Chapter 31

1 Thy presence, everlasting God! Wide o'er all nature spreads abroad: Thy watchful eyes, which cannot sleep, In every place thy children keep.

2 While near each other we remain, Thou dost our lives and souls sustain; When sep'rate, happy if we share Thy smiles, thy counsels, and thy care.

3 To thee we all our ways commit, And seek our comforts near thy feet; Still on our souls vouchsafe to shine, And guard and guide us still as thine.

4 Give us in thy belovéd house, Again to pay our grateful vows; Or, if that joy no more be known, Give us to meet around thy throne.

924. 8s. & 7s. M. C. Wesley.

Domestic Worship.

1 Peace be to this habitation; Peace to all that dwell therein; Peace, the earnest of salvation; Peace, the fruit of pardoned sin; Peace, that speaks the heavenly Giver; Peace, to worldly minds unknown; Peace divine, that lasts forever; Peace, that comes from God alone.

2 Jesus, Prince of Peace, be near us; Fix in all our hearts thy home; With thy gracious presence cheer us; Let thy sacred kingdom come; Raise to heaven our expectation, Give our favored souls to prove Glorious and complete salvation, In the realms of bliss above.

925. L. M. Doddridge & Merrick.

The Same. Ps. 128.

1 Blest is the man who fears the Lord, And walks by his unerring word; Comfort and peace his days attend, And God will ever prove his friend.

2 To him who condescends to dwell With saints in their obscurest cell, Be our domestic altars raised, And daily let his name be praised.

3 To him may each assembled house Present their night and morning vows; And children of the rising race Be taught his precepts and his grace.

4 When nature droops, our aged eyes Shall see our children's children rise; Till pleased and thankful we remove, And join the family above.

926. L. M. Scott.

Family Religion.

1 Where'er the Lord shall build my house, An altar to his name I'll raise; There, morn and evening, shall ascend The sacrifice of prayer and praise.

2 With duteous mind, the social band Shall search the records of thy law; There learn thy will, and humbly bow With filial reverence and awe.

3 Here may he fix his sacred seat, And spread the banner of his love; Till, ripened for a happier state, We meet the family above.

927. L. M. 6l. Methodist Coll.

Religion at Home.

1 When quiet in my house I sit Thy book be my companion still; My joy thy sayings to repeat, Talk o'er the records of thy will, And search the oracles divine, Till every heart-felt word be mine.

2 O may the gracious words divine Mingled with all my converse be: So will the Lord his follower join, And walk and talk himself with me; So shall my heart his presence prove And burn with everlasting love.

3 Oft as I lay me down to rest, O, may the reconciling word Sweetly compose my weary breast, While, trusting in my gracious Lord, I sink in peaceful dreams away, And visions of eternal day!

4 Rising to sing my Father's praise, Thee may I publish all day long; And let thy precious word of grace Flow from my heart and fill my tongue; Fill all my life with purest love, And join me to the church above.

928. S. M. Watts.

Family Affection from Religious Principles.

1 How pleasing, Lord! to see, How pure is the delight, When mutual love, and love to thee, A family unite!

2 From these celestial springs Such streams of comfort flow, As no increase of riches brings, Nor honors can bestow.

3 No bliss can equal theirs, Where such affections meet; While mingled praise and mingled prayers Make their communion sweet.

4 'Tis the same pleasure fills The breast in worlds above; Where joy like morning dew distils, And all the air is love.

929. C. M. Taylor's Coll.

The Family Altar.

1 Great God! where'er we pitch our tent, Let us an altar raise, And there, with humble frame, present Our sacrifice of praise.

2 To thee we give our health and strength, While health and strength shall last, For future mercies humbly trust, Nor e'er forget the past.

930. C. M. Barry Cornwall.

For a Sick Child.

1 Send down thy wingéd angel; God! Amidst this night so wild, And bid him come where now we watch, And breathe upon our child!

