82

O, from earth to heaven restored,
Mighty, re-ascended Lord,
Saviour, listen to our cry,
Hear our solemn litany.

Sunday Evening.

P. M.

[By SAMUEL F. SMITH, D. D., a Baptist clergyman of Massachusetts, born

83

SOFT

1805.]

OFTLY fades the twilight ray
Of the holy Sabbath day;

Gently as life's setting sun,

When the Christian's course is run. 2 Night her solemn mantle spreads O'er the earth, as daylight fades ; All things tell of calm repose, At the holy Sabbath's close. 3 Peace is on the world abroad; 'Tis the holy peace of God, Symbol of the peace within, When the spirit rests from sin. 4 Saviour, may our Sabbaths be Days of peace and joy in Thee, Till in heaven our souls repose, Where the Sabbath ne'er shall close.

[By GEORGE W. DOANE, D. D., Protestant Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey ;

born in 1799, died in 1859.]

OFTLY now the light of day

Fades upon our sight away;

Free from care, from labor free,

Lord, we would commune with Thee.

84

2 Soon from us the light of day
Shall forever pass away;

Then, from sin and sorrow free,
Take us, Lord, to dwell with Thee.

Sun of my Soul.

L. M.

[By Rev. JOHN KEBLE, D. D., author of the "Christian Year;" died 1866.]

85

SUN

UN of my soul! Thou Saviour dear,
It is not night
if Thou be near:

O, may no earth-born cloud arise

To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes! 2 When soft the dews of kindly sleep My wearied eyelids gently steep,

Be my last thought, - how sweet to rest
Forever on my Saviour's breast!

3 Abide 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.

4 Be near to bless me when I wake,
Ere through the world my way I take;
Abide with me till in Thy love

I lose myself in heaven above.

The Lord of Life.

[By OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, M. D., born in 1809.]

UN of our life! Thy wakening ray

SUN

L. M.

Sheds on our path the glow of day;
Star of our hope! Thy soften'd light
Cheers the long watches of the night.

86

2 Our midnight is Thy smile withdrawn ;
Our noontide is Thy gracious dawn;
Our rainbow's arch Thy mercy's sign;
All, save the clouds of sin, are Thine.
3 Lord of all life, below, above,

Whose light is truth, whose warmth is love;
Before Thy ever-blazing throne

We ask no lustre of our own.

4 Grant us Thy truth to make us free, And kindling hearts that burn for Thee, Till all Thy living altars claim

S

One holy light, one heavenly flame.

WEET is the work, my God, my King,

To praise Thy name, give thanks, and sing;

To show Thy love by morning light,
And talk of all Thy truth by night.

2 Sweet is the day of sacred rest;
No mortal cares shall seize my breast;
O may my heart in tune be found,
Like David's harp of solemn sound.
3 When grace has purified my heart,
Then I shall share a glorious part:
And fresh supplies of joy be shed,
Like holy oil to cheer my head.

4 Then shall I see, and hear, and know
All I desired or wish'd below;

And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.

87

88

"Thy face, Lord, will I seek."

TALK

[By CHARLES WESLEY.]

C. M.

ALK with us, Lord, Thyself reveal,
While here o'er earth we rove;
Speak to our hearts, and let us feel

The kindling of Thy love.

2 With Thee conversing, we forget
All time, and toil, and care:
Labor is rest, and pain is sweet,
If Thou, my God, art here.

3 Here then, my God, vouchsafe to stay,
And bid my heart rejoice;

My bounding heart shall own Thy sway,
And echo to Thy voice.

4 Thou callest me to seek Thy face;
"Tis all I wish to seek ;

T'attend the whispers of Thy grace,
And hear Thee inly speak.

5 Let this my every hour employ,
Till I Thy glory see;

Enter into my Master's joy.
And find my heaven in Thee.

The Perfect Law.

[By CHARLES WESLEY.]

THE thing my God doth hate,

That I no more may do ;

Thy creature, Lord, again create,
And all my soul renew.

2 That blessed law of Thine,

Jesus, to me impart ;

S. M.

89

The Spirit's law of life divine,
O write it on my heart!
3 Implant it deep within,

Whence it may ne'er remove,-
The law of liberty from sin,
The perfect law of love.

4 Thy nature be my law,
Thy spotless sanctity;

And sweetly every moment draw
My happy soul to Thee.

THEE

Frailty of Life.

[By Dr. WATTS.]

HEE we adore, eternal Name!
And humbly own to Thee

How feeble is our mortal frame

What dying worms are we!

2 The year rolls round, and steals away The breath that first it

gave:

Whate'er we do, whate'er we be,

We're travelling to the grave.

C. M.

3 Dangers stand thick through all the ground, To push us to the tomb;

And fierce diseases wait around,
To hurry mortals home.

4 Waken, O Lord, our drowsy sense
To walk this dang'rous road;
And if our souls be hurried hence,
May they be found with God!