4 Look not abroad with roving mind To seek that fair abode; It comes, where"er the lowly find The perfect peace of G.o.d.
451. C. M. Croswell.
Hymn for Christmas.
1 Now gird your patient loins again, Your wasting torches trim!
The chief of all the sons of men, Shall we not welcome him?
Fill all his courts with sacred songs, And from the temple wall Wave garlands o"er the joyful throngs That crowd his festival!
2 And still more freshly in the mind Store up the hopes sublime Which then were born for all mankind, So blessed was the time; And, underneath these hallowed eaves, A Saviour will be born In every heart that him receives, On his triumphal morn.
452. 7s. M. Grant.
The Garden of Gethsemane.
1 Jesus, while he dwelt below, As divine historians say, To a place would often go, Near to Kedron"s brook that lay: In this place he loved to be, And "twas named Gethsemane.
2 "Twas a garden, as we read, At the foot of Olivet, Low and proper to be made The Redeemer"s lone retreat: When from noise he would be free, Then he sought Gethsemane.
3 Thither, by their Master brought, His disciples likewise came; There the heavenly truths he taught Often set their hearts on flame: Therefore they, as well as he, Visited Gethsemane.
4 Oft conversing here they sat; Or might join with Christ in prayer; O, what blest devotion that, When the Lord himself is there!
All things there did so agree To endear Gethsemane.
5 Full of love to man"s lost race, On the conflict much he thought; This he knew the destined place, And he loved the sacred spot: Therefore Jesus chose to be Often in Gethsemane.
453. C. M. C. Wesley.
The Communion of Saints.
1 The saints on earth and those above But one communion make; Joined to their Lord in bonds of love, All of His grace partake.
2 One family, we dwell in Him; One church above, beneath; Though now divided by the stream, The narrow stream of death.
3 One army of the living G.o.d, To His command we bow; Part of the host have crossed the flood And part are crossing now.
4 O G.o.d, be Thou our constant guide!
Then, when the word is given, Bid Thou death"s flood its waves divide, And land us safe in heaven.
454. C. M. Watts.
Law and Love.
1 Not to the terrors of the Lord, The tempest, fire, and smoke; Not to the thunder of that word Which G.o.d on Sinai spoke;--
2 But we are come to Zion"s hill, The city of our G.o.d, Where milder words declare His will, And spread His love abroad.
3 Behold the great, the glorious host Of angels, clothed in light!
Behold the spirits of the just, Whose faith is turned to sight!
4 In such society as this, My weary soul would rest; For he who dwells where Jesus is Must be forever blest.
455. P. M. J. H. Perkins.
Prayer and Labor.
1 By earth hemmed in, by earth oppressed, "Tis hard to labor,--hard to pray; And of the week, for prayer and rest, We"ve but one Sabbath day.
2 But purer spirits walk above, Who worship alway; who are blest With an upspringing might of love That makes all labor, rest.
3 Father, while here, we would arise In spirit to that realm; and there Be every act a sacrifice, And every thought a prayer!
456. 7 & 6s. M. Anonymous.
Strength From Struggle.
1 Grows dark thy path before thee?
Press on! still undismayed; Heaven shines resplendent o"er thee, Though earth be wrapped in shade.
2 And G.o.d, thy trust, hath given, With word from swerving free, The angels of high heaven A charge concerning thee.
3 Then though thy feet may falter Even at early morn, And from hope"s burning altar The light may be withdrawn,--
4 Yet from thy self-prostration Thou shalt awake in power; From tears and lamentation, To conquest every hour.