wound.
Let sin nor Satan's fraud prevail
To make mine eye of reason blind,
Or faith, or hope, or love to fail,
Or any virtues of the mind ;
But more and more let them increase,
And bring me to mine end in peace.
Lewd courses let my feet forbear ;
Keep Thou my hands from doing wrong ;
Let not ill counsels pierce mine ear,
Nor wicked words defile my tongue ;
And keep the windows of each eye
That no strange lust climb in thereby.
But guard Thou safe my heart in chief;
That neither hate, revenge, nor fear,
Nor vain desire, vain joy, or grief,
Obtain command or dwelling there :
And, Lord ! with every saving grace,
Still true to Thee maintain that place !
Day and Night. 263
So till the evening of this morn
My time shall then so well be spent,
That when the twilight shall return
I may enjoy it with content,
And to Thy praise and honour say,
That this hath proved a happy day.
George Wither, 1641.
CCL.
Morning.
Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o'er the shades of night !
Day-spring from on high, be near !
Day-star, in my heart appear !
Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by Thee ;
joyless is the day's return,
Till Thy mercy's beams I see ;
Till they inward light impart.
Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.
Visit then this soul of mine,
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief !
Fill me, Radiancy Divine,
Scatter all my unbelief !
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day !
Charles Wesley. 1740.
264 Ths Book oj Praise.
CCLI.
Morning.
" Sple7idor Patern(B Gloj'ice^'^
O Jesu, Lord of heavenly grace,
Thou brightness of Thy Father's face,
Thou Fountain of eternal light,
Whose beams disperse the shades of night !
Come, holy Sun of heavenly love,
Shower down Thy radiance from above,
And to our inward hearts convey
The Holy Spirit's cloudless ray.
And we the Father's help will claim,
And sing the Father's glorious Name ;
His powerful succour we implore.
That we may stand, to fall no more.
May He our actions deign to bless,
And loose the bonds of wickedness ;
From sudden falls our feet defend,
And bring us to a prosperous end.
May faith, deep rooted in the soul,
Subdue our flesh, our minds control ;
May guile depart, and discord cease.
And all within be joy and peace.
And Christ shall be our daily food.
Our daily drink His precious blood ;
And thus the Spirit's calm excess
Shall fill our souls with holiness.
O hallowed be the approaching day !
Let meekness be our morning ray ;
And faithful love our noonday light ;
And hope our sunset, calm and bright !
Day and Night, 265
O Christ ! with each returning morn
Thine image to our hearts is borne :
O, may we ever clearly see
Our Saviour and our God in Thee !
John Cha7idler. 1837.
From St. Ambrose.
CCLII.
Morjiing.
Lord God of morning and of night,
We thank Thee for Thy gift of light :
As in the dawn the shadows fly,
We seem to find Thee now more nigh.
Fresh hopes have waken'd in our hearts.
Fresh energy to do our parts ;
Thy thousand sleeps our strength restore,
A thousand fold to serve Thee more.
Yet whilst Thy will we would pursue,
Oft what we would we cannot do ;
The sun may stand in zenith skies.
But on the soul thick midnight lies.
O Lord of lights ! 'tis Thou alone
Canst make our darken'd hearts Thine own :
Though this new day with joy we see,
O Dawn of God ! w^e cry for Thee !
Praise God, our Maker and our Friend !
Praise Him through time, till time shall end!
Till psalm and song His Name adore
Through Heaven s great day of Evermore !
Francis Turner Palgrave. 1862.
266 The Book of Praise.
CCLIII.
Mid-day.
When at mid-day my task I ply
With labouring hand or watchful eye,
I need the timely aid of prayer
To guard my soul from worldly care.
Thou, Lord, didst consecrate this hour
To mind us of Thy saving power,
Thy giving water's heavenly spell.
The mystery of Jacob's well.
There, about noon, with toil oppress'd,
Feebly Thy voice its plaint express'd,
^' Give Me to drink !" O wondrous woe !
God thirsts, from whom all blessings -flow !
He needed not, by v/hom we live,
And only ask'd, that He might give :
A mightier want He felt within ;
The thirst to save a soul from sin.
Lord, in our pilgrimage of grace,
Thy weary footsteps oft we trace ;
And in the inner man renew
The grief, Thy sacred body knew.
Our spirits faint upon the way,
We bear the burden of the day :
'Tis then for strength to Thee we turn,
Sit at Thy feet, and wisdom learn.
We ask of Thee, the gift of God,
Pure water from the vital flood,
To cure our feverish thirst of sin,
A well of water deep within.
Day and Night. 267
'Twas at mid-day, on blood intent,
Saul to Damascus raging went :
A light from heaven upon him came,
Putting that mid-day sun to shame.
The sudden glorious burst appals ;
Dash'd to the earth he headlong falls :
A Voice reproves ; a Form appears ;
Aghast he sees and trembling hears.
Now streams that light with melljplfl glow
Around our path, where'er we go?^
Inviting us at noon to raise
Our hearts to God in prayer and praise.
And calmly now w^e hear that word ;
It bids us rise and meet the Lord :
What hour He cometh, none can say ;
At dead of night, or at mid-day.
O ! rise thou then, and strive, my soul,
To reach the beatific goal !
Thy every nerve and sinew strain,
The crown of glory to obtain !
For see, in all this iioon-tide heat,
How worldlings labour for the meat
That perishes and comes to nought.
Like shadow, when we think 'tis caught.
And wilt thou then refuse thy pains
For heaven's imperishable gains ?
Or canst thou grudge thy utmost toil
For treasures, none can steal or spoil .'*
268 The Book of Praise.
The sun has its meridian past ;
Soon will its beams oblique be cast ;
And twilight pale will rise t' enshroud
Their radiance in the western cloud.
Yet, for a time, 'tis bright and glad ;
But coming night is dark and sad :
The day to man for toil was given ;
And none at night can work for Heaven.
Sun of my soul, Thyself display !
Quicken me. Lord, and cheer my way !
Till, borne upon Thy healing wing,
Upward I soar Thy praise to sing.
E'en now, when far from Thy bless'd light,
At morn and eve, at noon and night,
I tune my heart betimes, to join.
Where angels in Thy presence shine.
Yet angels, in their loftiest song.
Fail in their flight, and do Thee wrong ;
Like as their veil'd adoring face
Tells of a Glory, none can trace !
And now, my mid-day homage paid,
Life's busy path again I tread ;
Yet happier far its task I ply
From surer trust that Thou art nigh ;
Nigh to defend, assist, and bless.
Making my cares and dangers less ;
And daily duteous toil the road,
That leads to perfect peace in God :
Day and Night 269
Peace, through the grace of Christ our Lord ;
Rest, in the Father's love restor'd ;
Joy, by the Spirit's union given ;
The peace, the rest, the joy of Heaven !
James Ford. 1856.
CCLTV.
Evening.
The day, O Lord, is spent ;
Abide with us, and rest ;
Our hearts' desires are fully bent
On making Thee our guest.
We have not reach'd that land.
That happy land, as yet.
Where holy angels round Thee stand,
Whose sun can never set.
Our sun is sinking now ;
Our day is almost o'er :
O Sun of Righteousness, do Thou
Shine on us evermore !
John Mason Nea/e. 1854.
CCLV.
Evening.
Behold the sun, that seem'd but now
Enthroned overhead,
Beginneth to decline below
The globe whereon we tread ;
And he, whom yet we look upon
With comfort and delight,
Will quite depart from hence anon,
And leave us to the night.
270 The Book of Praise.
Thus time, unheeded, steals away
The life which nature gave ;
Thus are our bodies every day
Declining to the grave :
Thus from us all our pleasures fly
Whereon we set our heart ;
And when the night of death draws nigh,
Thus will they all depart.
Lord ! though the sun forsake our sight,
And mortal hopes are vain ;
Let still Thine everlasting light
Within our souls remain !
And in the nights of our distress
Vouchsafe those rays divine.
Which from the Sun of Righteousness
For ever brightly shine !
George Wither. 1641.
CCLVI.
Evening.
Accept, my God, my evening song,
Like incense let it fragrant rise ;
Stir up my heart, and tune my tongue,
And let the music reach the skies.
Thou hast my kind protector been
Through all the dangers of the day ;
My guardian to defend from sin.
My guide to choose me out my way.
The flowing spring of all my good,
Still pouring blessings from on high ;
Thine hand hath dealt me out my food,
For every want a kind supply.
271
Day and Night.
Unceasing, Lord, Thy bounty flow'd ;
Each moment brought me m fresh aid ;
But what returns of love to God
Have I for all His kindness made ?
What have I done for Him that died
To save my soul from endless woe ?
How much have I His patience tried
From whom all my enjoyments flow !
Fast as my flying minutes pass.
My faults augment the former sum !
Forgive the past, and by Thy grace
Prevent the like for time to come !
Dear Saviour, to Thy cross I'll fly,
And there my guilty head reclme,
And my whole soul, that sm may die,
Yield up to influence divine !
Then, sprinkled with atoning blood,
I'll lay me down and take my rest,
Trust the protection of my God,
And sleep as on my Saviour's breast.
Variation fro7n Isaac Watts. 1709.
Bv Simon Browne. 1 720.
CCLVII.
Evening.
All praise to Thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light ;
Keep me, oh keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thine own Almighty wings !
272 The Book of Praise.
Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done ;
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed !
To die, that this vile body may
Rise glorious at the awful day !
O may my soul on Thee repose ;
And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close
Sleep, that may me more vig'rous make
To serve my God when I awake !
When in the night I sleepless lie,
My soul with heavenly thoughts supply !
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No powers of darkness me molest !
Dull sleep, of sense me to deprive !
I am but half my time alive :
Thy faithful lovers, Lord, are griev'd
To lie so long of Thee bereav'd.
But though sleep o'er my frailty reigns,
Let it not hold me long in chains !
And now and then let loose my heart,
Till it an hallelujah dart !
The faster sleep the senses binds.
The more unfetter'd are our minds ;
O may my soul, from matter free.
Thy loveliness unclouded see !
Day and Night. 273
O when shall I, in endless day,
For ever chase dark sleep away,
And hymns with the supernal choir
Incessant sing, and never tire ?
O may my Guardian, while I sleep.
Close to my bed his vigils keep ;
His love angelical instil ;
Stop all the avenues of ill :
May he celestial joy rehearse,
And thought to thought with me converse ;
Or in my stead, all the night long,
Sing to my God a grateful song !
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below !
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host !
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost !
Bishop Thomas Ken, 1697 — 1709,
CCLVIII.
Evening.
O Lord, another day is flown ;
And we, a lonely band.
Are met once more before Thy throne
To bless Thy fostering hand.
And wilt Thou lend a listening ear
To praises low as ours ?
Thou wilt ! for Thou dost love to hear
The song which meekness pours.
And, Jesus, Thou Thy smiles wilt deign
As we before Thee pray ;
For Thou didst bless the infant train.
And we are less than they.
T
274 The Book of Praise.
O let Thy grace perform its part,
And let contention cease ;
And shed abroad in every heart
Thine everlasting peace !
Thus chastened, cleansed, entirely Thine,
A flock by Jesus led,
The Sun of holiness shall shine
In glory on our head.
And Thou wilt turn our wandering feet.
And Thou wilt bless our way.
Till worlds shall fade, and faith shall greet
The dawn of lasting day !
Hejiry Kirkc White. 1803.
CCLIX.
Evening.
Sun of my soul. Thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if thou be near ;
Oh ! may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes !
When round Thy wondrous works below
My searching rapturous glance I throw.
Tracing out wisdom, power, and love,
In earth or sky, in stream or grove ;
Or, by the light Thy words disclose,
Watch time's full river as it flows.
Scanning Thy gracious Providence,
Where not too deep for mortal sense ;
When with dear friends sweet talk I hold.
And all the flowers of life unfold ;
Let not my heart within me burn,
Except in all I Thee discern !
Day and Night. 275
When the soft dews of kindly sleep
My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought, how sweet to rest
For ever on my Saviour's breast !
Abide with me from morn till eve,
For without Thee I cannot live !
Abide with me when night is nigh,
For without Thee I dare not die !
I'hou Framer of the light and dark,
Steer through the tempest Thine own ark !
Amid the howling wintry sea
We arc in port if we have Thee.
The rulers of this Christian land,
'Twixt Thee and us ordain'd to stand,
Guide Thou their course, O Lord, aright !
Let all do all as in Thy sight !
Oh ! by Thine own sad burthen, borne
So meekly up the hill of scorn,
Teach Thou Thy priests their daily cross,
To bear as Thine, nor count it loss !
If some poor wandering child of Thine
Have spurn'd, to-day, the voice divine ;
Now, Lord, the gracious work begin ;
Let him no more lie down in sin !
Watch by the sick, enrich the poor
With blessings from Thy boundless store 1
Be every mourner's sleep to-night
Like infant's slumbers, pure and light !
T 2
276 The Book of P7^aise.
Come near and bless us when we wake,
Ere through the world our way we take :
Till, in the ocean of Thy love,
We lose ourselves in Heaven above !
John Keble. 1827.
CCLX.
Night,
Hear my prayer, O heavenly Father,
Ere I lay me down to sleep :
Bid Thy angels, pure and holy,
Round my bed their vigil keep.
My sins are heavy, but Thy mercy
Far outweighs them every one ;
Down before Thy cross I cast them,
Trusting in Thy help alone.
Keep me, through this night of peril.
Underneath its boundless shade ;
Take me to Thy rest, I pray Thee,
When my pilgrimage is made !
None shall measure out Thy patience
By the span of human thought ;
None shall bound the tender mercies
Which Thy Holy Son hath bought.
Pardon all my past transgressions ;
Give me strength for days to come ;
Guide and guard me with Thy blessing,
Till Thine angels bid me home !
Harriett Parr. 1856.
Day and Night, 277
CCLXI.
Night '
God, that madest earth and heaven,
Darkness and hght ;
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 live-long night !
Bishop Reginald Hcber. 1827.
CCLXII.
Night.
Through the day Thy love hath spared us :
Now we lay us down to rest ;
Through the silent watches guard us !
Let no foe our peace molest !
Jesus, Thou our Guardian be !
Sweet it is to trust in Thee.
Pilgrims here on earth, and strangers ;
Dwelling in the midst of foes :
Us and ours preserve from dangers
In Thine arms may we repose !
And, when life's sad day is past
Rest with Thee in Heaven at last !
Thomas Kelly. 1806.
278 The Book of Praise.
CCLXIII.
Night.
All praise to Him who dwells in bliss,
Who made both day and night ;
Whose throne is darkness, in th' abyss
Of uncreated light !
Each thought and deed His piercing eyes
With strictest search survey ;
The deepest shades no more disguise
Than the full blaze of day.
Whom Thou dost guard, O King of kings,
No evil shall molest :
Under the shadow of Thy wings
Shall they securely rest.
Thy angels shall around their beds
Their constant stations keep ;
Thy faith and truth shall shield their heads.
For Thou dost never sleep.
May we, with calm and sweet repose,
And heavenly thoughts refresh'd,
Our eyelids with the morn unclose,
And bless the Ever-bless'd !
Charles Wesley. 1741.
CCLXTV.
Night
Interval of grateful shade,
Welcome to my weary head :
Welcome slumber to mine eyes,
Tired with glaring vanities.
Day and Night. 279
My great Master still allows
Needful periods of repose ;
By my Heavenly Father blest,
Thus I give my powers to rest.
Heavenly Father ! gracious Name !
Night and day His love the same !
Far be each suspicious thought,
Every anxious care forgot.
Thou, my ever bounteous God,
Crov/n'st my days with various good ;
Thy kind eye, that cannot sleep.
These defenceless hours shall keep.
What though downy slumbers flee,
Strangers to my couch and me ?
Sleepless, well I know to rest,
Lodged within my Father's breast.
While the empress of the night
Scatters mild her silver light.
While the vivid planets stray
Various through their mystic way,
While the stars unnumbered roll
Round the ever constant pole.
Far above these spangled skies
All my soul to God shall rise.
Mid the silence of the night
Mingling with those angels bright.
Whose harmonious voices raise
Ceaseless love and ceaseless praise.
28o The Book of Pi'aise.
Through the throng His gentle ear
Shall my tuneless accents hear ;
From on high doth He impart
Secret comfort to my heart.
He in these serenest hours
Guides my intellectual powers,
And His Spirit doth diffuse,
Sweeter far than midnight dews,
Lifting all my thoughts above
On the wings of faith and love :
Blest alternative to me,
Thus to sleep, or wake with Thee !
What if death my sleep invade ?
Should I be of death afraid ?
Whilst encircled by Thine arm,
Death may strike, but cannot harm.
What if beams of opening day
Shine around my breathless clay ?
Brighter visions from on high
Shall regale my mental eye.
Tender friends awhile may mourn
Me from their embraces torn ;
Dearer, better friends I have
In the realms beyond the grave.
See the guardian angels nigh
Wait to waft my soul on high !
See the golden gates displayed !
See the crown to grace my head !
Day a7id Night. 281
See a flood of sacred light,
Which no more shall yield to night !
Transitory world, farewell !
Jesus calls, with Him to dwell !
With Thy heavenly presence blest,
Death is life, and labour rest ;
Welcome sleep or death to mc,
Still secure, for still with Thee !
Philip Doddridge. 1755.
CCLXV.
Midnight.
My God, now I from sleep awake,
The sole possession of me take ;
From midnight terrors me secure,
And guard my heart from thoughts impure
Bless'd angels ! while we silent lie.
You hallelujahs sing on high ;
You joyful hymn the Ever-blest
Before the Throne, and never rest.
I with your choir celestial join
In offering up a hymn divine ;
With you in Heaven I hope to dwell,
And bid the night and world farewell.
My soul, when I shake off this dust,
Lord, in Thy arms I will entrust :
O make me Thy peculiar care ;
Some mansion for my soul prepare !
582 The Book of Praise.
Give me a place at Thy saints' feet,
Or some falln aPxgel's vacant seat !
I'll strive to sing as loud as they,
Who sit above in brighter day.
O may I always ready stand
With my lamp burning in m.y hand :
May I in sight of Heaven rejoice,
Whene'er I hear the Bridegroom's voice !
All praise to Thee in light arra/d.
Who hght Thy dwelling-place hast made ;
A boundless ocean of bright beams
From Thy all-glorious Godhead streams.
The Sun in its meridian height
Is very darkness in Thy sight !
My soul O lighten and inflame,
With thought and love of Thy great Name !
Bless'd Jesu, Thou, on Heaven intent.
Whole nights hast in devotion spent ;
But I, frail creature, soon am tired,
And all my zeal is soon expired.
My soul, how canst thou weary grow
Of antedating bliss below,
In sacred hymns, and heavenly love.
Which will eternal be above ?
Shine on me, Lord, new life impart !
Fresh ardours kindle in my heart !
One ray of Thy all-quickening light
Dispels the sloth and clouds of night.
Lord, lest the tempter me surprise.
Watch over Thine ov/n sacrifice !
Day and Night. 283
All loose, all idle thoughts cast out,
And make my very dreams devout !
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below !
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host ;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost !
Bishop Thovias Ken. 1697 — 1709.
CCLXVI.
Midnight.
Awake, my soul, awake to prayer ;
Thy vigil of the night prepare :
Now all around is dark and still,
Angels defending us from ill.
The time to sacred thought is dear,
When Thou alone, good Lord, art near ;
Hush'd is the world's external din.
That we may hear Thy voice within.
It seems to plead with gentle breath ;
" Sad child of frailty, heir of death,
" Its rest thy wearied body knows ;
" O ! let thy soul on Me repose !
" I came to suffer in thy stead ;
" I had not Avhere to lay My head :
" Think on the love, that could provide
" Blessings for man, to God denied ! "
Thus silent hours of darkness prove
Remembrancers of Jesu's love ;
While constancy in prayer we learn
From each succeeding night's return.
284 The Book of Praise.
Day without night the Angels sing,
Nor rest upon the drooping wing ;
Teaching our souls betimes to ascend,
Where hallelujahs never end.
David awaked his harp and voice,
And all within him, to rejoice,
God's love to praise at morning light,
And tell of all His truth at night
Jacob in prayer nocturnal strove ;
No stern repulse his prayer could move :
In vain the Angel-man did say,
" Dismiss Me ; for 'tis break of day ! "
See how, in galling fetters laid,
At midnight Paul and Silas pray'd ;
Their gory wounds still smarting sore,
And cold the prison's rugged floor.
They sang the praises of the Lord ;
So loud they sang, the prisoners heard :
And yet they thought that death was nigh ;
And clouds obscured their morning sky.
How shall I then Thy praise decline,
When health, and friends, and home are mine ?
My dawn of day is clear and calm ;
No foes oppress, no fears alarm.
Are these Thy mercies, Lord, to me ?
O ! let me then Thy servant be !
Submitting to Thy just control,
And loving Thee with all my soul.
Day and Night, 285
So shall I find Thee strong to save.
When my last bed shall be the grave ;
The Grave shall own my Saviour's might,
And darkness vanish at Thy sight !
Only my soul must now awake
From sleep of sin, for Thy dear sake !
And then my body shall arise
From sleep of death to yonder skies.
'Tis there I hope Thy Face to see,
The crown of all felicity ;
'Tis there I hope that rest to gain,
Which here I seek, but seek in vain.
As endless ages roll along,
Endless shall be my grateful song :
And Heaven itself shall pass away,
Before I cease my vows to pay.
Glory to God, who Israel keeps,
Who never slumbers, never sleeps !
Almighty Power no weakness knows ;
Unwearied Love asks no repose.
And now, my midnight musings o'er,
Thy wonted mercies. Lord, restore :
Let sleep again my eyelids fill.
And Angels guard my soul from ill.
Praise to the Father, and the Son,
And th' Holy Ghost, Bless'd Three in One !
Praise to the Lord, our God, be giv'n
By all on earth, by all in heaven !
James Ford. 1856,
286 The Book of Praise.
II.
SEED TIME AND HARVEST.
CCLXVII.
Eternal source of every joy.
Well may Thy praise our lips employ,
While in Thy temple we appear,
Whose goodness crowns the circling year.
The flowery spring at Thy command
Embalms the air and paints the land ;
The summer rays with vigour shine,
To raise the corn, and cheer the vine.
Thy hand in autumn richly pours
Through all our coasts redundant stores,
And winters, soften'd by Thy care.
No more a face of horror wear.
Seasons and months and weeks and days
Demand successive songs of praise ;
Still be the cheerful homage paid
With opening light and evening shade !
Oh ! may our more harmonious tongues
In worlds unknown pursue the songs ;
And in those brighter courts adore,
Where days and years revolve no more 1
Philip Doddridge. 1755
cCLXvrii.
Fountain of mercy ! God of love !
How rich Thy bounties are !
The rolHng seasons, as they move,
Proclaim Thy constant care.
Seed Tifue and Harvest. 287
When in the bosom of the earth
The sower hid the grain,
Thy goodness mark'd its secret birth,
And sent the early rain.
The spring's sweet influence was Thine,
The plants in beauty grew ;
Thou gav'st refulgent suns to shine,
And mild refreshing dew.
These various mercies from above,
Matur'd the swelling grain ;
A yellow harvest crowns Thy love,
And plenty fills the plain.
Seed-time and harvest, Lord, alone
Thou dost on man bestow ;
Let him not then forget to own
From whom his blessings flow !
Fountain of love ! our praise is Thine ;
To Thee our songs we'll raise.
And all created Nature join
In sweet harmonious praise !
A nne Floiuodcw. 1 8 1 1.
CCLXIX.
Lord, in Thy Name Thy servants plead,
And Thou hast sworn to hear ;
Thine is the harvest, Thine the seed,
The fresh and fading year.
Our hope, when autumn winds blew wild,
We trusted. Lord, with Thee ;
And now, that spring has on us smiled,
We wait on Thy decree.
288 The Book of Praise.
The former and the latter rain,
The summer sun and air,
The green ear, and the golden grain,
All Thine, are ours by prayer.
Thine too by right, and ours by grace.
The wondrous growth unseen.
The hopes that soothe, the fears that brace.
The love that shines serene !
So grant the precious things brought forth
By sun and moon below.
That Thee, in Thy new heaven and earth,
We never may forego !
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom we adore.
Be glory, as it was, is now,
And shall be evermore !
Amen !
JohuKeble. 1857.
CCLXX.
Praise, O praise our God and King,
Hymns Of adoration sing,
For His mercies still endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Praise Him that He made the sun
Day by day his course to run,
For His mercies still endure.
Ever faithful, ever sure :
And the silver moon by night.
Shining with her gentle light,
For His mercies still endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Seed Time and Harvest 289
Praise Him that He gave the rain
To mature the sweUing grain,
For His mercies still endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure :
And hath bid the fruitful field
Crops of precious increase yield ;
For His mercies still endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Praise Him for our harvest-store ;
He hath fiU'd the garner-floor ;
For His mercies still endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure :
And for richer food than this,
Pledge of everlasting bliss ;
For His mercies still endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Glory to our bounteous King !
Glory let Creation sing !
Glory to the Father, Son,
And blest Spirit, Three in One !
Sir Henry Baker. 1 861.
CCLXXT.
Praise to God, immortal praise,
For the love that crowns our days !
Bounteous source of every joy,
Let Thy praise our tongues employ.
For the blessings of the field,
For the stores the gardens yield ;
For the vine's exalted juice,
For the generous olive's use :
u
290 The Book of Praise.
Flocks that whiten all the plain ;
Yellow sheaves of ripen'd grain ;
Clouds that drop their fattening dews ;
Suns that temperate warmth diffuse :
All that Spring with bounteous hand
Scatters o'er the smiling land ;
All that liberal Autumn pours
From her rich o'erflowing stores :
These to Thee, my God, we owe,
Source whence all our blessings flow ;
And for these my soul shall raise
Grateful vows and solemn praise.
Yet, should rising vrhirlwinds tcr.r
From its stem the ripening ear ;
Should the fig-tree's blasted shoot
Drop her green untimely fruit ;
Should the vine put forth no more,
Nor the olive yield her store ;
Though the sickening flocks should fall,
And the herds desert the stall ;
Should Thine alter'd hand restrain
The early and the latter rain ;
Blast each opening bud of joy.
And the rising year destroy ;
Yet to Thee my soul should raise
Grateful vows and solemn praise ;
And, when every blessing's flown.
Love Thee for Thyself alone !
Anna Lcstitia Barba^tid. 1773.
Seed Time aiid Har^'est. 291
CCLXXII.
Lord of the harvest ! Thee we hail ;
Thine ancient promise doth not fail ;
The varying seasons haste their round,
With goodness all our years are crown'd ;
Our thanks we pay
This holy day ;
O let our hearts in tune be found !
If Spring doth wake the song of mirth
If Summer warms the fruitful earth ;
When Winter sweeps the naked plain.
Or Autumn yields its ripen'd grain ;
Still do we sing
To Thee, our King ;
Through all their changes Thou dost reign.
But chiefly when Thy liberal hand
Scatters new plenty o'er the land.
When sounds of music fill the air,
As homeward all their treasures bear ;
We too will raise
Our hymn of praise,
For we Thy common bounties share.
Lord of the harvest ! all is Thine !
The rains that fall, the suns that shine,
The seed once hidden in the ground,
The skill that makes our fruits abound !
New, every year,
Thy gifts appear ;
New praises from our lips shall sound !
John Hampden Gurney. 1 838 — 1 85 1 .
U 2
292 The Book of Praise.
CCLXXIII,
Lord of the harvest ! once again
We thank Thee for the ripen'd grain ;
For crops safe carried, sent to cheer
Thy servants through another year ;
For all sweet holy thoughts supplied
By seed-time, and by harvest-tide.
The bare dead grain, in autumn sown,
Its robe of vernal green puts on ;
Glad from its wintry grave it springs.
Fresh garnish'd by the King of kings :
So, Lord, to those who sleep in Thee
Shall new and glorious bodies be.
Nor vainly of Thy Word we ask
A lesson from the reaper's task ;
So shall Thine angels issue forth ;
The tares be burnt ; the just of earth,
Playthings of sun and storm no more.
Be gather'd to their Father's store.
Daily, O Lord, our prayers be said.
As Thou hast taught, for daily bread ;
But not alone our bodies feed ;
Supply our fainting spirits' need !
O Bread of Life ! from day to day.
Be Thou their Comfort, Food, and Stay !
Joseph Anstice. [1836.]
CCLXXIV.
Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of Harvest-Home !
All is safely gather'd in,
Ere the winter-storms begin ;
Seed Time and Harvest. 293
God, our Maker, doth provide
P^or our wants to be supplied ;
Come to God's own temple, come.
Raise the song of Harvest-Home !
We ourselves are God's own field,
Fruit unto His praise to yield ;
Wheat and tares together sown,
Unto joy or sorrow grown :
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear :
Grant, O harvest Lord, that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be !
For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take LI is harvest home !
From His field shall purge away
All that doth offend, that day ;
Give His Angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast.
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.
Then, thou Church triumphant, come.
Raise the song of Harvest-Home !
All are safely gather'd in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin ;
There for ever purified.
In God's garner to abide :
Come, ten thousand Angels, come.
Raise the glorious Harvest-Home !
Heuf-y A /ford. 1845.
294 The Book of Praise.
III.
THE OLD AND NEW YEAR.
CCLXXV.
Another year hath fled ; renew,
Lord, with our days Thy love !
Our days are evil here and few ;
We look to live above :
We will not grieve, though day by day
We pass from earthly joys away ;
Our joy abides in Thee ;
Our joy abides in Thee !
Yet, when our sins we call to mind,
We cannot fail to grieve ;
But Thou art pitiful and kind,
And wilt our prayer receive :
O Jesu, evermore the same,
Our hope we rest upon Thy Name ;
Our hope abides in Thee ;
Our hope abides in Thee !
For all the future, Lord, prepare
Our souls with strength Divine ;
Help us to cast on Thee our care,
And on Thy servants shine :
Life without Thee is dark and drear ;
Death is not death if Thou art near ;
Our life abides in Thee ;
Our life abides in Thee !
A rth ur Tozer Russell, 1 85 1 .
The Old and Netu Year. 295
CCLXXVI.
Harp, awake ! tell out the story
Of our love and joy and praise ;
Lute, awake ! awake our glory !
Join a thankful song to raise !
Join we, brethren faithful-hearted,
Lift the solemn voice again
O'er another year departed
Of our threescore years and ten
Lo ! a theme for deepest sadness,
In ourselves with sin defiled ;
Lo ! a theme for holiest gladness.
In our Father reconciled !
In the dust we bend before Thee,
Lord of sinless hosts above ;
Yet in lowliest joy adore Thee,
God of mercy, grace, and love !
Gracious Saviour ! Thou hast lengthen'd
And hast blest our mortal span,
And in our weak hearts hast strengthen'd
What Thy grace alone began !
Still, when danger shall betide us,
Be Thy warning whisper heard ;
Keep us at Thy feet, and guide us
By Thy Spirit and Thy Word !
Let Thy favour and Thy blessing
Crown the year we now begin ;
Let us all. Thy strength possessing.
Grow in grace, and vanciuish sin !
296 The Book oj Praise.
Storms are round us, hearts are quailing,
Signs in heaven and earth and sea ;
But, when heaven and earth are failing,
Saviour ! we will trust in Thee !
Henry Deiunfon. [ 1 85 1 .]
CCLXXVII.
Awake, ye saints, and raise your eyes,
And raise your voices high ;
Awake, and praise that sovereign love
That shows Salvation nigh.
On all the wings of time it flies.
Each mq^nent brings it near ;
Then welcome each declining day.
Welcome each closing year !
Not many years their round shall run.
Nor many mornings rise,
Ere all its glories stand reveal'd
To our admiring eyes !
Ye wheels of nature, speed your course !
Ye mortal powers, decay !
Fast as ye bring the night of death,
Ye bring eternal day !
Ph Hip Doddridge. 1755.
CCLXXVIII.
While with ceaseless course the sun
Hasted through the former year.
Many souls their race have run,
Never more to meet us here :
Fix'd in an eternal state,
They have done with all belov/ ;
We a little longer wait.
But how little, none can know.
The Old and New Year. 297
As the winged arrow flies
Speedily the mark to find ;
As the hghtning from the skies
Darts, and leaves no trace behind ;
Swiftly thus our fleeting days
Bear us down life's rapid stream :
Upward, Lord ! our spirits raise !
All below is but a dream.
Thanks for mercies past receive ;
Pardon of our sins renew ;
Teach us, henceforth, how to live
With eternity in view :
Bless Thy word to young and old ;
Fill us with a Saviour's love ;
And, when life's short tale is told,
May we dwell with Thee above !
John Newton. 1779.
CCLXXTX,
For Thy mercy and Thy grace,
Faithful through another year.
Hear our song of thankfulness,
Father, and Redeemer, hear !
In our weakness and distress.
Rock of strength ! be Thou our stay !
In the pathless wilderness
Be our true and living way !
Who of us death's awful road
In the coming year shall tread ?
With Thy rod and staff, O God,
Comfort Thou his dying head !
igS The Book of Praise.
Keep us faithful, keep us pure,
Keep us evermore Thine own !
Help, O help us to endure i
Fit us for the promised crown !
So within Thy palace gate
We shall praise, on golden strings,
Thee, the only Potentate,
Lord of lords, and King of kings !
Henry Downton. [ 1 85 1 .]
CCLXXX.
To-morrow, Lord, is Thine,
Lodged in Thy sovereign hand,
And, if its sun arise and shine,
It shines by Thy command.
The present moment flies.
And bears our life away :
O make Thy servants truly wise,
That they may live to-day !
Since on this winged hour
Eternity is hung.
Waken by Thy Almighty pov/er
The aged and the young !
One thing demands our care :
O ! be it still pursued !
Lest, slighted once, the season fair
Should never be renew'd !
