HYMNS.

1 Come to the house of prayer, O ye afflicted, come! The God of peace shall meet you there, He makes that house His home.

2 Come to the house of praise, Ye who are happy now; In sweet accord your voices raise, In kindred homage bow.

3 Ye aged, hither come, For ye have felt His love; Soon shall ye lift a holier song In fairer courts above.

4 Ye young, before His throne, Come, bow; your voices raise; Let not your hearts His praise disown, Who gives the power to praise.

5 Thou, whose benignant eye In mercy looks on all; Who seest the tear of misery, And hear’st the mourner’s call;

6 Up to Thy dwelling-place Bear our frail spirits on, Till they outstrip time’s tardy pace, And heaven on earth be won.

1 To prayer, to prayer!—for the morning breaks, And earth in her Maker’s smile awakes; His light is on all below and above, The light of gladness, and life, and love: O, then, on the breath of this early air, Send upward the incense of grateful prayer.

2 To prayer!—for the day that God has blest Comes tranquilly on with its solemn rest; It speaks of creation’s early bloom,— It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb: Then summon the spirit’s exalted powers, And devote to heaven the hallowed hours.

3 Awake, awake, and gird up thy strength, To join Christ’s holy band at length; To Him who unceasing love displays, Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise; To Him thy heart and thy hours be given, For a life of prayer is the life of heaven.

1 Come, ye who love the Lord! And let your joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround His throne.

2 The sorrows of the mind Be banished from this place! Religion never was designed To make our pleasures less.

3 The sons of God have found That heaven begins below: Celestial fruits, on earthly ground, From faith and hope may grow.

4 Then let our sorrows cease, And every tear be dry; We’re travelling through the paths of peace To fairer worlds on high.

1 Be still! be still! for all around, On either hand, is holy ground: Here in His house, the Lord to-day Will listen, while His people pray.

2 Thou, tost upon the waves of care, Ready to sink with deep despair, Here ask relief, with heart sincere, And thou shalt find that God is here.

3 Thou who hast laid within the grave Those whom thou hadst no power to save, Believe their spirits now are near, For angels wait while God is here.

4 Thou who hast dear ones far away, In foreign lands, ’mid ocean’s spray, Pray for them now, and dry the tear, And trust the God who listens here.

5 Thou who art mourning o’er thy sin, Deploring guilt that reigns within, The God of peace is ever near; The troubled spirit meets Him here.

1 Thirsting for a living spring, Seeking for a higher home, Resting where our souls must cling, Trusting, hoping, Lord, we come.

2 Glorious hopes our spirit fill, When we feel that Thou art near: Father! then our fears are still, Then the soul’s bright end is clear.

3 Life’s hard conflict we would win, Read the meaning of life’s frown; Change the thorn-bound wreath of sin For the spirit’s starry crown.

4 Make us beautiful within By Thy spirit’s holy light: Guard us when our faith burns dim, Father of all love and might!

1 Forth from the dark and stormy sky, Lord, to Thine altar’s shade we fly; Forth from the world, its hope and fear, Father, we seek Thy shelter here: Weary and weak, Thy grace we pray; Turn not, O Lord! Thy guests away.

2 Long have we roamed in want and pain, Long have we sought Thy rest in vain; Wildered 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.

1 O Father, though the anxious fear May cloud to-morrow’s way, No fear nor doubt shall enter here; All shall be Thine to-day.

2 We will not bring divided hearts To worship at Thy shrine; But each unworthy thought departs, And leaves this temple Thine.

3 Sleep, sleep to-day, tormenting cares, Of earth and folly born; Ye shall not dim the light that streams From this celestial morn.

4 To-morrow will be time enough To feel your harsh control; Ye shall not violate this day, The sabbath of the soul.

1 Love divine, all love excelling, Joy of heaven, to earth come down! Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy faithful mercies crown. Father! Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter every longing heart.

2 Breathe, O, breathe Thy loving spirit Into every troubled breast; Let us all in Thee inherit, Let us find Thy promised rest. Come, almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy life receive; Graciously come down, and never, Never more Thy temples leave!

1 Far from mortal cares retreating, Sordid hopes, and fond desires, Here our willing footsteps meeting, Every heart to heaven aspires. [31] From the Fount of glory beaming, Light celestial cheers our eyes; Mercy from above proclaiming Peace and pardon from the skies.

2 Who may share this great salvation?— Every pure and humble mind; Every kindred, tongue, and nation, From the dross of guilt refined: Blessings all around bestowing, God withholds His care from none; Grace and mercy ever flowing From the fountain of His throne.

3 Every stain of guilt abhorring, Firm and bold in virtue’s cause, Still Thy providence adoring, Faithful subjects to Thy laws, Lord! with favor still attend us, Bless us with Thy wondrous love; Thou, our sun and shield, defend us; All our hope is from above.

1 Unto Thy temple, God of love, Once more we come with willing feet, To raise our thoughts this world above, And Thy paternal blessing meet.

2 May all Thy purest presence feel, And silent keep each vain desire; With humble hearts before Thee kneel, And unto holier strength aspire.

3 May all be bound in bonds more true To Thee, who art our life and light, That through each path which we pursue, We still may keep Thy love in sight.

4 And may we, when the day shall close, Review its course without a fear; And, nearer heaven than when it rose, Feel it is good to have been here.

1 Lord! what offering shall we bring, At Thine altars when we bow? Hearts, the pure, unsullied spring, Whence the kind affections flow:

2 Willing hands, to lead the blind, Heal the wounded, feed the poor; Love, embracing all our kind, Charity, with liberal store.

3 Teach us, O thou Heavenly King, Thus to show our grateful mind, Thus the accepted offering bring, Love to Thee and all mankind.

1 Here, in this place of prayer, Father! Thy face we seek: Grant us that blessed peace to share, Known to the pure and meek.

2 Come then to holy prayer, Souls that seem lost in night; Leave to the Lord your heavy care, Who giveth life and light.

3 Come with a trusting prayer, Though fears press down your souls; The Saviour’s promise, “I am there,” Each saddening fear controls.

4 Here, in this place of prayer, Let hearts in union meet: Come, cast the load you cannot bear Low at the Saviour’s feet.

5 Then from this house of prayer Shall mingling praise be given, And angels, ’mid the holy air, Shall bear the notes to heaven.

1 Lo! God is here; let us adore, And humbly bow before His face; Let all within us feel His power, Let all within us seek His peace.

2 Lo! God is here; Him day and night United choirs of angels sing; To Him, enthroned above all height, Heaven’s host their noblest praises bring.

3 Being of beings! may our praise Thy courts with grateful incense fill: Still may we stand before thy face, Still hear and do thy sovereign will.

4 More of Thy presence, Lord! impart; More of Thine image may we bear: O, fix Thy throne in every heart, And reign without a rival there.

1 In Thy courts let peace be found, Be Thy temple full of love; Here we tread on holy ground, All serene, around, above.

2 While the knee in prayer is bent, While with praise the heart o’erflows, Tranquillize the turbulent! Give the weary one repose!

3 Be the place for worship meet, Meet the worship for the place; Contemplation’s blest retreat, Shrine of guilelessness and grace!

4 As an infant knows its home, Lord! may we Thy temples know; Hither for instruction come, Hence by Thee instructed go.

1 Suppliant, lo! Thy children bend, Father, for Thy blessing now; Thou canst teach us, guide, defend; We are weak, almighty Thou!

2 With the peace Thy word imparts Be the taught and teacher blessed; In our lives, and in our hearts, Father! be Thy laws impressed.

3 Pour into each longing mind, Light and knowledge from above: Charity for all mankind, Trusting faith, enduring love.

1 Lord of the worlds above, How pleasant and how fair The dwellings of Thy love, Thine earthly temples are! To Thine abode My heart aspires, With warm desires To see my God.

2 The sparrow for her young With pleasure seeks a nest, And wandering swallows long To find their wonted rest: My spirit faints, With equal zeal To rise and dwell Among Thy saints.

3 O happy souls that pray To Him that heareth prayer! O happy men that pay Their constant service there!

They praise Thee still; And happy they Who love the way To Zion’s hill.

4 They go from strength to strength, Though oft through pain and tears, Till each arrives at length, Till each in heaven appears: O glorious seat! Our God and King Shall thither bring Our willing feet.

1 Lord, before Thy presence come, Bow we down with holy fear; Call our erring footsteps home, Let us feel that Thou art near.

2 Wandering thoughts and languid powers Come not where devotion kneels; Let the soul expand her stores, Glowing with the joy she feels.

3 At the portals of Thine house, We resign our earth-born cares; Nobler thoughts our souls engross, Songs of praise and fervent prayers.

1 Before Jehovah’s awful throne, Ye nations bow with sacred joy; Know that the Lord is God alone; He can create, and He destroy.

2 His sovereign power, without our aid, Gave life to clay, and formed us men; And when like wandering sheep we strayed, He brought us to His fold again.

3 We are His people, we His care, Our souls and all our mortal frame: What lasting honors shall we rear, Almighty Maker, to Thy name?

