Chapter 3

PAGE A Lamb bears all its guilt away 49 A rest here have I never 316 After clouds we see the sun 261 Ah! faithful God, compass'nate heart 169 Ah! lovely innocence, how evil art thou deem'd 160 Awake, my heart! be singing 276 Be glad, my heart! now fear no more 329 Be joyful all, both far and near 75 Be thou contented! aye relying 202 Behold! behold! what wonder's here! 14 Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth 132 Bless'd is he who never taketh 130 By John was seen a wondrous sight 347 Come, and Christ the Lord be praising 24 Commit whatever grieves thee 225 Creator, Father, Prince of might! 109 Father of mercies! God most high 175 For Thee, Lord, pants my longing heart 88 Full of wonder, full of art 302 Full often as I meditate 143 Go forth, my heart, and seek delight 289 How can it be, my highest Light! 259 How heavy is the burden made 246 How long, Lord, in forgetfulness 235 I have deserv'd it, cease to oppose 165 I into God's own heart and mind 219 Immanuel! to Thee we sing 37 In grateful songs your voices raise 238 In prayer your voices raise ye 45 Is God for me? t'oppose me 208 Jesus! Thou, my dearest Brother 112 Let not such a thought e'er pain thee 83 Look up to thy God again 195 Lord God! Thou art for evermore 312 Lord, lend a gracious ear 92 Lord, Thou my heart dost search and try 138 Lord! to Thee alone I raise 135 Mine art Thou still, and mine shalt be 333 My face, why shouldst thou troubled be 322 My God! my works and all I do 102 My heart! the seven words hear now 63 Now at the manger here I stand 32 Now gone is all the rain 298 Now spread are evening's shadows 285 Now with joy my heart is bounding 18 O Father! send Thy Spirit down 78 O God! from Thee doth wisdom flow 97 O God, my Father! thanks to Thee 117 O God! who dost Heaven's sceptre wield 294 O Jesus Christ! my fairest Light 122 O Lord! I sing with mouth and heart 255 O my soul, why dost thou grieve 155 Oh! bleeding head, and wounded 59 Oh, Jesus Christ! how bright and fair 307 On thy bier how calm thou'rt sleeping 338 Praise God! for forth hath sounded 251 Praise ye Jehovah 279 Say with what salutations 10 Scarce tongue can speak, ne'er human ken 1 See, world! thy Life assailèd 54 Shall I not my God be praising 240 The daylight disappeareth 282 The golden morning, joy her adorning 270 The Lord, the earth who ruleth 266 The time is very near 341 Thou art but man, to thee 'tis known 148 Thou must not altogether be 230 Thy manger is my paradise 26 'Tis patience must support you 184 Twofold, Father! is my pray'r 107 Up! up! my heart with gladness 71 What pleaseth God, my faithful child 189 Why should sorrow ever grieve me 214 Why should they such pain e'er give Thee 43 Why without, then, art Thou staying 5

SPIRITUAL SONGS

Of the Holy Trinity.

Scarce tongue can speak, ne'er human ken The myst'ry could discover, That God, from His high throne to men Makes known the world all over: That He alone is King above All other gods whatever, Great, mighty, faithful, full of love, His saints doth aye deliver, One substance but three persons!

God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! The name thrice holy given, On earth by all the ransom'd host, And by the hosts of heaven. He's Abraham's and Isaac's God, And Jacob's whom He knoweth, The Lord of Hosts, who every good Both night and day bestoweth, Who only doeth wonders!

His Son, from all eternity Begotten hath the Father, Who came as man, when God's decree Had fix'd, His sheep to gather. The Holy Ghost eternally, While all Their glory sharing, Their honour, pow'r, and majesty, A crown all equal wearing, Proceeds from Son and Father!

Be glad, my heart! thy portion see, Thy rich unequall'd treasure, He is thy Friend, supply will He Thy needs with bounteous measure. Who made thee in His image fair Thy load of guilt removeth, Gives thee His chosen's faith to share, Thy Joy in sorrow proveth, Through His own word most holy.

Bestir thyself, with all thy heart Thy God to know endeavour: Sweet rest such knowledge will impart, Thy soul with pure love ever Will cause to glow, and nourish thee For life and joy in heaven; Things heard of only here, shall be To open sight there given, By God to His dear children.

Woe! woe! to the besotted crew In wilful blindness living, Rejecting God, the honour due To Him, to creatures giving. The time will come when close shall He 'Gainst them the door of heaven; Who God drive from them here, shall be By Him hereafter driven, From His high throne most holy!

