Methodist Hymnal - 1889 Edition
800 - 899
800=
6 6 8 4, 6 6 8 4. Genesis xv. 1.
1 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.
2 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.
3 The God of Abraham praise, Whose all-sufficient grace Shall
guide me all my happy days, In all my ways. He calls a worm his friend, He
calls himself my God; And he shall save me to the end, Through Jesu's blood.
4 He by himself hath sworn, I on his oath depend; I shall, on
eagles' wings upborne, To heaven ascend: I shall behold his face, I shall his
power adore, And sing the wonders of his grace For evermore.
= 6 6 8 4, 6 6 8 4. 2nd. part.
5 THOUGH nature's strength decay, And earth and hell
withstand, To Canaan's bounds I urge my way, At his command. The watery deep I
pass, With Jesus in my view; And through the howling wilderness My way pursue.
6 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 crowned.
7 There dwells the Lord our King, The Lord our righteousness,
Triumphant o'er the world and sin, The Prince of peace; On Zion's sacred height
His kingdom still maintains, And glorious with his saints in light For ever
reigns.
8 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.
= 6 6 8 4, 6 6 8 4. 3rd. part.
9 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.
10 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."
11 Before the Saviour's face The ransomed nations bow;
O'erwhelmed at his almighty grace, For ever new: He shows his prints of love, -
They kindle to a flame! And sound through all the worlds above The slaughtered
Lamb.
12 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.
801=
C.M. Deuteronomy xxxiii. 3.
1 WHOM Jesu's blood doth sanctify Need neither sin nor fear;
Hid in our Saviour's hand we lie, And laugh at danger near: His guardian hand
doth hold, protect, And save, by ways unknown, The little flock, the saints
elect, Who trust in him alone.
2 Our Prophet, Priest, and King, to thee We joyfully submit;
And learn, in meek humility, Our lesson at thy feet: Spirit and life thy words
impart, And blessings from above; And drop in every listening heart The manna
of thy love.
802=
L.M. Isaiah xl. 31.
1 AWAKE, our souls! away, our fears! Let every trembling
thought be gone! Awake, and run the heavenly race, And put a cheerful courage
on.
2 True, 'tis a strait and thorny road, And mortal spirits
tire and faint; But they forget the mighty God, That feeds the strength of
every saint.
3 O mighty God, thy matchless power Is ever new, and ever
young; And firm endures, while endless years Their everlasting circles run.
4 From thee, the ever-flowing spring, Our souls shall drink a
fresh supply; While such as trust their native strength Shall melt away, and
droop, and die.
5 Swift as the eagle cuts the air, We'll mount aloft to thine
abode; On wings of love our souls shall fly, Nor tire along the heavenly road.
803=
L.M. Habakkuk iii. 17, 18.
1AWAY, my unbelieving fear! Fear shall in me no more have
place; My Saviour doth not yet appear, He hides the brightness of his face; But
shall I therefore let him go, And basely to the tempter yield? No, in the
strength of Jesus, no! I never will give up my shield.
2 Although the vine its fruit deny, Although the olive yield
no oil, The withering fig-tree droop and die, The field illude the tiller's
toil, The empty stall no herd afford, The flocks be cut off from their place,
Yet will I triumph in the Lord, The God of my salvation praise.
3 Barren although my soul remain, And no one bud of grace
appear, No fruit of all my toil and pain, But desperate wickedness is here;
Although, my gifts and comforts lost, My blooming hopes cut off I see; Yet will
I in my Saviour trust, And glory that he died for me.
4 In hope, believing against hope, Jesus my Lord and God I
claim; Jesus my strength shall lift me up, Salvation is in Jesu's name; To me
he soon shall bring it nigh; My soul shall then outstrip the wind, On wings of
love mount up on high, And leave the world and sin behind.
804=
7 6, 7 6, 7 6, 7 6.
1 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.
2 In holy contemplation, We sweetly then pursue The theme of
God's salvation, And find it ever new. Set free from present sorrow We
cheerfully can say, E'en let the unknown to-morrow Bring with it what it may:
3 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.
4 Though vine nor fig-tree neither Their wonted fruit should
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 in him
confiding, I cannot but rejoice.
805=
C.M. Matthew xvii. 20.
1 AUTHOR of faith, on me confer The all-obtaining grace,
Which wrestles and receives in prayer Thy largest promises; The faith unfeigned
and unreproved Which can the test abide, From false humility removed, And
self-deluding pride.
2 A perfect confidence inspire From all presumption free, A
holy boldness to desire The thing prepared for me; A wisdom to discern and know
The time by God designed, A strength that will not let thee go Till I the
blessing find.
806=
S.M. Luke viii. 18.
1 THOUGH God in Christ reveal Our sins through faith removed,
We lose the talent we conceal, The blessing unimproved; Not labouring after
more Abundant righteousness, Stripped of our former peace and power. We forfeit
all our grace.
2 Lord, if thy grace I have, I plead thy word for more: Whom
thou hast saved, persist to save, And all thy life restore: If with a faithful
heart I simply follow thee, Whate'er thou hast, whate'er thou art, Thou art,
and hast for me.
807=
5 5 9, 5 5 9.
1 HOW happy are they Who the Saviour obey, And have laid up
their treasure above! Tongue cannot express The sweet comfort and peace Of a
soul in its earliest love.
2 That comfort was mine, When the favour divine I first found
in the blood of the Lamb; When my heart it believed, What a joy it received,
What a heaven in Jesus's name!
3 Jesus all the day long Was my joy and my song; O that all
his salvation may see! He hath loved me, I cried, He hath suffered, and died,
To redeem such a rebel as me.
4 O the rapturous height Of the holy delight, Which I felt in
the life-giving blood! Of my Saviour possessed I was perfectly blest, As if
filled with the fulness of God.
808=
5 5 12. Romans v. 11.
1 O GOD of all grace, Thy goodness we praise; Thy Son thou
hast given to die in our place.
2 He came from above Our curse to remove, He hath loved, he
hath loved us, because he would love.
3 Love moved him to die, And on this we rely, He hath loved,
he hath loved us, we cannot tell why.
4 But this we can tell, He hath loved us so well, As to lay
down his life to redeem us from hell.
