Please note

The first 46  (Allan, it looks like there are more than 46 pages of typescript of hymns.  Renumbering therefore may be required.) pages of this book have been used for a selection of my favourite hymns.  They should be read slowly and carefully, two or three each day, in the form of a meditation.

I think it should be said that the writers of hymns have played a great part in bringing out a better understanding of the compassion, affection, devotion, adoration, tenderness and gentleness which mean and women can feel when in close communication with their God.

There is a God, I know,

I found him in my heart,

My progress is but slow,

But I have made a start.

He came to me when I was ill,

He came close and warmed my soul,

And I can find him near me still,

If his help I but enroll.

For he has pledged not to desert

One so much in need of care

And he will never, never hurt

One who seeks him everywhere.  

                                                                             Myself    7.12.1979

Morning

Awake my soul, and with the sun

My daily stage of duty run;

Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,

To pay thy morning sacrifice.

Redeem thy misspent moments past,

And live this day as if thy last;

Thy talents to improve take care;

For the great day thyself prepare.

Let all thy converse be sincere,

Thy conscience as the noonday clear;

For God’s all-seeing eye surveys

They secret thoughts, thy words and ways.

Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,

And with the angels bear thy part,

Who all night long unwearied sing

High praise to the eternal king.

All praise to thee, who safe hast kept,

And hast refreshed me whilst I slept.

Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,

I may of endless life partake.

Lord, I my vows to thee renew;

Disperse my sins as morning dew;

Guard my first springs of thought and will;

And with thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,

All I design, or do, or say,

That all my powers, with all their might,

In thy sole glory may unite.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise father, son, and Holy Ghost.

                                                                   Thomas Ken, 1637-1711

Closing of the Year

 
Across the sky the shades of night

This winter’s eve are fleeting;

We come to thee the life and light,

In solemn worship meeting;

And as the year’s last hours go by

We lift to thee our earnest cry,

Once more thy love entreating.

Before the cross subdued we bow,

To thee our prayers addressing;

Recounting all thy mercies now,

And all our sins confessing;

Beseeching thee, this coming year,

To hold us in thy faith and fear,

And crown us with thy blessing.

We gather up in this brief hour

The memory of thy mercies;

Thy wondrous goodness, love, and power

Our grateful song rehearses;

For thou hast been our strength and stay

In many a dark and dreary day

Of sorrow and reverses.

Then, O great God, in years to come,

Whatever fate betide us,

Right onward through our journey home

Be thou at hand to guide us;

Nor leave us till, at close of life,

Safe from all peril, toil, and strife,

Heaven shall receive and hide us.

                                                                   James Hamilton 1819-9

Reverence and Worship

King of Glory, king of peace,

I will love thee;

And that love may never cease,

I will move thee.

Thou hast granted my request,

Thou hast heard me;

Thou didst note my working breast,

Thou hast spared me.

Wherefore with my utmost art

I will sing thee,

And the cream of all my heart

I will bring thee.

Though my sins against me cried,

Thou didst clear me;

And alone, when they replied,

Thou didst hear me.

Seven whole days, not one in seven,

I will praise thee;

In my heart, though not in heaven,

I can raise thee.

Small it is, in this poor sort

To enrol thee;

E’en eternity’s too short

To extol thee.

                                                                   George Herbert, 1593-1632

God is Great

All things praise thee, Lord most high;

Heaven and earth and sea and sky,

All were for thy glory made,

That thy greatness thus displayed

Should all worship bring to thee;

All things praise thee: Lord, may we.

                                                          George Williams Conder, 1821-74

God’s love

 
O love of God, how strong and true;

Eternal, and yet ever new;

Uncomprehended and unbought,

Beyond all knowledge and al thought!

O heavenly love, how precious still,

In days of weariness and ill,

In nights of pain and helplessness,

To heal, to comfort, and to bless.

O wide-embracing, wondrous love;

We read thee in the sky above,

We read thee in the earth below,

In seas that swell and streams that flow.

We read thee best in him who come

To bear for us the cross of shame,

Sent by the father from on high,

Our life to life, our death to die.

We read thy power to bless and save

E’en in the darkness of the grave;

Still more in resurrection light

We read the fullness of thy might.

O love of God, our shield and stay

Through all the perils of our way;

Eternal love, in thee we rest,

For ever safe, for ever blest.

                                                                    Horatius Bonar, 1808-89

This verse appears on the Yorkshire moors

Thou, who hast given me eyes to see

And love this sight so fair,

Give me a heart to find out thee,

And read thee everywhere.

                                                          John Keble, 1792-1866

For memorial services

God of the living, in whose eyes

Unveiled thy whole creation lies,

All souls are thine; we must not say

That those are dead who pass away;

From this our world of flesh set free,

We know them living unto thee.

Released from earthly toil and strife,

With thee is hidden still their life;

Thine are their thoughts, their works, their powers,

All thine, and yet most truly ours;

For well we know, where’er they be,

Our dead are living unto thee.

Thy word is true, thy will is just;

To thee we leave them, Lord, in trust;

And bless thee for the love which gave

Thy son to fill a human grave,

That none might fear that world to see

Where all are living unto thee.

O giver unto man of breath,

O holder of the keys of death,

O quickener of the life within,

Save us from death, the death of sin;

That body, soul, and spirit be

For ever living unto thee!

                                                                   John Ellerton, 1826-93

Devotion

Father, let me dedicate

All the year to thee

In whatever worldly state

Thou wilt have me be;

Not from sorrow, pain or care,

Freedom dare I claim;

This alone shall be my prayer;

Glorify they name.

If in mercy thou wilt spare

Joys that yet are mine;

If on life, serene and fair,

Brighter rays may shine;

Let my glad heart, while it sings,

Thee in all proclaim.

And, Whate’er the future brings,

Glorify thy name.

If thou callest to the cross,

And its shadow come,

Turning all my gain to loss,

Shrouding heart and home;

Let me think how thy dear son

To this glory came,

And in deepest woe pray on:

Glorify thy name.

                                                                   Lawrence Tuttiett 1825-97

Adoration

Let us with a gladsome mine

Praise the Lord, for his is kind;

Let us blaze his name abroad,

For of Gods he is the God;

He, with all-commanding might,

Filled the new-made world with light;

All things living he doth feed,

His full hand supplies their need;

He his chosen race did bless

In the wasteful wilderness;

Let us then with gladsome mind

Praise the lord, for he is kind.