O Prince of might! Thy mercy show, Thou God of earth and heaven, To every sinner here below May saving grace be given! Bring back Thy sheep who go astray, And blinded eyes enlighten, And turn Thou every thing away That wickedly might frighten Thine own, whose faith is feeble.

Grant this, that we Thy people may All reach the heav'nly portals, And in Thy kingdom sing for aye, 'Mid all the bless'd immortals: That Thou above art King alone All other gods high over, The Father, Son, and Spirit, One, Thy people's Shield and Cover, One substance but three persons!

Advent.

WHY WITHOUT, THEN, ART THOU STAYING?

Why without, then, art Thou staying, Blessed of the Lord from far? Enter now, no more delaying, Let it please Thee--Thou, my Star! Thou, my Jesus, Friend indeed, Helper in the hour of need! Saviour! ease the wounds that pain me, Let Thy comforts rich sustain me.

Lord, my wounds are pain and sorrow, That the hammer of the law With its terrors, night and morrow, Causeth, filling me with awe. Oh! the dreadful thunder peals When His anger God reveals, All my blood to tingle making, And my heart's foundation shaking!

Then with wiles the great deceiver Would to me all grace deny, Saying, in the hell for ever That torments him, I must be. But I suffer sorer pangs, For with poison'd serpent fangs Doth my conscience gnawing, tearing, Stir remorse beyond all bearing.

Do I seek my woe to soften, And to lessen pain desire, With the world commingling often, Sink I quite into the mire. There is comfort that deceives, Joy that by my mischance lives, Helpers there who only grieve me, Friends who only mock and leave me.

Nothing in the world endureth, Or the soul's thirst can allay; Fleeting is the rank that lureth. Have I riches? What are they Better than small dust of earth? Have I pleasure? What's it worth? What to-day my heart doth gladden, That to-morrow doth not sadden?

Comfort, joy, in boundless measure, Stor'd, Lord Jesus, are in Thee, Pastures of unfading pleasure, Where we roam and feast so free. Light of joy! illumine me Ere my heart quite broken be! Jesus, let mine eyes behold Thee; Lord, refresh me and uphold me!

Heart, rejoice, for He doth hear thee, And He visits thee again; Now thy Saviour draweth near thee, Bid Him gladsome welcome then, And prepare thee for thy guest, Enter thou into His rest, While with open heart receiving, Tell Him all that is thee grieving.

Lo! the things that seem'd to hinder How they all fall out for good. Hark! how He in accents tender Comforts thee in gracious mood. Ceas'd the dragon has to roar, Scheming, raging, now no more. His advantages forsake him, He must to th' abyss betake him.

Now thy life is calm and even, All thy heart's desire is thine; Christ Himself to thee hath given All He hath--exhaustless mine! His grace is thy fairest crown, Thou His seat art and His throne; With Himself as one He makes thee, Freely to His bosom takes thee.

God His golden-curtain'd Heaven Spreadeth to encompass thee! Lest thou shouldst away be driven By thy raging enemy. Angel hosts keep watch and ward At thy side and are thy guard; Lest in journeys aught should hurt thee, By the way their arms support thee.

All the ill thou hast done ever It is now remitted quite; God's love thee doth now deliver From sin's tyrant pow'r and might. Christ the Prince hath won the day, Rise against thee what ill may, He, to purest good converting, Robbeth of the pow'r of hurting.

All for thine advantage proveth, E'en what hurtful may appear. Christ accepteth thee and loveth, And His thoughts are all sincere. Thou in turn but faithful be, Then shall certainly by thee, With the angel hosts in Heaven, Thanks and praise for aye be given.

SAY WITH WHAT SALUTATIONS?

Say with what salutations Shall I Thine advent greet? Desire of all the nations, My Joy and Succour meet! O Jesus! Jesus! lead me On by Thy blessèd light; What's Thy delight thus guide me To understand aright.

With palms doth Zion meet Thee, Spreads branches in the way; To raise my soul to greet Thee Glad psalms I'll sing to-day. My heart shall blossom ever, O'erflow with praises new, And from Thy name shall never Withhold the honour due.

What hast Thou e'er neglected For my good here below? When heart and soul dejected, Were sunk in deepest woe, When from Thy presence hidden, Where peace and pleasure are, Thou camest, and hast bidden Me joy again, my Star!

In bitter bondage lying, Thou com'st and sett'st me free; 'Neath scorn and shame when sighing, Thou com'st and raisest me. Thy grace high honour gives me, Abundance doth bestow, That wastes not, nor deceives me As earthly riches do.

