910. L. M. Cowper.
For Social Worship.
1Our God, 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.
2For thou, within no walls confined,
Inhabitest the humble mind;
Such ever bring thee where they come,
And, going, take thee to their home.
3Here 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.
4Lord, we are few, but thou art near;
Nor short thine arm, nor deaf thine ear:
O, rend the heavens, comes quickly down,
And make a thousand hearts thine own!
911. L. M. Ancient Hymns.
Commendatory of Christian Union.
1Blest with unearthly bliss were they
Who saw the church's infant day,
And strove their Christian part to bear,
By sign and spirit joined with her.
2The truth, which Christ's apostles taught,
Then ruled each faithful convert's thought;
Each aimed in unity to keep
Unrent th' apostles' fellowship.
3The bread, with rites harmonious broke,
The union of all hearts bespoke;
And prayer, with lips united prayed,
The union of all minds displayed.
4O thus that Christians still would live,
And thus delightful witness give,
How well the debt of love they know,
To Christ and to his church they owe!
912. 6s. & 8s. M. Methodist Coll.
For Union.
1Thou God of truth and love,
We seek thy perfect way,
Ready thy choice t' approve,
Thy providence t' obey;
Enter into thy wise design,
And sweetly lose our will in thine.
2Why hast thou cast our lot
In the same age and place?
And why together brought
To see each other's face?
To join with softest sympathy,
And mix our friendly souls in thee?
3Didst thou not make us one,
That we might one remain,
Together travel on,
And bear each other's pain;
Till all thy utmost goodness prove
And rise renewed in perfect love?
913. 7s. M. Methodist Coll.
For Union of Heart.
1God, from whom all blessings flow,
Perfecting the saints below,
Hear us, who thy nature share,
Who thy loving children are.
Join us, in one spirit join,
Let us still receive of thine:
Still for more on thee we call,
Thou who fillest all in all!
2Closer knit us to our Head;
Nourish us, in Christ, and feed;
Let us daily growth receive,
More and more in Jesus live.
Move, and actuate, and guide;
Divers gifts to each divide:
Placed according to thy will,
Let us all our work fulfil;
3Sweetly may we all agree,
Touched with softest sympathy;
Kindly for each other care;
Every member feel its share.
Love, like death, hath all destroyed,
Rendered our distinctions void!
Names, and sects, and parties fall:
Thou, O God, art all in all!
914. C. M. Milton.
The Blessedness of the Devout.
1How lovely are thy dwellings, Lord,
From noise and trouble free;
How beautiful the sweet accord
Of souls that pray to thee.
2Lord God of hosts, that reign'st on high,
They are the truly blest,
Who only will on thee rely,
In thee alone will rest.
3They pass refreshed the thirsty vale,
The dry and barren ground,
As through a fruitful, watery dale,
Where springs and showers abound.
4They journey on from strength to strength,
With joy and gladsome cheer,
Till all before our God at length.
In Zion do appear.
5For God, the Lord, both sun and shield,
Gives grace and glory bright;
No good from him shall be withheld
Whose ways are just and right.
915. C. M. Wesley's Coll.
For Mutual Edification.
1Help us to help each other, Lord,
Each other's cross to bear!
Let each his friendly aid afford,
And feel his brother's care.
2Help us to build each other up;
Our little stock improve;
Increase our faith, confirm our hope,
And perfect us in love.
3Up into thee, our living Head,
Let us in all things grow,
Till thou hast made us free indeed,
And spotless here below.
916. 7s. M. Methodist Coll.
Invocation.
1Father, at thy footstool see
Those who now are one in thee:
Draw us by thy grace alone;
Give, O give us to thy Son.
2Jesus, friend of human kind,
Let us in thy name be joined;
Each to each unite and bless;
Keep us still in perfect peace.
3Heavenly, all-alluring Dove,
Shed thy overshadowing love;
Love, the sealing grace impart;
Dwell within our single heart.
917. C. M. Anonymous.
The Love of the Brethren.
1A holy air is breathing round,
A savor from above;
Be every soul from sense unbound,
Be every spirit love.
2O God, unite us heart to heart,
In sympathy divine,
That we be never drawn apart,
And love nor thee nor thine.
3But, by the cross of Jesus taught,
And all thy gracious word,
Be nearer to each other brought,
And nearer to our Lord.
918. C. M. Watts.
Christian Union.
