150

WE

VE THREE kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse far,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Oh, star of wonder, star of might,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to the perfect light.

2 Born a Babe on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold we bring to crown Him again;
King for ever-ceasing never-
Over us all to reign.

Oh, star of wonder, etc.

3 Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on High.
Oh, star of wonder, etc.

4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Oh, star of wonder, etc.

5 Glorious now behold Him rise,
King and God and Sacrifice;
"Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"
Heaven and earth replies.
Oh, star of wonder, etc.

Ano n.

151

WHAT star is this, with beams so bright,
A stranger midst the orbs of light?
It shines to herald forth the King,
Glad tidings of our God to bring.

2 See now fulfilled what God decreed,
"From Jacob shall a Star proceed:"
And lo! the eastern sages stand,
To read in heaven the Lord'scommand.

3 Oh, while the Star of heavenly grace Invites us, Lord, to seek Thy face, May we no more that grace repel,

Or quench the light which shines so well.

Turle's Psalms and Hymns.

152

BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the mor

ning,

Dawn on our darkness, and lend us Thine

aid;

Star of the East, the horrizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2 Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining; Low lies His head with the beasts of the

stall:

Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker, and Monarch, and Savior of all!

3 Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Odors of Edom, and offerings divine? Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the

ocean,

Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gifts would His favor secure: Richer by far is the heart's adoration;

Dearer to God are the pray'rs of the poor.

5 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us Thine aid;

Star of the East, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

R. Heber.

AH

Lent

154

H, HOLY Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pre-
tended?

By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.

2 Who was the guilty, who brought this upon Thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee! 'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied Thee: I crucified Thee.

3 Lo, the good Shepherd for the sheep is of

fered;

The slave hath sinnéd, and the Son hath suf

fered;

For man's atonement, while he nothing heedeth,

God intercedeth.

4 For me, kind Jesus, was Thy incarnation, Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life's oblation; Thy death of anguish, and Thy bitter passion, For my salvation.

5 Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,

I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee: Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving, Not my deserving.

J. Heermann. R. Bridges, Tr.

2 O sinful man,

It was the ban

Of death on thee that brought Him
Down to suffer for thy sins,
And such woe hath wrought Him.

3 Behold thy Lord,

The Lamb of God,

Blood-sprinkled lies before thee,
Pouring out His life that He
May to life restore thee.

4 O Ground of faith,

Laid low in death!

Sweet lips now silent sleeping!
Surely all that live must mourn
Here with bitter weeping.

5 Yea, blest is he

Whose heart shall be

Fixed here and apprehendeth
Why the Lord of glory thus
To the grave descendeth.