Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 94

2 The toils of the day are now brought to their end, And night is preparing her balm for our eyes; Our strength, Lord, encourage, our weakness defend; Hear our prayers as they spring, and our hymns as they rise!

3 We beseech of Thee now, when dim night over all Is enfolding her shroud and resuming her sway, That Thy grace still may s.h.i.+ne, 'mid the glooms that appal, As a star to our eyes, and a lamp to our way.

4 Though our bodies may sleep, let our souls be awake, Keep them free from the deadness that guilt only knows; Be the dream of the night pure as day, for Thy sake, And the calm of Thy paradise on our repose!

5 From all stain of crime let our bosoms be free, And still rest on our G.o.d, unpolluted and clear; So the tempter shall flee; nor our slumbers endure One pang of remorse or one shudder of fear.

559. L. M. Breviary.

Night-Watches.

1 Throughout the hours of darkness dim, Still let us watch and raise the hymn; And in deep midnight's awful calm, Pour forth the soul in deepest psalm.

2 Amid the silence, else so drear, Think the Almighty leans to hear; Well pleased to list, at such a time, The wakeful heart, in praise sublime.

3 Still watch and pray and raise the hymn, Throughout the hours of darkness dim!

G.o.d will not spurn the humblest guest, But give us of His holy rest.

4 Glory to G.o.d, who is in heaven!

Praise to His blessed Son be given!

Thee, holy spirit, we implore, Be with us now and evermore!

560. 7s. M. Wesleyan.

Communion Hymn.

1 Jesus, we thy promise claim; We are met in thy dear name; In the midst do thou appear, Manifest thy presence here!

Sanctify us, Lord, and bless; Breathe thy spirit, give thy peace; Thou thyself within us move; Make our feast a feast of love!

2 Give to us thy humble mind, Patient, fearless, just and kind; Meek and lowly let us be, Full of goodness, full of thee.

Still, O Lord, our faith increase, Give to us the fruits of peace, Utterly abolish sin, Write thy law of love within.

3 Hence may all our actions flow, Love, the proof that Christ we know; Mutual love the token be, Lord, that we have walked with thee!

Love, thine image, love impart, Stamp its impress on each heart, Only love to us be given, Lord, we ask no other heaven.

561. 7s. M. Wesleyan.

Communion Hymn.

1 Partners of a glorious hope, Lift your hearts and voices up!

n.o.bly let us bear the strife, Keep the holiness, of life;

2 Still forget the things behind, Follow Christ in heart and mind, To the mark unwearied press, Seize the crown of righteousness.

3 Jesus, fill us with thy love, Never from our souls remove, Heart to heart unite and bless, Keep us in thy perfect peace!

4 In our lives our faith be known, Faith by holy actions shown; Faith that mountains can remove, Faith that always works by love.

562. 7 & 6s. M. German.

O Sacred Head!

1 O sacred head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighed down, So scornfully surrounded, With thorns thine only crown; How art thou pale with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn!

How do those features languish Which once were fair as morn!

2 What language shall I borrow To thank thee, dearest friend, For this thy dying sorrow, This love that knew no end!

O, make me thine forever!

And should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never, Outlive my love to thee!

563. L. M. Anonymous.

Christ a Quickening Spirit.

1 We follow, Lord, where thou dost lead, And, quickened, would ascend to thee, Redeemed from sin, set free indeed Into thy glorious liberty.

2 We cast behind fear, sin and death; With thee we seek the things above; Our inmost souls thy spirit breathe, Of power, of calmness, and of love.

3 The power, 'mid worldliness and sin, To do, in all, our Father's will; Like thee, the victory to win, And bid each tempting voice be still.

4 The calmness perfect faith inspires, Which waiteth patiently and long; The love which faileth not, nor tires, Triumphant over every wrong.

5 Thus through thy quickening spirit, Lord, Thy perfect life in us reveal, And help us, as we live to G.o.d, Still more and more with man to feel.

564. C. M. *

The New Commandment.