To Jesus may we fly
Swift as the morning light ;
Lest life's young golden beams should die
In sudden endless night !
Philip Dodchidge. 1755.
Baptism and Childhood. 299
IV.
BAPTISM AND CHILDHOOD.
CCLXXXI.
God of that glorious gift of grace
By which Thy people seek Thy face,
When in Thy presence we appear,
Vouchsafe us faith to venture near !
Confiding in Thy truth alone.
Here, on the steps of Jesus' throne.
We lay the treasure Thou hast given
To be received and rear'd for Heaven.
Lent to us for a season, \ve
Lend him for ever, Lord, to Thee !
Assured, that, if to Thee he live,
We gain in what we seem to give.
Large and abundant blessings shed.
Warm as these prayers, upon his head !
And on his soul the dews of grace.
Fresh as these drops upon his face !
Make him and keep him Thine own child,
Meek follower of the Undefil'd !
Possessor here of grace and love ;
Inheritor of Heaven above !
Joh?i S. B. Monscll. 1837.
CCLXXXII.
Lord ! may the inward grace abound
Through Thine appointed outward sign ;
A milder seal than Abraham found
Of cov'nant blessings more Divine ;
300 The Book of Praise.
Which opens glory to our view
Beyond the brightest hope he knew !
Type of the Spirit's hving flow,
In faith we pour the hallow'd stream ;
We sign the cross upon the brow,
The solemn pledge of truth to Him,
Who shed for us His precious Blood
To seal the covenant of God.
Baptized into the Trinity,
Adopted children of Thy grace,
O help us, Lord, to live to Thee
A humble, pure, and faithful race !
Instruct us, sanctify, defend.
And crown with heavenly life our end !
Edwai'd Osier. 1836.
CCLXXXIII.
In token that thou shalt not fear
Christ Crucified to own.
We print the cross upon thee here,
And stamp thee His alone.
In token that thou shalt not blush
To glor}^ in His Name,
We blazon here upon thy front
His glory and His shame.
In token that thou shalt not flinch
Christ's quarrel to maintain,
But 'neath His banner manfully
Firm at thy post remain ;
Baptisin and Childhood. 301
In token that thou too shalt tread
The path He travell'd by,
Endure the cross, despise the shame.
And sit thee down on high ;
Thus, outwardly and visibly,
We seal thee for His own :
And may the brow that wears His cross
Hereafter share His crown !
Henry Alford. 1845.
CCLXXXIV.
Sweet baby, sleep ! what ails my dear,
What ails my darling thus to cry ?
Be still, my child, and lend thine ear,
To hear me sing thy lullaby.
My pretty lamb, forbear to weep ;
Be still, my dear ; sweet baby, sleep.
Thou blessed soul, what canst thou fear ?
What thing to thee can mischief do ?
Thy God is now thy Father dear.
His holy Spouse, thy mother too.
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
Though thy conception was in sin,
A sacred bathing thou hast had ;
And though thy birth unclean hath been,
A blameless babe thou now art made.
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my dear, sweet baby, sleep.
The Book of Praise.
While thus thy lullaby I sing,
For thee great blessings ripening be ;
Thine eldest brother is a king,
And hath a kingdom bought for thee.
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
Sweet baby, sleep, and nothing fear ;
For whosoever thee offends
By thy protector threaten'd are,
And God and angels are thy friends.
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
When God with us was dwelling here.
In little babes He took delight ;
Such innocents as thou, my dear,
Are ever precious in His sight.
Sweet baby, then forbear to \veep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep,
A little infant once was He ;
And strength in weakness then was laid
Upon His virgin mother's knee.
That power to thee might be convey'd.
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
In this thy frailty and thy need
He friends and helpers doth prepare,
Which thee shall cherish, clothe, and feed,
For of thy weal they tender are.
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
Baptism a;id Childhood. 30;;
The King of kings, when lie was born,
Had not so much for outward ease ;
By Him such dressings were not worn,
Nor such-like swaddhng-clothcs as these.
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
Within a manger lodged thy Lord,
Where oxen lay, and asses fed :
Warm rooms we do to thee afford,
An easy cradle or a bed.
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
The wants that He did then sustain
Have purchased wealth, my babe, for thee ;
And by His torments and His pain
Thy rest and ease secured be.
My baby, then forbear to Aveep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
Thou hast, yet more, to perfect this,
A promise and an earnest got
Of gaining everlasting bliss,
Though thou, my babe, perceiv'st it not ;
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ;
Be still, my babe ; sweet baby, sleep.
Gcori^c Wither. 1641,
CCLXXXV.
Sleep well, my dear ; sleep safe and free
The holy Angels are with thcc.
Who always see thy Father's face.
And never slumber, nights nor days.
304 The Book of Pi^aise.
Thou liest in down, soft every way ;
Thy Saviour lay in straw and hay ;
Thy cradle is far better drest
Than the hard crib where He did rest.
None dare disturb thy present ease ;
He had a thousand enemies ;
Thou liv'st in great security ;
But He was punish' d, and for thee !
God make thy mother's health increase,
To see thee grow in strength and grace,
In wisdom and humility,
As infant Jesus did for thee !
God fill thee with His heavenly light
To steer thy Christian course aright ;
Make thee a tree, of blessed root,
That ever bends with godly fruit !
Sleep now, my dear, and take thy rest ;
And if with riper years thou'rt blest.
Increase in wisdom, day and night.
Till thou attain' st th' eternal Light !
John Christian Jacobi. 1722.
From John Christopher Ruben.
CCLXXXVI.
O Holy Lord, content to live
In a poor home, a lowly child,
And in subjection meek to give
Obedience to Thy mother mild ;
Lead every child that bears Thy Name
To Avalk in Thy pure upright way,
To dread the touch of sin and shame,
And humbly, like Thyself, obey !
Baptism and Childhood. 305
O let not this world's scorching glow
Thy Spirit's quickening dew efface,
Nor blast of sin too rudely blow,
And quench the trembling flame of grace i
Gather Thy lambs within Thine arm,
And gently in Thy bosom bear ;
Keep them, O Lord, from hurt and harm,
And bid them rest for ever there !
So shall they, waiting here below,
Like Thee, their Lord, a little span.
In wisdom and in stature grow.
And favour both with God and man.
William Walsham How. [1854.]
CCLXXXVII.
Saviour, who Thy flock art feeding
With the Shepherd's kindest care.
All the feeble gently leading,
While the lambs Thy bosom share ;
Now, these little ones receiving,
Fold them in Thy gracious arm ;
There, we know. Thy word believing.
Only there, secure from harm !
Never, from Thy pasture roving.
Let them be the lion's prey ;
Let Thy tenderness so loving
Keep them all life's dangerous way :
Then, within Thy fold eternal.
Let them find a resting-place,
Feed in pastures ever vernal,
Drink the rivers of Thy grace !
A7io?i. [1832.]
X
The Book of Praise.
CCLXXXVIII.
Lamb of God, I look to Thee ;
Thou shalt my example be ;
Thou art gentle, meek, and mild ;
Thou wast once a little child.
Fain I would be as Thou art ;
Give me Thy obedient heart !
Thou art pitiful and kind ;
Let me have Thy loving mind !
Meek and lowly may I be ;
Thou art all humility !
Let me to my betters bow ;
Subject to Thy parents Thou.
Let me above all fulfil
God my heavenly Father's will ; ^
Never His good Spirit grieve ;
Only to His glory live !
Thou didst hve to God alone ;
Thou didst never seek Thine own ;
Thou Thyself didst never please ;
God was all Thy happiness.
Loving Jesu, gentle Lamb,
In Thy gracious hands I am ;
Make me, Saviour, what Thou art !
Live Thyself within my heart !
I shall then shev/ forth Thy praise ;
Serve Thee all my happy days ;
Then the world shall always see
Christ, the Holy Child, in miC.
Charles Wesley. 174.0.
Baptism a7id Childhood. 307
CCLXXXIX.
When Jesus left His Father's throne,
He chose an humble birth ;
Like us, unhonour d and unknown,
He came to dwell on earth.
Like Him, may we be found below
In wisdom's paths of peace ;
Like Him, in grace and knowledge grow.
As years and strength increase.
Jesus pass'd by the rich and great
For men of low degree ;
He sanctified our parents' state,
For poor like them was He.
Sweet were His words, and kind His lock,
When mothers round Him press'd ;
Their infants in His arms He took.
And on His bosom bless'd.
Safe from the world's alluring harms,
Beneath His watchful eye,
Thus in the circle of His arms
May we for ever lie !
When Jesus into Salem rode,
The children sang around ;
For joy they pluck'd the palms, and strow'd
Their garments on the ground.
Hosanna our glad voices raise,
Hosanna to our King !
Should we forget our Saviour's praise.
The stones themselves would sing !
James Montgomery. 1S25
X 2
3o8 The Book of Praise.
ccxc.
God of mercy, throned on high,
Listen from Thy lofty seat ;
Hear, O hear our feeble cry,
Guide, O guide our wandering feet !
Young and erring travellers, we
All our dangers do not know ;
Scarcely fear the stormy sea.
Hardly feel the tempest blow.
Jesus, lov-er of the young.
Cleanse us with Thy Blood divine !
Ere the tide of sin grow strong,
Save us, keep us, make us Thine !
When perplex'd in danger's snare.
Thou alone our guide canst be ;
When oppress'd with woe and care.
Whom have we to trust but Thee ?
Let us ever hear Thy voice,
Ask Thy counsel every day ;
Saints and angels will rejoice,
If we walk in wisdom's way.
Saviour, give us faith, and pour
Hope and love on every soul !
Hope, till time shall be no more !
Love, while endless ages roll !
Afion. [1833.]
Baptism and Childhood. 309
ccxci.
Shepherd of Israel, from above
Thy feeble flock behold ;
And let us never lose Thy love,
Nor wander from Thy fold.
Thou wilt not cast Thy lambs away ;
Thy hand is ever near,
To guide them lest they go astray,
And keep them safe from fear.
Thy tender care supports the weak,
And will not let them fall ;
Then teach us, Lord, Thy praise to speak,
And on Thy Name to call !
We want Thy help, for we are frail ;
Thy light, for we are blind ;
Let grace o'er all our doubts prevail.
To prove that Thou art kind.
Teach us the things we ought to know ;
And may we find them true ;
And still, in stature as we grow,
Increase in wisdom too.
Guide us through life ; and when at last
We enter into rest.
Thy tender arms around us cast.
And fold us to Thy breast !
Williain Hihy Bathurst. 1831.
3IO The Book of Praist
V.
HOLY COMMUNION.
CCXCII.
With all the powers my poor soul hath
Of humble love, and loyal faith,
I come, dear Lord, to worship Thee,
Whom too much love bowed low for me.
Down, busy sense ; discourses die ;
And all adore faith's mystery !
Faith is my skill, faith can believe
As fast as love new laws shall give.
Faith is my eye, faith strength affords
To keep pace with those gracious words ;
And words more sure, more sweet than they,
Love could not think, Truth could not say.
O dear memorial of that Death
Which still survives, and gives us breath !
Live ever, Bread of Life, and be
My food, my joy, my all to me !
Come, glorious Lord ! my hopes increase,
And mix my portion with Thy peace !
Come, and for ever dwell in me
That I m^ay only live to Thee !
Come, hidden life, and that long day
For which I languish, come away !
When this dry soul those eyes shall see,
And drink the unseal'd Source of Thee ;
Holy Commimion. 3 1 1
When Glory's Sun faith's shade shall chase,
And, for Thy vail, give me Thy face ;
Then shall my praise eternal be
To the Eternal Trinity !
Variation fro?}i Richard CrasJiaiu. 1646.
By John Austin^ 1668,
and Theophilus Dorrington. 1686.
CCXCIII.
In memory of the Saviour's love,
We keep the sacred feast.
Where every humble contrite heart
Is made a welcome guest.
By faith we take the Bread of Life,
W^ith which our souls are fed ;
And Cup, in token of His Blood
That was for sinners shed.
Under His banner thus we sing
The wonders of His love,
And thus anticipate by faith
The heavenly feast above.
Anon. [1835.]
ccxciv.
O God, unseen, yet ever near,
Thy presence may we feel ;
And thus, inspired with holy fear.
Before Thine altar kneel.
Here may Thy faithful people know
The blessings of Thy love ;
The streams that through the desert flow
The manna from above.
312 Th e Book of Pra ise.
We come, obedient to Thy word.
To feast on heavenly food ;
Our meat, the Body of the Lord ;
Our drink, His precious Blood.
Thus would we all Thy words obey ;
For we, O God, are Thine ;
And go rejoicing on our way,
Renewed with strength Divine !
Edward Osier. [1836.]
ccxcv.
Lord, when before Thy throne we meet,
Thy goodness to adore,
From Heaven, th' eternal mercy-seat.
On us Thy blessing pour,
And make our inmost souls to be
An habitation meet for Thee !
The Body for our ransom given ;
The Blood in mercy shed ;
With thij immortal food from Heaven,
Lord ! let our souls be fed !
And, as we round Thy table kneel.
Help us Thy quickenin-g grace to feel !
Be Thou, O Holy Spirit, nigh !
Accept the humble prayer,
The contrite soul's repentant sigh,
The sinner's heartfelt tear !
And let our adoration rise,
As fragrant incense, to the skies !
Ano7i. [1853.]
Holy CoDummion. 313
ccxcvi.
yes7t, didcedo corditnn.
Jesus, thou Joy of loving hearts !
Thou Fount of Life ! Thou Light of men !
From the best bhss that earth imparts,
We turn unfill'd to Thee again.
Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood ;
Thou savest those that on Thee call ;
To them that seek Thee, Thou art good,
To them that find Thee, All in All !
We taste Thee, O Thou Living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still !
We drink of Thee, the Fountain Head,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill !
Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
Where'er our changeful lot is cast ;
Glad, when Thy gracious smile we see,
Blest, when our faith can hold Thee fast.
O Jesus, ever with us stay !
Make all our moments calm and bright !
Chase the dark night of sin away,
Shed o'er the world Thy holy light !
Ray Palmer. [1834.]
From St. Bernard.
CCXCVII.
They talk'd of Jesus, as they went ;
And Jesus, all unknown.
Did at their side Himself present
With sweetness all His own.
Swift, as He op'd the sacred word.
His glory they discern'd ;
And swift, as His dear voice they heard,
Their hearts within them burn'd.
3 1 4 The Book of Praise.
He would have left them, but that they
With prayers His love assail'd :
" Depart not yet ! a little stay ! "
They press'd Him, and prevail'd.
And Jesus was reveal'd, as there
He bless'd and brake the bread :
But, while they mark'd His heavenly air,
The matchless Guest had fled.
And thus at times, as Christians talk
Of Jesus and His word,
He joms two friends amidst their walk.
And makes, unseen, a third.
And oh ! how sweet their converse flows,
Their holy theme how clear,
How warm with love each bosom glows.
If Jesus be but near !
And they that woo His visits sweet.
And will not let Him go,
Oft, while His broken bread they eat.
His soul-felt presence know :
His gather'd friends He loves to meet
And fill with joy their faith.
When they with melting hearts repeat
The memory of His death.
But such sweet visits here are brief;
Dispensd from stage to stage,
(A cheering and a prized rehef,)
Of faith's hard pilgrimage.
There is a scene where Jesus ne'er,
Ne'er leaves His happy guests ;
He spreads a ceaseless banquet there,
And love still fires their breasts.
Thomas Grinjield. 1836.
Holy Cojnmunioii. 315
CCXCVIII.
Jesus, when near th' expected hour,
That Hell to grieve Him should have power,
As on His cross He kept His view,
Into an upper room withdrew.
With all His votaries there to meet
And celebrate the Paschal treat.
Then He Himself for death disposed ;
Of dying well the art disclosed ;
He wash'd with condescension sweet
And wiped His happy lovers' feet,
That from pollution cleansed they might
Approach the Eucharistic rite.
The Eucharist He then ordain'd ;
With food immortal them sustain'd ;
Then sang an hymn,' the feast to close,
And sweeten His approaching woes.
Scattering truths heav'nly, high, and sweet.
As to the Mount He made retreat.
While death was lively in His thought,
He heavenly truths with vigour taught.
How to be loved of God, and love ;
Promised sweet peace and joys above,
And the bless'd Spirit's constant aid ;
And for them all with fervour pray'd.
He spent His preparation hours
To warn of dangers and hcU-powers ;
Their hearts to counsel, strengthen, cheer.
To arm against degenerate fear ;
Pure love fraternal to instil,
And form them to His Father s will.
3 1 6 The Book of Praise.
My soul ! O copy every line
Of this original divine !
On Jesus' votaries you must tend ;
To wash their feet must condescend ;
You pleasure for sweet Jesus' sake
In humble charities must take.
With zeal wash your own spirit clean
From all concupiscence terrene ;
When wash'd in penitential dew,
Then your baptismal vow renew ;
What Peter wish'd for, wash all o'er,
And take great care to sin no more.
Wash'd in heart-purifying tear
You must at Jesus' feast appear,
With food immortal to be fed,
That you nor Hell nor Death may dread ;
Then sing an hymn of the like strain
With that above of the Lamb Slain.
God's love to all with zeal suggest ;
And from the flame in your own breast
Fire other hearts, that they the Name
Of Jesus' friends may humbly claim ;
From God's love, love fraternal fire.
In which all Jesus' friends conspire.
Your foes both pray for, and forgive ;
And, when you ceasing are to live,
Strong cries to Love Paternal send ;
Into Love's hands your soul conlmend ;
In Love" s soft hands to bliss you'll fly.
Taught by loved Jesus how to die.
Bishop Thomas Ken . [ 1 72 1 .]
Holy Matrimony. 3^7
VI.
HOLY MATRIMONY.
CCXCIX.
The voice that breathed o'er Eden,
That earhest wedding day,
The primal marriage blessing,
It hath not pass'd away.
Still in the pure espousal
Of Christian man and maid,
The Holy Three are with us,
The three-fold grace is said :
For dower of blessed children,
For love and faith's sweet sake.
For high mysterious union
Which nought on earth may break
Be present, awful Father,
To give away this Bride,
As Eve thou gav'st to Adam
Out of his own pierc'd side !
Be present. Son of Mary,
To join their loving hands,
As Thou didst bind two natures
In Thine eternal bands !
Be present, Holiest Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel ;
As Thou, for Christ the Bridegroom,
The heavenly Spouse dost seal !
3 1 8 The Book of Praise.
O spread Thy pure wing o'er them !
Let no ill Power find place,
When onward to Thine altar
The hallow'd path they trace.
To cast their crowns before Thee
In perfect sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ's own Bride they rise !
JohnKeble. 1857.
VII.
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
CCC.
Thou God of Love ! beneath Thy sheltering wings
We leave our holy dead,
To rest in hope ! From this world's sufferings
Their souls have fled !
Oh ! when our hearts are burthen'd with the weight
Of life, and all its woes.
Let us remember them, and calmly wait
To our life's close !
Anon 1855.
CCCI.
A^unc suscipe, terra, fovendtim.
Receive him, Earth, unto thine harbouring shrine ;
In thy soft tranquil bosom let him rest ;
These limbs of man I to thy care consign,
And trust the noble fragments to thy breast.
llie Burial of the Dead. 3 1 9
This house was once the mansion of a soul
Brought into life by its Creator s breath ;
Wisdom did once tliis living mass control ;
And Christ was there enshrined, who conquers
death.
Cover this Body to thy care consign'd ;
Its Maker shall not leave it in the grave ;
But His own lineaments shall bear in mind,
And shall recall the image which He gave.
Isaac Williams. 1838.
{From P?'icdcntius)
CCCIl.
There is a calm for those who weep ;
A rest for weary pilgrims found ;
And, while the mouldering ashes sleep,
Low in the ground,
The Soul, of origin Divine,
God's glorious image, freed from clay.
In Heaven's eternal sphere shall shine,
A Star of Day.
The sun is but a spark of fire,
A transient meteor in the sky ;
The Soul, immortal as its Sire,
Shall never die !
James Montgomery. 1804.
CCCIII.
Must friends and kindred droop and die,
And helpers be withdrawn,
While sorrow, with a weeping eye,
Counts up our comforts gone ?
320 The Book of Praise.
Be Thou our comfort, mighty God !
Our Helper and our Friend !
Nor leave us, in this dangerous road,
Till all our trials end !
O may our feet pursue the way
Our pious fathers led ;
With love and holy zeal obey
The counsels of the dead !
Let us be wean'd from all below ;
Let hope our grief expel ;
While death invites our souls to go
W^here our best kindred dwell.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
CCCIV.
Now let our mourning hearts revive.
And all our tears be dry ;
Why should those eyes be drown'd in grief,
Which view a Saviour nigh ?
What though the arm of conquering death
Does God's own house invade ?
What though the prophet and the priest
Be number'd with the dead ?
Though earthly shepherds dwell in dust.
The aged and the young ;
The watchful eye in darkness closed,
And mute th' instructive tongue :
Th' Eternal Shepherd still survives,
New comfort to impart ;
His eye still guides us, and His voice
Still animates our heart.
The Burial of the Dead. 321
Lo, I am with you ! saith the Lord ;
My Church shall safe abide ;
For I will ne'er forsake My own,
Whose souls in Me confide.
Through every scene, of life and death,
This promise is our trust;
And this shall be our children's song
When we are cold in dust.
Philip Doddridge. 1 75 5 .
CCCV.
Thou art gone to the grave : but we will not deplore
thee,
Though sorrows and darkness encompass the
tomb :
The Saviour hath pass'd through its portal before
thee,
And the lamp of His tovc is thy guide through the
gloom 1
Thou art gone to the grave : we no longer behold
thee,
Nor tread the rough path of the world by thy
side;
But the wide arms of I\Iercy are spread to enfold
thee.
And sinners may die, for the Sinless has died !
Thou art gone to the grave: and, its mansion
forsaking,
Perhaps thy weak spirit in fear lingcr'd long ;
But the mild rays of Paradise beanVd on thy
waking,
And the sound which tliou heard'st was the
Seraphim's song !
Y
322 The Book of Praise.
Thou art gone to the grave : but we will not deplore
thee ;
Whose God was thy ransom, thy Guardian, and
Guide !
He gave thee, He took thee, and He will restore
thee ;
And death has no sting, for the Saviour has died !
Bish op Reginald Heber. 1827.
CCCVI.
Brother, thou art gone before us ; and thy saintly
soul is flown
Where tears are wiped from every eye, and sorrow
is unknown ;
From the burden of the flesh, and from care and
fear releas'd,
Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the
weary are at rest.
The toilsome way thou'st travelled o'er, and borne
the heavy load ;
But Christ hath taught thy languid feet to reach
His blest abode :
Thou rt sleeping now, like Lazarus upon his father's
breast,
Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the
weary are at rest.
Sin can never taint thee now, nor doubt thy faith
assail,
Nor thy meek trust in Jesus Christ and the Holy
Spirit fail :
Church Dedication. 3^3
And there thou'rt sure to meet the good, whom on
earth thou lovedst best,
Where the wicked cease from troubhng, and the
weary are at rest.
Earth to earth, and dust to dust, the solemn priest
hath said ;
So we lay the turf above thee now, and we seal thy
narrow bed ;
But thy spirit, brother, soars away among the
faithful blest,
sVhere the wicked cease from troubling, and the
weary are at rest.
And when the Lord shall summon us, whom thou
hast left behind,
May we, untainted by the world, as sure a wckome
find!
May each, like thee, depart in peace, to be a
glorious guest,
Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the
weary are at rest I
Henry Hart Milman, 1822.
VIII.
CHURCH DEDICATION.
CCCVII.
Lord of hosts ! to Thee wc raise
Here a house of prayer and praise :
Thou Thy people's hearts prepare.
Here to meet for praise and prayer !
Y 2
324 The Book of Praise.
Let the living here be fed
With Thy Word, the heavenly bread ;
Here, in hope of glory blest,
May the dead be laid to rest i
Here to Thee a temple stand
While the sea shall gird the land !
Here reveal Thy mercy sure.
While the sun and moon endure !
Hallelujah ! earth and sky
To the joyful sound reply !
Hallelujah ! hence ascend
Prayer and praise till time shall end !
Jmnes Montgomery. 1825.
CCCVIII.
Angulare Fiindamentuni.
Christ is our corner-stone,
On Him alone we build ;
With His true saints alone
The courts of Heaven are fill'd :
On His great love
Our hopes we place
Of present grace
And joys above.
O then with hymns of praise
These hallow'd courts shall ring ;
Our voices we will raise
The Three in One to sing ;
And thus proclaim
In joyful song
Both loud and long
That glorious Name.
Church Dedication. 325
Here, gracious God, do Thou
For evermore draw nigh ;
Accept each faithful vow.
And mark each suppHant sigh ;
In copious shower
On all who pray
Each holy day
Thy blessings pour !
Here may we gain from Heaven
The grace which we implore ;
And may that grace, once given,
Be with us evermore.
Until that day
When all the blest
To endless rest
Are call'd away !
John Chandler. 1837.
cccix.
The lovely form of God's own Church,
It riseth in all lands ;
On mountain sides, in wooded vales.
And by the desert sands.
There is it, with its solemn aisles,
A heavenly, holy thing ;
And round its walls lie Christian dead,
Blessedly slumbering.
Though sects and factions rend the world,
Peace is its heritage ;
Unchanged, though empires by it pass.
The same from age to age.
326 The Book of Praise.
The hallow'd form our fathers built.
That hallo^v'd form build we ;
Let not one stone from its own place
Removed ever be !
Scoff as thou passest, if thou wilt,
Thou man that hast no faith ;
Thou, that no sorrows hast in life,
Nor blessedness in death :
But we will build, for all thou scoff,
And cry, "What waste is this ! "
The Lord our God hath given us all.
And all is therefore His.
Clear voices from above sound out
Their blessing on the pile ;
The dead beneath support our hands.
And succour us the while.
Vea, when we climb the rising walls,
Is peace and comfort given !
Because the work is not of earth,
But hath its end in Heaven !
Heiuy Alford. 1845,
IX.
THE LORD'S DAY.
cccx.
Welcome, sweet day, of days the best.
The time of holy mirth and rest,
When to God's house the saints repair
To hear His word and see His face,
To learn His will and sing His grace.
And vent their hearts in praise and prayer.
The Lord's Day. V-1
This is employment all Divine ;
My soul, the blest assembly join,
And from the world this day retire :
Go, bow before thy Maker's throne,
Thy risen Saviour's glories own,
And feed thy love, and fan the fire.
Forget the trifles here below,
The shining heap, the gaudy sliow,
All sensual mirth, and worldly cares ;
On wings of strong devotion rise.
Pass every cloud, pass all the skies,
And leave beneath Thy feet the stars.
To God direct thy steady flight.
Great Fund of bliss and Source of light ;
There fix, and there delight thme eyes :
View every shining wonder o'er,
And with transported heart adore,
And feast on fruits of paradise.
This day was by our Lord ordain'd,
That thus His servants might be train'd
For heavenly work, and heavenly joy :
My soul, be this thy day of rest,
And thus prepare thee to be blest.
Thus all thy holy hours employ !
Simon Browne. 1 720.
CCCXI.
O day most calm, most bright !
The fruit of this, the next world's bud ;
The indorsement of supreme delight,
Writ by a Friend, and with His blood ;
The couch of time ; care's balm and bay ;
The week were dark, but for thy light ;
Thy torch doth show the way.
328 The Book of Praise.
The other days and thou
Make up one man ; whose face thou art,
Knocking at Heaven with thy brow :
The working days are the back part ;
The burden of the week hes there,
Making the whole to stoop and bow.
Till thy release appear.
Man had straight forward gone
To endless death ; but thou dost pull
And turn us round to look on One,
Whom, if we were not very dull,
We could not choose but look on still,
Since there is no place so alone,
The which He doth not fill !
Sundays the pillars are
On which Heav'n's palace arched lies :
The other days fill up the spare
And hollow room with vanities :
They are the fruitful beds and borders
Of God's rich garden ; that is bare,
Which parts their ranks and orders.
The Sundays of man's life,
Threaded together on time's string,
Make bracelets to adorn the wife
Of the eternal glorious King :
On Sunday Heaven's gate stands ope ;
Blessings are plentiful and rife,
More plentiful than hope.
This day my Saviour rose,
And did enclose this light for His ;
That, as each beast his manger knows,
Man might not of his fodder miss :
The Loj'd's Day. 329
Christ hath took in this piece of ground,
And made a garden there, for those
Who want herbs for their wound.
The rest of our Creation
Our great Redeemer did remove
With the same shake, which at His passion
Did th' earth, and all things with it, mov^e :
As Samson bore the doors away,
Christ's hands, though nail'd, wrought our salvation,
And did unhinge that day.
The brightness of that day
We sullied by our foul offence ;
Wherefore that robe we cast away,
Having a new at His expense.
Whose drops of blood paid the full price
That was required to make us gay,
And fit for Paradise.
George Herbert. 1632.
CCCXII.
My Lord, my love was crucified.
He all the pains did bear ;
But in the sweetness of His rest
He makes His servants share.
How sweetly rest Thy saints above
Wliich in Thy bosom lie !
The Church below doth rest in hope
Of that felicity.
Thou, Lord, who daily fced'st Thy sheep,
Mak'st them a weekly feast ;
Thy flocks meet in their several folds
Upon this day of rest :
22^^ The Book of Praise.
Welcome and dear unto my soul
Are these sweet feasts of love :
But what a sabbath shall I keep
When I shall rest above !
I bless Thy wise and wondrous love,
Which binds us to be free ;
Which makes us leave our earthly snares,
That we may come to Thee !
I come, I wait, I hear, I pray !
Thy footsteps, Lord, I trace !
I sing to think this is the way
Unto my Saviour's face !
John Mason. 1683.
CCCXIII.
0 time of tranquil joy and holy feeling f
When over earth God's Spirit from above
Spreads out His wings of love !
When sacred thoughts, like angels, come appealing
To our tent doors ; O eve, to earth and heaven
The sweetest of the seven !
How peaceful are thy skies ! thy air is clearer,
As on the advent of a gracious time :
The sweetness of its prime
Blesseth the world, and Eden's days seem nearer :
1 hear, in each faint stirring of the breeze,
God's voice among the trees.
O while thy hallowed moments are distilling
Their fresher influence on my heart like dews.
The chamber where I muse
Turns to a temple ! He, whose converse thrilling
Honoured Emmaiis, that old eventide.
Comes sudden to my side.
The Lord's Day. 33 1
'Tis light at evening time when Thou art present ;
Thy coming to the eleven in that dim room
Brightened, O Christ ! its gloom :
So bless my lonely hour that memories pleasant
Around the time a heavenly gleam may cast,
Which many days shall last !
Raise each low aim, refine each high emotion,
That with more ardent footstep I may press
Toward Thy holiness ;
And, braced for sacred duty by devotion,
Support my cross along that rugged road
Which Thou hast sometime trod !
I long to see Thee, for my heart is weary :
O when, my Lord ! in kindness wilt Thou come
To call Thy banished home ?
The scenes are cheerless, and the days are dreary ;
From sorrow and from sin I would be free,
And evermore with Thee !
Even now I see the golden city shining
Up the blue depths of that transparent air :
How happy all is there !
There breaks a day which never knows declining ;
A Sabbath, through whose circling hours the blest
Beneath Thy shadow rest !
James D. Burns. 1855.
CCCXIV.
Psalm XCII.
Sweet is the work, my God, my King,
To praise Thy Name, give thanks and sing.
To show Thy love by morning light,
And talk of all Thy truth at night.
332 The Book of Praise.
Sweet is the day of sacred rest ;
No mortal cares shall seize my breast ;
O may my heart in tune be found,
Like David's harp of solemn sound !
My heart shall triumph in my Lord,
And bless His works, and bless His word :
Thy works of grace, how bright they shine !
How deep Thy counsels, how divine !
Fools never raise their thoughts so high,
Like brutes they live, like brutes they die ;
Like grass they flourish, till Thy breath
Blast them in everlasting death.
But I shall share a glorious part,
When grace hath well refined my heart.
And fresh supplies of joy are shed,
Like holy oil to cheer my head.
Sin, my worst enemy before.
Shall vex my eyes and ears no more ;
My inward foes shall all be slain.
Nor Satan break my peace again.
Then shall I see and hear and know
All I desired or wish'd below,
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy !
Isaac Watts. 1719.
cccxv.
Psalm LXXXL
Sing to the Lord, our might.
With holy fervour sing ;
Let hearts and instruments unite
To praise our heavenly King.
The Lord's Day. 333
This is His holy house,
And this His festal day,
When He accepts the humblest vows
That we sincerely pay.
The Sabbath to our sires
In mercy first was given ;
The Church her Sabbaths still requires
To speed her on to Heaven.
We still, like them of old,
Are in the -wilderness ;
And God is still as near His fold,
To pity and tq bless.
Then let us open wide
Our hearts for Him to fill ;
And He, that Israel then supplied,
Will help His Israel still.
Henry Francis Lyte. 1 834 — 1 84 1 .
CCCXVI.
The day of rest once more comes round,
A day to all believers dear ;
The silver trumpets seem to sound,
That call the tribes of Israel near ;
Ye people all,
Obey the call,
And in Jehovah's courts appear.
Obedient to Thy summons, Lord,
We to Thy sanctuary come ;
Thy gracious presence here afford,
And send Thy people joyful home ;
334 T1ie Book of Praise.
Of Thee our King
O may we sing,
And none with such a theme be dumb !
O hasten, Lord, the day when those,
Who know Thee here, shall see Thy face ;
When suffering shall for ever close,
And they shall reach their destined place ;
Then shall they rest
Supremely blest.
Eternal debtors to Thy grace !
Thomas Kelly. 1806.
CCCXVII.
Hail, thou bright and sacred morn,
Risen with gladness in thy beams !
