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With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate, and the virgin's son.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, Who heard th' angelic herald's voice, "Behold, "I bring glad tidings of a Saviour's birth "To you and all the nations upon earth: "This day hath God fulfill'd his promis'd word; "This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.

"In David's city shepherds ye shall find "The long foretold Redeemer of mankind; "Wrapt up in swadling clothes, the babe divine "Lies in a manger:-this shall be your sign,' He spake; and straightway the celestial choir, In hymns of joy unknown before conspire.

The praises of redeeming love they sung,
And heav'ns whole orb with hallelujahs rung,
God's highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth; to sinful men good will,
To Bethlem straight th' enlighten'd Shepherds

run,

To see the wonder God had wrought for man.

And found with Joseph and the bless'd maid,
Her son, the Saviour, in a manger laid,
Amaz'd the wond'rous story they proclaim,
The first apostles of his infant fame:

While Mary keeps and ponders in her heart,
The heav'nly vision which the swains impart.

They to their flocks, still praising God return,
And their glad hearts within their bosoms burn,
Let us like these good shepherds then employ
Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy:
Like Mary, let us ponder in our mind,
God's wond'rous love in saving lost mankind.

Artless and watchful as these favour'd swains,
(While virgin meekness in the heart remains,)
Trace we the babe who has retriv'd our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter cross:
Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
Till man's first heav'nly state again takes place.

Then may we hope th' angelic thrones among,
To find redeem'd a glad triumphant throng,
He that was born upon this joyful day,
Around us all his glory shall display:
Sav'd by his love, incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise to Heav'ns all glorious King.

HYMN IX. L. M.

LET peace her olive wand extend,

Let white rob'd innocence descend;
Fly swift, ye years, and rise the morn;
O spring to light, blest babe be born!

See nature hastes her wreaths to bring,
With all the incense of the spring:
Hark! a glad voice the desert cheers
"Prepare the way-a God appears!"

"A God! a God!" the groves reply;
The rocks proclaim the Deity,

Lo earth receives him from the skies;
Bow down, ye hills! ye vallies rise!

The Saviour comes, by seers foretold,
Hear him ye deaf! ye blind behold!
The lame shall leap, the dumb shall sing,
And hail the coming of their King.

No sigh, no groan, the world shall hear;
From ev'ry face he wipes the tear:
Death shall be bound in iron chains,
For life restor'd Messiah reigus.

H'

HYMN X. C. M.

IGH let us swell the hymn of praise
And join th' angelic throng:

For angels no such love have known
T' awake a grateful song.

Good will to sinful men is shewn,
And peace on earth is giv❜n;
For lo! th' incarnate Saviour comes
With messages from heav'n.

Justice and grace with sweet accord
His rising beams adorn;

Let heav'n and earth in concert join,
Now such a child is born.

Glory to God, in highest strains
In highest words be paid;
His glory by our lips proclaim'd,
And by our lives display'd.

HYMN XI. L. M.

NING ye ransom'd nations! sing
Praises to our new born king;

S'

With the choir celestial join'd,
Hail the Saviour of mankind!

Hail the heaven-born prince of peace!
Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that man no more might die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.

"Glory to the new-born King!"
Let us all the anthem sing;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconcil'd.

SIN

For the New Year.

HYMN XII. C. M.

ING to the great Jehovah's praise,
All praise to him belongs;

Who kindly lengthens out our days,
Demands our choicest songs.

Whose providence has brought us thro'
Another various year;

We all with vows and anthems new
Before our God appear.

Father! thy mercies past we own,
Thy still continued care;
To thee presenting thro' thy son,
Whate'er we have, or are.

Our lips and lives shall gladly shew
The wonders of thy love;
As in our Saviour's steps we go
To see thy face above.

Our residue of days, our hours,
Thine, wholly thine shall be,
And all our consecrated pow'rs
A sacrifice to thee.

Till Jesus in the clouds appear
To saints on earth forgiv'n,
And bring the great sabbatic year,
The jubilee of heav'n.

F

For Good Friday.

HYMN XIII. C. M.

ROM whence these dire portents around,
That earth and heav'n amaze!

Wherefore do earthquakes cleave the ground
Why hides the sun his rays!

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