2 It lies upon its pillow, pale, And moans within its sleep, Or wakeneth with a patient smile, And striveth not to weep!

3 How gentle and how good a child It is, we know too well; And dearer to its parents' hearts Than our weak words can tell.

4 We love,--we watch throughout the night, To aid, where need may be; We hope,--and have despaired at times; But now we turn to thee!

5 Send down thy sweet-souled angel, God! Amidst the darkness wild, And bid him soothe our souls to-night, And heal our gentle child!

931. C. M. Heber.

In Times of Domestic Distress.

1 O God, that madest earth and sky! The darkness and the day! Give ear to this thy family, And help us when we pray! For wide the waves of bitterness Around our vessel roar, And heavy grows the pilot's heart To view the rocky shore!

2 The cross our Master bore for us, For him we fain would bear, But mortal strength to weakness turns, And courage to despair! Then mercy on our failings, Lord! Our sinking faith renew! And when thy sorrows visit us, O send thy patience too.

932. C. M. Doddridge.

Sickness and Recovery.

1 My God, thy service well demands The remnant of my days; Why was this fleeting breath renewed, But to renew thy praise?

2 Thine arms of everlasting love Did this weak frame sustain, When life was hovering o'er the grave, And nature sunk with pain.

3 I calmly bowed my fainting head On thy dear, faithful breast, And waited for my Father's call To his eternal rest.

4 Back from the borders of the grave, At thy command, I come; Nor will I ask a speedier flight To my celestial home.

5 Where thou appointest mine abode There would I choose to be; For in thy presence death is life, And earth is heaven with thee.

933. C. M. H. K. White.

A Family Evening Prayer.

1 O Lord, another day is flown, And we, a lonely band, Are met once more before thy throne, To bless thy fostering hand.

2 And wilt thou lend a listening ear To praises low as ours! Thou wilt; for thou dost love to hear The song which meekness pours.

3 O, let thy grace perform its part, And let contention cease; And shed abroad in every heart Thine everlasting peace.

4 Thus chastened, cleansed, entirely thine, A flock by Jesus led, The Sun of holiness shall shine In glory on our head.

5 And thou wilt turn our wandering feet, And thou wilt bless our way, Till worlds shall fade, and faith shall greet The dawn of lasting day.

934. L. M. S. S. Cutting.

Family Hymn. Evening.

1 Father, we bless the gentle care That watches o'er us day by day, That guards us from the tempter's snare, And guides us in the heavenward way:-- We bless thee for the tender love, That mingles all our hearts in one,-- The music of the soul;--above 'Tis purer spirits' unison.

2 Father, 'tis evening's solemn hour, And cast we now our cares on thee; Darkly the storm may round us lower,-- Peace is within,--Christ makes us free,-- And when life's toil and joy are o'er, And evening gathers on its sky, Our circle broke,--we sing no more,-- O, may we meet and sing on high.

MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS.

935. L. M. Keble.

Morning Hymn.

1 Oh! timely happy, timely wise. Hearts that with rising morn arise! Eyes that the beam celestial view, Which evermore makes all things new!

2 New every morning is the love Our wakening and uprising prove; Through sleep and darkness safely brought, Restored to life, and power, and thought.

3 New mercies, each returning day, Hover around us while we pray; New perils past, new sins forgiven, New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

4 If, on our daily course, our mind Be set to hallow all we find, New treasures still, of countless price, God will provide for sacrifice.

5 Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be, As more of heaven in each we see; Some softening gleams of love and prayer, Shall dawn on every cross and care.

936. L. M. Bishop Kenn.

Morning Resolutions.

1 Awake, my soul! and with the sun Thy daily stage of duty run; Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise To pay thy morning sacrifice.

2 Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart, And with the angels bear thy part, Who all night long unwearied sing High praises to th' eternal King.