Light, which not of earth is born,
From thy dawn in glory streams :
Airs of Heaven are breath'd around
And each place is holy ground.
Sad and weary were our way,
Fainting oft beneath our load.
But for thee, thou blessed day.
Resting-place on life's rough road !
Here flow forth the streams of grace,
Great Creator ! who this day
From Thy perfect work didst rest
By the souls that own Thy sway
HalloVd be its hours and blest ;
Cares of earth aside be thrown,
This day giv'n to Heaven alone !
The Lord's Day. 335
Saviour ! who this day didst break
The dark prison of the tomb ;
Bid my slumbering soul awake,
Shine through all its sin and gloom :
Let me, from my bonds set free,
Rise from sin, and live to Thee !
Blessed Spirit ! Comforter !
Sent this day from Christ on high ;
Lord, on me Thy gifts confer.
Cleanse, illumine, sanctify!
All Thine influence shed abroad,
Lead me to the truth of God !
Soon, too soon, the sweet repose
Of this day of God will cease ;
Soon this glimpse of Heaven will close,
Vanish soon the hours of peace ;
Soon return the toil, the strife,
All the weariness of life.
But the rest which yet remains
For Thy people. Lord, above,
Knows nor change, nor fears, nor pains,
Endless as their Saviour's love :
O may every Sabbath here
Bring us to that rest more near !
yidia Anne Elliott. 1833.
CCCXVIII.
Lord of the Sabbath ! hear our vows,
On this Thy day, in this Thy house ;
And own as grateful sacrifice
The songs which from the desert rise.
336 The Book of Praise.
Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love ;
But there's a nobler rest above ;
To that our labouring souls aspire
With ardent pangs of strong desire.
No more fatigue, no more distress ;
Nor sin nor hell shall reach the place ;
No groans to mingle with the songs
Which warble from immortal tongues.
No rude alarms of raging foes ;
No cares to break the long repose ;
No midnight shade, no clouded sun,
But sacred, high, eternal noon.
O long-expected day, begin !
Dawn on these realms of woe and sin !
Fain would we leave this weary road.
And sleep in death, to rest with God !
Ph Hip Doddridge . 1755.
CCCXIX.
To Thy temple I repair ;
Lord, I love to worship there ;
When, within the veil, I meet
Christ before the mercy-seat.
Thou, through Him, art reconciled ;
I, through Him, became Thy child ;
Abba, Father ! give me grace
In Thy courts to seek Thy face !
W^hile Thy glorious praise is sung,
Touch my lips, unloose my tongue.
That my joyful soul may bless
Thee, the Lord my Righteousness !
The Lord's Day. 337
While the prayers of saints ascend,
God of love ! to mine attend !
Hear me, for Thy Spirit pleads ;
Hear, for Jesus intercedes !
While 1 hearken to Thy law,
Fill my soul with humble awe ;
Till Thy Gospel bring to me
Life and immortality :
While Thy ministers proclaim
Peace and pardon in Thy Name,
Through their voice, by faith, may I
Hear Thee speaking from the sky !
From Thy house when I return.
May my heart within me burn ;
And at evening let me say,
I have walk'd with God to-day !
James Montgomery. 1825,
cccxx.
Ere another Sabbath's close,
Ere again we seek repose,
Lord ! our song ascends to Thee ;
At Thy feet we bow the knee.
For the mercies of the day,
For this rest upon our way.
Thanks to Thee alone be given,
Lord of earth, and King of Heaven !
Cold our services have been ;
Mingled every prayer with sin ;
But Thou canst and wilt forgive ;
By Thy grace alone we live !
z
338 The Book of Praise.
Whilst this thorny path we tread,
May Thy love our footsteps lead !
When our journey here is past,
May we rest with Thee at last !
Let these earthly Sabbaths prove
Foretastes of our joys above ;
While their steps Thy pilgrims bend
To the rest which knows no end !
A7ion, [1833-]
CCCXXI.
Of Thy love some gracious token
Grant us, Lord, before we go ;
Bless Thy word which has been spoken ;
Life and peace on all bestow !
When we join the world again,
Let our hearts with Thee remain :
O direct us
And protect us.
Till we gain the heavenly shore.
Where Thy people want no more !
Thomas Kelly. 1 804.
END OF PART TIL
PART IV.
SONGS OF THE HEART.
&^t §00li oi praise.
PART THE FOURTH.
SONGS OF THE HEART.
I.
THE CALL.
'' Rise; He callcth //zc-6'."— (Mark x. 49.)
cccxxii.
Child of sin and sorrow,
Fill'd with dismay,
Wait not for to-morrow,
Yield thee to-day !
Heaven bids thee come
While yet there's room :
Child of sin and sorrow,
Hear, and obey !
Child of sin and sorrow.
Why wilt thou die ?
Come, while thou canst borrow
Help from on high!
Grieve not that love
Which from above.
Child of sin and sorrow.
Would bring thee nigh !
Thomas Hastings. 1 8 54.
342 The Book of Pi'aise.
CCCXXIII.
Poor child of sin and woe,
Now listen to thy Father's pleading voice ;
No longer need'st thou go
Without a friend to bid thy heart rejoice.
I know thou canst not rest
Until thou art from guilt and sorrow free ;
Earth cannot make thee blest ;
Come, bring thy suffering, bleeding heart to Me.
How often, in the hour
Of weariness, would I have succoured thee !
But thou didst spurn the power,
And scorn the heart that loved so tenderly.
Oh, what on earth aprpears
To comfort thy distress and heal thy grief,
To dry thy bitter tears.
And offer thy poor sinking soul relief '^.
Thy life of sin has been
A toilsome path, without one cheering ray ;
Now on thy Father lean,
And He will guide thee in a better way.
Come, leave the desert land.
And all the husks on which thy soul has fed ;
And trust the faithful Hand
That offers thee a feast of living Bread.
O sinner ! 'tis the voice
Of One, who long has loved and pitied thee !
He would thy heart rejoice.
And set thee from all sin and suffering free.
The Call. 343
Oh, canst thou turn away ?
It is thy Father that invites thee near !
Nay, sinner ! weep and pray !
And Heaven shall hail the penitential tear !
Eliza Famiy Morris. 1858.
cccxxiv.
Return, O wanderer, to thy home ;
Thy Father calls for thee :
No longer now an exile roam,
In guilt and misery :
Return, return !
Return, O wanderer, to thy home ;
"Tis Jesus calls for thee :
The Spirit and the Bride say, Come :
O now for refuge flee ;
Return, return !
Return, O wanderer, to thy home ;
'Tis madness to delay ;
There are no pardons in the tomb,
And brief is merc)^s day :
Return, return !
TJiomas Hastings, 1834.
CCCXXV.
Haste, traveller, haste ! the night comes on,
And many a shining hour is gone ;
The storm is gathering in the west,
And thou art far from home and rest ;
Haste, traveller, haste I
344 The Book of Praise.
O far from home thy footsteps stray ;
Christ is the Life, and Christ the Way ;
And Christ the Light, thy seciing Sun,
Sinks ere thy morning is begun :
Haste, traveiier, haste !
Awake, awake ! pursue thy way
With steady course, while yet 'tis day ;
While thou art sleeping on the ground,
Danger and darkness gather round ;
Haste, traveller, haste !
The rising tempest sweeps me sky ;
The rains descend, the winds are high ;
The waters swell, and death and fear
Beset thy path, nor refuge near ;
Haste, traveller, haste !
O yes ! a shelter you may gain,
A covert from the wind and rain,
A hiding-place, a rest, a home,
A refuge from the wrath to come ;
Haste, traveller, haste !
Then linger not in all the plain.
Flee for thy life, the mountain gain ;
Look not behind, make no delay,
O speed thee, speed thee on thy way ;
Haste, traveller, haste !
Poor, lost, benighted soul ! art thou
Willing to find salvation now ?
There yet is hope ; hear mercy's call ;
Truth ! Life ! Light ! Way ! in Christ is all !
Haste to Him, haste I
William Be7i^o Collyer. [1829.]
The Call 345
CCCXXVI.
Just as fhou art, without one trace
Of love or joy or inward grace,
Or meetness for the heavenly place,
O guilty sinner, come !
Burden'd with guilt, wouldst thou be blest ?
Trust not the world, it gives no rest ;
Christ brings reUef to hearts opprest ;
O weary sinner, come !
Come, leave thy burden at the cross ;
Count all thy gains but worthless dross ;
His grace o'erpays all earthly loss ;
O needy sinner, come !
Come hither ! bring thy boding fears,
Thy aching heart, thy bursting tears ;
'Tis Mercy's voice salutes thine ears ;
O trembhng sinner, come !
Anon. [1862. J
CCCXXVII.
Rev. xxii. 17.
Sweet is the Spirit's strain ;
BreatlVd by soft pleadings inly heard,
By all the heart's deep fountains stirr d,
By conscience, and the written Word ;
Come, wanderers, home again !
346 The Book of Praise.
The Bride repeats the call ;
By high thanksgiving, lowly prayer,
By days of rest, and fostering care,
By holy rites, that all may share ;
She whispers. Come ! to all.
Let him who hears say, Come !
If thou hast been sin's wretched slave ;
If thou art risen from that grave ;
Thy sleeping brethren seek to save,
And call the wanderers home.
And let all come, who thirst !
Freely for every child of w^oe
The streams of living waters flow ;
And whosoever will, may go
Where healing fountains burst.
There drink and be at rest ;
On Him who died for thee believe ;
The Spirit's quickening grace receive ;
No more the God who seeks thee grieve ;
Be holy, and be blest !
Joseph A Jistice. [ 1 83 6 . ]
CCCXXVIII.
With tearful eyes I look around ;
Life seems a dark and stormy sea ;
Yet midst the gloom I hear a sound,
A heavenly whisper. Come to Me !
It tells me of a place of rest ;
It tells me where my soul may flee :
Oh ! to the weary, faint, opprest.
How sweet the bidding. Come to Me !
The Call. 347
When the poor heart with anguish learns
That earthly props resign'd must be,
And from each broken cistern turns,
It hears the accents, Come to Me !
When against sin I strive in vain,
And cannot from its yoke get free.
Sinking beneath the heavy chain,
The words arrest me, Come to Me !
When nature shudders, loth to part
From all I love, enjoy, and see ;
When a faint chill steals o'er my heart,
A sweet voice utters, Come to Me !
Come, for all else must fail and die ;
Earth is no resting-place for thee ;
Heavenward direct thy weeping eye ;
I am thy Portion ; Come to Me !
O voice of mercy, voice of love !
In conflict, grief, and agony,
Support me, cheer me from above,
And gently whisper, Come to me !
Charlotte ElliotL 1834-
CCCXXIX.
Come, take my yoke, the Saviour said
To follow Me be not afraid ;
For I in heart am lowly, meek,
And offer you the rest you seek.
The yoke of Pleasure may allure,
And promise bliss that will endure ;
But, when it has thy youth despoil'd,
'Twill cast thee off as garment soil'd.
34^ The Book of Praise.
Take not on thee the yoke of Wealth ;
'Twill eat thy soul, destroy thy health,
And make thee feel how cheap the cost,
If worlds could buy the peace it lost.
Ambition, too, its yoke displays.
And hangs out its perennial bays ;
Be not, poor soul, by it misled ;
I offer thee a crown instead.
Then take my yoke, 'tis soft and light,
'Twill ne'er disturb thy rest at night.
But guide thee to that world above
Where no restraint is known but love.
Robert Smith. 1862.
CCCXXX.
Behold ! a Stranger's at the door \
He gently knocks, has knock'd before;
Has waited long, is waiting still ;
You treat no other friend so ill.
But will He prove a Friend indeed ?
He will ! the very Friend you need !
The Man of Nazareth, 'tis He,
With garments dyed at Calvary.
Oh lovely attitude ! He stands
With melting heart, and laden hands !
Oh matchless kindness ! and He shows
This matchless kindness to His foes.
Rise, touch'd with gratitude Divine ;
Turn out His enemy and thine,
That hateful, hell-born monster, Sin ;
And let the Heavenly Stranger in.
The Call. 349
If thou art poor, (and poor thou art,;)
Lo ! He has riches to impart ;
Not wealth, in which mean av'rice rolls ;
O better far ! the wealth of souls !
Thou'rt blind ; He'll take the scales away,
And let in everlasting day :
Naked thou art ; but He shall dress
Thy blushing soul in Righteousness.
Art thou a weeper ? Grief shall fly ;
For who can weep with Jesus by ?
No terror shall thy hopes annoy ;
No tear, except the tear of joy.
Admit Him, for the human breast
Ne'er entertain'd so kind a Guest :
Admit Him, for you can't expel ;
Where'er He comes. He comes to dwell.
Admit Him, ere His anger burn ;
His feet, departed, ne'er return !
Admit Him ; or the hour's at hand,
When at His door denied you'll stand.
Yet know, (nor of the terms complain,)
If Jesus comes. He comes to reign ;
To reign, and with no partial sway ;
Thoughts must be slain, that disobey !
Sovereign of souls ! Thou Prince of Peace !
O may Thy gentle reign increase !
Throw wide the door, each willing mind !
And be His empire all mankind !
Joseph Grigg. 1765-
350 The Book of Praise.
cccxxxi.
The winds were howling o'er the deep,
Each wave a watery hill ;
The Saviour waken'd from His sleep ;
He spake, and all was still.
The madman in a tomb had made
His mansion of despair :
Woe to the traveller who stray'd
With heedless footstep tJiere !
The chains hung broken from his ann,
Such strength can hell supply ;
And fiendish hate, and fierce alarm,
Flash'd from his hollow eye.
He met that glance, so thrilling sweet ;
He heard those accents mild ;
And, melting at Messiah's feet,
Wept like a weaned child.
Oh ! madder than the raving man !
Oh ! deafer than the sea !
How long the time since Christ began
To call in vain on me !
He call'd me when my thoughtless prime
Was early ripe to ill ;
I pass'd from folly on to crime ;
And yet He call'd me still.
He call'd me in the time of dread.
When death was full in view ;
I trembled on my feverish bed.
And rose to sin anew.
The Call. 351
Yet, could I hear Him once again,
As I have heard of old,
Mcthinks He should not call in vain
His wanderer to the fold.
Oh Thou ! that every thought canst know,
And answer every prayer.
Oh ! give me sickness, want, or woe ;
But snatch me from despair !
My struggling will by grace control !
Renew my broken vow !
What blessed light breaks on my soul ?
My God ! I hear Thee now !
Bishop Reginald Heber. 1827.
CCCXXXTl.
" Was du vor tausend JahrenT
A thousand years have fleeted ;
And, Saviour ! still we see
Thy deed of love repeated
On all who come to Thee.
As he who sat benighted,
Afflicted, poor, and blind ;
So now, (Thy word is plighted,)
Joy, light, and peace I find.
Dnrk gloom my spirit filling.
Beside the way I sat ;
Desire my heart was thrilling ;
But anguish more than that.
352 The Book of Praise.
To me no ray was granted,
Although I heard the psahns
The faithful sweetly chanted,
And felt the waving palms.
With grief my heart was aching ;
O'erwhelming were my woes,
Till, heaven-born courage taking,
To Thee my cry arose :
" O David's Son, relieve me,
" My bitter anguish quell ;
" Thy promised succour give me,
"And this dark night dispel !"
With tears that fast were flowing,
I sought Thee through the crowd,
My heart more tender growing,
Until I wept aloud :
Oh ! then my grief diminish'd ;
For then they cried to me,
" Blind man, thy woe is finish'd ;
"Arise, He calleth thee!"
I came with steps that falter'd ;
Thy course I felt Thee check ;
Then straight my mind was alter'd,
And bow'd my stubborn neck :
Thou saidst, " What art thou seeking ?"
" O Lord ! that I might see ! "
Oh ! then I heard Thee speaking ;
" Beheve, and it shall be."
Our hope, Lord, faileth never.
When Thou Thy word dost plight :
M)' fears then ceased for ever.
And all my soul was light.
The Call. 353
Thou gavest me Thy blessing ;
From former guilt set free,
Now neavenly joy possessing,
O Lor^l ! I follow Thee !
Frances Elizabeth Cox. 1 84 r .
From Frederic de la Motte Foiique.
CCCXXXIII.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
" Come unto Me and rest ;
'* Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
" Thy head upon My breast ! "
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad ;
T found in Him a resting-place,
And He has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
" Behold ! I freely give
*' The living water ; thirsty one,
" Stoop down, and drink, and live !
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream ;
My thirst was quench'd, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
" I am this dark world's light ;
"Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
" And all thy day be bright."
I look'd to Jesus, and I found
In Him my Star, my Sun ;
And in that light of life 111 walk
Till travelling days are done.
Jloratius Boiiar. 1S56.
A A
354 The Book of Praise.
CCCXXXIV.
In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight.
And stopp'd my wild career :
I saw One hanging on a Tree,
• In agonies and blood,
Who fix'd His languid eyes on me,
As near His Cross I stood.
Sure never till my latest breath
Can I forget that look :
It seem'd to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke :
My conscience felt and own'd the guilt,
And plunged me in despair ;
I saw my sins His Blood had spilt.
And help'd to nail Him there.
Alas ! I knew not what I did !
But now my tears are vain :
Where shall my trembling soul be hid ?
For I the Lord have slain !
A second look He gave, which said,
" I freely all forgive ;
" This Blood is for thy ransom paid ;
" I die, that thou may'st live."
Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue.
Such is the mystery of grace.
It seals my pardon too.
With pleasing grief, and mournful joy,
My spirit now is fill'd,
That I should such a life destroy.
Yet live by Him I kill'd. ^
J oh n Newton . iyj()'
T^he Answer. 355
II.
THE ANSWER.
'' I will arise, and go to my Father r—{UjK^ xv. 1 8.)
CCCXXXV.
And have I measured half my days,
And half my journey run,
Nor tasted the Redeemer's grace,
Nor yet my work begun ?
The morning of my life is past.
The noon is almost o'er ;
The night of death approaches fast,
When I can work no more.
Darkness He makes His secret place,
Thick clouds surround His Throne ;
Nor can I yet behold His face.
Or find the God Unknown.
A God that hides Himself He is.
Far off from mortal sight ;
An inaccessible Abyss
Of uncreated Light.
Far off He is, yet always near ;
He fills both earth and Heaven,
But doth not to my soul appear,
My soul from Eden driven.
O'er earth a banish'd man I rove,
But cannot feci Him nigh :
^ Where is the pardonnig God of Love,
' Who stoop'd for me to die ?
A A 2
356 The Book of Praise.
I sought Him in the secret cell
With unavaiHng care :
Long did I in the desert dwell,
Nor could I find Him there.
Still every means in vain I try ;
I seek Him far and near ;
Where'er I come, constrain'd to cry,
" My Saviour is not here."
God is in this, in every place :
Yet oh ! how dark and void
To me ! 'tis one great wilderness,
This earth without my God !
Empty of Him, who all things fills,
Till He His Light impart,
Till He His glorious Self reveals.
The veil is on my heart,
O Thou, who seest and know'st my grief,
Thyself Unseen, Unknown !
Pity my helpless unbelief,
And take away the stone !
Regard me with a gracious eye ;
The long-sought blessing give ;
And bid me, at the point to die,
Behold Thy face, and live !
A darker soul did never yet
Thy promised help implore :
O ! that I now my Lord might meet,
And never lose Him more !
Charles Wesley. 1749.
The A?iswer. 357
cccxxxvi.
O Thou, whose tender mercy hears
Contrition's humble sigh,
Whose hand indulgent wipes the tears
From sorrow's weeping eye ;
See, low before Thy throne of grace,
A wretched wanderer mourn ;
Hast Thou not bid mc seek Thy face ?
Hast Thou not said, Return ?
And shall my guilty fears prevail
To drive me from Thy feet ?
Oh ! let not this dear refuge fail,
This only safe retreai !
Absent from Thee, my Guide, my Light,
Without one cheering ray.
Through dangers, fears, and gloomy night,
How desolate my way !
O shine on this benighted heart.
With beams of mercy shine !
And let Thy healing voice impart
A taste of joys Divine !
Thy presence only can bestow
Delights which never cloy :
Be this my solace here below,
And my eternal joy !
Anne Steele. 1760.
353 The Book of Praise.
CCCXXXVII.
When shall Thy love constrain
And force me to Thy breast ?
When shall my soul return again
To her eternal rest ?
Ah ! what avails my strife,
My wandering to and fro ?
Thou hast the words of endless life ;
Ah ! whither should I go ?
Thy condescending grace
To me did freely move ;
It calls me still to seek Thy face,
And stoops to ask my love.
Lord ! at Thy feet I fall ;
I groan to be set free ;
I fain would now obey the call,
And give up all for Thee.
Though late, I all forsake,
My friends, my life resign :
Gracious Redeemer, take, O take.
And seal me ever Thine !
Come, and possess me whole.
Nor hence again remove :
Settle, and fix my wavering soul
With all Thy weight of love !
My one desire be this.
Thy only love to know.
To seek and taste no other bliss,
No other good below.
The Answer. 359
My Life, my Portion Thou,
Thou all-sufficient art ;
My Hope, my heavenly Treasure, now
Enter, and keep my heart !
Charles Wesley. 1740.
CCCXXXVIII.
My spirit longeth for Thee
Within my troubled breast,
Although I be unworthy
Of so Divine a Guest.
Of so Divine a Guest
Unworthy though I be,
Yet has my heart no rest
Unless it come from Thee.
Unless it come from Thee,
In vain 1 look around ;
In all that I can see
No rest is to be found.
No rest is to be found
But in Thy blessed love :
O let my wish be crown'd,
And send it from above !
John Byrom. 1773.
CCCXXXIX.
Weary of wandering from my God,
And now made willing to return,
I hear, and bow me to the rod ;
For Him, not without hope, I mourn
I have an Advocate above,
A friend before the Throne of Love.
360 The Book of P7'aise.
O Jesu, full of pardoning grace,
More full of grace than I of sin ;
Yet once again I seek Thy face,
Open Thine arms and take me in,
And freely my backslidings heal,
And love the faithless sinner still !
Thou know'st the way to bring me back,
My fallen spirit to restore ;
O, for Thy Truth and Mercy's sake.
Forgive, and bid me sin no more !
The ruins of my soul repair.
And make my heart an house of prayer !
The stone to flesh again convert.
The veil of sin once more remove ;
Drop Thy warm Blood upon my heart,
And melt it with Thy dying love :
This rebel heart by love subdue,
And make it soft, and make it new !
Give to mine eyes refreshing tears,
And kindle my relentings now ;
Fill all my soul with filial fears.
To Thy sweet yoke my spirit bow ;
Bend by Thy grace, O ! bend, or break
The iron sinew in my neck !
Ah ! give me, Lord, the tender heart.
That trembles at th' approach of sin ;
A godly fear of sin impart.
Implant, and root it deep within ;
That I may dread Thy gracious power.
And never dare offend Thee more !
Charles Wesley. 1749.
The Ajtswer. 361
CCCXL.
Hear, gracious God ! a sinners cry.
For I have nowhere else to fly ;
My hope, my only hope's in Thee ;
O God, be merciful to me !
To Thee I come, a sinner poor,
And wait for mercy at Thy door ;
Indeed, I've nowhere else to flee :
O God, be merciful to me !
To Thee I come, a sinner weak,
And scarce know how to pray or speak ;
From fear and weakness set me free ;
O God, be merciful to me !
To Thee I come, a sinner vile ;
Upon mc. Lord, vouchsafe to smile !
Mercy alone I make my plea ;
O God, be merciful to me !
To Thee I come, a sinner great.
And well Thou knowest all my state ;
Yet full forgiveness is with Thee ;
O God, be merciful to me !
To Thee I come, a sinner lost,
Nor have I ought wherein to trust ;
But where Thou art, Lord, I would be ;
O God, be merciful to me !
To glory bring me, Lord, at last ;
And there, when all my fears are past.
With all the saints I'll then agree,
God has been merciful to me !
Samuel Medley. 1 789.
362 The Book of Praise.
CCCXLI.
Hear, gracious God ! my humble moan ; '
To Thee I breathe my sighs :
When will the mournful night be gone,
And when my joys arise ?
My God ! Oh ! could I make the claim,
My Father and my Friend !
And call Thee mine, by every name
On which Thy saints depend ;
By every name of power and love
I would Thy grace entreat ;
Nor should my humble hopes remove,
Nor leave Thy sacred seat.
Yet, though my soul in darkness mourns,
Thy word is all my stay ;
Here I would rest till light returns.
Thy Presence makes my day.
Speak, Lord, and bid celestial peace
Relieve my aching heart !
O smile, and bid my sorrows cease,
And all the gloom depart !
Then shall my drooping spirit rise,
And bless Thy healing rays.
And change these deep complaining sighs
For songs of sacred praise !
Amie Steele. 1760.
The Ansive?'. 363
CCCXLTT.
And shall I sit alone,
Oppress'd with grief and fear,
To God my Father make my moan.
And He refuse to hear ?
If He my Father be.
His pity He will show,
From cruel bondage set me free.
And inward peace bestow.
If still He silence keep,
'Tis but my faith to try ;
He knows and feels, whene'er I weep,
And softens every sigh.
Then will I humbly wait,
Nor once indulge despair ;
My sins are great, but not so great
As His compassions are.
Be?ijainin Bcddome. [18 18. J
CCCXLIII.
O that my load of sin were gone !
O that I could at last submit
At Jesus' feet to lay it down,
To lay my soul at Jesus' feet !
When shall mine eyes behold the Lamb,
The God of my salvation see ?
Weary, O Lord, Thou know'st I am ;
Yet still I cannot come to Thee.
Rest for my soul I long to find ;
Saviour ! (if mine indeed Thou art,)
Give me Thy meek and lowly mind,
And stamp Thy image on my heart !
364 The Book of Praise.
Fain would I learn of Thee, my God,
Thy light and easy burden prove,
The cross, all stain'd with hallow'd blood-
The labour of Thy dying love.
This moment would I take it up,
And after my dear Master bear ;
With Thee ascend to Calvary's top,
And bow my head and suffer there.
I would ; but Thou must give the power,
My heart from every sin release :
Bring near, bring near the joyful hour,
And fill me with Thy perfect peace !
Come, Lord, the drooping sinner cheer,
Nor let Thy chariot-wheels delay !
Appear, in my poor heart appear !
My God, my Saviour, come away !
Charles Wesley. 1742.
CCCXLIV.
Come, let us to the Lord our God
With contrite hearts return ;
Our God is gracious, nor will leave
The desolate to mourn.
His voice commands the tempest forth.
And stills the stormy wave ;
And, though His arm be strong to smite,
'Tis also strong to save.
Long hath the night of sorrow reign'd ;
The dawn shall bring us light ;
God shall appear, and we shall rise
With gladness in His sight.
Faith. 365
Our hearts, if God we seek to know,
Shall know Him, and rejoice ;
His coming Hke the morn shall be.
Like morning songs His voice.
As dew upon the tender herb,
Diffusing fragrance round ;
As showers that usher in the spring,
And cheer the thirsty ground ;
So shall His Presence bless our souls,
And shed a joyful light ;
That hallow'd morn shall chase away
The sorrows of the night.
John Morrison, 1 770.
III.
FAITH.
" Looking unto Jesus, the A uthor and Finisher of
our Faithr—i^iYAi. xii. 2.)
CCCXLV.
Come, O thou Traveller unknown,
Whom still I hold, but cannot see,
My company before is gone,
And I am left alone with Thee ;
With Thee all night I mean to stay,
And wrestle till the break of day.
I need not tell Thee who I am.
My misery or sin declare ;
Thyself hast call'd me by my name ;
Look on Thy hands, and read it there !
But Wlio, I ask Thee, Who art Thou t
Tell me Thy Name, and tell me now.
■566 The Book of Praise.
In vain Thou strugglest to get free,
I never will unloose my hold ;
Art Thou the Man that died for me ?
The secret of Thy love unfold.
Wrestling, I will not let Thee go,
Till I Thy Name, Thy Nature know.
Wilt Thou not yet to me reveal
Thy new, unutterable Name ?
Tell me, I still beseech Thee, tell :
To know it now, resolved I am :
Wrestling, I will not let Thee go,
Till I Thy Name, Thy Nature know.
'Tis all in vain to hold Thy tongue,
Or touch the hollow of my thigh ;
Though every sinew be unstrung,
Out of my arms Thou shalt not fly :
Wrestling, I will not let Thee go,
Till I Thy Name, Thy Nature know.
What though my shrinking flesh complain,
And murmur to contend so long ?
I rise superior to my pain ;
When I am weak, then I am strong :
And when my all of strength shall fail,
I shall with the God-Man prevail.
My strength is gone ; my nature dies ;
I sink beneath Thy weighty hand,
Faint to revive, and fall to rise ;
I fall, and yet by faith I stand :
I stand, and will not let Thee go.
Till I Thy Name, Thy Nature know.
Faith. 367
Yield to me now, for I am weak,
But confident in self-despair ;
Speak to my heart, in blessings speak,
Be conquer'd by my instant prayer !
Speak, or Thou never hence shalt move,
And tell me, if Thy Name is Love ?
'Tis Love ! 'tis Love ! Thou diedst for me J
I hear Thy whisper in my heart !
The morning breaks, the shadows flee ;
Pure universal Love Thou art !
To me, to all. Thy bowels move ;
Thy Nature, and Thy Name, is Love !
My prayer hath power with God ; the grace
Unspeakable I now receive ;
Through faith I see Thee face to face,
I see Thee face to face, and live :
In vain I have not wept and strove ;
Thy Nature, and Thy Name, is Love.
I know Thee, Saviour, Who Thou art ;
Jesus, the feeble sinner's Friend !
Nor wilt Thou with the night depart,
But stay, and love me to the end !
Thy mercies never shall remove.
Thy Nature, and Thy Name, is Love !
The Sun of Righteousness on me
Hath rose, with healing in His wings ;
Wither'd my nature's strength, from Thee
I\Ty soul its life and succour brings ;
My help is all laid up above ;
Thy Nature, and Thy Name, is Love.
368 The Book of Praise.
Contented now upon my thigh
I halt, till life's short journey end ;
All helplessness, all weakness, I
On Thee alone for strength depend ;
Nor have I power from Thee to move ;
Thy Nature, and Thy Name, is Love.
Lame as I am, I take the prey.
Hell, earth, and sin, with ease o'ercome ;
I leap for joy, pursue my way.
And as a bounding hart fly home !
Through all eternity to prove,
Thy Nature and Thy Name is Love !
Charles Wesley. 1742.
CCCXLVI.
Hark, my soul ! it is the Lord,
'Tis thy Saviour, hear His word :
Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee ;
" Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou Me ?
" I delivered thee when bound,
" And, when bleeding, heal'd thy wound
" Sought thee wandering, set thee right,
" Turn'd thy darkness into light.
" Can a woman's tender care
" Cease towards the child she bare 1
" Yes, she may forgetful be ;
" Yet will I remember thee !
" Mine is an unchanging love,
" Higher than the heights above,
" Deeper than the depths beneath,
" Free and faithful, strong as death.
Faith. 369
" Thou shalt see my glory soon,
" When the work of grace is done ;
" Partner of my throne shalt be ;
" Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou Me ?"
Lord ! it is my chief complaint,
That my love is weak and faint ;
Yet I love Thee and adore !
Oh ! for grace to love Thee more !
Williajn Cow per. 1779-
CCCXLVII.
And can it be, that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood ?
Died He for me, who caus'd His pain,
For me, who Him to death pursued ?
Amazing Love ! how can it be.
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me ?
Tis mystery all ! Th' Immortal dies !
Who can explore His strange design ?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
To sound the depths of Love Divine.
'Tis mercy all ! Let earth adore !
Let angel minds enquire no more !
He left His Father s throne above,
(So free, so infinite His grace ;)
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free !
For O, my God ! it found out me !
B 15
370 The Book of Praise.
Long my imprison'd spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night ;
Thine eye diffus'd a quickening ray ;
I woke ; the dungeon flam'd with hght :
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and follow'd Thee !
Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven ;
Still the atoning Blood is near,
That quench'd the wrath of hostile Heaven ;
I feel the life His wounds impart ;
I feel my Saviour in my heart.
No condemnation now I dread ;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine !
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And cloth'd in righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach th' Eternal Throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Charles Wesley. 1739.
CCCXLVIII.
Now I have found the ground wherein
Sure my soul's anchor may remain ;
The wounds of Jesus, for my sin
Before the world's foundation slain ;
Whose mercy shall unshaken stay
When heaven and earth are fled away.
Father, Thine everlasting grace
Our scanty thought surpasses far ;
Thy heart still melts with tenderness ;
Thine arms of love still open are.
Returning sinners to receive,
That mercy they may taste and live.
Faith. 371
O Love ! Thou bottomless abyss !
My sins are swallow'd up in thee :
Cover'd is my unrighteousness,
Nor spot of guilt remains on me :
While Jesus' Blood, through earth and skies,
Mercy, free boundless mercy, cries !
With faith I plunge me in this sea ;
Here is my hope, my joy, my rest ;
Hither, when hell assails, I flee,
I look into my Saviour's breast :
Away, sad doubt, and anxious fear !
Mercy is all that's written there !
Though waves and storms go o'er my head ;
Though strength, and health, and friends be gone ;
Though joys be wither'd all and dead ;
Though every comfort be withdrawn ;
On this my steadfast soul relies ;
Father ! Thy mercy never dies.
Fix'd on this ground will I remain,
Though my heart fail and flesh decay ;
This anchor shall my soul sustain,
When earth's foundations melt away :
Mercy's full power I then shall prove,
Loved with an everlasting love.
John We shy. 1740.
{From J. A. Rathe)
CCCXLIX.
O Thou, the contrite sinners' Friend,
Who loving, lov'st them to the end,
On this alone my hopes depend,
That Thou wilt plead for me !
