66

COM

YOME, O Thou Prophet of the Lord,
Thou great Interpreter Divine,
Explain Thine own transmitted word;
To teach and to inspire is Thine :
Thou only canst Thyself reveal,
Open the book, and loose the seal.

2 Now, Jesus, now the veil remove,
The folly of our darkened heart;
Unfold the wonders of Thy love,
The knowledge of Thyself impart;
Our ear, our inmost soul, we bow :
Speak, Lord, Thy servants hearken now.

Benedictions.

67

(349)

L

8.7.4.

ORD, dismiss [enrich] us with Thy blessing,
Fill our hearts with joy and peace!

Let us all, Thy love possessing,
Triumph in redeeming grace;
Oh refresh us!

Travelling through this wilderness.

2 Thanks we give, and adoration,
For Thy gospel's joyful sound
May the fruits of Thy salvation
In our hearts and lives abound.
May Thy presence

With us evermore be found.

3 So, whene'er the signal's given,
Us from earth to call away,
Borne on angels' wings to heaven,
Glad the summons to obey,
May we ever

Reign with Christ in endless day.

68

L

ORD, dismiss us with Thy blessing!
Bid us now depart in peace,
Still on heavenly manna feeding,

Let our faith and love increase :
Fill each breast with consolation;
Up to Thee our hearts we raise :
When we reach yon blissful station,
Then we'll give Thee nobler praise!
Hallelujah!

JEHOVAH, God the Father, bless,

own work defend !

With mercy's outstretch'd arms embrace,
And keep us to the end!

2 Preserve the creatures of Thy love :
By providential care
Conducted to the realms above,
To sing Thy goodness there.

3 Jehovah, God the Son, reveal
The brightness of Thy face;
And all Thy pardon'd people fill
With plenitude of grace!

4 Shine forth with all the Deity,
Which dwells in Thee alone;
And lift us up, Thy face to see
On Thy eternal Throne.

5 Jehovah, God the Spirit, shine,
Father and Son to show!
With bliss ineffable, divine,
Our ravish'd hearts o'erflow.
6 Sure earnest of that happiness,
Which human hope transcends,
Be Thou our everlasting peace,
When grace in glory ends!

70

MAY

AY the grace of Christ our Saviour,
And the Father's boundless love,

With the Holy Spirit's favour,

Rest upon us from above!
Thus may we abide in union
With each other, and the Lord;
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.

71

2

3

4

HYMNS CONCERNING THE LORD'S DAY.

4-6s & 2-8s.

HE Lord is risen indeed,

THE

C. WESLEY. 1767.

And bids His members rise!

Ye saints, by Jesus freed,

Pursue Him to the skies:

This is the day the Lord hath made;
Rejoice and be for ever glad.

On this triumphant day,
Peculiarly His own,

He calls His church to pray,

And sing around His throne:

This is the day the Lord hath made;
Rejoice and be for ever glad.

Jesus, to us impart

Thy resurrection's power,
And teach our quickened heart
Its living Lord to adore,

To vie with the redeemed above,
Rejoicing in Thy pardoning love.
Us by Thy peace assure

Thou dost our sins forgive,
And make our spirits pure,
And to Thyself receive,

To keep the day of rest above,
Rejoicing in Thy heavenly love.

72

6-7s.

J. A. ELLIOTT. 1833.

AIL, thou bright and sacred morn,

HRisen with gladness in thy beams!

Light, which not of earth is born,
From thy dawn in glory streams :
Sad and weary were our way,
But for thee, thou blessed day.

2 Great Creator! who this day

From Thy perfect work didst rest;
By the souls that own Thy sway
Hallowed be its hours and blest;
Cares of earth aside be thrown,
This day given to Heaven alone!
3 Saviour! who this day didst break
The dark prison of the tomb;
Bid my slumbering soul awake,
Shine through all its sin and gloom :
Let me, from my bonds set free,
Rise from sin, and live to Thee!

4 Blessed Spirit! Comforter!

73

Sent this day from Christ on high;
Lord, on me Thy gifts confer,

Cleanse, illumine, sanctify!
All Thine influence shed abroad,
Lead me to the truth of God.

(WEET is the work, my God, my King,

To praise Thy name, give thanks, and sing;

To show Thy love by morning light,
And talk of all Thy truth at night.

2 Sweet is the day of sacred rest,
No mortal cares disturb my breast;
O may my heart in tune be found,
Like David's harp of solemn sound!

3 My heart shall triumph in the Lord,

And bless His works, and bless His word: Thy works of grace, how bright they shine! How deep Thy counsels, how divine! 4. Then I shall share a glorious part, When grace hath well refined my heart, And fresh supplies of joy are shed, Like holy oil, to cheer my head.

5 Then shall I see, and hear, and know All I desired or wish'd below;

74

And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.

(658)

C.M. S. WESLEY, JUN. 1736.

ORD of the Sabbath, Thee we praise,
In concert with the blest,

Who, joyful, in harmonious lays
Employ an endless rest.

2 Thus, Lord, while we remember Thee,
We blest and pious grow;

By hymns of praise we learn to be
Triumphant here below.

3 On this glad day a brighter scene
Of glory was displayed,

By God, the eternal Word, than when
This universe was made.

4 HE RISES, who mankind has bought,
With grief and pain extreme;

'Twas great to speak a world from nought;
'Twas greater to redeem !

5 "May we, throughout this day of Thine,
Be in Thy Spirit, Lord,
Spirit of humble fear divine

66

That trembles at Thy word;

6 Spirit of faith our hearts to raise,

And fix on things above;

Spirit of sacrifice and praise,
Of holiness and love."