Chapter 155
Morning Hymn.
1 Now, the shades of night are gone; Now the morning light comes on; Lord, may we be thine to-day, Drive the shades of sin away.
2 Fill our souls with heavenly light, Banish doubt, and clear our sight; In thy service, Lord, to-day, May we stand, and watch and pray.
3 Keep our haughty pa.s.sions bound; Save us from our foes around; Going out and coming in, Keep us safe from every sin.
4 When our work of life is past, O, receive us then at last; Night and sin will be no more, When we reach the heavenly sh.o.r.e.
939. L. M. Watts.
The Same.
1 G.o.d of the morning, at whose voice The cheerful sun makes haste to rise, And like a giant doth rejoice To run his journey through the skies.
2 From the fair chambers of the east, The circuit of his race begins, And, without weariness or rest, Round the whole earth he flies and s.h.i.+nes.
3 O, like the sun may I fulfil The appointed duties of the day, With ready mind and active will March on and keep my heavenly way.
4 Lord, thy commands are clean and pure, Enlightening our beclouded eyes, Thy threatenings just, thy promise sure, Thy gospel makes the simple wise.
940. C. M. Mrs. Steele.
The Same.
1 Lord of my life! O may thy praise Employ my n.o.blest powers, Whose goodness lengthens out my days.
And fills the circling hours!
2 Preserved by thy almighty arm, I pa.s.sed the shades of night, Serene and safe from every
3 While many spend the night in sighs And restless pains and woes, In gentle sleep I close my eyes And undisturbed repose.
4 When sleep death's semblance o'er me spread, And I unconscious lay, Thy watchful care was round my bed, To guard my feeble clay.
5 O let the same almighty care My waking hours attend; From every danger, every snare, My heedless steps defend.
941. L. M. Watts.
Morning or Evening Hymn.
1 My G.o.d, how endless is thy love!
Thy gifts are every evening new; And morning mercies, from above, Gently distil like early dew.
2 Thou spread'st the curtains of the night, Great Guardian of my sleeping hours; Thy sovereign word restores the light, And quickens all my drowsy powers.
3 I yield my powers to thy command; To thee I consecrate my days; Perpetual blessings from thine hand Demand perpetual songs of praise.
942. 8s. & 7s. M. Edmeston.
Confidence in G.o.d's Protection.
1 Father, breathe an evening blessing Ere repose our spirits seal; Sin and want we come confessing; Thou canst save and thou canst heal.
2 Though destruction walk around us, Though the arrows past us fly, Angel guards from thee surround us; We are safe, if thou art nigh.
3 Though the night be dark and dreary, Darkness cannot hide from thee; Thou art he who, never weary, Watchest where thy people be.
4 Should swift death this night o'ertake us, And command us to the tomb, May the morn in heaven awake us, Clad in bright, eternal bloom.
943. 7s. M. Bowring.
Morning or Evening.--All from G.o.d.
1 Father! thy paternal care Has my guardian been, my guide!
Every hallowed wish and prayer Has thy hand of love supplied; Thine is every thought of bliss, Left by hours and days gone by; Every hope thy offspring is, Beaming from futurity.
2 Every sun of splendid ray; Every moon that s.h.i.+nes serene; Every morn that welcomes day; Every evening's twilight scene, Every hour which wisdom brings; Every incense at thy shrine; These--and all life's holiest things, And its fairest--all are thine.
3 And for all, my hymns shall rise Daily to thy gracious throne: Thither let my asking eyes Turn unwearied--righteous One!
Through life's strange vicissitude There reposing all my care, Trusting still through ill and good, Fixed and cheered and counselled there.
944. 7s. & 6s. M. Sacred Songs.
Reflections at Sunset.