4 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.

5 Wide as the world is Thy command, Vast as eternity Thy love, Firm as a rock Thy truth shall stand, When rolling years shall cease to move.

1 The offerings to Thy throne which rise, Of mingled praise and prayer, Are but a worthless sacrifice, Unless the heart be there.

2 Upon Thine all-discerning ear Let no vain words intrude; No tribute but the vow sincere,— The tribute of the good.

3 Our offerings will indeed be blest, If sanctified by Thee; If Thy pure spirit touch the breast With its own purity.

4 O, may that spirit warm each heart To piety and love, And to life’s lowly vale impart Some rays from heaven above.

1 Our God is a spirit, and they who aright Would offer the worship He loveth, In the heart’s holy temple will seek with delight The spirit the Father approveth.

2 This, this is the worship the Saviour made known When she of Samaria found him By the Patriarch’s well, sitting weary, alone, With the stillness of noontide around him.

3 He having once entered hath shown us the way, O God! how to worship before Thee, Not with the vain forms of that earlier day, But in spirit and truth to adore Thee.

1 Light of life, seraphic fire! Love divine, Thyself impart: Every fainting soul inspire; Enter every drooping heart: Every mournful spirit cheer, Scatter all our doubt and gloom; Father, in Thy grace appear, To Thy human temples come!

2 Come in this accepted hour, Bring Thy heavenly kingdom in; Fill us with Thy glorious power, Rooting out the seeds of sin: Nothing more can we require, We can rest in nothing less: Be Thou all our heart’s desire, All our joy and all our peace.

1 Father! Thy paternal care Has my guardian been, my guide: Every hallowed wish and prayer Has Thy hand of love supplied: Thine is every thought of bliss, Left by hours and days gone by; Every hope Thine offspring is, Beaming from futurity.

2 Every sun of splendid ray; Every moon that shines serene; Every morn that welcomes day; Every evening’s twilight scene; Every hour which wisdom brings; Every incense at Thy shrine; These,—and all life’s holiest things, And its fairest,—all are Thine.

3 And for all, my hymns shall rise Daily to Thy gracious throne: Thither let my asking eyes Turn unwearied, righteous One! Through life’s strange vicissitude There reposing all my care; Trusting still, through ill and good, Fixed, and cheered, and counselled there.

1 O God, whose presence glows in all Within, around us, and above! Thy word we bless, Thy name we call, Whose word is Truth, whose name is Love.

2 That truth be with the heart believed Of all who seek this sacred place; With power proclaimed, in peace received, Our spirit’s light, Thy spirit’s grace.

3 That love its holy influence pour, To keep us meek, and make us free; And throw its binding blessing more Round each with all, and all with Thee.

4 Send down its angel to our side; Send in its calm upon the breast; For we would know no other guide, And we can need no other rest.

1 Great God! the followers of Thy Son, We bow before Thy mercy-seat, To worship Thee, the Holy One, And pour our wishes at Thy feet.

2 O, grant Thy blessing here to-day! O, give Thy people joy and peace! The tokens of Thy love display, And favor, that shall never cease.

3 We seek the truth which Jesus brought; His path of light we long to tread; Here be his holy doctrines taught, And here their purest influence shed.

4 May faith, and hope, and love abound; Our sins and errors be forgiven; And we, from day to day, be found Children of God, and heirs of heaven.

1 How shall we praise Thee, Lord of light! How shall we all Thy love declare! The earth is veiled in shades of night, But heaven is open to our prayer,— [42] That heaven, so bright with stars and suns, That glorious heaven which has no bound, Where the full tide of being runs, And life and beauty glow around.

2 We would adore Thee, God sublime, Whose power and wisdom, love and grace, Are greater than the round of time, And wider than the bounds of space. Help us to praise Thee, Lord of light! Help us Thy boundless love declare; And, while we fill Thy courts to-night, Aid us, and hearken to our prayer.

1 O Holy Father! ’mid the calm And stillness of this evening hour, We would lift up our solemn psalm To praise Thy goodness, and Thy power For over us, and over all, Thy tender mercies still extend, Nor vainly shall Thy children call On Thee, our Father and our Friend!

2 Kept by Thy goodness though the day, Thanksgiving to Thy name we pour; Night o’er us, with its stars,—we pray Thy love, to guard us evermore! In grief, console; in gladness, bless; In darkness, guide; in sickness, cheer; Till, in the Saviour’s righteousness, Before Thy throne our souls appear!

1 Teach us to pray! O Father, we look up to Thee, And this our one request shall be, Teach us to pray!

2 Teach us to pray! A form of words will not suffice, The heart must bring its sacrifice: Teach us to pray!

3 Teach us to pray! To whom shall we Thy children turn? Teach Thou the lesson we would learn, Teach us to pray!

4 Teach us to pray! To Thee alone our hearts look up, Prayer is our only door of hope, Teach us to pray!

1 Our Heavenly Father, hear The prayer we offer now: Thy name be hallowed far and near, To Thee all nations bow.

2 Thy kingdom come; Thy will On earth be done in love, As saints and seraphim fulfil Thy perfect law above.

3 Our daily bread supply, While by Thy word we live; The guilt of our iniquity Forgive as we forgive.

4 From dark temptation’s power Our feeble hearts defend; Deliver in the evil hour, And guide us to the end.

5 Thine, then, forever be Glory and power divine; The sceptre, throne, and majesty Of heaven and earth are Thine.

1 Father and God of all mankind, And all the hosts above, Let every understanding mind Unite to praise Thy love.

2 Thy kingdom come, with power and grace, To every heart of man; Thy peace, and joy, and righteousness, In all our bosoms reign.

3 The righteousness that never ends, But makes an end of sin; The joy that human thought transcends, Now to our souls bring in:

4 The kingdom of established peace, Which can no more remove; The perfect powers of godliness, The omnipotence of Love.

1 Day by day the manna fell; O, to learn this lesson well! Still by constant mercy fed, Give us, Lord, our daily bread.

2 “Day by day,” the promise reads; Daily strength for daily needs; Cast foreboding fears away; Take the manna of to-day.

3 Lord, our times are in Thy hand; All our sanguine hopes have planned To Thy wisdom we resign, And would mould our wills to Thine.

4 Thou our daily task shalt give; Day by day to Thee we live; So shall added years fulfil Not our own, our Father’s will.

5 O, to live exempt from care, By the energy of prayer; Strong in faith, with mind subdued, Glowing yet with gratitude!

1 God of all grace, we come to Thee, With humble, prayerful hearts; Give what Thine eye delights to see, Truth in the inward parts:

2 Give deep humility; the sense Of holy sorrow give: A strong, desiring confidence, To hear Thy voice and live:

3 Patience, to watch, and wait, and weep, Though mercy long delay; Courage, our fainting souls to keep, And trust Thee, though Thou slay.

4 Give these,—and then Thy will be done! Thus strengthened with all might, We, in the spirit of Thy Son, Shall pray, and pray aright.

1 What shall we ask of God in prayer? Whatever good we want; Whatever man may seek to share, Or God in wisdom grant.

2 Father of all our mercies,—Thou In whom we move and live! Hear us in heaven, Thy dwelling, now, And answer, and forgive.

3 When harassed by ten thousand foes, Our helplessness we feel, O, give the weary soul repose, The wounded spirit heal!

4 When dire temptations gather round, And threaten or allure, By storm or calm, in Thee be found A refuge strong and sure.

5 When age advances, may we grow In faith, in hope, and love; And walk in holiness below To holiness above.

1 Father, in Thy mysterious presence kneeling, Fain would our souls feel all Thy kindling love; For we are weak, and need some deep revealing Of Trust and Strength and Calmness from above.

2 Lord, we have wandered forth through doubt and sorrow, And Thou hast made each step an onward one; And we will ever trust each unknown morrow,— Thou wilt sustain us till its work is done.

3 In the heart’s depths a peace serene and holy Abides, and when pain seems to have her will, Or we despair,—O, may that peace rise slowly, Stronger than agony, and we be still!

4 Now, Father, now, in Thy dear presence kneeling, Our spirits yearn to feel Thy kindling love; Now make us strong, we need Thy deep revealing Of Trust and Strength and Calmness from above.

1 O God! who knowest how frail we are, How soon the thought of good departs; We pray that Thou wouldst feed the fount Of holy yearning in our hearts.

2 Let not the choking cares of earth The precious springs of life o’ergrow; But, ever guarded by Thy love, Still purer may their waters flow.

3 To Thee, with sweeter hope and trust, Be every day our spirits given; And may we, while we walk on earth, Walk more as citizens of heaven.

1 From every fear and doubt, O Lord, In mercy set us free, While in the confidence of prayer Our hearts draw near to Thee!

2 In all our trials, struggles, joys, Teach us Thy love to see, Which by the discipline of life Would draw us unto Thee.

3 Our lives, devoted to Thy will, Our sacrifice shall be, And then will death, whene’er it come, But draw us nearer Thee.

1 When Israel, of the Lord beloved, Out from the land of bondage came, Her fathers’ God before her moved, An awful guide in smoke and flame.