                                                                   John Milton, 1608-74

Opening of the Year

Standing at the portal of the opening year,

Words of comfort meet us, hushing every fear,

Spoken through the silence by our father’s voice,

Tender, strong, and faithful, making us rejoice.

Onward, then, and fear not, children of the day!

For his word shall never, never pass away!

I, the Lord, am with thee, be thou not afraid!

I will help and strengthen, be thou not dismayed!

Yea, I will uphold thee with my own right hand;

Thou art called and chosen in my sight to stand.

For the year before us, O what rich supplies!

For the poor and needy living streams shall rise;

For the sad and sinful shall his grace abound,

For the faint and feeble perfect strength be found.

He will never fail us, he will not forsake;

His eternal covenant he will never break!

Resting on his promise, what have we to fear?

God is all-sufficient for the coming year.

                                                Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836-79

Praise him!

Praise, O praise our God and King!

Hymns of adoration sing;

Praise him that he made the sun

Day by day his course to run;

And the silver moon by night,

Shining with her gentle light;

Praise him that he gave the rain

To mature the swelling grain;

And hath bid the fruitful field

Crops of precious increase yield;

Praise him for our harvest store,

He hath filled the garner floor;

And for richer food than this

Pledge of everlasting bliss;

Glory to our bounteous king!

Glory let creation sing.

                                                          Henry Williams Baker, 1821-77

Morning and Evening

My father, for another night

Of quiet sleep and rest.

For all the joy of morning light

Thy holy name be blest.

Now with the new-born day I give

Myself anew to thee,

That as thou willest I may live,

And what thou willest be

Whate’er I do, things great or small,

Whate’er I speak or frame,

Thy glory may I seek in all

Do all in Jesus’s name.

My father, for his sake, I pray,

Thy child accept and bless;

And lead me by thy grace today

In paths of righteousness.

          Henry Williams Baker, 1821-77

The opening of the Year

Another year is dawning:

Dear master, let it be,

In working or in waiting,

Another year for thee.

Another year of mercies,

Of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness

In the shining of thy face.

Another year of progress,

Another year of praise,

Another year of proving

Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service,

Of witness for thy love,

Another year of training

For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,

Dear master, let it be,

On earth, or else in heaven

Another year for thee.

                                                          Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836-79

His Life

What grace, O lord and beauty shone

Around thy steps below;

What patient love was seen in all

Thy life and death of woe!

For ever on the burdened heart

A weight of sorrow hung,

Yet no ungentle, murmuring word

Escaped thy silent tongue.

Thy foes might hate, despise, revile

Thy friend unfaithful prove.

Unwearied in forgiveness till,

Thy heart could only love.

O give us hearts to love like thee,

Like thee, O lord, to grieve

Far more for other’s sins, than all

The wrongs that we receive.

One with thyself, may every eye

In us, thy brethren, see

The gentleness and grace that spring

From union, lord, with thee.

The humane approach

We give thee but thine own,

Whate’er the gift may be;

All that we have is thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from thee.

May we thy bounties thus

As stewards true receive,

And gladly, as thou blessest us,

To thee our first-fruits give.

O hearts are bruised and dead,

And homes are bare and cold,

And lambs, for whom the shepherd bled,

Are straying from the fold.

To comfort and to bless,

To find a balm for woe,

To tend the lone and fatherless

Is angels’ work below.

The captive to release,

To God the lost to bring,

To teach the way of life and peace,

It is a Christ-like thing.

And we believe thy word,

Though dim our faith may be;

Whate’er for thine we do, O Lord,

We do it unto thee.  

                                                          William Walsham How, 1823-97

God’s giving

O Lord of heaven and earth and sea,

To thee all praise and glory be;

How shall we show our love to thee

Who givest all?

The golden sunshine, vernal air,

Sweet flowers and fruits thy love’s declare;

Where harvests ripen, thou art there,

Who givest all.

For peaceful homes and healthful days,

For all the blessings earth displays,

We owe thee thankfulness and praise,

Who givest all.

Thou didst not spare thine only son,

But gav’st him for a world undone,

And freely with that blessed one

Thou givest all.

Thou giv’st the spirit’s blessed dower,

Spirit of life, and love, and power,

And dost  his sevenfold graces shower

Upon us all.

For souls redeemed, for sins forgiven,

For means of grace and hopes of heaven,

Father, all praise to thee be given,

Who givest all.

                                                          Christopher Wordsworth,       1807-85

The Lord’s Ways

Wide as the world is thy command;

Vast as eternity thy love;

Firm as a rock thy trust shall stand,

When rolling years shall cease to move.

                                                                   Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

God’s grace in sickness

Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old,

Was strong to heal and save;

It triumphed o’er disease and death,

O’er darkness and the grave.

To thee they went – the blind, the dumb,

The palsied, and the lame,

The leper with his tainted life,

The sick with fevered frame.

And, lo, thy touch brought life and health,

Gave speech, and strength, and sight;

And youth renewed and frenzy calmed

Owned thee, the God of lights;

And now, O Lord, be near to bless,

Almighty as of yore,

In crowded street, by restless couch,

As by Gennesaret’s shore.

Be thou our great deliverer still,

Thou lord of life and death;

Restore and quicken, soothe and bless,

With thine almighty breath;

To hands that work and eyes that see

Give wisdom’s heavenly lore,

That whole and sick, and weak and strong,

May praise thee evermore.

                                                          Edward Hayes Plumptre, 1821-91

God’s peace in the night

Glory to thee, my God, this night,

For all the blessings of the light:

Keep me, O keep me, king of kings,

Beneath thine own almighty wings.

Forgive me, Lord, for thy hear son,

The ill that I this day have done;

That with the world, myself, and thee,

I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

Teach me to live, that I may dread

The grave as little as my bed;

Teach me to die, that so I may

Rise glorious at the awful day.

O may my soul on thee repose,

And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close;

Sleep that may me more vigorous make

To serve my God when I awake.

If in the night I sleepless lie,

My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;

Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,

No powers of darkness me molest.