No other impulse led Thee To leave Thy throne above, Upon Thine errand sped Thee, But world-embracing love! A love that deeply feeleth The wants and woes of men, No tongue its fulness telleth, It passeth human ken.

In thy heart be this written, Thou much afflicted band! Who evermore art smitten With griefs on every hand. Fear not! let nothing grieve thee, For help is at thy door, He'll consolation give thee, Oil in thy wounds will pour.

No care nor effort either Is needed day and night, How thou may'st draw Him hither In thine own strength and might. He comes, He comes with gladness! O'erflows with love to thee, To chase away the sadness He knows oppresseth thee.

Sin's debt, the mighty burden Let not thy heart affright; The Lord will freely pardon, His grace will cover quite. He comes! He comes! Salvation Proclaiming everywhere, Secures His chosen nation Their heritage so fair!

Thy foes why should they move thee? Their wiles and rage are vain, Thy Saviour, who doth love thee, Will scatter them again. He comes! a Conq'ror glorious, He'll scatter every band Of foes--His course victorious Too few they're to withstand.

He comes to judge each nation; Who curs'd Him, curse shall He; With grace and consolation, Who lov'd, receiv'd shall be. Oh! come, Thou Sun, and lead us To everlasting light, Up to Thy mansions guide us Of glory and delight.

Birth of Christ.--Christmas.

OF THE APPEARANCE OF THE ANGELS.

Behold! behold! what wonder's here! The gloomy night turns bright and clear, A brilliant light dispels the shade, The stars before it pale and fade.

A wondrous light it is, I trow, And not the ancient sun shines now, For, contrary to nature, night Is turned by it to day so bright.

What means He to announce to us, Who nature's course can alter thus? A mighty work design'd must be When such a mighty sign we see.

To us vouchsafèd can it be The Sun of Righteousness to see, The Star from Jacob's stem so bright, The woman's Seed, the Gentiles' Light?

'Tis even so--for from the sky Heav'n's hosts with joyful tidings hie, That He is born in Bethl'hem's stall, Who Saviour is and Lord of all!

Oh blessedness! the goodly throng Of sainted fathers waited long To see this day, with hope deferr'd, As we may learn from God's own word.

Awake, ye sons of men, awake! Up! up! and now your journey take With me, let us together go To where the blessèd angels show.

Behold! there in yon gloomy stall He lies who ruleth over all; Where once their food the cattle sought, The Virgin's child for rest is brought.

Oh, child of Adam! ponder well, And stumble not at what I tell, He who appears in this low state For us is, and aye shall be great.

In mortal flesh we Him behold, Who all things made and doth uphold, The Word who was with God is He, Himself is God whom now we see.

It is God's sole-begotten Son Through whom we now approach His throne, The First and Last, the Prince of Peace, The Conqueror through whom wars cease.

The times predicted are fulfill'd, God's fiery wrath must now be still'd; His Son, made man, doth bear our load Of guilt, our peace buys with His blood.

It is a time of joy to-day, With mourning and with woe away! Woe, woe to him who us revil'd! God's seen in flesh--we're reconcil'd.

The Lord who bears our sin is here, Who'll bruise the serpent's head is near, The Death of death--the Woe of hell-- The Lord of Life with us doth dwell.

All foes are put our feet beneath, For sin and Satan, hell and death, Are brought to shame and put to flight Upon this great, this wondrous night.

Oh! happy world, thrice happy they! Who on this lowly infant stay Their souls, and with believing eyes In Him their Saviour recognize.

Now praise the Lord whoe'er can praise, Who from their low estate to raise His enemies, from His high throne Sent down His lov'd, His only Son.

Up! join the angel host and cry, Now glory be to God most High; Let peace prevail the world around, Good-will to men and joy abound.

NOW WITH JOY MY HEART IS BOUNDING.

Now with joy my heart is bounding, With delight Angels bright Praises forth are sounding. Hark! hark! how the choirs of Heaven, Through the sky Raise the cry, Christ to you is given!

He who's mighty to deliver, Goes that He Earth may free From all woes for ever. God is man, man to deliver, His dear Son Now is one With our blood for ever.

God in us must now take pleasure, For He gives Whom He loves Far beyond all measure. To redeem us He hath given His own Son From the throne Of His might in Heaven.

Who Himself and Kingdom ever, Giveth free, Oh! could He Drive us from Him?--never! Will not God's own Son now bless us? He who loves And removes All things that distress us!

