C.M.

927 Bring an offering, and come into

1 THIS

His courts.-Ps. 96, 8.

HIS is the day to tune with care Each unseen chord within; Would we for Sabbaths well prepare, To-day we should begin.

2 Before the Majesty of heaven,
To-morrow we appear;

No honour half so great is given
Throughout man's sojourn here.

3 We must beforehand lay aside
Our own polluted dress;

And wear the robe of Jesus' bride-
His spotless righteousness.

4 The altar must be cleansed to-day
Meet for the offered Lamb;
The wood in order we must lay,
And wait to-morrow's flame.

5 Lord of the sacrifice we bring,
To Thee our hopes aspire;
Our Prophet, our High Priest and King!
Send down the sacred fire.

1

S.M.

928 And the sabbath drew on.-Luke

2

3

4

23, 54.

THE hours of evening close;

Its lengthened shadows drawn
O'er scenes of earth, invite repose,
And wait the Sabbath-dawn.

So let its calm prevail

O'er forms of outward care:

Nor thought for "many things" assail
The still retreat of prayer.

Our guardian Shepherd near,
His watchful eye will keep :

And safe from violence or fear,

Will fold His flock to sleep.

So may a holier light

Than earth's our spirits rouse,
And call us, strengthened by His might,
To pay the Lord our vows.

78.

929 The day of the preparation.-Mati.

27, 62.

1 SAFELY through another week
God has brought us on our way,
Let us now a blessing seek

On the approaching Sabbath-day:
Day of all the week the best,
Emblem of eternal rest.

2 When the morn shall bid us rise,
May we feel Thy presence near!
May Thy glory meet our eyes,
When we in Thy house appear!
There afford us, Lord, a taste
Of our everlasting feast.

s May Thy gospel's joyful sound,
Conquer sinners, comfort samts,
Make the fruits of grace abound,
Bring relief for all complaints:
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove,
Till we join the charch above.

8.7.

930 To-morrow is the rest of the holy

sabbath.-Ex. 16, 23.

1 SOUL thy week of toil is ended,

And a voice, that speaks from high,
With the closing hours is blended,
Rest is coming, rest is nigh.

2 Nearing Sabbath, how I bless thee!
Let thy calmness fill my breast:
Let me even now possess thee:
And anticipate thy rest.

Is my journey full of sadness,

Through a desert wild and drear?

Be to me a well of gladness:

Bid me quite forget my fear.

4 Clouds on clouds my way may darken:
But thy rainbow beams above,
And the storms and wild winds hearken
To thy still small voice of love.

5 So when life's long week is over,
Blessed it will be to die:

Angels whispering as they hover.-
Rest is coming, rest is nigh.

6 Then the heavenly rest to enter,
In Thy mercy, Lord, be mine:
Best of God! the sun and centre
Of the bliss that is divine.

THE YOUNG.

C.M.

931 He shall gather the lambs in His

arm,-Isa. 40, 11.

1 EE Israel's gentle Shepherd stands, With all-engaging charms;

Hark! how He calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in His arms.

2 Permit them to approach, He cries,
Nor scorn their humble name:
For 'twas to bless such souls as these,
The Lord of angels came.

3 We bring them, Lord, by fervent prayer,
And yield them up to Thee;
Joyful that we ourselves are Thine:-
Thine let our offspring be.

4 If orphans they are left behind,
Thy guardian care we trust;

That care shall heal our bleeding hearts
If weeping o'er their dust.

5 Ye little flock, with pleasure hear:
Ye children, seek His face;
And fly with transport to receive
The blessings of His grace.

1

C.M.

932 Those that seek Me early shall find

YE

Me. Prov. 8, 17.

E hearts with youthful vigour warm,
In smiling crowds draw near;
Aud turn from every mortal charm,
A Saviour's voice to hear.

2 He, Lord of all the worlds on high,
Stoops to converse with you;
And lays His radiant glories by,
Your friendship to pursue.

3 "The soul that longs to see My face
Is sure My love to gain:

And those that early seek My grace
Shall never seek in vain."

4 What object, Lord, my soul should
If once compared with Thee? [move,
What beauty should command my love,
Like what in Christ I see?

5 Away, ye false delusive toys,
Vain tempters of the mind!
Tis here I fix my lasting choice,
And here true bliss I find.

C.M.

933 Out of the mouth of babes and

1

sucklings.-Ps. 8, 2.

Heigus above the sky!
FOW glorious is our heavenly King,
How'shall a child presume to sing
His dreadful majesty?

2 How great His power is none can tell, Nor think how large His grace;

Not men below, nor saints that dwell On high before His face.

3 Not angels that stand round the Lord Can search His secret will;

But they perform His heavenly word,
And sing His praises still.

4 Then let me join this holy train,
And my first offerings bring;
The eternal God will not disdain
To hear an infant sing.

5 My heart resolves, my heart obeys,
And angels shall rejoice

To hear the Almighty Maker's praise
Sound from a feeble voice.

148th.

934 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.

1

-Rev. 5, 12.

SHALL hymns of grateful love
Through heaven's high arches ring,
And all the hosts above

Their songs of triumph sing?

And shall not we take up the strain,
And send the echo back again?

2

Shall every ransomed tribe
Of Adam's scattered race

To Christ all power ascribe,
Who saved them by His grace?
And shall not we take up the strain,
And send the echo back again?
3 Shall they adore the Lord

1

Who bought them with His blood,
And all the love record

That led them home to God?
And shall not we take up the strain,
And send the echo back again ?
O spread the joyful sound,
The Saviour's love proclaim,
And publish all around

Salvation, through His name,

Till the whole world take up the strain, And send the echo back again.

7s.

935 Thou hast perfected praise.-Matt.

21, 16.

GLORY to the Father give,

God in whom we move and live; Children's prayers He deigns to hear; Children's songs delight His ear.

2 Glory to the Son we bring,

Christ our Prophet, Priest, and King;
Children, raise your sweetest strain
To the Lamb, for He was slain.

3 Glory to the Holy Ghost;
Be this day a Pentecost;

Children's minds may He inspire;
Touch their tongues with holy fire.

4 Glory in the highest be

To the blessed Trinity,

For the gospel from above,

For the word that "God is love."

C.M.

936 His going forth is from the end of

the heaven.-Ps. 19, 6.

Mig proper hour to rise,

Y God, who makes the sun to know

And, to give light to all below,
Doth send him round the skies.