3 In conversation be sincere; Keep conscience, as the noontide, clear; Think how the all-seeing God thy ways And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

4 Lord, I my vows to thee renew; Scatter my sins like morning dew; Guard my first springs of thought and will And with thyself my spirit fill.

5 Direct, control, suggest, this day, All I design, or do, or say, That all my powers, with all their might, In thy sole glory may unite.

937. C. M. Montgomery.

Acknowledging God's Hand. Morning.

1 What secret hand, at morning light, Softly unseals mine eye, Draws back the curtain of the night, And opens earth and sky;

2 'Tis thine, my God,--the same that kept My resting hours from harm; No ill came nigh me, for I slept Beneath th' Almighty's arm.

3 'Tis thine, my daily bread that brings, Like manna scattered round, And clothes me, as the lily springs In beauty from the ground.

4 In death's dark valley though I stray 'Twould there my steps attend, Guide with the staff my lonely way, And with the rod defend.

5 May that sure hand uphold me still Through life's uncertain race, To bring me to thy holy hill, And to thy dwelling-place.

938. 7s. M. Episcopal Coll.

Morning Hymn.

1 Now, the shades of night are gone; Now the morning light comes on; Lord, may we be thine to-day, Drive the shades of sin away.

2 Fill our souls with heavenly light, Banish doubt, and clear our sight; In thy service, Lord, to-day, May we stand, and watch and pray.

3 Keep our haughty passions bound; Save us from our foes around; Going out and coming in, Keep us safe from every sin.

4 When our work of life is past, O, receive us then at last; Night and sin will be no more, When we reach the heavenly shore.

939. L. M. Watts.

The Same.

1 God of the morning, at whose voice The cheerful sun makes haste to rise, And like a giant doth rejoice To run his journey through the skies.

2 From the fair chambers of the east, The circuit of his race begins, And, without weariness or rest, Round the whole earth he flies and shines.

3 O, like the sun may I fulfil The appointed duties of the day, With ready mind and active will March on and keep my heavenly way.

4 Lord, thy commands are clean and pure, Enlightening our beclouded eyes, Thy threatenings just, thy promise sure, Thy gospel makes the simple wise.

940. C. M. Mrs. Steele.

The Same.

1 Lord of my life! O may thy praise Employ my noblest powers, Whose goodness lengthens out my days. And fills the circling hours!

2 Preserved by thy almighty arm, I passed the shades of night, Serene and safe from every harm, And see returning light.

3 While many spend the night in sighs And restless pains and woes, In gentle sleep I close my eyes And undisturbed repose.

4 When sleep death's semblance o'er me spread, And I unconscious lay, Thy watchful care was round my bed, To guard my feeble clay.

5 O let the same almighty care My waking hours attend; From every danger, every snare, My heedless steps defend.

941. L. M. Watts.

Morning or Evening Hymn.

1 My God, how endless is thy love! Thy gifts are every evening new; And morning mercies, from above, Gently distil like early dew.

2 Thou spread'st the curtains of the night, Great Guardian of my sleeping hours; Thy sovereign word restores the light, And quickens all my drowsy powers.

3 I yield my powers to thy command; To thee I consecrate my days; Perpetual blessings from thine hand Demand perpetual songs of praise.

942. 8s. & 7s. M. Edmeston.

Confidence in God's Protection.

1 Father, breathe an evening blessing Ere repose our spirits seal; Sin and want we come confessing; Thou canst save and thou canst heal.

2 Though destruction walk around us, Though the arrows past us fly, Angel guards from thee surround us; We are safe, if thou art nigh.

3 Though the night be dark and dreary, Darkness cannot hide from thee; Thou art he who, never weary, Watchest where thy people be.

4 Should swift death this night o'ertake us, And command us to the tomb, May the morn in heaven awake us, Clad in bright, eternal bloom.

943. 7s. M. Bowring.

Morning or Evening.--All from God.

