The morning light is breaking,
The darkness disappears,
The sons of earth are waking
To penitential tears;
Each breeze that sweeps the ocean
Brings tidings from afar,
Of nations in commotion,
Prepared for Zion's war.
Rich dews of grace come o'er us
In many a gentle shower,
And brighter scenes before us
Are opening every hour;
Each cry to heaven going
Abundant answers brings, And heavenly gales are blowing, With peace upon their wings.
Blest river of salvation,
Pursue thy onward way; Flow thou to every nation,
Nor in thy richness stay:
Stay not, till all the lowly
Triumphant reach their home; Stay not, till all the holy
Proclaim, The Lord has come!
SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH, 1831.
God is my strong salvation:
What foe have I to fear?
In darkness and temptation,
My light, my help, is near.
Though hosts encamp around me,
Firm to the fight I stand:
What terror can confound me
With God at my right hand?
Place on the Lord reliance,
My soul, with courage wait;
His truth be thine affiance,
When faint and desolate.
His might thine heart shall strengthen,
His love thy joy increase,
Mercy thy days shall lengthen,
The Lord will give thee peace.
JAMES MONTGOMERY, 1822.
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own;
It shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for thee.
FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL, 1874.
Gratitude for humble tasks.
What thou wilt, O Father, give!
All is gain that I receive.
Let the lowliest task be mine,
Grateful, so the work be thine.
Let me find the humblest place In the shadow of thy grace: Blest to me were any spot Where temptation whispers not.
If there be some weaker one,
Give me strength to help him on;
If a blinder soul there be,
Let me guide him nearer thee.
Clothe with life the weak intent,
Let me be the thing I meant;
Let me find in thy employ
Peace that dearer is than joy;
Out of self to love be led,
And to heaven acclimated,
Until all things sweet and good
Seem my natural habitude.
JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER, 1863.
Copyright, 1910, by the A. S. Barnes Company.
Gratitude for blessings shared.
I thank thee, Lord, for strength of arm
To win my bread,
And that, beyond my need, is meat
For friend unfed:
I thank thee much for bread to live,
I thank thee more for bread to give.
I thank thee for my quiet home,
Mid cold and storm,
And that beyond my need is room
For friend forlorn:
I thank thee much for place to rest,
But more for shelter for my guest.
I thank thee, Lord, for lavish love.
On me bestowed,
Enough to share with loveless folk
To ease their load:
Thy love to me I ill could spare,
Yet dearer is thy love I share.
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