Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 129

782. L. M. Ch. Psalmody.

Care of Widows and Orphans.

1 Thou G.o.d of hope, to thee we bow; Thou art our refuge in distress; The husband of the widow thou, The father of the fatherless.

2 The poor are thy peculiar care; To them thy promises are sure: Thy gifts the poor in spirit share; O, may we always thus be poor.

3 May we thy law of love fulfil, To bear each other's burdens here, Endure and do thy righteous will, And walk in all thy faith and fear.

4 Thou G.o.d of hope, to thee we bow; Thou art our refuge in distress; The husband of the widow thou, The father of the fatherless.

783. L. M. Pratt's Coll.

For a Charitable Occasion.

1 Help us, O Lord! thy yoke to wear, Delighting in thy perfect will; Each other's burdens learn to bear, And thus thy law of love fulfil.

2 Who sparingly his seed bestows, He sparingly shall also reap; But whoso plentifully sows, The plenteous sheaves his hands shall heap.

3 Teach us, with glad and cheerful hearts, As thou hast blessed our various store, From our abundance to impart A liberal portion to the poor.

4 To thee our all devoted be, In whom we breathe, and move, and live: Freely we have received from thee; Freely may we rejoice to give.

784. 7s. & 6s. M. J. G. Adams.

The Same.

1 How blest, amid all blessing This changing world bestows, That soul in truth possessing Pity for others' woes; Ready to move and lighten The load affliction bears-- Want's face with joy to brighten, In deed, as with its prayers.

2 Thus Christ, the Friend and Servant Of man, depressed and poor-- With ready soul and fervent-- With patience to endure-- Lived, labored without measure In mercy's holy name, G.o.d's will his highest pleasure, Our good his only fame.

3 And those who in his spirit Would seek to live and move, His virtue must inherit, And labor in his love; Labor where poor, forsaken, And lowly, sufferers lie; In faith and hope unshaken; Celestial ministry!

4 G.o.d of all times and stations!

Teach us this lesson true,-- Proclaim it to all nations In life and power anew,-- That high above all praises-- All prayers--is that unfeigned, Glad offering Mercy raises, By living deeds sustained!

785. C. M. Boden.

Kindness to the Afflicted.

1 What shall we render, bounteous Lord, For all the grace we see?

The goodness feeble man can yield Extendeth not to thee.

2 To scenes of woe, to beds of pain, We'll cheerfully repair, And, with the gifts thy hand bestows, Relieve the sufferers there.

3 The widow's heart shall sing for joy; The orphan shall be glad; And hungering souls we'll gladly point To Christ, the living bread.

4 Thus what our heavenly Father gave Shall we as freely give; Thus copy him who lived to save, And died that we might live.

786. L. M. Miss Woodman.

Prayer for a Beneficent Spirit.

1 G.o.d guard the poor! We may not see The deepest sorrows of the soul; These are laid open, Lord, to thee, And subject to thy wise control.

2 Make us thy messengers to shed Within the home of want and woe, The blessings of thy bounty, spread So freely on thy world below.

3 Let us go forth with joyful hand To strengthen, comfort and relieve; Then in thy presence may we stand, And hope thy blessing to receive.

787. L. M. Montgomery.

For a Public Hospital or Asylum.

1 When, like a stranger on our sphere, The lowly Jesus wandered here, Where'er he went, affliction fled.

And sickness reared her fainting head.

2 Demoniac madness, dark and wild, In his inspiring presence smiled; The storm of horror ceased to roll, And reason lightened through the soul.

3 Through paths of loving-kindness led, Where Jesus triumphed, we would tread; To all, with willing hands, dispense The crumbs of our benevolence.

4 Here the whole family of woe Shall friends, and home, and comfort know; The blasted form and s.h.i.+pwrecked mind Shall here a tranquil haven find.

5 And Thou, dread Power, whose sovereign breath Is health or sickness, life or death, This favored mansion deign to bless; The cause is thine--send thou success!