NIGHT THOUGHT. L. M.

24 4

CH. BEECHER.

92

1278. L.M.

2. And if there weigh upon my breast
Vague memories of the day forgone,
Scarce knowing why, I fly to Thee,
And lay them down.

3. Or, if it be the gloom that comes,
In token of impending ill,
My bosom heeds not what it is
Since 'tis Thy will.

4. For, O! in spite of constant care,
Or aught beside, how joyfully
I pass that solitary hour,
My God, with Thee!

5. More tranquil than the stilly night,
More peaceful than that voiceless hour,
Supremely blest, my bosom lies
Beneath Thy power.

6. For what on earth can I desire,
Of all it hath to offer me?

Or whom in heaveu do I seek,
O God, but Thee?

1279. L. M.

1. THE dawn is sprinkling in the east
Its golden shower, as day flows in;
Fast mount the pointed shafts of light;-
Farewell to darkness and to sin!

2. Away, ye midnight phantoms all!

Away, despondence and despair! Whatever guilt the night has brought, Now let it vanish into air.

1282. L. M.

1. ETERNITY! Eternity!

How long art thou, Eternity!

Yet onward still to thee we speed,
As to the fight th' impatient steed.

2. As ship to port, or shaft from bow,
Or swift as couriers homeward go;
Mark well, O man, Eternity!
Eternity! Eternity!

3. Eternity! Eternity!

How long art thou, Eternity!

As in a ball's concentric round

Nor starting-point nor end is found;

4. So thou, Eternity, so vast,

No entrance and no exit hast;
Mark well, O man, Eternity!
Eternity Eternity!

COXE. FROM THE GERMAN.

1. GLORY to Thee, whose powerful word
Bids the tempestuous winds arise!
Glory to Thee, the sovereign Lord
Of air, and earth, and sea, and skies!

2. Let air, and earth, and skies obey,

And seas Thine awful will perform; From them we learn to own Thy sway, And shout to meet the gathering storm.

3. What though the floods lift up their voice; Thou hearest, Lord, our louder cry; They can not damp Thy children's joys, Or shake the soul when God is nigh.

4. Headlong we cleave the yawning deep,
And back to highest heaven are borne;
Unmoved, though rapid whirlwinds sweep,
And all the watery world upturn.

5. Roar on, ye waves; our souls defy
Your roaring to disturb our rest;
In vain t' impair the calm ye try-
The calm in a believer's breast.

TALLIS' EVENING HYMN. L. M.

9:

TH. TALLIS. 1650.

4

migh-ty wings.

1287. L. M.

2. Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ill which I this day have done;
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

3. Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed:
Teach me to die, that so I may
Rise glorious at Thy judgment-day.

4. O let my soul on Thee repose,

And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close!
Sleep, which shall me more vigorous make,
To serve my God when I awake.

5. Be Thou my guardian, while I sleep,
Thy watchful station near me keep;
My heart with love celestial fill,
And guard me from th' approach of ill.

6. Lord, let my soul for ever share

The bliss of Thy paternal care:
"T is heaven on earth, 't is heaven above,
To see Thy face, and sing Thy love!

1. 'Tis gone, that bright and orbed blaze,
Fast fading from our wistful gaze;
Yon mantling cloud has hid from sight
The last faint pulse of quivering light.

2. Sun 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.

3. When the soft dews of kindly sleep
My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought, how sweet to rest
For ever on my Saviour's breast.

4. Abide with me from morn till eve,
For without Thee I can not live;
Abide with me when night is nigh,
For without Thee I dare not die.

5. Come near and bless us when we wake, Ere through the world our way we take: Till in the ocean of Thy love

We lose ourselves in heaven above.

KEBLE.

2. Amid the silence, else so drear,
Think the Almighty leans to hear;
Well pleased to list, at such a time,
The wakeful heart, in praise sublime.

3. Still watch and pray, and raise the hymn,
Throughout the hours of darkness dim!
God will not spurn the humblest guest,
But give us of His holy rest.

4. Glory to God, who is in heaven!
Praise to His blessed Son be given!
Thee, Holy Spirit, we implore,
Be with us now and evermore!

1291. L. M.

BREVIARY.

1. ANOTHER fleeting day is gone;

Slow o'er the west the shadows rise; Swift the soft-stealing hours have flown, And night's dark mantle vails the skies.

2. Another fleeting day is gone;

In solemn silence rest, my soul ! Bow down before His awful throne, Who bids the morn and evening roll. 3. Soon shall a darker night descend,

And vail from me yon azure skies;
And soon shall death's oppressive hand
Lie heavy on these languid eyes.

4. Yet when beneath the dreadful shade
I lay my weary frame to rest,
That night shall not make me afraid;
That bed the dying Saviour pressed.
5. Again emerging from the night,

I, like my risen Lord, shall rise;
Again drink in the morning light,
Pure at its fount above the skies.

COLLYER.

1292. L. M.

63

d

d

rial of His grace.

1294. L. M.

2. Much of my time has run to waste, And I, perhaps, am near my home; But He forgives my follies past;

He gives me strength for days to come.

3. I lay my body down to sleep;

Peace is the pillow for my head;
While well-appointed angels keep

Their watchful stations round my bed.

4. Thus, when the night of death shall come,

And wait Thy voice to rouse my tomb, With sweet salvation in the sound.

1295. L. M.

WATTS.

1. GREAT God! to Thee my evening song
With humble gratitude I raise;
O let Thy merey tune my tongue,
And fill my heart with lively praise.

2. My days unclouded as they pass,
And every gentle, rolling hour,
Are monuments of wondrous grace,
And witness to Thy love and power.

3. And yet this thoughtless, wretched heart, Too oft regardless of Thy love, Ungrateful, can from Thee depart,

And, fond of trifles, vainly rove.

4 Seal my forgiveness in the blood
Of Jesus; His dear name alone
I plead for pardon, gracious God!
And kind acceptance at Thy throne.

Great Guardian of my sleeping hours! Thy sovereign word restores the light, And quickens all my drowsy powers. 3. I yield my powers to Thy command; To Thee I consecrate my days; Perpetual blessings from Thy hand Demand perpetual songs of praise.

1297. L. M.

WATTS.

1. GOD of my life, to Thee belong,
The grateful heart, the joyful song;
Touched by Thy love, each tuneful chord
Resounds the goodness of the Lord.
2. Yet why, dear Lord, this tender care?
Why does Thy hand so kindly rear
A useless cumberer of the ground,
On which so little fruit is found?
3. Still let the barren fig-tree stand,
Upheld and fostered by Thy hand;
And let its fruit and verduro bo
A grateful tribute, Lord, to Thee.