5 He hath ransomed our race, O how shall we praise Or
worthily sing thy unspeakable grace?
6 Nothing else will we know In our journey below, But singing
thy grace to thy paradise go.
7 Nay, and when we remove To the mansions above, Our heaven
shall be still to sing of thy love.
8 Thrice happy employ! We there shall enjoy A fulness of
pleasure that never can cloy.
9 The heavenly choir With us shall aspire, And gladly our
loving Redeemer admire.
10 We all shall commend The love of our Friend, For ever
beginning what never shall end.
11 When time is no more, We still shall adore That ocean of love
without bottom or shore.
809=
7s & 6s.
1 VAIN, delusive world, adieu, With all of creature-good!
Only Jesus I pursue, Who bought me with his blood: All thy pleasures I forego,
I trample on thy wealth and pride: Only Jesus will I know, And Jesus crucified.
2 Other knowledge I disdain, 'Tis all but vanity: Christ, the
Lamb of God, was slain, He tasted death for me. Me to save from endless woe,
The sin-atoning Victim died: Only Jesus will I know, And Jesus crucified.
3 Turning to my rest again, The Saviour I adore; He relieves
my grief and pain, And bids me weep no more. Rivers of salvation flow From out
his head, his hands, his side: Only Jesus will I know, And Jesus crucified.
4 Here will I set up my rest; My fluctuating heart From the
haven of his breast Shall never more depart. Whither should a sinner go? His
wounds for me stand open wide: Only Jesus will I know, And Jesus crucified.
810=
L.M. "I know whom I have believed, and am," &c. 2 Timothy i, 12.
1 I KNOW in whom I have believed, Who, when this precious
faith he gave, My soul into his hands received, And bade me trust his power to
save: His Spirit doth my heart assure, That what I still to him commend His
constant love shall keep secure, Till faith filled up in sight shall end.
811=
C.M. The same subject.
1 I'M not ashamed to own my Lord, Or to defend his cause,
Maintain the honour of his word, The glory of his cross.
2 Jesus, my God! I know his name, His name is all my trust;
Nor will he put my soul to shame, Nor let my hope be lost.
3 Firm as his throne his promise stands, And he can well
secure What I've committed to his hands, Till the decisive hour.
4 Then will he own my worthless name Before his Father's
face; And in the new Jerusalem Appoint my soul a place.
812=
8s & 6s. "The truth . . . shall be with us for ever." 2 John 2.
JESUS, we steadfastly believe
The grace thou dost this moment give Thou wilt the next bestow; Wilt keep us
every moment here, And show thyself the Finisher, And never let us go.
813=
C.M. "Able to keep you from falling." Jude 24. qqq
LORD, I believe thy mercy's
power, Which hath my refuge been, Will still in every future hour Preserve my
soul from sin: The help for which on thee I call Shall my protection prove; And
into sin I cannot fall, While hanging on thy love.
814=
S.M. The same subject.
1 TO God, the only wise, Our Saviour and our King, Let all
the saints below the skies Their humble praises bring.
2 'Tis his almighty love, His counsels and his care, Preserve
us safe from sin and death, And every hurtful snare.
3 He will present our souls Unblemished and complete, Before
the glory of his face, With joys divinely great.
4 Then all the chosen seed Shall meet around the throne,
Shall bless the conduct of his grace, And make his wonders known.
815=
L.M. Trust in Christ.
1 O JESUS, full of truth and grace, O all-atoning Lamb of
God, I wait to see thy glorious face, I seek redemption through thy blood.
2 Now in thy strength I strive with thee, My Friend and
Advocate with God; Give me the glorious liberty, Grant me the purchase of thy
blood.
3 Thou art the anchor of my hope, The faithful saying I
receive; Surely thy death shall raise me up, For thou hast died that I may
live.
4 Satan, with all his arts, no more Me from the gospel hope
shall move; I shall receive the gracious power, And find the pearl of perfect
love.
5 Though nature gives my God the lie, I all his truth and
grace shall know; I shall, the helpless creature I, Shall perfect holiness
below.
6 My flesh, which cries, "It cannot be," Shall
silence keep before the Lord; And earth, and hell, and sin shall flee At Jesu's
everlasting word.
816=
L.M. "Heal me, O Lord," Jeremiah xvii, 14.
1 THAT health of soul I gasp to know Which only Jesus can
bestow, Jesus, thy sovereign skill display, And take this seed of sin away; The
original infirmity, O were it now expelled by thee, Who didst my every pain
endure, And die thyself to effect my cure!
2 The world with feeble saints agree In vain to urge "It
cannot be! Sin must remain; howe'er expelled And healed; ye never can be
healed." I trust my great Physician's skill, And, saved according to thy
will, Shall live, a saint in love complete, Shall die, a sinner at thy feet.
817=
7s. Matthew v, 8.
1 BLESSED are the pure in heart, They have learned the
angel-art, While on earth in heaven to be, God, by sense unseen, to see.
2 Cleansed from sin's offensive stain, Fellowship with him
they gain; Nearness, likeness to their Lord, Their exceeding great reward.
3 Worshipping in spirit now, In his inner court they bow, Bow
before the brightening
vail, God's own radiance through it hail.
4 Serious, simple of intent, Teachably intelligent, Rapt, they
search the written word, Till his very voice is heard.
5 In creation him they own, Meet him in its haunts, alone;
Most amidst its Sabbath calm, Morning light and evening balm.
6 Him they still through busier life, Trust in pain and care
and strife; These like clouds o'er noontide blaze, Temper, not conceal his
rays.
7 Hallowed thus their every breath, Dying they shall not
"see death;" With the Lord in Paradise, Till, like his, their bodies
rise.
8 Nearer than the seraphim In their flesh shall saints see
him, With the Father, in the Son, Through the Spirit, ever one!
818=
7 6, 7 6, 7 6. Matthew vi. 13.
1 FROM trials unexempted Thy dearest children are; But let us
not be tempted Above what we can bear; Exposed to no temptation That may our
souls o'erpower, Be thou our strong salvation Through every fiery hour.
2 Ah! leave us not to venture Within the verge of sin; Or if
the snare we enter, Thy timely help bring in; And if thy wisdom try us Till
pain and woe are past, Almighty Love, stand by us, And save from first to last!
