Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 118

1 Lord! on thy Zion's wall A faithful watchman stands, And hears the solemn call Of anxious, waiting bands, Who seek along the waning night For heralds of thy coming light.

2 Oh, may he never sleep Upon his weary post, Nor shrink, though round him sweep The storm's embattled host; But, whatsoe'er the night may be, Stand firm in duty and in thee!

3 And let his visioned eye Rest on the truth sublime, That sin and woe shall fly Before advancing time, Till in thine own eternal day The latest tear hath pa.s.sed away.

4 And when his watch is done, Oh, let unclouded light, From heaven's all glorious sun Gleam on his closing sight:-- That all who see his death, shall know His spirit walked with thee below.

715. 6s. & 4s. M. J. G. Adams.

The Same.

1 Sovereign of worlds above!

From thy blest throne of love, To us appear; Help, as we raise to thee, Prayers of humility, Praises of spirits free; And wilt thou hear.

2 Be thy rich blessing shed On thy young servant's head, In this bright hour, Who at thine altar stands, With trusting heart and hands, Waiting thy true commands,-- Seeking thy power.

3 Grant him thy wisdom, Lord, And with thy mighty word Armed may he be; Faithful in teaching here, Moved by thy holy fear,-- May his great charge be dear, Father, to thee.

4 And when, his toilings ceased, To heaven, from earth released, Thou bid him come; Then, where no sin-cloud lowers, Be his glad theme and ours, Love's high redeeming powers, Man's endless home!

716. 8s. 7s. & 4s. M. L. C. Browne.

The Same.

1 As the evening shadows gather O'er us, from thy holy hill May thy blessing, righteous Father, Like the evening dew distil; And thy presence Every heart with rapture fill!

2 While in summer's warmth and beauty, We our brother set apart To the pastor's solemn duty, May thy spirit warm his heart; Without measure, Wisdom, strength and love impart.

3 To perform the sacred function As thy servant we ordain, Father, may the holy unction Fall on him, like summer rain!

Make him fertile, Bearing fruit like golden grain.

4 In the path of duty guide him, Firm in virtue may he stand; And from storm and peril, hide him In the hollow of thy hand; Keep his footsteps Till he tread the better land.

5 When at last his toils are over, Summer ended, autumn near, May he and his flock, like clover Ripened for the scythe, appear; And when falling, Guardian angels linger near.

717. 8s. 7s. & 4s. M. E. H. Chapin.

The Same.

1 Father! at this altar bending, Set our hearts from world-thoughts free; Prayer and praise their incense blending, May our rites accepted be: Father, hear us, Gently draw our souls to thee.

2 Deign to smile upon this union Of a pastor and a flock; Sweet and blest be their communion: May he sacred truths unlock-- And this people Plant their feet on Christ the Rock.

3 Be his life a living sermon, Be his thoughts one ceaseless prayer: Like the dews that fell on Hermon, Making green the foliage there, May his teachings Drop on souls beneath his care.

4 Here may Sin repent its straying, Here may Grief forget to weep, Here may Hope its light displaying, And blest Faith, their vigils keep, And the dying Pa.s.s from hence in Christ to sleep.

5 When _his_ heart shall cease its motion, All its toils and conflicts o'er; When _they_ for an unseen ocean, One by one, shall leave the sh.o.r.e; Pastor, people, there--in heaven, May they meet to part no more.

718. C. M. H. Bacon.

The Same.

1 Not for the prophet tongue of fire, Nor voice of trumpet tone, We lift our prayer, Immortal Sire, For him before thy throne.

2 We ask for wisdom's gifts and grace, The heart alive to love, The earnest zeal to save our race, All selfish aims above.

3 Lord, bless him now! By holy rite, We consecrate to thee!

Make to his eye the chief delight Christ's prospering work to see.

4 Bold let him be for truth and man, For G.o.d and righteousness!

Free let him speak the gospel plan, And the whole truth confess.

5 Be cloud and fire about his way, Till Canaan's land is trod!

Then o'er his grave thy church shall say, He led us to our G.o.d!

a.s.sOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND MISSIONARY MEETINGS.

719. C. M. Doddridge.

For a Meeting of Ministers.

1 Let Zion's watchmen all awake, And take the alarm they give: Now let them, from the mouth of G.o.d, Their solemn charge receive.

2 'Tis not a cause of small import The pastor's care demands; But what might fill an angel's heart, And filled a Saviour's hands.