Hath broke the darksome gloom:
For this our tongues thy love proclaim,
And chant the honours of thy name.
4 Now may we dwell in peace,
Till here again we come;
And may our love increase,
Till thou shalt guide us home:
Then shall our tongues thy love proclaim,
And chant the honours of thy name.
HADI the tongues of Greeks and Jews,
And nobler speech than angels use,
If love be absent, I am found
Like tinkling brass, an empty sound.
2 Were I inspired to preach and tell
All that is done in heaven and hell;
Or could my faith the world remove,
Still I am nothing without love.
3 Should I distribute all my store
To feed the hungry, clothe the poor;
Or give my body to the flame,
To gain a martyr's glorious name;
4 If love to God, and love to men
Be absent, all my hopes are vain :
Nor tongues, nor gifts, nor fiery zeal,
The work of love can e'er fulfil.
APPY is he, whose early years
Receive instruction well:
Who hates the sinner's path, and fears
The road that leads to hell.
2 Our youth, devoted to the Lord,
Is pleasing in his eyes;
A flower when offer'd in the bud
Is no mean sacrifice.
3 'Tis easier work, if we begin
To fear the Lord betimes;
While sinners, who grow old in sin
Are harden'd in their crimes.
4 It saves us from a thousand fears
To mind religion young;
With joy it crowns succeeding years,
And renders virtue strong.
5 To thee, Almighty God, to thee
Our hearts we now resign;
'Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.
6 We'll do thy work, we'll speak thy praise,
Whilst we have life and breath;
Thus we're prepar'd for longer days,
Or fit for early death.
The Glory and Defence of the Church.
HAPPY the Church! thou sacred place,
The seat of thy Creator's grace!
The holy courts are his abode,
Thou earthly palace of our God.
2 Thy walls are strength, and at thy gates
A guard of heavenly angels waits;
Nor shall the deep foundations move,
Built on the counsels of his love.
3 Thy foes in vain designs engage,
Against thy walls in vain they rage;
Like rising waves, with anger roar,
That dash and die upon the shore.
4 Then let our souls in Zion dwell,
Nor fear the power of earth or hell;
Since God defends the happy ground,
Like brazen bulwarks built around.
5 God is our sun, God is our shield,
Light and protection he will yield;
And we beneath the genial rays
Will sing his love, and speak his praise. WATTS.
"APPY the mind where graces reign,
And love inspires the breast;
Love is the brightest of the train,
And strengthens all the rest.
2 Knowledge, alas! 'tis all in vain,
And all in vain our fear;
Our stubborn sins will fight and reign
If love be absent there.
3 'Tis love that makes our cheerful feet
In swift obedience move;
Affliction's bitter cup is sweet,
When mixed with heavenly love.
4 Soon as we drop this mortal clay,
And leave this dark abode,
On wings of love we'll soar away,
To see our Father, God.
5 This is the grace that lives and sings,
When faith and hope shall cease;
'Tis this shall strike our joyful strings, In realms of endless peace.
HYMN 358. L. M.
Rich Treasure in earthen Vessels.
H Thy favours, how divine!
OW rich thy bounty, King of kings!
The blessings which thy gospel brings,
How splendidly they shine!
2 Gold is but dross, and gems but toys;
Should gold and gems compare,
How mean! when set against those joys
Thy poorest servants share!
3 Yet all these treasures of thy grace
Are lodged in urns of clay,
And the weak sons of mortal race
The immortal gifts convey.
4 Feebly they lisp thy glories forth,
Yet grace the victory gives!
Quickly they moulder back to earth,
Yet still the gospel lives.
5 Such wonders, power divine effects;
Such trophies, God can raise ;
His hand from crumbling dust erects
His monuments of praise. Salisbury Coll.
HYMN 359. S. M.
The Love of Truth.
MPOSTURE shrinks from light,
and dreads the curious eye;
But Christian truths the test invite,
They bid us search and try.
A meek inquiring mind,
Lord, help us to maintain;
That growing knowledge we may find,
And growing virtue gain.
With understanding blest,
Created to be free,
Our faith on man we dare not rest,
Subject to none but thee.
4 Give us the light we need,
Our minds with knowledge fill!
From noxious error guard our creed,
From prejudice, our will.
5 The truth thou shalt impart,
May we with firmness own;
Abhorring each evasive art,
And fearing thee alone.
HYMN 360.
God our Portion. Ps. iv. 6, 7.
N vain the erring world inquires
For true substantial good;
Whilst earth confines their low desires,
They live on airy food.
2 Illusive dreams of happiness
Their eager thoughts employ ;
They wake, convinc'd their boasted bliss
Was visionary joy.
3 Not all the good, which earth bestows,
Can fill the craving mind;
Its highest joys have mingled woes,
And leaves a sting behind.
4 Begone, ye gilded vanities!
I seek some solid good!
To real bliss my wishes rise,
The favour of my God.
5 To thee, my God, my soul aspires;
Dispel these shades of night;
Enlarge and fill these vast desires
With infinite delight.
6 Immortal joy thy smiles impart,
Heaven dawns in ev'ry ray;
One glimpse of thee will glad my heart,
And turn my night to day.
HYMN 361. L. M.
The Blessings of the Gospel.
'N various forms, to saints of old,
God did his mind and will unfold;
But Christ, commission'd from above,
Hath now reveal'd his grace and love.
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