58. The Eternal WISDOM (Pr. vii. 22.) C. M.

Tallis-Winchester Old-French. 1 Keep silence, all ye sons of men,

And hear with reverence due ;
Eternal Wisdom from above

Thus lifts her voice to you:
2 I was the Almighty's chief delight

From everlasting days,
Ere yet his arm was stretched forth

The heavens and earth to raise. 3 Before the sea began to flow,

And leave the solid land,
Before the hills and mountains rose,

I dwelt at his right hand. 4 When first he reared the arch of heaven,

And spread the clouds on air,
When first the fountains of the deep

He opened, I was there. 5 There I was with him, when he stretched

His compass o'er the deep,
And charged the ocean's swelling waves

Within their bounds to keep.
6 With joy I saw the abode prepared

Which men were soon to fill :
Them from the first of days I loved,

Unchanged, I love them still.

7.6. 59.

LOVE FROM EVERLASTING. double,

Bohemia-Frankfort-Bradford.
1 Ere God had built the mountains,

Or raised the fruitful hills;
Before he fill'd the fountains
That feed the running rills ;
In me from everlasting,
The wonderful I AM
Found pleasures never wasting,

And Wisdom is my name.
2 When, like a tent to dwell in,

He spread the skies abroad,
And swathed about the swelling
Of ocean's mighty flood;
He wrought by weight and measure,
And I was with him then;
Myself the Father's pleasure,

And mine the sons of men.
3 Thus Wisdom's words discover

Thy glory and thy grace,
Thou everlasting lover
Of our unworthy race!
Thy gracious eye surveyed us
Ere stars were seen above;
In wisdom thou hast made us,
And died for us in love.

4 And could'st thou be delighted

With creatures such as we!
Who, when we saw thee, slighted,
And nailed thee to a tree?
Unfathomable wonder,
And mystery divine !
The voice that speaks in thunder,

Says, “Sinner, I am thine!”
60.
THE ADVENT.

C.M. Belgrave—Tottenham-Stroudwater. 1 Hark, the glad sound, the Saviour comes!

The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart exult with joy,

And every voice be song!
2 On him the Spirit largely shed,

Exerts its sacred fire; Wisdom and might, and zeal and love,

His holy breast inspire.
3 He comes! the prisoners to relieve

In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,

The iron fetters yield. 4 He comes! from darkening scales of vice

To clear the inward sight;
And on the eye-balls of the blind

To pour celestial light.

5 He comes! the broken hearts to bind,

The bleeding souls to cure;
And with the treasures of his grace

To enrich the humble poor.
6 The sacred year has now revolved,

Accepted of the Lord,
When Heav'n's high promise is fulfilled,

And Israel is restored.
7 Our glad hosannahs, Prince of Peace!

Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heaven's exalted arches ring

With thy most honour'd name.

61.

JOY TO THE WORLD.

C.M. Peckham-St. George's—Sheffielil. 1 Joy to the world! the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,

His praise, all nature sing.
2 Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns!

Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and

plains

Repeat the sounding joy.
3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow

Far as the curse is found.

78.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace;

And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of his love. 62. THE NATIVITY.

Lubeck-Christmas Hymn--- Geneva! 1 Hark! the herald angels sing;

“Glory to the new-born King !
Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!”
2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,

Christ the everlasting Lord,
Lowly lays his glory by;

Born for men, for men to die. 3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness !
Light, and life, and joy he brings,

Risen with healing in his wings. 4 Come, Desire of Nations, come,

Fix in us thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conquering Seed,

Bruise in us the serpent's head. 5 Adam's likeness now efface,

Stamp thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Re-instate us in God's love.