4.

As rain on meadows newly mown,
So shall he send his influence down:
His grace on fainting souls distills,
Like heavenly dew on thirsty hills.

5.

The heathen lands, that lie beneath
The shades of overspreading death,
Revive at his first dawning light,
And deserts blossom at the sight.

6.

The saints shall flourish in his days, Drest in the robes of joy and praise; Peace, like a river, from his throne Shall flow to nations yet unknown. 206. L. M. EXETER COLLECTION.

Reverence and love to Jesus.

1.

FATHER of Jesus, God of love,
Of every joy and hope the spring!
For the rich grace by him bestow'd
To thee our grateful praise we bring.

2.

Of pardon and eternal life

Thy mercy form'd the gracious plan;
And Jesus, sent by thee, convey'd
The glorious news to sinful man.

3.

To seal the covenant which he brought, He pass'd thro' suffering, shame, and death; And shall not we his claims revere,

And love him to our latest breath?

4.

0 may his love our hearts inspire
His holy precepts to obey;
His spirit ever be our own,

His promise cheer in life's last day!

5.

And when we stand before his bar,
May Jesus own us as his friends!
Then to his glory we shall rise,
And share the bliss which never ends.

BEHOLD where in a mortal form
Appears each grace divine;
The virtues, all in Jesus met,
With mildest radiance shine.

2.

The largest love of human kind
Inspired his godlike breast;
In deeds of mercy, words of peace,
His kindness was exprest.

3.

To spread the rays of heavenly light,
To give the mourner joy,
To preach glad tidings to the poor,
Was his divine employ.

4.

Lowly in heart, to all his friends

A friend and servant found,

He wash'd their feet, he wiped their tears, And heal'd each bleeding wound.

5.

Midst keen reproach and cruel scorn
Patient and meek he stood;
His foes, ungrateful, sought his life,
He labour'd for their good.

6.

To God he left his righteous cause,
And still his task pursued;
While humble prayer and holy faith
His fainting strength renew'd.

7.

In the last hour of deep distress,
Before his Father's throne

With soul resign'd he bow'd, and said,
Thy will, not mine, be done!"

8.

Be Christ our pattern and our guide!
His image may we bear!

O may we tread his sacred steps,
And his bright glories share!

[I am the good shepherd. John x.]

1.

As the good shepherd leads his sheep
Through paths secure,

And, whilst a-fold by night they sleep,
Doth keep them sure;

So the true shepherd, Christ, our souls doth guide,

Safe in his eye, protected by his side.

2.

Great Shepherd! do we know thy voice,
And follow thee?

Is thy safe fold our rule and choice,
From bondage free?

Upheld by faith the obedient sheep shall stand,

"And none shall pluck them from thy Fa"ther's hand.'

3.

But oh! what mortal tongue shall sing
Thy wondrous love?

Death could not with his threatened sting
Thy purpose move:

Conqueror of death, andpledge of life to rise,
Joy of the earth, and heir of subject skies.

4.

Shepherd! with joy we hear thy call
That leads to heaven:

Let none from that salvation fall
So freely given!

But, as thy sacred records long foretold,
Be the wide-peopled earth 'one happy fold.

209. s. M.

NEEDHAM.

Christ the light of the world.

1.

BEHOLD, the Prince of Peace,
The chosen of the Lord,
God's well-beloved son, fulfills
The sure prophetic word.

2.

No royal pomp. adorns

This king of righteousness: Meekness and patience, truth and love Compose his princely dress.

3.

The spirit of the Lord,
In rich abundance shed,

On this great prophet gently lights,
And rests upon his head.

4.

Jesus, thou light of men!
Thy doctrine life imparts:
O may we feel its quickening power
To warm and glad our hearts!

5.

Cheer'd by thy beams, our souls
Shall run the heavenly way:

The path which thou hast mark'd and trod
Will lead to endless day.

210. L. M. WATTS.

The extent and blessings of Christ's kingdom.

1.

JESUS shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

2.

For him shall endless prayer be made,
And princes throng to crown his head;
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.