Circumcision

88

S.M.
HE ancient law departs

And all its terrors cease;
For Jesus makes with faithful hearts

A covenant of peace.

THE

2 The Light of Light divine,

True Brightness undefiled,
He bears for us the shame of sin,

A holy, spotless Child.

3 To-day the Name is thine,

At which we bend the knee;
They call thee Jesus, Child divine!

Our Jesus deign to be. Amen.
Sebastien Besnault, 1736; Tr. Compilers of H. A. &. M.

Totland and honour let us pay,

89

8.7.8.7.8.7 10 the Name of our salvation Laud

pay, Which for many a generation

Hid in God's foreknowledge lay; But with holy exultation

We may sing aloud to-day. 2 Jesus is the Name we treasure;

Name beyond what words can tell; Name of gladness, Name of pleasure,

Ear and heart delighting well; Name of sweetness, passing measure,

Saving us from sin and hell.

3 'Tis the Name for adoration,

Name for songs of victory, Name for holy meditation

In this vale of misery, Name for joyful veneration

By the citizens on high.

4 'Tis the Name that whoso preacheth

Speaks like music to the ear;
Who in prayer this Name beseecheth

Sweetest comfort findeth near;
Who its perfect wisdom reacheth,

Heavenly joy possesseth here.

5 Therefore we, in love adoring,

This most blessèd Name revere; Holy Jesus, thee imploring

So to write it in us here That hereafter, heavenward soaring, We may sing with angels there. Amen.

Tr. John Mason Neale, 1851, alt. 1861

90

Four 7's
ESUS! Name of wondrous love!
JE

Name all other names above!
Unto which must every knee
Bow in deep humility.

2 Jesus! Name decreed of old

To the maiden mother told,
Kneeling in her lowly cell,

By the angel Gabriel.
3 Jesus! Name of priceless worth

To the fallen sons of earth,
For the promise that it gave,
“Jesus shall his people save.

4 Jesus! Name of mercy mild,

Given to the holy Child
When the cup of human woe
First he tasted here below.

5 Jesus! only Name that's given,

Under all the mighty heaven,
Whereby man, to sin enslaved,
Bursts his fetters and is saved.

6 Jesus! Name of wondrous love!

Human Name of God above;
Pleading only this we flee,
Helpless, o our God, to thee. Amen.

W. Walsham How, 1854

91

Four 7's CO

ONQUERING kings their titles take

From the foes they captive make;
Jesus, by a nobler deed,
From the thousands he hath freed.

2 Yes: none other Name is given

Unto mortals under heaven,
Which can make the dead arise,
And exalt them to the skies.

3 We would gladly for that Name

Bear the cross, endure the shame;
Joyfully for him to die
Is not death, but victory.

4 Jesus, who dost condescend

To be called the sinner's Friend,
Hear us, as to thee we pray,
Glorying in thy Name to-day. Amen.

Paris Breviary, 1796; Tr. John Chandler, 1897, alt. 1869

Also the following 108 How beauteous were the marks divine 232 How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds 316 Jesus, the very thought of thee 394 Thy way, not mine, O Lord 404 Immortal Love, for ever ful]

Epiphany

92

6.5., 12 lines

Pressing on they come, Wise men in their wisdom

To his humble home;
Stirred by deep devotion,

Hasting from afar,
Ever journeying onward,
Guided by a star.
Light of Light that shineth

Ere the worlds began,
Draw thou near, and lighten

Every heart of man.
2 There their Lord and Saviour

Meek and lowly lay, Wondrous Light that led them

Onward on their way,
Ever now to lighten

Nations from afar,
As they journey homeward
By that guiding star.

Light of Light, etc. 3 Thou who in a manger

Once hast lowly lain,
Who dost now in glory

O'er all kingdoms reign,

Gather in the heathen,

Who in lands afar
Ne'er have seen the brightness
Of thy guiding star.

Light of Light, etc.

4 Gather in the outcasts,

All who've gone astray,
Throw thy radiance o'er them,

Guide them on their way,
Those who never knew thee,

Those who've wandered far, Lead them by the brightness Of thy guiding star.

Light of Light, etc.

5 Onward through the darkness

Of the lonely night,
Shining still before them

With thy kindly light,
Guide them, Jew and Gentile,

Homeward from afar,
Young and old together,
By thy guiding star.

Light of Light, etc.

6 Until every nation,

Whether bond or free,
’Neath thy starlight banner,

Jesus, follows thee
O'er the distant mountains

To that heavenly home,
Where no sin nor sorrow
Evermore shall come.
Light of Light, etc. Amen.

Godfrey Thring, 1873