Peace on Earth.
1 Down the dark future, through long generations, The sounds of war grow fainter and then cease; And, like a bell with solemn, sweet vibrations, I hear once more the voice of Christ say, "Peace!"
2 Peace! and no longer, from its brazen portals, The blast of war"s great organ shakes the skies; But beautiful as songs of the immortals, The holy melodies of love arise.
422. C. M. Anonymous.
Glory to G.o.d, Through Peace on Earth.
1 "To G.o.d be glory! Peace on earth!"
Let us repeat again The hymn that hailed the Saviour"s birth,-- "Peace and good will to men!"
2 Good will to men! O G.o.d, we hail This of Thy law the sum; For as this shall o"er earth prevail, So shall Thy kingdom come!
423. C. M. R. W. Emerson.
The House Our Fathers Built to G.o.d.
1 We love the venerable house Our fathers built to G.o.d; In heaven are kept their grateful vows, Their dust endears the sod.
2 Here holy thoughts a light have shed From many a radiant face, And prayers of tender hope have spread A perfume through the place.
3 And anxious hearts have pondered here The mystery of life, And prayed the Eternal Spirit clear Their doubts and aid their strife.
4 From humble tenements around Came up the pensive train, And in the church a blessing found, Which filled their homes again.
5 For faith, and peace, and mighty love, That from the G.o.dhead flow, Showed them the life of heaven above Springs from the life below.
6 They live with G.o.d, their homes are dust; But here their children pray, And, in this fleeting lifetime, trust To find the narrow way.
7 On him who by the altar stands, On him Thy blessing fall!
Speak through his lips Thy pure commands, Thou Heart, that lovest all!
424. C. M. J. Weiss.
Epiphany.
1 A wondrous star our pioneer, We left the mystic land Where heaven-nurtured childhood slept, Where yet old visions stand.
2 O G.o.d! the land of dreams we left, Repose we left for aye, And followed meekly to the place Where our Redeemer lay.
3 That humble manger we have found; The world his cradle is; His life is hidden far below Its sins and miseries.
4 The world throws wide its brazen gates; With Thee we enter in; O, grant us, in our humble sphere, To free that world from sin.
5 We have one mind in Christ our Lord To stand and point above; To hurl rebuke at social wrong; But all, O G.o.d, in love.
6 The star is resting in the sky; To worship Christ we came; The moments haste; O, touch our tongues With Thy celestial flame!
7 The truest worship is a life; All dreaming we resign; We lay our offerings at thy feet,-- Our lives, O Christ, are thine!
425. L. M. *
The Children of the Cross.
1 Thou Lord of Hosts, whose guiding hand Hast brought us here, before Thy face, Our spirits wait for Thy command, Our silent hearts implore Thy peace!
2 Those spirits lay their n.o.blest powers, As offerings, on Thy holy shrine; Thine was the strength that nourished ours; The children of the cross are Thine.
3 While watching on our arms, at night, We saw Thine angels round us move: We heard Thy call, we felt Thy light, And followed, trusting to Thy love.
4 And now, with hymn and prayer we stand, To give our strength to Thee, great G.o.d!
We would redeem Thy holy land, That land which sin so long has trod.
5 Send us where"er Thou wilt, O Lord, Through rugged toil and wearying fight; Thy conquering love shall be our sword, And faith in Christ our truest might.
6 Send down Thy constant aid, we pray; Be Thy pure angels with us still; Thy truth, be that our firmest stay; Our only rest, to do Thy will.
426. C. M. Nicoll.
The Reformers.
1 An offering at the shrine of power Our hands shall never bring; A garland on the car of pomp Our hands shall never fling; Applauding in the conqueror"s path Our voices ne"er shall be; But we have hearts to honor those Who bade the world go free!
2 Praise to the good, the pure, the great, Who made us what we are,-- Who lit the flame which yet shall glow With radiance brighter far!
Glory to them in coming time, And through eternity, Who burst the captive"s galling chain, And bade the world go free!