Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 74

439. 8, 7, & 4s. M. *Montgomery.

Slavery.

1 Ages, ages have departed, Since the first dark vessel bore Afric's children, broken-hearted, To this far-off western sh.o.r.e; She, like Rachel, Weeping, for they were no more.

2 Millions, millions have been slaughtered In the fight and on the deep; Millions, millions more have watered, With such tears as captives weep, Fields of labor Where their wasted bodies sleep.

3 Mercy, mercy, vainly pleading, Rends her garments, smites her breast, Till a voice from heaven proceeding Gladden all the waiting west: "Come, ye weary!

Come, and I will give you rest!"

4 Tidings, tidings of salvation!

Brothers, rise with one accord, Purge the plague-spot from our nation, Till, unto their rights restored, Slaves no longer, All are freemen in the Lord!

440. P. M. *Montgomery.

Watch for the Morning.

1 Climb we the mountain afar, In the still hour of even; Led by yon beautiful star, First of the daughters of heaven: Darkness yet covers the face of the deep; Spirit of freedom! go forth in thy might, Break the slave's bondage like infancy's sleep, The moment when G.o.d shall say, Let there be light!

2 Gaze we meanwhile for the day, Praying in thought while we gaze; Watch for the morning's first ray; Prayer then be turned into praise!

Shout to the valleys, Behold ye the morn, Long, long desired, but denied to our sight; Lo, myriads of slaves into men are new-born; The word was omnipotent, and there is light!

441. L. M. *Whittier.

Mercy and Not Sacrifice.

1 O Thou, at whose rebuke, the grave Back to warm life the sleeper gave, Who, waking, saw with joy, above, A brother's face of tenderest love;--

2 Thou, unto whom the blind and lame, The sorrowing, and the sin-sick came; The burden of thy holy faith Was love and life, not hate and death.

3 O, once again thy healing lay On the blind eyes which know thee not, And let the light of thy pure day s.h.i.+ne in upon the darkened thought!

4 O, touch the hearts of men, and show The power which in forbearance lies; And let them feel that Mercy now Is better than old Sacrifice!

442. L. M. *Mrs. Livermore.

Redeeming Power of Love.

1 What precept, Jesus, is like thine,-- Forgive, as ye would be forgiven!

In this we see the power divine, Which shall transform our earth to heaven.

2 O, not the harsh and scornful word The victory over sin can gain, Not the dark prison, or the sword, The shackle, or the weary chain.

3 But from our spirits there must flow A love that will the wrong outweigh; Our lips must only blessings know, And wrath and sin shall die away.

4 'Twas heaven that formed the holy plan To win the wanderer back by love; Thus let us save our brother, man, And imitate our G.o.d above.

IX. MISCELLANEOUS.

443. C. M. Keble.

Teaching Little Children.

1 O, say not, think not, heavenly notes To childish ears are vain,-- That the young mind at random floats, And cannot reach the strain.

2 Was not our Lord a little child, Taught by degrees to pray, By father dear and mother mild Instructed day by day?

3 And loved he not of heaven to talk With children in his sight, To meet them in his daily walk, And to his arms invite?

4 And though some tones be weak and low, What are all prayers beneath, But cries of babes, that cannot know Half the deep thought they breathe?

5 In his own words we Christ adore; But angels, as we speak, Higher above our meaning soar Than we o'er children weak.

6 And yet his words mean more than they, And yet he owns their praise; O, think not that he turns away From infants' simple lays!

444. C. M. Heber.

The Holy Child.

1 By cool Siloam's shady rill How sweet the lily grows!

How sweet the breath, beneath the hill, Of Sharon's dewy rose!