Part 4

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put _it_ on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on _his_ feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill _it_; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Luke 15:11-24

The Pharisee and the Publican

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men _are_, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as _his_ eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified _rather_ than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:9-14

The Saviour of the World

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:16-21

Christian Love

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become _as_ sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have _the gift_ of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed _the poor_, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, _and_ is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether _there be_ prophecies, they shall fail; whether _there be_ tongues, they shall cease; whether _there be_ knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these _is_ charity. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The Armour of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high _places_.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20

The High Calling of God

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things _but_ loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them _but_ dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but _this_ one thing _I do_, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:7-14

The Reward of Loyalty

43 And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly.

44 So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these?

45 He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms.

46 Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands?

47 So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord.

48 Then the angel said unto me, Go thy way, and tell my people what manner of things, and how great wonders of the Lord thy God, thou hast seen. II Esdras 2:43-48

Pure Religion

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 For whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth _therein_, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion _is_ vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, _and_ to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:16-27

The Vision of the Future

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and _about_ the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, _be_ unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:9-17

Hymns

Numbers in parentheses indicate number of hymn in The Wayside Hymnal, published by the Forward Movement Commission of the Episcopal Church, to be obtained at 5 cents per copy for quantities of 5 or more copies. Address: _Sharon, Pa._ This hymnal includes music for each hymn.

1. (3)

1 O saving Victim, opening wide The gate of heaven to man below, Our foes press on from every side, Thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.

2 All praise and thanks to thee ascend For evermore, blest One in Three; O grant us life that shall not end, In our true native land with thee. Amen.

2. (4)

1 I need thee every hour, Most gracious Lord; No tender voice like thine Can peace afford. _I need thee, O I need thee,_ _Every hour I need thee;_ _O bless me now, my Saviour,_ _I come to thee!_

2 I need thee every hour; Stay thou near by; Temptations lose their power When thou art nigh. _I need thee, O I need thee,_ _Every hour I need thee;_ _O bless me now, my Saviour,_ _I come to thee!_

3 I need thee every hour, In joy or pain; Come quickly and abide, Or life is vain. _I need thee, O I need thee,_ _Every hour I need thee;_ _O bless me now, my Saviour,_ _I come to thee!_

4 I need thee every hour; Teach me thy will; And thy rich promises In me fulfil. _I need thee, O I need thee,_ _Every hour I need thee;_ _O bless me now, my Saviour,_ _I come to thee!_

5 I need thee every hour, Most Holy One; O make me thine indeed, Thou blessed Son! _I need thee, O I need thee,_ _Every hour I need thee;_ _O bless me now, my Saviour,_ _I come to thee!_ Amen.

3. (5)

1 Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide: When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

2 Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away, Change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me.

3 I need thy presence every passing hour; What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power? Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

4 I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless: Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is death’s sting? where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

5 Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes: Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies: Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee: In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. Amen.

4. (7)

1 Sun of my soul, thou Saviour dear, It is not night if thou be near; O may no earth-born cloud arise To hide thee from thy servant’s eyes.

2 When the soft dews of kindly sleep My weary eyelids gently steep, Be my last thought, how sweet to rest For ever on my Saviour’s breast.

3 Abide with me from morn till eve, For without thee I cannot live; Abide with me when night is nigh, For without thee I dare not die.

4 If some poor wandering child of thine Have spurned to-day the voice divine, Now, Lord, the gracious work begin; Let him no more lie down in sin.

5 Watch by the sick; enrich the poor With blessings from thy boundless store; Be every mourner’s sleep to-night, Like infant’s slumbers, pure and light.

6 Come near and bless us when we wake, Ere through the world our way we take, Till in the ocean of thy love We lose ourselves in heaven above. Amen.

5. (9)

1 Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh, Shadows of the evening Steal across the sky.