Had our human nature ever By the Lord Been abhorr'd, He had been man never. Had our Lord delighted ever In our grief, He relief Would have brought us never.

All transgression He assumeth, That we've done 'Neath the sun, And our Lamb becometh. As our Lamb His life is given, So that we, From death free, May have peace and Heaven!

Now He's in the manger lying, Me and thee Calleth He, In sweet accents crying, "Banish, brethren, what's distressing, All your ills, All that falls, I bring times of blessing."

Come, and let us now go thither, Let us all, Great and small. Flock in crowds together. Love Him who with deep love burneth, See the light He so bright Kindly on us turneth.

Ye who sink in deepest anguish, Look ye here, Joy is near, Grieve no more, nor languish. Cleave to Him and He will bring you To the place, By His grace, Where no pain will wring you.

All ye hearts, oppress'd with sorrow, Ye who feel Sin's sore ill And conviction's arrow, Courage now! for One is living Who hath skill You to heal, All your pain relieving.

All ye poor ones and distressèd, Come--come ye Take--'tis free, Of His store so blessèd. Here do all good gifts flow over, Here is gold Stores untold! Here your hearts recover!

Gracious Saviour! deign to hear me, And let me Hang on thee, Undisturb'd stay near Thee. Of my life Thou art the Giver, I through Thee Joyfully Live contented ever.

Guilt no longer can distress me, Son of God! Thou my load Bearest to release me. Stain in me Thou findest never, I am clean, All my sin Is remov'd for ever.

For Thy sake I'm clean all over, Thou dost me Graciously With fair raiment cover. To my heart's throne I will raise thee, Glory mine! Flow'r divine! Let me love and praise Thee.

Diligently I'll preserve Thee, To the skies To Thee rise, Here live for and serve Thee. With Thee I at last shall wander, Joyfully, Endlessly, And in glory yonder!

A CAROL.

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising, Heart and mind to Him be raising, Celebrate His love amazing, Worthy folk of Christendom!

Sin, death, hell, may all be grieving, Satan shame feel to him cleaving, We salvation free receiving, Cast our every care away.

See what God for us provideth, Life that in His Son abideth, And our weary steps He guideth From earth's woe to heav'nly joy.

His soul deeply for us feeleth, He His love to us revealeth, He who in the heavens dwelleth Came to save us from our foe.

Jacob's star His advent maketh, Soothes the longing heart that acheth, And the serpent's head He breaketh, Scattering the pow'r of hell.

Op'd hath He and freedom gain'd us From the prison that contain'd us, Where much grief and sorrow pain'd us, And our hearts were bow'd with woe.

O bless'd hour when we receivèd From the foe who us deceivèd Liberty, when we believèd, And Thee, gracious Savior, prais'd.

Beauteous Infant in the manger, O befriend us! beyond danger Bring us where is turn'd God's anger, Where with angel hosts we'll praise!

AT THE MANGER.

Thy manger is My paradise, O Jesus Christ! Where feeds my soul delighted. There 'fore mine eyes The Word now lies, Who to our flesh In person is united.

Whom wind and sea Obey, e'en He In servant's form And place for men's appearing. God's own Son, Thou Assumest now Clay weak and mean, Such as our own, art wearing!

Thou, highest Good! Dost raise our blood Up to Thy throne, High o'er all heights whatever! Pow'r endless, Thou Art brother now To us who like The grass and flowers, wither!

What harm can do Our soul's dread foe To us at all, Though full of gall his spirit? The things that he Accuseth me And others of, From Adam we inherit.

Be silent, fiend! There sits my Friend, My flesh and blood, High in the heav'ns enthronèd: What Thou dost smite The Prince of might From Jacob's stem With honours high hath ownèd.

His health and light, Heal and give sight, And heaven's Joy All earthly ill undoeth. Immanuel, Of joy the Well, The devil, hell, And all their pow'r subdueth.

Believing heart, Whoe'er thou art, Be of good cheer, Let nothing e'er depress thee; Because God's Son Makes thee God's own, God must prove true To thee, and ever bless thee.

Now think and see How gloriously, He over all Distress hath thee uplifted. He who reigns o'er The angels, more Than thou art, is With blessedness not gifted.

Lo! seest thou Before thee now, Thy flesh and blood, Who air and clouds rules ever. What can there be (I ask of thee) That can arise, To fear thee to deliver?

Things oft affright Thy feeble sight And make thee sigh, Thy consolations vanish: Come hither, then, Behold again Christ's manger here, And all misgivings banish.