4 4

825

4

346.

I O THOU whose power o'er moving worlds

presides,

guides,

On hopeful man in pure effulgence shine,

From thee, great God, we spring, to thee we tend,

-

1 Go not far from me, O my Strength!
Whom all my times obey;

Take from me anything thou wilt,
But go not thou away;

And let the storm that does thy work
Deal with me as it may.

2 On thy compassion I repose

In weakness and distress;
I will not ask for greater ease,
Lest I should love thee less.
O, 't is a blessed thing for me
To need thy tenderness.

3 When I am feeble as a child,

And flesh and heart give way,
Then on thy everlasting strength
With passive trust I stay,

And the rough wind becomes a song,
The darkness shines like day.

4 Deep unto deep may call, but I
With peaceful heart can say,

Thy loving-kindness hath a charge
No waves can take away;

Then let the storm that speeds me home

Deal with me as it may.

348.

I WHEREVER in the world I am,
In whatsoe'er estate,

I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate,
A work of lowly love to do

For him on whom I wait.

2 I ask thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching wise, To meet the glad with joyful smiles, And wipe the weeping eyes;

A heart at leisure from itself

To soothe and sympathize.

3 And if some things I do not ask
Among my blessings be,
I'd have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to thee, —
More careful, not to serve thee much
But please thee perfectly.

4 In service which thy will appoints,
There are no bonds for me;
My inmost heart is taught the truth
That makes thy children free:
A life of self-renouncing love

Is one of liberty.

350.

I SWEET is the solace of thy love,
My heavenly Friend, to me,
While through the hidden way of faith
I journey home to thee,
Learning by quiet thankfulness
Thine own dear child to be.

2 Oft in a dark and lonely place,
I hush my hastened breath,
To hear the comfortable words
Thy loving Spirit saith,
And feel my safety in thy hand,
From every kind of death.

3 O, there is nothing in the world.
To weigh against thy will!

E'en the dark times I dread the most
Thy covenant fulfil;

And when the pleasant morning dawns,
I find thee with me still.

4 Still in the solitary place
I would awhile abide,

Till with the solace of thy love
My heart be satisfied,
And all my hopes of happiness
Stay calmly at my side.

54

54 64

351.

b

I ONCE again with joy we gather
Where we oft have sought the Lord,
And the holy, deep communion

Bound our hearts in sweet accord. Blessed memories crowd around us, Seasons to our hearts most dear, When, in answer to our seeking, Christ the Lord himself drew near.

2 Gazing in each other's faces,

As we looked in days of yore, Clasping hands that long were parted, How our hearts brim o'er and o'er! Pleasant thoughts we give the absent, Scattered from us far and wide, Tender mem'ries for the cherished Whom the Lord has glorified.

352.

1 GOD of ages and of nations,
Every race and every time
Hath received thine inspirations,
Glimpses of thy truth sublime.
Ever spirits, in rapt vision,

Passed the heavenly veil within;
Ever hearts, bowed in contrition,
Found salvation from their sin.

2 Reason's noble aspiration.

Truth in growing clearness saw; Conscience spoke its condemnation, Or proclaimed th' Eternal Law. While thine inward revelations

Told thy saints their prayers were heard, Prophets to the guilty nations

Spoke thine everlasting word.

Holy airs seem breathing round us,
Angel voices seem to call.
Touch our hearts anew, O Father!
Give again the sacred rest;
Blessed thrice our glad communion
With the Saviour for our guest.

Revelation is not sealed; Answering unto man's endeavor,

Truth and Right are still revealed. That which came to ancient sages, Greek, Barbarian, Roman, Jew, Written in the heart's deep pages, Shines to-day, forever new!

God most high!"

353.

I HARK! what mean those holy voices
Sweetly sounding through the skies?
Lo the angelic host rejoices,
Heavenly alleluias rise.
Listen to the wondrous story

Which they chant in hymns of joy : "Glory in the highest, glory,

Glory be to God most high!"

2 "Peace on earth, good-will from heaven, Reaching far as man is found;

Souls redeemed, and sins forgiven,

Loud our golden harps shall sound.

Wilmot. 8s, 75.

Christ is born, the great anointed! Heaven and earth His glory sing! Glad receive whom God appointed For your prophet, priest, and king. 3 "Hasten, mortals, to adore him,

Learn his name, and taste his joy,
Till in heaven you sing before him,
Glory be to God most high!”
Let us learn the wondrous story

Of our great Redeemer's birth,
Spread the brightness of his glory
Till it cover all the earth.

4

4

354.

Praise him, angels, in the height;
Sun and moon rejoice before him;
Praise him, all ye stars of light.

[2] Praise the Lord, for he hath spoken:
Worlds his mighty voice obeyed;
Laws that never shall be broken
For their guidance he hath made.

Never shall his promise fail; God hath made his saints victorious, Sin and death shall not prevail. [4] Praise the God of our salvation;

Hosts on high, his power proclaim; Heaven and earth and all creation Laud and magnify his name!