1Lo! what an entertaining sight
Those friendly brethren prove,
Whose cheerful hearts in bands unite
Of harmony and love!
2Where streams of bliss from Christ, the spring,
Descend to every soul,
And heavenly peace, with balmy wing,
Shades and bedews the whole.
3'Tis pleasant as the morning dews
That fall on Zion's hill,
Where God his mildest glory shows,
And makes his grace distil.
919. S. M. Sacred Lyrics.
Morning Prayer Meeting.
1How sweet the melting lay,
Which breaks upon the ear,
When, at the hour of rising day,
Christians unite in prayer!
2The breezes waft their cries
Up to Jehovah's throne;
He listens to their humble sighs,
And sends his blessings down.
3So Jesus rose to pray
Before the morning light,--
Once on the chilling mount did stay,
And wrestle all the night.
4Glory to God on high,
Who sends his blessings down
To rescue souls condemned to die,
And make his people one.
920. C. M. Ancient Hymns.
Social Evening Worship.
1O, 'Tis a scene the heart to move,
When, at the close of day,
Whom God unites in Christian love
Unite their thanks to pay.
2What though the number be but small;
Whenever two or three
Join on the Saviour's name to call,
There in the midst is he.
3When faithful and repentant hearts
His heavenly grace ensue,
His grace, intreated, he imparts
To many or to few.
4O, come, then, and, with joint accord,
In social worship meet;
And, mindful of the Saviour's word,
The Saviour's boon intreat.
921. 7s. M. Newton.
Parting Hymn.
1For a season called to part,
Let us then ourselves commend
To the gracious eye and heart
Of our ever-present Friend.
2Father, hear our humble prayer!
Tender shepherd of thy sheep,
Let thy mercy and thy care
All our souls in safety keep.
3In thy strength may we be strong;
Sweeten every cross and pain;
Give us, if we live, ere long,
Here to meet in peace again.
922. C. M. Methodist Coll.
The Same.
1Through thee we now together came,
In singleness of heart;
We met, O, Jesus, in thy name,
And in thy name we part.
2We part in body, not in mind;
Our minds continue one;
And, each to each in Jesus joined,
We hand in hand go on.
3Present we still in spirit are,
And intimately nigh,
While on the wings of faith and prayer
We each to other fly.
4Our life is hid with Christ in God;
Our life shall soon appear,
And shed his glory all abroad
In all his members here.
923. L. M. Doddridge.
The Christian Farewell.
1Thy presence, everlasting God!
Wide o'er all nature spreads abroad:
Thy watchful eyes, which cannot sleep,
In every place thy children keep.
2While near each other we remain,
Thou dost our lives and souls sustain;
When sep'rate, happy if we share
Thy smiles, thy counsels, and thy care.
3To thee we all our ways commit,
And seek our comforts near thy feet;
Still on our souls vouchsafe to shine,
And guard and guide us still as thine.
4Give us in thy belovd house,
Again to pay our grateful vows;
Or, if that joy no more be known,
Give us to meet around thy throne.
924. 8s. & 7s. M. C. Wesley.
Domestic Worship.
1Peace be to this habitation;
Peace to all that dwell therein;
Peace, the earnest of salvation;
Peace, the fruit of pardoned sin;
Peace, that speaks the heavenly Giver;
Peace, to worldly minds unknown;
Peace divine, that lasts forever;
Peace, that comes from God alone.
2Jesus, Prince of Peace, be near us;
Fix in all our hearts thy home;
With thy gracious presence cheer us;
Let thy sacred kingdom come;
Raise to heaven our expectation,
Give our favored souls to prove
Glorious and complete salvation,
In the realms of bliss above.
925. L. M. Doddridge & Merrick.
The Same. Ps. 128.
1Blest is the man who fears the Lord,
And walks by his unerring word;
Comfort and peace his days attend,
And God will ever prove his friend.
2To him who condescends to dwell
With saints in their obscurest cell,
Be our domestic altars raised,
And daily let his name be praised.
3To him may each assembled house
Present their night and morning vows;
And children of the rising race
Be taught his precepts and his grace.
4When nature droops, our aged eyes
Shall see our children's children rise;
Till pleased and thankful we remove,
And join the family above.
926. L. M. Scott.
Family Religion.
1Where'er the Lord shall build my house,
An altar to his name I'll raise;
There, morn and evening, shall ascend
The sacrifice of prayer and praise.