2 By day, along the astonished lands The cloudy pillar glided slow; By night, Arabia’s crimsoned sands Returned the fiery column’s glow.

3 Thus present still, though now unseen, When brightly shines the prosperous day, Be thoughts of Thee a cloudy screen, To temper the deceitful ray!

4 And, O, when gathers on our path In shade and storm the frequent night, Be Thou, long-suffering, slow to wrath, A burning and a shining light!

1 Father of light! conduct our feet Through life’s dark, dangerous road; Let each advancing step still bring Us nearer to our God.

2 Let heaven-eyed prudence be our guide; And when we go astray, Recall our feet from folly’s paths To wisdom’s better way.

3 That heavenly wisdom from above Abundantly impart; And let it guard, and guide, and warm, And penetrate each heart;

4 Till it shall lead us to Thyself, Fountain of bliss and love! And all our darkness be dispersed In endless light above.

1 O Thou, who hast at Thy command The hearts of all men in Thy hand! Our wayward, erring hearts incline To know no other will but Thine.

2 Our wishes, our desires, control; Mould every purpose of the soul; O’er all may we victorious be That stands between ourselves and Thee.

3 Thrice blest will all our blessings be, When we can look through them to Thee; When each glad heart its tribute pays Of love, and gratitude, and praise.

4 And while we to Thy glory live, May we to Thee all glory give, Until the final summons come, That calls Thy willing servants home.

1 O Father! lift our souls above, Till we find rest in Thy dear love; And still that Peace divine impart Which sanctifies the inmost heart, And makes each morn and setting sun But bring us nearer to Thy throne.

2 May we our daily duties meet, Tread sin each day beneath our feet, And win that strength which doth Thy will And seeth Thee, and so is still; And fixed on Thy sustaining arm, Find daily food and know no harm.

3 Help us with man in peace to live, Our brother’s wrong in love forgive, And day and night the tempter flee Through strength which comes alone from Thee! Thus will our spirits find their rest, In Thy deep Peace forever blest.

1 Father, who art on high! Weak is the melody Of harp or song to reach Thy gracious ear, Unless the heart be there, Winging the words of prayer With its own fervent faith, or suppliant tear.

2 O, let Thy spirit move O’er those who bend in love, Be Thou amidst them as a heavenly guest; So shall our cry have power To win from Thee a shower Of healing gifts for every wounded breast.

3 O, let Thy breath once more Within the soul restore Thine own first image, Holiest and Most High! As a clear lake is filled With hues of heaven instilled, Down to the depths of its calm purity.

1 Father in heaven, to whom our hearts Would lift themselves in prayer, Drive from our souls each earthly thought, And show Thy presence there.

2 Each moment of our lives renews The mercies of the Lord; Each moment is itself a gift To bear us on to God.

3 Help us to break the galling chains This world has round us thrown; Each passion of our hearts subdue, Each cherished sin disown.

4 O Father! kindle in our souls A never-dying flame Of holy love, of grateful trust, In Thine almighty name.

1 Shine on our souls, Eternal God, With rays of beauty shine; O, let Thy favor crown our days, And all their round be Thine!

2 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.

3 With Thee let every week begin, With Thee each day be spent, For Thee each fleeting hour improved, Since each by Thee is lent.

4 Midst hourly cares may love present Its incense at Thy throne; And while the world our hands employs, Our hearts be Thine alone.

1 Almighty God, in humble prayer To Thee our souls we lift; Do Thou our waiting minds prepare For Thy most needful gift.

2 We ask not golden streams of wealth Along our path to flow; We ask not undecaying health, Nor length of years below:

3 We ask not honors, which an hour May bring and take away; We ask not pleasure, pomp, or power, Lest we should go astray:

4 We ask for wisdom: Lord, impart The knowledge how to live: A wise and understanding heart To all before Thee give.

5 The young remember Thee in youth, Before the evil days! The old be guided by Thy truth In wisdom’s pleasant ways!

1 Supreme and universal Light! Fountain of reason! Judge of right! Parent of good! whose blessings flow On all above, and all below:

2 Assist us, Lord, to act, to be, What nature and Thy laws decree; Worthy that intellectual flame, Which from Thy breathing spirit came.

3 Our moral freedom to maintain, Bid passion serve, and reason reign, Self-poised and independent still On this world’s varying good or ill.

4 No slave to profit, shame, or fear, O, may our steadfast bosoms bear The stamp of heaven,—an upright heart, Above the mean disguise of art!

5 May our expanded souls disclaim The narrow view, the selfish aim; But with a Christian zeal embrace Whate’er is friendly to our race.

6 O Father! grace and virtue grant; No more we wish, no more we want: To know, to serve Thee, and to love, Is peace below,—is bliss above.

1 Father, united by Thy grace, And each to each endeared, With confidence we seek Thy face, And know our prayer is heard.

2 Touched by the loadstone of Thy love, Let all our hearts agree; And ever towards each other move, And ever move towards Thee.

3 Grant this, and then from all below Insensibly remove! Our souls their change shall scarcely know, Made perfect first in love.

4 To us the ministry be given, Which angels have above; For love can make on earth a heaven, And heaven is only love.

1 Father, to us Thy children, humbly kneeling, Conscious of weakness, ignorance, sin and shame, Give such a force of holy thought and feeling, That we may live to glorify Thy name:

2 That we may conquer base desire and passion That we may rise from selfish thought and will, O’ercome the world’s allurement, threat, and fashion, Walk humbly, gently, leaning on Thee still.

3 Let all Thy goodness by our minds be seen, Let all Thy mercy on our souls be sealed, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thy power can make us clean, O, speak the word! Thy servants shall be healed.

1 “Lord, Thy glory fills the heaven; Earth is with its fulness stored; Unto Thee be glory given, Holy, holy, holy Lord!” Heaven is still with anthems ringing; Earth takes up the angels’ cry, “Holy, holy, holy,” singing, “Lord of hosts, the Lord most High!”

2 Ever thus in God’s high praises, Brethren, let our tongues unite, Whilst our thoughts His greatness raises, And our love His gifts excite. With His seraph train before Him, With His holy church below, Thus unite we to adore Him, Bid we thus our anthem flow:—

3 “Lord, Thy glory fills the heaven; Earth is with its fulness stored; Unto Thee be glory given, Holy, holy, holy Lord! [58] Thus, Thy glorious name confessing, We adopt the angels’ cry, ‘Holy, holy, holy,’—blessing Thee, the Lord our God most High!”

1 Songs of praise the angels sang, Heaven with hallelujahs rang, When, Creation’s work begun, Spake the Lord, and it was done.

2 Songs of praise awoke the morn, When the Prince of Peace was born; Songs of praise arose, when he Captive led captivity.

3 Heaven and earth must pass away, Songs of praise shall crown that day; God will make new heavens and earth, Songs of praise shall hail their birth.

4 And shall man alone be dumb, Till that glorious kingdom come? No; his heart delights to raise Psalms and hymns and songs of praise.

5 Saints below, with heart and voice, Still in songs of praise rejoice, Learning here, by faith and love, Songs of praise to sing above.

1 Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, sky, and sea.

2 Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Thou who wast, and art, and evermore shalt be!

3 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, Infinite in power, in love, and purity!

1 O God! we praise Thee, and confess That Thou the only Lord And everlasting Father art, By all the earth adored.

2 To Thee all angels cry aloud; To Thee the powers on high, Both cherubim and seraphim, Continually do cry:

3 “O holy, holy, holy Lord, Whom heavenly hosts obey, The world is with the glory filled Of Thy majestic sway.”

4 The apostles’ glorious company, And prophets crowned with light, With all the martyrs’ noble host, Thy constant praise recite.

5 The holy church throughout the world, O Lord, confesses Thee, That Thou the Eternal Father art, Of boundless majesty.

1 Praise the Lord! ye heavens adore Him! Praise Him, angels in the height; Sun and moon rejoice before Him; Praise Him, all ye stars of light! Praise the Lord, for He hath spoken; Worlds His mighty voice obeyed; Laws, which never can be broken, For their guidance He hath made.

2 Praise the Lord! for He is glorious; Never shall His promise fail; God hath made His saints victorious, Sin and death shall not prevail: [61] Praise the God of our salvation, Hosts on high His power proclaim; Heaven and earth, and all creation, Praise and magnify His name!

1 Father of Spirits! humbly bent before Thee, Songs of glad homage unto Thee we bring; Touched by Thy spirit, O, teach us to adore Thee; Let Thy light attend us, Let Thy love befriend us, Father of our spirits, Everlasting King!

2 Send forth Thy mandate, gather in the nations, Through the wide universe Thy name be known, Millions of voices shall join in adorations, Every soul invited, Every voice united, Joining to adore Thee, Everlasting One!

1 Glory be to God on high, God whose glory fills the sky! Peace on earth to man forgiven, Man, the well-beloved of heaven!

2 Favored mortals, raise the song; Endless thanks to God belong; Hearts o’erflowing with His praise, Join the hymns your voices raise.