O may I always ready stand

With my lamp burning in my hand;

May I in sight of heaven rejoice

Whene’er I hear the bridegroom’s voice.

All praise to thee in light arrayed,

Who light thy dwelling-place hast made;

A boundless ocean of bright beams

From thy all-glorious Godhead streams.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

Praise him all creatures here below;

Praise  him above, ye heavenly host:

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

                                                                   Thomas Ken 1637-1711

For absent friends

Father, who art alone our helper and our stay,

O hear us, as we plead for loved ones far away,

And shield with thine almighty hand

Our wanderers by sea and land.

For thou, our father God, art present everywhere,

And bendest low thine ear to catch the faintest prayer,

Waiting rich blessings to bestow

On all thy children here below.

O compass with thy love the daily path they tread;

And may thy light and truth upon their hearts be shed,

That, one in all things with thy will,

Heaven’s peace and joy their souls may fill.

Guard them from every harm when dangers shall assail,

And teach them that thy power can never, never fail:

We cannot with our loved ones be,

But trust them, Father, unto thee.

                                                Edith Jones: Home Hymn Book, 1885

For travellers

Holy Father, in thy mercy,

Hear our anxious prayer;

Keep our loved ones, now far distant,

‘neath thy care.

Jesus, Saviour, let thy presence

Be their light and guide;

Keep, O keep them, in their weariness,

At thy side.

When in sorrow, when in danger,

When in loneliness,

In thy love look down and comfort

Their distress.

May the joy of thy salvation

Be their strength and stay;

May they love and may they praise thee

Day by day.

Holy spirit, let thy teaching

Sanctify their life;

Send thy grace that they may conquer

In their strife.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

God, the one in three,

Bless them, guide them, save them, keep them

Near to thee.

                                                Isobel Stephana Stevenson, 1843-90

Our Country

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,

Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;

The love that asks no question, the  love that stands the test

That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;

The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,

The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago,

Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;

We may not count her armies, we may not see her king;

Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;

And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,

And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

                                                          Cecil Spring-Rice, 1859-1918

Our suffering Saviour

Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to men,

Upon a cross they bound thee;

And mocked thy saving  kingship then

By thorns with which they crowned thee:

And still our wrongs may weave thee now

New thorns to pierce that steady brow,

And robe of sorrow round thee.

O awful love which found no room

In life where sin denied thee,

And, doomed to death, must bring to doom

The power which crucified thee,

Not a stone was left on stone,

And all a nation’s pride o’erthrown

Went down to dust beside thee.

New advent of the love of Christ,

Shall we again refuse thee,

Till in the night of hate and war

We perish as we lose thee?

From old unfaith our soul release,

To seek the kingdom of thy peace,

By which alone we choose thee.

O wounded hands of Jesus, build

In us thy new creation;

Our pride is dust, our vaunt is stilled,

We wait thy revelation:

O love that triumphs over loss,

We bring our hearts before thy cross,

To finish thy salvation.

                                                                   Walter Russell Bowie, 1882- 

Happy in the love of God

Rejoice today with one accord,

Sing out with exultation;

Rejoice and praise our mighty lord,

Whose arm hath brought salvation;

His works of love proclaim

The greatness of his name;

For he is God alone,

Who hath his mercy shown;

Let all his saints adore him.

When in distress to him we cried,

He heard our sad complaining;

O trust in him, whate’er betide,

His love is all-sustaining;

Triumphant songs of praise

To him our hearts shall raise;

Now every voice shall say

O praise our God always;

Let all his saints adore him.

                                                          Henry Williams Baker, 1821-77

Thirsting for Christ

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,

Christ, the true, the only light,

Sun of righteousness, arise,

Triumph o’er the shades of night;

Day-spring from on high, be near;

Day-star, in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn

Unaccompanied by thee;

Joyless is the day’s return,

Till thy mercy’s beams I see,

Till thou inward light impart,

Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

Visit then this soul of mine;

Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;

Fill me, radiancy divine;

Scatter all my unbelief;

More and more thyself display,

Shining to the perfect day.

                                                                   Charles Wesley, 1707-88

In sorrow and are we seek our God

O love divine, that stooped to share

Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear,

On thee we cast each earth-born care;

We smile at pain while thou art near.

Though long the weary way we tread,

And sorrow crown each lingering year,

No path we shun, no darkness dread,

Our hearts still whispering:

Thou art near.

When drooping pleasure turns to grief,

And trembling faith is changed to fear,

The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf,

Shall softly tell us: thou art near.

On thee we fling our burdening woe,

O lord divine, for ever dear;

Content to suffer, while we know,

Living and dying, thou art near.

                                                          Oliver Wendell Holmes 1808-94

For of such is the Kingdom of god

I think, when I read that sweet story of old,

When Jesus was here among men,

Now he called little children as lambs to his fold,

I should like to have been with them then;

I wish that his hands had been placed on my head,

That his arms had been thrown around me,

And that I might have seen his kind look when he said:

Let the little ones come unto me!

Yet still to his footstool in prayer I may go,

And ask for a share in his love;

And if I now earnestly seek him below,

In that beautiful place he is gone to prepare

For all who are washed and forgiven;

And many dear children are gathering there,

For of such is the kingdom of heaven.

But thousands and thousands who wander and fall

Never herd of that heavenly home;

I should like them to know here is room for them all,

And that Jesus has bid them to come,

I long for the joy of that glorious time,

The sweetest and brightest and best,

When the dear little children of every clime

Shall crowd to his arms and be blessed.

                                                          Jemima Luke, 1813-1906

A prayer for help

Jesus I am in despair,

I do not know which way to turn;

I try and sense you everywhere,

But you are difficult to discern.

Prayer for guidance

Lord and saviour, true and kind,

Be the master of my mind;

Bless and guide and strengthen still

All my powers of thought and will.

While I ply the scholar’s task,

Jesus Christ, be near, I ask;

Help the memory, clear the brain,

Knowledge still to seek and gain.

Here I train for life’s swift race;

Let me do it in thy grace:

Here I arm me for life’s fight;

Let me do it in thy might.

Thou hast made me mind and soul;

I for thee would use the whole:

Thou hast died that I might live;

All my powers to thee I give.

Striving, thinking, learning still,

Let me follow thus thy will,

Till my whole glad nature be

Trained for duty and for thee.

