HYMNS FOR THE CHRISTIAN WORKMAN. BY THE REV. R. W. EVANS, M. A. AUTHOR OF RECTORY OF VALEHEAD, TALES OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH CHURCH, ETC. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. F. AND J. RIVINGTON, HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. PATERNOSTER ROW; MDCCXL. 126. TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE PARISH OF TARVIN. MY DEAR FRIENDS, There is not one of us, who, even as an useful member of society, has not some daily work before him. And I hope that I need not remind you above all, as Christians, that the duties of the station to which the Lord hath called us must be done as unto him whose servants we profess to be, so that "whatever we do, we must do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." (Col. iii. 25.) It is evident therefore that no true Christian will take in hand the work of his daily calling without prayer to his heavenly Master to prosper it and sanctify it to his service, according to the station in which its duties are performed. He will begin, continue, and end it in the Lord. It is to the furthering of this Christian spirit that I have composed the following hymns, in which I have endeavoured to prompt the heart of the workman with suitable thoughts, so that while his hand is doing its appointed business of life below, his heart may also be at its proper post of service in the world above, singing at the throne of its Master, who reigneth omnipotent for ever. I humbly hope that, under the Lord's blessing, the thoughts supplied by the reading or remembrance of some of the following texts and hymns, may fill up in your hearts the place of such idle, unprofitable, and alas! too often worse, thoughts, as our enemy is always busy in prompting at his most convenient season: and that the very arrangement of this little book may shew you through what a glorious train of subjects the workman's head and heart may pass in the course of a single day. May he bless these pages to your edification, and may his Spirit ever direct you. Your affectionate friend and Pastor, R. W. EVANS. Tarvin, March 10, 1840. |