THE SAINTS IN GLORY-Rev. vii. 13, to the end.
How bright these glorious spirits shine!
Whence all their bright array?
How came they to the blissful seats
Of everlasting day?
Lo! these are they from sufferings great
Who came to realms of light,
And in the blood of Christ have wash'd
Those robes which shine so bright.
Now with triumphal palms they stand
Before the throne on high,
And serve the God they love, amidst
The glories of the sky.
His presence fills each heart with joy,
Tunes every voice to sing;
By day, by night, the sacred courts
With glad Hosannahs ring.
Hunger and thirst are felt no more,
Nor suns with scorching ray;
God is their sun; whose cheering beams
Diffuse eternal day.
The Lamb who dwells amidst the throne
Shall o'er them still preside,
Feed them with nourishment divine,
And all their footsteps guide.
'Mong pastures green He'll lead his flock,
Where living streams appear;
And God the Lord from every eye
Shall wipe off every tear.
THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM-Rev. xxi and xxii.
JERUSALEM! my happy home!
Name ever dear to me!
When shall my labours have an end,
In joy, and peace, and thee?
When shall these eyes thy heaven-built walls
And pearly gates behold?
Thy bulwarks, with salvation strong,
And streets of shining gold?
O, when, thou city of my God,
Shall I thy courts ascend,
Where congregations ne'er break up,
And Sabbaths have no end?
There happier bowers than Eden's bloom,
Nor sin nor sorrow know:
Bless'd seats! through rude and stormy scenes
I onward press to you.
Why should I shrink at pain and wo?
Or feel, at death, dismay?
I've Canaan's goodly land in view,
And realms of endless day.
Apostles, martyrs, prophets there,
Around my Saviour stand;
And soon my friends in Christ below,
Will join the glorious band.
Jerusalem! my happy home!
My soul still pants for thee;
Then shall my labours have an end,
When I thy joys shall see.
[MONTGOMERY.]
OUR heavenly Father, hear
The prayer we offer now:
Thy name be hallow'd far and near,
To Thee all nations bow;
Thy kingdom come; thy will
On earth be done in love,
As saints and seraphims fulfil
Thy perfect law above.
Our daily bread supply,
While by thy word we live;
The guilt of our iniquity
Forgive, as we forgive;
From dark temptation's power,
From Satan's wiles defend;
Deliver in the evil hour,
And guide us to the end.
Thine, then, for ever be
Glory and power divine ;
The sceptre, throne, and majesty
Of heaven and earth are thine.
-Thus humbly taught to pray,
By thy beloved Son,
Through Him, we come to Thee, and say,
All for his sake be done.
FOR THE CONTINUAL HELP OF GOD.
BE with me, Lord, where'er I go,
Teach me what Thou wouldst have me do;
Suggest whate'er I think or say,
Direct me in thy narrow way.
Prevent me, lest I harbour pride,
Lest I in mine own strength confide;
Show me my weakness, let me see,
I have my power, my all from Thee.
O may I ne'er my silence break,
Unless inspired by Thee to speak!
Then let such power attend my word,
That all who hear, may seek the Lori.
Enrich me alway with thy love;
My kind protection ever prove;
Thy signet put upon my breast,
And let thy Spirit on me rest.
Assist and teach me how to pray;
Incline my nature to obey;
What Thou abhorr'st, that let me flee,
And only love what pleases Thee.
O may I never do my will,
But thine, and only thine, fulfil:
Let all my time, and all my ways,
Be spent and ended to thy praise.
FOR A BLESSING WITH FOOD.
FOUNTAIN of being, Source of good!
At whose Almighty breath
The creature proves our bane or food,
Dispensing life or death,-
Thee we address with humble fear;
Vouchsafe thy gifts to crown;
Father of all, thy children hear,
And send a blessing down.
O may our souls for ever pine,
Thy grace to taste and see;
A thirst for righteousness divine.
And hungry after Thee!
I ASK not honour, pomp, or praise,
By worldly men esteem'd;
I wish from sin's deceitful ways
To feel my soul redeem'd.
I wish, as faithful Christians do,
Dear Lord, to live to Thee,
And by my words and walk to show,
That Thou hast died for me.
O grant me, through thy precious blood,
Thy gospel thus to grace!
Renew my heart, O Lamb of God!
Thus shall my works Thee praise.
THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST IN PRAYER.
My dear Redeemer, and my Lord,
I read my duty in thy word;
But in thy life the law appears,
Drawn out in living characters.
Such was thy truth, and such thy zeal,
Such deference to thy Father's will,
Such love, and meekness so divine,
I would transcribe and make them mine.
Cold mountains, and the midnight air,
Witness'd the fervour of thy prayer:
The desert thy temptations knew,
Thy conflict and thy victory too.
Be Thou my pattern; make me bear
More of thy gracious image here;
Then God the Judge shall own my name
Amongst the followers of the Lamb.
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