PART in peace! with deep thanksgiving,
Rendering, as we homeward tread,
Gracious service to the living,
Tranquil memory to the dead.
Part in peace! such are the praises
God, our Maker, loveth best;
Such the worship that upraises
Human hearts to heavenly rest.
THE BENEDICTION OF PEACE.
FATHER, give Thy benediction;
Give Thy peace, before we part;
Still our minds with truth's conviction,
Calm with trust each anxious heart:
Let Thy voice, with sweet commanding,
Bid our griefs and struggles end;
Peace which passeth understanding
On our waiting spirits send.
To the loving heart made known, When it pours, in deep contrition, Prayer before the eternal throne.
Go in peace ! — thy sins forgiven,
God hath healed thee, set thee free;
Every spirit-fetter riven,
Go in peace, and liberty!
Father! breathe this benediction
O'er our spirits while we pray;
Let us part in full conviction
Thou hast blessed our souls to-day.
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!
O THOU great Spirit! who along
The waters first did move,
And straight, from warring chaos sprung
Light, harmony and love;
Upon our waiting spirits brood,
Bid all their discord cease,
And breathe upon the troubled soul
Thy last, best gift of peace!
THE peace which God bestows,
Which from His presence flows,
peace the Father giveth to the son,
Be known in every mind,
The broken heart to bind,
And bless each traveller as he journeys on.
Ere daily strifes begin
The war without, within,
The God of love, in spirit and in power,
Now on each bended head
His deepest blessing shed,
And keep us all through every troubled hour!
GOD of the prophets' power!
God of the Gospel's sound!
Move glorious on,-send out Thy voice
To all the nations round.
With hearts and lips unfeigned,
We bless Thee for Thy word;
We praise Thee for the joyful news
Which our glad ears have heard.
O, may we treasure well
The counsels that we hear,
Till righteousness and holy joy
In all our hearts appear.
Water the sacred seed,
And give it large increase ;
May neither fowls, nor rocks, nor thorns,
Prevent the fruits of peace.
And though we sow in tears,
Our souls at last shall come,
And gather in our sheaves with joy,
At heaven's great harvest-home.
O GOD, by whom the seed is given,
By whom the harvest blest;
Whose word of truth, sent down from heaven,
Is planted in our breast;
Preserve it from the passing feet,
And plunderers of the air;
The sultry sun's intenser heat,
And weeds of worldly care!
Though buried deep, or thinly strewn,
Do Thou Thy grace supply;
The hope, in earthly furrows sown,
Shall ripen in the sky.
THY presence, ever-living God!
Wide through all nature spreads abroad;
Thy watchful eyes, which never sleep,
In every place Thy children keep.
While near each other we remain,
Thou dost our lives and powers sustain;
When parted, we rejoice to share
Thy smiles, Thy counsels, and Thy care.
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.
" WHOSE SERVICE IS PERFECT FREEDOM.' C. M.
FATHER, Thy presence, ever near,
Help us to feel and know,
That we may find Thy kingdom here,
And walk with God below.
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