3 Fain would we cease from sinning In thought and word and
deed, From sin in its beginning We languish to be freed; From every base
desire, Our fallen nature's shame, Jesus, we dare require Deliverance in thy
name.
4 For every sinful action Thou hast atonement made, The rigid
satisfaction Thy precious blood has paid: But take entire possession; To make
an end of sin, To finish the transgression, Most holy God, come in!
819=
8s & 7s.
1LEAD me not into temptation, Father, leave me not alone,
Thou to whom my every passion, Every secret thought is known; If thy providence
forsake me In the dark unguarded hour, Sin is sure to overtake me, Hell is
ready to devour.
2 In the feebleness of nature, Never from thy charge depart,
Infinitely good, and greater Than the evil of my heart; Watch, and hold me back
from sinning. Self-inclined from thee to stray, Stop me at the first beginning,
Turn my tempted heart away.
3 With mine enemies surrounded, Sin, the world, and Satan's
snare, Let me never be confounded, Tempted more than I can bear; Rather from
the dread occasion Thy poor helpless creature hide, Bind the sinful
inclination, Turn my stronger foe aside.
4 Conflicts I cannot require, Who myself can nothing do; If
thou bring into the fire, Surely thou shalt bring me through; Shalt from every
ill deliver, That I may thy glory see, Magnify thy name for ever, Saved through
all eternity.
820=
C.M. Matthew vi. 13.
1 VOUCHSAFE to keep me, Lord, this day Without committing
sin, And with me let thy Spirit stay, And ever dwell within.
2 Thou canst from every sin secure; And is it not thy will
Still to preserve thy servant pure From every touch of ill?
3 Thou canst, thou wilt for one short day Preserve me
spotless here, And why not then (let Satan say) A week, a month, a year?
4 Why wilt thou not for all my life My helpless soul defend,
And bear me through the doubtful strife, And keep me to the end!
5 Behold, with humble faith I bow My soul before thy throne;
Deliver me from evil now, For thou canst save thine own.
6 My soul on thee, O Lord, relies, Thine arms are my defence,
My soul hell, earth, and sin defies To come and pluck me thence.
821=
C.M. 1 Corinthians ix. 24.
O GOD, who dost thy sovereign
might And high prerogative Most chiefly show in thy delight To pity and
forgive: Vouchsafe the aid thy grace supplies, So in thy ways to run, That we
may win the heavenly prize, Through Jesus Christ, thy Son.
822=
C.M. 1 Corinthians xiii.
1 LORD, who hast taught to us on earth This lesson from
above, That all our works are nothing worth, Unless they spring from love; Send
down thy Spirit from on high, And pour in all our hearts That precious gift of
charity, Which peace and joy imparts:
2 The healing balm, the holy oil Which calms the waves of
strife, The drop which sweetens every toil, The breath of our new life. Without
this blessed bond of peace God counts the living dead: O heavenly Father, grant
us this, Through Christ, the living Head.
3 Let all who love the Lord join hands To aid the common
good, And knit more close the sacred bands Of Christian brotherhood. Make all
thy pastors one, O Lord, In heart, in mind, in speech, That they may set forth
thy pure word, And live the life they preach.
4 Let all hold fast the truths whereby A church must stand or
fall; In doubtful things grant liberty, Show charity in all. Thus shall we to
our sacred name Our title clearly prove, While even our enemies exclaim, "
See how these Christians love."
823=
C.M.
1 PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or
unexpressed; The motion of a hidden fire, That trembles in the breast.
2 Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear; The
upward glancing of an eye, When none but God is near.
3 Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant lips can
try; Prayer the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high.
4 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, Returning from his
ways; While angels in their songs rejoice, And cry, "Behold he
prays!"
5 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, The Christian's
native air; His watchword at the gates of death; He enters heaven with prayer.
6 The saints in prayer appear as one, In word, and deed, and
mind; While with the Father and the Son Sweet fellowship they find.
7 Nor prayer is made on earth alone; The Holy Spirit pleads:
And Jesus, on the eternal throne, For sinners intercedes.
8 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.
824=
7s.
1 COME, my
soul, thy suit prepare, Jesus loves to answer
prayer; He himself has bid thee pray, Therefore will not say thee nay.
2 Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring;
For his grace and power are such, None can ever ask too much.
3 With my burden I begin, Lord, remove this load of sin! Let
thy blood for sinners spilt Set my conscience free from guilt.
4 Lord, I come to thee for rest, Take possession of my
breast; There thy blood-bought right maintain, And without a rival reign.
5 As the image in the glass Answers the beholder's face; Thus
unto my heart appear, Print thine own resemblance there.
6 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.
825=
L.M.
1 FROM every stormy wind that blows, From every swelling tide
of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat; 'Tis found beneath the mercy-seat.
2 There is a place where Jesus sheds The oil of gladness on
our heads, A place than all beside more sweet; It is the blood-stained
mercy-seat.
3 There is a spot where spirits blend, And friend holds
fellowship with friend; Though sundered far, by faith they meet Around one
common mercy-seat.
4 There, there on eagle-wing we soar, And time and sense seem
all no more; And heaven comes down our souls to greet, And glory crowns the
mercy-seat.
826=
8-7s.
GRANT, O Saviour, to our
prayers, That this changeful world's affairs, Ordered by thy governance, May so
peaceably advance, That thy Church with ardour due, May her proper work pursue,
In all godly quietness, Through the name we ever bless.
827=
L.M. Luke xviii. 7.
1 A WIDOW, poor, forlorn, oppressed, Importunate her suit
could gain; And shall not we our joint request By persevering prayer obtain?
2 A stranger to the judge she was, But we God's chosen people
are; And, wishing us to gain our cause, Himself doth all our burdens bear.
3 To an unrighteous judge she came, But to a righteous Father
we, Who bids us confidently claim His grace for needy sinners free:
4 The widow's and the orphan's Friend Kindly commands us to
draw nigh: And lo, our hearts to heaven ascend, And boldly Abba, Father, cry!
5 She had no promise to succeed, And but at times could find
access; Encouraged we, and sure to speed, Both day and night our suit may
press.
6 Her vehemence did the judge provoke; But God our
earnestness approves, Watches our every sigh and look, And most the boldest
suitor loves.
