59.

7.6. double.

LOVE FROM EVERLASTING.

Bohemia-Frankfort-Bradford.

1 Ere God had built the mountains,
Or raised the fruitful hills;
Before he fill'd the fountains
That feed the running rills;
In me from everlasting,
The wonderful I AM

Found pleasures never wasting,
And Wisdom is my name.

2 When, like a tent to dwell in,
He spread the skies abroad,
And swathed about the swelling
Of ocean's mighty flood;

He wrought by weight and measure,
And I was with him then;
Myself the Father's pleasure,
And mine the sons of men.

3 Thus Wisdom's words discover
Thy glory and thy grace,
Thou everlasting lover
Of our unworthy race!

Thy gracious eye surveyed us
Ere stars were seen above;
In wisdom thou hast made us,
And died for us in love.

4 And could'st thou be delighted
With creatures such as we!
Who, when we saw thee, slighted,
And nailed thee to a tree?
Unfathomable wonder,
And mystery divine!

The voice that speaks in thunder,
Says, "Sinner, I am thine!"

60.

THE ADVENT.

Belgrave-Tottenham-Stroudwater.

C. M.

1 Hark, the glad sound, the Saviour comes!
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart exult with joy,
And every voice be song!

2 On him the Spirit largely shed,
Exerts its sacred fire;

Wisdom and might, and zeal and love,
His holy breast inspire.

3 He comes! the prisoners to relieve
In Satan's bondage held;

The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.

4 He comes! from darkening scales of vice To clear the inward sight;

And on the eye-balls of the blind
To pour celestial light.

5 He comes! the broken hearts to bind, The bleeding souls to cure;

And with the treasures of his grace
To enrich the humble poor.

6 The sacred year has now revolved,
Accepted of the Lord,

When Heav'n's high promise is fulfilled,
And Israel is restored.

7 Our glad hosannahs, Prince of Peace!
Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heaven's exalted arches ring
With thy most honour'd name.

61.

JOY TO THE WORLD.
Peckham-St. George's-Sheffield.

1 Joy to the world! the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
His praise, all nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns!
Let men their songs employ;

C. M.

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace; And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness,

62.

And wonders of his love.

THE NATIVITY.
Lubeck-Christmas Hymn-Geneva!

1 Hark! the herald angels sing;
"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"

2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord,
Lowly lays his glory by;

Born for men, for men to die.

3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light, and life, and joy he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
4 Come, Desire of Nations, come,
Fix in us thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head.
5 Adam's likeness now efface,
Stamp thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Re-instate us in God's love.

78.

63.

BETHLEHEM.

Colchester-Halifax or Abingdon-Ashley.

C. M.

1 While humble shepherds watched their flocks

In Bethlehem's plains by night,
An angel sent from heaven appeared,
And filled the plains with light.

2 Fear not, he said, (for sudden dread
Had seized their troubled mind);
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you, and all mankind.

3 To you, in David's town, this day
Is born, of David's line,

The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:

4 The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapt in swaddling-bands,
And in a manger laid.

5 Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God; and thus
Addressed their joyful song:

6 All glory be to God on high,

And to the earth be peace;

Good-will is shown by Heaven to men,
And never more shall cease.