Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 139

1 Great G.o.d of nations, now to thee Our hymn of grat.i.tude we raise; With humble heart and bending knee, We offer thee our song of praise.

2 Here freedom spreads her banner wide, And casts her soft and hallowed ray; Here thou our fathers' steps didst guide In safety through their dangerous way.

3 We praise thee that the gospel's light Through all our land its radiance sheds, Dispels the shades of error's night, And heavenly blessings round us spreads.

4 Great G.o.d, preserve us in thy fear; In dangers still our guardian be; O, spread thy truth's bright precepts here, Let all the people wors.h.i.+p thee.

842. L. M. Roscoe.

Remembrance of our Fathers.

1 Great G.o.d! beneath whose piercing eye The world's extended kingdoms lie; Whose favoring smile upholds them all, Whose anger smites them, and they fall;

2 We bow before thy heavenly throne; Thy power we see, thy goodness own; But, cherished by thy milder voice, Our bosoms tremble and rejoice.

3 Thy kindness to our fathers shown, Their children's children long shall own; To thee with grateful hearts shall raise Their tribute of exulting praise.

4 Our G.o.d, our Guardian, and our Friend!

Oh still thy sheltering arm extend; Preserved by thee for ages past, For ages may thy kindness last.

843. C. M. C. Sprague.

The Pilgrims.

1 Our fathers, Lord, to seek a spot Where they might kneel to thee, Their own fair heritage forgot, And braved an unknown sea.

2 Here found their pilgrim souls repose Where long the heathen roved; And here their humble anthems rose To bless the Power they loved.

3 They sleep in dust,--but where they trod, A feeble, fainting band, Glad millions catch the strain, O G.o.d, And sound it through the land.

844. 8s. & 7s. M. Pierpont.

Anniversary Hymn.

1 G.o.d of mercy, do thou never From our offering turn away, But command a blessing ever On the memory of this day.

2 Light and peace do thou ordain it; O'er it be no shadow flung, Let no deadly darkness stain it, And no clouds be o'er it hung.

3 May the song this people raises, And its vows to thee addressed, Mingle with the prayers and praises, That thou hearest from the blest.

4 When the lips are cold that sing thee, And the hearts that love thee dust, Father, then our souls shall bring thee Holier love and firmer trust.

845. C. M. Aspland's Coll.

The Virtuous Love of Country.

1 Parent of all, omnipotent!

In heaven and earth below!

Through all creation's vast extent Whose streams of goodness flow:

2 Teach me to know from whence I rose, And unto what designed; No private aims may I propose, That injure human kind.

3 To hear my country's lawful voice May my best thoughts incline; 'Tis reason's law, 'tis virtue's choice, 'Tis nature's call, and thine.

4 Me from fair freedom's sacred cause May nothing e'er divide; Nor grandeur, gold, nor vain applause, Nor friends.h.i.+p false, misguide.

5 To duty, honor, virtue true, In all my country's weal, Let me my public walk pursue: So, G.o.d, thy favor deal.

846. 6s. & 4s. M. S. F. Smith.

Anniversary Hymn.

1 Auspicious morning, hail!

Voices from hill and vale Thy welcome sing: Joy on thy dawning breaks; Each heart that joy partakes, While cheerful music wakes, Its praise to bring.

2 Long o'er our native hills, Long by our shaded rills, May freedom rest; Long may our sh.o.r.es have peace, Our flag grace every breeze, Our s.h.i.+ps the distant seas, From east to west.

3 Peace on this day abide, From morn till even-tide; Wake tuneful song; Melodious accents raise; Let every heart, with praise, Bring high and grateful lays, Rich, full, and strong.

847. 6s. & 4s. M. J. G. Adams.

The Same.

1 Loud raise the notes of joy; Freemen, your songs employ, As well ye may;-- Let your full hearts go out In the exulting shout, And with your praise devout, Greet this glad day!