R 15 2
372 The Book of Pi'aise.
When, weary in the Christian race,
Far off appears my resting-place.
And fainting I mistrust Thy grace,
Then, Saviour, plead for me !
When I have err'd and gone astray
Afar from Thine and Wisdom's way,
And see no glimmering guiding ray,
Still, Saviour, plead for me !
When Satan, by my sins made bold,
Strives from Thy cross to loose my hold.
Then with Thy pitying arms enfold.
And plead, O plead for me !
And when my dying hour draws near,
Darken'd with anguish, guilt, and fear,
Then to my fainting sight appear,
Pleading in Heaven for me !
When the full light of heavenly day
Reveals my sins in dread array.
Say Thou hast wash'd them all away ;
O say. Thou plead'st for me !
Charlotte Elliott. [1837.]
CCCL.
O Holy Saviour, Friend unseen,
The faint, the weak, on Thee may lean :
Help me, throughout life's varying scene,
By faith to chng to Thee !
Blest with communion so Divine,
Take what Thou wilt, shall I repine,
When, as the branches to the vine,
My soul may cling to Thee ?
Faith. 373
Far from her home, fatigued, opprcst.
Here she has found a place of rest,
An exile still, yet not unblest
While she can cling to Thee )
Without a murmur I dismiss
My former dreams of earthly bliss ;
My joy, my recompense be this,
Each hour to chng to Thee !
What though the world deceitful prove,
And earthly friends and joys remove ?
With patient uncomplaining love
Still would I cling to Thee !
Oft when I seem to tread alone
Some barren waste with thorns o'ergrown,
A voice of lore, in gentlest tone.
Whispers, " Still cling to Me ! "
Though faith and hope awhile be tried,
I ask not, need not, aught beside :
How safe, how calm, how satisfied,
The souls that cling to Thee !
They fear not life's rough storms to brave,
Since Thou art near, and strong to save ;
Nor shudder e'en at death's dark wave ;
Because they cling to Thee !
Blest is my lot, whate'cr befal :
What can disturb mc, who appal,
While, as my strength, my rock, my all.
Saviour ! I cling to Thee ?
Charlotte Elliott. 1834.
374 The Book of Praise.
CCCI.I.
Jesu, my strength, my hope,
On Thee I cast my care,
With humble confidence look up,
And know, Thou hear'st my prayer.
Give me on Thee to wait
Till I can all things do,
On Thee, Almighty to create !
Almighty to renew !
I want a sober mind,
A self-renouncing will.
That tramples down and casts behind
The baits of pleasing ill :
A soul inured to pain,
To hardship, grief, and loss ;
Bold to take up, firm to sustain,
The consecrated cross.
I want a godly fear,
A quick-discerning eye.
That looks to Thee when sin is near,
And sees the Tempter fly ;
A spirit still prepared,
And arm'd with jealous care,
For ever standing on its guard,
And watching unto prayer.
I want a heart to pray.
To pray and never cease.
Never to murmur at Thy stay,
Or wish my sufferings less ;
This blessing, above all,
Always to pray, I want.
Out of the deep on Thee to call,
And never, never faint.
Love. 375
I want a true regard,
A single, steady aim,
Unmov'd by threat'ning or reward,
To Thee and Thy great Name ;
A jealous, just concern
For Thine immortal praise ;
A pure desire that all may learn
And glorify Thy grace.
I rest upon Thy word ;
Thy promise is for me ;
My succour and salvation, Lord,
Shall surely come from Thee.
But let me still abide,
Nor from my hope remove.
Till Thou my patient spirit guide
Into Thy perfect love !
Charles Wesley. 1742.
IV.
LOVE.
If ye love Me, keep My cojmnajidnicnts''
(John xiv. 15.
CCCLII.
Jesus, my all, to Heaven is gone ;
He that I placed my hopes upon ;
His track I see ; and I'll pursue
The narrow way, till Him I view.
The way the holy Prophets went,
The way that leads from banishment,
The King's high-way of holiness,
I'll go ; for all the paths are peace.
^il^ The Book of Praise.
No stranger may proceed therein,
No lover of the world and sin ;
No lion, no devouring care,
No ravenous tiger shall be there.
No : nothing may go up thereon
But travelling souls ; and I am one :
Wayfaring men, to Canaan bound,
Shall only in the way be found.
Nor fools, by carnal men esteem'd,
Shall err therein ; but they, redeem'd
In Jesu's blood, shall show their right
To travel there, till HeaVn's in sight.
This is the way I long have sought.
And mourn'd, because I found it not ;
My grief, my burden, long have been
Because I could not cease from sin.
The more I strove against its power,
I sinn'd and stumbled but the more ;
Till late I heard my Saviour say,
" Come hither, soul ! for I'm the Way ! "
Lo ! glad I come ; and Thou, dear Lamb,
Shalt take me to Thee, as I am :
Nothing but sin I Thee can give ;
Yet help me, and Thy praise I'll live !
I'll tell to all poor sinners round
What a dear Saviour I have found ;
I'll point to Thy Redeeming blood.
And say, " Behold the Way to God !"
John Cennick. 1743.
Love. 377
CCCLIII.
Go, worship at Immanuers feet ;
See, in His face what wonders meet ;
Earth is too narrow to express
His worth, His glory, or His grace !
The whole creation can afford
But some faint shadows of my Lord ;
Nature, to make His beauties known,
Must mingle colours not her own.
Is He compared to Wine or Bread ?
Dear Lord, our souls would thus be fed :
That flesh, that dying Blood of Thine,
Is Bread of Life, is heavenly Wine.
Is He a Tree ? The world receives
Salvation from His heahng leaves :
That righteous Branch, that fruitful bough,
Is David's root and offspring too.
Is he a Rose ? Not Sharon yields
Such fragrancy in all her fields ;
Or if the Lily He assume,
The valleys bless the rich perfume.
Is He a Vine ? His heavenly root
Supplies the boughs with life and fruit :
O let a lasting union join
My soul the branch to Christ the Vine !
Is He the Head ? Each member lives,
And owns the vital power He gives ;
The Saints below and Saints above
Joined by His Spirit and His love.
378 The Book of Praise.
Is He a Fountain ? There I bathe,
And heal the plague of sin and death ;
These waters all my soul renew,
And cleanse my spotted garments too.
Is He a Fire ? He'll purge my dross ;
But the true gold sustains no loss :
Like a Refiner shall He sit,
And tread the refuse with His feet.
Is He a Rock ? How firm He proves !
The Rock of Ages never moves :
Yet the sweet streams, that from Him flow,
Attend us all the desert through.
Is He a Way ? He leads to God ;
The path is drawn in lines of Blood ;
There would I Avalk with hope and zeal,
Till I arrive at Sion's hill.
Is He a Door ? I'll enter in ;
Behold the pastures large and green !
A paradise divinely fair ;
None but the sheep have freedom there.
Is He design'd a Corner-stone,
For men to build their Heaven upon ?
I'll make Him my Foundation too ;
Nor fear the plots of hell below.
Is He a Temple ? I adore
The indwelling majesty and power ;
And still to His Most Holy Place,
Whene'er I pray, I turn my face.
Love, 379
Is He a Star ? He breaks the night,
Piercing the shades with dawning hght ;
I know His glories from afar,
I know the bright, the morning Star !
Is He a Sun ? His beams are grace,
His course is joy and Righteousness :
Nations rejoice, when He appears
To chase their clouds and dry their tears.
Oh ! let me climb those higher skies
Where storms and darkness never rise !
There He displays His powers abroad,
And shines and reigns, th' incarnate God.
Nor earth, nor seas, nor sun, nor stars.
Nor heaven His full resemblance bears :
His beauties we can never trace.
Till we behold Him face to face.
Isaac Watts. 170Q.
CCCLIV.
Compared with Christ, in all beside
No comeliness I see ;
The one thing needful, dearest Lord
Is to be one with Thee.
The sense of Thy expiring Love
Into my soul convey ;
Thyself bestow : for Thee alone
I absolutely pray.
Whatever else Thy will withholds,
Here grant me to succeed !
O let Thyself my portion be,
And I am blest indeed !
380 The Book of Praise.
Less than Thyself will not suffice
My comfort to restore ;
More than Thyself I cannot have ;
And Thou canst give no more.
Loved of my God, for Him again
With love intense I burn ;
Chosen of Thee ere time began,
I choose Thee in return !
Whate'er consists not with Thy love,
O ! teach me to resign !
I'm rich to all th' intents of bliss,
If Thou, O God, art mine !
Augustus Montague Toplady. 1772.
CCCLV.
Jesu ! who for my transgression
Didst the shameful cross endure.
And didst there the blest possession
Of Thy joys to me insure ;
May my praise be ever telling
Of Thy love, all love excelling !
Wondrous woes that brought salvation !
Wondrous grace to sinners shown !
Heaven is wrapt in contemplation
Of His love, whom men disown !
Oh my soul ! wilt thou disown Him ?
Wilt not thou, my heart, enthrone Him ?
Who but He can bless thy weeping ?
Who but He can soothe thy grief?
Only safe beneath His keeping,
Thou in Him hast sure relief :
Love. 3^51
To the cross He came to bless thee ;
Let His love, my soul, possess thee !
Lord ! each thought and inclination.
All my heart and will inspire,
That my soul, Thy new creation,
Thee may serve with pure desire ;
Daily Thy great love reviewing,
Daily thus my sins subduing !
A rthiir Tozer Russell, 1 85 1 .
CCCLVI,
Eternal God, of beings First,
Of all created good the Spring,
For Thee I long, for Thee I thirst.
My Love, my Saviour, and my King
Thine is a never-faihng store ;
If God be mine, I ask no more.
The fairest world of light on high
Reflection makes but faint of Thine ;
The glorious tenants of the sky
In God's own beams transported shine :
But, shouldst Thou wrap Thy face in shade,
Soon all their life and lustre fade.
Thy Presence makes celestial day,
And fills each raptur'd soul with bliss ;
Night would prevail, were God away,
And spirits pine in Paradise !
In vain would all the angels try
To fill Thy room, Thy lack supply.
382 The Book of Praise,
And, sure, from Heav'n we turn our eyes
In vain, to seek for bliss below ;
The tree of Life can't root nor rise.
Nor in this blasted region grow :
The wealth of this poor barren clod
Can ne'er make up the want of God.
But, Lord ! in Thee the thirsty soul
Will meet with full, with rich supplies !
Thy smiles will all her fears control,
Thy beauties feast her ravish'd eyes :
To failing flesh and fainting hearts
Thy favour life and strength imparts !
Simon Browne. 1 720.
CCCLVIT.
Christ, my hidden Life, appear,
Soul of my inmost soul !
Light of life, the mourner cheer.
And make the sinner whole !
Now in me Thyself display ;
Surely Thou in all things art ;
I from all things turn away
To seek Thee in my heart !
Open, Lord, my inward ear.
And bid my heart rejoice !
Bid my quiet spirit hear
Thy comfortable voice ;
Never in the whirlwind found,
Or where earthquakes rock the place
Still and silent is the sound,
The whisper of Thy grace !
Love. 383
From the world of sin, and noise,
And hurry, I withdraw ;
For the small and inward Voice
I wait with humble awe :
Silent am I now and still ;
Dare not in Thy presence move :
To my waiting soul reveal
The secret of Thy love !
Thou hast undertook for me ;
For me to death wast sold ;
Wisdom in a mystery
Of bleeding love unfold !
Teach the lesson of Thy cross ;
Let me die, with Thee to reign !
All things let me count but loss.
So I may Thee regain !
Show me, as my soul can bear,
The depth of inbred sin ;
All the unbelief declare.
The pride that lurks within :
Take me, whom Thyself hast bought !
Bring into captivity
Every high aspiring thought,
That would not stoop to Thee !
Lord, my time is in Thy hand ;
My soul to Thee convert !
Thou canst make me understand,
Though I am slow of heart.
Thine, in whom I live and move,
Thine the work, the power is Thine !
Thou art Wisdom, Power, and Love ;
And all thou art is mine !
Charles Wesley. 1742,
384 The Book of Praise.
CCCLVIII.
Source of good, whose power controls
Every movement of our souls ;
Wind that quickens where it blows ;
Comforter of human woes ;
Lamp of God, whose ray serene
In the darkest night is seen ;
Come, inspire my feeble strain.
That I may not sing in vain !
God's own Finger, skill'd to teach
Tongues of every land and speech ;
Balsam of the wounded soul,
Binding up, and making whole ;
Flame of pure and holy love ;
Strength of all that live and move ■,
Come ! Thy gifts and fire impart ;
Make me love Thee from the heart !
As the hart, with longing, looks
For refreshing water-brooks.
Heated in the burning chace ;
So my soul desires Thy grace :
So my heavy-laden breast.
By the cares of life opprest,
Longs Thy cooling streams to taste
In this dry and barren waste.
Mighty Spirit ! by whose aid
Man a living soul was made ;
Everlasting God ! whose fire
Kindles chaste and pure desire ;
Grant, in every grief and loss,
I may calmly bear the cross,
And surrender all to Thee,
Comforting and strengthening me !
Love. 385
Open force or cunning wiles,
Snap the thread of my brief days ;
But, when gently life decays,
Take to Heaven Thy servant dear,
Who hath loved and served Thee here ;
There eternal hymns to raise.
Mighty Spirit ! to Thy praise !
Richard Massie. 1 854.
{Fi'oin Jolm Frank})
CCCLIX.
O Lamp of Life ! that on the bloody Cross
Dost hang, the Beacon of our wandering race,
To guide us homeward to our resting-place.
And save our best wealth from eternal loss !
So purge my inward sight from earthly dross,
That, fix'd upon Thy Cross, or near or far.
In all the storms this weary bark that toss,
(Whate'er be lost in that tempestuous war,)
Thee I retain, my Compass and my Star !
That, when arrived upon the wish'd-for strand,
I pass of death th' irrevocable bar,
And at the gate of Heaven trembling stand,
The everlasting doors may open wide,
And give Thee to my sight, God glorified !
Charles Dyson . 1 8 1 6.
CCCLX.
A poor wayfaring man of grief
Hath often cross'd me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief,
That I could never answer, Nay :
c c
386 The Book of P?^aise.
I had not power to ask his name,
Whither he went, or whence he came,
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love, I knew not why.
Once, when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered ; not a word he spake ;
Just perishing for want of bread ;
I gave him all ; he bless'd it, brake,
And ate ; but gave me part again :
Mine was an angel's portion then ;
For, while I fed with eager haste,
That crust was manna to my taste.
I spied him, where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock ; his strength was gone
The heedless water mock'd his thirst.
He heard it, saw it hurrying on :
I ran to raise the sufferer up \
Thrice from the stream he drain'd my cup,
Dipt, and return'd it running o'er ;
I drank, and never thirsted more.
'Twas night ; the floods were out ; it blew
A winter hurricane aloof ;
I heard his voice abroad, and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof ;
I warmed, I clothed, I cheered my guest,
Laid him on my own couch to rest ;
Then made the hearth my bed, and seem'd
In Eden's garden while I dream'd.
Stript, v/ounded, beaten, nigh to death,
I found him by the highway-side :
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Hope. 387
Wine, oil, refreshment ; he was healed :
1 had myself a wound concealed ;
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.
In prison I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor's death at morn :
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honoured him midst shame and scorn ;
My friendship's utmost zeal to try,
He ask'd, if I for him would die ?
The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill ;
But the free spirit cried, " I will."
Then in a moment to my view
The Stranger darted from disguise ;
The tokens in His hands I knew.
My Saviour stood before mine eyes !
He spake ; and my poor name He named ;
" Of me thou hast not been ashamed ;
These deeds shall thy memorial be ;
P>ar not ; thou didst them unto Me."
James Montgomery. 1826.
\^
HOPE.
'' Set yo?er affections on things above; not on things
on the ea?'th'' — (COL. iii. 2.)
CCCLXT.
I praised the earth, in beauty seen
With garlands gay of various green ;
I praised the sea, whose ample field
Shone glorious as a silver shield ;
And earth and ocean seem'd to say,
" Our beauties are but for a day."
C C 2
388 The Book of Praise.
I praised the sun, whose chariot roll'd
On wheels of amber and of gold ;
I praised the moon, whose softer eye
Gleam'd sweetly through the summer sky/
And moon and sun in answer said,
" Our days of light are numbered."
O God ! O Good beyond compare !
If thus Thy meaner works are fair,
If thus Thy bounties gild the span
Of ruin'd earth and sinful man,
How glorious must the mansion be.
Where Thy redeem'd shall dwell with Thee !
Bishop Reginald Heber. 1827.
CCCLXII.
Our life is but an idle play,
And various as the wind ;
We laugh and sport our hours away,
Nor think of woes behind.
See the fair cheek of beauty fade.
Frail glory of an hour ;
And blooming youth, with sickening head,
Droops like the dying flower.
Our pleasures, like the morning sun,
Diffuse a flattering light ;
But gloomy clouds obscure their noon,
And soon they sink in night.
Wealth, pomp, and honour, we behold
With an admiring eye ;
Like summer insects, drest in gold.
That flutter.^ shine, and die.
Hope. 389
One little moment can destroy
Our vast laborious schemes ;
And all our heaps of solid joy-
Are sweet deceitful dreams.
Then rise, my soul ! and soar away
Above the thoughtless crowd ;
Above the pleasures of the gay,
And splendours of the proud ;
Up where eternal beauties bloom,
And pleasures all divine ;
Where wealth, that never can consume.
And endless glories shine !
Henry Moore. [1806.]
CCCLXIII.
Though, by sorrows overtaken,
Lord, thy servants seem forsaken,
Thy Almighty hand, we know,
Blendeth love with human woe.
Over earth, and over ocean,
Claiming sinful man's devotion,
Round the living and the dead,
Lord, Thy boundless love is shed.
All to death in this world hasteth ;
Riches vanish, beauty wasteth ;
Yet within the mourner's breast
Love is an undying guest.
Love, unlike all worldly pleasures,
Wraps in grief its golden treasures,
And to meek and wounded hearts
Deep and holy joy imparts.
390 The Book of Praise.
Love, that strength and pardon bringest
Through His cross, from Whom thou springest!
May in us Thy gracious force
Heavenward turn our spirits' course !
Come, and while Salvation's morning
On our darken'd soul is dawning.
Sin's deep midnight roll away !
Pour on us the light of day !
Algernon Herbert. [1839.]
CCCLXIV,
We've no abiding city here :
This may distress the worldling's mind ;
But should not cost the saint a tear
Who hopes a better rest to find.
We've no abiding city here :
Sad truth ! were this to be our home !
But let this thought our spirits cheer ;
We seek a city yet to come.
We've no abiding city here :
Then let us live as pilgrims do !
Let not the world our rest appear,
But let us haste from all below.
We've no abiding city here :
We seek a city out of sight ;
Zion its name, the Lord is there,
It shines with everlasting light !
Zion ! Jehovah is her strength ;
Secure she smiles at all her foes •,
And weary travellers at length
Within her sacred walls repose.
Hope. 391
O ' sweet abode of peace and love,
Where pilgrims freed from toil are blest !
Had I the pinions of the dove,
I'd fly to thee, and be at rest !
Thojnas Kelly. 1812— 1836.
CCCLXV.
Psalm CXXXVII.
Far from my heavenly home,
Far from my Father's breast.
Fainting I cry, "Blest Spirit! come
And speed me to my rest !"
Upon the willows long
My harp has silent hung :
How should I sing a cheerful song
Till Thou inspire my tongue ?
My spirit homeward turns.
And fain would thither flee ;
My heart, O Zion, droops and yearns,
When I remember thee.
To thee, to thee I press,
A dark and toilsome road :
When shall I pass the wilderness
And reach the saints' abode ?
God of my life, be near 1
On Thee my hopes I cast :
O guide me through the desert here.
And bring me home at last !
Henry Francis Lytc. 1 834.
392 The Book of Praise.
CCCLXVI.
O happy soul, that Hves on high,
While men lie grovelling here !
His hopes are fix'd above the sky,
And faith forbids his fear.
His conscience knows no secret stings ;
While peace and joy combine
To form a life, whose holy springs
Are hidden and divine.
He waits in secret on his God,
His God in secret sees ;
Let earth be all in arms abroad,
He dwells in heavenly peace.
His pleasures rise from things unseen,
Beyond this world and time,
Where neither eyes nor ears have been.
Nor thoughts of sinners climb.
He wants no pomp, nor royal throne,
To raise his figure here ;
Content and pleased to live unknown.
Till Christ, his Life, appear.
He looks to Heaven's eternal hill.
To meet that glorious day ;
A.nd patient waits his Saviour's will.
To fetch his soul away.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
'Hope. 393
CCCLXVII.
Fain would my thoughts fly up to Thee,
Thy peace, sweet Lord, to find ;
But when I offer, still the world
Lays clogs upon my mind.
Sometimes I climb a little way
And thence look down below ;
How nothing, there, do all things seem,
That here make such a show !
Then round about I turn my eyes
To feast my hungry sight ;
I meet with Heaven in every thing,
In every thing delight.
I see Thy wisdom ruling all.
And it with joy admire ;
I see myself among such hopes
As set my heart on fire.
When I have thus triumph'd awhile.
And think to build my nest.
Some cross conceits come fluttering by.
And interrupt my rest.
Then to the earth again I fall,
And from my low dust cry,
'Twas not in my wing. Lord, but Thine,
That I got up so high.
And now, my God, whether I rise,
Or still lie down in dust,
Both I submit to Thy blest will ;
In both, on Thee I trust.
394 T^^^^ Book of Praise.
Guide Thou my way, who art Thyself
My everlasting End,
That every step, or swift, or slow,
Still to Thyself may tend !
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One consubstantial Three,
All highest praise, all humblest thanks.
Now and for ever be ! Amen.
John Austin. 1668.
CCCLXVITI.
There is a pure and tranquil wave.
That rolls around the throne of love.
Whose waters gladden as they lave
The peaceful shores above.
While streams, which on that tide depend,
Steal from those heavenly shores away,
And on this desert world descend
O'er weaiy lands to stray ;
The pilgrim faint, and nigh to sink
Beneath his load of earthly woe,
Refresh'd beside their verdant brink,
Rejoices in their flow.
There, O my soul, do thou repair.
And hover o'er the hallowed spring.
To drink the crystal wave, and there
To lave thy wearied wing !
There droop that wing, when far it flies
From human care, and toil, and strife,
And feed by those still streams, that rise
Beneath the Tree of Life !
Hope. 395
It may be that the breath of love
Some leaves on their pure tide have driven,
Which, passing from the shores above,
Have floated down from Heaven.
So shall thy wounds and woes be healed,
By the blest virtue that they bring ;
So thy parch'd lips shall be unsealed
Thy Saviour's praise to sing !
William Ball. 1825.
CCCLXIX.
Calm me, my God, and keep me calm,
While these hot breezes blow ;
Be like the night-dew's cooling balm
Upon earth's fevered brow !
Calm me, my God, and keep me calm,
Soft resting on Thy breast ;
Soothe me with holy hymn and psalm,
And bid my spirit rest.
Calm me, my God, and keep me calm,
Let thine outstretched wing.
Be like the shade of Elim's palm
Beside her desert-spring.
Yes ; keep me calm, though loud and rude
The sounds my ear that greet ;
Calm in the closet's solitude,
Calm in the bustling street ;
Calm in the hour of buoyant health.
Calm in my hour of pain ;
Calm in my poverty or wealth,
Calm in my loss or gain ;
396 The Book of Praise.
Calm in the sufferance of wrong,
Like Him who bore my shame ;
Calm 'mid the threatening, taunting throng,
Who hate Thy holy Name ;
Calm when the great world's news with power
My listening spirit stir :
Let not the tidings of the hour
E'er find too fond an ear :
Calm as the ray of sun or star
Which storms assail in vain,
Moving unruffled through earth's war
Th' eternal calm, to gain !
Horatms Bonar. 1856.
CCCLXX.
O send me down a draught of love,
Or take me hence to drink above !
Here, Marah's water fills my cup ;
But there, all griefs are swallow'd up.
Love here is scarce a faint desire ;
But there, the spark's a flaming fire ,\
Joys here are drops, that passing flee ;
But there, an overflowing sea.
My faith, that sees so darkly here,
Will there resign to vision clear ;
My hope, that's here a weary groan,
Will to fruition yield the throne.
Here fetters hamper freedom's wing ;
But there, the captive is a king ;
And grace is like a buried seed
But sinners there are saints indeed.
Hope. 397
My portion here's a crumb at best ;
But there, the Lamb's eternal feast ;
My praise is now a smother'd fire ;
But then, I'll sing and never tire.
Now dusky shadows cloud my day ;
But then, the shades will flee away ;
My Lord will break the dimming glass,
And show His glory face to face.
My numerous foes now beat me down ;
But then, I'll wear the victor's crown ;
Yet all the revenues I'll bring
To Zion's everlasting King !
Ralph Erskine. 1734,
CCCLXXI.
Fierce passions discompose the mind,
As tempests vex the sea ;
But calm content and peace we find.
When, Lord, we turn to Thee.
In vain by reason and by rule
We try to bend the will ;
For none but in the Saviour's school
Can learn the heavenly skill.
Since at His feet my soul has sat
His gracious words to hear,
Contented with my present state,
I cast on Him my care.
"Art thou a sinner. Soul ?" He said ;
" Then how canst thou complain ?
" How light thy troubles here, if weigh'd
" With everlasting pain !
393 The Book of Praise.
" If thou of murmuring wouldst be cured,
" Compare thy griefs with Mine ;
" Think what My love for thee endured,
" And thou wilt not repine.
" 'Tis I appoint thy daily lot,
" And I do all things well :
" Thou soon shalt leave this wretched spot,
" And rise with Me to dwell.
" In life My grace shall strength supply,
" Proportion'd to thy day ;
"At death thou still shalt find Me nigh,
'' To wipe thy tears away."
Thus I, w^ho once my wretched days
In vain repinings spent,
Taught in my Saviour's school of grace,
Have learnt to be content.
William Cowper. 1779.
CCCLXXII.
Let me be with Thee where Thou art.
My Saviour, my eternal Rest !
Then only will this longing heart
Be fully and for ever blest !
Let me be with Thee where Thou art.
Thy unveil'd glory to behold ;
Then only will this wandering heart
Cease to be treacherous, faithless, cold !
Let me be with Thee w'here Thou art,
Where spotless saints Thy Name adore :
Then only will this sinful heart
Be evil and defiled no more !
Hope. 399
Let me be with Thee where Thou art,
Where none can die, where none remove ;
There neither death nor hfe will part
Me from Thy Presence and Thy love !
Charlotte Elliott. 1836.
CCCLXXIII.
O Lord, how little do we know,
How little of Thy Presence feel,
While we continue here below,
And in these earthly houses dwell !
When will these veils of flesh remove,
And not eclipse our sight of God ?
When wilt Thou take us up above.
To see Thy face without a cloud ?
Show Thy omnipotence to save !
The characters of sin efface !
Thine image on our hearts engrave,
And let us feel Thy sweet embrace !
Dart in our hearts a heavenly ray,
A ray which still may shine more bright,
Increasing to the perfect day,
Till we awake in endless light !
Then shall each Star become a Sun,
Fill'd with a lustre all Divine ;
Each shall possess a radiant crown,
And to eternal ages shine.
William Hammond. 1 745.
400 The Book of Praise.
CCCLXXIV.
Go up, go up, my heart,
Dwell with thy God above ;
For here thou canst not rest.
Nor here give out thy love.
Go up, go up, my heart,
Be not a trifler here ;
Ascend above these clouds,
Dwell in a higher sphere.
Let not thy love flow out
To things so soiled and dim ;
Go up to Heaven and God,
Take up thy love to Him.
Waste not thy precious stores
On creature-love below ;
To God that wealth belongs,
On Him that wealth bestow.
Go up, reluctant heart.
Take up thy rest above ;
Arise, earth-clinging thoughts ;
Ascend, my lingering love !
Horatius Bonar. 1856.
CCCLXXV.
My soul, amid this stormy world.
Is like some fluttered dove,
And fain would be as swift of wing
To flee to Him I love.
Hope. 401
The cords that bound my heart to earth
Are broken by His hand ;
Before His cross I found myself
A stranger in the land.
That visage marr'd, those sorrows deep,
The vinegar and gall,
These were His golden chains of love
His captive to enthral.
My heart is with Him on His throne,
And ill can brook delay,
Each moment listening for the voice,
" Rise up, and come away !"
With hope deferr'd oft sick and faint,
" Why tarries He ? " I cry ;
Let not the Saviour chide my haste,
For then would I reply :
" May not an exile. Lord, desire
" His own sweet land to see ?
" May not a captive seek release,
" A prisoner, to be free ?
" A child, when far away, may long
" For home and kindred dear ;
And she, that waits her absent lord,
" May sigh till he appear.
' I would, my Lord and Saviour, know
" That which no measure knows !
" Would search the mysteiy of Thy lo\e,
" The depths of all Thy woes !
D D
402 The Book of Praise.
'' I fain would strike my harp divine,
" Before the Father's throne,
" There cast my crown of Righteousness,
" And sing what grace has done !
" Ah ! leave me not in this base world,
" A stranger still to roam ;
" Come, Lord, and take me to Thyself ;
" Come, Jesus, quickly come ! "
Robert C. Chapman. 1837 — 185?
CCCLXXVI.
Jesus, I my cross have taken.
All to leave, and follow Thee ;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou, from hence, my all shalt be :
Perish every fond ambition.
All I've sought, or hoped, or known ;
Yet how rich is my condition !
God and Heaven are still my own !
Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour too ;
Human hearts and looks deceive me ;
Thou art not, like them, untrue :
And, while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate, and friends may shun me ;
Show Thy face, and all is bright !
Go, then, earthly fame and treasure !
Come, disaster, scorn, and pain !
In Thy service, pain is pleasure.
With Thy favour, loss is gain !
Hope. 403
I have call'd Thee, Abba, Father !
I have stay'd my heart on Thee !
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,
All must work for good to me.
Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast ;
Life with trials hard may press me.
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest !
O ! 'tis not in grief to harm me,
While Thy love is left to me !
O ! 'twere not in joy to charm me.
Were that joy unmix'd with Thee !
Take, my soul, thy full salvation ;
Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care ;
Joy to find, in every station,
Something still to do or bear :
Think what Spirit dwells within thee !
W^hat a Father s smile is thine !
What a Saviour died to win thee !
Child of Heaven, shouldst thou repine ?
Haste then on from grace to glory,
Arm'd by faith, and wing'd by prayer ;
Heaven s eternal days before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there !
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days ;
Hope soon change to glad fruition,
F'aith to sight, and prayer to praise !
Hjiny Frincis Lytc. [1833.]
D D 2
404 The Book of Praise.
VI.
JOY.
"7;^ whom^ though now ye see Hint not, yet believing^
ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory r
— (i Pet. i. 8.)
CCCLXXVII.
My God, the Spring of all my joys^
The Life of my delights,
The Glory of my brig'htest days,
And Comfort of my nights :
In darkest shades if He appear,
My dawning is begun ;
He is my soul's sweet Morning-star,
And He my rising Sun.
The opening heavens around me shine
With beams of sacred bliss.
While Jesus shows, His heart is mine.
And whispers, I am His.
My soul would leave this heavy clay
At that transporting word,
Run up with joy the shining wary
T embrace my dearest Lord.
Fearless of hell and ghastly death,
I'd break through every foe :
The wings of love and arms of faith
Should bear me conqueror through.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
Joy. 405
CCCLXXVIII.
Far from the world, O Lord, I flee.
From strife and tumult far ;
From scenes where Satan wages still
His most successful war.
The calm retreat, the silent shade,
With prayer and praise agree.
And seem by Thy sweet bounty made
For those who follow Thee.
There, if Thy Spirit touch the soul,
And grace her mean abode,
Oh with what peace, and joy, and love,
She communes with her God !
There, like the nightingale, she pours
Her solitary lays.
Nor asks a witness of her song,
Nor thirsts for human praise.
Author and Guardian of my life ;
Sweet Source of light Divine ;
And, all harmonious names in one.
My Saviour ! Thou art mine !
What thanks I owe Thee, and what love,
A boundless, endless store.
Shall echo through the realms above
When time shall be no more !
William Cowper. ijjf).
CCCLXXIX.
There's not a bird, with lonely nest
In pathless wood or mountain crest.
Nor meaner thing, which does not share.
O God ! in Thy paternal care !
4o6 The Book of Praise.
There's not a being now accurst,
Who did not taste Thy goodness first ;
And every joy the wicked see
Received its origin from Thee.
Each barren crag, each desert rude,
Holds Thee within its sohtude ;
And Thou dost bless the wanderer there,
Who makes his solitary prayer.
In busy mart and crowded street,
No less than in the still retreat,
Thou, Lord, art near, our souls to bless
With all a parent's tenderness !
And every moment still doth bring
Thy blessings on its loaded wing ;
Widely they spread through earth and sky,
And last to all eternity !
Through all creation let Thy Name
Be echoed with a glad acclaim !
That let the grateful Churches sing ;
With that let heaven for ever ring !
And we, where'er our lot is cast,
W^hile life and thought and feeling last,
Through all our years, in every place,
Will bless Thee for Thy boundless grace !
Baptist Wriothesley Noel. [1841.I
CCCLXXX.
The child leans on its parent's breast.
Leaves there its cares, and is at rest ;
The bird sits singing by his nest,.
Joy. 407
And tells aloud
His trust in God, and so is blest
'Neath every cloud.
He has no store, he sows no seed ;
Yet sings aloud, and doth not heed ;
By flowing stream or grassy mead
He sings to shame
Men, who forget, in fear of need,
A Father's Name.
