Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 58

The Blessing of Meekness.

1 Happy the meek, whose gentle breast, Clear as the summer's evening ray, Calm as the regions of the blest, Enjoys on earth celestial day.

2 His heart no broken friends.h.i.+ps sting, No storms his peaceful tent invade; He rests beneath th' Almighty wing, Hostile to none, of none afraid.

3 Spirit of grace, all meek and mild, Inspire our b.r.e.a.s.t.s, our souls possess; Repel each pa.s.sion rude and wild, And bless us as we aim to bless.

350. C. M. M. W. Hale.

The Pure Heart.

1 Whatever dims thy sense of truth, Or stains thy purity, Though light as breath of summer air Count it as sin to thee.

2 Preserve the tablet of thy thoughts From every blemish free, While the Redeemer's lowly faith Its temple makes with thee.

3 And pray of G.o.d, that grace be given To tread time's narrow way:-- How dark soever it may be, It leads to cloudless day.

351. S. M. Keble.

"Blessed are the Pure in Heart."

1 Blest are the pure in heart For they shall see our G.o.d; The secret of the Lord is theirs, Their soul is Christ's abode.

2 Still to the lowly soul He doth himself impart, And for his temple and his throne Chooseth the pure in heart.

352. C. M. Watts.

Prudence.

1 O, 't is a lovely thing to see A man of prudent heart, Whose thoughts and lips and life agree To act a useful part.

2 When envy, strife, and wars begin, In fierce, contentious souls, Mark how the sons of peace come in, And quench the kindling coals.

3 Their minds are humble, mild, and meek, Nor let their anger rise; Nor pa.s.sion moves their lips to speak, Nor pride exalts their eyes.

4 Their lives are prudence mixed with love; Good works employ their day; They join the serpent with the dove, But cast the sting away.

353. L. M. 6l. Montgomery.

Humility.

1 The bird that soars on highest wing Builds on the ground her lowly nest; And she that doth most sweetly sing Sings in the shade when all things rest:-- In lark and nightingale we see What honor hath humility.

2 When Mary chose the better part, She meekly sat at Jesus' feet; And Lydia's gently opened heart Was made for G.o.d's own temple meet:-- Fairest and best adorned is she Whose clothing is humility.

3 The saint that wears heaven's brightest crown In deepest adoration bends; The weight of glory bows him down Then most when most his soul ascends:-- Nearest the throne itself must be The footstool of humility.

354. C. M. Watts.

Humility and Submission.

1 Is there ambition in my heart?

Search, gracious G.o.d, and see; Or do I act a haughty part?

Lord, I appeal to thee.

2 I charge my thoughts, be humble still, And all my carriage mild; Content, my Father, with thy will And quiet as a child.

3 The patient soul, the lowly mind, Shall have a large reward: Let saints in sorrow lie resigned, And trust a faithful Lord.

355. L. M. Watts.

Love to G.o.d and our Neighbor.

1 Thus saith the first, the great command, "Let all thy inward powers unite To love thy Maker and thy G.o.d With utmost vigor and delight.

2 "Then shall thy neighbor next in place Share thine affections and esteem; And let thy kindness to thyself Measure and rule thy love to him."

3 This is the sense that Moses spoke; This did the prophets preach and prove, For want of this the law is broke, And the whole law's fulfilled by love.

4 But, O, how base our pa.s.sions are!

How cold our charity and zeal!

Lord, fill our souls with heavenly fire, Or we shall ne'er perform thy will.