Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 119

3 May they, that Jesus whom they preach, Their own Redeemer see; And watch thou daily o'er their souls, That they may watch for thee.

720. 8s. & 7s. M. Anonymous.

Burden and Conflict of the Ministry.

1 Onward, Christian, though the region Where thou art be drear and lone; G.o.d hath set a guardian legion Very near thee,--press thou on!

2 By the thorn-wood, and none other, Is the mount of vision won; Tread it without shrinking, brother!

Jesus trod it,--press thou on!

3 By thy trustful, calm endeavor, Guiding, cheering, like the sun, Earth-bound hearts thou shalt deliver O, for their sake, press thou on!

4 Be this world the wiser, stronger, For thy life of pain and peace; While it needs thee, O, no longer Pray thou for thy quick release.

5 Pray thou, Christian, daily, rather, That thou be a faithful son; By the prayer of Jesus,--"Father, Not my will, but thine, be done!"

721. L. M. A. Balfour.

Ministers Charged and Encouraged.

1 Go, messengers of peace and love, To people plunged in shades of night; Like angels sent from fields above, Be yours to shed celestial light.

2 Go to the hungry,--food impart; To paths of peace the wanderer guide; And lead the thirsty panting heart Where streams of living water glide.

3 O faint not in the day of toil, When harvest waits the reaper's hand; Go, gather in the glorious spoil, And joyous in his presence stand.

4 Thy love a rich reward shall find From him who sits enthroned on high; For they who turn the erring mind Shall s.h.i.+ne like stars above the sky.

722. S. M. Wesleyan.

Call to Labor in G.o.d's Vineyard.

1 The vineyard of the Lord Before his laborers lies; And, lo! we see the vast reward Which waits us in the skies.

2 O let us then proceed In G.o.d's great work below, And following our triumphant Head, To further conquests go.

3 And let our heart and mind Continually ascend, That haven of repose to find, Where all our labors end.

4 What honor to behold, In that sublime abode, The patriarchs and prophets old, And all the men of G.o.d!

5 Then spend our days beneath, Toiling in cheerful hope; And fearless pa.s.s the vale of death, And gain the mountain top.

723. L. M. Episcopal Coll.

For Laborers in G.o.d's Harvest.

1 O Spirit of the living G.o.d, In all thy plenitude of grace, Where'er the foot of man hath trod, Descend on our degenerate race!

2 Give tongues of fire and hearts of love, To preach the reconciling word; Give power and unction from above, Where'er the joyful sound is heard.

3 Be darkness, at thy coming, light; Confusion, order, in thy path; Souls without strength inspire with might; Bid mercy triumph over wrath.

4 Convert the nations; far and nigh The triumphs of the cross record; The name of Jesus glorify, Till every people call him Lord.

724. 7s. M. Byrant.

A Blessing invoked on Christian Teachers.

1 Mighty One, before whose face, Wisdom had her glorious seat, When the orbs that people s.p.a.ce Sprang to birth beneath thy feet;

2 Source of truth, whose rays alone Light the mighty world of mind; G.o.d of love, who from thy throne Kindly watchest all mankind;

3 Shed on those, who in thy name Teach the way of truth and right, Shed that love's undying flame, Shed that wisdom's guiding light.

725. L. M. H. Ballou.

At an Annual Convention.

1 Dear Lord, behold thy servants, here, From various parts together meet, To tell their labors through the year, And lay the harvest at thy feet.

2 The reapers cry, "Thy fields are white, All ready to be gathered in, And harvests wave in changing light, Far as the eye can trace the scene."

3 Lord, bless us while we here remain; With holy love our bosoms fill; O may thy doctrine drop like rain, And like the silent dew distil.