ADVENT. THE Church has waited long And still in loneliness she waits, Age after age has gone, Sun after sun has set, And still in weeds of widowhood She weeps a mourner yet. Come, then, Lord Jesus, come ! Saint after saint on earth Has lived, and loved, and died; And as they left us one by one, We laid them side by side; We laid them down to sleep, We laid them but to ripen there, Come, then, Lord Jesus, come ! The serpent's brood increase, The powers of hell grow bold, The conflict thickens, faith is low, How long, O Lord our God, Holy and true and good, Wilt Thou not judge Thy suffering Church, Her sighs and tears and blood? Come, then, Lord Jesus, come ! We long to hear Thy voice, To see Thee face to face, To share Thy crown and glory then, Should not the loving bride The absent bridegroom mourn? Should she not wear the weeds of grief Until her Lord return? Come, then, Lord Jesus, come! The whole creation groans, And waits to hear that voice, And make this blighted world of ours Come, then, Lord Jesus, come ! RETURN UNTO THY REST. CEASE, my soul, thy strayings! Have they brought thee peace? Come, no more delayings, Cease thy wanderings, cease. These vanities how vain! Wander not again. Thou hast found thy centre; Never more adventure Now to swerve aside. These vanities how vain! Wander not again. Thou hast reach'd thy dwelling; Safe, sure anchorage From the perilous swelling Of the tempest's rage. These vanities how vain! C Tranquil hours now greet thee, Gracious looks now meet thee, These vanities how vain! Wander not again. See yon star, love-lighted, These vanities how vain ! Wander not again. Watch, my soul, the glory O'er yon forest hoary, O'er yon mountain-top. These vanities how vain! Wander not again. 'Tis the bridal morning; Rise, make no delay; Put on thine adorning, Cast thy weeds away. These vanities how vain ! Wander not again. |