2With duteous mind, the social band
Shall search the records of thy law;
There learn thy will, and humbly bow
With filial reverence and awe.
3Here may he fix his sacred seat,
And spread the banner of his love;
Till, ripened for a happier state,
We meet the family above.
927. L. M. 6l. Methodist Coll.
Religion at Home.
1When quiet in my house I sit
Thy book be my companion still;
My joy thy sayings to repeat,
Talk o'er the records of thy will,
And search the oracles divine,
Till every heart-felt word be mine.
2O may the gracious words divine
Mingled with all my converse be:
So will the Lord his follower join,
And walk and talk himself with me;
So shall my heart his presence prove
And burn with everlasting love.
3Oft as I lay me down to rest,
O, may the reconciling word
Sweetly compose my weary breast,
While, trusting in my gracious Lord,
I sink in peaceful dreams away,
And visions of eternal day!
4Rising to sing my Father's praise,
Thee may I publish all day long;
And let thy precious word of grace
Flow from my heart and fill my tongue;
Fill all my life with purest love,
And join me to the church above.
928. S. M. Watts.
Family Affection from Religious Principles.
1How pleasing, Lord! to see,
How pure is the delight,
When mutual love, and love to thee,
A family unite!
2From these celestial springs
Such streams of comfort flow,
As no increase of riches brings,
Nor honors can bestow.
3No bliss can equal theirs,
Where such affections meet;
While mingled praise and mingled prayers
Make their communion sweet.
4'Tis the same pleasure fills
The breast in worlds above;
Where joy like morning dew distils,
And all the air is love.
929. C. M. Taylor's Coll.
The Family Altar.
1Great God! where'er we pitch our tent,
Let us an altar raise,
And there, with humble frame, present
Our sacrifice of praise.
2To thee we give our health and strength,
While health and strength shall last,
For future mercies humbly trust,
Nor e'er forget the past.
930. C. M. Barry Cornwall.
For a Sick Child.
1Send down thy wingéd angel; God!
Amidst this night so wild,
And bid him come where now we watch,
And breathe upon our child!
2It lies upon its pillow, pale,
And moans within its sleep,
Or wakeneth with a patient smile,
And striveth not to weep!
3How gentle and how good a child
It is, we know too well;
And dearer to its parents' hearts
Than our weak words can tell.
4We love,--we watch throughout the night,
To aid, where need may be;
We hope,--and have despaired at times;
But now we turn to thee!
5Send down thy sweet-souled angel, God!
Amidst the darkness wild,
And bid him soothe our souls to-night,
And heal our gentle child!
931. C. M. Heber.
In Times of Domestic Distress.
1O God, that madest earth and sky!
The darkness and the day!
Give ear to this thy family,
And help us when we pray!
For wide the waves of bitterness
Around our vessel roar,
And heavy grows the pilot's heart
To view the rocky shore!
2The cross our Master bore for us,
For him we fain would bear,
But mortal strength to weakness turns,
And courage to despair!
Then mercy on our failings, Lord!
Our sinking faith renew!
And when thy sorrows visit us,
O send thy patience too.
932. C. M. Doddridge.
Sickness and Recovery.
1My God, thy service well demands
The remnant of my days;
Why was this fleeting breath renewed,
But to renew thy praise?
2Thine arms of everlasting love
Did this weak frame sustain,
When life was hovering o'er the grave,
And nature sunk with pain.
3I calmly bowed my fainting head
On thy dear, faithful breast,
And waited for my Father's call
To his eternal rest.
4Back from the borders of the grave,
At thy command, I come;
Nor will I ask a speedier flight
To my celestial home.
5Where thou appointest mine abode
There would I choose to be;
For in thy presence death is life,
And earth is heaven with thee.
933. C. M. H. K. White.
A Family Evening Prayer.
1O Lord, another day is flown,
And we, a lonely band,
Are met once more before thy throne,
To bless thy fostering hand.
2And wilt thou lend a listening ear
To praises low as ours!
Thou wilt; for thou dost love to hear
The song which meekness pours.
3O, let thy grace perform its part,
And let contention cease;
And shed abroad in every heart
Thine everlasting peace.
4Thus chastened, cleansed, entirely thine,
A flock by Jesus led,
The Sun of holiness shall shine
In glory on our head.
5And thou wilt turn our wandering feet,
And thou wilt bless our way,
Till worlds shall fade, and faith shall greet
The dawn of lasting day.
