1 Lord, in heaven, Thy dwelling-place, Hear the praises of our race, And, while hearing, let Thy grace Dews of sweet forgiveness pour; While we know, benignant King, That the praises which we bring Are a feeble offering, Till Thy blessing makes it more.
2 More of truth, and more of might, More of love, and more of light, More of reason, and of right From Thy pardoning grace be given!
This can make the humblest song Sweet, acceptable, and strong, As the strains the angels" throng Pour around the throne of heaven.
55. P. M. Hogg.
Praise to the G.o.d of Nature.
1 Blessed be Thy name forever, Thou of life the Guard and Giver!
Thou who slumberest not nor sleepest, Blest are they Thou kindly keepest!
G.o.d of stillness and of motion, Of the rainbow, and the ocean, Of the mountain, rock, and river, Blessed be Thy name forever!
2 G.o.d of evening"s peaceful ray!
G.o.d of every dawning day, Rising from the distant sea Breathing of eternity; Thine the flaming sphere of light, Thine the darkness of the night!
G.o.d of life, that fade shall never!
Glory to Thy name forever!
56. L. M. Anonymous.
Perpetual Praise.
1 My G.o.d! in morning"s radiant hour To Thee will I lift up my heart; The shades of night obey Thy power, And at Thy sun"s bright beams depart.
2 Father and Guardian! to Thy shrine The life Thou shieldest will I bring; All, great Creator! all is Thine; The heart my n.o.blest offering!
3 The morning light shall see my prayer, The noonday calm shall know my praise; And evening"s still and fragrant air My grateful hymn to Thee shall raise.
4 So shall sweet thoughts and hopes sublime My constant inspirations be; And every shifting scene of time Reflect, my G.o.d, a light from Thee!
57. 7s. M. Gaskell.
Doxology.
Father! glory be to Thee, Source of all the good we see!
Glory for the blessed Light Rising on the ancient night!
Glory for the hopes that come Streaming through the silent tomb!
Glory for Thy spirit given, Guiding us in peace to heaven!
58. 8 & 7s. M. Bickersteth.
Closing Hymn.
1 Israel"s Shepherd, guide us, feed us, Through our pilgrimage below, And beside the waters lead us, Where Thy flock rejoicing go.
2 Lord, Thy guardian, presence ever, Meekly kneeling, we implore; We have found Thee, and would never, Never wander from Thee more.
59. L. M. Chr. Psalmist.
The Heavenly Guardian.
1 As every day Thy mercy spares Will bring its trials or its cares, O Father, till my life shall end, Be Thou my counsellor and friend!
Teach me Thy statutes all divine, And let Thy will be always mine!
2 When each day"s scenes and labors close, And wearied nature seeks repose, With pardoning mercy, richly blest, Guard me, my Father, while I rest; And as each morning sun shall rise, O, lead me onward to the skies!
60. 8 & 7s. M. Sarah F. Adams.
Peace be with You.
1 Part in peace! is day before us?
Praise His name for life and light; Are the shadows lengthening o"er us?
Bless His care who guards the night.
2 Part in peace! with deep thanksgiving, Rendering, as we homeward tread, Gracious service to the living, Tranquil memory to the dead.
3 Part in peace! such are the praises G.o.d, our Maker, loveth best; Such the worship that upraises Human hearts to heavenly rest.
61. 8 & 7s. M. Anonymous.
The Peace of G.o.d.