3 Mark the wonders of His hand; Power, no empire can withstand; Wisdom, angels’ glorious theme; Goodness, one eternal stream!

4 Gracious Being! from Thy throne Send Thy promised blessings down; Let Thy light, Thy truth, Thy peace, Bid our selfish passions cease.

1 Lord, in heaven, Thy dwelling-place, Hear the praises of our race, And, while hearing, let Thy grace Dews of sweet forgiveness pour; While we know, benignant King, That the praises which we bring Are a feeble offering, Till Thy blessing makes it more.

2 More of truth, and more of might, More of love, and more of light, More of reason, and of right From Thy pardoning grace be given! This can make the humblest song Sweet, acceptable, and strong, As the strains the angels’ throng Pour around the throne of heaven.

1 Blessed be Thy name forever, Thou of life the Guard and Giver! Thou who slumberest not nor sleepest, Blest are they Thou kindly keepest! God of stillness and of motion, Of the rainbow, and the ocean, Of the mountain, rock, and river, Blessed be Thy name forever!

2 God of evening’s peaceful ray! God of every dawning day, Rising from the distant sea Breathing of eternity; Thine the flaming sphere of light, Thine the darkness of the night! God of life, that fade shall never! Glory to Thy name forever!

1 My God! in morning’s radiant hour To Thee will I lift up my heart; The shades of night obey Thy power, And at Thy sun’s bright beams depart.

2 Father and Guardian! to Thy shrine The life Thou shieldest will I bring; All, great Creator! all is Thine; The heart my noblest offering!

3 The morning light shall see my prayer, The noonday calm shall know my praise; And evening’s still and fragrant air My grateful hymn to Thee shall raise.

4 So shall sweet thoughts and hopes sublime My constant inspirations be; And every shifting scene of time Reflect, my God, a light from Thee!

Father! glory be to Thee, Source of all the good we see! Glory for the blessed Light Rising on the ancient night! Glory for the hopes that come Streaming through the silent tomb! Glory for Thy spirit given, Guiding us in peace to heaven!

1 Israel’s Shepherd, guide us, feed us, Through our pilgrimage below, And beside the waters lead us, Where Thy flock rejoicing go.

2 Lord, Thy guardian, presence ever, Meekly kneeling, we implore; We have found Thee, and would never, Never wander from Thee more.

1 As every day Thy mercy spares Will bring its trials or its cares, O Father, till my life shall end, Be Thou my counsellor and friend! Teach me Thy statutes all divine, And let Thy will be always mine!

2 When each day’s scenes and labors close, And wearied nature seeks repose, With pardoning mercy, richly blest, Guard me, my Father, while I rest; And as each morning sun shall rise, O, lead me onward to the skies!

1 Part in peace! is day before us? Praise His name for life and light; Are the shadows lengthening o’er us? Bless His care who guards the night.

2 Part in peace! with deep thanksgiving, Rendering, as we homeward tread, Gracious service to the living, Tranquil memory to the dead.

3 Part in peace! such are the praises God, our Maker, loveth best; Such the worship that upraises Human hearts to heavenly rest.

Peace of God, which knows no measure, Heavenly sunlight of the soul, Peace beyond all earthly treasure, Come and all our hearts control! Come, almighty to deliver! Naught shall make us then afraid; We will trust in Thee forever, Thou on whom our hope is stayed!

1 Guide us, Lord! while, hand in hand, Journeying toward the better land; Foes we know are to be met, Snares the pilgrim’s path beset; Clouds upon the valley rest, Rough and dark the mountain’s breast; And our home may not be gained, Save through trials well sustained.

2 Guide us, while we onward move, Linked in closest bonds of love, Striving for the holy mind, And the soul from sense refined; That when life no longer burns, And the dust to dust returns, With the strength which Thou hast given We may rise to Thee and heaven.

3 God of mercy! on Thee, all Humbly for Thy guidance call; Save us from the evil tongue, From the heart that thinketh wrong, From the sins, whate’er they be, That divide the soul from Thee. God of grace! on Thee we rest; Bless us, and we shall be blest.

1 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!

2 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.

1 Go in peace!—serene dismission To the loving heart made known, When it pours in deep contrition Prayer before the eternal throne.

2 Go in peace! thy sins forgiven, Christ hath healed thee, set thee free Every spirit-fetter riven, Go in peace, and liberty!

3 Saviour! breathe this benediction O’er our spirits while we pray; Let us part in sweet conviction Thou hast blessed our souls to-day.

1 O God, by whom the seed is given, By whom the harvest blest; Whose word, like manna showered from heaven, Is planted in our breast;

2 Preserve it from the passing feet, And plunderers of the air; The sultry sun’s intenser heat, And weeds of worldly care!

3 Though buried deep, or thinly strewn, Do Thou Thy grace supply; The hope, in earthly furrows sown, Shall ripen in the sky.

1 Through all this life’s eventful road, Fain would I walk with Thee, my God, And make Thy presence light around, And every step on holy ground.

2 Each blessing would I trace to Thee, In every grief Thy mercy see; And through the paths of duty move, Conscious of Thine encircling love.

3 And when the angel Death stands by, Be this my strength, that Thou art nigh; And this my joy, that I shall be With those who dwell in light with Thee.

1 Thy presence, ever living God! Wide through all nature spreads abroad; Thy watchful eyes, which never sleep, In every place Thy children keep.

2 While near each other we remain, Thou dost our lives and powers sustain; When separate, we rejoice to share Thy counsels, and Thy gracious care.

3 To Thee we now commit our ways, And still implore Thy heavenly grace; Still cause Thy face on us to shine, And guard and guide us still as Thine.

4 Give us within Thy house to raise Again united songs of praise; Or, if that joy no more be known, Give us to meet around Thy throne.

1 God of our fathers! by whose hand Thy people still are blest, Be with us through our pilgrimage, Conduct us to our rest.

2 Through each perplexing path of life Our wandering footsteps guide; Give us each day our daily bread, And raiment fit provide.

3 O, spread Thy sheltering wings around, Till all our wanderings cease, And at our Fathers loved abode Our souls arrive in peace.

4 To Thee, our Father and our God, We our whole souls resign; And thankful own, that all we are And all we have is Thine.

1 As the sun’s enlivening eye Shines on every place the same; So the Lord is always nigh To the souls that love His name.

2 When they move at duty’s call, He is with them by the way; He is ever with them all, Those who go and those who stay.

3 From His holy mercy-seat Nothing can their souls confine; Still in spirit they may meet, And in sweet communion join.

4 Father, hear our humble prayer! Tender Shepherd of Thy sheep, Let Thy mercy and Thy care All our souls in safety keep.

5 In Thy strength may we be strong; Sanctify each cross and pain; Give us, if Thou wilt, ere long Here to meet in peace again.

1 Lord! dismiss us with Thy blessing, Hope and comfort from above; Let us each, Thy peace possessing, Triumph in redeeming love: Still support us While in duty’s path we move.

2 Thanks we give, and adoration, For the gospel’s joyful sound; May the fruits of Thy salvation In our hearts and lives abound; May Thy presence With us evermore be found!

1 Unchangeable, all-perfect Lord! Essential life’s unbounded sea! What lives and moves, lives by Thy word; It lives and moves and is, from Thee! Whate’er in earth, or sea, or sky, Or shuns, or meets, the wandering thought, Escapes, or strikes, the searching eye, By Thee was to existence brought.

2 High is Thy power above all height, Whate’er Thy will decrees is done; Thy wisdom, holiness and might Can by no finite mind be known. What our dim eyes could never see, Is plain and naked in Thy sight; What thickest darkness veils, to Thee Shines clearly as the morning light;

3 Thine, Lord, is holiness, alone: Justice and Truth before Thee stand: Yet, nearer to Thy sacred throne, Love ever dwells at Thy right hand. And to Thy love and ceaseless care, Father! this light, this breath, we owe; And all we have, and all we are From Thee, great Source of Life! doth flow.

1 Mighty God! the first, the last! What are ages, in Thy sight, But as yesterday when past, Or a watch within the night?

2 All that being ever knew, Far, far back, ere time had birth, Stands as clear within Thy view As the present things of earth.

3 All that being e’er shall know On, still on, through farthest years, All eternity can show, Bright before Thee now appears.

4 In Thine all-embracing sight, Every change its purpose meets, Every cloud floats into light, Every woe its glory greets.

5 Whatsoe’er our lot may be, Calmly in this thought we’ll rest,— Could we see as Thou dost see, We should choose it as the best.

1 God is love; His mercy brightens All the path in which we move; Bliss He wakes, and woe He lightens; God is wisdom, God is love.

2 Chance and change are busy ever; Man decays, and ages move; But His mercy waneth never; God is wisdom, God is love.

3 E’en the hour that darkest seemeth Will His changeless goodness prove; From the gloom His brightness streameth; God is wisdom, God is love.

4 He with earthly cares entwineth Hope and comfort from above; Everywhere His glory shineth; God is wisdom, God is love.

1 I cannot always trace the way Where Thou, almighty One, dost move, But I can always, always say That God is love.

2 When fear her chilling mantle throws O’er earth, my soul to heaven above, As to her native home, upsprings, For God is love.

