Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 15

The Light from Within.

1 I saw on earth another light Than that which lit my eye Come forth, as from my soul within, And from a higher sky.

2 Its beams still shone unclouded on, When in the distant west The sun I once had known had sunk Forever to his rest.

3 And on I walked, though dark the night, Nor rose his...o...b..by day; As one to whom a surer guide Was pointing out the way.

4 'Twas brighter far than noonday's beam, It shone from G.o.d within; And lit, as by a lamp from heaven, The world's dark track of sin.

92. 7s. M. Anonymous.

Silent Wors.h.i.+p.

1 Wouldst thou in thy lonely hour Praises to the Eternal pour?

I will teach thy soul to be Temple, hymn, and harmony.

2 Sweeter songs than poets sing Thou shalt for thine offering bring; Softly murmured hymns, that dwell In devotion's deepest cell.

3 Know that music's holiest strain Loves to linger, loves to reign, In that calm of quiet thought Which the pa.s.sions trouble not.

4 Wouldst thou in thy lonely hour Praises to the Eternal pour?

Thus thy soul may learn to be Temple, hymn, and harmony.

93. 7 & 6s. M. Methodist.

Quiet Wors.h.i.+p.

1 Open, Lord, mine inward ear, And bid my heart rejoice; Bid my quiet spirit hear The comfort of Thy voice; Never in the whirlwind found, Or where earthquakes rock the place, Still and silent is the sound, The whisper of Thy grace.

2 From the world of sin, and noise, And hurry, I withdraw; For the small and inward voice I wait with humble awe; Silent am I now and still, Will not in Thy presence move; To my waiting soul reveal The secret of Thy love!

94. C.M. Cowper.

Retirement.

1 Far from the world, O Lord! I flee, From strife and tumult far; From scenes where sin is waging still Its most successful war.

2 The calm retreat, the silent shade, With prayer and praise agree; And seem by Thy sweet bounty made, For those who follow Thee.

3 There, if Thy presence cheer the soul, And grace her mean abode, O, with what peace, and joy, and love, She communes with her G.o.d!

4 There, like the nightingale, she pours Her solitary lays; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise.

5 Author and Guardian of my life, Sweet source of light divine, And,--all harmonious names in one,-- My Father! Thou art mine!

95. C. M. H. M. Williams.

Habitual Devotion.

1 While Thee I seek, protecting Power!

Be my vain wishes stilled; And may this consecrated hour With better hopes be filled.

2 Thy love the powers of thought bestowed; To Thee my thoughts would soar; Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed; That mercy I adore!

3 In each event of life, how clear Thy ruling hand I see!

Each blessing to my soul more dear, Because conferred by Thee.

4 In every joy that crowns my days, In every pain I bear, My heart shall find delight in praise, Or seek relief in prayer.

5 When gladness wings my favored hour, Thy love my thoughts shall fill; Resigned, when storms of sorrow lower, My soul shall meet Thy will.

6 My lifted eye, without a tear, The gathering storm shall see; My steadfast heart shall know no fear; That heart shall rest on Thee!

96. P. M. Moore.

The Heart's Prayer.

1 As, down in the sunless retreats of the ocean, Sweet flowers are springing no mortal can see, So, deep in my soul, the still prayer of devotion, Unheard by the world, rises, silent, to Thee, My G.o.d! silent, to Thee,-- Pure, warm, silent, to Thee.

2 As still to the star of its wors.h.i.+p, though clouded, The needle points faithfully o'er the dim sea, So, dark when I roam, in this wintry world shrouded, The hope of my spirit turns, trembling, to Thee, My G.o.d! trembling, to Thee,-- True, sure, trembling, to Thee.

97. 7 & 6s. M. Anonymous.

Pray Without Ceasing.