Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 121

732. C. M. W. Ward.

Prayer for the Success of the Gospel.

1 Great G.o.d, the nations of the earth Are by creation thine; And in thy works, by all beheld, Thy radiant glories s.h.i.+ne.

2 But, Lord, thy greater love has sent Thy gospel to mankind, Unveiling what rich stores of grace Are treasured in thy mind.

3 O, when shall these glad tidings spread The s.p.a.cious earth around, Till every tribe and every soul Shall hear the joyful sound?

4 Smile, Lord, on each divine attempt To spread the gospel's rays, And build on sin's demolished throne The temples of thy praise.

733. 7s. & 6s. M. Heber.

Missionary Hymn.

1 From Greenland's icy mountains, From India's coral strand,-- Where Afric's sunny fountains Roll down their golden sand,-- From many an ancient river, From many a palmy plain,-- They call us to deliver Their land from error's chain.

2 What though the spicy breezes Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle; Though every prospect pleases, And only man is vile; In vain with lavish kindness The gifts of G.o.d are strown; The heathen in his blindness Bows down to wood and stone.

3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted By wisdom from on high, Shall we to men benighted The lamp of life deny?

Salvation! O, salvation!

The joyful sound proclaim, Till each remotest nation Has learnt Messiah's name.

734. 7s. M. Pratt's Coll.

The Same.

1 Go! ye messengers of G.o.d, Like the beams of morning, fly; Take the wonder-working rod, Wave the Banner-Cross on high!

Where th' lofty minaret Gleams along the morning skies, Wave it till the crescent set, And the "Star of Jacob" rise.

2 Go! to many a tropic isle, In the bosom of the deep; Where the skies forever smile, And th' oppressed forever weep!

O'er the negro's night of care Pour the living light of heaven; Chase away the fiend despair, Bid him hope to be forgiven!

3 When the golden gates of day Open on the palmy east, Wide the bleeding cross display, Spread the gospel's richest feast: Circ.u.mnavigate the ball, Visit every soil and sea; Preach the Cross of Christ to all-- Jesus' love is full and free!

735. C. M. S. W. Livermore.

The Western Churches.

1 Our pilgrim brethren dwelling far,-- O G.o.d of truth and love, Light thou their path with thine own star, Bright beaming from above.

2 Wide as their mighty rivers flow, Let thine own truth extend; Where prairies spread and forests grow, O Lord, thy gospel send.

3 Then will a mighty nation own A union firm and strong;-- The sceptre of th' eternal throne Shall rule its councils long.

736. C. P. M. Episcopal Coll.

On Western Missions.

1 When, Lord, to this our western land, Led by thy providential hand, Our wandering fathers came, Their ancient homes, their friends in youth Sent forth the heralds of thy truth, To keep them in thy name.

2 Then, through our solitary coast, The desert features soon were lost; Thy temples there arose; Our sh.o.r.es, as culture made them fair, Were hallowed by thy rites, by prayer, And blossomed as the rose.

3 And O, may we repay this debt To regions solitary yet Within our spreading land!

There brethren, from our common home, Still westward, like our fathers, roam, Still guided by thy hand.

4 Father, we own this debt of love; O, shed thy Spirit from above, To move each Christian breast, Till heralds shall thy truth proclaim, And temples rise, to fix thy name, Through all our boundless West!

737. L. M. Winch.e.l.l's Sel.

Missionaries Encouraged.

1 Ye Christian heralds,--go, proclaim Salvation in Immanuel's name: To distant climes the tidings bear, And plant the rose of Sharon there.

2 He'll s.h.i.+eld you with a wall of fire, With holy zeal your hearts inspire, Bid raging winds their fury cease, And calm the savage breast to peace.

3 And when our labors all are o'er, Then shall we meet to part no more,-- Meet, with the ransomed throng to fail, And crown the Saviour Lord of all.

EARLY RELIGIOUS CULTURE.