Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 130

788. L. M. Mrs. Nichols.

Anniversary of an Orphan Asylum.

1 Our Father! we may lisp that name, When lowly at thy feet we bow; Thy little children lightly blame, For thou'rt our only parent now!

2 We are a stricken, humble band, With hearts that thrill to words of love, And cling confiding to the hand That points us to a home above.

3 Though 'mong the lowly of the earth, Contented with our homely fare, How cheerful was the orphan's hearth Before cold Death had entered there

4 No mother's voice soothes us to rest-- No father's smile our vision greets: Yet we've a home in every breast That with a tender feeling beats.

5 And thou hast raised us many a friend, Not bound by ties of kindred blood; Then let our hearts in prayer ascend To thee, our Father--Saviour--G.o.d!

789. L. M. Mrs. Sigourney.

For a Temperance Anniversary.

1 We praise thee, if one rescued soul, While the past year prolonged its flight, Turned, shuddering, from the poisonous bowl, To health, and liberty, and light.

2 We praise thee, if one clouded home, Where broken hearts despairing pined, Beheld the sire and husband come Erect and in his perfect mind.

3 No more a weeping wife to mock, Till all her hopes in anguish end; No more the trembling child to shock, And sink the father in the fiend.

4 Still give us grace, almighty King!

Unwavering at our posts to stand, Till grateful to thy shrine we bring The tribute of a ransomed land.

790. S. M. M. W. Hale.

The Same.

1 Praise for the glorious light, Which crowns this joyous day; Whose beams dispel the shades of night, And wake our grateful lay!

2 Praise for the mighty band, Redeemed from error's chain, Whose echoing voices, through our land, Join our triumphant strain!

3 Ours is no conquest gained Upon the tented field; Nor hath the flowing life-blood stained The victor's helm and s.h.i.+eld.

4 But the strong might of love, And truth's all-pleading voice, As angels bending from above, Have made our hearts rejoice.

5 Lord! upward to thy throne Th' imploring voice we raise; The might, the strength, are thine alone!

Thine be our loftiest praise.

791. L. M. Anonymous.

Temperance Hymn.

1 G.o.d of our fathers, 'tis thy hand Hath turned the tide of death away, That rolled in madness o'er the land, And filled thy people with dismay.

2 Thy voice awaked us from our dream: Thy spirit taught our hearts to feel; 'Twas thy own light, whose radiant beam Came down our duty to reveal.

3 Almighty Parent, still in thee Our spirits trust for strength divine; Gird us with heaven's own energy, And o'er our paths let wisdom s.h.i.+ne.

4 The work of man's destruction stay; The tide of fire still backward press; Drive each delusive mist away, And every humble effort bless.

792. 7s. M. P. H. Sweetser.

The Same.

1 Hark! the voice of choral song Floats upon the breeze along, Chanting clear, in solemn lays,-- "Man redeemed--to G.o.d the praise!"

2 Angels, strike the golden lyre!

Mortals, catch the heavenly fire!

Thousands ransomed from the grave, Millions yet our pledge shall save!

3 Save from sin's destructive breath, Save from sorrow, shame and death-- From intemperance and strife, Save the husband, children, wife!

4 Courage! let no heart despair-- Mighty is the truth we bear!

Forward then, baptized in love, Led by wisdom from above!

793. L. M. Sargent.

The Same.

1 Slavery and death the cup contains; Dash to the earth the poisoned bowl!

Softer than silk are iron chains Compared with those that chafe the soul.

2 Hosannas, Lord, to thee we sing, Whose power the giant fiend obeys.

What countless thousands tribute bring, For happier homes and brighter days!