7 She had no friend or patron kind, To enforce and make her
suit his own; But we a powerful spokesman find Before us at the Father's
throne.
8 Our Advocate for ever lives For us in heaven to intercede,
For us the Comforter receives, And sends him in our hearts to plead.
828=
8s & 6s. Mark xiii. 37.
1 MASTER, thy grace vouchsafe to me, The loving firm
fidelity, That mindful of thy word I may, with all my skill and might, Perform
my every work aright, And please my heavenly Lord.
2 My heart, thy meanest house, I keep, If thou whose eyelids
never sleep The watchful power bestow; I mark the thoughts that thence proceed,
Not one shall pass into a deed Before thy mind I know.
3 Cautious the door of sense I close, And keep it shut
against my foes, Who press to enter in; All commerce with the world preclude,
Nor let the tempting fiend intrude, Or the besetting sin.
4 No unexamined thought or word Shall pass, but such as serve
my Lord, And execute his will; I only live to watch and pray, And for thy
second coming stay, And all thy mind fulfil.
5 Happy, if, watching to the end, I see thee gloriously
descend, The man thou dost approve; Enter into my Master's joy, And all
eternity employ In ecstasies of love.
829=
7 7 7 3. Mark xiii. 33.
1 CHRISTIAN! seek not yet repose, Cast thy dreams of ease
away; Thou art in the midst of foes; Watch and pray.
2 Principalities and powers, Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thy unguarded hours; Watch and pray.
3 Gird thy heavenly armour on, Wear it ever night and day;
Ambushed lies the evil one; Watch and pray.
4 Hear the victors who o'ercame; Still they mark each
warrior's way; All with one sweet voice exclaim, Watch and pray.
5 Hear, above all, hear thy Lord, Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart his word; Watch and pray.
6 Watch, as if on that alone Hung the issue of the day; Pray
that help may be sent down; Watch and pray.
830=
6-8s. Luke vi. 37.
1 FORGIVE my foes? it cannot be: My foes with cordial love
embrace? Fast bound in sin and misery, Unsaved, unchanged by hallowing grace,
Throughout my fallen soul I feel With man this is impossible.
2 Great Searcher of the mazy heart, A thought from thee I
would not hide; I cannot draw the envenomed dart, Or quench this hell of wrath
and pride: Jesus, till I thy Spirit receive, Thou know'st, I never can forgive.
3 Root out the wrath thou dost restrain; And when I have my
Saviour's mind, I cannot render pain for pain, I cannot speak a word unkind, An
angry thought I cannot know, Or count mine injurer my foe.
831=
S.M.
1 COMMIT thou all
thy griefs And ways into his hands, To his
sure truth and tender care, Who heaven and earth commands.
2 Who points the clouds their course, Whom winds and seas
obey, He shall direct thy wandering feet, He shall prepare thy way.
3 Thou on the Lord rely, So safe shalt thou go on; Fix on his
work thy steadfast eye So shall thy work be done.
4 No profit canst thou gain By self-consuming care; To him
commend thy cause, his ear Attends the softest prayer.
5 Thy everlasting truth, Father, thy ceaseless love, Sees all
thy children's wants, and knows What best for each will prove.
6 Thou everywhere hast sway, And all things serve thy might;
Thy every act pure blessing is, Thy path unsullied light.
7 When thou arisest, Lord, What shall thy work withstand?
Whate'er thy children want, thou giv'st; And who shall stay thy hand?
= S.M. 2nd. part
8 GIVE to the winds thy fears; Hope, and be undismayed: God
hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears, God shall lift up thy head.
9 Through waves, and clouds, and storms, He gently clears thy
way: Wait thou his time, so shall this night Soon end in joyous day.
10 Still heavy is thy heart? Still sink thy spirits down? Cast
off the weight, let fear depart, Bid every care be gone.
11 What though thou rulest not? Yet heaven, and earth, and hell
Proclaim, God sitteth on the throne, And ruleth all things well!
12 Leave to his sovereign sway To choose and to command; So
shalt thou wondering own his way, How wise, how strong his hand.
13 Far, far above thy thought His counsel shall appear, When
fully he the work hath wrought That caused thy needless fear!
14 Thou seest our weakness, Lord; Our hearts are known to thee;
O lift thou up the sinking hand, Confirm the feeble knee!
15 Let us in life, in death, Thy steadfast truth declare, And
publish with our latest breath Thy love and guardian care.
832=
S.M.
1 AWAY, my needless fears, And doubts no longer mine; A ray
of heavenly light appears, A messenger divine.
2 Thrice comfortable hope, That calms my troubled breast; My
Father's hand prepares the cup, And what he wills is best.
3 If what I wish is good, And suits the will divine; By earth
and hell in vain withstood, I know it shall be mine.
4 Still let them counsel take To frustrate his decree, They
cannot keep a blessing back By heaven designed for me.
5 Here then I doubt no more, But in his pleasure rest, Whose
wisdom, love, and truth, and power, Engage to make me blest.
6 To accomplish his design The creatures all agree; And all
the attributes divine Are now at work for me.
833=
L.M. Matthew vi. 27.
1 UNPROFITABLE all and vain, Away this soul-distracting care!
I cannot lengthen out my span, I cannot change a single hair;
2 Then let me hang upon his word Who keeps his saints in
perfect peace, My burden cast upon the Lord, And only care my God to please.
3 Who stoops to clothe a fading flower Will every needful
blessing give, And fit the creature of an hour An endless life with him to
live.
4 My Father knows the things I need, My Father knows, let
that suffice, I trust him now to clothe and feed His child who on his care
relies.
5 The cause of my misgiving fear, Lord, I my unbelief
confess; Author of faith in me appear, And bid my doubts and terrors cease!
834=
S.M. Matthew vi. 33.
1 I SEEK the kingdom first, The gracious joy and peace; Thou
know'st I hunger, Lord, and thirst After thy righteousness; My chief and sole
desire Thine image to regain, And then to join the heavenly choir, And with
thine ancients reign.
2 My God will add the rest, Will outward good provide; But
with thy kingdom in my breast I nothing want beside; Glory begun in grace
Delightfully I prove, And earth and heaven at once possess In thy sufficient
love.