                                                Handley Carr Glyn Moule, 1841-1920

A child’s appeal – “reveal to me the Lord Jesus”

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;

Things I would ask him to tell me if he were here;

Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,

Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

First let me hear how the children stood round his knee;

And I shall fancy his blessing resting on me:

Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,

All in the love-light of Jesu’s face.

Tell how the sparrow that twitters on yonder tree

And the sweet meadow – side lily may speak to me;

Give me their message, for I would hear

How Jesus taught us our father’s care.

Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea,

Tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee ;

And now the master, ready and kind,

Chided the billow and hushed the wind.

Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,

Waving a branch of the palm-tree high in my hand;

One of his heralds, yes, I would sing

Loudest Hosannas! Jesus is King!

Show me that scene, in the garden of bitter pain;

And of the cross where my saviour for me was slain:

Sad ones or bright ones, so that they be,

Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

                                                          William Henry Parker, 1845-1929

Answer my request

Creator of the universe divine,

Take my heart and make it thine;

Nothing matters in this world

Only that your nature be unfurled.

                                                                             By myself

Give us the blessing that was Samuel’s

Hushed was the evening hymn,

They temple courts were dark,

The lamp was burning dim

Before the sacred Ark ,

When suddenly a voice divine

Rang through the silence of the shrine.

The old man, meek and mild,

The priest of Israel slept;

His watch the temple child,

The little levite, kept:

And what from Eli’s sense was sealed

The Lord to Hannah’s son revealed.

O give me Samuel’s ear

The open ear, O Lord

Alive and quick to hear

Each whisper of  thy word;

Like him to answer at thy call,

And to obey thee first of all.

O give me Samuel’s heart

A lowly heart, that waits

Where in thy house thou art

Or watches at thy gates

of  day and night – a heart that still

moves at the breathing of thy will.

O give me Samuel’s mind

O sweet murmuring faith,

Obedient and resigned

To thee in life and death,

That I may read with children eyes

Truths that are hidden from the wise.

                                                          James Drummond Burns, 1823-64  

A child’s appeal

I love to think, though I am young,

My saviour was a child

That Jesus walked this earth along

With feet all undefiled.

He kept his father’s word of truth,

As I am taught to do;

And while he walked the paths of youth,

He walked in wisdom too.

I love to think that he who spake

And made the blind to see,

And called the sleeping dead to wake,

Was once a child like me.

That he who wore the thorny crown,

And tasted death’s despair,

Had a kind mother like my own,

And knew her love and care.

I know ‘twas all for love of me

That he became a child,

And left the heavens, so fair to see,

And trod earth’s pathway wild.

Then, saviour, who wast once a child,

A child may come to thee;

And O in all thy mercy mild,

Dear saviour, come to me!

                                                Edwin Paxton Hood 1820-85

The saint’s homecoming

The saints of God, their conflict past,

And life’s long battle won at last,

No more they need the shield or sword;

They cast them down before their Lord:

O happy saints! For ever blest,

At Jesu’s feet how safe their rest.

The saints of God, their wanderings done,

No more their weary course thy run,

No more they faith, no more they fall,

No foes oppress, no fears appal:

O happy saints! For ever blest,

In that dear home, how sweet their rest.

The saints of God, life’s voyage o’er

Safe landed on that blissful shore,

No stormy tempests now they dread,

No roaring billow lift their head:

O happy saints! For ever blest,

In that calm haven of their rest.

O God of saints, to thee we cry;

O saviour, plead for us on high;

O Holy Ghost, our guide and friend,

Grant us thy grace till life shall end:

That with all saints our rest may be

In that bright paradise with thee.

                                                William Dalrymple Maclagan 1826-1910

A child’s prayer

Father, lead me day by day

Ever in thine own sweet way;

Teach me to be pure and true,

Show me what I ought to do.

When in danger, make me brave;

Make me know that thou canst save;

Keep me safe by thy dear side;

Let me in thy love abide.

When I’m tempted to do wrong,

Make me steadfast, wise and strong;

and when all alone I stand,

shield me with thy mighty hand.

When my heart is full of glee,

Helped me to remember thee,

Happy most of all to know

That my father love me so.

When my work seems hard and dry,

May I press on cheerily;

Help me patiently to bear

Plain and hardship, toil and care.

May I see the good and bright

When they pass before my sight;

May I hear the heavenly voice

When the pure and wise rejoice.

                                                          John Page Hopps, 1834-1912

Follow Jesus vv.5 and 6 only

Men wake, glad heart, awake, awake!

And seek thy risen lord;

Joy in his resurrection take,

And comfort in his word.

And let thy life through all its ways

One long thanksgiving be;

Its theme of joy, its song of praise –

Christ died and rose for me.

                                      John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1911-75)

Mankind can bring God to everyone

God is working his purpose out, as year succeeds to year;

God is working his purpose out, and the time is drawing wear –

Nearer and nearer draws the time – the time that shall surely be,

When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea.

From utmost east to utmost west, where’er man’s foot path trod.

By the mouth of many messengers goes forth the voice of God:

Give ear to me, ye continents – ye isles, give ear to me,

That the earth may be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea.

What can we do to work God’s work, to prosper and increase the brotherhood of all mankind – the reign of the prince of peace?

What can we do to hasten the time – the time that shall surely be,

When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea?

March we forth in the strength of God, with the banner of Christ unfurled,

That the light of the glorious gospel of truth may shine throughout the world:

Fight we the fight with sorrow and sin, to set their captives free,

That the earth may be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth, unless God blesses the deed;

Vainly we ho0pe for the harvest-tide, till God gives life to the seed;

Yet nearer and nearer draws the time – the time that shall surely be,

When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea.

                                                Arthur Campbell Ainger, 1841-1919

A prayer for the world

Almighty father, who dost give

The lift of life to all who live,

Look down on all earth’s sin and strife

And lift us to a nobler life.

Lift up our hearts, O king of kings,

To brighter hopes and kindlier things,

To visions of a larger good.

And holier dreams of  brotherhood.

They world is weary of its pain,

Of selfish greed and fruitless gain,

Of tarnished honour, falsely strong,

And all its ancient deeds of wrong.

Hear thou the prayer thy servants pray,

Uprising from all lands today,

And o’er the vanquished powers of sin

O bring thy great salvation in.

