1. Christ, Who art above the sky,
Teach me how to live and die!
Thou hast sent me here to be
Born of human-kind like Thee:
Born to walk the flinty road
Which Thy crimsoned footsteps trode;
Clear mine eyes to track them right,
Leading upwards to the light.
2. Pure as snow from taint of wrong,
Thou hast known temptation strong;
Tried and burst the snares that lie
Set to bar us from the sky:
Thou wilt aid me firm to stand
When the tempter is at hand;
Thou wilt draw my thoughts to Thee,
And the demon-sin will flee.
3. When I slip, my frailty spare;
Saviour, save me from despair!
By the mercy-gate Thou art,
Vision of the Bleeding Heart,
Gazing with thorn-circled Face
Human-eyed on all the race :-
If I kneel before the gate,
Thou wilt never cry
4. If in vain my strength has toiled;
Hopes defeated, purpose foiled;
If the light of life be dim,
Waning mind, and withered limb;
If my dear ones leave me lone,
Be Thou here when all are gone!
Thou hast known what anguish is:
Thou canst turn my tears to bliss.
5. In the day of doubt and gloom,
Let Thy mercy-message come,
O'er my fevered soul below
Falling soft as snow on snow;
"Though the mother smile no more
On the baby that she bore;
Bride by bridegroom be forgot;
Yet will I forsake thee not."
6. Though far off in light, by me
Nearer than earth's nearest be:
By the love that brought Thee down;
By the bitter Cross and Crown;
By Thy shepherd-care to save
All Thy flock from font to grave;
Aid me here to live and die,
Christ, Who art above the sky!
1. Go when the morning shineth,
Go when the moon is bright,
Go when the eve declineth,
Go in the hush of night:
Go with pure mind and feeling,
Fling earthly thoughts away,
And in thy chamber kneeling,
Do thou in secret pray.
2. Remember all who love thee,
All who are loved by thee;
Pray too for those that hate thee,
If any such there be :
Then for thyself in meekness
A blessing humbly claim,
And link with each petition
Thy great Redeemer's Name.
3. But if 'tis e'er denied thee
In solitude to pray;
Should holy thoughts come o'er thee
When friends are round thy way;
E'en then the silent breathing
Of thy spirit raised above
Shall reach His throne of glory,
Of mercy, truth, and love.
4. O, not a joy or blessing
With this can we compare,
The power that He hath given us
To pour our souls in prayer.
Whene'er thou pin'st in sadness,
Before His footstool fall;
Remember in thy gladness
His love Who gave thee all. Amen.
1. In the hour of my distress, When temptations me oppress, And when I my sins confess,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me.
2. When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart, and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me.
3. When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drowned in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me.
4. When God knows I'm tossed about,
Either with despair or doubt,
Yet before the glass be out,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me.
5. When my conscience me pursueth
With the sins of all my youth,
And condemns me for untruth,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me.
6. When the judgment is revealed,
And that opened which was sealed,
When to Thee I have appealed,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me.
1. Lord! how fast the minutes fly
'Twixt us and the hour we die!
Days are weeks before we know;
Weeks to months untimely grow;
And behind each glad New Year,
Death his ambush sets more near.
2. Death!-by whomsoever heard,
'Mongst all words most fearful word!
-Quit each thing familiar here:
Face to face with God appear:
Change no mortal tongue can tell :-
All's in that one syllable!
Hour of dread farewells to be!
Faces more than life to me;
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