3 When mystery clouds my darkened path, I’ll check my dread, my doubts reprove; In this my soul sweet comfort hath, That God is love.

4 Yes, God is love;—a thought like this Can every gloomy thought remove, And turn all tears, all woes, to bliss, For God is love.

1 O Source divine, and Life of all, The Fount of being’s wondrous sea! Thy depth would every heart appall, That saw not Love supreme in Thee.

2 We shrink before Thy vast abyss, Where worlds on worlds eternal brood; We know Thee truly but in this, That Thou bestowest all our good.

3 And so, ’mid boundless time and space, O, grant us still in Thee to dwell, And through the ceaseless web to trace Thy presence working all things well!

4 Nor let Thou life’s delightful play Thy truth’s transcendent vision hide; Nor strength and gladness lead astray From Thee, our nature’s only guide.

5 Bestow on every joyous thrill Thy deeper tone of reverent awe; Make pure Thy children’s erring will, And teach their hearts to love Thy law!

1 No human eyes Thy face may see; No human thought Thy form may know; But all creation dwells in Thee, And Thy great life through all doth flow!

2 And yet, O strange and wondrous thought! Thou art a God who hearest prayer, And every heart with sorrow fraught To seek Thy present aid may dare.

3 And though most weak our efforts seem Into one creed these thoughts to bind, And vain the intellectual dream, To see and know the Eternal Mind,—

4 Yet Thou wilt turn them not aside, Who cannot solve Thy life divine, But would give up all reason’s pride To know their hearts approved by Thine.

5 And Thine unceasing love gave birth To our dear Lord, Thy holy Son, Who left a perfect proof on earth, That Duty, Love, and Truth are one.

6 So, though we faint on life’s dark hill, And Thought grow weak, and Knowledge flee, Yet Faith shall teach us courage still, And Love shall guide us on to Thee!

1 Father! there is no change to live with Thee; Save that in Christ I grow from day to day; In each new word I hear, each thing I see, I but rejoicing hasten on my way.

2 The morning comes, with blushes overspread, And I, new-wakened, find a morn within; And in its modest dawn around me shed, Thou hear’st the prayer and the ascending hymn.

3 Hour follows hour, the lengthening shades descend; Yet they could never reach as far as me. Did not Thy love its kind protection lend, That I, Thy child, might sleep in peace with Thee.

1 Father, to Thy kind love we owe All that is fair and good below; Bestower of the health that lies On tearless cheeks and cheerful eyes!

2 Giver of sunshine and of rain! Ripener of fruits on hill and plain! Fountain of light, that rayed afar, Fills the vast urns of sun and star!

3 Who send’st Thy storms and frosts to bind The plagues that rise to waste mankind; Then breathest, o’er the naked scene, Spring gales, and life, and tender green.

4 Yet deem we not that thus alone, Thy mercy and Thy love are shown; For we have learned, with higher praise, And holier names, to speak Thy ways.

5 In woe’s dark hour, our kindest stay! Sole trust when life shall pass away! Teacher of hopes that light the gloom Of death, and consecrate the tomb!

1 Father! Thy wonders do not singly stand, Nor far removed where feet have seldom strayed; Around us ever lies the enchanted land, In marvels rich to Thine own sons displayed.

2 In finding Thee are all things round us found! In losing Thee are all things lost beside! Ears have we, but in vain sweet voices sound, And to our eyes the vision is denied.

3 Open our eyes that we that world may see! Open our ears that we Thy voice may hear! And in the spirit-land may ever be, And feel Thy presence with us always near;

4 No more to wander ’mid the things of time, No more to suffer death or earthly change; But-with the Christian’s joy and faith sublime, Through all Thy vast, eternal scenes to range.

1 God, in the high and holy place, Looks down upon the spheres; Yet in His providence and grace To every eye appears.

2 He bows the heavens; the mountains stand, A highway for our God: He walks amidst the desert-land; ’Tis Eden where He trod.

3 The forests in His strength rejoice; Hark! on the evening breeze, As once of old, the Lord God’s voice Is heard among the trees.

4 In every stream His bounty flows, Diffusing joy and wealth; In every breeze His Spirit blows,— The breath of life and health.

5 His blessings fall in plenteous showers Upon the lap of earth, That teems with foliage, fruits, and flowers, And rings with infant mirth.

6 If God hath made this world so fair, Where sin and death abound, How beautiful beyond compare Will Paradise be found!

1 O Thou, to whom, in ancient time, The lyre of Hebrew bards was strung; Whom kings adored in songs sublime, And prophets praised with glowing tongue:

2 Not now on Zion’s height alone Thy favored worshippers may dwell; Nor where, at sultry noon, Thy Son Sat weary, by the Patriarch’s well.

3 From every place below the skies, The grateful song, the fervent prayer,— The incense of the heart,—may rise To heaven, and find acceptance there.

4 To Thee shall age, with snowy hair, And strength, and beauty, bend the knee; And childhood lisp, with reverent air, Its praises and its prayers to Thee!

5 O Thou, to whom, in ancient time, The lyre of prophet bards was strung, To Thee, at last, in every clime, Shall temples rise, and praise be sung!

1 They who seek the throne of grace Find that throne in every place; If we live a life of prayer, God is present everywhere.

2 In our sickness and our health, In our want, or in our wealth, If we look to God in prayer, God is present everywhere.

3 When our earthly comforts fail, When the woes of life prevail, ’Tis the time for earnest prayer;— God is present everywhere.

4 Then, my soul, in every strait To thy Father come, and wait; He will answer every prayer;— God is present everywhere.

1 There’s nothing bright, above, below, From flowers that bloom to stars that glow, But in its light my soul can see Some feature of the Deity.

2 There’s nothing dark, below, above, But in its gloom I trace Thy love, And meekly wait the moment when Thy touch shall make all bright again.

3 The heavens, the earth, where’er I look, Shall be one pure and shining book, Where I may read, in words of flame, The glories of Thy wondrous name.

1 Thou art, O God, the life and light Of all this wondrous world we see; Its glow by day, its smile by night, Are but reflections caught from Thee: Where’er we turn, Thy glories shine, And all things fair and bright are Thine.

2 When day, with farewell beam, delays Among the opening clouds of even, And we can almost think we gaze Through golden vistas into heaven, Those hues that make the sun’s decline So soft, so radiant, Lord, are Thine.

3 When night, with wings of starry gloom, O’ershadows all the earth and skies, Like some dark, beauteous bird, whose plume Is sparkling with unnumbered eyes, That sacred gloom, those fires divine, So grand, so countless, Lord, are Thine.

4 When youthful spring around us breathes, Thy spirit warms her fragrant sigh; And every flower the summer wreathes Is born beneath Thy kindling eye: Where’er we turn, Thy glories shine, And all things fair and bright are Thine.

1 The ocean looketh up to heaven, As ’twere a living thing; The homage of its waves is given, In ceaseless worshipping.

2 They kneel upon the sloping sand As bends the human knee; A beautiful and tireless band, The priesthood of the sea.

3 The mists are lifted from the rills, Like the white wing of prayer; They kneel above the ancient hills, As doing homage there.

4 The forest-tops are lowly cast O’er breezy hill and glen, As if a prayerful spirit passed On nature as on men.

5 The sky is as a temple’s arch: The blue and wavy air Is glorious with the spirit march Of messengers at prayer.

1 My God! all nature owns Thy sway; Thou giv’st the night and Thou the day: When all Thy loved creation wakes, When morning, rich in lustre, breaks, And bathes in dew the opening flower, To Thee we owe her fragrant hour; And when she pours her choral song, Her melodies to Thee belong.

2 Or when, in paler tints arrayed, The evening slowly spreads her shade, That soothing shade, that grateful gloom, Can, more than day’s enlivening bloom, Still every fond and vain desire, And calmer, purer thoughts inspire; From earth the longing spirit free, And lead the softened heart to Thee.

3 As o’er Thy work the seasons roll, And soothe, with change of bliss, the soul, O, never may their smiling train Pass o’er the human sense in vain! But, oft as on their charms we gaze, Attune the wondering soul to praise; And be the joys that most we prize The joys that from Thy favor rise!

1 God of the ocean, earth, and sky, In Thy bright presence we rejoice; We feel Thee, see Thee ever nigh, And gladly hear Thy gracious voice.

2 We feel Thee in the sunny beam; We see Thee walk the mountain waves; We hear Thee in the murmuring stream, And when the tempest wildly raves.

3 God on the lonely hills we meet, God, in the vale and fragrant grove, While birds and whispering winds repeat, That God is there,—the God of love.

4 We meet Thee in the pensive hour When wearied nature sinks to rest; When dies the breeze, and sleeps the flower And peace is given to every breast.

5 We see Thee when, at eve, afar We upward lift our wondering sight, We see Thee in each silent star That glorifies the gloom of night.

6 But better still, and still more clear, Thee in Thy holy Son we see; There Thy own glorious words we hear, And learn the way to heaven and Thee.