                             John Howard Bertram Masterman, 1867-1933

Deliverance from Oppression

King of the city splendid,

Eternal in the height.

May all our country’s cities

Be holy in thy sight;

Cleansed from the deeds of darkness –

Cities of light.

Teach love to gladden children

That know not childhood’s mirth,

Wronged of their rights -  no beauty

In their scant reach of earth;

To hope’s large sunshine give them

A second birth.

Lord, end the spell of passion,

Break thou the drunkard’s lure:

Thou art the one physician

The human heart to cure;

The wavering will to strengthen,

Foul life make pure.

Give joy to all the joyless,

Song’s voice to sorrows dumb,

May light invade with blessing

Each dark and deathly slum;

Into earth’s realms of horror

Thy kingdom come!

Soon may our country’s cities,

Thy robe of glory wear;

Each place of toil a temple,

Each house a home of prayer:

Each city’s name of beauty –

The lord is there!

                                                          George Thomas Coster, 1835-1912

Help us to find thee, O God

Where cross the crowded ways of life,

Where sound the cries of race and clan,

Above the noise of selfish strife,

We hear thy voice, O son of Man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,

On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,

From paths where hide the lures of greed,

We catch the vision of thy tears.

From tender childhood’s helplessness,

From woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil,

From famished souls, from sorrow’s stress,

Thy heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water given for thee

Still holds the freshness of thy grace;

Yet long these multitudes to see

The sweet compassion of thy face.

O master, from the mountain side,

Make haste to heal these harts of pain;

Among these restless throngs abide,

O tread the city’s streets again:

Till sons of men shall learn thy love,

And follow where thy feet have trod;

Till glorious from thy heaven above,

Shall come the city of our God.  

                                                          Frank Mason North 1850-1936

Ask and you will receive

My Jesus, may I ask your help,

In troubles that I find myself;

I am not now so close to you,

I’m one of the many, not the few.

                                                          By myself

Lord, help us to remember thee

According to thy gracious word,

In meek humility,

This will I do, my dying Lord,

I will remember thee.

Thy body, broken for my sake,

My bread from heaven shall be;

Thy testamental cup I take,

And thus remember thee.

When to the cross I turn mine eyes,

And rest on Calvary ,

O lamb of God, my sacrifice,

I must remember thee –

Remember thee, and all thy pains,

And all thy love to me;

Yea, while a breath, a pulse remains,

Will I remember thee.

And when these failing lips grow dumb,

And mind and memory flee,

When thou shalt in thy kingdom come,

Jesus, remember me.

                                                          James Montgomery, 1771-1854

Help us to reveal thee

God make my life a little light

Within the world to glow;

A little flame that burneth bright,

Wherever I may go.

God make my life a little flower

That giveth joy to all,

Content to bloom in native bower,

Although the place be small.

God make my life a little song

That comforteth the sad,

That helpeth others to be strong,

And makes the singer glad.

God make my life a little staff

Whereon the weak may rest,

That so what health and strength I have

May serve my neighbours best.

God make my life a little hymn

Of tenderness and praise,

Of faith, that never waxeth dim,

In all his wondrous ways.

                             Matilda Barbrara Betham-Edwards, 1836-1919

A prayer for peace

O god of love, O king of peace,

Make wars throughout the world to cease;

The wrath of sinful man restrain;

Give peace, O god, give peace again.

Remember, Lord, thy works of old,

The wonders that our fathers told;

Remember not our sin’s dark stain;

Give peace, O God, give peace again.

Whom shall we trust but thee O lord?

Where rest but on thy faithful word?

None ever called on thee in vain:

Give peace, O God, give peace again.

Where saints and angels dwell above,

All hearts are knit in holy love;

O bind us in that heavenly chain:

Give peace, O god, give peace again.

                                                          Henry Williams Baker, 1821-77

Let us remember your years upon this earth, O Lord

I cannot tell why he, when angels worship,

Should set his love upon the sons of men,

Or why, as shepherd, he should seek the wanderers,

To bring them back, they know not how or when.

But this I know, that he was born of Mary,

When Bethlehem ’s manger was his only home,

And that he lived at Nazareth and laboured,

And so the saviour, saviour of the world, is come.

I cannot tell how silently he suffered,

As with his peace he graced this place of tears,

Or how his heart upon the cross was broken,

The crown of pain to three and thirty years.

But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted,

And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,

And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,

For yet the saviour, saviour of the world, is here.

I cannot tell how he will win the nations,

How he will claim his earthly heritage,

How satisfy the needs and aspirations

Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.

But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,

And he shall reap the harvest he has sown,

And some glad day his sun shall shine in splendour

When he the saviour, saviour of the world, is known.

I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,

When, at his bidding, every storm is stilled,

Or who can say how great the jubilation

When all the hearts of men with love are filled.

But his I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,

And myriad, myriad human voices sing,

And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:

At last the saviour, saviour of the world, is King!

                                                William Young Fullerton , 1857-1932

We listen for your voice

Master, speak!  Thy servant heareth,

Waiting for thy gracious word,

Longing for thy voice that cheereth;

Master, let it now be heard,

I am listening, Lord, for thee;

What hast thou to say to me?

Speak to me by name, O master,

Let me know it is to me;

Speak, that I may follow faster,

With a step more firm and free,

Where the shepherd leads the flock

In the shadow of the rook.

Master, speak! Though least and lowest,

Let me not unheard depart;

Master, speak! For O thou knowest

All the yearning of my heart,

Knowest all its truest need;

Speak, and make me blest indeed.

Master, speak: and make me ready,

When thy voice is truly heard,

With obedience glad and steady

Still to follow  every word.

I am listening, Lord, for thee;

Master, speak! O speak to me!

                                                          Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836-79 

Do this in remembrance

Jesus, to thy table led,

Now let every heart be fed

With the true and living bread.

While in penitence we kneel,

Thy sweet presence let us feel,

All thy wondrous love reveal.

While on thy dear cross we gaze,

Mourning o’er our sinful ways,

Turn our sadness into praise.

When we taste the mystic wine,

Of thine outpoured blood the sign,

Fill our hearts with love divine.

