Chapter 50
The Cloud and Pillar of Fire.
1 Long as the darkening cloud abode, So long did ancient Israel rest; Nor moved they, till the guiding Lord In brighter garments stood confest.
2 Father of spirits, Light of light, Lift up the cloud, and rend the veil; s.h.i.+ne forth in fire, amid that night, Whose blackness makes the heart to fail.
3 'T is done! to Christ the power is given; His death has rent the veil away, Our great Forerunner entered heaven, And oped the gate of endless day.
4 Nor shall those mists that brood o'er time, Forever blind the mental eye; They backward roll, and light sublime Beams glory from our G.o.d on high.
5 Adoring nations hail the dawn, All kingdoms bless the noontide beam, And light, unfolding life's full morn, Is vast creation's deathless theme.
303. S. M Johns.
The Kingdom of G.o.d.
1 Come, kingdom of our G.o.d, Sweet reign of light and love!
Shed peace, and hope, and joy abroad, And wisdom from above.
2 Over our spirits first Extend thy healing reign; There raise and quench the sacred thirst, That never pains again.
3 Come, kingdom of our G.o.d!
And make the broad earth thine, Stretch o'er her lands and isles the rod That flowers with grace divine.
4 Soon may all tribes be blest With fruit from life's glad tree; And in its shade like brothers rest Sons of one family.
5 Come, kingdom of our G.o.d!
And raise thy glorious throne In worlds by the undying trod, Where G.o.d shall bless his own.
304. 10s. M. Ashworth.
The Kingdom of Christ.
1 Pour, blessed Gospel, glorious news for man!
Thy stream of life o'er springless deserts roll: Thy bond of peace the mighty earth
2 On, piercing Gospel, on! of every heart, In every lat.i.tude, thou own'st the key: From their dull slumbers savage souls shall start, With all their treasures first unlocked by thee!
3 Tread, kingly Gospel, through the nations tread!
With all the civil virtues in thy train: Be all to thy blest freedom captive led; And Christ, the true emanc.i.p.ator, reign!
4 Spread, giant Gospel, spread thy growing wings!
Gather thy scattered ones from every land: Call home the wanderers to the King of kings; Proclaim them all thine own;--'t is Christ's command!
305. 7s. M. Montgomery.
Christ's Triumph.
1 Hark! the song of jubilee, Loud as mighty thunders roar, Or the fulness of the sea, When it breaks upon the sh.o.r.e;-- Hallelujah to the Lord!
G.o.d omnipotent shall reign; Hallelujah! let the word Echo round the earth and main.
2 Hallelujah!--hark! the sound, Heard through earth, and through the skies, Wakes above, beneath, around, All creation's harmonies: See Jehovah's banner furled, Sheathed his sword; he speaks,--'t is done!
And the kingdoms of this world Are the kingdoms of his Son.
306. 7s. M. C. Wesley.
The Progress of the Gospel.
1 See how great a flame aspires, Kindled by a spark of grace!
Jesus' love the nations fires, Sets the kingdoms on a blaze.
To bring fire on earth he came: Kindled in some hearts it is: O that all might catch the flame, All partake the glorious bliss!
2 When he first the work begun, Small and feeble was his day: Now the word doth swiftly run, Now it wins its widening way: More and more it spreads and grows, Ever mighty to prevail; Sin's strong-holds it now o'erthrows, Shakes the trembling gates of h.e.l.l.
3 Saw ye not the cloud arise, Little as a human hand?
Now it spreads along the skies, Hangs o'er all the thirsty land!
Lo! the promise of a shower Drops already from above!
Haste, O Lord, and quickly pour All the spirit of thy love.
307. 7s. & 5s. M. A. C. Thomas.
The Reconciliation.
1 Thou, whose wide extended sway Suns and systems e'er obey!
Thou, our Guardian and our Stay, Evermore adored: In prospective, Lord, we see Jew and Gentile, bond and free, Reconciled in Christ to thee, Holy, holy Lord.
2 Thou by all shalt be confessed, Ever blessing, ever blest, When to thy eternal rest, In the courts above, Thou shall bring the sore oppressed; Fill each joy-desiring breast; Make of each a welcome guest, At the feast of love.