Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 36

220. C. M. Mrs. Hemans.

"Peace! be still!"

1 Fear, was within the tossing bark, When stormy winds grew loud, And waves came rolling high and dark, And the tall mast was bowed.

2 And men stood breathless in their dread, And baffled in their skill-- But One was there, who rose and said To the wild sea, "Be still!"

3 And the wind ceased; it ceased! that word Pa.s.sed through the gloomy sky, The troubled billows knew their Lord, And sank beneath his eye.

4 Thou that didst rule the angry hour, And tame the tempest's mood-- Oh! send, thy Spirit forth in power O'er our dark souls to brood!

5 Thou that didst bow the billows' pride, Thy mandates to fulfil-- Speak, speak to pa.s.sion's raging tide, Speak and say--"Peace, be still!"

221. L. M. 6l. Barton.

The Pool of Bethesda.

1 Around Bethesda's healing wave Waiting to hear the rustling wing, Which spoke the angel nigh, who gave Its virtue to that holy spring, With patience, and with hope endued Were seen the gathered mult.i.tude.

2 Had they who watched and waited there Been conscious who was pa.s.sing by, With what unceasing anxious care Would they have sought his pitying eye; And craved with fervency of soul, His Power Divine to make them whole!

3 Bethesda's pool has lost its power!

No angel, by his glad descent, Dispenses that diviner dower Which with its healing waters went.

But he, whose word surpa.s.sed its wave, Is still omnipotent to save.

222. L. M. Heber.

The Holy Guest.

1 Messiah Lord! who, wont to dwell In lowly shape and cottage cell, Didst not refuse a guest to be At Cana's poor festivity.

2 O when our soul from care is free, Then, Saviour, would we think on thee; And, seated at the festal board, In fancy's eye behold the Lord.

3 Then may we seem, in fancy's ear, Thy manna-dropping tongue to hear, And think,--"if now his searching view Each secret of our spirit knew!"

4 So may such joy, chastised and pure, Beyond the bounds of earth endure; Nor pleasure in the wounded mind Shall leave a rankling sting behind.

223. C. M. Cowper.

"He steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem."

1 The Saviour, what a n.o.ble flame, Was kindled in his breast, When hasting to Jerusalem, He marched before the rest!

2 Good-will to men, and zeal for G.o.d, His every thought engross; He goes to be baptized with blood; He goes to meet the cross.

3 With all his sufferings full in view, And woes to us unknown, Forth to the task his spirit flew; 'Twas love that urged him on.

4 And while his holy sorrows here Engage our wondering eyes, We learn our lighter cross to bear, And hasten to the skies.

224. L. M. Milman.

Christ's Entry into Jerusalem.

1 Ride on, ride on in majesty!

Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry!

Thy humble beast pursues his road, With palms and scattered garments strowed.

2 Ride on, ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die!

O Christ, thy triumphs now begin, O'er captive death and conquered sin.

3 Ride on, ride on in majesty!

The winged squadrons of the sky Look down with sad and wondering eyes, To see the approaching sacrifice.

4 Ride on, ride on in majesty!

Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh; The Father on his glorious throne Expects his own anointed Son!

225. C. M. Mrs. Barbauld.

Christ's New Command to his Disciples.

1 Behold where, breathing love divine, Our dying Master stands!

His weeping followers, gathering round, Receive his last commands.

2 "Blest is the man whose softening heart Feels all another's pain; To whom the supplicating eye Was never raised in vain;