S.M.

667 The cloud covered it by day, and

1

... fire by night.-Numb. 9, 16. THERE is the Hebrews' God,

WH

Who kept them night and day? Where is the heavenly fire and cloud, Which showed Thy church their way? 2 No symbol visible

3

We of Thy presence find;

Yet all who would obey Thy will,
Shall know their Father's mind.
Father, Thou still dost lead
The children of Thy grace,
The chosen and believing seed,
Throughout this wilderness:
4 Our chart Thy written word,
Thy Spirit is our guide,

And Christ, the glory of our Lord,
Doth in our hearts reside.

C.M.

668 The joy of the Lord is your

strength.-Neh. 8, 10.

BLEST are the souls that hear and
The Gospel's joyful sound; (know
Peace shall attend the path they go,
And light their steps surround.
2 Their joy shall bear their spirits up,
Through their Redeemer's name:
His righteousness exalts their hope;
Nor Satan dares condemn.

s The Lord, our Glory and Defence,
Strength and salvation gives:
Israel, thy King for ever reigns,
Thy God for ever lives.

8.7.4.

669

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound.-Ps. 89, 15.

HOW blest the congregation
Who the gospel know and prize;

Joyful tidings of salvation

Brought by Jesus from the skies!
He is near them,

[cries.

Knows their wants, and hears their

2 In His name rejoicing ever,
Walking in His light and love,
And foretasting, in His favour,
Something here of bliss above;
Happy people!

[move? Who shall harm them? what shall

3 In His righteousness exalted,

On from strength to strength they go; By ten thousand ills assaulted, Yet preserved from every foe! On to glory,

Safe they speed through all below.

4 God will keep His own anointed, Nought shall harm them, none conAll their trials are appointed,

[demn ;

All must work for good to them;
All shall help them

To their heavenly diadem.

C.M.

670 who walketh in the midst of the

1

seven golden candlesticks.-Rev.2,1.

WE bless the eternal Source of light,

Who makes the stars to shine; And through this dark,beclouded world, Diffuseth rays divine.

2 We bless the Church's sovereign King,
Whose golden lamps we are;
Fixed in the temple of His love
To shine with radiance fair.

8 Still be our purity preserved,
Still fed with oil the flame;
And in deep characters inscribed
Our heavenly Master's name.

4 Then, while between our ranks He And all our state surveys,

[walks,

His smiles shall with new lustre deck,

The people of His praise.

C.M.

671 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy

upon Zion.-Ps. 102, 13.

1 LET Zion, and her sons rejoice:

Behold the promised hour; [voice Her God hath heard her mourning And comes to exalt His power.

2 Her dust and ruins that remain
Are precious in our eyes;
Those ruins shall be built again,
And all that dust shall rise.
3 The Lord will raise Jerusalem,
And stand in glory there:

Nations shall bow before His name,
And kings attend with fear.

4 He sits a sovereign on His throne,
With pity in His eyes;

He hears the dying prisoners' groan,
And sees their sighs arise.

5 This shall be known when we are dead, And left on long record,

That nations yet unborn may read,
And trust, and praise the Lord.

672

1

HE

8.7.

Thy God thy glory.-Isa. 60, 19.
EAR what God the Lord hath spoken!
O my people, faint and few,
Comfortless, afflicted, broken,
Fair abodes I build for you:
Thorns of heart-felt tribulation
Shall no more perplex your ways;
You shall name your walls Salvation,
And your gates shall all be Praise.

2 There, like streams that feed the garden,
Pleasures without end shall flow;
For the Lord, your faith rewarding,
All His bounty shall bestow:
Still in undisturbed possession
Peace and righteousness shall reign;
Never shall you feel oppression,
Hear the voice of war again.

3 Ye, no more your suns descending,
Waning moons no more shall see;
But, your griefs for ever ending,
Find eternal noon in Me:

God shall rise, and, shining o'er you,
Change to day the gloom of night;
He, the Lord, shall be your Glory,
God your everlasting Light.

ITS OFFICERS.

L.M.

673 Receive him in the Lord with all

1

gladness.-Phil. 2, 29.

E bid thee welcome in the name

W of Jesus, our exalted Head;

Come as a servant, so He came, And we receive thee in His stead. 2 Come as a shepherd; guard and keep This fold from hell, and earth, and sin; Nourish the lambs, and feed the sheep, The wounded heal, the lost bring in. 3 Come as a watchman; take thy stand Upon thy tower amidst the sky;

And when the sword comes on the land, Call us to fight, or warn to fly.

4 Come as an angel; hence to guide A band of pilgrims on their way, That safely walking at thy side, We faint not, fail not, turn, nor stray. 5 Come as a teacher sent from God,

Charged His whole counsel to declare; Lift o'er our ranks the prophet's rod, While we uphold thy hands with prayer. 6 Come as a messenger of peace, Filled with the Spirit, fired with love; Live to behold our large increase, And die to meet us all above.

L.M.

674 I will give you pastors according

1 SH

to Mine heart.-Jer. 3, 15.

HEPHERD of Israel, Thou dost keep
With constant care Thy humble
sheep;

From Thee the under-shepherds come
To feed our souls and guide us home.

2 To all Thy churches such impart,
Pastors according to Thy heart;
Whose courage, watchfulness, and love,
Men may attest, and God approve.

3. Fed by their active, tender care,
Healthful may all Thy sheep appear;
And, by their fair example led,
The way to Zion's pastures tread.
4 Here Thou hast listened to our vows,
And scattered blessings on Thy house;
Thy saints are succoured, and no more
As sheep without a guide deplore.
5 Completely heal each former stroke,
And bless the shepherd and the lock;
Confirm the hopes thy mercies raise,
And own this tribute of our praise.

1

L.M.

675 Strive together with me in your

FA

prayersto God for me.-Rom.15,30.

ATHER of mercies, bow thine ear, Attentive to our earnest prayer; We plead for those who plead for Thee, Successful pleaders may they be !

2 How great their work, how vast their charge!

Do Thou their anxious souls enlarge; Their best acquirements are our gain, We share the blessings they obtain. 3 Clothe then, with energy divine, Their words, and let those words be Thine;

To them Thy sacred truth reveal, Suppress their fear, inflame their zeal. 4 Teach them to sow the precious seed, Teach them Thy chosen flock to feed; Teach them immortal souls to gain, Nor let them labour, Lord, in vain. 5 Let thronging multitudes around Hear from their lips the joyful sound; In humble strains Thy grace adore, And feel Thy new-creating power.

676

1

C.M.

He gave gifts unto men.-Eph. 4, 8. HIEF Shepherd of Thy chosen sheep, From death and sin set free,

CHI

May all Thine under-shepherds keep
Their eyes intent on Thee!