1 Father! thy paternal care Has my guardian been, my guide! Every hallowed wish and prayer Has thy hand of love supplied; Thine is every thought of bliss, Left by hours and days gone by; Every hope thy offspring is, Beaming from futurity.

2 Every sun of splendid ray; Every moon that shines serene; Every morn that welcomes day; Every evening's twilight scene, Every hour which wisdom brings; Every incense at thy shrine; These--and all life's holiest things, And its fairest--all are thine.

3 And for all, my hymns shall rise Daily to thy gracious throne: Thither let my asking eyes Turn unwearied--righteous One! Through life's strange vicissitude There reposing all my care, Trusting still through ill and good, Fixed and cheered and counselled there.

944. 7s. & 6s. M. Sacred Songs.

Reflections at Sunset.

1 The mellow eve is gliding Serenely down the west; So, every care subsiding, My soul would sink to rest.

2 The woodland hum is ringing The daylight's gentle close; May angels round me singing, Thus hymn my last repose.

3 The evening star has lighted Her crystal lamp on high; So, when in death benighted, May hope illume the sky.

4 In golden splendor dawning, The morrow's light shall break; O, on the last bright morning May I in glory wake.

945. L. M. Watts.

Evening Hymn.

1 Thus far the Lord has led me on, Thus far his power prolongs my days! And every evening shall make known Some fresh memorial of his grace.

2 Much of my time has run to waste, And I, perhaps, am near my home; But he forgives my follies past, He gives me strength for days to come.

3 I lay my body down to sleep; Peace is the pillow for my head: While well appointed angels keep Their watchful stations round my bed.

4 Faith in his name forbids my fear: O, may thy presence ne'er depart! And in the morning make me hear Thy love and kindness in my heart.

5 And when the night of death shall come, Still may I trust almighty love,-- The love which triumphs o'er the tomb, And leads to perfect bliss above.

946. L. M. Kenn.

Trusting God. Evening Hymn.

1 Glory to thee, my God, this night, For all the blessings of the light: Keep me, O, keep me, King of kings, Beneath the shadow of thy wings.

2 Forgive me, Lord, through thy dear Son The ills which I this day have done; That with the world, myself, and thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

3 O, may my soul on thee repose, And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close! Sleep that shall me more vigorous make To serve my God when I awake.

4 Be thou my Guardian while I sleep; Thy watchful station near me keep; My heart with love celestial fill, And guard me from th' approach of ill.

5 Lord, let my heart forever share The bliss of thy paternal care: 'Tis heaven on earth, 'tis heaven above, To see thy face and sing thy love.

947. C. M. Anonymous.

Evening Hymn.

1 Indulgent God, whose bounteous care O'er all thy works is shown, O let my grateful praise and prayer Ascend before thy throne!

2 What mercies has this day bestowed! How largely hast thou blest! My cup with plenty overflowed, With cheerfulness my breast.

3 Now may sweet slumbers close my eyes, From pain and sickness free; And let my waking thoughts arise To meditate on thee.

4 So bless each future day and night, Till life's fond scene is o'er; At length, to realms of endless light Enraptured let me soar.

948. L. M. Keble.

"Abide with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent."

1 'Tis gone, that bright and orbéd blaze, Fast fading from our wistful gaze; Yon mantling cloud has hid from sight The last faint pulse of quivering light.

2 Sun of my soul! thou Saviour dear, It is not night if thou be near: Oh may no earth-born cloud arise To hide thee from thy servant's eyes.

3 When the soft dews of kindly sleep My wearied eyelids gently steep, Be my last thought now sweet to rest Forever on my Saviour's breast.

4 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.

949. 7s. M. Doddridge.

Evening Hymn.

1 Interval of grateful shade, Welcome to my weary head! Welcome slumbers to mine eyes, Tired with glaring vanities!

2 My great Master still allows Needful periods of repose: By my heavenly Father blest, Thus I give my powers to rest.

3 Heavenly Father, gracious name! Night and day his love the same! Far be each suspicious thought, Every anxious care forgot!

