Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 48

290. C. M. Anonymous.

The Gospel Feast.

1 On Zion, his most holy mount, G.o.d will a feast prepare; And Israel's sons, and Gentile lands, Shall in the banquet share.

2 See to the vilest of the vile A free acceptance given!

See rebels, by adopting grace, Sit with the heirs of heaven!

3 The pained, the sick, the dying, now To ease and health restored, With eager appet.i.tes partake The plenties of the board.

4 But, O, what draughts of bliss unknown, What dainties shall be given, When, with the myriads round the throne, We join the feast of heaven!

5 There joys immeasurably high Shall overflow the soul, And springs of life, that never dry, In thousand channels roll.

291. 7s. M. Anonymous.

The Fulness of the Gentiles.

1 "Give us room, that we may dwell,"

Zion's children cry aloud: See their numbers how they swell!

How they gather like a cloud!

2 O, how bright the morning seems!

Brighter from so dark a night: Zion is like one that dreams, Filled with wonder and delight.

3 Lo! thy sun goes down no more: G.o.d himself will be thy light: All that caused thee grief before Buried lies in endless night.

4 Zion, now arise and s.h.i.+ne; Lo! thy light from heaven is come These that crowd from far are thine; Give thy sons and daughters room.

292. L. M. Anonymous.

Influence of the Gospel like Rain.

1 As showers on meadows newly mown, Jesus shall shed his blessings down; Crowned with whose life-infusing drops, Earth shall renew her blissful crops.

2 The dews and rains, in all their store, Drenching the pastures o'er and o'er, Are not so copious as that grace Which sanctifies and saves our race.

3 As, in soft silence, vernal showers Descend, and cheer the fainting flowers, So, in the secrecy of love, Falls the sweet influence from above.

4 That heavenly influence let me find In holy silence of the mind, While every grace maintains its bloom, Diffusing wide its rich perfume.

5 Nor let these blessings be confined To me, but poured on all mankind, Till earth's wild wastes in verdure rise, And a young Eden bless our eyes.

293. H. M. Doddridge.

Efficacy of the Gospel.

1 Mark the soft-falling snow, And the descending rain!

To heaven, from whence it fell, It turns not back again; But waters earth through every pore, And calls forth all her secret store.

2 Arrayed in beauteous green The hills and valleys s.h.i.+ne, And man and beast are fed By providence divine: The harvest bows its golden ears, The copious seed of future years.

3 "So," saith the G.o.d of grace, "My Gospel shall descend, Almighty to effect The purpose I intend; Millions of souls shall feel its power, And bear it down to millions more."

294. S. M. H. Ballou.

Universal Redemption.

1 In G.o.d's eternity There shall a day arise, When all the race of man shall be With Jesus in the skies.

2 As night before the rays Of morning flees away, Sin shall retire before the blaze Of G.o.d's eternal day.

3 As music fills the grove When stormy clouds are past, Sweet anthems of redeeming love Shall all employ at last.

4 Redeemed from death and sin, Shall Adam's numerous race A ceaseless song of praise begin, And shout redeeming grace.

295. L. M. 6l. Watts.

"The Gentiles shall see thy Righteousness."

1 Let all the earth their voices raise, To sing the choicest psalm of praise; To sing and bless Jehovah's name: His glory let the heathen know, His wonders to the nations show, And all his saving works proclaim.

2 The heathen know thy glory, Lord: The wondering nations read thy word: Among us is Jehovah known; Our wors.h.i.+p shall no more be paid To G.o.ds which mortal hands have made; Our Maker is our G.o.d alone.

3 Come the great day, the glorious hour, When earth shall feel his saving power, And barbarous nations fear his name; Then shall the race of man confess The beauty of his holiness, And in his courts his grace proclaim.