934. L. M. S. S. Cutting.
Family Hymn. Evening.
1Father, we bless the gentle care
That watches o'er us day by day,
That guards us from the tempter's snare,
And guides us in the heavenward way:--
We bless thee for the tender love,
That mingles all our hearts in one,--
The music of the soul;--above
'Tis purer spirits' unison.
2Father, 'tis evening's solemn hour,
And cast we now our cares on thee;
Darkly the storm may round us lower,--
Peace is within,--Christ makes us free,--
And when life's toil and joy are o'er,
And evening gathers on its sky,
Our circle broke,--we sing no more,--
O, may we meet and sing on high.
MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS.
935. L. M. Keble.
Morning Hymn.
1Oh! timely happy, timely wise.
Hearts that with rising morn arise!
Eyes that the beam celestial view,
Which evermore makes all things new!
2New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life, and power, and thought.
3New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.
4If, on our daily course, our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.
5Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be,
As more of heaven in each we see;
Some softening gleams of love and prayer,
Shall dawn on every cross and care.
936. L. M. Bishop Kenn.
Morning Resolutions.
1Awake, my soul! and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
2Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praises to th' eternal King.
3In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience, as the noontide, clear;
Think how the all-seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
4Lord, I my vows to thee renew;
Scatter my sins like morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will
And with thyself my spirit fill.
5Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In thy sole glory may unite.
937. C. M. Montgomery.
Acknowledging God's Hand. Morning.
1What secret hand, at morning light,
Softly unseals mine eye,
Draws back the curtain of the night,
And opens earth and sky;
2'Tis thine, my God,--the same that kept
My resting hours from harm;
No ill came nigh me, for I slept
Beneath th' Almighty's arm.
3'Tis thine, my daily bread that brings,
Like manna scattered round,
And clothes me, as the lily springs
In beauty from the ground.
4In death's dark valley though I stray
'Twould there my steps attend,
Guide with the staff my lonely way,
And with the rod defend.
5May that sure hand uphold me still
Through life's uncertain race,
To bring me to thy holy hill,
And to thy dwelling-place.
938. 7s. M. Episcopal Coll.
Morning Hymn.
1Now, the shades of night are gone;
Now the morning light comes on;
Lord, may we be thine to-day,
Drive the shades of sin away.
2Fill our souls with heavenly light,
Banish doubt, and clear our sight;
In thy service, Lord, to-day,
May we stand, and watch and pray.
3Keep our haughty passions bound;
Save us from our foes around;
Going out and coming in,
Keep us safe from every sin.
4When our work of life is past,
O, receive us then at last;
Night and sin will be no more,
When we reach the heavenly shore.
939. L. M. Watts.
The Same.
1God of the morning, at whose voice
The cheerful sun makes haste to rise,
And like a giant doth rejoice
To run his journey through the skies.
2From the fair chambers of the east,
The circuit of his race begins,
And, without weariness or rest,
Round the whole earth he flies and shines.
3O, like the sun may I fulfil
The appointed duties of the day,
With ready mind and active will
March on and keep my heavenly way.
4Lord, thy commands are clean and pure,
Enlightening our beclouded eyes,
Thy threatenings just, thy promise sure,
Thy gospel makes the simple wise.
940. C. M. Mrs. Steele.
The Same.
1Lord of my life! O may thy praise
Employ my noblest powers,
Whose goodness lengthens out my days.
And fills the circling hours!
2Preserved by thy almighty arm,
I passed the shades of night,
Serene and safe from every harm,
And see returning light.
3While many spend the night in sighs
And restless pains and woes,
In gentle sleep I close my eyes
And undisturbed repose.
4When sleep death's semblance o'er me spread,
And I unconscious lay,
Thy watchful care was round my bed,
To guard my feeble clay.
5O let the same almighty care
My waking hours attend;
From every danger, every snare,
My heedless steps defend.
941. L. M. Watts.
Morning or Evening Hymn.
1My God, how endless is thy love!
Thy gifts are every evening new;
And morning mercies, from above,
Gently distil like early dew.
2Thou spread'st the curtains of the night,
Great Guardian of my sleeping hours;
Thy sovereign word restores the light,
And quickens all my drowsy powers.
3I yield my powers to thy command;
To thee I consecrate my days;
Perpetual blessings from thine hand
Demand perpetual songs of praise.
