We all on earth forsake

Its wisdom, fame, and power, And Him our only portion make, Our shield and tower.

3 The God of Abram praise,
Whose all-sufficient love

Shall guide us by well-chosen ways
To rest above;

Then bending at his throne

With all the ransom'd throng,

His faithful love we shall make known

In worthier song.

OLIVER.

*

ERE the blue heavens were stretch'd abroad,

From everlasting was the Word:

With God He was; the Word was God,
And must divinely be adored.

2 By his own power were all things made;
By Him supported all things stand;
He is the whole creation's head,
And angels fly at his command.

3

Ere sin was born, or Satan fell,

He led the host of morning stars; His generation who can tell,

Or count the number of his years?

4 But lo, He leaves those heavenly forms,
The Word descends and dwells in clay,
That he may hold converse with worms,
Dress'd in such feeble flesh as they.

5 Mortals with joy behold his face,
Th' eternal Father's only Son;

How full of truth! now full of grace!
When through his eyes the Godhead shone.

6 Archangels leave their high abode,
To learn new mysteries here, and tell
The love of our descending God,
The glories of Immanuel.

WATTS.

THE lands that long in darkness lay

Now have beheld a heavenly light ; Nations that sat in death's cold shade Are bless'd with beams divinely bright. 2 The Virgin's promised Son is born, Behold the expected Child appear: What shall his names or titles be? "The Wonderful, the Counsellor.

3

"An infant, yet the mighty God,
Worthy by all to be adored;
Th' eternal Father, Prince of Peace,

The Son of David, and his Lord."

4 The government of earth and seas

Upon his shoulders shall be laid; His wide dominions shall increase, And honours to his name be paid.

5 Jesus, the holy child, shall sit

High on his father David's throne; Shall crush his foes beneath his feet, And reign to ages yet unknown.

WATTS.*

L. M.

7s.

62

63

The Birth of Christ.

HARK! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"

2 Joyful all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the heavenly host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
3 Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Lowly lays his glory by ;

Born for men, for men to die.

4 Hail thou glorious Prince of Peace;
Hail! thou Sun of Righteousness;
Risen with healing on thy wings,

Light and life thy rising brings. WESLEY.

HA

The Song of the Angels at

Bethlehem.

P. M. 8.7.8.7.

ARK! what mean those holy voices,
Sweetly sounding through the skies!

Lo! the angelic host rejoices;

Heavenly hallelujahs rise.

2 Listen to the wondrous story,

66

Which they chant in hymns of joy ;

Glory in the highest, glory!

Glory be to God most high!

3

4

"Peace on earth, good-will from heaven,
Reaching far as man is found;
Souls redeemed and sins forgiven :-

Loud our golden harps shall sound.
"Christ is born, the Great Anointed ;
Heaven and earth his praises sing!
O receive whom God appointed

For your Prophet, Priest, and King." 5 Hasten, mortals, to adore Him;

Learn his name, and taste his joy;
Till in heaven ye sing before Him,
Glory be to God most high!

6 Let us learn the wondrous story
Of our Great Redeemer's birth ;
Spread the brightness of his glory,
Till it cover all the earth.

64

CAWOOD.

The same.

L. M.

WE

HEN Jordan hush'd his waters still, And silence slept on Zion's hill; When Bethlehem's shepherds, through the night,

Watch'd o'er their flocks by starry light

2 Hark! from the midnight hills around,
A voice of more than mortal sound,
In distant hallelujahs stole,

Wild murmuring o'er the raptured soul.