1 Though wandering in a stranger-land, Though on the waste no altar stand, Take comfort! thou art not alone, While Faith hath marked thee for her own.

2 Wouldst thou a temple? look above,— The heavens stretch over all in love; A book? for thine evangel scan The wondrous history of man.

3 And though no organ-peal be heard, In harmony the winds are stirred; And there the morning stars upraise Their ancient songs of deathless praise.

1 Not only doth the voiceful day Thy loving kindness, Lord! proclaim, But night, with its sublime array Of worlds, doth magnify Thy name. Yea, while adoring seraphim Before Thee bend the willing knee, From every star a choral hymn Goes up unceasingly to Thee.

2 Day unto day doth utter speech, And night to night Thy voice makes known; Through all the earth, where thought may reach, Is heard the glad and solemn tone; [87] And worlds, beyond the farthest star Whose light hath reached a human eye, Catch the high anthem from afar, That rolls along immensity.

1 Hath not thy heart within thee burned At evening’s calm and holy hour, As if its inmost depths discerned The presence of a loftier power?

2 Hast thou not heard ’mid forest glades, While ancient rivers murmured by, A voice from forth the eternal shades, That spake a present Deity?

3 And as, upon the sacred page, Thine eye in rapt attention turned O’er records of a holier age, Hath not thy heart within thee burned?

4 It was the voice of God that spake In silence to thy silent heart; And bade each worthier thought awake, And every dream of earth depart.

5 Voice of our God, O, yet be near! In low, sweet accents, whisper peace; Direct us on our pathway here, Then bid in heaven our wanderings cease.

1 I saw on earth another light Than that which lit my eye Come forth, as from my soul within, And from a higher sky.

2 Its beams still shone unclouded on, When in the distant west The sun I once had known had sunk Forever to his rest.

3 And on I walked, though dark the night, Nor rose his orb by day; As one to whom a surer guide Was pointing out the way.

4 ’Twas brighter far than noonday’s beam, It shone from God within; And lit, as by a lamp from heaven, The world’s dark track of sin.

1 Wouldst thou in thy lonely hour Praises to the Eternal pour? I will teach thy soul to be Temple, hymn, and harmony.

2 Sweeter songs than poets sing Thou shalt for thine offering bring; Softly murmured hymns, that dwell In devotion’s deepest cell.

3 Know that music’s holiest strain Loves to linger, loves to reign, In that calm of quiet thought Which the passions trouble not.

4 Wouldst thou in thy lonely hour Praises to the Eternal pour? Thus thy soul may learn to be Temple, hymn, and harmony.

1 Open, Lord, mine inward ear, And bid my heart rejoice; Bid my quiet spirit hear The comfort of Thy voice; Never in the whirlwind found, Or where earthquakes rock the place, Still and silent is the sound, The whisper of Thy grace.

2 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, Will not in Thy presence move; To my waiting soul reveal The secret of Thy love!

1 Far from the world, O Lord! I flee, From strife and tumult far; From scenes where sin is waging still Its most successful war.

2 The calm retreat, the silent shade, With prayer and praise agree; And seem by Thy sweet bounty made, For those who follow Thee.

3 There, if Thy presence cheer the soul, And grace her mean abode, O, with what peace, and joy, and love, She communes with her God!

4 There, like the nightingale, she pours Her solitary lays; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise.

5 Author and Guardian of my life, Sweet source of light divine, And,—all harmonious names in one,— My Father! Thou art mine!

1 While Thee I seek, protecting Power! Be my vain wishes stilled; And may this consecrated hour With better hopes be filled.

2 Thy love the powers of thought bestowed; To Thee my thoughts would soar; Thy mercy o’er my life has flowed; That mercy I adore!

3 In each event of life, how clear Thy ruling hand I see! Each blessing to my soul more dear, Because conferred by Thee.

4 In every joy that crowns my days, In every pain I bear, My heart shall find delight in praise, Or seek relief in prayer.

5 When gladness wings my favored hour, Thy love my thoughts shall fill; Resigned, when storms of sorrow lower, My soul shall meet Thy will.

6 My lifted eye, without a tear, The gathering storm shall see; My steadfast heart shall know no fear; That heart shall rest on Thee!

1 As, down in the sunless retreats of the ocean, Sweet flowers are springing no mortal can see, So, deep in my soul, the still prayer of devotion, Unheard by the world, rises, silent, to Thee, My God! silent, to Thee,— Pure, warm, silent, to Thee.

2 As still to the star of its worship, though clouded, The needle points faithfully o’er the dim sea, So, dark when I roam, in this wintry world shrouded, The hope of my spirit turns, trembling, to Thee, My God! trembling, to Thee,— True, sure, trembling, to Thee.

1 Go when the morning shineth, Go when the noon is bright, Go when the eve declineth, Go in the hush of night; Go with pure mind and feeling, Put earthly thoughts away, And, in God’s presence kneeling, Do thou in secret pray.

2 Remember all who love thee, All who are loved by thee; Pray, too, for those who hate thee, If any such there be; Then for thyself, in meekness, A blessing humbly claim, And blend with each petition Thy great Redeemer’s name.

3 Or, if ’tis e’er denied thee In solitude to pray, Should holy thoughts come o’er thee When friends are round thy way, E’en then, the silent breathing Thy spirit lifts above Will reach His throne of glory, Where dwells eternal love.

4 O, not a joy or blessing With this can we compare,— The grace our Father gives us To pour our souls in prayer: Whene’er thou pin’st in sadness, On Him who saveth, call! Remember, in thy gladness, His love who gave thee all.

1 Child, amidst the flowers at play, While the red light fades away; Mother, with thine earnest eye, Ever following silently;

2 Father, by the breeze of eve Called thy daily toil to leave; Pray! ere yet the dark hours be, Lift the heart, and bend the knee!

3 Traveller in the stranger’s land, Far from thine own household band; Mourner, haunted by the tone Of a voice from this world gone;

4 Captive, in whose narrow cell Sunshine hath not leave to dwell; Sailor, on the darkening sea, Lift the heart, and bend the knee!

5 Ye that triumph, ye that sigh, Kindred by one holy tie, Heaven’s first star alike ye see; Lift the heart, and bend the knee!

1 Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Unuttered or expressed, 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 Christian’s vital breath, The Christian’s native air, His watchword at the gates of death; He enters heaven with prayer.

5 Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice Returning from his ways; While angels in their songs rejoice, And cry, “Behold, he prays!”

6 In prayer, on earth, the saints are one; They’re one in word and mind; When with the Father and the Son Sweet fellowship they find.

7 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!

1 Prayer is to God the soul’s sure way; So flows the grace he waits to give; Long as they live should Christians pray; They learn to pray when first they live.

2 If pain afflict, or wrongs oppress, If cares distract, or fears dismay, If guilt deject, if sin distress, In every need, still watch and pray.

3 ’Tis prayer supports the soul that’s weak, Though poor and broken be its word; Pray if thou canst, or canst not, speak; The breathings of the soul are heard.

4 Depend on Him; thou shalt prevail; Make all thy wants and wishes known; Fear not, His mercy will not fail; Ask but in faith, it shall be done.

1 Sweet is the prayer whose holy stream In earnest pleading flows; Devotion dwells upon the theme, And warm and warmer glows.

2 Faith grasps the blessing she desires, Hope points the upward gaze; And love, untrembling love, inspires The eloquence of praise.

3 But sweeter far the still, small voice, Heard by no human ear, When God hath made the heart rejoice, And dried the bitter tear.

4 Nor accents flow, nor words ascend; All utterance faileth there; But listening spirits comprehend, And God accepts the prayer.

1 Watchman! tell us of the night, What its signs of promise are; Traveller! o’er yon mountain’s height, See that glory-beaming star! Watchman! does its beauteous ray Aught of hope or joy foretell? Traveller! yes; it brings the day, Promised day of Israel!

2 Watchman! tell us of the night, Higher yet the star ascends; Traveller! blessedness and light, Peace and truth, its course portends. Watchman! will its beams alone Gild the spot that gave them birth? Traveller! ages are its own; See, it bursts o’er all the earth.

3 Watchman! tell us of the night, For the morning seems to dawn; Traveller! darkness takes its flight; Doubt and terror are withdrawn. Watchman! let thy wanderings cease; Hie thee to thy quiet home; Traveller! lo! the Prince of Peace, Lo! the Son of God, is come.

1 A Voice from the desert comes awful and shrill; The Lord is advancing; prepare ye the way! The word of Jehovah he comes to fulfil, And o’er the dark world pour the splendor of day.

2 Bring down the proud mountain, though towering to heaven, And be the low valley exalted on high; The rough path and crooked be made smooth and even, For, Zion! your King, your Redeemer, is nigh.

3 The beams of salvation his progress illume, The lone, dreary wilderness sings of her God; The rose and the myrtle there suddenly bloom, And the olive of peace spreads its branches abroad.

1 Darkness o’er the world was brooding Sadder than Egyptian gloom; Souls by myriads lay in slumber Deep as of the sealed tomb.

