3 Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

4 Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, Solace in the midst of woe.

5 If Thou take Thy grace away, Nothing pure in man will stay; All his good is turned to ill.

6 Heal our wounds, our strength renew On our dryness pour Thy dew; Wash the stains of guilt away.

7 Bend the stubborn heart and will, Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide the steps that go astray.

8 Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee adore,

In Thy sevenfold gifts descend.

9 Give them comfort when they die, Give them life with Thee on high; Give them joys that never end.

286

Hermannus Contractus? (1013-1054).

Tr. by Rev. Edward Caswall (1814-1878), 1849. Ab.

Pleading for Mercy.

I LORD, in this Thy mercy's day,
Ere from us it pass away,
On our knees we fall and pray.

2 Holy Jesus, grant us tears,
Fill us with heart-searching fears,
Ere that day of doom appears.

3 Lord, on us Thy Spirit pour,
Kneeling lowly at the door,
Ere it close for evermore.

4 By Thy night of agony, By Thy supplicating cry, By Thy willingness to die,

5 By Thy tears of bitter woe
For Jerusalem below,

Let us not Thy love forego.
6 Judge and Saviour of our race,
Grant us, when we see Thy face,
With Thy ransomed ones a place.

Rev. Isaac Williams, (1802-1865), 1844. Ab

Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, To guide our souls to Heaven.

2 Its light, descending from above, Our gloomy world to cheer, Displays a Saviour's boundless love, And brings His glories near.

3 It shows to man his wandering ways, And where his feet have trod;

And brings to view the matchless grace
Of a forgiving God.

4 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts,
In this dark vale of tears;
Life, light, and joy it still imparts,
And quells our rising fears.

5 This lamp, thro' all the tedious night
Of life, shall guide our way,
Till we behold the clearer light

Of an eternal day.

Rev. John Fawcett (1739-1817), 1782. Ab

291 "Walte, walte nah und fern."

I SPREAD, O spread, thou mighty Word,
Spread the kingdom of the Lord,
Wheresoe'er His breath has given
Life to beings meant for Heaven.

2 Tell them how the Father's will
Made the world, and keeps it still;
How He sent His Son to save
All who help and comfort crave.
KÖNIGSBERG. 7.6.D.

7. 3 Word of life, most pure and strong,
Lo, for Thee the nations long:
Spread, till from its dreary night
All the world awakes to light.

4 Lord of harvest, let there be
Joy and strength to work for Thee:
Let the nations, far and near,

See Thy light, and learn Thy fear.

Rev. Jonathan Frederic Bahnmaier (1774-1841), 1823. Tr. by Miss Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878), 1858. Ab.

Har. by FELIX MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847),