Let Thy holy word instruct us;
Fill our minds with heavenly light;
Let Thy love and grace constrain us
To approve whate'er is right,
Take Thine easy yoke, and wear it,
And to prove Thy burden light.
Taught to lisp the holy praises
Which on earth Thy children sing,
Both with lips and hearts unfeigned
May we our thank-offerings bring;
Then with all the saints in glory
Join to praise our Lord and King.
102 ONCE in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.
And, through all His wondrous childhood,
He would honour and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden
In whose gentle arms He lay :
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.
For He is our childhood's Pattern,
Day by day like us He grew,
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.
And our eyes at last shall see Him
Through His Own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above;
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.
Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.
GLORY be to God on high!
Raise the theme above the sky;
Praise by all to Him be given—
All on earth, and all in heaven.
Holy Spirit! heavenly dove!
Raise our hearts to joys above:
O may we in early days
Grow in knowledge-choose Thy ways.
Grant, if life be spared, that we,
While we live, may live to Thee;
When we die, be death our gain;
May we die, with Christ to reign.
Oh! that all assembled here,
In Thy presence may appear;
With this anthem fill the sky,
Glory be to God on high!"
JESUS, Lord of life and glory,
Friend of children, hear our lays;
Humbly would our souls adore Thee,
Sing Thy name in hymns of praise.
O what debtors to Thy kindness
Are we, God of boundless love!
Thousands wander on in blindness,
Strangers to the light above.
But 'tis ours to read the pages
Where the rays of glory glow;
And through everlasting ages
We aspire Thy bliss to know.
Jesus, on Thine arm relying,
We would tread this earthly vale;
Be our life, when life is dying;
Be our strength, when strength shall fail.
YE boundless realms of joy,
Exalt your Maker's fame,
His praise your song employ
Above the starry frame;
Your voices raise,
Ye cherubim
And seraphim,
To sing His praise.
Thou moon, that rul'st the night,
And sun, that guid'st the day,
Ye glittering stars of light,
To Him your homage pay;
His praise declare,
Ye heavens above,
And clouds that move
In liquid air.
United zeal be shewn
His wondrous fame to raise,
Whose glorious name alone
Deserves our endless praise.
Earth's utmost ends
His power obey;
His glorious sway
The sky transcends.
His chosen saints to grace,
He sets them up on high,
And favours Israel's race,
Who still to Him are nigh.
O therefore raise
Your grateful voice,
And still rejoice
The Lord to praise.
106 GOD moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain ;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
107 LOVE divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown:
Jesu, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded Love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.
Come, Almighty to deliver!
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above;
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish then Thy new creation,
Pure and sinless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place;
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!
FATHER of mercy, hear our prayers
For those who do us good;
Whose love for us a place prepares,
And kindly gives us food.
Each hand and heart that lends us aid,
Thou dost inspire and guide;
Nor is their bounty unrepaid,
Who for the poor provide.
Thou still shalt be our grateful theme,
Thy praise we'll ever sing;
Our friends, the kind refreshing stream,
But Thou th' unfailing spring.
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