2 Earth had lost the links which bound it To the throne of light above; Yet an eye was watching o’er it, And that eye was full of love.

3 Like a glorious beam of morning, Straight a ray pierced through the cloud, Spirits mightily awakening From their dark and heavy shroud.

4 Still that ray shines on and brightens, Chasing mist and gloom away; Happy they on whom it gathers With its full and perfect day!

1 While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around.

2 “Fear not,” said he,—for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind,— “Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.

3 “To you, in David’s town, this day Is born, of David’s line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign:

4 “The heavenly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid.”

5 Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God, who thus Address their joyful song:

6 “All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace! Good-will henceforth, from heaven to men, Begin and never cease!”

1 Calm on the listening ear of night Come heaven’s melodious strains, Where wild Judea stretches far Her silver-mantled plains!

2 Celestial choirs from courts above Shed sacred glories there; And angels, with their sparkling lyres, Make music on the air.

3 The answering hills of Palestine Send back the glad reply; And greet, from all their holy heights, The dayspring from on high.

4 O’er the blue depths of Galilee There comes a holier calm, And Sharon waves, in solemn praise, Her silent groves of palm.

5 “Glory to God!” the sounding skies Loud with their anthems ring, “Peace to the earth, good-will to men From heaven’s Eternal King!”

6 Light on thy hills, Jerusalem! The Saviour now is born! And bright on Bethlehem’s joyous plains Breaks the first Christmas morn.

1 O Lovely Voices of the sky, Which hymned the Saviour’s birth, Are ye not singing still on high, Ye that sang, “Peace on earth”? To us yet speak the strains, Wherewith, in time gone by, Ye blessed the Syrian swains,— O Voices of the sky!

2 O clear and shining Light, whose beams, That hour, heaven’s glory shed Around the palms, and o’er the streams, And on the shepherds’ head! Be near, through life and death, As in that holiest night Of hope, and joy, and faith; O clear and shining Light!

3 O Star which led to Him whose love Brought down man’s ransom free! Where art thou?—’midst the host above May we still gaze on thee? In heaven thou art not set, Thy rays earth may not dim; Send them to guide us yet, O Star which led to Him!

1 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!

2 Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odors of Edom, and offerings divine? Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

3 Vainly we offer each costly oblation; Vainly with gifts would his favor secure: Richer by far is the heart’s adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

4 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.

1 Hark! the glad sound! the Saviour comes, The Saviour promised long; Let every heart prepare a home, And every voice a song.

2 On him the Spirit, largely poured, Abides with holy fire; Wisdom and might, and zeal and love, His sacred breast inspire.

3 He comes the prisoners to release, In wretched bondage held; The gates of brass before him burst, The iron fetters yield.

4 He comes, the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure, And, with the treasures of his grace, Enrich the humble poor.

5 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace! Thy welcome shall proclaim; And heaven’s eternal arches ring With thy beloved name.

1 Joy to the world! the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow As far as sin is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love.

1 Sons of men, behold from far, Hail the long-expected Star! Star of truth, that, ’mid the night, Guides bewildered man aright.

2 Mild it shines on all beneath, Piercing through the shades of death, Scattering error’s wide-spread night, Kindling darkness into light.

3 Nations all, remote and near, Haste to see your Lord appear; Haste, for him your hearts prepare, Meet him manifested there!

4 There behold the dayspring rise, Pouring light on mortal eyes; See it chase the shades away, Shining to the perfect day.

1 Behold, the Prince of Peace, The chosen of the Lord, God’s well beloved Son, fulfils The sure prophetic word!

2 No royal pomp adorns This King of Righteousness; Meekness and patience, truth and love, Compose his princely dress.

3 The Spirit of the Lord, In rich abundance shed, On this great prophet gently lights, And rests upon his head.

4 Jesus, the light of men! His doctrine life imparts; O, may we feel its quickening power To warm and glad our hearts!

5 Cheered by its beams, our souls Shall run the heavenly way; The path which Christ has marked and trod Will lead to endless day.

1 As oft, with worn and weary feet, We tread earth’s rugged pathway o’er, The thought how comforting and sweet,— Christ trod this very path before; Our wants, our weaknesses, he knows, From life’s first dawning to its close.

2 If we, beneath temptation’s stress, Do fight against dark powers within, So, in Judea’s wilderness, Christ wrestled with the thoughts of sin, When, in a weary, lonely hour, The tempter came with all his power.

3 So, tried as I, this earth he trod, Knew every human ill but sin, And though the holiest Son of God, As I am now so hath he been; Jesus, my Saviour! look on me; For help and strength I turn to thee!

1 Holy Son of God most high! Clothed in heavenly majesty, Many a miracle and sign, In thy Father’s name divine, Manifested forth thy might In the chosen people’s sight.

2 But, O Saviour! not alone Thus thy glory was made known; With the mourner thou didst grieve, Every human want relieve; Far thy matchless power above Stands the witness of thy love.

3 Thou, who by the open grave, Ere thy voice was raised to save, Didst with those fond sisters shed Tears above the faithful dead; Even thy word of might appears Less resistless than thy tears.

4 Lord! it is not ours to gaze On thy works of ancient days; But thy love, unchanged and bright, More than all those works of might, More than miracle or sign, Makes us ever, ever thine.

1 Fear was within the tossing bark, When stormy winds grew loud; And waves came rolling high and dark, And the tall mast was bowed.

2 But the wind ceased,—it ceased,—a word Passed through the gloomy sky; The troubled billows knew their Lord, And sank beneath his eye.

3 And slumber settled on the deep, And silence on the blast; They sank as flowers that fold to sleep When sultry day is past.

4 O Thou that in its wildest hour Didst rule the tempest’s mood, Send now thy Spirit forth in power O’er our dark souls to brood!

5 Thou that didst bow the billows’ pride, Thy mandate to fulfil, Speak, speak to passion’s raging tide, Speak, and say, “Peace, be still!”

1 The aged sufferer waited long Upon Bethesda’s brink; Till hopes, once rising warm and strong, Began in fears to sink; And heavy were the sighs he drew, And fervent was his prayer, For he, with safety full in view, Still languished helpless there.

2 His hope grew dim; but one was nigh Who saw the sufferer’s grief; That gentle voice, that pitying eye, Gave promise of relief. Each pang that human weakness knows Obeyed that powerful word; He spake, and lo! the sick arose, Rejoicing in his Lord.

3 Father of Jesus, when oppressed With grief and pain we lie, And, longing for Thy heavenly rest, Despair to look on high, O, may the Saviour’s words of peace Within the wounded heart Bid every doubt and suffering cease, And strength and joy impart!

1 Lord, in whose might the Saviour trod The dark and stormy wave, And trusted in his Father’s arm, Omnipotent to save;

2 When darkly round our footsteps rise The floods and storms of life, Send Thou Thy Spirit down to still The dark and fearful strife.

3 Strong in our trust, on Thee reposed, The ocean-path we’ll dare, Though waves around us rage and foam, Since Thou art present there.

1 He was there alone, when even Had round earth its mantle thrown, Holding intercourse with heaven: He was there alone.

2 There his inmost heart’s emotion Made he to his Father known; In the spirit of devotion Musing there alone.

3 So let us, from earth retiring, Seek our God and Father’s throne; And, to other scenes aspiring, Train our hearts, alone.

1 How sweetly flowed the gospel’s sound From lips of gentleness and grace, When listening thousands gathered round, And joy and reverence filled the place.

2 From heaven he came, of heaven he spoke, To heaven he led his followers’ way; Dark clouds of gloomy night he broke, Unveiling an immortal day.

3 “Come wanderers, to my Father’s home, Come, all ye weary ones, and rest!” Yes, sacred Teacher, we will come, Obey thee, love thee, and be blest.

4 Decay, then, tenements of dust! Pillars of earthly pride, decay! A nobler mansion waits the just, And Jesus has prepared the way.

1 Ever patient, loving, meek, Holy Saviour, was thy mind; Vainly in myself I seek Likeness to my Lord to find; Yet the mind that was in thee May be, must be, formed in me.

2 Since such griefs were thine to bear, For each sufferer thou couldst feel, Every mourner’s burden share, Every wounded spirit heal. Saviour, let thy grace in me Form that mind which was in thee.

3 When my pain is most intense, Let thy cross my lesson prove; Let me hear thee even thence; Breathing words of peace and love; Thus thy grace shall form in me The same mind which was in thee.

1 Come, said Jesus’ sacred voice, Come and make my paths your choice; I will guide you to your home; Weary pilgrim! hither come.

2 Thou who, houseless, sole, forlorn, Long hast borne the proud world’s scorn, Long hast roamed the barren waste, Weary pilgrim! hither haste.

3 Ye who, tossed on beds of pain, Seek for ease, and seek in vain; Ye whose swoln and sleepless eyes Watch to see the morning rise;

4 Ye, by fiercer anguish torn, In remorse for guilt who mourn, Here repose your heavy care; Who the stings of sin can bear?