835=
6-8s. Matthew vi. 34.
1 THE past no longer in my power; The future, who shall live
to see? Mine only is the present hour, Lent to be all laid out for thee, Now,
Saviour, with thy grace endowed, Now let me serve and please my God.
2 Why should I ask the future load To aggravate my present
care? Strong in the grace to-day bestowed The evil of to-day I bear; And if to-morrow's
care I see, Fresh grace shall still suffice for me.
836=
L.M.
1 FEEBLE in body and in mind, Saviour, I cast them both on
thee, With humble confidence to find Thy perfect strength displayed in me.
2 Entangled in the worldly snare, With sore perplexity
distrest, O'erwhelmed with mountain-loads of care Beneath thy mercy's wings I
rest.
3 Thou seest I know not what to do, But fix mine eyes on thee
alone, Till thou thy secret counsel show, And bring the blind by ways unknown.
4 If thou direct my path aright, If thou before thy servant
go, The darkness shall be turned to light, The mountains at thy presence flow.
5 The crooked things shall at thy word Be straight, the
rugged places plain, The creatures all obey their Lord, And be whate'er thy will
ordain:
6 My soul, escaped the fowler's net, Above all earthly things
shall soar, Or fall at my Deliverer's feet, And love, and wonder, and adore.
837=
6 6, 6 6, 6 6, 6 6.
1 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.
2 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.
3 Take thou my cup, and it With joy or sorrow fill, As best
to thee may seem; Choose thou my good and ill. Not mine, not mine the choice,
In things or great or small; Be thou my guide, my strength, My wisdom, and my
all.
838=
S.M.
1 THOU
doest all things well, God only wise and true! My days
and nights alternate tell Of mercies always new.
2 With daily toil oppressed, I sink in welcome sleep; Or wake
in darkness and unrest, Yet patient vigil keep.
3 Soon finds each fevered day, And each chill night, its
bourn; Nor zeal need droop, nor hope decay, Ere rest, or light return.
4 But be the night-watch long, And sore the chastening rod, -
Thou art my health, my sun, my song, My glory, and my God!
5 Thy smiling face lights mine; If veiled it makes me sad;
Even tears in darkness, starlike, shine, And morning finds me glad.
6 For weeping, wakeful eyes Instinctive look above And catch,
through openings in the skies, Thy beams, unslumbering Love!
7 Hours spent with pain - and thee Lost hours have never
seemed; No! those are lost, which but might be From earth for heaven redeemed.
8 Its limit, its relief, Its hallowed issues, tell, That,
though thou cause thy servant grief, Thou doest all things well!
839=
8 7, 8 7, 4 7.
1 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! Feed me now and evermore.
2 Open thou the crystal fountain Whence the healing stream
shall flow; Let the fiery, cloudy pillar, Lead me all my journey through;
Strong Deliverer! Be thou still my help and shield.
3 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 I will ever give to thee.
840=
S.M. Genesis xii. 1.
1 IN every time and place Who serve the Lord most high, Are
called his sovereign will to embrace, And still their own deny; To follow his
command, On earth as pilgrims rove, And seek an undiscovered land, And house,
and friends above.
2 Father, the narrow path To that far country show; And in
the steps of Abraham's faith Enable me to go, A cheerful sojourner Where'er
thou bidd'st me roam, Till, guided by thy Spirit here, I reach my heavenly
home.
841=
8 8 8 4. Matthew vi. 10.
1MY God, and Father! while I stray Far from my home, in
life's rough way, O teach me from my heart to say, Thy will be done!
2 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.
3 If thou shouldst call me to resign What most I prize - it
ne'er was mine; I only yield thee what was thine; Thy will be done.
4 Should pining sickness waste away My life in premature
decay, My Father, still I strive to say, Thy will be done.
5 If 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.
6 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.
7 Then when on earth I breathe no more The prayer oft mixed
with tears before, I'll sing upon a happier shore, Thy will be done.
842=
8 6, 8 6, 8 6, irregular.
1 FATHER, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see; But I ask thee for
a present mind, Intent on pleasing thee.
2 I ask thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching
wise, To meet the glad with joyful smiles, And wipe the weeping eyes; And a
heart at leisure from itself, To soothe and sympathize.
3 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.
4 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.
5 So I ask thee for the daily strength, To none that ask
denied, And a mind to blend with outward life, Still keeping at thy side;
Content to fill a little space If thou be glorified.
6 And if some things I do not ask In my cup of blessing be; I
would have my spirit filled the more With grateful love to thee, And careful
less to serve thee much Than to please thee perfectly.
7 There are briers besetting every path, That call for
patient care; There is a cross in every lot, And a constant need for prayer;
Yet a lowly heart, that leans on thee, Is happy anywhere.
8 In a service which thy will appoints There are no bonds for
me; For my inmost soul is taught the truth That makes thy children free; And a
life of self-renouncing love Is a life of liberty.
843=
C.M.
1 FATHER, whate'er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will
denies, Accepted at thy throne of grace Let this petition rise:
2 "Give me a calm, a thankful heart, From every murmur
free; The blessings of thy grace impart, And make me live to thee.
3 "Let the sweet hope that thou art mine My life and
death attend: Thy presence through my journey shine, And crown my journey's
end."
844=
C.M. 1 Samuel iii. 18.
1 IT is the Lord! enthroned in light, Whose works are all
divine, Who hath an everlasting right To govern me and mine.
2 It is the Lord! should I distrust Or contradict his will,
Who cannot do what is unjust, Who must be righteous still?
3 It is the Lord! who gives me all, My wealth, my friends, my
ease, And of his bounties may recall Whatever part he please,
4 It is the Lord! who can sustain Beneath the heaviest load;
From whom I may assistance gain, To tread the thorny road.
5 It is the Lord! whose wondrous skill Can, from afflictions,
raise Matter eternity to fill With ever-growing praise.
6 And can my soul with hopes like these Be sullen, or repine?
No, gracious God, take what thou please, To thee I all resign.
845=
C.M.
1 GOD moves in a
mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He
plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable
mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, And works his
sovereign will.
2 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.
3 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.
846=
C.M.
1 SINCE all the downward tracks of time God's watchful eye
surveys, O who so wise to choose our lot, And regulate our ways?
