"They are they which testify of Me."
FATHER of mercies, in Thy Word
What endless glory shines!
For ever be Thy name adored
For these celestial lines.
Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;
Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.
Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around;
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.
Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be Thou for ever near;
Teach us to love Thy sacred Word,
And view our Saviour there.-AMEN.
"He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he."
WHEN Christ the Lord would come on
His messenger before Him went;
The greatest born of mortal birth,
And charged with words of deep intent.
The least of all that here attend,
Hath honour greater far than he ;
He was the Bridegroom's joyful friend,
His Body and His Spouse are we.
A higher race, the sons of light,
Of God the Holy Spirit born;
He the last star of parting night,
And we the children of the morn.
Oh, as he boldly spake Thy word,
And loved to hear the Bridegroom's voice,
Thus may Thy pastors teach, O Lord,
And thus Thy listening Church rejoice.
"He shall prepare the way before Me." SAVIOUR, is Thy promise fled?
No longer will Thy grace endure
To heal the sick, and raise the dead,
And preach Thy Gospel to the poor?
Come, Jesu, come! return again;
With brighter beam Thy servants bless,
Who long to hail Thy perfect reign,
And share Thy kingdom's happiness.
Come, Saviour, come; and as of yore
The prophet went to clear Thy way,
A harbinger Thy feet before,
A dawning to Thy brighter day;
So, ere again we see Thy face,
Our yearning hearts for truth prepare ;
Fill every soul with heavenly grace,
Then come and reap Thy harvest there.
"Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe."
UPHOLD us, Lord, by Thy strong hand,
Sustain us by Thy loving care;
That, passing through a weary land,
We may be safe and holy there.
How blessed they whom Thou dost bless!
How safe the heart when Thou dost keep!
How calm and pure its happiness,-
Its faith and hope, how firm and deep!
We need Thy help each day and hour
To hold us up, so weak we are ;
Safe only while Thy mighty power
Incites our souls to watchful prayer.
For the Lord Jesus' sake uphold,
And cheer and gladden all the way,
Till to our weary feet unfold
The golden gates of heavenly day!—AMEN.
"Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
ARK! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King,
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the Everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail, the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness !
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.-AMEN.
"The Lord our Righteousness."
AIL the night, all hail the morn,
When the Prince of Peace was born!
When, amid the wakeful fold,
Tidings good the angel told.
Now our solemn chant we raise
Duly to the Saviour's praise;
Now with carol hymns we bless
Christ the Lord, our Righteousness.
While resounds the joyful cry,
"Glory be to God on high,
Peace on earth, good will to men!"
Gladly we respond, “Amen!"
Thus we greet this holy day,
Pouring forth our festive lay;
Thus we tell, with saintly mirth,
Of Immanuel's wondrous birth.
We in perfect peace would live,
We to God would glory give;
Lauding, with the heavenly host,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.-AMEN.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
HARK! what mean those holy voices,
Sweetly sounding through the skies?
Lo! the angelic host rejoices,
Heavenly Alleluias rise.
Listen to the wondrous story,
Which they chant in hymns of joy;
Glory in the highest, glory!
Glory be to God Most High!
Peace on earth, good will from heaven,
Reaching far as man is found,-
Souls redeemed and sins forgiven;-
Loud our golden harps shall sound.
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