942. 8s. & 7s. M. Edmeston.
Confidence in God's Protection.
1Father, breathe an evening blessing
Ere repose our spirits seal;
Sin and want we come confessing;
Thou canst save and thou canst heal.
2Though destruction walk around us,
Though the arrows past us fly,
Angel guards from thee surround us;
We are safe, if thou art nigh.
3Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from thee;
Thou art he who, never weary,
Watchest where thy people be.
4Should swift death this night o'ertake us,
And command us to the tomb,
May the morn in heaven awake us,
Clad in bright, eternal bloom.
943. 7s. M. Bowring.
Morning or Evening.--All from God.
1Father! 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 thy offspring is,
Beaming from futurity.
2Every 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.
3And 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.
944. 7s. & 6s. M. Sacred Songs.
Reflections at Sunset.
1The mellow eve is gliding
Serenely down the west;
So, every care subsiding,
My soul would sink to rest.
2The woodland hum is ringing
The daylight's gentle close;
May angels round me singing,
Thus hymn my last repose.
3The evening star has lighted
Her crystal lamp on high;
So, when in death benighted,
May hope illume the sky.
4In golden splendor dawning,
The morrow's light shall break;
O, on the last bright morning
May I in glory wake.
945. L. M. Watts.
Evening Hymn.
1Thus far the Lord has led me on,
Thus far his power prolongs my days!
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of his grace.
2Much of my time has run to waste,
And I, perhaps, am near my home;
But he forgives my follies past,
He gives me strength for days to come.
3I lay my body down to sleep;
Peace is the pillow for my head:
While well appointed angels keep
Their watchful stations round my bed.
4Faith in his name forbids my fear:
O, may thy presence ne'er depart!
And in the morning make me hear
Thy love and kindness in my heart.
5And when the night of death shall come,
Still may I trust almighty love,--
The love which triumphs o'er the tomb,
And leads to perfect bliss above.
946. L. M. Kenn.
Trusting God. Evening Hymn.
1Glory to thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light:
Keep me, O, keep me, King of kings,
Beneath the shadow of thy wings.
2Forgive me, Lord, through thy dear Son
The ills which I this day have done;
That with the world, myself, and thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
3O, may my soul on thee repose,
And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close!
Sleep that shall me more vigorous make
To serve my God when I awake.
4Be thou my Guardian while I sleep;
Thy watchful station near me keep;
My heart with love celestial fill,
And guard me from th' approach of ill.
5Lord, let my heart forever share
The bliss of thy paternal care:
'Tis heaven on earth, 'tis heaven above,
To see thy face and sing thy love.
947. C. M. Anonymous.
Evening Hymn.
1Indulgent God, whose bounteous care
O'er all thy works is shown,
O let my grateful praise and prayer
Ascend before thy throne!
2What mercies has this day bestowed!
How largely hast thou blest!
My cup with plenty overflowed,
With cheerfulness my breast.
3Now may sweet slumbers close my eyes,
From pain and sickness free;
And let my waking thoughts arise
To meditate on thee.
4So bless each future day and night,
Till life's fond scene is o'er;
At length, to realms of endless light
Enraptured let me soar.
948. L. M. Keble.
"Abide with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent."
1'Tis gone, that bright and orbéd blaze,
Fast fading from our wistful gaze;
Yon mantling cloud has hid from sight
The last faint pulse of quivering light.
2Sun of my soul! thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if thou be near:
Oh may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide thee from thy servant's eyes.
3When the soft dews of kindly sleep
My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought now sweet to rest
Forever on my Saviour's breast.
4Abide with me from morn till eve,
For without thee I cannot live;
Abide with me when night is nigh,
For without thee I dare not die.
949. 7s. M. Doddridge.
Evening Hymn.
1Interval of grateful shade,
Welcome to my weary head!
Welcome slumbers to mine eyes,
Tired with glaring vanities!
2My great Master still allows
Needful periods of repose:
By my heavenly Father blest,
Thus I give my powers to rest.
3Heavenly Father, gracious name!
Night and day his love the same!
Far be each suspicious thought,
Every anxious care forgot!
4Thou, my ever-bounteous God,
Crown'st my days with various good;
Thy kind eye which cannot sleep,
My defenceless hours shall keep.
5Blest vicissitude to me!
Day and night I'm still with thee;
Guarded thus I sink to rest,
Lodged within my Father's breast