5 Sufferer! come, for here is found Balm that flows for every wound; Peace that ever shall endure, Rest eternal, sacred, sure.

1 O, not to crush with abject fear The burdened soul of man Did Jesus on the earth appear, And open heaven’s high plan: He came to bid him find repose, And God his Father know; And thus with love to raise up those That once were bowed low.

2 O, not in coldness nor in pride His holy path he trod; ’Twas his delight to turn aside And win the lost to God; And unto sorrowing guilt disclose The fount whence peace should flow; And thus with love to raise up those That once were bowed low.

3 O, not with cold, unfeeling eye Did he the suffering view; Not on the other side pass by, And deem their tears untrue; ’Twas joy to him to heal their woes, And heaven’s sweet refuge show; And thus with love to raise up those That once were bowed low.

1 “See how he loved!” exclaimed the Jews, When Jesus o’er his Lazarus wept; My grateful heart the words shall use, While on his life my eye is kept.

2 See how he loved, who travelled on, Teaching the doctrine from the skies; Who bade disease and pain be gone, And called the sleeping dead to rise.

3 See how he loved, who, firm yet mild, With patience bore the scoffing tongue; Though oft provoked, yet ne’er reviled, Nor did his greatest foe a wrong.

4 See how he loved, who never shrank From toil or danger, pain or death; Who all the cup of sorrow drank, And meekly yielded up his breath.

1 How beauteous were the marks divine, That in thy meekness used to shine, That lit thy lonely pathway, trod In wondrous love, O Son of God!

2 O, who like thee,—so calm, so bright, So pure, so made to live in light? O, who like thee did ever go So patient through a world of woe?

3 O, who like thee so humbly bore The scorn, the scoffs, of men before? So meek, forgiving, godlike, high, So glorious in humility?

4 The bending angels stooped to see The lisping infant clasp thy knee, And smile, as in a father’s eye, Upon thy mild divinity.

5 And death, which sets the prisoner free, Was pang and scoff and scorn to thee; Yet love through all thy torture glowed, And mercy with thy life-blood flowed.

6 O, in thy light be mine to go, Illuming all my way of woe; And give me ever on the road To trace thy footsteps, Son of God!

1 He lived as none but he has lived, That wisest Teacher from above; He died as none but he has died,— His every act an act of love.

2 His fervent piety was breathed To the lone waste, the desert hill; And in the haunts of men he sought To do his Heavenly Father’s will.

3 He preached the gospel to the poor, Beside the couch of anguish stood, Consoled the sufferer, healed the sick, And went about still doing good.

4 With sinners he conversed, and gave Peace to the weary, troubled mind; Yet free from stain till life’s last hour, In him his foes no fault could find.

5 Born ’midst the humblest sons of earth, All earth’s temptations he withstood; And yet all human praise renounced, Declaring God alone is good.

1 Birds have their quiet nest, Foxes their holes, and man his peaceful bed; All creatures have their rest, But Jesus had not where to lay his head.

2 And yet he came to give The weary and the heavy-laden rest; To bid the sinner live, And soothe our griefs to slumber on his breast.

3 Let the birds seek their nest, Foxes their holes, and man his peaceful bed; Come, Saviour, in my breast Come and repose thine oft rejected head!

4 Come! give me rest, and take The only rest on earth thou lov’st, within A heart that for thy sake Shall purify itself from every sin.

1 On the dark-wave of Galilee The gloom of twilight gathers fast; And o’er the waters heavily Sweeps cold and drear the evening blast.

2 Still near the lake, with weary tread, Lingers a form of human kind; And on his lone, unsheltered head, Flows the chill night-damp of the wind.

3 Why seeks he not a home of rest? Why seeks he not the pillowed bed? Beasts have their dens, the bird his nest;— He hath not where to lay his head.

4 Such was the lot he freely chose, To bless, to save, the human race; And through his poverty there flows A rich, full stream of heavenly grace.

1 Dark were the paths our Master trod, Yet never failed his trust in God; Cruel and fierce the wrongs he bore, Yet he but felt for man the more.

2 Unto the cross in faith he went, His Father’s willing instrument; Upon the cross his prayer arose In pity for his ruthless foes.

3 O, may we all his kindred be, By holy love and sympathy; Still loving man through every ill, And trusting in our Father’s will!

1 O suffering Friend of human kind! How, as the fatal hour drew near, Came thronging on thy holy mind The images of grief and fear.

2 Gethsemane’s sad midnight scene, The faithless friends, the exulting foes, The thorny crown, the insult keen, The scourge, the cross, before thee rose.

3 Did not thy spirit shrink dismayed, As the dark vision o’er it came; And though in sinless strength arrayed, Turn, shuddering, from the death of shame?

4 Onward, like thee, through scorn and dread, May we our Father’s call obey, Steadfast thy path of duty tread, And rise, through death, to endless day.

1 “Father divine!” the Saviour cried, While horrors pressed on every side, And prostrate on the ground he lay, “Remove this bitter cup away.

2 “But if these pangs must still be borne, Or helpless man be left forlorn, I bow my soul before thy throne, And say,—Thy will, not mine, be done!”

3 Thus our submissive souls would bow, And, taught by Jesus, lie as low; Our hearts, and not our lips alone, Would say,—Thy will, not ours, be done!

1 A voice upon the midnight air, Where Kedron’s moonlit waters stray, Weeps forth in agony of prayer, “O Father, take this cup away!”

2 Ah, thou who sorrow’st unto death, We conquer in thy mortal fray; And earth for all her children saith, “O God, take not this cup away!”

3 O Lord of sorrow, meekly die; Thou’lt heal or hallow all our woe; Thy peace shall still the mourner’s sigh; Thy strength shall raise the faint and low.

4 Great chief of faithful souls, arise; None else can lead the martyr band, Who teach the soul how peril flies, When faith, unarmed, uplifts the hand.

5 O King of earth, the cross ascend; O’er climes and ages ’tis thy throne; Where’er thy fading eye may bend, The desert blooms and is thine own.

4 Thy parting blessing, Lord, we pray; Make but one fold below, above; And when we go the last, lone way, O, give the welcome of thy love.

1 He knelt; the Saviour knelt and prayed, When but his Father’s eye Looked, through the lonely garden’s shade, On that dread agony; He poured in prayer his suppliant breath, Bowed down with sorrow unto death.

2 The sun went down in fearful hour; The heavens might well grow dim, When this mortality had power Thus to o’ershadow him; That he who came to save might know The very depths of human woe.

3 He knew them all,—the doubt, the strife, The faint, perplexing dread; The mists that hang o’er parting life All darkened round his head; And the Deliverer knelt to pray; Yet passed it not, that cup, away.

4 It passed not, though the stormy wave Had sunk beneath his tread; It passed not, though to him the grave Had yielded up its dead; But there was sent him, from on high, A gift of strength, for man to die.

5 And was his mortal hour beset With anguish and dismay? How may we meet our conflict yet In the dark, narrow way? How, but through him that path who trod? Save, or we perish, Son of God!

1 Burden of shame and woe! How does the heart o’erflow At thought of him the bitter cross who bore! But we have each our own, To others oft unknown, Which we must bear till life shall be no more.

2 And shall we fear to tread The path where Jesus led, The pure and holy one, for man who died? Or shall we shrink from shame, Endured for Jesus’ name, Our glorious Lord, once spurned and crucified?

3 Then, ’mid the woes that wait On this our mortal state, Patience shall cheer affliction, toil, and loss, And though the tempter’s art Assail the struggling heart, Still, Saviour! in thy name we bear the cross.

1 In the Saviour’s hour of death, Bound upon the cross of fear, While his quick and struggling breath Spoke the fatal moment near, While his proud, triumphant foes Mocked the sufferings that he bore, Then his loving spirit rose More sublime than e’er before.

2 He has taught us to forgive, By his words in days gone by; He has taught us how to live; Can he teach us how to die? Listen! as the cross they raise, One brief prayer ascends to heaven; For his murderers he prays,— Father, may they be forgiven!

1 Jews were wrought to cruel madness, Christians fled in fear and sadness, Mary stood the cross beside.

2 At its foot her foot she planted, By the dreadful scene undaunted, Till the gentle sufferer died.

3 Poets oft have sung her story; Painters decked her brow with glory; Priests her name have deified;

4 But no worship, song, or glory, Touches like that simple story,— “Mary stood the cross beside.”

5 And when under fierce oppression Goodness suffers like transgression, Christ again is crucified.

6 But if love be there, true-hearted, By no grief or terror parted, Mary stands the cross beside.

1 It is finished! glorious word From thy lips, our suffering Lord! Words of high, triumphant might, Ere thy spirit takes its flight. It is finished! all is o’er; Pain and scorn oppress no more.

2 Now, no more foreboding dread Shades the path thy feet must tread; No more fear, lest in thine hour Pain should patience overpower; On the perfect sacrifice Not a stain of weakness lies.

3 Champion! lay thine armor by; ’Tis thine hour of victory! All thy toils are now o’erpast; Thou hast found thy rest at last; All hath faithfully been done, And the world’s salvation won.