The heart that trusts for ever sings,
And feels as light as it had wings ;
A well of peace within it springs :
Come good or ill,
Whate'er to-day, to-morrow brings.
It is His will !
Isaac Williams. [1842.]
CCCLXXXI.
Why comes this fragrance on the summer breeze,
The blended tribute of ten thousand flowers.
To me, a frequent wanderer 'mid the trees
That form« these gay, \though solitary bowers ?
One answer is around, beneath, above ;
The echo of the voice, that God is Love !
Why bursts such melody from tree and bush,
The overflowing of each songster's heart,
So filling mine, that it can scarcely hush
Awhile to listen, but would take its part ?
'Tis but one song I hear where'er I rove.
Though countless be the notes, that God is Love !
4o8 The Book of Praise.
Why leaps the streamlet down the mountain's side.
Hastening so swiftly to the vale beneath,
To cheer the shepherd' s thirsty flock, or glide
Where the hot sun has left a faded wreath,
Or, rippling, aid the music of the grove ?
Its own glad voice replies, that God is Love !
In starry heavens, at the midnight hour,
In ever-varying hues at morning's dawn,
In the fair bow athwart the falling shower.
In forest, river, lake, rock, hill, and lawn,
One truth is written : all conspire to prove,
What gi-ace of old reveal'd, that God is Love !
Nor less this pulse of health, far glancing eye,
And heart so moved with beauty, perfume, song.
This spirit, soaring through a gorgeous sky,
Or diving ocean's coral caves among.
Fleeter than darting fish or startled dove ;
All, all declare the same, that God is Love !
Is it a fallen world on which I gaze ?
Am I as deeply fallen as the rest,
Yet joys partaking, past my utmost praise.
Instead of wandering forlorn, unblest ?
It is as if an unseen spirit strove
To grave upon my heart, that God is Love !
Yet wouldst thou see, my soul, this truth display'd
In characters which wondering angels read.
And read, adoring ; go, imploring aid
To gaze with faith, behold the Saviour bleed I
Thy God, in human form ! O, what can prove.
If this suffice thee not, that God is Love ?
Joy. 409
Cling to His cross ; and let thy ceaseless prayer
Be, that thy grasp may fail not ! and, ere long,
Thou shalt ascend to that fair Temple, where
In strains ecstatic an innumerous throng
Of saints and seraphs, round the Throne above,
Proclaim for evermore, that God is Love !
Thomas Davis. 1859.
CCCLXXXII.
Shall I fear, O Earth, thy bosom ?
Shrink and faint to lay me there.
Whence the fragrant lovely blossom
Springs to gladden earth and air ?
Whence the tree, the brook, the river.
Soft clouds floating in the sky,
All fair things come, whispering ever
Of the love Divine on high ?
Yea, whence One arose Victorious
O'er the darkness of the grave.
His strong arm revealing, glorious
In its might Divine to save ?
No, fair Earth ! a tender mother
Thou hast been, and yet canst be :
And through Him, my Lord and Brother,
' Sweet shall be my rest in thee !
Thomas Davis. 1 86a
CCCLXXXIII.
How vast the treasure we possess.
How rich Thy bounty. King of grace !
This world is ours, and worlds to come ;
Earth is our lodge, and Heaven our home,
4IO The Book of Praise.
All things are ours, the gifts of God,
The purchase of a Saviour's Blood ;
While the good Spirit shews us hov/
To use and to improve them too.
If peace and plenty crown my days.
They help me, Lord, to speak Thy praise ;
If bread of sorrows be my food,
Those sorrows work my lasting good.
I would not change my blest estate
For all the world calls good or great ;
And, while my faith can keep her hold,
I envy not the sinner's gold.
Father ; I wait Thy daily will ;
Thou shalt divide my portion still ;
Grant me on earth what seems Thee best.
Till death and Heaven reveal the rest.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
CCCLXXXIV.
By faith in Christ I w^alk with God,
With Heaven, my journey's end, in view;
Supported by His staff and rod,
My road is safe, and pleasant too.
I travel through a desert wide
Where many round me blindly stray ;
But He vouchsafes to be my Guide,
And will not let me miss my way.
Though snares and dangers throng my path,
And earth and hell my course withstand,
I triumph over all by faith.
Guarded by His Almighty hand.
Joy. 411
The wilderness affords no food ;
But God for my support prepares,
Provides me every needful good,
And frees my soul from wants and cares.
With him sweet converse I maintain ;
Great as He is, I dare be free ;
I tell Him all my grief and pain ;
And He reveals His love to me.
Some cordial from His Word He brings.
Whene'er my feeble spirit faints ;
At once my soul revives and sings.
And yields no more to sad complaints.
I pity all that worldlings talk
Of pleasures, that will quickly end ;
Be this my choice, O Lord, to walk
With Thee, my Guide, my Guard, my Friend !
Johfi Newton. 1779.
CCCLXXXV.
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings
It is the Lord, who rises
With healing in His wings :
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining
To cheer it after rain.
In holy contemplation
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new :
412 The Book of Praise.
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E'en let the unknown to-morrow
Bring with it what it may.
It can bring with it nothing,
But He will bear us through ;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe His people too ;
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed ;
And He, who feeds the ravens,
Will give His children bread.
Though vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted fruit shall bear ;
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there ;
Yet, God the same abiding.
His praise shall tune my voice ;
For, while \vi Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.
William Cowper, 1779.
CCCLXXXVI.
Long did I toil, and knew no earthly rest ;
Far did I rove, and found no certain home ;
At last I sought them in His sheltering breast.
Who opes His arms, and bids the weary come :
With Him I found a home, a rest Divine ;
And I since then am His, and He is mine.
Yes ! He is mine ! and nought of earthly things,
Not all the charms of pleasure, wealth, or power.
The fame of heroes, or the pomp of kings.
Could tempt m.e to forego His love an hour.
Joy- 413
Go, worthless world, I cry, with all that's thine !
Go ! I my Saviour's am, and He is mine.
The good I have is from His stores supplied ;
The ill is only what He deems the best ;
He for my Friend, I'm rich with nought beside ;
And poor without Him, though of all possest :
Changes may come ; I take, or I resign ;
Content, while I am His, while He is mine.
Whate'cr may change, in Him no change is seen ;
A glorious Sun, that wanes not nor declines ;
Above the clouds and storms He walks serene,
And sweetly on his people's darkness shines :
All may depart ; I fret not, nor repine.
While I my Saviour's am, while He is mine.
He stays me falling, lifts me up when down.
Reclaims me wandering, guards from every foe ;
Plants on my worthless brow the victor's crown ;
Which, in return, before His feet I throw.
Grieved that I cannot better grace His shrine,
Who deigns to own me His, as He is mine.
While here, alas ! I know but half His love.
But half discern Him, and but half adore ;
But when I meet Him in the realms above,
I hope to love Him better, praise Him more,
And feel, and tell, amid the choir Divine,
How fully I am His, and He is mine.
414 The Book of Praise.
VII.
DISCIPLINE.
' Whom the Lord loueth, He chaste7ieth'—(^^'Q.x\\.6^
CCCLXXXVII.
When Christ, with all His graces crown'd,
Sheds His kind beams abroad,
'Tis a young Heaven on earthly ground,
And glory in the bud.
A blooming paradise of joy
In this wild desert springs,
And every sense I straight employ
On sweet celestial things.
But ah ! how soon my joys decay !
How soon my sins arise
And snatch the heavenly scene away
From these lamenting eyes !
When shall the time, dear Jesus, when
The shining day appear,
That I shall leave those clouds of sin
And guilt and darkness here ?
Up to the fields above the skies
My hasty feet would go ;
There everlasting flowers arise.
And joys un withering grow !
Isaac IVails. 1709.
Discipline. 415
CCCLXXXVIII.
0 for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame !
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb !
Where is the blessedness I knew
When first I saw the Lord ?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and His word ?
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed !
How sweet their memory still !
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
Return, O holy Dove ! return,
Sweet messenger of rest !
1 hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be.
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee !
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame ;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb !
William Cowper. 1779.
CCCLXXXIX.
The spring-tide hour
Brings leaf and flower
With songs of life and love ;
4i6 The Book of Praise.
And many a lay
Wears out the day
In many a leafy grove.
Bird, flower, and tree
Seem to agree
Their choicest gifts to bring;
But this poor heart
Bears not its part,
In it there is no spring.
Dews fall apace,
The dews of grace,
Upon this soul of sin
And love Divine
Delights to shine
Upon the waste within :
Yet, year by year,
Fruits, flowers, appear,
And birds their praises sing ;
But this poor heart
Bears not its part.
Its winter has no spring.
Lord, let Thy love,
Fresh from above.
Soft as the south wind blow ;
Call forth its bloom,
Wake its perfume.
And bid its spices flow !
And when Thy voice
Makes earth rejoice.
And the hills laugh and sing,
Lord ! make this heart
To bear its part.
And join the praise of spring !
John S. B, Mo7iseU. 1850.
Discipline, 417
cccxc.
Psalm LXIII.
Early, my God, without delay,
I haste to seek Thy face ;
My thirsty spirit faints away
Without Thy cheering grace.
So pilgrims on the scorching sand
Beneath a burning sky
Long for a cooling stream at hand,
And they must drink, or die.
I've seen Thy glory and Thy power
Through all Thy temple shine ;
My God ! repeat that heavenly hour,
That vision so divine !
Not life itself, with all her joys,
Can my best passions move,
Or raise so high my cheerful voice,
As Thy forgiving love.
Thus till my last expiring day
I'll bless my God and King ;
Thus will I lift my hands to pray,
And tune my lips to sing.
Isaac Watts. 1719.
cccxci.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform ;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
E E
41 8 The Book oj Praise.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take ;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace ;
Behind a frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour ;
The bud may have a bitter taste^
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain ;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
William Cowper. 1779.
CCCXCIT.
The world can neither give nor take.
Nor can they comprehend
The peace of God, which Christ has bought,
The peace which knows no end.
The burning bush was not consumed
Whilst God remained there ;
The Three, when Jesus made the Fourth,
Found fire as soft as air.
Discipline. 419
God's furnace doth in Zion stand ;
But Zion's God sits by,
As the refiner views his gold
With an observant eye.
His thoughts are high, His love is wise,
His wounds a cure intend ;
And, though He does not always smile,
He loves unto the end.
Cento by Selina, Countess of Hnntingdon. 1780.
From John Mason. 1683.
CCCXCIII.
Let Jacob to his Maker sing,
And praise his great Redeeming King :
Call'd by a new, a gracious Name,
Let Israel loud his God proclaim.
He knows our souls in all their fears.
And gently wipes our falling tears ;
Forms trembling voices to a song,
And bids the feeble heart be strong.
Then let the rivers swell around.
And rising floods o'erflow the ground ;
Rivers and floods and seas divide.
And homage pay to Israel's Guide.
Then let the fires their rage display,
And flaming terrors bar the way ;
Unburnt, unsinged. He leads them through,
And makes the flames refreshing too.
The fires but on their bonds shall prey ;
The floods but wash their stains away ;
And Grace Divine new trophies raise
Amidst the deluge and the blaze.
Philip Doddridf^c. 1755.
E E 2
420 The Book of Praise,
CCCXCIV.
To Thee, my God, whose Presence tills
The earth, and seas, and skies.
To Thee, whose Name, whose heart is Love,
With all my powers I rise.
Troubles in long succession roll ;
Wave rushes upon wave ;
Pity, O pity my distress !
Thy child^ Thy suppliant, save !
O bid the roaring tempest cease ;
Or give me strength to bear
Whate'er Thy holy will appoints,
And save me from despair !
To Thee, my God, alone I look.
On Thee alone confide ;
Thou never hast deceived the soul
That on Thy grace rehed.
Though oft Thy ways are wrapt in clouds
Mysterious and unknown.
Truth, Righteousness, and Mercy stand
The pillars of Thy throne.
Thomas Gibbons. \ 784.
CCCXCV.
The billows swell, the winds are high,
Clouds overcast my wintry sky ;
Out of the depths to Thee I call,
My fears are great, my strength is small.
Discipli?ie. 421
O Lord, the pilot's part perform,
And guide and guard me through the storm ;
Defend me from each threatening ill,
Control the waves, say, " Peace, be still ! "
Amidst the roaring of the sea
My soul still hangs her hopes on Thee ;
Thy constant love. Thy faithful care
Is all that saves me from despair.
Dangers of every shape and name
Attend the followers of the Lamb,
Who leave the world's deceitful shore,
And leave it to return no more.
Though tempest-toss'd, and half a wreck.
My Saviour through the floods I seek :
Let neither winds nor stormy main
Force back my shatter'd bark again !
William Cowper, 1779.
CCCXCVI.
Why should I, in vain repining.
Mourn the clouds that cross my way ;
Since my Saviour's Presence shining
Turns my darkness into day ?
Earthly honour, earthly treasure,
All the warmest passions win,
And the silken wings of pleasure
Only waft us on to sin.
But, within the vale of sorrow,
All with tempests overblown.
Purer light and joy we borrow
From the face of God alone.
422 The Book of Praise,
Welcome, then, each darker token !
Mercy sent it from above !
So the heart, subdued, not broken.
Bends in fear, and melts with love.
James Edineston. 1820.
CCCXCVII.
Why should I fear the darkest hour,
Or tremble at the Tempter's power ?
Jesus vouchsafes to be my Tower.
Though hot the fight, why quit the field ?
Why must I either fly or yield.
Since Jesus is my mighty Shield 1
When creature-comforts fade and die.
Worldlings may weep, but why should I ?
Jesus still fives, and still is nigh.
Though all the flocks and herds were dead.
My soul a famine need not dread.
For Jesus is my living Bread.
i know not what may soon betide,
Or how my wants shall be supplied ;
But Jesus knows, and will provide.
Though Sin would fill me with distress,
The throne of Grace I dare address,
For Jesus is my Righteousness.
Though faint my prayers, and cold my love,
My stedfast hope shall not remove
While Jesus intercedes above.
Discipli7ie. ^2^
Against me earth and hell combine ;
But on my side is Power divine ;
Jesus is all, and He is minei
J oh?i Newton. 1779.
CCCXCVIII.
When gathering clouds around I view,
And days are dark and friends are few,
On Him I lean, who not in vain
Experienced every human pain ;
He sees my wants, allays my fears.
And counts and treasures up my tears.
If aught should tempt my soul to stray
From heavenly wisdom's narrow way ;
To fly the good I would pursue.
Or do the sin I would not do ;
Still He, who felt temptation's power.
Shall guard me in that dangerous hour.
If wounded love my bosom swell.
Deceived by those I prized too well ;
He shall His pitying aid bestow.
Who felt on earth severer woe ;
At once betrayed, denied, or fled.
By those who shared His daily bread.
If vexing thoughts within me rise,
And, sore dismayed, my spirit dies ;
Still He, who once vouchsafed to bear
The sickening anguish of despair,
Shall sweetly soothe, shall gently dry,
The throbbing heart, the streaming eye.
424 The Book of Praise.
When sorrowing o'er some stone I bend,
Which covers what was once a friend,
And from his voice, his hand, his smile,
Divides me for a Httle while ;
Thou, Saviour, mark'st the tears I shed.
For Thou didst weep o'er Lazarus dead !
And O ! when I have safely past
Through every conflict but the last ;
Still, still unchanging, watch beside
My painful bed, for Thou hast died !
Then point to realms of cloudless day,
And wipe the latest tear away !
Sir Robert Grant. 1 806— 1 8 1 2.
CCCXCIX.
Whate'er my God ordains is right i
His will is ever just ;
Howe'er He orders now my cause,
I will be still and trust.
He is my God ;
Though dark my road.
He holds mie that I shall not fall ;
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.
Whate'er my God ordains is right ;
He never will deceive ;
He leads me by the proper path.
And so to Him I cleave.
And take content
What He hath sent ;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.
Discipline. 425
Whate'er my God ordains is right ;
He taketh thought for me ;
The cup that my Physician gives
No poisoned draught can be,
But medicine due ;
For God is true ;
And on that changeless truth I build,
And all my heart with hope is fill'd.
Whate'er my God ordains is right ;
Though I the cup must drink
That bitter seems to my faint heart,
I will not fear nor shrink ;
Tears pass away
With dawn of day ;
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow all depart.
Whate'er my God ordains is right ;
My Light, my Life is He,
Who cannot will me aught but good ;
I trust Him utterly;
For well I know,
In joy or woe.
We soon shall see as sunlight clear.
How faithful was our Guardian here.
Whate'er my God ordains is right ;
Here will I take my stand.
Though sorrow, need, or death make earth
For me a desert land.
My Father's care
Is round me there ;
He holds me that I shall not fall,
And so to Him I leave it all.
Catherine IVitikworth. 1858.
{From S. Rodigasi.)
426 The Book of Praise.
VIII.
PATIENCE.
''^Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the CQ7ni7ig of
the Lordr — Qames v. 7.)
cccc.
When languor and disease invade
This trembhng house of clay,
'Tis sweet to look beyond the cage,
And long to fly away.
Sweet to look inward, and attend
The whispers of His love ;
Sweet to look upward to the place
Where Jesus pleads above.
Sweet to look back, and see my Name
In Life's fair book set down ;
Sweet to look forward, and behold
Eternal joys my own.
Sweet to reflect, how Grace Divine
My sins on Jesus laid ;
Sweet to remember, that His Blood
My debt of sufferings paid.
Sweet on His Righteousness to stand
Which saves from second death ;
Sweet to experience, day by day.
His Spirit's quickening breath.
Sweet on His faithfulness to rest,
Whose love can never end ;
Sweet on His covenant of grace
For all things to depend.
Patience. 427
Sweet in the confidence of faith
To trust His firm decrees ;
Sweet to lie passive in His hand,
And know no will but His.
Sweet to rejoice in lively hope,
That, when my change shall come,
Angels will hover round my bed,
And waft my spirit home.
There shall my disimprison'd soul
Behold Him, and adore ;
Be with His Likeness satisfied,
And grieve and sin no more ;
Shall see Him wear that very Flesh
On which my guilt was lain ;
His Love intense, His Merit fresh.
As though but newly slain !
Soon, too, my slumbering dust shall hear
The Trumpet's quickening sound ;
And, by my Saviour's Power rebuilt,
At His right hand be found.
These eyes shall see Him in that day,
The God that died for me !
And all my rising bones shall say.
Lord, who is like to Thee .^
If such the views which grace unfolds,
Weak as it is below,
What raptures must the Church al30\e
In Jesus' Presence know !
428 The Book of Praise.
If such the sweetness of the stream,
What must the Fountain be,
Where saints and angels draw their bhss
Immediately from Thee !
O ! may the unction of these truths
For ever with me stay,
Till, from her sinful cage dismiss'd,
My spirit flies away !
Atigustus Montague Toplady. 1777.
CCCCI.
We're bound for yonder land
Where Jesus reigns supreme ;
We leave the shore at His command,
Forsaking all for Him.
The perils of the sea,
The rocks, the waves, the wind,
Are small, whatever they may be,
To those we leave behind.
Nor have we cause to fear ;
The God, who rules the sea,
In every danger will be near,
And our protector be.
The Lord Himself will keep
His people safe from harm,
Will hold the helm, and guide the ship.
With His Almighty arm.
Then let the tempests roar,
The billows heave and swell ;
We trust to reach the peaceful shore
Where all the ransom'd dwell ;
Patience. 429
And, when we gain the land,
How happy shall we be !
How shall we bless the mighty Hand
That led us through the sea !
Thomas Kelly. i8ogt
CCCCII.
Rejoice, though storms assail thee ;
Rejoice, w^hen skies are bright ;
Rejoice, though round thy pathway
Is spread the gloom of night :
If the good hope be in thee
That all at last is well,
Then let thy happy spirit
With joyful feelings swell !
Look back on early childhood,
And let thy soul rejoice !
Who then upheld thy goings,
And tuned thy feeble voice ?
Look back on youth's gay visions
When life one glory seem'd :
Who pour'd those rays of gladness
Which on thy prospect beam'd ?
Recall the hours of anguish,
And let thy soul rejoice.
Though wave on wave of sorrow
Rush on with fearful noise :
Was not the Bow of Promise
Still seen amidst the gloom,
Shedding its hallow'd lustre
E'en round the silent tomb ?
430 The Book of Praise.
Rejoice, rejoice for ever,
Though earthly friends be gone !
For silently and swiftly
The wheels of time roll on ;
And still they bear thee forward
Nearer that happy shore,
While the triumphant song is,
Rejoice for evermore !
Anon. [1825.]
CCCCIII.
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee !
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me ;
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee !
Though like the wanderer.
The sun gone down.
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone ;
Yet in my dreams I'd be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee !
There let the way appear .
Steps unto Heaven ;
All that Thou send'st to me
In mercy given ;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee !
Patience. 43 '
Then with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I'll raise ;
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee !
Or if on joyful wing
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upwards I fly,
Still all my song shall be.
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee !
Sarah Flower Adams. 1840.
CCCCIV.
Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on ;
The night is dark, and I am far from home ;
Lead Thou me on ;
Keep Thou my feet ; I do not ask to see
The distant scene ; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor pray'd, that Thou
Shouldst lead me on ;
I loved to choose and see my path ; but now
Lead Thou me on !
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will : Remember not past years I
432 The Book of Praise,
So long Thy Power has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile !
John Henry Newman. 1833.
CCCCV.
Abide with me ! fast falls the even-tide ;
The darkness deepens ; Lord, with me abide !
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me !
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day ;
Earth's joys grow dim ; its glories pass away ;
Change and decay in all around I see ;
O Thou, who changest not, abide with me !
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word ;
But, as Thou dwell'st wit"h Thy disciples, Lord,
Famihar, condescending, patient, free,
Come, not to sojourn, but abide, with me !
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings ;
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings ;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea ;
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus 'bide with me !
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile ;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee
On to the close, O Lord^ abide with me !
Patience. 433
I need Thy Presence every passing hour :
What but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power ?
Who Hke Thyself my guide and stay can be ?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me !
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless :
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness :
Where is death's sting ? where, Grave, thy victory ?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me !
Hold then Thy cross before my closing eyes !
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies !
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows
flee;
In life and death, O Lord, abide with me !
Henry Francis Lyte. 1847.
CCCCVI.
Commit thou all thy griefs
And ways into His hands.
To His sure Truth and tender care,
Who earth and Heaven commands.
Who points the clouds their course.
Whom winds and seas obey,
He shall direct thy wandering feet,
He shall prepare thy way.
Thou on the Lord rely ;
So safe shalt thou go on ;
Fix on His Work thy stedfast eye,
So shall thy work be done.
F F
434 The Book of Praise.
No profit canst thou gain
By self-consuming care ;
To Him commend thy cause ; His ear
Attends the softest prayer.
Thy everlasting Truth,
Father ! Thy ceaseless love,
Sees all Thy children's wants, and knows
What best for each will prove.
And whatsoe'er Thou will'st
Thou dost, O King of kings ;
What Thy unerring Wisdom chose,
Thy Power to being brings.
Thou everywhere hast sway,
And all things serve Thy might ;
Thy every act pure blessing is,
Thy path unsullied light.
When Thou arisest. Lord,
Who shall Thy work withstand ?
When all Thy children want Thou giv'st.
Who, who shall stay Thy hand ?
Give to the winds thy fears ;
Hope, and be undismayed ;
God hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears,
God shall hft up thy head.
Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears thy way ;
Wait thou His time ; so shall this night
Soon end in joyous day.
Patience. 435
Still heavy is thy heart ?
Still sink thy spirits down ?
Cast off the weight, let fear depart,
And every care be gone.
What though thou rulest not ?
Yet Heaven and earth and hell
Proclaim, God sitteth on the Throne,
And ruleth all things well !
Leave to His sovereign sway
To choose and to command ;
So shalt thou wondering own, His way
How wise, how strong His hand !
Far, far above thy thought
His counsel shall appear,
When fully He the work hath wrought
71iat caused thy needless fear.
Tliou seest our weakness. Lord !
Our hearts are known to Thee :
Oh ! lift Thou up the sinking hand,
Confirm the feeble knee !
Let us, in life, m death,
Thy stedfast Truth declare,
And publish, with our latest breath,
Thy love and guardian care !
John Wesley. 172>9-
{From Paul Gerhardt]
CCCCVII.
Your harps, ye trembling saints,
Down from the willows take ;
Loud to the praise of Love divine,
Bid every string awake.
F F 2
436 The Book of Praise.
Though in a foreign land,
We are not far from home ;
And nearer to our house above,
We every moment come.
His Grace will to the end
Stronger and brighter shine ;
Nor present things, nor things to come,
Shall quench the spark divine.
Fasten'd within the vail,
Hope be your anchor strong ;
His loving Spirit the sweet gale
That wafts you smooth along.
Or, should the surges rise.
And peace delay to come,
Blest is the sorrow, kind the storm,
That drives us nearer home.
The people of His choice
He will not cast away ;
Yet do not always here expect
On Tabor's mount to stay.
When we in darkness walk,
Nor feel the heavenly -flame,
Then is the time to trust our God,
And rest upon His Name.
Soon shall our doubts and fears
Subside at His control ;
His loving-kindness shall break through
The midnight of the soul.
Patie7ice. 437
No wonder, when His Love
Pervades your kindling breast,
You wish for ever to retain
The heart-transporting Guest.
Yet learn, in every state,
To make His will your own ;
And, when the joys of sense depart,
To walk by faith alone.
By anxious fear depress'd,
When from the deep ye mourn,
" Lord, why so hasty to depart,
" So tedious in return 1 "
Still on His plighted Love
At all events rely ;
The very hidings of His face
Shall train thee up to joy.
Wait, till the shadows flee ;
Wait thy appointed hour ;
Wait, till the Bridegroom of thy soul
Reveal His Love with power.
The time of Love will come,
When thou shalt clearly see.
Not only that He shed His Blood,
But that it flowed for thee !
Tarry His leisure, then.
Although He seem to stay ;
A moment's intercourse with Him
Thy grief will overpay.
438 The Book of Pi-aise.
Blest is the man, O God,
That stays himself on Thee !
Who wait for Thy salvation, Lord,
Shall Thy salvation see !
Augustus Montag7ie Toplacfy. 1772.
CCCCVIII.
Through the love of God our Saviour
All will be well ;
Free and changeless is His favour ;
All, all is well !
Precious is the Blood that heal'd us,
Perfect is the grace that seal'd us,
Strong the Hand stretch'd forth to shield us ;
All must be well !
Though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well ;
Ours is such a full salvation.
All, all is well !
Happy, still to God confiding,
Fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy, through the Spirit's guiding ;
All must be well !
We expect a bright to-morrow,
All will be well ;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well !
On our Father's love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Or in living, or in dying,
All must be well !
Mary Bowly. 1 847.
Patience. 439
CCCCIX.
Rest weary soul !
The penalty is borne, the ransom paid,
For all thy sins full satisfaction made ;
Strive not to do thyself what Christ has done,
Claim the free gift, and make the joy thine own ;
No more by pangs of guilt and fear distrest,
Rest, sweetly rest !
Rest, weary heart.
From all thy silent griefs, and secret pain,
Thy profitless regrets, and longings vain ;
Wisdom and love have ordered all the past.
All shall be blessedness and light at last ;
Cast off the cares that have so long opprest ;
Rest, sweetly rest !
Rest, weary head !
Lie down to slumber in the peaceful tomb :
Light from above has broken through its gloom ;
Here, in the place where once thy Saviour lay,
Where He shall wake thee on a future day.
Like a tired child upon its mother's breast.
Rest, sweetly rest !
Rest, spirit free !
In the green pastures of the heavenly shofe,
W^here sin and sorrow can approach no more,
With all the flock by the Good Shepherd fed,
Beside the streams of Life eternal led.
For ever with thy God and Saviour blest.
Rest, sweetly rest !
Auon.''H.L. Lr 1859.
440 The Book of Praise,
ccccx.
For ever with the Lord !
Amen ! so let it be !
Life from the dead is in that word,
And immortahty !
Here in the body pent,
Absent from Him I roam,
Yet nightly pitch my moving tent
A day's march nearer home.
My Father's house on high,
Home of my soul ! how near,
At times, to faith's foreseeing eye,
Thy golden gates appear !
Ah ! then my spirit faints
To reach the land I love.
The bright inheritance of saints,
Jerusalem above !
Yet clouds will intervene,
And all my prospect flies ;
Like N^^h's dove, I flit between
Rough seas and stormy skies.
Anon the clouds depart,
The winds and waters cease ;
While sweetly o'er my gladden'd heart
Expands the bow of peace !
Beneath its glowing arch,
Along the hallow'd ground,
I see cherubic armies march,
A camp of fire around.
Patience. 441
I hear at morn and even,
At noon and midnight hour,
The choral harmonies of Heaven
Earth's Babel tongues o'erpower.
Then, then I feel, that He,
Remember'd or forgot.
The Lord, is never far from me.
Though I perceive Him not.
James Montgomery. 1853.
CCCCXI.
The God of Abraham praise,
Who reigns enthroned above,
Ancient of everlasting days,
And God of Love !
Jehovah ! Great I Am !
By earth and Heaven confest ;
I bow and bless the sacred Name,
For ever blest !
The God of Abraham praise !
At whose supreme command
From earth I rise, and seek the joys
At His right hand :
I all on earth forsake,
Its wisdom, fame, and power.
And Him my only portion make,
My Shield and Tower.
The God of Abraham praise !
Whose all-sufficient grace
Shall guide me all my happy day?
In all my ways :
442 The Book of Praise.
He calls a worm His friend !
He calls Himself my God !
And He shall save me to the end
Through Jesus' Blood.
He by Himself hath sworn,
I on His oath depend ;
I shall, on eagle's wings upborne.
To Heaven ascend ;
I shall behold His face,
I shall His power adore,
And sing the wonders of His grace
For evermore !
Though nature's strength decay.
And earth and hell withstand,
To Canaan's bounds I urge my way
At His command :
The wateiy deep I pass
With Jesus in my view,
And through the howling wilderness
My way pursue.
The goodly land I see,
With peace and plenty blest,
A land of sacred liberty,
And endless rest :
There milk and honey flow,
And oil and wine abound,
And trees of life for ever grow.
With Mercy crown'd.
There dwells the Lord our King,
The Lord our Righteousness,
Triumphant o'er the world and sin,
The Prince of Peace 1
Patience. 443
On Sion's sacred height
His kingdom still maintains,
And, glorious with His saints in light,
For ever reigns !
He keeps His own secure ;
He guards them by His side ;
Arrays in garments white and pure
His spotless Bride ;
With streams of sacred bliss,
With groves of living joys.
With all the fruits of Paradise,
He still supplies.
Before the great Three-One
They all exulting stand,
And tell the wonders He hath done
Through all their land ;
The listening spheres attend
And swell the growing fame,
And sing, in songs which never end,
The wondrous Name !
The God, who reigns on high,
The great Archangels sing,
And, " Holy, holy, holy," cry,
"Almighty King !
"Who Was, and Is, the same,
" And evermore shall be !
" Jehovah ! Father ! Great I Am !
"We worship Thee !"
Before the Saviours face
The ransom'd nations bow,
O'erwhelm'd at His Almighty grace,
For ever new :
444 The Book of Praise.
He shows His prints of love ;
They kindle to a flame,
And sound, through all the worlds above,
The slaughter'd Lamb !
The whole triumphant host
Give thanks to God on high ;
" Hail ! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost !"
They ever cry :
Hail ! Abraham's God, and mine !
I join the heavenly lays ;
All might and majesty are Thine,
And endless praise !
Thomas Olivers. 1772.
CCCCXII.
Rev. vii. 9—17.
I saw, and lo ! a countless throng,
Th' elect of every nation, name, and tongue.
Assembled round the everlasting Throne ;
With robes of white endued,
The Righteousness of God ;
And each a palm sustain'd
In his victorious hand ;
When thus the bright melodious choir begun
" Salvation to Thy Name,
" Eternal God, and co-eternal Lamb !
" In power, in glory, and in Essence, One !"
So sung the Saints. Th' Angelic train
Second the anthem with a loud Amen :
(These in the outer circle stood,
The Saints were nearest God ;)
Patic?ice. 445
And prostrate fall, with glory overpower'd,
And hide their faces with their wings,
And thus address the King of kings :
" All hail ! by Thy triumphant Church adored !
" Blessing and thanks and honour too
" Are Thy supreme, Thy everlasting due,
"Our Triune Sovereign, our propitious Lord !"
Wliile I beheld th' amazing sight,
A Seraph pointed to the Saints in white.
And told me who they were, and whence they came:
" These are they, whose lot below
" Was persecution, pain, and woe ;
" These are the chosen purchased Flock,
" Who ne'er their Lord forsook ;
"Through His imputed Merit free from blame ;
" Redeem'd from every sin ;
"And, as thou seest, whose garments were made
clean,
" Wash'd in the Blood of yon Exalted Lamb.
" Saved by His Righteousness alone,
" Spotless they stand before the Throne,
"And in th' ethereal' Temple chant His praise :
" Himself among them deigns to dwell,
"And face to face His Light reveal :
" Hunger and thirst, as heretofore,
" And pain, and heat, they know no more,
" Nor need, as once, the sun's proUfic rays :
" Immanuel here His people feeds,
" To streams of joy perennial leads,
"And wipes, for ever wipes, the tears from every face."
Happy the souls released from fear,
And safely landed there 1
446 The Book of Praise.
Some of the shining number once I knew,
And travell'd with them here :
Nay some, my elder brethren now,
Set later out for Heaven, my junior saints below :
Long after me, they heard the call of Grace
Which waked them unto Righteousness :
How have they got beyond !
Converted last, yet first with glory crown'd !
Little, once, I thought that these
Would first the Summit gain,
And leave me far behind, slow journeying through
the Plain.
Loved while on earth ! nor less belov'd, tho' gone !