4 Thou, my ever-bounteous God, Crown'st my days with various good; Thy kind eye which cannot sleep, My defenceless hours shall keep.

5 Blest vicissitude to me! Day and night I'm still with thee; Guarded thus I sink to rest, Lodged within my Father's breast

950. S. M. Curtis' Coll.

Flight of Time.

1 Another day is past, The hours forever fled, And time is bearing us away To mingle with the dead.

2 Our minds in perfect peace Our Father's care shall keep, We yield to gentle slumber now, For thou canst never sleep.

3 How blesséd, Lord, are they On thee securely stayed! Nor shall they be in life alarmed, Nor be in death dismayed.

951. S. M. Anonymous.

Evening Hymn.

1 The day is past and gone; The evening shades appear; O, may we all remember well The night of death draws near!

2 We lay our garments by, Upon our beds to rest; So death shall soon disrobe us all Of what is here possessed.

3 Lord, keep us safe this night, Secure from all our fears; May angels guard us, while we sleep, Till morning light appears!

952. 8s. & 7s. M. (Peculiar.) Kelly.

An Evening Offering.

1 Through the day thy love hath spared us, Now we lay us down to rest; Through the silent watches guard us, Let no foe our peace molest; Father, thou our guardian be, Sweet it is to trust in thee.

2 Pilgrims here on earth, and strangers, Dwelling in the midst of foes,-- Us and ours preserve from dangers, In thine arms let us repose, And, when life's short day is past, Rest with thee in heaven at last.

953. 7s. M. Missionary Mag.

Evening Hymn.

1 Lord of glory! King of power! In this lone and silent hour, While the shades of darkness rise, And the eve is on the skies, By thy blessing, as the dews, Which yon shaded skies diffuse, Bid our feverish passions cease; Calm us with thy promised peace.

2 Wheresoe'er the brow of pain Seeks oblivion's balm in vain, Or the form of watchful grief Knows not of the night's relief, There thy pity, softening power, There the spirit's calm restore; Till each tongue, from murmuring free, Wakes the hymn of praise to thee.

954. P. M. Bp. Heber.

Evening Aspiration.

God, that madest earth and heaven, Darkness and light,-- Who the day for toil hast given, For rest the night,-- May thine angel guards defend us, Slumber sweet thy mercy send us, Holy dreams and hopes attend us, This livelong night.

955. 7s. M. Anonymous.

Evening Hymn. Ps. 141:2.

1 Softly now the light of day Fades upon my sight away; Free from care, from labor free, Lord, I will commune with thee.

2 Thou, whose all-pervading eye Nought escapes, without, within: Pardon each infirmity, Open fault and secret sin.

3 Soon, for me, the light of day Shall forever pass away; Then from sin and sorrow free, Take me, Lord, to dwell with thee.

956. L. M. Kenn.

Midnight.

1 My God, I now from sleep awake; The sole possession of me take; From midnight terrors me secure, And guard my heart from thoughts impure.

2 Blest angels, while we silent lie, You hallelujahs sing on high; You joyful hymn the Ever-blest, Before the throne, and never rest.

3 I with your choir celestial join, In offering up a hymn divine; With you in heaven I hope to dwell, And bid the night and world farewell.

4 Blest Jesus, thou, on heaven intent, Whole nights hast in devotion spent; But I, frail creature, soon am tired, And all my zeal is soon expired.

5 Shine on me, Lord, new life impart, Fresh ardors kindle in my heart: One ray of thy all-quickening light Dispels the sloth and clouds of night.

957. S. M. Conder.

Saturday Evening.

1 The hours of evening close; Its lengthened shadows, drawn O'er scenes of earth, invite repose, And wait the Sabbath dawn.

2 So let its calm prevail O'er forms of outward care; Nor thought for "many things" assail The still retreat of prayer.