HYMN OF TRUST.

LOVE Divine, that stooped to share

Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear, On Thee we cast each earthborn care,

We smile at pain while Thou art near !

Though long the weary way we tread,

And sorrow crown each lingering year, No path we shun, no darkness dread,

Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near !

When drooping pleasure turns to grief,

And trembling faith is changed to fear, The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf,

Shall softly tell us, Thou art near!

On Thee we fing our burdening woe,

O Love Divine, forever dear, Content to suffer, while we know, Living and dying, Thou art near !

Dr. O. W. Holmes. MORNING HYMN.

WAKE, my soul! awake, mine eyes !

Awake, my faculties !
Awake, and see the new-born light
Spring from the darksome womb of night!
Look up and see the unwearied sun,
Already has his race begun,
The pretty lark is mounted high,
And sings her matins in the sky.
Arise, my soul! and thou, my voice,
In songs of praise early rejoice!
O great Creator! heavenly King!
Thy praises ever let me fing!
Thy power has made, thy goodness kept,
This fenceless body while I slept ;
Yet one day more has given me
From all the powers of darkness free.
Oh! keep my heart from fin secure,

My life unblameable and pure ;
That when the last of all my days is come,
Cheerful and fearless I

doom.
Thomas Flatman. · 1633–1688.

EVENING HYMN.

SL Fired with be holding vanities :

LEEP! drowsy Sleep! come close mine eyes,

Sweet flumbers, come, and chase away
The toils and follies of the day.
On your soft bosom will I lie,
Forget the world, and learn to die.
O Israel's watchful Shepherd! spread
Tents of angels round my bed ;
Let not the spirits of the air
While I number me ensnare ;
But save thy suppliant free from harms,
Clasped in thine everlasting arms.
Clouds and thick darkness are thy throne,
Thy wonderful pavilion ;
Oh! dart from thence a shining ray,
And then my midnight shall be day!
Thus when the morn in crimson dressed,
Breaks through the windows of the East,
My hymns of thankful praise shall rise
Like incense at the morning sacrifice!

Thomas Flatman. EVENING HYMN.

Q

CIETLY reft the woods and dales,

Silence round the hearth prevails,

The world is all alleep: Thou, my soul, in thought arise,

Seek thy Father in the skies, And holy vigils with Him keep.

Sun, where hidest thou thy light?
Art thou driven hence by Night,

Thy dark and ancient foe?
Go! another Sun is mine -

Jesus comes with light divine, To cheer my pilgrimage below.

Now that day has passed away,
Golden stars in bright array

Bespangle the blue sky :
Bright and clear, so would I stand,

When I hear my Lord's command
To leave this earth, and upward Ay.

Now this body seeks for rest,
From its vestments all undrest,

Types of mortality :
Chrilt Thall give me soon to wear,

Garments beautiful and fair White robes of glorious majesty.

Head, and feet, and hands, once more
Joy to think of labor o'er,

And night with gladness see.
O my heart! thou too shalt know

Reft from all thy toil below,
And from earth's turmoil soon be free.

Weary limbs, now rest ye here;
Safe from danger and from fear,

Seek number on this bed :
Deeper rest ere long to share,

Other hands shall soon prepare My narrow couch among the dead.

While my eyes I gently close,
Stealing o'er me soft repose,

Who shall my guardian be?
Soul and body now I leave,

(And Thou wilt the trust receive,) O Israel's Watchman! unto Thee.

O my friends! from you this day
May all ill have fled away,

No danger near have come.
Now, O my God, these dear ones keep;

Give to my beloved sleep,
And angels send to guard their home!

Paul Gerhardt.