Think not I envy you your crown :
No ! if I could, I would not call you down !
Though slower is my pace.
To you I'll follow on,
Leaning on Jesus all the way ;
Who, now and then, lets fall a ray
Of comfort from His Throne :
The shinings of His grace
Soften my passage through the wilderness ;
And vines, nectareous, spring where briers grew :
The sweet unveilings of His Face
Make me, at times, near half as blest as you !
O ! might His Beauty feast my ravish'd eyes.
His gladdening Presence ever stay,
And cheer me all my journey through !
But soon the clouds return ; my triumph dies ;
Damp vapours from the valley rise.
And hide the hill of Sion from my view.
Spirit of Light ! thrice holy Dove !
Brighten my sense of mterest in that Love
Patience. 447
Which knew no birth, and never shall expire !
Electing Goodness, firm and free,
My whole salvation hangs on thee,
Eldest and fairest daughter of Eternity !
Redemption, grace, and glory too,
Our bliss above, and hopes below.
From her, their parent-fountain, flow.
Ah ! tell me. Lord, that Thou hast chosen me !
Thou, who hast kindled my intense desire,
Fulfil the wish Thy influence did inspire,
And let me my election know !
Then, when Thy summons bids me come up
higher,
Well pleased I shall from life retire.
And join the burning hosts, beheld at distance now.
Augustus Montague Toplady. 1759 — 1774-
ADDITIONAL HYMNS.
G G
ADDITIONAL HYMNS.
Christ Incarnate.
1
When Thou, O Lord, in flesh wert drest,
The world Thou mad'st to free.
The Inn, where weary travellers rest,
Had not a room for Thee.
The Holy Babe in manger rude
Was all His birth-night laid ;
Pondering God's words, in thoughtful mood,
Nigh watched the Mother Maid.
But oh ! that wondrous midnight round
What light, what glories throng,
When man his infant Saviour found,
And heard the angels' song !
Sweet anthem ! caught from hosts on high.
Dwell thou our hearts within ;
Blest bridal of the earth and sky,
Long separate through sin.
Though all unmeet that gladsome hymn
For harps by sin unstrung,
That psalm, by white-robed seraphim
In God's own presence sung,
G G 2
452 The Book of Praise.
Yet sometimes, when our spirit tires,
By toil and darkness worn,
Lord ! make us hear seraphic choirs,
And give a ghmpse of morn !
If love wax cold, and strife increase,
Chant in our hearts again,
" Glory to God on high, and peace
" On earth, good will to men ! "
yoseph Aiistice.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning !
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us Thine aid !
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid !
Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining ;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall ;
Angels adore Him, in slumber reclining.
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.
Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odours of Edom and offerings divine ?
Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from, the forest, or gold from the mJne ?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation ;
Vainly with gifts would His favour secure :
Richer by far is the heart's adoration ;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
■Christ Crucified. 453
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning \
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid !
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid !
Bishop Reginald Heber. 1 8 1 1 .
Christ Crucified.
3
Ana was crucified for us under Po7itius Pilate
He suffered, and was buried!''
Ride on ! ride on in majesty !
Hark ! all the tribes Hosanna cry !
Thine humble beast pursues his road,
With palms and scattered garments strow'd.
Ride on ! ride on in majesty !
In lowly pomp ride on to die I
O Christ ! Thy triumphs now begin
O'er captive Death and conqucr'd Sin.
Ride on I ride on in majesty !
The winged squadrons of the sky
Look down with sad and wondering eyes
To see the approaching Sacrifice.
Ride on ! ride on in majesty !
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh ;
The Father on His sapphire Throne
Expects His own anointed Son.
Ride on ! ride on in majesty !
In lowly pomp ride on to die !
Bow Thy meek Head to mortal pain !
Then take, O God ! Thy power, and reign I
Henry Hart Milniaft. 1 827.
454 The Book of Praise.
Bound upon th' accursed tree,
Faint and bleeding, Who is He ?
By the eyes so pale and dim.
Streaming blood, and writhing limb,
By the flesh, with scourges torn,
By the crown of twisted thorn,
By the side, so deeply pierc'd,
By the baffled burning thirst,
By the drooping death-dew'd brow,
Bound upon th' accursed tree,
Dread and awful. Who is He ?
By the sun at noonday pale.
Shivering rocks, and rending veil,
By earth, that trembles at His doom,
By yonder saints, that burst their tomb,
By Eden, promised ere He died
To the felon at His side.
Lord, our suppliant knees we bow ;
Son of God ! 'tis Thou, 'tis Thou !
Bound upon th' accursed tree,
Sad and dying. Who is He?
By the last and bitter cry,
The ghost giv'n up in agony ;
By the lifeless Body, laid
In the chamber of the dead ;
By the mourners, come to weep
Where the bones of Jesus sleep ;
Crucified ! we know Thee now ;
Son of Man ! 'tis Thou, 'tis Thou !
Christ Crucified. a
Bound upon th' accursed tree,
Dread and awful, Who is He?
By the prayer for them that slew,
" Lord ! they know not what they do I "'
By the spoil'd and empty grave,
By the souls He died to save,
By the conquest Fie hath won,
By the saints before His Throne,
By the rainbow round His brow,
Son of God ! 'tis Thou, 'tis Thou !
Henry Hart Miluiaii. 1 82 7.
Not all the blood of beasts,
On Jewish altars slain,
Could give the guilty conscience peace.
Or wash away the stain.
But Christ, the heavenly Lamb,
Takes all our sins away ;
A Sacrifice of nobler name
And richer blood than they.
My faith would lay her hand
On that dear Head of Thine,
While like a penitent I stand,
And there confess my sin.
My soul looks back to see
The burdens Thou didst bear.
When hanging on th' accursed tree.
And hopes her guilt was there.
Isaac Watts. 1709.
456 The Book of Praise.
6
Come, let us join our cheerful songs
With angels round the Throne ;
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
But all their joys are one.
" Worthy the Lamb that died," they cry,
" To be exalted thus ! "
" Worthy the Lamb ! " our lips reply,
" For He was slain for us."
Jesus is worthy to receive
Honour and power divine,
And blessings, more than we can give,
Be, Lord, for ever Thine.
Let all that dwell above the sky.
And air, and earth, and seas.
Conspire to lift Thy glories high.
And speak Thine endless praise.
The whole Creation join in one
To bless the sacred Name
Of Him, that sits upon the Throne,
And to adore the Lamb !
Isaac Watts. 1709.
Christ Risen.
7
Lo ! the day the Lord hath made !
From the tomb's funereal shade
Now the Sun of goodness brings
Healing on His radiant wings :
Christ Risen. 457
And before His bridal light
All the denizens of night,
Fear, and shame, and sorrow fade :
Bless the day the Lord hath made 1
Angels, who the morn outrun
To adore the glorious Sun ;
At whose step the firm earth shakes.
From whose eye the lightning breaks ;
Ye, whose hand excels in might ;
Ye, whose accents breathe delight ;
Forms in dazzling white array'd ;
Bless the day the Lord hath made !
Holy women, whom the dawn
Sees by pious duty drawn
To the Saviour's rock-hewn bed,
Tears, and unguents rich, to shed ;
Stay your tears, your gifts withhold ;
Angel-led, the cave behold,
Where the Savioui-'s corse was laid :
Bless the day the Lord hath made I
Holy men, beloved pair,
Who with rival speed repair
To explore the inmost gloom
Of the yet untrodden tomb ;
Mark the clothes, that wrapped Him round,
Swathed His limbs, His temples bound.
All in seemliest order laid :
Bless the day the Lord hath made \
First of all the faithful train
To behold thy Lord again,
Stay not, iVIary, weeping here ;
See, thy Saviour's self is near :
458 The Book of Praise.
Quick thy mighty Master greet,
Fall in homage at His feet :
All thy griefs are now repaid :
Bless the day the Lord hath made !
Doubtful hearts, whom late He taught,
Musing now in anxious thought.
Cease your doubts, your sorrows cease,
Hear Him speak the words of peace :
Deem your eyes no spirit meet ;
Mark His pierced hands and feet,
Mark His wounded side display'd :
Bless the day the Lord hath made !
Church of God, whom this fair morn
Sees to life and glory born,
Founded on the living Stone,
Which by Judah's builders thrown,
Thrown with infamy aside,
Now becomes thy Strength and Pride ;
Be thy debt of duty paid ;
Bless the day the Lord hath made I
Ever, as this day shall rise
Beaming in the vernal skies,
Duly to the Saviour's praise,
Church of God, the anthem raise !
Christ our passover was slain !
Keep the feast, and swell the strain :
Christ is raised from the dead !
Bless the day the Lord hath made !
Bishop Richard Mant. 1 83 1,
Christ Risen. 459
Ad tcnipia nos rursits vocat.
Morning lifts her dewy veil
With new-born blessings crown d ;
Let us haste her light to hail
In courts of holy ground.
Christ hath shed a fairer morn,
From darkness rising free ;
In his glorious light new-born,
Let us lift the jubilee.
From the swaddling bands of night
When sprang the Avorld so fair,
Putting on her robes of light,
O what a power was there !
When our God, who gave His Son,
His guilty foes to spare,
Woke to life the guiltless One,
O what a love was there !
W^hen from the Eternal's hand
The earth in beauty stood,
Ueck'd in light at His command,
He saw, and called it good.
Yet a goodlier world it stood
In the Creator's sight,
In the Lamb's all-cleansing blood
Wash'd to celestial white.
Isaac W'illiaiHS. 1839.
460 The Book of Praise.
Christ Ascended,
9
Where high the heavenly Temple stands,
The house of God not made with hands,
A great High Priest our nature wears,
The guardian of mankind appears.
He, who for men their Surety stood,
And poured on earth His precious Blood,
Pursues in Heaven His mighty plan,
The Saviour and the Friend of man.
Though now ascended up on high,
He bends on earth a Brother's eye ;
Partaker of the human name,
He knows the frailty of our frame.
Our Fellow-sufferer yet retains
A fellow-feeling of our pains ;
And still remembers in the skies
His tears. His agonies, and cries.
In every pang that rends the heart
The Man of Sorrows had a part ;
He sympathises with our grief.
And to the sufferer sends relief.
With boldness, therefore, at the Throne,
Let us make all our sorrows known ;
And ask the aid of Heavenly power
To help us in the evil hour.
John Logan. 1770.
CJi rist A seen dcd^ 46 1
10
Lord of mercy and of might !
Of mankind the Life and Light !
Maker, Teacher Infinite !
Jesus I hear and save !
Who, when sin's tremendous doom
Gave creation to the tomb.
Didst not scorn the Virgin's womb,
Jesus ! hear and save !
Mighty Monarch ! Saviour mild !
Humbled to a mortal child.
Captive, beaten, bound, reviled,
Jesus ! hear and save !
Throned above celestial things.
Borne aloft on angels' wings.
Lord of lords, and King of kings,
Jesus I hear and save !
Who shalt yet return from high,
Robed in might and majesty.
Hear us ! help us when we cry !
Jesus ! hear and save !
Bishop Rc'gifiald Heber. 1 8 1 1 ,
11
Thou the cup of death didst drain.
Thou within the tomb wert laid ;
Thou art Risen, Thou dost reign,
Sgraphim Thy subjects made !
462 TJie Book oj Praise.
Lord ! when we recal the story
Of Thy lowHness and glory,
Keep us, lest we fall from Thee,
Through that awful mystery.
Who can fathom the abyss
Where Thou plunged'st for our love ?
Who conceive the glorious bliss
Waiting on Thy steps above ?
Cradled in the lowliest shed,
Weeping, toiling, suffering, dead !
Mighty Monarch, throned on high,
Ruling all in earth and sky !
Who is equal to these things ?
Who such mysteries can brook ?
Faith, with eagle eye and wings.
Scarcely there may soar or look.
Thought must seek that height in vain,
All her musings turn to pain.
Whelmed beneath the mighty load
Of that word, Incarnate God !
Blessed, blessed be the Lord !
Who on simple souls and poor
Gently has the knowledge pour'd.
Which the wise can scarce endure.
Saved from sinning, happy, healed
By those mystic truths revealed,
Changed by power above their own,
Christ to them is fully known.
Known when drawing infant breath,
Known in labour and in pain,
Known victorious over death,
Known in His triumphant reign.
Christ Ascended. 463
All He suficrcd, all He won,
God, and woman's wondrous Son :
All alike from sin restrain,
All to them is wise and plain.
Other days may come at last,
When our purer eyes shall see,
By no whelming thoughts o'ercast,
Our salvation's mystery.
Give us grace meanwhile to rest.
By obedience taught and blest.
Sure, that truths which make us free,
God of counsel, flow from Thee !
Joseph Anstice. 1836.
12
One there is, above all others.
Well deserves the name of Friend :
His is love beyond a brother's,
Costly, free, and knows no end.
They who once His kindness prove
Find it everlasting love.
Which of all our friends, to save us.
Could or would have shed their blood
But our Jesus died to have us
Reconciled in Him to God.
This was boundless love indeed ;
Jesus is a Friend in need.
When He lived on earth abased.
Friend of sinners was His name ;
Now above all gloiy raised,
He rejoices in the same :
464 The Book of Praise.
Still He calls them brethren, friends,
And to all their wants attends.
Could we bear from one another
What He daily bears from us ?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother
Loves us though we treat Him thus :
Though for good we render ill.
He accounts us brethren still.
Oh ! for grace our hearts to soften !
Teach us, Lord, at length to love !
We, alas ! forget too often
What a Friend \ye have above :
But, when home our souls are brought,
We will love Thee as we ought.
John Newton. 1779.
Chj'isfs Kingdom and Judgment.
13
When came in flesh th' Incarnate Word,
The heedless world slept on.
And only simple shepherds heard
That God had sent His Son.
When comes the Saviour at the last,
From west to east shall shine
The awful pomp, and earth aghast
Shall tremble at the sign.
Then shall the pure in heart be blest ;
As mild He comes to them.
As when upon the Virgin's breast
He lay at Bethlehem :
Chrisfs Kingdom and Judginoit. ^.6;
As mild to mcek-eycd love and faith ;
Only more strong to save ;
Strengthened, by having bowed to death
By having burst the grave.
Lord I who could dare see Thee descend
In state, unless he knew
Thou art the sorrowing sinner's Friend,
The gracious, and the true ?
Dwell in our hearts, O Saviour blest !
So shajl Thine Advent dawn
'Twixt us and Thee, our bosom-Guest,
Be but the veil withdrawn.
Joseph Ansticc. 1836.
14
Great Qod, what do I see and hear !
The end of things created !
The Judge of mankind doth appear
On clouds of glory seated !
The trumpet sounds ; the graves restore
The dead which they contained before :
Prepare, my soul, to meet Him !
The dead in Christ arc first to rise
And greet th' Archangel's warning,
To meet the Saviour in the skies
On this auspicious morning :
No gloomy fears their souls dismay
His Presence sheds eternal day
On those prepared to meet Him.
Far over space, to distant spheres,
The lightnings are prevailing :
Th' ungodly rise, and all their tears
And sighs are unavailing :
H H
466 The Book of Praise.
The day of grace is past and gone ;
They shake before the Judge's throne,
All unprepared to meet Him.
Stay, fancy, stay, and close thy \vings.
Repress thy flight too daring !
One wondrous sight my comfort brings.
The Judge my nature wearing.
Beneath His cross I view the day
When Heaven and Earth shall pass away,
And thus prepare to meet Him.
William Bengo CoUyer. 181 2.
{First stanza Anon, from Benjamin Ringwald.)
15
That day of wrath, that dreadful day,
When heaven and earth shall pass away.
What power shall be the sinner's stay ?
How shall he meet that dreadful day 1
When, shrivelling like a parched scroll,
The flaming heavens together roll ;
When louder yet, and yet more dread,
Swells the high trump that wakes the dead ;
O ! on that day, that wrathful day.
When man to judgment wakes from clay,
Be Thou the trembling sinner's stay,
Though heaven and earth shall pass away I
Sir Walter Scott. 1805.
The Holy Catholic Church. 467
16
" Urbs Syon aurca, Patria lact.'aP
Jerusalem the golden.
With milk and honey blest,
Beneath thy contemplation
Sink heart and voice opprest.
I know not, O I know not,
What social joys arc there ;
What radiancy of glory.
What light beyond compare.
They stand, those halls of Sion,
Conjubilant with song.
And bright with many an angel.
And all the martyr throng.
The Prince is ever in them ;
The daylight is serene ;
The pastures of the Blessed
Are decked in glorious sheen.
There is the Throne of David ;
And there, from care releas'd.
The song of them that triumph,
The shout of them that feast.
And they, who, with their Leader,
Have conquer'd in the fight,
For ever and for ever
Are clad in robes of white.
John Mason Ncale. i86r.
From Bcr/iard of Morlai.v.
H II 3
468 The Book of Praise.
17
Songs of praise the angels sang,
Heaven with hallelujahs rang,
When Jehovah's work begun,
When He spake, and it was done.
Songs of praise awoke the morn.
When the Prince of Peace was born ;_
Songs of praise arose, when He
Captive led captivity.
Heaven and earth must pass away.
Songs of praise shall crown that day ;
God will make new heavens, new earth,
Songs of praise shall hail their birth.
And can man alone be dumb.
Till that glorious kingdom come?
No : the Church delights to raise
Psalms, and hymns, and songs of praise.
Saints below, with heart and voice,
Still in songs of praise rejoice,
Learning here^ by faith and love,
Songs of praise to sing above.
Borne upon their latest breath,
Songs of praise shall conquer death ;
Then, amidst eternal joy, -
Songs of praise their powers employ.
Ja77ies Mojitgomery. 1825.
Resiirrectioii and Eternal Life. 469
Resurrection and Eternal Life.
18
" Hie breve vivitur, hie breve plangitnr''
Brief life is here our portion,
Brief sorrow, short-liv'd care ;
The hfe that knows no ending,
The tearless life is there.
O happy retribution !
Short toil, eternal rest ;
Yor mortals and for sinners
A mansion with the blest !
That we should look, poor wand'rers,
To have our home on high !
That worms should seek for dwellings
Beyond the starry sky !
To all one happy guerdon
Of one celestial grace :
For all, for all, who mourn their fall.
Is one eternal place.
And martyrdom hath roses
Upon that heavenly ground :
And white and virgin lilies
For virgin souls abound.
There grief is turned to pleasure ;
Such pleasure, as below
No human voice can utter,
No human heart can know :
470 The Book of Praise.
And, after fleshly scandal,
And after this world's night,
And after storm and whirlwind,
Is calm, and joy, and light.
And now we fight the battle ;
But then shall wear the crown
Of full and everlasting
And passionless renown.
And now we watch and struggle,
And now we live in hope,
And Sion, in her anguish.
With Babylon must cope :
But He, Whom now we trust in,
Shall then be seen and known,
And they who know and see Him
Shall have Him for their own.
JoJui Mason Neale. 1861.
From Berfia7'd of Morlaix.
'• T/iy Kingdom Coined
19
Almighty God ! Thy word is cast
Like seed upon the ground :
Oh ! may it grow in humble hearts.
And righteous fruits abound.
Let not the foe of Christ and man
This holy seed remove ;
But give it root in praying souls
To bring forth fruits of love.
''Thy Will be Doner 471
Let not the world's deceitful cares
The rising plant destroy,
But may it in converted minds
Produce the fruits of joy.
Let not Thy word so kindly sent
To raise us to Thy Throne
Return to Thee, and sadly tell
That we reject Thy Son.
Great God I come down, and on Thy word
Thy mighty power bestow ;
That all who hear the joyful sound
Thy saving grace may know.
Johfi Cawood. 1816.
''Thy Will be Doner
20
Lord, as to Thy dear cross we flee,
And plead to be forgiven,
So let Thy life our pattern be.
And form our souls for Heaven,
Help us, through good report and ill,
Our daily cross to bear,
Like Thee, to do our Father's will,
Our brethren's griefs to share.
Let grace our selfishness expel.
Our carthliness refine.
And kindness in our bosoms dwell,
As free and true as Thine.
472 The Book of Praise.
If joy shall at Thy bidding fly,
And grief's dark day come on,
We, in our turn, would meekly cry,
Father ! Thy will be done I
Should friends misjudge, or foes defame,
Or brethren faithless prove.
Then, like Thine own, be all our aim
To conquer them by love.
Kept peaceful in the midst of strife,
Forgiving and forgiven,
O may we lead the pilgrim's life.
And follow Thee to Heaven !
John Haj}ipdc?i Gurncy, 1838.
21
Eternal Beam of Light Divine,
Fountain of unexhausted love,
In Whom the Father's glories shine
Through earth beneath, and Heaven above :
Jesu ! the weary wanderer's Rest !
Give me Thy easy yoke to bear ;
With stedfast patience arm my breast.
With spotless love, and lowly fear.
Thankful I take the cup from Thee,
Prepar'd and mingled by Thy skill :
Though bitter to the taste it be,
Powerful the v.-ounded soul to heal.
Be Thou, O Rock of Ages, nigh !
So shall each murmuring thought be gone :
And grief, and fear, and care shall fly
As clouds before the mid-day sun. .
" Give us this day our Daily BrcaiV^ 473
Speak to my warring passions peace ;
Say to my trembling heart, Be still :
Thy power my strength and fortress is,
For all things serve Thy sovereign will.
O Death, where is thy sting ? where now
Thy boasted victory, O Grave ?
Who shall contend with God, or who
Can hurt whom God delights to save?
Charles Wesley. 1740.
" Give us this day our Daily Breadi''
22
All wondering on the desert ground
The hungry thousands gazed around,
While Jesus for their need display'd
The power that once the worlds had made.
Few were the words the Saviour spake ;
He only blest the bread and brake ;
The scanty loaves, the fishes few,
At His commandment ceaseless grew.
No meagre store, O Lord, have we
Of grace and blessings shower'd from Thee ;
Yet in our barren hearts and dry
More scanty grows the rich supply.
On desert sands we seem to roam,
Weary, and faint, and far from home,
Though pastures green around us grow,
And Thy still waters near us flow.
474 The Book of Praise.
Oh ! with a living growth inspire,
Not Thy blest gifts^ but our desire,
That we may taste Thy mercy's store,
And thirst and hunger never more !
John Eriiest Bode. 1 860.
'''' A7id forgive 11s our Trespasses^
23
O'erwhelm'd with guilt and fear,
I see my JVIaker face to face,
O how shall I appear !
If yet, while pardon may be found.
And mercy may be sought,
My heart with inward horror shrinks,
And trembles at the thought.
When Thou, O Lord, shalt stand disclos'd
In majesty severe,
And sit in judgment on my soul,
O how shall I appear !
But Thou hast told the troubled soul.
Who does her sins lament.
The timely tribute of her tears
Shall endless woe prevent.
Then see the sorrows of my heart,
Ere yet it be too late.
And add my Saviour's dying groans
To give those sorrows vs'eight.
Noonday. 475
For never shall my soul despair
Her pardon to procure,
Who knows Thy only Son has died
To make that pardon sure.
Joseph Addison. 17 19.
Noonday.
24
Up to the throne of God is borne
The voice of praise at early morn,
And He accepts the punctual hymn.
Sung as the light of day grows dim.
Nor will He turn His ear aside
From holy offerings at noontide :
Then here reposing let us raise
A song of gratitude and praise.
What though our burthen be not light,
We need not toil from morn to night ;
The respite of the mid-day hour
Is in the thankful Creature's power.
Blest are the moments, doubly blest.
That, drawn from this one hour of rest,
Are with a ready heart bestowed
Upon the service of our God.
Each field is then a hallowed spot.
An altar is in each man's cot,
A church in every grove that spreads
Its living roof above our heads.
476 The Book of Praise,
Look up to Heaven ! the industrious sun
Already half his race hath run ;
He cannot halt nor go astray ;
But our immortal Spirits may.
Lord ! 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.
Help with Thy grace, through life's short day
Our upward, and our downward, way ;
And glorify for us the west.
When we shall sink to final rest !
William Wordsworth. 18^4..
Evening.
25
Father ! by Thy love and power.
Comes again the evening hour :
Light has vanished, labours cease,
Weary creatures rest in peace.
Thou, whose genial dews distil
On the lowliest weed that grows.
Father ! guard our couch from ill,
Lull Thy children to repose :
We to Thee ourselves resign,
Let our latest thoughts be Thine !
Saviour ! to Thy Father bear
This our feeble evening prayer ;
Thou hast seen how oft to-day
We, like sheep, have gone astray :
Worldly thoughts, and thoughts of pride,
Wishes to Thy Cross untrue.
The Old and New Yea?'. Ml
Secret faults and undescricd,
Meet Thy spirit-piercing view.
Blessed Saviour ! yet, through Thee,
Pray that these may pardoned be.
Holy Spirit \ Breath of balm !
Fall on us in evening s calm :
Yet awhile, before we sleep,
We with Thee will vigil keep.
Lead us on our sins to muse ;
Give us truest penitence ;
Then the love of God infuse,
Breathing humble confidence ;
Melt our spirits, mould our will,
Soften, strengthen, comfort still I
Blessed Trinity I be near
Through the hours of darkness drear ;
When the help of man is far,
Ye more clearly present are.
Father ! Son 1 and Holy Ghost !
Watch o'er our defenceless head.
Let Your angels' guardian host
Keep all evil from our bed,
Till the flood of morning rays
Wake us to a song of praise.
Joseph Anstiee. 1S36.
The Old and Xew Year.
26
Now, gracious Lord, Thine arm reveal,
And make Thy glory known ;
Now let us all Thy presence feel.
And soften hearts of stone !
478 The Book of Praise.
Help us to venture near Thy Throne,
And plead a Saviour's Name ;
For all that we can call our own
Is vanity and shame.
From all the guilt of former sin
May mercy set us free :
And let the year we now begin,
Begin and end with Thee.
Send down Thy Spirit from above,
That saints may love Thee more,
And sinners now may learn to love.
Who never loved before.
And when before Thee we appear
In our eternal home,
May growing numbers worship here,
And praise Thee in our room !
John Newton. 177().
Baptism and Childhood.
27
Saviour, who didst from Heaven come down,
A little Child awhile to be,
Whose precious blood and thorny crown
From death and sin have ransomed me :
Teach me, dear Saviour, some return
Of lowly service for Thy love,
Such as a thankful child may learn.
Such as Thy Spirit shall approve.
Holy Covimunion. 479
Young hearts, I hear them say, are claimed
For God's own altar by Thy word :
May I lay there my own, unblamed !
And wilt Thou lift it heavenward. Lord ?
James Bullivant Tovtalin. [i860,]
From Louis, Count Zinzcndorf.
Holy Communion,
28
Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face ;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen ;
Here grasp with firmer hand the eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon Thee lean.
Here would I feed upon the Bread of God ;
Here drink w^ith Thee the royal Wine of Heaven
Here would I lay aside each earthly load.
Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.
This is the hour of banquet and of song,
This is the heavenly Table spread for me ;
Here let me feast, and, feasting, still prolong
The brief bright hour of fellowship with Thee.
Too soon we rise ; the symbols disappear ;
The Feast, though not the Love, is past and gone
The Bread and Wine remove ; but Thou art here.
Nearer than ever ; still my Shield and Sun.
I have no help but Thine ; nor do I need
Another arm save Thine to lean upon :
It is enough, my Lord ; enough, indeed;
My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone.
480 The Book oj Praise.
I have no wisdom, save in Him Who is
My Wisdom and my Teacher, both in one ;
No wisdom can I lack while Thou art wise,
No teaching do I crave, save Thine alone.
Mine is the sin, but Thine the Righteousness ;
Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing Blood ;
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace,
Thy blood. Thy Righteousness, O Lord my God !
I know, that deadly evils compass me.
Dark perils threaten, yet I would not fear,
Nor poorly shrink, nor feebly turn to flee ;
Thou, O my Christ, art buckler, sword, and spear.
But see, the Pillar-Cloud is rising now,
And moving onward through the desert night ;
It beckons, and I follow ; for I know
It leads me to the heritage of Light.
Feast after feast thus comes, and passes by ;•
Yet,'passing, points to the glad Feast above,
Giving sweet foretaste of the fe.stal joy.
The Lamb's great Bridal Feast of bliss and love.
Horatiics Bonar. 1856.
29
My God, and is Thy Table spread ?
And does Thy cup with love o'erflow ?
Thither be all Thy children led,
' And let them all its sweetness know.
Hail, sacred Feast, which Jesus makes !
Rich banquet of His Flesh and Blood !
Thrice happy he, who here partakes
That sacred stream, that heavenly Food !
Holy Cont?nH?iion. 481
Why are its dainties all in vain
Before unwilling hearts display'd ?
Was not for you the victim slain ?
Are you forbid the children's Bread ?
O let Thy Table honour'd be,
And furnished well with joyful guests ;
And may each soul salvation see,
That here its sacred pledges tastes.
Let crowds approach, with hearts prcpar'd ;
With hearts inflamed let all attend ;
Nor, when we leave our Father's board,
The pleasure or the profit end.
Revive Thy dying churches, Lord !
And bid our drooping graces live ;
And more, that energy afford,
A Saviour's love alone can give,
P/i Hip Doddridge. 1755.
30
Thou, who hast call'd us by Thy Word
The marriage feast to share
Of Thy dear Son, our only Lord,
Thy bidden guests prepare !
No vain excuse we dare to make,
Thy call we do not slight ;
We come unworthy ; for His sak
Help us to come aright !
The marriage-garment we require
Thyself to us impart.
And with Thy precious gifts inspire
A pure and thankful heart.
I I
482 The Book of Praise.
And Thou, to whom the Father's love
The wedding guests has brought,
Who ever helpest from above
Those whom Thy blood has bought,
Lord of the feast ! our coming bless,
And round our souls entwine
The garment of Thy Righteousness,
In which Thy saints shall shine.
John Ernest Bode. 1 860.
31
For mercies, countless as the sands.
Which daily I receive
From Jesus my Redeemer's hands,
My soul, what canst thou give ?
Alas ! from such an heart as mine,
What can I bring Him forth ?
My best is stain'd and dyed with sin,
My all is nothing worth.
Yet this acknowledgment I'll make
For all He has bestow'd ;
Salvation's sacred cup I'll take,
And call upon my God.
The best return for one like me,
So wretched and so poor,
Is from His gifts to draw a plea,
And ask Him still for more.
Willi am Cow per. 1779.
Church Dedicatio/i. 483
Church Dedication.
32
O Lord, our languid souls inspire,
For here, we trust, Thou art !
Send down a coal of heavenly fire.
To warm each waiting heart.
Dear Shepherd of Thy people, hear.
Thy Presence now display ;
As Thou hast given a place for prayer,
So give us hearts to pray.
Shew us some token of Thy love,
Our fainting hope to raise ;
And pour Thy blessings from above.
That we may render praise.
Within these walls let holy peace.
And love, and concord, dwell ;
Here give the troubled conscience ease,
The wounded spirit heal.
The feeling heart, the melting eye,
The humbled mind bestow ;
And shine upon us from on high,
To make our graces grow.
May we in faith receive Thy word,
In faith present our prayers.
And in the presence of our Lord
Unbosom all our cares.
I I 2
484 The Book of Praise.
And may the Gospel's joyful sound,
E.nforced by mighty grace,
Awaken many sinners round,
To come and fill the place.
John Newton. 1779.
Ordination of Ministers.
33
Pour out Thy Spirit from on high ;
Lord, Thine assembled servants bless ;
Graces and gifts to each supply,
And clothe Thy priests with righteousness.
Within Thy temple when we stand
To teach the truth, as taught by Thee,
Saviour, like stars in Thy right hand
The angels of the Churches be !
Wisdom, and zeal, and faith impart,
Firmness, with meekness from above,
To bear Thy people on our heart,
And love the souls whom Thou dost love :
To watch, and pray, and never faint,
By day and night strict guard to keep.
To warn the sinner, cheer the saint,
Nourish Thy lambs, and feed Thy sheep :
Then, when our work is hnish'd here,
In humble hope our charge resign !
When the chief Shepherd shall appear,
O God ! may they and we be Thine !
Jatnes Montgo7nery. i8:
The Calh 485
34
Fearless, calm, and strong in love,
Would'st thou ply the Gospel net ?
Then remember God above,
And thyself forget.
Like the fisher, patient be ;
Try at morn, and try at even,
PI ope, where thou canst nothing see ;
And still trust in Heaven.
Never shall the net be cast
All in vain, though cast amiss :
Wait the great Day and the last.
Ere thou judge of this.
O what issues that may show
Even of thy poor toil and care !
But, till then, enough to know
Thou dost neither spare.
Spend, then, and be spent, in love ;
Take the task before thee set ;
Souls to win for Heaven above,
And thyself forget.
Thomas Davis. 186:
The Call.
35
Awake, my soul I lift up thine eyes,
See where thy foes against thee rise,
In long array, a numerous host ;
Awake, my soul ! or thou art lost.
486 The Book of Praise.
Here giant Danger threatening stands,
Mustering his pale terrific bands ;
There pleasure's silken banners spread,
And willing souls are captive led.
See where rebellious passions rage,
And fierce desires and lusts engage ;
The meanest foe of all the train
Has thousands and ten thousands slain.
Thou tread'st upon enchanted ground,
Perils and snares beset thee round ;
Beware of all, guard every part.
But most, the traitor in thy heart.
Come then, my soul, now learn to wield
The weight of thine immortal shield ;
Put on the armour from above
Of heavenly truth and heavenly love.
The terror and the charm repel.
And powers of earth, and powers of hell ;
The Man of Calvary triumphed here :
Why should His faithful followers fear?
Anna Lcetitia Barbaidd. I'J'JI-
NOTES.
IT.— Part of Hymn No. 100 in Mant's Ancient Hymns, &o. Tbrcc
stanzas out of eiglit are omitted.
