Can this be He who wont to stray
A pilgrim on the world's highway,
By power oppress'd, and mock'd by pride,
The Nazarene, the Crucified?
Go, tyrants! to the rocks complain;
Go, seek the mountain's cleft in vain;
But faith, victorious o'er the tomb,
Shall sing for joy-The Lord is come!
O SAVIOUR, is Thy promise fled,
Nor longer might Thy grace endure
To heal the sick, and raise the dead,
And preach Thy Gospel to the poor?
Come, JESUS, come! return again;
With brighter beam Thy servants bless,
Who long to feel Thy perfect reign,
And share Thy kingdom's happiness.
Come, JESUS, come; and, as of yore,
The prophet went to clear Thy way,
A harbinger Thy feet before,
A dawning to Thy brighter day;
So now may grace with heavenly shower
Our stony hearts for truth prepare ;
Sow in our souls the seed of
Then come and reap Thy harvest there.
COME, let us to the Lord our God
With contrite hearts return;
Our God is gracious, nor will leave
The desolate to mourn.
Long hath the night of sorrow reign'd;
The dawn shall bring us light:
God shall appear, and we shall rise
With gladness in His sight.
Our hearts, if God we seek to know,
Shall know Him, and rejoice;
His coming like the morn shall be,
Like morning songs His voice.
As dew upon the tender herb,
Diffusing fragrance round;
As showers that usher in the spring,
And cheer the thirsty ground,
So shall His presence bless our souls,
And shed a joyful light;
That hallow'd morn shall chase away
The sorrows of the night.
HOSANNA to the living Lord!
Hosanna to the Incarnate Word!
To Christ, Creator, Saviour, King,
Let earth, let heaven Hosanna sing.
O Saviour! with protecting care
Return to this Thy House of Prayer:
Assembled in Thy sacred Name,
Where we Thy parting promise claim.
But, chiefest, in our cleansed breast,
Eternal bid Thy Spirit rest;
And make our secret soul to be
A temple pure, and worthy Thee!
So, in the last and dreadful day,
When earth and heaven shall melt away,
Thy flock, redeem'd from sinful stain,
Shall swell the sound of praise again.
LIGHT of those whose dreary dwelling
Borders on the shades of death!
Rise on us, Thyself revealing,
Rise and chase the clouds beneath.
Thou, of life and light Creator!
In our deepest darkness rise;
Scatter all the night of nature;
Pour the day upon our eyes.
Still we wait for Thine appearing;
Life and joy Thy beams impart ;
Chasing all our fears, and cheering
Every meek and contrite heart.
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Every burden'd soul release;
By the shining of Thy Spirit
Guide unto Thy perfect peace.
Love divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
JESU! Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every waiting heart.
Come, Almighty to deliver!
Let us all Thy grace receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more Thy temple leave:
Thee would we be ever blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish then Thy new creation!
Pure and spotless may we be:
Let us see Thy great salvation;
Perfectly restored in Thee!
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
HARK the herald Angels sing
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild;
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations rise;
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim-
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Veil'd in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail! incarnate Deity!
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
JESUS, great Immanuel!
Risen with healing in His wings,
Light and life to all He brings.
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
WHILE shepherds watch'd their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The Angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
"Fear not," said he,-for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind,-
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
"To you, in David's town this day,
Is born, of David's line,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:
"The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view display'd,
All meanly wrapt in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appear'd a shining throng
Of Angels praising God, who thus
Address'd their joyful song:-
|