Draw us to thy wounded side,

Whence there flowed the healing tide;

There our sins and sorrows hide.

From the bonds of sin release,

Cold and wavering faith increase,

Lamb of God, grant us thy peace.

Lead us by thy pierced hand

Till around thy throne we stand

In the bright and better land.

                                                          Robert Hall Baynes, 1831-95 

vv.1 and 2 only

At thy feet, O Christ, we lay

Thine own gift of this new day;

Doubt of what it holds in store

Makes us crave thine aid the more;

Lest it prove a time of loss,

Make it, saviour, with thy cross.

Bring us your help

If it flow on calm and bright,

Be thyself our chief delight;

If it bring unknown distress,

God is all that thou canst bless;

Only, while its hours begin,

Pray we, keep them clear of sin.

                                                                   William Bright, 1824-1901

We know you are always with us Lord

They who tread the path of labour follow where my feet have trod;

They who worn without complaining do the holy will of God;

Nevermore thou needest seek me; I am with thee everywhere;

Raise the stone, and thou shalt find me; cleave the wood and I am there.

Where the many toil together, there am I among my own;

Where the tired workman sleepeth, there am I with him alone.

I, the peace that passeth knowledge, dwell amid the daily strife;

I, the bread of heaven, am broken in the sacrament of life.

Every task, however simple, sets the soul that does it free;

Every deed of love and mercy done to man; is done to me.

Nevermore thou needest seek me;; I am with thee everywhere;

Raise the stone, and thou shalt find me; cleave the wood and I  am there.

                                                          Henry Van Dyke, 1852-1933

Help us Lord

O God of Bethel, by whose hand

Thy people still are fed;

Who through this weary pilgrimage

Hast all our father led:

Our vows, our prayers, we now present

Before thy throne of grace;

God of our fathers, be the God

Of their succeeding race.

Through each perplexing path of life

Our wandering footsteps guide;

Give us each day our daily bread,

And raiment fit provide.

O spread thy covering wings around,

Till all our wanderings cease,

And at our father’s loved abode

Our souls arrive in peace.

Such blessings from thy gracious hand

Our humble prayers implore;

And thou shalt be our chosen God,

And portion evermore.

                                                                   Philip Doddridge 1702-51

Oppressed with sin and woe,

A burdened heart I hear;

Opposed by many a mighty foe,

Yet will I not despair.

In my redeemer’s name

I give myself to thee;

And, all unworthy as I am,

My God will welcome me.

                                                                   Anne Bronte, 1820-49

Keep us near to you O Lord

Jesu, sun of righteousness,

Brightest beam of love divine,

With the early morning rays,

Do thou on our darkness shine,

And dispel with purest light

All our night.

As on drooping herb and flower

Falls the soft refreshing dew,

Let thy spirit’s grace and power

All our weary souls renew;

Showers of blessing over all

softly fall.

Like the sun’s reviving ray,

May thy love with tender glow

All our coldness melt away,

Warm and cheer us forth to go.

Gladly serve thee and obey

All the day.

O our only hope and guide,

Never leave us nor forsake;

Keep us ever at the side

Till the eternal morning break,

Moving on to Zion ’s hill,

Homeward still.

                                                Christian Knorr Von Rosenroth, 1636-89;

                                                Tr. By Jane Laurie Borthwick, 1813-97

Help us to know you better verse 2 omitted

We have not known thee as we ought,

Nor learned thy wisdom, grace, and power;

The things of earth have filled our thought,

And trifles of the passing hour:

Lord, give us light thy truth to see,

And make us wise in knowing thee.

We have not loved thee as we ought,

Nor cared that we are loved by thee:

Thy presence we have coldly sought,

And feebly longed thy face to see:

Lord, gave a pure and loving heart

To feel and know the love thou art.

We have not served thee as we ought;

Alas the duties left undone,

The work with little fervour wrought,

The battles lost or scarcely won!

Lord, give the zeal, and give the might,

For thee to toil, for thee to fight.

When shall we know thee as we ought,

And fear, and love, and serve alright?

When shall we, lout of trial brought,

Be perfect in the land of light?

Lord, may we day be day prepare

To see thy face and serve thee there

I’m not ashamed to own my lord,

Or to defend his cause,

Maintain the honour of his word,

The glory of his cross.

Jesus, my God!  I know his name,

His name is all my trust;

Nor will he put my soul to shame,

Nor let my hope be lost.

                                                v.v.1 and 2 only, Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

A prayer to Jesus

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us;

Much we need thy tender care;

In thy pleasant pastures feed us,

For our use thy folds prepare:

Blessed Jesus,

Thou hast bought us, thine we are.

We are thine, do thou befriend us;

Be the guardian of our way;

Keep thy flock, from sin defend us,

Seek us when we go astray:

Blessed Jesus,

Hear us when we praise and pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,

Poor and sinful though we be;

Thou hast mercy to relieve us,

Grace to cleanse, and make us free:

Bless’ed Jesus,

Early let us turn to thee.

Early let us seek thy favour;

Early let us do thy will;

Gracious lord, our only saviour,

With thyself our bosoms fill:

Blessed Jesus,

Thou hast loved us – love us still.

                                                          Dorothy Ann Thrupp:

                                                          Hymns for the young 1836

O that the world might taste, and see

The riches of his grace;

The arms of love that compass me

Would all mankind embrace.

                                                          Charles Wesley, 1707-85

A call to God

Lead us, heavenly father, lead us

O’er the world’s tempestuous sea;

Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,

For we have no help but thee.

Yet possessing every blessing

If our God our father be.

Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us;

All our weakness thou dost know:

Thou didst tread this earth before us,

Thou didst feel its keenest woe;

Lone and dreary, faint and weary,

Through the desert thou didst go.

Spirit of our God, descending,

Fill our hearts with heavenly joy,

Love with every passion blending,

Pleasure that can never cloy;

Thus provided, pardoned, guided,

Nothing can our peace destroy.

                                                          James Edmeston, 1791-1867

Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing,

Fill our hearts with joy and peace;

Let us each, thy love possessing,

Triumph in redeeming grace;

O refresh us,

Travelling through this wilderness.

Thanks we give, and adoration,

For thy gospel’s joyful sound;

May the fruits of thy salvation

In our hearts and lives abound;

May thy presence

With us evermore be found.