2 Good, when he gives, supremely good! Nor less when he
denies: Even crosses from his sovereign hand Are blessings in disguise.
3 Why should we doubt his equal love, Immeasurably kind? To
his unerring, gracious will Be every wish resigned.
847=
7s. 2 Timothy ii. 3.
1 OFT in danger, oft in woe, Onward, Christians, onward go;
Fight the fight, maintain the strife, Strengthened with the bread of life.
2 Let your drooping hearts be glad; March in heavenly armour
clad: Fight, nor think the battle long, Soon shall victory tune your song.
3 Let not sorrow dim your eye, Soon shall every tear be dry;
Let not fears your course impede, Great your strength if great your need.
4 Onward, then, to glory move, More than conquerors ye shall
prove; Though opposed by many a foe, Christian soldiers, onward go.
848=
6 4, 6 4, 6 6 4.
1 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!
2 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!
3 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!
4 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!
5 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!
849=
6-8s.
1 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 knows my wants, allays my fears, And counts and treasures up my tears.
2 If aught should tempt my soul to stray From heavenly
wisdom's narrow way, To fly the good I would pursue, Or do the thing I would
not do; Still he, who felt temptation's power, Shall guard me in that dangerous
hour.
3 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.
4 When sorrowing o'er some stone I bend, Which covers what
was once a friend; And from his hand, his voice, his smile, Divides me for a
little while, My Saviour marks the tears I shed; For Jesus wept o'er Lazarus
dead.
5 And O when I have safely passed Through every conflict but
the last, Still, still unchanging, watch beside My dying bed - for thou hast
died! Then point to realms of cloudless day, And wipe the latest tear away.
850=
11 10, 11 10, 10 10. John xxi. 17.
1 THOU knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow Of the sad
heart that comes to thee for rest; Cares of to-day, and burdens for to-morrow,
Blessings implored, and sins to be confessed; We come before thee at thy
gracious word, And lay them at thy feet: Thou knowest, Lord.
2 Thou knowest all the past; how long and blindly On the dark
mountains the lost wanderer strayed How the good Shepherd followed, and how
kindly He bore it home, upon his shoulders laid; And healed the bleeding
wounds, and soothed the pain, And brought back life, and hope, and strength
again.
3 Thou knowest all the present, each temptation, Each
toilsome duty, each foreboding fear; All to each one assigned of tribulation,
Or to beloved ones than self more dear; All pensive memories, as we journey on,
Longings for vanished smiles, and voices gone.
4 Thou knowest all the future; gleams of gladness By stormy
clouds too quickly overcast; Hours of sweet fellowship and parting sadness, And
the dark river to be crossed at last. O what could hope and confidence afford
To tread that path, but this, Thou knowest, Lord?
5 Thou knowest, not alone as God, all knowing; As man, our
mortal weakness thou hast proved; On earth with purest sympathies o'erflowing,
O Saviour, thou hast wept, and thou hast loved; And love and sorrow still to
thee may come, And find a hiding-place, a rest, a home.
6 Therefore we come, thy gentle call obeying, And lay our
sins and sorrows at thy feet; On everlasting strength our weakness staying,
Clothed in thy robe of righteousness complete; Then rising and refreshed we
leave thy throne And follow on to know as we are known.
851=
12, 4 4, 10, 6 6, 10 6.
1I WILL not let thee go, thou Help in time of need! Heap ill
on ill, I trust thee still, Even when it seems that thou wouldst slay indeed!
Do as thou wilt with me, I yet will cling to thee, Hide thou thy face, yet,
Help in time of need; I will not let thee go!
2 I will not let thee go. Should I forsake my bliss? No, thou
art mine, And I am thine, Thee will I hold when all things else I miss! Though
dark and sad the night, Joy cometh with thy light, O thou my Sun; should I
forsake my bliss? I will not let thee go!
3 I will not let thee go, my God, my Life, my Lord Not death
can tear Me from his care, Who for my sake his soul in death outpoured. Thou
diedst for love to me, I say in love to thee, Even when my heart shall break,
my God, my life, my Lord, I will not let thee go!
852=
2-6s & 4-7s. Hebrews xii.2.
1 AUTHOR of faith, appear! Be thou its finisher; Upward still
for this we gaze, Till we feel the stamp divine, Thee behold with open face,
Bright in all thy glory shine.
2 Leave not thy work undone, But ever love thine own; Let us
all thy goodness prove, Let us to the end believe; Show thine everlasting love,
Save us, to the utmost save.
3 O that our life might be One looking up to thee! Ever hasting
to the day When our eyes shall see thee near; Come, Redeemer, come away,
Glorious in thy saints appear.
853=
7 7, 4 4 7, 7 7, 4 4 7.
1 HEAD of thy church triumphant, We joyfully adore thee; Till
thou appear, Thy members here Shall sing like those in glory. We lift our
hearts and voices With blest anticipation, And cry aloud, And give to God The
praise of our salvation.
2 While in affliction's furnace, And passing through the
fire, Thy love we praise, Which knows our days, And ever brings us nigher. We
clap our hands exulting In thine almighty favour; The love divine Which made us
thine Shall keep us thine for ever.
3 Thou dost conduct thy people Through torrents of
temptation, Nor will we fear, While thou art near, The fire of tribulation. The
world with sin and Satan In vain our march opposes, Through thee we shall Break
through them all, And sing the song of Moses.
4 By faith we see the glory To which thou shalt restore us,
The cross despise For that high prize Which thou hast set before us. And if
thou count us worthy, We each, as dying Stephen, Shall see thee stand At God's
right hand, To take us up to heaven.
854=
7 7, 4 4 7, 7 7, 4 4 7.
1 THE name we still
acknowledge That burst our bonds in
sunder, And loudly sing Our conquering King, In songs of joy and wonder. In
every day's deliverance Our Jesus we discover; 'Tis he! 'tis he! That smote the
sea, And led us safely over.
2 In sin and Satan's onsets He still our souls secures, Our
guardian God Looks through the cloud, And baffles our pursuers: He fights his
peoples' battles, Omnipotently glorious, He fights alone, And makes his own
O'er earth and hell victorious.
