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2

3

4

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243.

THINE Angels, Christ! we laud in solemn

lays,

Our elder brethren of the crystal sky,

Who, 'mid Thy glory's blaze,

The ceaseless anthem raise,

And gird Thy throne in faithful ministry.

We celebrate their love, whose viewless wing
Hath left for us so oft their mansion high,
The mercies of their King

To mortal saints to bring,

Or guard the couch of slumbering infancy.

But Thee, the First and Last, we glorify, Who, when Thy world was sunk in death and

sin,

Not with Thine hierarchy,

The armies of the sky,

But didst with Thine own arm the battle win.

Therefore, with Angels and Archangels, we To Thy dear love our thankful chorus raise, And tune our songs to Thee

Who art, and art to be,

And endless as Thy mercies sound Thy praise.

St. Luke's Day.

244.

LIFT high the song of praise

For him whose holy pen

Bp. R. Heber.

Gave down the hymns of other days
To glad the sons of men !

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2

3

Glory to God on high,

And peace upon the earth,

Goodwill to men," be now proclaimed,

As at the Saviour's birth.

"The Lord to magnify,

Be lifted every voice,

And in our God and Saviour,
Let every soul rejoice.

4 "With benedictions high

Let Israel's God be praised;
Who hath salvation's mighty horn
Up for His people raised.”

5 And when around our path
The call of death is heard,
"Lord, let Thou us depart in peace,
According to Thy word."

6* To God the Father, Son,

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And Holy Ghost be given

Eternal praise by saints on earth,
And angel choirs in heaven.

St. Simon & St. Jude.

245.

Amen.

LET the Church of God rejoice

For the Apostles' fostering care,

For the sounding of their voice,

H. Alford.

For their preaching and their prayer ;

2

Whom the Lord our God did choose

To the farthest lands to go:
Whom the Husbandman did use

Holiest seed on earth to sow.

3 In the New Jerusalem

Twelve foundations firm are laid:
On the Apostles of the Lamb
Is the glorious building stayed.

4 Firmly built on them, may we,
Bound to Christ our Corner-stone,
In the heavenly temple be

One in heart, in doctrine one.

5* God the Father, God the Son,
God the Holy Ghost we bless;
Persons Three in Godhead One,
We with faithful heart confess.

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All Saints' Day.

246.

Celestis O Jerusalem.

JERUSALEM, the holy !

That ever shalt abide :

Within thy walls, thrice happy

Who, citizens, reside.

Amen.
H. Alford.

2

Thou home of peace eternal,

The saints' beloved rest;

Seat of divine fruition;

Throne of the King all-blest.

3 God there in glory reigneth,
The Fount of all delight:
The Lamb in splendour shineth;
Nor sets that Sun in night.

4 Those mansions, who attaineth
Hath undisturbed repose:
The praise of God for ever,
The only toil he knows.

5 Our hope doth there invite us :
Our vows all thither tend:
Brief labour shall not fright us
From joys that never end.

6 Sun of our native country,
All glory be to Thee;

All glory to the Father,

And Spirit endlessly. Amen.

W. E. Green. (tr.)

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2

247.

How bright these glorious spirits shine!

Whence all their white array?

How came they to the blissful seats

Of everlasting day?

Lo! these are they from sufferings great
Who came to realms of light;

And in the blood of Christ have washed

Those robes which shine so bright.

3 Now with triumphal palms they stand
Before the throne on high,

And serve the God they love, amidst
The glories of the sky.

4 His presence fills each heart with joy,
Tunes every mouth to sing;

By day, by night, the sacred courts
With glad hosannas ring.

5 Hunger and thirst are felt no more,
Nor suns with scorching ray;

God is their Sun, whose cheering beams
Diffuse eternal day.

6 The Lamb, which dwells amidst the throne, Shall o'er them still preside,

Feed them with nourishment divine,
And all their footsteps guide.

7 'Mong pastures green He'll lead His flock,
Where living streams appear;
And God the Lord from every eye
Shall wipe off every tear. Amen.

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I. Watts & W. Cameron.

248.

WHAT are these in bright array,

This innumerable throng,

Round the altar, night and day,

Hymning one triumphant song?
"Worthy is the Lamb once slain,
Blessing, honour, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches, to obtain,

New dominion every hour."