                                                          John Fawcett, 1740-1817

Our reward will be in heaven

Stay, master, stay upon this heavenly hill;

A little longer, let us linger still;

With all the mighty ones of old beside,

Near to the awful presence still abide;

Before the throne of light we trembling stand,

And catch a glimpse into the spirit-land.

Stay, master, stay!  We breathe a purer air;

This life is not the life that waits us there;

Thoughts, feelings, flashes, glimpses come and go;

We cannot speak them – nay, we do not know;

Wrapt in this cloud of light we seem to be

The thing we fain would grow – eternally.

No, saith the Lord, the hour is past, we go;

Our home, our life, our duties lie below.

While here we kneel upon the mount of prayer,

The plough lies waiting in the furrow there.

Here we sought God that we might know his will;

There we must do it, serve him, seek him still.

If man aspires to reach the throne of God,

O’er the dull plains of earth must lie the road:

He who best does his lowly duty here,

Shall  mount the highest in a nobler sphere:

At God’s own feet our spirits seek their rest,

And he is nearest him who serves him best.

                                                          Samuel Greg , 1804-87

When our heads are bowed with woe,

When our bitter tears o’erflow,

When we mourn the lost, the dear,

Jesu, son of Mary, hear.

When the heart is sad within

With the thought of all its sin,

When the spirit shrinks with fear,

Jesu, Son of Mary, hear.

                                                          v.v.3 and 4 omitted

                                                          Henry Hart Milman, 1791-1868

Nearer we come and clearer your ways

Saviour, blessed saviour,

Listen while we sing;

Hearts and voices raising

Praises to our king:

All we have we offer,

All we hope to be,

Body, soul, and spirit,

All we yield to thee.

Nearer, ever nearer,

Christ, we draw to thee,

Deep in adoration

Being low the knee.

Thou, for our redemption,

Cam’st on earth to die;

Thou, that we might follow,

Hast gone up on high.

Clearer still and clearer,

Dawns the light from heaven,

In our sadness bringing

News of sin forgiven;

Life hast lost its shadows,

Pure the light within;

Thou hast shed thy radiance

On a world of sin.

Onward, ever onward,

Journeying o’er the road

Worn by saints before us,

Journeying on to God;

Leaving all behind us.

May we hasten on,

Backward never looking

Till the prize is won.

Higher then, and higher,

Bear the ransomed soul,

Earthly toils forgotten,

Saviour, to its goal;

Where, in joys unthought of,

Saints with angels sing.

Never weary, raising

Praises to their king.     

                                                                   Godfrey Thring 1823-1903

Blest are the pure in heart,

For they shall see our God;

The secret of the lord is theirs,

Their soul is Christ’s abode.

The Lord, who left the sky

Our life and peace to bring,

And dwelt in lowliness with men,

Their pattern and their king.

Omit verse 3

Lord, we thy presence seek;

May ours this blessing be;

Give us a pure and lowly heart,

A temple meet for thee.

                                                John Keble, v.1., 1792-1866;

                                                William John Hall, v.v.2.4, 1793-1861

Be near us at all times

Jesus, still lead on,

Till our rest be won,

And although the way be cheerless.

We will follow, calm and fearless:

Guide us by thy hand,

To our fatherland.

If the way be drear,

If the foe be near,

Let not faithless fears o’ertake us,

Let not love and hope forsake us,

For, through many a foe,

To our home we go.

When we seek relief

From a long-felt grief,

When oppressed by new temptations,

Lord increase and perfect patience:

Show us that bright shore

Where we weep no more.

When sweet earth and skies

Fade before our eyes;

When through death we look to heaven,

And our sins are all forgiven,

From thy bright abode,

Call us home to God.

Jesus, still lead on,

Till our rest be won;

Heavenly leader, still direct us,

Still support, console, protect us,

Till we safely stand

In our fatherland.

                                      Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, 1700-1760

                                      Tr. By Jane Laurie Borthwick 1813-97

Seek and you will find

Ye that do your master’s will,

Meek in heart, be meeker still;

Day by day your sins confess,

Ye that walk in righteousness:

Gracious souls in grace abound,

Seek the lord, whom ye have found.

Sing ye happy souls, that press

Toward the height of holiness;

All his promises receive,

All the grace he hath to give;

Follow on, nor slack your pace

Till ye see his glorious face.

                                                          Charles Wesley, 1707-88

I am the light of the world

God of mercy, god of grace,

Show the brightness of thy face;

Shine upon us, saviour, shine

Fill thy church with light divine;

And thy saving health extend

Unto earth’s remotest end.

Let the peoples praise thee, lord;

Be by all that live adored;

Let the nations shout and sing

Glory to their saviour king;

At thy feet their tribute pay,

And thy holy will obey.

Let the peoples praise thee, lord;

Earth shall then her fruits afford;

God to ma his blessing give,

Man to God devoted live;

All below, and all above,

One in  joy, and light, and love.

                                                          Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847

Bernhardt Severin Ingemann 1789-1862;

Tr. By Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924

Through the night of doubt and sorrow,

Onward goes the pilgrim band,

Singing songs of expectation

Marching to the promised land.

Clear before us through the darkness

Gleams and burns the guiding light;

Brother clasps the hand of brother,

Stepping fearless through the night.

One the light of God’s own presence,

O’er his ransomed people shed,

Chasing far the gloom and terror,

Brightening all the path we tread:

One the object of our journey,

One the faith which never tires,

One the earnest looking forward,

One the hope our God inspires.

One the strain that lips of thousands

Lift a from the heart of one;

One the conflict, one the peril,

One the march in God begun:

One the gladness of rejoicing

On the far eternal shore,

Where the one almighty father

Reigns in love for evermore.

Onward therefore, pilgrim brothers,

Onward with the cross our aid!

Bear its shame, and fight its battle,

Till we rest beneath its shade.

Soon shall come the great awaking,

Soon the rending of the tomb;

Then the scattering of all shadows,

And the end of toil and gloom.

Thomas Joseph Potter, 1827-78;

William Walsham How, 1823-97, and others

Brightly gleams our banner,

Pointing to the sky,

Waving on Christ’s soldiers

To their home on high.

Marching through the desert,

Gladly thus we pray

Still with hearts united

Singing on our way.