3 Partakers of his triumph, In vehement expectation We now
stand still, To prove his will, And see his great salvation; With violent faith
and patience To seize the kingdom given, The purchased rest In Jesu's breast,
The inheritance of heaven.
855=
7 7, 4 4 7, 7 7, 4 4 7.
1 SAFE in the fiery furnace, Joyful in tribulation, My soul
adores With all its powers The God of my salvation Kept by the strength of
Jesus, Almighty to deliver, I find his name Is still the same, A tower that
stands for ever.
2 I see stretched out to save me The arm of my Redeemer; That
arm shall quell The powers of hell, And silence the blasphemer. I render thee
the glory, I know thou wilt deliver; But let me rise Above the skies, And
praise thy love for ever.
856=
8 7, 8 7, 6 6, 6 6 7.
1 A SAFE stronghold our God is still, A trusty shield and
weapon; He'll help us clear from all the ill That hath us now o'ertaken. The
ancient prince of hell Hath risen with purpose fell; Strong mail of craft and
power He weareth in this hour, On earth is not his fellow.
2 With force of arms we nothing can, Full soon were we
down-ridden; But for us fights the proper Man, Whom God himself hath bidden.
Ask ye, Who is this same? Christ Jesus is his name, The Lord Sabaoth's Son; He,
and no other one, Shall conquer in the battle.
3 And were this world all devils o'er, And watching to devour
us, We lay it not to heart so sore; Not they can overpower us. And let the
prince of ill Look grim as e'er he will, He harms us not a whit: For why? His
doom is writ; A word shall quickly slay him.
4 God's word, for all their craft and force, One moment will
not linger, But, spite of hell, shall have its course; 'Tis written by his
finger. And though they take our life, Goods, honour, children, wife, Yet is
their profit small; These things shall vanish all, The city of God remaineth.
857=
L.M.
1 GO labour on; spend, and be spent, Thy joy to do the
Father's will; It is the way the Master went, Should not the servant tread it
still?
2 Go labour on; 'tis not for nought, Thy earthly loss is
heavenly gain; Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not; The Master praises;
what are men?
3 Go labour on, while it is day, The world's dark night is
hastening on; Speed, speed the work, cast sloth away; It is not thus that souls
are won.
4 Men die in darkness at your side Without a hope to cheer
the tomb; Take up the torch, and wave it wide, The torch that lights time's
thickest gloom.
5 Toil on, faint not, keep watch, and pray; Be wise, the
erring soul to win; Go forth into the world's highway, Compel the wanderer to
come in.
6 Toil on, and in thy toil rejoice; For toil comes rest, for
exile home; Soon shalt thou hear the Bridegroom's voice, The midnight peal,
Behold I come!
858=
6-8s."Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit." Romans xii, 11.
1 THEIR earthly task who fail to do, Neglect their heavenly
business too; Nor know what faith and duty mean, Who use religion as a screen,
Asunder put what God hath joined, A diligent and pious mind.
2 Full well the labour of our hands With fervency of spirit
stands; For God, who all our days hath given, From toil excepts but one in
seven: And labouring while we time redeem, We please the Lord, and work for
him.
3 Happy we live, when God doth fill Our hands with work, our
hearts with zeal; For every toil, if he enjoin, Becomes a sacrifice divine, And
like the blessed spirits above, The more we serve, the more we love.
859=
10s & 11s.
1 YE servants of God, Your Master proclaim, And publish
abroad His wonderful name; The name all-victorious of Jesus extol; His kingdom
is glorious, And rules over all.
2 The waves of the sea Have lift up their voice, Sore
troubled that we In Jesus rejoice; The floods they are roaring, But Jesus is
here; While we are adoring, He always is near.
3 God ruleth on high, Almighty to save; And still he is nigh,
His presence we have; The great congregation His triumph shall sing, Ascribing
salvation To Jesus our king.
4 "Salvation to God Who sits on the throne," Let
all cry aloud, And honour the Son; Our Jesus's praises The angels proclaim,
Fall down on their faces, And worship the Lamb.
5 Then let us adore, And give him his right, All glory and
power, All wisdom and might, All honour and blessing, With angels above, And
thanks never-ceasing, and infinite love.
860=
6-8s. "Peter and John went up into the temple at the hour of prayer."
- Acts iii, 1.
1 WHO Jesus our example know, And his Apostles' footsteps
trace, We gladly to the temple go, Frequent the consecrated place At every
solemn hour of prayer, And meet the God of mercy there.
2 His offering pure we call to mind, There on the golden
altar laid, Whose Godhead with the manhood joined, For every soul atonement
made; And have whate'er we ask of God, Through faith in that all-saving blood.
861=
6-8s. "Again His disciples were within, and Thomas," John xx, 26.
1 IF but one faithless soul be here, Jesus assembled with
thine own, Wilt thou not in the midst appear, Thy resurrection's power make
known, Sprinkle the sinner with thy blood, And show thyself his Lord and God?
2 Slower of heart than Thomas, I With thy sincere disciples
meet; A conscious unbeliever sigh For faith and pardon at thy feet: Thy feet,
alas, I cannot see, Or feel the blood that flows for me.
3 But nothing can obstruct thy way, Thou omnipresent God of
love: Come, Saviour, come, thy wounds display, My stubborn unbelief remove, And
me among thy people bless, And fill our hearts with heavenly peace.
4 Occasion from my slowness take Thy faithful followers to
cheer, For a poor abject sinner's sake, Jesus, the second time appear, Increase
thy saints' felicity, And bless them all by blessing me.
862=
7s & 6s. "And we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed." Acts
xxi, 5.
1 TWO or three in Jesu's name, According to his word Humbly
met, may boldly claim The presence of their Lord; He himself prepares the fane
(qqq- what's a fane? is this a misprint?) With azure canopy o'erspread, Ample
dome to entertain The members and their Head.
2 How august the hallowed place To faith's discerning eye!
Hallowed by the present grace Of him who fills the sky! While the Spirit of
love and prayer Into their simple hearts is given, Christ with all his church
is there, And turns their earth to heaven.
863=
C.M.
1 BEHOLD us, Lord, a little space From daily tasks set free,
And met within thy holy place To rest awhile with thee. Around us rolls the
ceaseless tide Of business, toil, and care, And scarcely can we turn aside For
one brief hour of prayer.
