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HYMN S

FOR THE

HOURS AND THE WEEK.

I.

A Hymn for the Hours.

IN SIX PARTS.

1.

ON RISING.

With limbs refreshed by needful sleep,
Forth from our couch of rest we leap,
And raise to Thee, our GoD on high,
Our morning Prayer, our earliest cry.

On Thee our waking thoughts are bent,
To Thee our waking words are sent;
And we begin the coming day,
With Thee, the Leader of our way.

As yield deep shades to morning's light,
As from the day star, flees the night,
So to our souls made dark by sin,
Pour Thine own holy radiance in.

With earnest cry we beg this day, That Thou wilt drive all sin away: defended by Thy power,

So we,

Will praise Thy name forevermore.

2.

AT PRIME.

While now the sun his course begins, We lift our prayers to Thee; Keep us this day from wonted sins, And from offences, free.

Bridle our tongues with bonds of love, Lest sinful strife abound;

Nor let our wandering vision rove,

Lest earth our souls confound.

Pure be each thought, and free from shame,

Unknown be folly's sway:

Make sparing food our flesh to tame,
And wear its pride away.

So when this opening day is past,
And night returns apace,

Kept pure by prayer and holy fast,
We'll chaunt Thy glorious grace.

3.

AT THE THIRD HOUR.

Now, HOLY GHOST, to Thee we pray,
One with the Father and the Son ;

Bent be our spirits to Thy sway,

And all Thy holy promptings done.

Let lip, tongue, soul, and every part, Pour our most high confession forth;

Let fire of Love light up each heart,

And kindling spread o'er all the earth.

4.

AT THE SIXTH HOUR.

Mighty Ruler, GoD most true,
Guiding all in order due,

Shining in the morn's first rays,
Glowing in the noontide's blaze;

Quench the flames of strife within,
Cool the burning heats of sin;
Health to mortal frames impart,

Shed Thy peace in every heart.

5.

AT THE NINTH HOUR.

Great GOD, o'er all things ever reigning, Yet moveless in Thyself remaining, Thou who dost give returning light,

And orderest each succeeding night;

Grant us such evening to life's day, As shall not sink in night away; Let holy death bring us the prize,

Of life eternal in the skies.

6.

AT COMPLINE.

Thee, before the daylight dies,

Great Creator, we implore!

By Thy mercy hear our cries,

Be our guard forevermore.

Let no sinful dreams allure,

No dread visions us affright;

But with souls and bodies pure,
Bring us to the morning light.

GENERAL DOXOLOGY.

Holy Father lend thine ear;
Deign Thou Holy Son to hear;

Holy Spirit hear our cry;

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