Brightly gleams our banner,

Pointing to the sky

Waving on Christ’s soldiers

To their home on high.

Jesus, Lord and Master,

At thy sacred feet,

Here, with hearts rejoicing,

See they children meet,

Often have we left thee,

Often gone astray;

Keep us, mighty saviour,

In the narrow way.

All our days direct us

In the way we go;

Lead us on victorious

Over every foe;

Bid thine angels shield us

When the storm-clouds lower;

Pardon thou and save us

In the last dread hour.

Then with saints and angels

May we join above,

Offering prayers and praises

At they throne of love.

When the march is over,

Then come rest and peace,

Jesus in his beauty,

Songs that never cease.

Our Trust in you, Lord, will have its reward

Hark! Hark, my soul! Angelic songs are swelling

O’er earth’s green fields and ocean’s wave-beat shore;

How sweet the truth those blessed strains are telling

Of that new life when sin shall be no more!

Angels of Jesus, angels of light,

Singing to welcome the pilgrims of the night!

Onward we go; for still we her them singing;

Come, weary soul, for Jesus bids you come;

And through the darn, its echoes sweetly ringing,

The music of the gospel leads us home.

Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing,

The voice of Jesus sounds o’er land and sea,

And laden souls, by thousands meekly stealing

Mind shepherd, turn their weary steps to thee.

Rest comes at length; though life be long and dreary,

The day must dawn and darksome night be past;

Faith’s journey ends in welcomes to the weary,

And heaven, the heart’s true home, will come at last.

Angels, sing on, your faithful watches keeping;

Sing us sweet fragments of the songs above,

Till morning’s joy shall lend the night of weeping,

And life’s long shadows break in cloudless love.

                                                          Frederick William Faber, 1814-63  

I am not worthy, holy lord,

That thou shouldst come to me;

Speak but the word: one gracious word

Can set the sinner free.

I am not worthy; cold and bare

The lodging of my soul;

How canst thou deign to enter there?

Lord speak, and make me whole.

I am not worthy; yet, my God,

How can I say thee nay,

Thee, who didst give thy flesh and blood

My ransom-price to pay?

O come, in this sweet morning hour,

Feed me with food divine;

And fill with all thy love and power

This worthless heart of mine.

                                                          Henry Williams Baker, 1821-77

Nearness to God

Forth in thy name, O Lord I go,

My daily labour to pursue,

Thee, lonely thee, resolved to know

In all I think, or speak, or do.

The task thy wisdom hath assigned

O let me cheerfully fulfil,

In all my works thy presence find,

And prove thy acceptable will.

Thee may I set at my right hand,

Whose eyes my inmost substance see,

And labour on at thy command,

And offer all my works to thee.

Give me to bear thy easy yoke,

And every moment watch and pray,

And still to things eternal look,

And hasten to thy glorious day.

For thee delightfully employ

Whate’er thy bounteous grace hath given,

And run my course with even joy,

And closely walk with thee to heaven.

                                                                    Charles Wesley, 1707-88

Help me Lord

O master, let me walk with thee

In paths of lowly service free;

My secret tell; help me to bear

The strain of toil, the fret of care;

Help me the slow of heart to move

By some clear winning word of love;

Teach me the wayward feet to stay,

And guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me thy patience; still with thee

In closer, dearer company.

In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,

In trust that triumphs over wrong,

In hope that sends a shining ray

Far down the future’s broadening way,

In peace that only thou canst give,

With thee, O master, let me live!

                                                          Washington Gladden, 1836-1918

An appeal to Jesus

Jesus, stand among us

In thy risen power;

Let this time of worship

Be a hallowed hour.

Breathe the holy spirit

Into every heart;

Bid the fears and sorrows

From each soul depart.

Thus with quickened footsteps

We’ll pursue our way,

Watching for the dawning

Of eternal day.

                                                          William Pennefather, 1816-73    

Trust in God

Through the love of God our saviour,

All will be well;

Free and changeless in his favour,

All, all is well:

Precious is the blood that healed us;

Perfect is the grace that sealed us;

Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,

All must be well.

Though we pass through tribulation,

All will be well;

Christ hath purchased full salvation,

All, all is well:

Happy still in God confiding;

Fruitful, if in Christ abiding;

Holy, through the spirit’s guiding;

All must be well.

We expect a bright tomorrow;

All will be well;

Faith can sing through days of sorrow,

All, all is well:

On our father’s love relying,

Jesus every need supplying,

Then in living or in dying

All must be well.

                                                                   Mary Peters, 1813-56

Let us Pray

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,

Uttered or unexpressed,

The motion of a hidden fire

That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sign,

The falling of a tear,

The upward glancing of any eye

When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech

That infant lips can try;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach

The majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice

Returning from his ways,

While angels in their songs rejoice,

And cry: behold he prays!

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,

The Christian’s native air,

His watchword at the gates of death;

He enters heaven with prayer.

O thou by whom we come to God,

The life, the truth, the way!

The path of prayer thyself hast trod:

Lord! Teach us how to pray.

                                                          James Montgomery, 1771-1854

O light, from age to age the same,

O’ever-living word,

Here have we felt thy kindling flame,

Thy voice within have heard.

Here holy thought and hymn and prayer

Have winged the spirit’s powers,

And made these walls divinely fair,

Thy temple, lord, and ours.

What visions rise above the years;

What tender memories throng

Till the eye fills with happy tears,

The heart with happy song.

O not in vain their toil, who wrought

To build faith’s freer shrine;

Not theirs, whose steadfast love and thought

Have watched the fire divine.

Burn, holy fire, and shine more wide!

While systems rise and fall,

Faith, hope, and charity abide,

The heart and soul of all.

                                                Frederick Lucian Hosmer, 1840-1929

When the day of toil is done,

When the race of life is run,

Father, grant thy wearied one

Rest for evermore.

When the strife of sin is stilled,

When the foe within is killed,

Be thy gracious word fulfilled –

Peace for evermore.

When the darkness melts away

At the breaking of the day,

Bid us hail the cheering ray –

Light for evermore.

When the heart by sorrow tried

Feels at length is throbs subside,

Bring us, where all tears are dried,

Joy for evermore.

When for vanished days we yearn,

Days that never can return,