Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 50

The Cloud and Pillar of Fire.

1 Long as the darkening cloud abode, So long did ancient Israel rest; Nor moved they, till the guiding Lord In brighter garments stood confest.

2 Father of spirits, Light of light, Lift up the cloud, and rend the veil; s.h.i.+ne forth in fire, amid that night, Whose blackness makes the heart to fail.

3 'T is done! to Christ the power is given; His death has rent the veil away, Our great Forerunner entered heaven, And oped the gate of endless day.

4 Nor shall those mists that brood o'er time, Forever blind the mental eye; They backward roll, and light sublime Beams glory from our G.o.d on high.

5 Adoring nations hail the dawn, All kingdoms bless the noontide beam, And light, unfolding life's full morn, Is vast creation's deathless theme.

303. S. M Johns.

The Kingdom of G.o.d.

1 Come, kingdom of our G.o.d, Sweet reign of light and love!

Shed peace, and hope, and joy abroad, And wisdom from above.

2 Over our spirits first Extend thy healing reign; There raise and quench the sacred thirst, That never pains again.

3 Come, kingdom of our G.o.d!

And make the broad earth thine, Stretch o'er her lands and isles the rod That flowers with grace divine.

4 Soon may all tribes be blest With fruit from life's glad tree; And in its shade like brothers rest Sons of one family.

5 Come, kingdom of our G.o.d!

And raise thy glorious throne In worlds by the undying trod, Where G.o.d shall bless his own.

304. 10s. M. Ashworth.

The Kingdom of Christ.

1 Pour, blessed Gospel, glorious news for man!

Thy stream of life o'er springless deserts roll: Thy bond of peace the mighty earth can span, And make one brotherhood from pole to pole.

2 On, piercing Gospel, on! of every heart, In every lat.i.tude, thou own'st the key: From their dull slumbers savage souls shall start, With all their treasures first unlocked by thee!

3 Tread, kingly Gospel, through the nations tread!

With all the civil virtues in thy train: Be all to thy blest freedom captive led; And Christ, the true emanc.i.p.ator, reign!

4 Spread, giant Gospel, spread thy growing wings!

Gather thy scattered ones from every land: Call home the wanderers to the King of kings; Proclaim them all thine own;--'t is Christ's command!

305. 7s. M. Montgomery.

Christ's Triumph.

1 Hark! the song of jubilee, Loud as mighty thunders roar, Or the fulness of the sea, When it breaks upon the sh.o.r.e;-- Hallelujah to the Lord!

G.o.d omnipotent shall reign; Hallelujah! let the word Echo round the earth and main.

2 Hallelujah!--hark! the sound, Heard through earth, and through the skies, Wakes above, beneath, around, All creation's harmonies: See Jehovah's banner furled, Sheathed his sword; he speaks,--'t is done!

And the kingdoms of this world Are the kingdoms of his Son.

306. 7s. M. C. Wesley.

The Progress of the Gospel.

1 See how great a flame aspires, Kindled by a spark of grace!

Jesus' love the nations fires, Sets the kingdoms on a blaze.

To bring fire on earth he came: Kindled in some hearts it is: O that all might catch the flame, All partake the glorious bliss!

2 When he first the work begun, Small and feeble was his day: Now the word doth swiftly run, Now it wins its widening way: More and more it spreads and grows, Ever mighty to prevail; Sin's strong-holds it now o'erthrows, Shakes the trembling gates of h.e.l.l.

3 Saw ye not the cloud arise, Little as a human hand?

Now it spreads along the skies, Hangs o'er all the thirsty land!

Lo! the promise of a shower Drops already from above!

Haste, O Lord, and quickly pour All the spirit of thy love.

307. 7s. & 5s. M. A. C. Thomas.

The Reconciliation.

1 Thou, whose wide extended sway Suns and systems e'er obey!

Thou, our Guardian and our Stay, Evermore adored: In prospective, Lord, we see Jew and Gentile, bond and free, Reconciled in Christ to thee, Holy, holy Lord.

2 Thou by all shalt be confessed, Ever blessing, ever blest, When to thy eternal rest, In the courts above, Thou shall bring the sore oppressed; Fill each joy-desiring breast; Make of each a welcome guest, At the feast of love.