2 Jesus, give the weary Calm and sweet repose; With thy tenderest blessing May our eyelids close.

3 Grant to little children Visions bright of thee; Guard the sailors tossing On the deep, blue sea.

4 Comfort every sufferer Watching late in pain; Those who plan some evil From their sin restrain.

5 Through the long night watches, May thine angels spread Their white wings above me, Watching round my bed.

6 When the morning wakens, Then may I arise Pure, and fresh, and sinless In thy holy eyes. Amen.

6. (11)

1 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land, I am weak, but thou art mighty; Hold me with thy powerful hand.

2 Open now the crystal fountains Whence the living waters flow; Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through.

3 Feed me with the heavenly manna In this barren wilderness; Be my sword, and shield, and banner, Be the Lord my Righteousness.

4 When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death, and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side. Amen.

7. (16)

1 O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee to-night.

2 For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth.

3 How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in.

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! Amen.

8. (17)

1 O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the King of angels; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

2 God of God, Light of Light, Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb: Very God, Begotten, not created; O come, let us adore him, etc.

3 Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God In the highest; O come, let us adore him, etc.

4 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore him, etc. Amen.

9. (19)

1 Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace.

2 Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Saviour, is born!

3 Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Amen.

10. (18)

1 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word! What more can he say than to you he hath said, You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

2 “Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed! I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand. Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

3 “When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

4 “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

5 “The soul that to Jesus hath fled for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” Amen.

11. (29)

1 In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.

2 When the woes of life o’ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy, Never shall the cross forsake me: Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

3 When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon my way, From the cross the radiance streaming, Adds new luster to the day.

4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, By the cross are sanctified; Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide.

5 In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime. Amen.

12. (30)

1 When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the cross of Christ, my God: All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet? Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tribute far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. Amen.

13. (34)

1 The strife is o’er, the battle done, The victory of life is won; The song of triumph has begun. Alleluia!

2 The powers of death have done their worst, But Christ their legions hath dispersed: Let shout of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!

3 The three sad days are quickly sped, He rises glorious from the dead: All glory to our risen Head! Alleluia!

4 He closed the yawning gates of hell, The bars from heaven’s high portals fell; Let hymns of praise his triumphs tell! Alleluia!

5 Lord! by the stripes which wounded thee, From death’s dread sting thy servants free, That we may live and sing to thee. Alleluia! Amen.

14. (36)

1 Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne; Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own: Awake, my soul, and sing Of him who died for thee, And hail him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

2 Crown him the Son of God Before the worlds began, And ye, who tread where he hath trod, Crown him the Son of man; Who every grief hath known That wrings the human breast, And takes and bears them for his own, That all in him may rest.

3 Crown him the Lord of life, Who triumphed o’er the grave, And rose victorious in the strife For those he came to save; His glories now we sing Who died, and rose on high, Who died, eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.

4 Crown him of lords the Lord, Who over all doth reign, Who once on earth, the Incarnate Word, For ransomed sinners slain, Now lives in realms of light, Where saints with angels sing Their songs before him day and night, Their God, Redeemer, King.

5 Crown him the Lord of heaven, Enthroned in worlds above; Crown him the King, to whom is given The wondrous name of Love. Crown him with many crowns, As thrones before him fall, Crown him, ye kings, with many crowns, For he is King of all. Amen.

15. (39)

1 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee: Holy, Holy, Holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity.

2 Holy, Holy, Holy! all the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3 Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide thee, Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, Holy, Holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity. Amen.

16. (41)

1 Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Jesus’ love: The fellowship of Christian minds Is like to that above.

2 Before our Father’s throne We pour united prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one; Our comforts and our cares.

3 We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear.

4 When we at death must part. Not like the world’s, our pain; But one in Christ, and one in heart, We part to meet again.

5 From sorrow, toil, and pain, And sin, we shall be free; And perfect love and friendship reign Throughout eternity. Amen.

17. (42)

1 My faith looks up to thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Saviour divine! Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away; O let me from this day Be wholly thine.

2 May thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart. My zeal inspire; As thou hast died for me, O may my love to thee Pure, warm, and changeless be, A living fire.