WHEN Thy soldiers take their swords,
When they speak the solemn words,
When they kneel before Thee here,
Feeling Thee their Father near;
These Thy children, Lord, defend ;
To their help Thy Spirit send.
When the world's sharp strife is nigh,
When they hear the battle-cry,
When they rush into the fight,
Knowing not temptation's might;
These Thy children, Lord, defend;
To their zeal Thy wisdom lend.
When their hearts are lifted high
With success or victory;
When they feel the conqueror's pride ;-
Lest they grow self-satisfied,
These Thy children, Lord, defend;
Teach their souls to Thee to bend.
When the vows that they have made,
When the prayers that they have prayed,
Shall be fading from their hearts;
When their first warm faith departs;
These Thy children, Lord, defend;
Keep them faithful to the end.
Through life's conflict guard us all;
Or if wounded some should fall
Ere the victory be won,
For the sake of Christ Thy Son
These Thy children, Lord, defend,
And in death Thy comfort lend.
FRANCES M. OWEN, 1872.
O JESUS, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle,
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway,
If Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me :
The world is ever near ;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
O speak to re-assure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.
"LO! ROUND THE THRONE."
Not always on the mount may we
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