2 Yet these are not the only walls Wherein thou may'st be
sought; On homeliest work thy blessing falls In truth and patience wrought.
Thine is the loom, the forge, the mart, The wealth of land and sea; The worlds
of science and of art, Revealed and ruled by thee.
3 Then let us prove our heavenly birth In all we do and know;
And claim the kingdom of the earth For thee, and not thy foe. Work shall be
prayer, if all be wrought As thou wouldst have it done; And prayer, by thee
inspired and taught, Itself with work be one.
864=
L.M.
1 JESUS, where'er thy people meet, There they behold thy
mercy-seat; Where'er they seek thee thou art found, And every place is hallowed
ground.
2 For thou, within no walls confined, Inhabitest the humble
mind; Such ever bring thee where they come, And going take thee to their home.
3 Great Shepherd of thy chosen few, Thy former mercies here
renew; Here to our waiting hearts proclaim The sweetness of thy saving name.
4 Here may we prove the power of prayer, To strengthen faith
and sweeten care, To teach our faint desires to rise, And bring all heaven
before our eyes.
5 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!
865=
C.M. "The preparations of the heart." Proverbs xvi, 1.
1 LORD, teach us how to pray aright, With reverence and with
fear; Though dust and ashes in thy sight, We may, we must draw near.
2 We perish if we cease from prayer, O grant us power to
pray! And when to meet thee we prepare, Lord, meet us by the way.
3 Give deep humility; the sense Of godly sorrow give; A
strong desiring confidence To hear thy voice and live;
4 Faith in the only sacrifice That can for sin atone; To
build our hopes, to fix our eyes, On Christ, on Christ alone;
5 Patience to watch, and wait, and weep, Though mercy long
delay; Courage, our fainting souls to keep, And trust thee though thou slay.
6 Give these, and then thy will be done; Thus strengthened
with all might, We through thy Spirit and thy Son, Shall pray, and pray aright.
866=
8s & 7s.
1 COME, thou fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing
thy grace, Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some celestial measure, Sung by ransomed hosts above; O the vast, the
boundless treasure Of my Lord's unchanging love!
2 Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by thine help I'm come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me
when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood.
3 O to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to thee; Prone to
wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Take my heart, O take
and seal it, Seal it from thy courts above!
867=
L.M. "Joy in heaven." Luke xv. 7.
1 WHO can describe the joys that rise Through all the courts
of Paradise, To see a prodigal return, To see an heir of glory born?
2 With joy the Father doth approve The fruit of his eternal
love; The Son with joy looks down, and sees The purchase of his agonies.
3 The Spirit takes delight to view The contrite soul he
formed anew; And saints and angels join to sing The growing empire of their
King.
868=
L.M. Ephesians iv. 7 - 12.
1 THE Saviour, when to heaven he rose, In splendid triumph
o'er his foes, Scattered his gifts on men below, And wide his royal bounties
flow.
2 Hence sprung the Apostles' honoured name; Sacred beyond
heroic fame: In lowlier forms before our eyes, Pastors from hence, and teachers
rise.
3 From Christ their varied gifts derive, And fed by Christ
their graces live: While guarded by his mighty hand, Midst all the rage of hell
they stand.
4 So shall the bright succession run Through the last courses
of the sun; While unborn churches by their care Shall rise and flourish large
and fair.
5 Jesus, now teach our hearts to know The spring whence all
these blessings flow; Pastors and people shout thy praise Through the long
round of endless days.
869=
10 & 11s.
1 DISPOSER Supreme, And Judge of the earth, Who choosest for
thine The weak and the poor; To frail earthen vessels And things of no worth
Entrusting thy riches, Which always endure;
2 Those vessels soon fail, Though full of thy light, And at
thy decree Are broken and gone; Then brightly appeareth The arm of thy might,
As through the clouds riven The lightnings have shone.
3 Like clouds are they borne To do thy great will, And swift
as the winds About the world go; The fire of thy presence Their spirits doth
fill, They thunder, they lighten, The waters o'erflow.
4 Their sound goeth forth, "Christ Jesus is Lord:"
Then Satan doth fear, His citadels fall: As when the dread trumpets Went forth
at thy word, And one long blast shattered The Canaanite's wall.
5 Then loud be their trump, And stirring their sound, To
route us, O Lord, From slumber of sin; The lights thou hast kindled In darkness
around, O may they illumine Our spirits within!
6 All honour and praise, Dominion and might, To God Three in
One Eternally be; Who round us hath shed His marvellous light, And called us
from darkness His glory to see.
870=
6 6 4, 6 6 6 4. "Let there be light".
1 THOU whose Almighty Word Chaos and darkness heard, And took
their flight; Hear us, we humbly pray, And where the gospel-day Sheds not its
glorious ray, Let there be light!
2 Thou, who didst come to bring On thy redeeming wing Healing
and sight; Health to the sick in mind, Sight to the inly blind, O now to all
mankind Let there be light!
3 Spirit of truth and love, Life-giving, holy Dove, Speed
forth thy flight; Move on the waters' face, Spreading the beams of grace, And
in earth's darkest place Let there be light!
4 Blessed and holy Three, Glorious Trinity, Grace, love, and
might, Boundless as ocean's tide, Rolling in fullest pride, Through the world
far and wide, Let there be light!
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C.M. Acts xxviii. 31.
1 TEACHER of hearts, 'tis thine alone Thine officers to
ordain, Point out thy instruments, unknown To undiscerning men; The pastors of
thy church apprize Of thine unseen decree, And stir them up to recognize The
men designed by thee.
2 The men whom thou hast inly moved Their charge to
undertake, And toil for precious souls, beloved For their Redeemer's sake; Thy
chosen ministers reveal, With whom thou always art, And then their saving
gospel seal On every listening heart.
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S.M. Acts xxviii. 31.
1 JESUS, thy servants
bless, Who, sent by thee, proclaim The
peace, and joy, and righteousness Experienced in thy name: The kingdom of our
God, Which thy great Spirit imparts, The power of thy victorious blood, Which
reigns in faithful hearts.
2 Their souls with faith supply, With life and liberty; And
then they preach and testify The things concerning thee: And live for this
alone, Thy grace to minister, And all thou |