IV.— The text of this hvmn is from The Devout Chorister (Masters ;
Third Edition, 1854) ; in whicli book it was first published ;
and the author's name is given, by his kind permission,
v.— The text of this is from the Fifth Edition (Newcastle, no date,
but water-mark 1810) ; of the ilev. Thomas CotterUl's Psalms
mid Hymns.
vii.— From Hymns Jor the Church of England (Longman, 1857).
The first and third stanzas are adapted, by Mr. Darling, from
Nos. 49 and 30 of John Quarles' Divine Ejaculations.
vi II. —From John and Charles Wesley's Collection of Psalms anil
Hymns (the first edition published in 1741). The Tsalm, as
rendered by Watts, is in six stanzas, of which tlie Wesleys
omitted the first and fourth, and varied the second by substi-
tuting the well-known lines,
"Before Jehovah's awful throne,
Ye nations, bow with sacred joy ; "
for Watts' original,
'•Nations, attend before his throne
"With solemn fear, with sacred joy."
The only other change is the word ' ' shall " instead of ' ' must,"
in the tliird line of the last stanza.
XII. —Three stanzas out of six. The first, second, and fifth of Watts'
are omitted.
XV.— Nine stanzas out of twelve (the first, third, and eleventh of
Watts' being omitted). The word " God" is brought down into
the first line, from the first (omitted) stanza, instead of "Him."
XVI.— The four first strinzas of H\Tun No. 11, Book II. in Gibbons'
Hymns udaj^tcd to Divine Worshij^ (London, 1784) ; sometimes
wrongly ascribed to Berridge. Gibbons has seven stanzas,
xxiii.— Four out of five stanzas, Lyte's fourth being omitted.
XXVIII.— The first thirteen out of forty-two stanzas. The poem is
the last of several in Skelton's Appeal to Common Sense on the
Subject of Christianity. (Dublin, 1784.)
xxxii —Stanzas 1, 6, 0, and 10, of a poem in ten stanzas (No. GS
of T. Grinfield's Century of Sacred Songs). I have adhered to
the selection made by the late Rev. John Hampden Gurney
in the Marylebone Hymn-Book of 1851.
xxxin.— My only authoritv for ascribing this to Tate is the late
Rev. iEdward Bickersteth; but the author.sliip seems piobable,
as this is one of the hymns included in the "Supplement to the
New Version," for the use of whii^i Brady and Tate obtained
from Queen Anne an Order in Council, dated tlic 30tli July,
1703.
488 Notes.
HTMN
XXXIV.— The text is that of the foiu'th edition (1743) of Hymns and
Sacred Poems, by Jolui and Charles Wesley ; differing in one
word only ("Heavenly," instead of "Inner," in the second
line of the last stanza) from the first edition, published iu
1739. The common variation, beginning, "Hark, the herald
angels sing," is i)robably by Martin Madan (1760), who, be-
sides altering several lines, has left out part (but not the
whole) of the two last stanzas, which are usually omitted at
the end of modem editions of the New Version of the Psalms.
The word " welldn," in the first line, is open to criticism, but
in other respects I prefer Wesley's original to Madan's varia-
tion.
xxxviii. — From Christian Lyrics (Norwich : J. Fletcher ; 1860).
Mr. Sears is an American writer, and I have not been able
to obtain access to his original text.
XL.— From the volume, published in 1829 (London : Cadell & Co.),
under the title S2nrit of the Psalms, which is not to be con-
founded with the work of the Rev. H. F. Lyte, afterwards
published under the same title, in 1834.
XLT. — Tliis hymn is from Hymns Ancient and Modern, for Use in
the Services of the Chtirch (London: Novello ; 1861). I
am indebted to the Rev. Sir Hem-j' Baker, Bart, (one of the
editors of that collection), for the permission, which he has
kindly obtained for me from the author, to publish his name,
as well as for the authentication of the text. I am also in-
debted to him and his co-editors for their consent to the
use which I have made of this hymn, and of tlu-ee others,
contributed by Sir Henry Baker himself to the same collec-
tion, to which he has allowed me to affix his name.
XLii. — Five out of seven stanzas. Those omitted are Doddridge's
second and si.xth.
XLVi. — Five stanzas out of a hymn which, as first published in
1740 (then beginning "Glorj^ to God, and praise, and love"),
consisted of eighteen stanzas ; and which, in the seventeenth
edition of Hymns and Spiritmd Sonr/s (Pine, Bristol; 1773),
was reduced to eleven stanzas; then beginning as in the
present text. In the Hymn-Book for Methodists, it consists
of ten stanzas ; one of which is taken from the earlier
edition, and is not in that of 1773.
XLViii. — Four out of five stanzas. Tliat omitted is the fourth
of Watts.
Lii. — Five out of eight stanzas. Tliose omitted are the fourth,
fifth, and seventh of Watts.
LV.— Six out of seven stanzas. That omitted is the third of
Newton.
Lvii. — This hymn, as here given, was introduced into the Marjdebone
Collection (18-51) from a poem of some length, published in
1831, in The Iris, a volume edited by the Rev. Thomas Dale.
Tlie text (which will be found at page 139 of that volume)
is unaltered, except that the first word "Saviour," has been
brought down from a preceding line, in substitution for the
words "And then," so as to give to these stanzas an indepen-
dent beginning.
JSfotes. 489
HYMN
LYiii. — Nine out of eleven stanzas. Those omitted are the fifth
and seventh of Mrs. Barbauld.
LX. — I have not succeeded in tracing the author, or the original
text of this hymn. The earliest edition of the A>«; Version
of the Psalms, to which Mr. Sedgwick has been able to find it
appended, was jiublished in 1796. The earliest publication,
in which he has met with the three first stanzas is The
Comjjlcat Psalmodist, by John Arnold ; of which the .second
edition was published in 1750. The "Gloria," which consti-
tutes the fourth stanza, goes with the hymn in some modern
books, and suits it so well, that I have ventured to retain
it. This "Gloria" is certainly by Charles Wesley; it will
be found at page 242 of the fourth edition (1743) of the
Hymns and Sacred Poems, by the two brothers.
LXi.— This hymn (No. 2, in the Rev. John Chandler's Hymns of the
Primitive Church) is, as stated by himself in his Preface to
that work, a variation from a translatiun of the same Latin
original, by the Rev. Isaac Williams ; which had previously
appeared in the P.ritish Mayazine, and which is No. 2 in Mr.
Williams' Hymns Translated from the Parisian Breviary
(Rivingtons; 1830).
LXii. — A selection, adopted by me out of the Marylebone Hymn
Book of 1851 (where it is erroneously ascribed to A. Gray),
from a hjnun in nine stanzas of eight lines each, by the late
Mr. George Mogridge, i)opularlj' known as " Old Humphrey."
There is no alteratiijn in the words ; but the two tetrastichs
composing the first stanza are transposed. The entire hymn
will be found in My Poetry Book, published by the Religious
Tract Society, at p. 128.
LXiv. — Dr. Neale's hymn is divided into thirteen unequal parts,
the first seven of which constitute the present text.
Lxvi. — I have taken this hjnnn from Mr. Martineau's Hymns for
the Christian Church and Home (Longman ; twelfth edition ;
1856), in which it is No. 234. The A^ithoress (whose genuine
text I have not l)een able to verifj'), is, as I have reason to
believe, an American lady.
Lxviii. — The date assigned to this hjnnn, and to No. cccxcviii. are
those of their ])ublication. by the autlmr himself, in the
Christioji Observer. The other hymns of Sir Robert Grant,
in this collectitm, bear the date of the iio.sthumous republi-
cation of his collectctl hynnis, by his lirothcr, Lord Glenelg.
LXix. — Four out of nine stanzas, of unequal length, from Bishop
IVIant's Hdlydays of the Church; or. Scriptural Xarratii'es and
Biograph iced Notices, vol. ii. p. 536 (Oxford: Parker; 1831).
Lxx.— The Offices of John An.stin. containing hymns of striking
excellence, were adapted to the use of members of the
Church of England, first by Theoi>liilus Dorrington, and
afterwards by the Nonjuring Bishop Hi«'kcs. Donington,
in some cases, altered Austin's hymns ; Ilickes almost always
reprinted them without alteration. This hymn is No. 31 in
Austin's Offices, where it consists of seven st^uizas ; the first
of which was omitted, and some of the others slightly altered,
by Charles Wesley. Iho present text is taken Horn the first
490 Notes.
edition (1739) of the Wesleys' Hymns and Sacred Poems,
page 130, where it is entitled Hymn to Christ; altered frovi
Dr. HicJccs' '' Reformed Devotions."
Lxxi.— The text of this hjinn is given from Toplady's Collection,
published in 1776. ' Whether it is Mr. Bakewell's genuine
work, or was altered by Toplady, is not certain. Tlie hj-nm,
as first published by JIadan, in 1760, wants the last stanza,
(which is by some ascribed to James Allen ;) and differs
from the present text in some other respects. Both Madan
and Toplady were friends of the author : and the probability
seems to be, that it was revised and altered by the author
himself, for Toplady's Collection.
T.XXIII. — Twenty-three out of twenty-eight stanzas, communicated
by -Mr. Turner, one of the authors, to Dr. Rippon in 1791
(See Rippon's Baptist Annnal Register, vol. iii. p. 471). The
first four stanzas of the text are by Fanch, who also v^'rote
the three which follow them In the original, but .which are
here omitted, because they are repeated in substance towards
the end of the part contributed by Turner. The stanzas,
from "Blest angels," to the end, are by Turner, and were
published by him separately, with variations (not improve-
ments), in a little volume, printed in 1794. Abridgments
of this hymn, more or less varied (usually beginning " Beyond
the glittering starry skies"), occur in several modern hyinn-
books ; one of the first of them appeared in Dr. Rippon's
own Collection.
Lxxiv. — The three last out of five stan2as (Hymn lviii. in Book I. of
Watts' Hymns and Spiritnal So^ififs, beginning "Let mortal
tongues attempt to sing").
Lxxix. — This hjTnn, (composed in 1S33,) was originally published
in Metrical Psalms and Hymns for singiyig in Churches
(T>'orcester, 1849).
i.xxx.— Seven stanzas out of eight. That omitted is Montgomerj-'s
third.
Lxxxi.— This is one of a small number of compositions by Michael
Bruce (a Scottish schoolmaster, who died very young), Avhich
have been the subject of much controversy in Scotland, and,
indeed, of a kind of litarary romance. They a^tpear to have
been intrusted in manuscript by Michael Bruce, or by his
father, to John Logan, who, some time after Bruce's death,
published them with variations, in his own name. Tlie
eighteenth "Paraphrase" is a variation of this hymn; no
doubt contributed by Logan. The present is Bruce's original
te.xt, as given in Mr. Mackelvie's collection of his poems
(Edinburgh : Paterson ; 1837).
Lxxxii.— Six out of eight stanzas. The second and third of Watts'
are omitted.
Lxxxiii.— Four out of six stanzas. The second and third of Watts'
are omitted.
Lxxxiv. — The dates assigned to this hymn, and to Nos. cxli. and
CLXxvii. and the two "Additional HjTuns," Nos. 2 and 9,
are those of their original publication in the Christian
Notes. 491
HYMN
Observer. The rest of Bisliop Hebcr's Hj-mns (as well as
Dean Milman's), in tliis volume, bear the date of the publi-
cation of the Bishop's Hymn-book, in 1827.
Lxxxvi.— The text of this hjTnn, and of No. cm. as now corrected
is from the first edition of Psalms and Hymns (Ipswich,
1813), bj' the author, the Rev. William Hum, formerly Vicar
of Debenham.
Lxxxvni.— The text is from Conder's Hymn (London : Snow ; 1850) ;
where this is a complete hymn. As first published by the
author, in The Choir and the Oratory (Jackson and Walford,
1S37), these were the last four of thirteen stanzas, on "Thy
Kingdom Come."
xc. — This popular hjnnn is a cento, composed by Martin Madan,
with some variations, out of two hymns by Charles Wesley
(Xos. 38 and 39 of Hymns of Intercession for all Mankind),
and one by John Cennick (No. 128 in his Collection of Sacred
Hymns; Fifth Edition, Dublin ; 1762). The choice and arrange-
ment of the stanzas, ns made by Madan, is here ]ire.ser\-ed,
as are his variations of the third and fourth stanzas (Cennick' .s),
of which the last lines do not rhyme iu the original. The first
two stanzas and the last are from Wesley's No. 39, a hymn
of four stanzas. Madan made some alterations in che "first
and the last, which (with the exception of "0 come quickly,"
taken by him from Cennick, instead of Wesley's "Jah,
Jehovah!") 1 have not retained. The second, and the fifth
(which is the concluding stanza of Wesley's No. 38), he did
not alter.
xcr. — The preceding hymn is generally, by a popular eiTor, at-
tributed to Olivers, the only foundation for tliat error being,
that he ado])ted its first line as the beginning of one of his
stanzas, which (though the first of those selected here) is
not the first in either edition of his Judgrnent Hymn. His
hymn was greatly altered and enlarged iu its .scrond edition,
from which the present text is taken ; being a selection of
eleven out of thirty-six stanzas.
xciv.— This tran.slation of Veni Creator (by an unknown hand) was
first introduced into the Office for the Ordination of Priests
npon the revision of the Liturgy of the Church of England,
in 1662.
xcviii. — Seven out of nine stanzas. Hart's seventh and eighth are
omitted.
c.—Jacobi's translation will be found at page 43 of Ilaberkorn's
Psalmodia Germanica (London, 1765). It consists of ten
stanzas, of which Toplady adojited and altered .six. Top-
lady's third stanza is here omitted.
CI.— Five out of six stanzas ; from ;Mant's Holydays of the Church
(vol. ii. page 317). The Bishop's first stanza is omitted.
CIV. — The last seven out of eleven stanzas (No. 24 of John
Mason's Songs of Praise).
ovi.— Four out of eight stanzas : (the fourth, fifth, sixth, and
seventh of Watts' are omitted).
492 Notes.
HT3IN
cviii. — Fourteen out of twenty-six stanzas. This is the most ancient
of all the compositions included in this volume, and it is the
true English source of all the "New Jerusalem HjTnns" of
the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It is printed at
length in Dr. Bonar's interesting Preface to his edition,
published in 1852 (Edinbiu-gh : Johnstone and Hi;nter), of
David Dickson's Is^w Jerusalem, which is itself a mere va-
riation of this hymn, with thirty-six more stanzas added to
it. The original hjnnn is contained in a MS. quarto volume,
numbered 15,22.5, in the British Museum, the date of which
seems (from the internal evidence, as stated by Dr. Bonar),
to be about 1 616. The hymn itself (which is entitled, A Song
hy F.B.P. to the tune of Diana) is, probably, of Queen
Elizabeth's time.
cix.— The text of this hymn (printed in the first edition of the
present volume, from the Ninth Edition of Grossman), has
been now con-ected, and restored as it originally appeared in
the first Edition of the Young Man's Calling, or the tohole
Duty of Youth, dx. with Divine Poems : except that the third
stanza, which was omitted by Grossman in his second and all
subsequent editions, is also omitted here.
ex. — I have been unable to trace this hymn higher than to the
Collection of Dr. Williams and Mr. Boden, first published in
1801, in which it is stated to be from "EcJcinton Collection;"
and I have not discovered the author, or the original text.
In the collections which give it most fully, there are seven
stanzas ; of v.iiich one, the third (a stanza of inferior merit,
and borrowed directly from an older hymn), is here omitted.
cxiii. — Fiveoutof six stanzas; from HymncxLiii.of Berridge'sSio7!,'s
Songs. The stanza omitted is BeiTidge's fourth. The last
couplet of the second stanza is taken by Berridge, with very
little alteration, from Ralph Erskine's Gospel Sonnets(FRrt V.
section 6) ; and the whole hymn follows so closely in Erskine's
track, that it might properly be described as a variation froiu
him.
CXI7. — The text is that of the 66th Scotch Paraphrase, in which
Cameron, taking the general plan, and mu(-h of the detail and
expression of Watts' hymn (No. 41 of Watts' Book I.), has
recast the whole composition, with excellent effect.
cxvi. — Four out of five stanzas. That omitted is Newton's fourth.
cxxTi. — The first ten lines of this hjnnn were left a fragment by
Kirke Wliite, written on the back of one of his mathematical
liapers. They came after his death into the hands of Dr.
Gollyer, who published them, with six (not very successful)
lines of his own added, in his Hymn-Book of 1812, where
the hjTun is numbered 867. The task of finishing it was more
happily accomplished by Miss Maitland, in the form in which
it is here given, and which first appeared in a volume jjub-
lished by Hatchard in 1827, under the title of Hymns for
Private Devotion, selected and original.
cxxiii. — Five out of ten stanzas.
cxxv. — Six out of seven stanzas. That omitted is Newton's third.
Notes. 493
HTMK
cxxvi. — Eight out of twelve stanzas. Those omitted are the third,
ninth, tenth, and eleventh of Cennick.
cxxvii. — Hammond's hjTim (which will be found at page S5 of his
Psalms, Hymns, ojid Spiritual Songs; London, 174.0) is in
fourteen stanzas. Of these, the first, second, and thirteenth,
are the same, except some verj' slight verlml clianges, with the
three first stanzas of Madau's variation. The last two stanzas
of the variation are an expansion by Madan of Hammond's
concluding stanza.
cxxviir. — Chandler concludes this hymn with a "Gloria," which is
omitted here.
cxxxiii.— Three out of seven stanzas.
cxLii. — Six out of eight stanzas.
cxLviii. — This and No. clxiii. are taken, by permission of the
authoress, from The Legend of the Gohhn Prayers, and other
Poems (London : Bell and Daldy ; 1S59 ; pages 139—142).
Both hynms had been previously published at or before the
dates marked in the text.
CLV. — This is a variation from the first four and the last two stanzas
of James Montgomery's Verses to the Memory of the late Joseph
Brmvne, of Lethersdale, a poem in fourteen stanzas (of four
lines each), which was written about 1S03, and published in
The Wanderer of Switzerland, and other Poems, ill ISOG. The
hjTun, in its present form, seems to have first appeared in
Dr. Collyer's Collection, published in 1812 ; but I have not
been able to ascertain whether the variation is due to Dr.
Collyer, or (as, from the internal evidence, I should have
thought very probable) to Montgomery himself. It is not,
however, included in Montgomery's C(dle(;tion of his own
h3'mns. published in 1853, nor is it in his Christian Psalmist,
published in 1825.
CLViii. — The last four out of five stanzas. (The hymn is Xo. 86,
Book II. of Watts.)
CLX. — Eight out of eleven stanzas. (Theodosla's Poems, vol. i. page
159; Bristol edition of 1780.) The .stanzas omitted are the
fourth, fifth, and sixth of the authoress.
CLxviii. — Seven out of nine stanzas. The fourth and eighth of Watts
are omitted.
CLXXi. — Four out of six stanzas. The fourth and fifth of Watts' are
omitted.
CLXXVi. — From Hymns and Poems, by Sir Edward Denny, Bart.
(Nisbet, 1848.)
CLXxviii. — The first five out of six stanzas.
CLXXx.— The text of tin's h>Tnn is from Dr. Raffles' Collection,
whom I understand (on Mr. Sedgwick's authority) to liave
had it from the author.
CLXXXii.— This, and No. ccxc-vt. are by Dr. Ray Palmer, a living
American writer. The text has been compared with authentic
American copies, and found correct.
OLXXXvi. — Eight out of eleven four-line stanzas, which constitute
the latter part of The Covenant and Confidence of Faith, in
494 Notes,
HYMN
Baxter's Poems (Pickering's edition, 1821 ; page 71). The
stanzas omitted are the first, third, and fifth, at the page
referred to.
CLXXxix. — Four stanzas out of eight. The hymn is No. 32 in John
Austin's Offices. The stanzas omitted are the first three, and
the "Gloria" at the end.
cxc. — Five stanzas out of six. The stanza omitted is Cowper's fifth.
cxci. — Five stanzas out of eight. Those omitted are Wesley's fifth,
sixth, and seventh. The hymn is at page 30 of the Hymns and
Sacred Poems (Second Edition; Bristol, 1743).
cxciii. — The last stanza is wanting in Miss EUiott's Hours of Sorroio
cheered arid comjorted (Fourth Edition, 1849 ; page 13(5). It is,
however, as I have ascertained, the concluding stanza of the
hymn, as originally composed by the authoress.
cxciv.— From a memoir of the Life of Oberlin, published anony-
mously in 1830 (London, Ball). The translator is Mrs.
Daniel Wilson, of Islington ; who, since this edition was
prepared for the press, has kindly permitted me to give her
name.
cxcv.— Five out of ten stanzas (Theodosia's Poems; vol. i. p. 134, of
the edition of 1780). The stanzas omitted are the third to
the seventh inclusive.
ccii.— From The Rivulet (Longman and Co. ; Second Edition
1856).
cciii.— Five out of ten stanzas, from Mant's Holydays of the Church
(vol. ii. jtage 563). The Bishop's fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth,
and tenth stanzas are omitted.
ccv. — From the Hymns for Public Worship, of the Society for
Promoting Christian Knowledge. The author, and the
original text, unknown.
ccvi.— A curious example of a successful cento. Each stanza is
taken from a different hymn by Mason ; the four hymns,
which have each contributed one stanza, being Nos. 6, 7, 9,
and 8, of Mason's Songs of Praise. Mr. Gurney (who had
been to some extent anticipated in this operation, by former
Collectors — e.g. Montgomery, in the Christian Psalmist, gives
a composite hymn of greater length, from the same sources)
has introduced some slight verbal alterations, which are here
retained.
CCTX.— Five out of eight stanzas (Condefs Hymns; London, Snow ;
p. 140). The stanzas omitted are Conder's second, third, and
fourth.
ccxiii.— The text is that of the second Scotch Paraphrase. It is
slightly different from that printed in Logan's works, where
some of the pieces, now ascertained to be by Michael Bruce,
are still ascribed to Logan, who originally published them as
his o-ivn. The true original (which begins, " 0 God of Jacob,"
&c.) is No. 4 of Doddridge's hymns ; it has been re-written,
and certainly improved, by Logan.
ccxix. — The first five out of six stanzas.
ccxx. — The first five out of six stanzas (fi'om Watts Divine Songs
for Children; Song P).
Notes. 495
MTMN
C'cxxiii.— Six stanzas out of eight (from Lyte's rocms, chiefly
Iteligioxis; London, Nisbet ; p. l^iS). The stanzas omitteil
are the fourth and eighth of Lyte.
ccxxiv. — The text of this hymn is from Le Bas' Life of Bishop
Middktoii (Rivingtons, 1831).
ccxxvi.— John Mardley's original is the Ihimhle Lamentation of
a Sinner; usually appended to the "Old Version" of the
Psahns. In Bishop Heber's book, it is erroneously ascribed
to Sternhold ; and no notice is there taken of tlie Bisliop's
extensive variations.
ccxxviTi.— Three out of four stanzas. The stanza omitted is Mr.
Russell's third.
ccxxix. — This and No. ccm. were communicated to me in manu-
script by the kindness of my friend, Mr. Palgrave.
ccxxxi.— Three out of four stanzas ; the fourth is that omitted.
CCXLiii.— From Hymns for Sunday Schools, Original and Selected
(Cambridge : Second Edition, 1844); by the Rev. C. J. Phipps
Eyre. The first two and the fourth lines are by Waring,
the rest by a different hand, but whose, I have not been able
to ascertain.
ccxLiv.— This, and ccxciv, first appeared in HalVs CoUection(l836).
The present text is from a collection of tracts and hymns,
published in 1837, with the author, Mr. Osier's, name, "under
the title of Church and King. (Smith, Elder, and Co. )
ccxLVi. — The text of this, and of Xos. cclvii. and cci.xv. is from
the edition of 1709, containing Bishop Ken's latest correc-
tions. That of the earlier editions will be found in Mr.
Anderdon's Life of Ken, and in Mr. Sedgwick's recent edition
of Ken's hymns ; since the publication of which, the discovery
of a copy of the edition of 1709 (now in my po.s.sessi(>n) has
settled the controversy, preAiously raised, as to the genuine-
ness of the present text.
ccxLviii.— The last twelve of sixteen stanzas, from the first poem
in the Christian Year.
ccLiii.— I am indebted for the communication of this hymn and
No. ccLxvi. to the kindness of the author, the Rev. James
Ford, Prebendary of Exeter.
CCLVi. — A variation froni Watts' " Dread Sovereign, let my evening
song" (No. VII. of Watts' Hymns, Book H. ). Browne has
altered the metre, and has re-written and improved the whole
composition.
ccLix. — The last twelve of fourteen stanzas, from the second poem
in the Christian Year.
CCLX.— This Hymn (originally taken by the Editor from The Xew
Congregational Hymn Book, Jackson, Walford, and Co.), was,
by mistake, ascribed in the former iiniiressionsof this volume
to Thomas Park. It was first published in The Wreck of the
Golden Mary, constituting the extra number of Household
Words, for Christmas, 1850.
ccLXiv. — One couplet only is omitted ; \\z. that which, in Doddridge's
text, follows the sixteenth line. The hymn, as originally, and
generally, printed, is divided into three unequal parts ; tho
496 Notes.
H\MN
first consisting of eighteen lines, the second of twenty-eight,
and the third of twenty-foixr. I have A'entured to adopt a
division into stanzas, as being more suitable for music.
ccLxvii. — Five out of seven stanzas. The omitted stanzas are
Doddridge's second and fifth.
ccLxix. — This, and No. ccxcix. were first publi.shed in Lord Nelson's
Salisbury Hymnal; from whence they are taken, and the
aiithor's name now for the first time added, by Mr. Keble's
and Lord Nelson's kind permission.
CCLXX. — The repeated couplet is talcen from Milton's translation of
the 136th Psalm; with the change of Milton's word "aye,"
into "still."
ccLxxvi. ccLxxix. — Both these are taken (with four of his own
hymns), by the permission of the Rev. Arthur Tozer Russell,
from his Ilymn.Book i Psalms and Hymns, &c. ; Cambridge ;
Deighton, 1851), in which they were first published. The
author is the Rev. Henry Dowuton, formerly of Chatham,
and now of Geneva.
ccLXxxi.— This, and No. ccclxxxix. are from Parish Musings, by
the Rev. Dr. J. S. B. Monsell, Vicar of Egham (Rivingtons ;
Fifth Edition ; 1S60), and are inserted by his kind permission.
ccLxxxii. — This Hymn (now ascertained to be by Mr. Osier) first
appeared in the Rev. W. J. Hall's collection (London : Wix,
1836).
ccLxxxv.— Six out of twelve stanzas. Those omitted are the sixth
to the eleventh, inclusive, of Jacobi. The hymn is at page
189 of Haberkorn's Psalmodia Germanica (London, 1765).
CCLXXxvii. — From the Hymn Book of the Society for Promoting
Christian Knowledge. I have not ascertained the Author, or
verified the text : but I believe the Hymn first appeared in the
Protestant Episcopal Collection of Hymns (lSS2),a.i>iHf.n(ie(l to the
version of the Psalms atthe end of the American Prayer-Book.
ccLxxxviii. — The seven last out of fourteen stanzas. (Hymns and
Sacred Poems by J. ^ C. Wesley: second edition: 1843: page
192).
ccLxxxix. — Seven out of eight stanzas. Montgomery's last stanza
is omitted.
ccxc. — From the late Rev. Edward Bickersteth's Christian
Psalmody. The author, and the original text, unknown.
ccxcii. — Crashaw's hymn is a translation from the Adoro te devote
of Thomas Aquinas. It consists of fifty-six lines ; from which
most of the lines of the present hymn are adopted, with more
or less variation. The first abridgment (less varied than the
present, and containing only six stanzas), was Hymn 18 in
Austin's Offices; and was repeated, with the change of one or
two words, by Hickes (Devotions ; 1706 ; page 210). The
present text is that of Dorrington's variation from Austin : in
whose Reformed Devotions it is Hymn 23.
ccxciiT. — From the collection of the Rev. R. "Whittingham
(Simpkiu and Marshall : fourth edition, 1843). I have not
been able to trace the author, or the original text.
NoUs.
497
ccxcv.— From the HjTnn-Book of the Society for Promoting
Christian Knowledge. The author, and the original text,
unknown.
ccxcviii.— Ten out of twenty-eight stanzas ; from a poem entitle<i
Jesits teaches to die; at page 80 of the fourtli volinne of Bishop
Ken's works (London ; 1721). The stanzas omitted, are tJie
first four ; the tentli to the eighteenth inclusive ; the twenty-
second to the twenty-fifth inclusive ; and the twenty-eighth,
cc— From the Church Forcli, (a periodical edited bv the Rev.
W. J. E. Bennett, Vicar of Frome); No. 19, July 2, 1855,
page 353. Hayes; 5, Lyall Place, Eaton Square.)
cci.— Three out of forty-three stanzas. The poem (a translation
from the Hymn of Pradentius, Circa cocequias clefuncti) is in
Williams' Thoughts in Past Years (Rivingtons ; third edition,
1843 ; page 296). The stanzas selected are at pages 304-5.
cccii. — The last three stanzas of James Montgomery's, The Grave
(Montgomery's Poetical Worls complete in one volume: Lone-
man : i)age 261). They now constitute, I believe, jtart of the
epitaph on the poet's tomb,
cccviii. — Four out of five stanzas. The omitted stanza, a "Gloria,"
is Chandler's last,
cccx. — Five out of six stanzas. The omitted stanza is Browne's
last. (Browne's Hymns and Spiritual Songs, No. 203.)
cccxi. — Eight out of nine stanzas. The omitted stanza is Herbert's
last.
cccxii. — In Mason's Songs of Praise (No. 19), this hymn ends as
many of Mason's hymns do) with a half-stanza ; the general
scheme of division being into stanzas of eight lines. The
concluding half-stanza is omitted here,
ccc'xvii. — This hjTun was first privately printed in 1833. It was
afterwards' subdivided into three distinct hvmns, in the col-
lection of the Rev. H. V. Elliott (the husband of the
authoress); by whose kindness I have been enabled to re-
unite, in this jdace, the parts so separated,
cccxx. — From the late Rev. Edward Bickersteth's Christian
Psalmody. I have not been able to discover the author, or
the original text. It is sometimes eiToneously attributed to
the Hon. & Rev. B. W. Noel.
cccxxii. cccxxiv.— The text of both these is from the late Dr.
Andrew Reed's collection. Mr. Hastings is an American
author ; and, on comparing them with his ivriginal text, since
the first edition of the present volume was published, they
appear to be correctly given ; except that the refrain, " Re-
turn, retui-n," in No. cccxxiv. is not in Mr. Hastings' book :
(Hymns and Poems, New York, 1850.)
cccxxiii. — I am indebted to Mr. Morris, of Worcester, for the
communication of Mrs. Morris' volume, entitled. The Voice
and the Reply (Worcester; Grainger), from which this hymn
is taken,
cccxxv.— From the twenty-ninth edition (published about 1829) of
Dr. Rippon's Hynin-Book ; where it is attributed to Dr.
K K
498
Notes.
HYMK
Collyer. It is not in Dr. CoUyer's owti collection, of 1812 ;
and I have not succeeded in tracing it beyond Dr. Rippon's
book.
cccxxvi. — By an American author, whose name I have not been
able to ascertain. It was communicated by liim to Miss
Elliott, the authoress of the h\nnn by which it was sug-
gested, "Just as I am," &c. (No. cxlvii. of this vohime), and
the text (which I have not had the means of verifying), is
from a small printed tract, without date, placed in my hands
by a friend.
cccxxix.— This was kindly communicated to me in manuscript, by
the author, Robert Smith, Esq. of Holloway.
cccxxxv. — Thirteen out of sixteen stanzas, from Hymns and Sacrzd
Poems, by Ciiarles Wesley ; vol. i. p. 40 (Farley, Bristol ;
second edition, 1755).
cccxxxvii. — The hjTun from which these eight stanzas are taken,
was first published in twenty-two stanzas in Spiritual Songs
by J. and C. IVcsley (vol. i. p. 224, fourth edition, 1743).
Afterwards in the seventeenth edition (Pine, Bristol, 1773 ;
p. 30) it was reduced to sixteen stanzas. In both it begins,
"And wilt Thou yet be found."
cccxLix.— -Miss Elliott's name is now (through the kindness of her
brother, the Rev. H. V. Elliott, in obtaining for me her per-
mission) first made public, as the authoress of this hymn.
Through some accidental error it is ascribed in the Rev.
H. V. Elliott's Collection to Wesley; and the same mistake
has been transferred to Ryle's Spirihial Songs, Bourchler's
Solace in Sickness and Sorrow, and probably other books.
cccLi. — Six out of seven stanzas (Hymens and Sacred Poems, vol. ii.
p. 146 ; second edition, 1743). Weslej^'s last stanza is
omitted; and a change of arrangement, which the Wesleys
tliemselves sanctioned in the Hymn Book for Methodists, is
ailopted, by placing as last of the six the stanza which is
second in the original text.
cccLvi. — Five out of six stanzas. Browne's last is omitted.
cccEviii. — Five out of eight stanzas. Those omitted are Mr.
Massie's third, fourth, and seventh. (From Martin Luther's
Spiritual Songs; translated by E. Massle, Esq. of Eccleston:
Hatchard, 1854.)
cccLXiu. — From the original, as printed, with music, by the late
Baron Bunsen, and communicated to me by a friend.
cccLxiv. — In most of the editions of Kelly's hj-mns (Including that
of 1836), this is a hymn of ten stanzas ; of wlilch the fifth,
sixth, seventh, and tenth, are here omitted. In the edition
of 1812, it was reduced by the author himself to six stanzas ;
being (except the last), the same with the present text. The
last stanza of that edition was unequal to the rest ; and was
omitted by the author in aU the later editions.
cccLxviii. — From Nugce Sacrce; or, Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual
Songs (Hatchard, 1825).
