"E'VE no abiding city here
Sad truth, were this to be our home!
But let this thought our spirit cheer,
We seek a city yet to come.
2 We've no abiding city here—
Then let us live as pilgrims do:
Let not the world our rest appear,
But let us haste from all below.
3 We've no abiding city here;
We seek a city out of sight-
Zion its name, the Lord is there,
It shines with everlasting light.
4 Zion! Jehovah is her strength,
Secure she smiles at all her foes,
And weary travellers at length
Within her sacred walls repose.
5 O blest abode of peace and love,
Where pilgrims freed from toil are blest!
Had we the pinions of the dove,
We'd fly to thee and be at rest.
CHRIST! our hope, our hearts' desire,
Redemption's only spring!
Creator of the world art Thou,
Its Saviour and its King!
2 How vast the mercy and the love
Which laid our sins on Thee,
And led Thee to a cruel death,
To set Thy people free!
3 But now the bonds of death are burst,
The ransom hath been paid;
And Thou art on Thy Father's throne,
In robes of light arrayed.
O may Thy mighty love prevail,
Our sinful souls to spare!
O may we come before Thy throne,
And find acceptance there!
5 O Christ! be Thou our present joy,
Our future great reward!
Our only glory may it be
To glory in the Lord!
SUN of righteousness, arise
With healing in Thy wings!
To my diseased, my fainting soul
Thy light salvation brings.
2 These clouds of pride and sin dispel
By Thine all-piercing beam;
Lighten mine eyes with faith, my heart
With holy hope inflame !
3 My mind by Thine all-quickening power
From low desires set free;
Unite my scattered thoughts, and fix
My love entire on Thee!
O up, go up, my heart,
Dwell with thy God above;
For here thou canst not rest,
Nor here give out thy love.
2 Go up, go up, my heart,
Be not a trifler here;
Ascend above these clouds,
Dwell in a higher sphere.
3 Let not thy love flow out
To things so soiled and dim;
Go up to heaven and God,
Take up thy love to Him.
4 Waste not thy precious stores
On creature love below:
To God that wealth belongs,
On Him that wealth bestow.
Go up, reluctant heart,
Take up thy rest above;
Arise, earth-clinging thoughts,
Ascend, my lingering love!
E walk on earth, and to its ways
Our time and thoughts are given:
Yet, amid all its busiest days,
Our hearts may be in heaven.
Nothing so lightens the dull load
Life's urgent claims impose,
As close communion with our God;
It is our best repose.
2 When vexed with ills, which we despair
To baffle, or control,
The lifting of the heart in prayer
Sheds sunshine on the soul.
When disappointed in the love
We leaned on too secure,
What joy it is to look above,
And feel-one Friend is sure!
3 Thus we in peace our souls possess,
Though all around be fear,
Full of the blessed consciousness
That heaven is sure, and near.
We can bear any cross, or grief,
If, with their gloom, be given
This one sweet secret of relief,
To keep our thoughts in heaven.
GOD! by whom the seed is given,
By whom the harvest blest;
Whose word, like manna showered from heaven,
Is planted in our breast;
2 Preserve it from the passing feet,
And plunderers of the air;
The sultry sun's intenser heat,
And weeds of worldly care!
3 Though buried deep or thinly strewn,
Do Thou Thy grace supply:
The hope in earthly furrows sown
Shall ripen in the sky!
RY us, O God, and search the ground
Of every sinful heart;
Whate'er of sin in us is found,
O bid it all depart.
z When to the right or left we stray,
Leave us not comfortless;
But guide our feet into the way
Of everlasting peace.
3 Help us to help each other, Lord,
Each other's cross to bear;
Let each his friendly aid afford,
And feel his brother's care.
4 Help us to build each other up,
Each other's grace improve:
Increase our faith, confirm our hope,
And perfect us in love.
LORD, Thou hast searched me out, and known
My rising up and lying down:
Thou know'st them all-each thought in me
Far off is deeply traced by Thee.
2 Discoverer of my path and bed,
Companion sure where'er I tread;
Ere from my tongue a word can fall,
Behold, O Lord, Thou knowest all!
3 Behind, before me, all around,
Thy potent arm my frame hath bound:
I feel Thine hand, but may not see-
O wondrous skill, too high for me!
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