HYMN

CXLIII.

Τ

HE midday sun, with fiercest glare,
Broods o'er the hazy, twinkling air ;
Along the level sand

The palm tree's shade unwavering lies,
Just as thy towers, Damascus, rise,
To greet yon wearied band.

The leader of that martial crew
Seems bent some mighty deed to do,
So steadily he speeds,

With lips firm closed and fixed eye,
Like warrior when the fight is nigh,
Nor talk nor landscape heeds.

What sudden blaze is round him poured,
As though all heaven's refulgent hoard
In one rich glory shone?
One moment- and to earth he falls :
What voice his inmost heart appals?—
Voice heard by him alone.

Ah! wherefore persecut'st thou me?
He heard and saw, and sought to free
His strained eye from the sight:
But heaven's high magick bound it there,
Still gazing, though untaught to bear
The insufferable light.

What glorious presence they despise,
While, in our noon of life,

To power or fame we rudely press —
Christ is at hand, to scorn or bless,
Christ suffers in our strife.

O by those gentle tones and dear,
When thou hast stayed our wild career,
Thou only hope of souls,

Ne'er let us cast one look behind,
But in the thought of Jesus find
What every thought controuls.

As to thy last apostle's heart
Thy lightning glance did then impart
Zeal's never dying fire,

So teach us on thy shrine to lay
Our hearts, and let them day by day

Intenser blaze and higher. Amen.

The Nativity of Saint John Baptist.

CXLIV.

WHEN, Lord, this festal day returns,

All bright with summer bloom,

And on Saint John's nativity
Points to his martyr tomb;

Be this its holy use, to make

The birthdays of each year,
Though dear for all their earthly joy,
As helps to heaven most dear.

The Baptist's pure and blameless life,
Severe from early youth;
His bold rebuke of haughty vice,
His patience for the truth;

His preparation of thy way,

His living for thy love;

His brief, but hard and toilsome course,
His early rest above;

Be thèse our birthday monitors,

Our souls for heaven to train;

To teach us how, to live is Christ,
And how, to die is gain.

Thine is the kingdom, thine the power,
And thine the glory, Lord,

Blest Trinity in Unity,

In earth and heaven adored. Amen.

HYMN

CXLV.

RANT us the wings of faith to rise

GRAN

Within the vail, and see

The blessedness and joy, O Lord,

Of them which died in thee.

They once were mourning here below,
And wet their couch with tears;
They wrestled hard, e'en like ourselves,
With sins, and doubts, and fears.

They tracked the way that Jesus went,
The Comforter their guide;

And, following their incarnate God,

They now in peace abide.

Thanks be to our most glorious king

For his own pattern given,

And for the cloud of witnesses

Which mark the path to heaven. Amen.

୧

ON

HYMN
CXLVI.

N thee, O better country,
Our eyes their vigil keep ;

For very love, beholding
Thy blessed name, they weep.

O one abiding city,

O paradise of joy,

Where tears are ever banished,
And smiles have no alloy.

With jasper glow thy bulwarks,
With emerald they blaze;
The sardius and topaz

Unite in thee their rays.

Thy foursquare wall is garnished
With amethyst unpriced:
The saints build up thy fabrick;
Thy corner stone is Christ.

The Lamb is all thy splendour,
The crucified thy praise;
To him their thanks and blessing
Thy ransomed people raise.

Upon the rock of ages

Is reared thy peaceful tower: Thine are the crystal river

And tree of healing power.

All glory to the Father,

All glory to the Son,

And to the Holy Spirit,

Eternal Three in One. Amen.