Notes. 499
HYMN
cccLxx. — The seven last of twenty stanzas ; from Erskine's Gosfd
Sonnets (twtntietli edition : Berwick: Phorson; 1788: page
272).
cccLxxv. — Tfiis is No. 47 in Hymns hy R. C. Chapman (London :
Jolm R. Biitenian, 1, Ivy Lane). This edition, which is with-
out date, was published in 1352. The same hymn, in a slightly
different form, had appeared in the earlier edition of the
Author's hymns, x>ublished in 1837 (John F. Shaw, Southamp-
ton Row, Russell Square).
cccLXXvi. — (From Lyte's Poems, cldejly Religious ; i)age 41). Tliis
hymn had been in circulation several years belore the pub-
lication of that volume, and will be found in the Christian
Rsabnist (IS2J), and hi Hymns fur I'rivute Devotion, Selected
and Original (Hatchard, 1827). It has sometimes been
erroneously attributed to Miss GrenfeU.'
(.ccLXXxi. cccLxxxii.— I am indebted for the communication of the
volumes from which tliese two pieces are taken (Songs for
the Suffering; and The Family Hymnal ; London: Hamilton,
Adams, & Co.), to the kindness of the author, the Rev.
Thomas Davis, Incumbent of Ruundhay, Yorkshire.
ccCLXXxvii. — Five out of nine stanzas (from Watts' Hymn 59, of
Book II). The stanzas omitted are the first, second, lifth,
and sixth.
cocxc. —Five out of six stanzas. The omitted stanza is the fourth
of Watts.
cccxcii.— This has been made up by putting together two stanzas
taken -from No. 23 (with some slight variation), and two
otliers taken (without variation) from No. 28 of Mason's
Songs of Praise. Lady Huntingdon added two stanzas more
from the latter hymn, which are here omitted.
COCCI. — Six out of eight stanzas. The stanzas omitted are Kelly's
second and third.
coccii.— This hymn (in five stanzas, of which the fourth is here
omitted) appears in the second series of Sacred Poetry (Edin-
burgh: Oliphaut), first published about 1835. Dr. Bonar
spoke of it to Mr. Sedgwick as one which he remembered
as early as 1825. In the Chelsea Collection (Psalms and
Hymns for Puhlic Worship: Seeleys ; second edition; 1853)
it bears the name of "Newton ; " but I have not been able to
trace the true author. John Newton's it certainly is not.
cccciii.— From Hymns and Anthevis (Fox, Paternoster Row);
a volume edited by Mr. William Johnson Fox; to whom this
hymn was given for iiublication by ihe authoress.
CCCCix. — From Thoughts for Thoughtful Hours (Nelson, Edinburgli,
1859). " H. L. L." is the signature of the translators of Hymns
from the Land of Luther.
K K 2
500 Notes.
NOTES TO ADDITIONAL HYMNS.
I.— I am indebted to the Rev. J. Keble for permission, obtained
through him, to introduce this and the other additional
Hymns of the late Professor Joseph Anstiee. The two
numbered cclxxiii. and cccxxvii. I had previously taken
from the Child's Christian Year; (in which the additional
Hymn, No. 24, will also be found.) The collected hjanns of
the author have never been made public, though they were
privately printed, after his death, in 1836.
V. — The first four out of five stanzas.
VII. — From Bishop Mant's Holydays of the Chnrch, &c. vol. i. p.
.360.
viii. — This is the original translation of Mr. Williams (omitting the
last twelve lines), of which Hymn lxi. is a variation.
XI. — The t«xt is that of the 58th Scotch Paraphrase ; and,
although differing from that given in Logan's works, may be
regarded as altei'ed bj' himself, or with his authority.
XII.— Five out of six stanzas (Olney Hymns, Book I. No. 53).
XV.— This is No. 856 in Dr. C.ollyer's Hyran-Book of 1812. Dr.
Collyer, in a note, states, that he is himself the author of the
last three stanzas, having never seen more than the first,
which (following a popular error) he assumes to be a trans-
lation from Luther, by whose name it is usually called, and
to one of whose tunes' it is set and sung. The original German
hymn, however, on which this is founded (beginning, "£s ist
geivisslich an der Zeii,") is not by Luther, but by Benjamin
Ringwald. I have not been able to discover the author of the
first English stanza.
XVI. XVIII. — These two popular hymns constitute parts of Dr.Neale's
translation of The Rhythm of Bernard de Morlaia\ Monk of
Cluny, on the Celestial Country. (London : J. T. Hayes, 1862.)
The entire translation is very long (442 lines). The Latin
original begins with the line,
"■'Hora novissima, tempora pessima sunt, vigilernus."
XXII. XXX. — From Hymns from the Gospel of the Day for each Sun-
day and the Festivals of our Lord, by the Rev. J. E. Bode.
(Oxford and London : J. H. & J. Parker, 1860.)
XXVII. — I am indebted for this to the kindness of the translator.
XXXI. — The fii-st four out of five stanzas. {Olney Hymns, Book I.
No. 50.
XXXIV. — I am indebted for this to the author.
LIST OF AUTHORS.
Adams, Sarah Flower (1840) cccciii
Addisox, Joseph (172S) xiii, ci.xxiif, ccxvi, a 23
Alexander, Cecil Frances (1853 — 1858) cxlviii, clxiii
Alford, Henry (1845) xcii, cxxx, cclxxiv, cclxxxiii, cr;cix
Anstice, Joseph (1830) cclxxjii, cccxxvii, a 1, a 11, a 13, a 25
AuBER, Harriett (1829) xl
Austin, John (1668) xxvi, lxx, clxxxix, ccxni, ccci.xvii
Baker, Sir Henry (1857—1861) clxii, cxcii, cclxx
Lakkwell, John (1760) lxxi
Ball, William (1825) (XClxviii
Barbauld, Anna Lfetitia (1773) Lviii, cxxxvin, cclXxt, a 35
Bathurst, William Hiiey (1831) lvj, cxi, clxxv, clxXxiv, ccxci
Baxter, Richard (1G81) cxxxxvi
Beddome, Benjamin [1818] cccxlii
Berridge, John (1785) cxiii, c;c
BiCKERSTETH, Edwanl Heniy (1858) ccxxii
Bode, John Ernest (1860) a 22, a 30.
BoNAR, Horatius (1856) cxcvii, cccxxxiii, ccclxix, ccclxxiv
A 28
Bowdler, John (1814) xxn, ccxxxiv
BowLY, Mary (1847) ccccviii
Browne, Simon (1720) xcvi, cclvi, cccx, ccclvi
Browne, T. B. (1844) xxv
Bruce, Michael (1768) ijcxxi
Burns, James D. (1856) cccxiii
Byrom, John (1773) cccxxxviii
Cameron, William (1770) cxiv
Cawood, John (1816) a 19
Cennick, John (1742) xc, cxxvr, ccclii
Chandler, John (1837) lxi, cxxviii, cxxxix, ccli, cccviii
Chapman, Robert C. (1837) cccLXXV
CoNDER, Josiali (1856) lxxvi, lxxxviii, ccix
CoLLVER, William Ben^'o [1829J cccxxv, a 14.
Cotterill. Thomas [1810J v
CowpER, William (1779) cv, cxxxvi, cxLiii, cxc, ccuxlvi,
CCCLXXI, CCCLXXVIIl, CCCLXXXV, CCCLXXXVIII, CCCXCI, CCCXCV,
A 31
Crashaw, Richard (1646) ccxcii
Crossman, Samuel (1664) cix, cliii
Cox, Frances Elizabeth (1S41) cccxxxii
Davis, Thomas (1850, 1860) ccclxxxi, ccclx.vxii, a 34
Darling, Tliomas(lS57) vii
Denny, Sir Edward (1«4«) clxxvi
503 List of Authors.
Dix, William Chatterton (1S61) xli
Doddridge, Philip (1755) xlti, cxviii, cxxix, cxxxi, cltx,
CCVII, CCXII, CCXIII, CCLXIV, CCLXVII, CCLXXVII, CCLXXX,
CCCIV, CCCXVITI, CCCXCIII, A 29
DoKRiNGTON, Tlieophilus (16S6) ccxcii
DowNToN, Hemy (1S51) ccLxxvi, cclxxix
Drexxax, "William (1815) cxxxvii
Dysox, Charles (1816) ccclix
Edmestox, James (1820) ccxxvii, cccxcvi
Elliott, Charlotte (183C) cxlvii, cxciii, cccxxviir, cccxlix,
CCCL, CCCLXXII
Elliott, Julia Anne (1833) cccxvii
Erskine, Kalph (1734) ccclxx
Faxch, James (1791) lxxiii
Flowerdew, Anne (ISll) cclxviti
Ford, James (1856) ccliit, cclxvi
Gibbons, Thomas (1784) xvi, cccxciv
GiSBORXE, Thomas (1803) cxix
Grant, Sir Robert (1806-1839) xxi, lxviit, cvii, cccxcvm
Gray, A. (1851) lxii
Grigg, Joseph (1765) cccxxx
Grixfield, Thomas (1836)xxxii, ccviii, ccxcvii
GuRNEY, John Hampden (1851) xviii, cxlix, ccvi, cclxxii.
A 20
Hammoxd, William (1745) xcv, cxxvii, ccclxxiii
Hart, Joseph (1759) xcviii
Hastings, Thomas [1842] cccxxii, cccxxiv
Havergal, William Henry (1833) lxxix
Haweis, Thomas (1792) cc'xxxix
Heber, Bishop Reginald (1811-1827) i, lxxxiv, lxxxvii, cxvit,
cxli, clxxvti, ccxiv, ccxxv, coxxvi, ccxlii, cclxi, cccv,
cccxxxi, ccclxt, a 2, a 10
Herbert, Algernon [1839] ccclxiti
Herbert, George (1632) xx, cccxi
Hill, Rowland (1783—1796) cxii, clii
How, William Walsham (1860) l, ccijcxxvi
Hunt, John (1853) x
Huntingdon, Selina, Countess of (1780) cccxcii
Hurn, William (1813) lxxxvi, cm
Irons, William Josiah (1853) cxcvi
Jacobi, John Christian (1722) c, cclxxxv
Keble, John (1827—1857) xiv, xxxi, xciii, ccxlviii, cclix,
CCLXIX, ccxcix
Kelly, Thomas (1804—1836) xxxv, xliij, xlv, xltx, lxxviii,
LXXXV, CXX, CXXI, CXXIV, CLXXIX, CCXV, CCLXII, CCCXVI,
CCCXXI, CCCLXIV, CCCCI
Ken, Bishop Thomas (1700—1721), ccxlvi, cclvii, cct.xv,
CCXCVIIl
Kirke-White, Henrj- (1803—1806) cxxii, cclviii
Logan, John (1770) ccxiii, a 9
Lynch, Thomas Toke (1855) ecu
List of Authors. 503
Lyte, Henrj- Fraiicis (1833—1847) xi. xxni, xxiv, liii, cxxxii,
CLXXXIII, cLxxxvni, ccxxiii, ccxxxv, ccxxxv, CCXXXVII,
CCCXV, CCCLXV, CCCLXXVI. CCCLXXXVI, CCCCV
Madan, Martin (1760) xc, cxxvii
Maitlan'D, Fannv Fuller (1827) cxxii
Mant, Bishoi) Richard (1831—1837) ii, Lxix, cr, cciii, a 7
Mardlkv, Jolin (156-2), ccxxvi
Marriott, John (1816) clxxx
Mason, John (16S3) civ, ccvi, cccxn, cccxcii
Massie, Richard (1S5-1) ccclviii
Medley, Samuel (17S9— 1800) cli, cccxl
MiuDLETON, Bisliop Thomas Faushaw [1831] ccxxiv
Miles, Susan L. (1S40] lxvi
Millard, James Klwin (1848) iv
MiLMAN, Henrv Hart (1822—1827) ccxxxviiT, cccvi, a 3, a 4
MoNSELL, John S. B. (1837—1850) ccxxxxi, ccclxxxix
Montgomery, James (1S03— 1853) iii. xxxvi, lxxx, xcix, cxi,
CXV, CI.V, CLXIV, CLXIX, CLXX, CLXXVIII, CCXXI, CCLXXXIX,
CCCII, CCCVII, CCCXIX, CCCLX, CCCCX, A 17, A 33
Moore, Henrv [ISOG] ccclxii
Morris, Eliza Fanny [1858] cccxxiii
Morrison, John (1770) xxxix, cccxi.iv
Xeale, John Mason (1851—1854) xxix, lxiv, Cf.Liv, a 16, a 18,
Newman, John Henry (1833) cccciv
Newton, John (1779) xlvit, lv, lxxvit, cxvi, cxxv,
CLXVI, CLXXXI, CXCIX, CCXIX, CCXLI, CCLXXVIIT, CCCXXXIV,
CCCLXXXIV, CCCXCVII, A 12, A 26, A 32
Noel, Baptist Wriothesley (1841) ccclxxix
Olivers, Thomas (1757—1772) xci, ccccxi
Osler, Edward (1856) ccxliv, ccxciv, cclxxxii
Palgrave, Francis Turner (1862) ccxxix, cclii
Palmer, Ray [1840] clxxxii.ccxcvi
Parr, Harriett (1856) cclx
Quarles, John (1654) vn
Reed, Andrew (1842) clxvii
RicKARDS, .Samuel (1825) xxxvii
Russell, Arthur Tozer (1851) lxvii, ccxxvm, cclxxv, ccclv
Ryland, John (1777) ccx, ccxi
Seagrave, Robert (1748) CLXV
Sears, Edmund H. [ISCO] xxxvm
Scott, Robert Allan (1830) cijucii
Scott, Sir Walter (ISOr.) a 15
Skelton, Philip (1784) xxvui
Smith, Robert (lS'"-2) cccxxix
Steele, Anne (1760) clx, cxcv, cccxxxvi, cccxli
Swain, Joseph (1792) cxxxiv
Tate, Nahum (1703) xxxm
Taylor, Bishop Jeremy (1653) clxxiv
ToKK, Emma(I>-51) i.xv
504 List of Authors.
ToMALiN, James Bullivant [1860] a 27
ToPLADY, Augustus Moutague (1709—1777) c, cxlv, clvi, cci,
CCCLIV, CCCC, CCCCVII, CCCCXII
Turner, Daniel (1791) lxxiii
Waring, Anna Lsetitia (1850—1860) cxcviii
Waring, Samuel Miller (1S27) ccxliii
Watts, Isaac (1709— 1720) vi, viii, ix, xri, xv, xvii, xliv, xlviit,
I,II, LXIII, LXXII, LXXIV, LXXXII, LXXXIIX, XCVII, CVI, CXIV,
CXXIII, CXXXIII, CXLIT, CLIV, CLVIII, CLXI, CLXVIII, CLXXI,
CCIV, CCXVJI, CCXVm, CCXX, CCXXXIII, CCXLV, CCXLVIl, CCLVI,
CCCIII, CCCXIV, CCCLIII, CCCLXVI, CCCLXXVII, CCCLXXXIII,
CCJCLXXXVII, cccxc, a 5, A 6
Wesley, Charles(1739— 1762) viii, xxxiv, xlvi, liv, lix, lxxv,
LX^OCIX, XC, CXL, CXLIV, CXLVI, CLVII, CLXXXV, CLXXXVII,
CXCI, CCXL, CCL, CCLXIII, CCLXXXVIII, CCCXXXV, CG^XXXVII,
CCCXXXIX, CCCXLIII, CCCXLV, CCCXLVII, CCCLI, CCCLVII, A 21
Wesley, John (1739— 1743) lxx, cxxxv, ccxxx, CGCXLvrii,
ccccvi
White, Hem-y Kirke (see Kivke White)
Williams, Isaac (1838-1842) xix, xxx, lxi, ccci, ccclsxx, a 8
Williams, William (1759—1774) Lt, ccxxxi, ccxxxii
Wilson, Mrs. Daniel (1S30) cxciv
WiNKwoRTH, Catherine (1858) cccxcix
Wither, George (1641) xxvii, ccxlix, cclv, cclxxxiv
Wordsworth, William (1834) a 24
Anonymous, from miscellaneous Collections, lx, cx, cl,
CCV, CCLXXXVII, ccxc, ccxciii, ccxcv, ccc, cccxx, CCCXXVJ,
CCCCII
Ditto, " F. B. P." [1616] cviii
Ditto, "H. L. L." [1859] ccccix
Ditto, "M. G. T." (1831) lvii
Ditto, from Ordination Ser\dce [1662] xciv
INDEX OF FIRST LINES.
PAGE
Abide with iiic ! fast tills the even-tide 432
Accept, my God, my evening song 270
Again the Lord of Life and Light 61
All praise to Him wlio dwells in bliss 278
All praise to thee, my God, this night 271
All wondering on the desert ground 473
Almighty God, Thy piercing eye 235
Almighty God, Tliy word is cast 470
And can it be, that I should gain 303
And have 1 measured half my days 355
And shall I sit alone 309
Another year has tied ; renew 294
A poor wayfaring man of grief 385
Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat 234
As o'er the past my .memory strays 238
A soldiei-'s course, from battles won 134
As witli gladness men of old 46
A thousand years have fleeted 3G1
Awake, and sing the song 142
Awake, my soul, and with the sun 257
Awake, my soul, awake to prayer 283
Awake, my soul, lift up thine eyes 485
Awake, ye saints, and raise your eyes 296
Away with sorrow's sigh 32
Before Jehovah's awful throne 7
Behold ! a Strangei-'s at the doors 348
Behold, tlie morning sun 118
Beliold ! the Mountain of the Lord 91
Behold tlie sun, that secm'd but now 269
Beneath Thy cruss I lay me down 55
Beyond the glittering starry globe 79
Blest are the huiuble souls that see 220
Blest be Tky love, dear Lord 205
Blow ye the trumpet, blow 57
Bound upon tli' accursed tree 454
Brief life is here our portion 469
Brightest aii<l best (jf the sons of the morning 452
Bright was the guiding star that led 46
Brother, thou art gone before ns ; and thy saintly sold is flown 322
By faith in Christ 1 walk with God 410
Calm me, my God, and keep me calm 395
Cliild of sin and sorrow 341
Cliildren of the Heavenly King 141
Christ is our corner-stone 324
Christ, niy hidden Life, ai)pear 382
Christ the Lord is risen to-day 62
Christ, whose glory fills th.- skies 263
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire 106
Come, Holy Spirit, come 110
Come, Holy ISpirit, heavenly Duve 108
5o6 Index of First Lines.
PAor
Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove 109
Come, let us join our cheerful songs 45(5
Come, let us join our friends above 153
Come, let us to the Lord our God 364
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare 19S
Come, O come ! in pious lays 27
Come, O thou Traveller unknown 365
Come, take my yoke, the Saviour said 347
Come, we that love the Lord 138
Come, ye thankful people, come 292
Commit thou all thy griefs 433
Compared with Christ, in all beside 379
Day of anger, that dread Day 102
Dearest of names, our Lord and King 163
Deathless principle, arise 169
Early, my God, without delay 417
Earth to earth, and dust to dust 162
Ere another Sabbath's close 337
Eternal Beam of Light Divine 472
Eternal God, of beings First 381
Eternal source of every jov 286
Exalted high at God's right hand 127
Fain would my thoughts fly up to Thee 393
Far from my heavenly home 391
Far from these narrow scenes of night 173
Far from the world, 0 Lord, I flee 405
Father, by Thy love and power 476
Father, I know that all my life 213
Father of Love, our Guide and Friend 211
Fearless, calm, and strong in love 485
Fierce passions discompose the mind 397
For ever with the Lord 440
Forth from the dark and stormy sky 233
Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I go 201
For mercies, countless as the sands 482
For Thy mercy and Thy grace 297
Fountain of mercy ! God of love 286
Friend after friend departs 177
From all that dwell below the skies 254
From Egj'pt lately come 139
From Greenland's icy mountains 93
Full of weakness and of sin 114
Glorious things of Thee are spoken 131
God eternal. Lord of all 3
God is our Refuge, tried and proved 247
God moves in a mj-sterious way 417
God of mercy, throned on high 308
God of mv salvation, hear 159
Godofthat glorious gift of grace 299
God of the morning, at whose voice ! 259
God, that madest earth and heaven 277
Go up; go up, my heart 400
Go, worship at Emanuel's feet 377
Gracious Spirit, dwell with me 218
Great God, what do I see and her.r 4(35
Great God, Wliose universal sway 93
Guide me, 0 Thou great Jehovah 243
/;/ dex of Fi) st L in es. 507
I'AHE
Hail, thou bright and sacred mom 3M t
Hail, Thou once despised Jesus 7i''
Hail to the Lord's Anointed Kit
Happy soul! thy days are ended 171
Happy the man, whose hopes rely 11
Hark ! how all the welkin rings ::iS
Hark, my soul, how everj' thing 25
Hark, my soul ! it is the Lord 3GS
Hark, the glad sound ! the Saviour conies 47
Hark, 'tis a martial sound ! 135
Harp, awake ! tell out the story 295
Haste, traveller, haste ! the night comes on 343
He, Who on earth as man was known SO
Hear, gracious God ! a sinner's cry 3'31
Hear, gracious God ! my humble moan 3G2
Hear my prayer, O heavenly Father 27G
Heavenly Father, to Whose eye 224
Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face 47lJ
Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness 112
Holy, holy, lioly, Lord 2
Holy, holy, holy. Lord God Almighty 1
Holy Spirit, gently come 107
Holy Spirit, in my breast 113
Hosanna ! raise the pealing hymn 88
Hosanna to the Living Lord ! 154
How blest the sacred tie that binds 151
How briglit these glorious spirits shine \'l'.'*
How gentle God's commands 22s
How rich Thy favours, God of grace 145
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds 51
How vast the treasure we possess 409
I give immortal praise 5
I heard the voice of Jesus say 353
I praised the earth, in beauty seen 3S7
I saw, and lo ! a countless throng 444
I sing th' almighty power of God 1(>
In evil long I took delight 354
In memory of the Saviour's love 311
Interval of grateful shade 27S
In token that thou shalt not fear 30O
It came upon the midnight clear 43
Jerusalem, my happy home 1 23
Jerusalem, my happy home 125
Jerusalem the golden 4f37
Jesu ! behold, the Wise from far 74
Jesu ! guide our way 241
Jesu, lover of my soul 25 J
Jesu, my strength, my hope 374
Jesu, Thou art my Righteousness 157
Jesu ! who for my transgression 380
Jesus, cast a look on me 215
Jesus Christ is risen to-day ti4
Jesus, I my cross have taken 402
Jesns ! lead us with Thy power 244
Jesus, my all, to Heaven is gone 375
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun 92
Jesus, the Shepherd of the sheep 230
5o8 Index of First Lines.
PAGE
Jesus, thou Joy of loving hearts 313
Jesus, Thy Church Avith longing eyes 191
Jesus, when near th' expected hour 315
Jesus, where'er Thy people meet .... 150
Join all the glorious names 77
Joy to the world, the Lord is come 49
Just as I am, without one plea 160
Just as thou art, without one trace 845
Lamb of God, I look to Thee 306
Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom 431
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead ns 240
Let all the world in every corner sing 19
Let all the world rejoice 9
Let Jacob to his Maker sing 419
Let me be with Thee where Thou art 398
Light of the lonely pilgrim's heart 192
Lo ! God is here ! Let us adore 149
Lo ! He comes ! let all adore Him 48
Lo ! He conies, with clouds descending 99
Lo ! He comes with clouds descending 100
Lo ! the day the Lord hath made 456
Long did 1 toil, and knew no earthly rest 412
Lord, as to Thy dear cross we flee . 471
Lord ! come away 191
Lord God of morning and of night 266
Lord God the Holy Ghost Ill
Lord. I feel a carnal mind 216
Lord, in the day Thou art about 222
Lord, in Thy Name Thy servants plead . . , 287
Lord Jesu, when we stand afar 54
Lord, may the inward grace abound 299
Lord of hosts ! to Thee we raise 323
Lord of mercy and of might 461
Lord of my life, whose tender care 222
Lord of the harvest ! once again 292
Lord of the harvest ! Thee Ave hail 291
Lord of the Sabbath ! hear our vows 335
Lord of the Avorlds above 147
Lord, thou hast form'd mine eveiy part 188
Lord, Avhen before Thy throne we meet 312
Lord, when I lift my voice to Thee . . , 201
Mercy alone can meet my case 235
Morning lifts her deAvy veil 459
Much in sorroAV, oft in Avoe 137
Mu.-)t friends and kindred droo^j and die 319
My faith looks up to Thee 199
My God and Father, Avhile I stray 208
My God, and is Thy Table spread 480
My God, my King, Thy various praise 1S7
My God, now I from sleep awake 281
My God, the Spring of all my joys 404
My life's a shade, my days 166
My Lord, my love was crucified 329
My Shepherd Avill supply my need 232
My soul, amid this stormy world 400
My soul, repeat His praise , . 155
My spirit longeth for Thee 359
Index of First Lines. 509
FACE
My spirit on Thy care 204
My trust is in the Lord 246
Nearer, my God, to Tliee 430
Not all the blood of beasts 455
Not unto us, Almighty Lord 10
Now, gracious Lord, Tliine arm reveal 477
Now I have found the ground wherein 370
Now is the hour of darkness past S3
Now it belongs not to my care 202
Now let our mourning hearts revive 320
Now let us join with liearts and tongues 58
Now may He, who from the dead 252
Now morning lifts her dewy veil 64
Now to Him, who loved us, gave us 253
O day most calm, most bright 327
O for a closer wallc with God 415
O for an heart to praise my God 206
O for a thousand tongues to sing 51
O God of Bethel, by whose hand 228
O God, Thou art my God alone 186
O God, Thy grace and blessing give 163
O God. unseen, yet ever near 311
O happy saints, wlio dwell in light 128
O happy soul, that lives on high 392
O Holy Saviour, Friend unseen 372
O Holy Lord, content to live 304
O house of Jacob, come 95
O how kindly hast Thou led me 224
O Israel, to thy tents repair 164
O .lesu, Lord of heavenly grace 263
O Jesus, Saviour of the lost 236
O King of earth, and aij', qnd sea., 229
O King of kings. Viofore whose throne 6
O Lamp of Life ! that on the bloody Cross 385
O Lord, another day is flown 273
O Lord, how good, how great art Thou 56
O Lord, how joyful' t is to see 152
O Lord, how "little do we know 399
O Lord, I would delight in Thee 227
O Lord, my best desire fiilfil 205
O Lord, our languid souls insi>ire 483
O Lord, Thy heavenly grace impart 209
O Lord, turn not Thy face away 239
O most merciful 253
O Saviour! is Thy promise fled 193
O Saviour, may we never rest 59
O send me down a draught of love 396
O Spirit of the living God 194
0 that my load of sin were gone 363
O Thou, from whom all goodness flows 250
O Thou, the contrite siiniers' Friend 371
O Thoxi, to whose all-searchiiig sight 242
O Thou, who camest from above 203
O Tliou, whose tender mercy hears 357
O time of tranquil joy and holy feeling 330
O timely happy, timely wise 200
O worship the King 20
5 1 o Ijidex of First L incs.
Of Thy love some gracious tokeu 338
O help us, Lord ! each hour of need 249
Oh what, if we are Christ's 207
On God the race of man depends 14
On the mountain's top appearing 94
One there is, above all others 463
Our God, our help in ages past 181
Our life is but an idle play 388
Our praise Thou need'st not ; but Thj' love 19
Palms of glorj-, raiment bright 130
Pleasant are Thy courts above 146
Plunged in a gulf of darlc despair 56
Poor child of sin and woe 342
Pour out Thy Spirit from on high 484
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven 23
Praise, O praise our God and King 288
Praise the Lord, His glories show 24
Praise the Lord of Heaven, praise Him in the height .... 25
Praise to God, immortal praise 289
Praise to the radiant Source of bliss 143
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire 185
Quiet, Lord, my froward heart 214
Receive him. Earth, unto thine harbouring shrine 318
Redeem'd from guilt, redeem'd from fears 200
Rejoice, the Lord is King S3
Rejoice, though storms assail thee 429
Rest, weary soul 439
Return, O wanderer, to thy home 343
Ride on, ride on in majesty 453
Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings 178
Rock of Ages, cleft for me 158
Round the Lord in glory seated .... 2
Salvation ! oh ! the joyful sound 67
Saviour, I lift my trembling eyes 60
Sa^^our, when in dust to Thee 71
Saviour, who didst from Hea^•'n come down 478
Saviour, who, exalted high 73
Saviour, who Thy flock art feeding 305
See, the ransomed millions stand 97
Shall I fear, O Earth, thy bosom 409
Shepherd of Israel, from above S09
Shine on our souls, eternal God 223
Since Thou liast added now, O God 262
Sing to the Lord, our might 332
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice 22
Sleep well, my dear ; sleep safe and free £03
Sometimes a light surprises 411
Songs of praise the angels sang 468
Source of good, whose power controls 3S4
Sovereign Ruler of the skies 225
Speed Thy servants. Saviour, speed them 195
Spirit ! leave thine house of clay 168
Star of morn and even £41
Sun of my soul. Thou Saviour dear 274
Sleep, baby, sleep ! what ails my dear 301
Sweet is the Spirit's strain . . ' 345
Index of First Lines. 5 1 1
PACK
Sweet is tlie work, my God, iny Kiug 331
Sweet place, sweet place aloue 122
That day of wrath, that dreadful day 460
The child leans on its parent's breast 406
The billows swell, the winds are high 420
The day, O Lord, is spent 269
The day of rest once more comes round 333
The foe behind, the deep before 67
The God of Abraham praise 441
The Head that once was crown'd with thorns 87
The heaven of lieavens cannot contain 151
The Lord is King! lift up your voice 85
The Lord Jehovah reigns 8
The Lor.l my ]>asture shall prepare 231
The Lord my Shei:>herd is 233
The Lord of Might from Sinai's brow 96
The lovely form of God's own Church 325
The race that long in darkness pined 45
The roseate hues of early dawn 1^^
The scene around me disappears 41
The Son of God goes forth to war 132
The Son of God! the Lord of life 66
Tlie spacious firmament on high I7
The spring-tide hour 4x^
The starry firmament on high 1}^
The strain u])raise of joy and praise ^"^^
The voice tliat breathed o'er Eden •''1'
The waves of trouble, how they rise 1^2
Tlie winds were howling o'er the deep ^J'.J
The world can neither give nor take 41S
Thee we adore, eternal Lord 4
There is a blessed Home 1'^
There is a book, who runs may read ^13
There is a calm for those who weep ^19
There is a dwelling-place above -J-J
There is a fountain fill'd with blood }^>y_
There is a land of pure delight J'^
There is a pure and peaceful Avave "•'4
There is a River, deep and broad 11-^
Tliere is a safe and secret idace -4^
Tliere is a Stream, which issues forth J 16
There is an hour, when I must part 1^^
There's not a bird, with lonely nest 40o
Tliev talk'd of Jesus, as they went ,' ■," ' " .,f
Thou art gone to the grave : but we will not deplore thee . . ^iv
Tliou art gone up on high ^^
Thou God of Love ! beneath thy sheltering wings 31b
Thou, great Creator, art possest 143
Thou Judge of quick and dead •^'
Thou the cup of death didst drain •*2'^
Thou, who didst stoop below !^Y
Tliou, who hast call'd us by Thy word 4bl
Thou, Whose Almighty word 19<
Though, by sorrows overtaken ^^^
Though rude winds usher thee, sweet day 41
Through the day Thy love hath spared us -77
Through the love of God our Saviour 43S
Thus saith God of His Anointed ^^
512 Index of First Lines.
Tliy goodness, Lord, onr souls confess 16
Thy way, not mine, 0 Lord 212
'Tis come, the time so oft foretold 86
'Tis Heaven begun below 148
To God, ye choir, above, begin 28
To Heaven I hft mine eye 246
To Him, who for oiu- sins was slain 71
To-morrow, Lord, is Thine 298
To Thee, my God, whose Presence fills 420
To Thy temple I repair 336
Up to the hills I lift mine eyes 245
Up to the throne of God is borne 475
We seek a rest beyond the skies 180
We sing His love. Who once was slain 165
We sing the praise of Him Who died 53
Weary of wandering from my God '359
Welcome, sweet day, of days the best 326
We'll sing, in spite of scorn 40
We're bound for yonder land 428
We've no abiding city here 390
Wliat are these in bright array 126
What sudden blaze of song 34
Whate'er my God ordains is right 424
When all Thy mercies, O my God 189
When at mid-day my task I ply 266
When at Thy footstool. Lord, I bend 237
When came in flesh th' Incarnate Word 464
Wlien Christ the Lord would come on earth 144
When Christ, with all His graces crown'd 414
When gathering crowds around I view 423
When God of old came down from Heaven 104
When languor and disease invade 426
When I survey life's varied scene 210
When I survey the wondrous cross 53
When Israel, hv Divine command 140
When Jesus left His Father's throne 307
When rising from the bed of death 473
When shall Thy love constrain 358
When Thou, O Lord, in flesh wert drest 451
When wounded sore the stricken heart 161
Where liigh the heavenly Temple stands 460
While shepherds watched their flocks by night 37
While with ceaseless course the sun 296
Why comes this fragrance on the summer breeze 407
Why do we mourn departing friends 167
Why should I fear the darkest hour 422
Why should I, in vain repining 421
With all the powers my poor soul hath 310
With tearful eyes I look around 346
Worship, honour, glory, blessing 253
Ye golden lamps of heaA^en, farewell 172
Ye servants of the Lord 133
Ye sons of earth, prepare the plough 117
Yes, God is good ; in earth and sky 18
Your harps, ye trembling saints 435
R. Clay, Son, 4 Taylor, Printers, London.
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