277.

THIS day the light, of heavenly birth,

First streamed upon the new-born earth;
O Lord, this day upon us shine,

And fill our souls with light divine.

2 This day the Saviour left the grave,
And rose, omnipotent to save ;
O Jesu, may we raised be

From death of sin to life in Thee.

3 This day the Holy Spirit came
With fiery tongues of cloven flame :
O Spirit, fill our hearts this day
With grace to hear and grace to pray.

4 O day of light, and life, and grace,

I

From earthly toils sweet resting-place!
Thy hallowed hours, best gift of love,
Give we again to God above. Amen.

THE

278.

day of rest once more comes round, A day to all believers dear;

The silver trumpets seem to sound,

That call the tribes of Israel near :

Ye people all,

Obey the call,

And in Jehovah's courts appear.

2

Obedient to Thy summons, Lord,

We to Thy sanctuary come ;
Thy gracious presence here afford,
And send Thy people joyful home;
Of Thee our King,

Oh! may we sing,

And none with such a theme be dumb!

3 Oh! hasten, Lord, the day when those, Who know Thee here, shall see Thy face When suffering shall for ever close,

;

And they shall reach their destined place :
Then shall they rest

Supremely blest,

Eternal debtors to Thy grace! Amen.

279.

1. Kelly.

I

THIS is the day the Lord hath made:

He calls the hours His own ;

Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.

2 To-day He rose and left the dead,
And Satan's empire fell;

To-day the saints His triumphs spread,
And all His wonders tell.

3 Hosanna to the anointed King,
To David's holy Son;

Help us, O Lord! descend and bring
Salvation from the throne.

4 Blest be the Lord, Who comes to men
With messages of grace—

Who comes in God His Father's name,
To save our sinful race.

5 Hosanna in the highest strains

The Church on earth can raise !

The highest heavens, in which He reigns,
Shall give Him nobler praise. Amen.

I. Watts.

I

280.

Psalm LXXXI.

SING to the Lord, our might,

With holy fervour sing;

Let hearts and instruments unite
To praise our heavenly King.

2

This is His holy house,

And this His festal day,

When He accepts the humblest vows

That we sincerely pay.

And God is still as near His fold,

To pity and to bless.

Our hearts for Him to fill ;
And He, that Israel then supplied,

Will help His Israel still.

Ember Weeks.

Amen.

H. F. Lyte.

281.

[Advent.

I

King of Salem, Prince of Peace,
Bid strife among Thy subjects cease!
One is our faith, and one our Lord;
One body, Spirit, hope, reward:

2 One God and Father of us all,

On whom Thy Church and people call:
Oh! may we one communion be,
One with each other, one in Thee.

3 Bless all whose voice salvation brings,
Who minister in holy things;

Our bishops, priests, and deacons bless :
Clothe them with zeal and righteousness.

4 Let many in the judgment day,
Turned from the error of their way,

Their hope, their joy, their crown appear;
Save those who preach, and those who hear.

Amen.

P. Doddridge.

282.

[Lent.

LORD, we come before Thee now
With earnest faith and prayer,

That in the world's great harvest Thou
Wouldst send more labourers there.

2 Endue the bishops of Thy flock
With wisdom and with grace
Against false doctrines like a rock
To set the heart and face.

3 To all Thy priests Thy truth reveal,
And make Thy precepts clear,

Make Thou Thy deacons full of zeal
And humble and sincere.

4 Give to their flocks a lowly mind
To hear and to obey :

That each and all may mercy find
At Thine appearing day. Amen.

7. M. Neale.*

I

283.

[Whitsuntide.

THE Saviour, when to heaven He rose

In splendid triumph o'er His foes,
Scattered His gifts on men below;
And wide His royal bounties flow.

2 Hence sprang the Apostles' honoured name, Sacred beyond heroic fame :

In lowlier forms, to bless our eyes,
Pastors from hence, and teachers rise.

3 From Christ their varied gifts derive,
And, fed by Christ, their graces live;
While, guarded by His potent hand,
'Midst all the rage of hell they stand.