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209.

servants of the Lord,

Each in his office, wait,

Observant of His heavenly word,

And watchful at His gate.

Let all your lamps be bright,
And trim the golden flame;

Gird up your loins, as in His sight,
For awful is His Name.

Watch! 'tis your Lord's command;

And, while we speak, He's near;
Mark the first signal of His hand,
And ready all appear.

O happy servant he,

In such a posture found;

He shall his Lord with rapture see,
And be with honour crowned.

Christ shall the banquet spread
With His own Royal hand;

And raise that faithful servant's head
Amid the angelic band.

All glory, Lord, to Thee,

Whom heaven and earth adore;
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One God for evermore. Amen.

P. Doddridge.

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210.

Lo, the feast is spread to-day;
Jesus summons, come away!
From the vanity of life,

From the sounds of mirth or strife,
To the feast by Jesus given,

Come, and taste the bread of heaven.

2 Why, with proud excuse and vain,
Spurn His mercy once again?
From amidst life's social ties,
From the farm and merchandise,
Come, for all is now prepared;
Freely given,-be freely shared.

3 Blessed are the lips that taste

Our Redeemer's marriage-feast;
Blessed, who on Him shall feed,
Bread of life, and drink indeed;
Blessed, for their thirst is o'er;
They shall never hunger more.

4 Make then once again your choice,
Hear to-day His calling voice:
Servants, do your Master's will;
Bidden guests His table fill!
Come, before His wrath shall swear
Ye shall never enter there.

H. Alford.

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211.

THOU, who hast called us by Thy Word
The marriage feast to share

Of Thy dear Son, our only Lord,

Thy bidden guests prepare!

No vain excuse we dare to make,
Thy call we do not slight;
We come unworthy; for His sake
Help us to come aright!

3 The marriage garment we require
Thyself to us impart,

And with Thy precious gifts inspire
A pure and thankful heart.

4 And Thou, to whom the Father's love
The wedding guests has brought,
Who ever helpest from above

Those whom Thy blood has bought.

5 Lord of the feast! our coming bless, And round our souls entwine

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The garment of Thy Righteousness,

In which Thy saints shall shine. Amen.

J. E. Bode.

Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.

212.

SOLDIERS of Christ, arise,

And put your armour on ;

Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son.

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Strong in the Lord of Hosts,
And in His mighty power;

Who in the strength of Jesus trusts,
Is more than conqueror.

Stand then in His great might,
With all His strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God;

That, having all things done,

And all your conflicts passed,

Ye may o'ercome, through Christ alone,
And stand entire at last.

From strength to strength go on;
Wrestle, and fight, and pray;

Tread all the powers of darkness down,

And win the well-fought day. Amen.

213.

C. Wesley.

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OFT in sorrow, oft in woe,

Onward, Christians, onward go;
Fight the fight, maintain the strife,
Strengthened with the Bread of Life.

2 Onward, Christians, onward go ;
Join the war, and face the foe;
Faint not! much doth yet remain ;
Dreary is the long campaign.

3 Shrink not, Christians! will ye yield?
Will ye quit the painful field?
Will ye flee in danger's hour?
Know ye not your Captain's power?

4 Let your drooping hearts be glad ;
March, in heavenly armour clad ;
Fight, nor think the battle long;
Victory soon shall tune your song.

5 Let not sorrow dim your eye,
Soon shall every tear be dry;
Let not woe your course impede ;
Great your strength, if great your need.

6 Onward then to battle move:

More than conquerors ye shall prove ;
Though opposed by many a foe,
Christian soldiers, onward go.

H. K. White & F. F. Maitland.*

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214.

OH! happy is the man who hears
Instruction's warning voice;

And who celestial wisdom makes
His early, only choice.

For she has treasures greater far

Than east or west unfold;

And her rewards more precious are
Than all the gain of gold.