Christ is now at hand, behold,
Who His power defieth?
Where is now pursuer bold?

On the earth he lieth:

And Christ's armed foe e'en now
Shall as Christ's meek herald go.

He, who, fill'd with threatnings, sped, Chains and death preparing;

By a gentle hand is led,

With a child-like bearing;

Like a raging wolf he came;

But he goes a gentle lamb.

Lord, men's hearts in sternest mood

Open lie before Thee;

He who in thy children's blood,

Would blot out Thy glory.

With his blood shall it rehearse

Through the boundless universe.

Praise the Father, by whose might
Life to us is given;

And the Son, by whose blest light

We are born to Heaven;

And the Spirit, by whose breath
We are saved from endless death.

3.

Nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, 1 live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.-GAL. ii.

Lord, from out Thy glorious skies,
Where Thy palace lies,

What cause constraining in Thine eyes

Brings Thee again to earth?

That Thou, the Judge of endless doom,

Again should as a Saviour come,

What foe doth call Thee forth?

With defying mien and tread
Hastes a warrior dread;

Afar the trembling flock is fled:
What hand can succor lend?

With suppliant gaze beseechingly
Their eyes look up; but from the sky
No pitying form doth bend.

Forth hath gone one awful sound,

And the world is bound,

With Saul laid suppliant on the ground.

At morn went forth to slay

The ravening wolf of Benjamin,

But with the sheep, when eve comes in,

He shall divide the prey.

Through all climes His glory plant!

Through all ages chant!

Sing praise and honor jubilant,

As is and aye hath been!

All worship, all dominion,

To Him who all things holds in one,
The Triune God unseen!

On the Presentation of Christ in the Temple;

OR, THE PURIFICATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY.

1.

Behold, I will send My messenger, and He shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in.— Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. -MAL. iii.

Sion, ope thy hallowed dome:
To His temple Christ is come;-
Lifeless shadows, haste away,

Grace and Truth beam out to day.

Flocks and herds shall bleed no more,-
Stanch'd the flood of reeking gore;

Lo! He comes from Heaven above,
Victim to His Father's love.

Virgin pure, thy downcast eye Owns His hidden Godhead nigh; Heavenly musings, all unheard, Meetly hail the silent word;

Whilst to Heaven Thy pious love Duly vows the sacred dove,

And upon Thy bosom lies

More than dove-like sacrifice.

Sire and sister, age and youth
Kindle at the mighty truth,

And the blissful Presence own,

Panting Faith so long hath known.

Glory be to Father, Son,

And blest Spirit, Three in One,
God Triune, to Thee we raise

Faithful hearts in ceaseless praise.