16 "Begotten again unto an inheritance that fadeth not away."-1 Pet. i. 3, 4.
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under
the shadow of the Almighty."—Ps. xci. 1.
"At even when the sun did set, they brought unto Him all that
were diseased.
St. Mark i. 32.
I AT even, ere the sun was set,
The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay:
Oh, in what divers pains they met !
f Oh, with what joy they went away!
Once more 'tis eventide, and we
Oppressed with various ills draw near :
What if Thy form we cannot see?
We know and feel that Thou art here.
P 2 O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel ;
For some are sick, and some are sad,
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had;
And some are pressed with worldly care;
And some are tried with sinful doubt;
And some such grievous passions tear
That only Thou canst cast them out;
P 3 And some have found the world is vain.
Yet from the world they break not free;
And some have friends who give them pain,
Yet have not sought a friend in Thee.
And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.
4 O Saviour Christ, Thou too art Man;
Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried,
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide;
Thy touch has still its ancient power;
No word from Thee can fruitless fall;
Hear, in this solemn evening hour,
And in Thy mercy heal us all. Amen.
20 "The sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."-Eccles. i. 5.
I FATHER, by Thy love and power
Comes again the evening hour:
Light has vanished, labours cease,
Weary creatures rest in peace.
Thou, whose genial dews distil.
On the lowliest weed that grows,
Father, guard our bed from ill,
Lull Thy creatures to repose.
We to Thee ourselves resign;
Let our latest thoughts be Thine.
2 Saviour, to Thy Father bear
This our feeble evening prayer:
Thou hast seen how oft to-day
We like sheep have gone astray;
Worldly thoughts, and schemes of pride,
Wishes to Thy Cross untrue,
Secret faults, and undescried,
Meet Thy spirit-piercing view;
Blessed Saviour, yet through Thee
Grant that these may pardoned be.
P 3 Holy Spirit, let Thy balm
Fall on us in evening's calm: Yet awhile, before we sleep, We with Thee will vigils keep. Lead us on our sins to muse, Give us truest penitence; cres. Then the love of God infuse, Breathing humble confidence; Melt our spirits, mould our will, Soften, strengthen, comfort still.
4 Blessed Trinity, be near,
Through the hours of darkness drear; Then, when shrinks the lonely heart, Thou more clearly present art. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Watch o'er our defenceless heads, Let Thy Angels' guardian host Keep all evil from our beds, f Till the flood of morning rays f Wake us to a song of praise. Amen
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