3 Bound to each soul by tenderest ties,
In every breast his image lies;
Thy pitying aid, O God, impart,

Nor rend him from each bleeding heart. 4 Yet if our supplications fail,

And prayers and tears can nought prevail, Be Thou his strength, be Thou his stay, Support him through the gloomy way. 5 Around him may Thy angels wait, Deck'd with their robes of heavenly state, To teach his happy soul to rise, And waft him to his native skies.

904

1

RISEN

George Keith, 1787,

Deacons or Elders.

ISEN Lord, Thou hast received
Gifts to bless the sons of men,
That with souls who have believèd,
God might dwell on earth again.
2 Now these gifts be pleased to send us,
Elders, deacons still supply,

8.7.

Men whom Thou art pleased to lend us,
All the saints to edify.

3 Guide us while we here select them,
Let the Holy Ghost be nigh,
Do Thou, Lord, Thyself elect them,
And ordain them from on high.

[Pause while the election is made.]

4 Lord, Thy church invokes Thy blessing

On her chosen {edern,} head,

Here we stand, our need confessing,
Waiting till Thy grace be shed.

5 Pour on them Thy rich anointing,
Fill Thy servants with Thy power,
Prove them of Thine own appointing,
Bless them from this very hour.

Charles H Spurgeon, 1866.

905

1

SA

THE LORD'S DAY.

Seeking a Blessing on the

coming Sabbath.

7s., 6 lines.

AFELY 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 Mercies multiplied each hour

Through the week our praise demand;
Guarded by almighty power,

Fed and guided by His hand :
Though ungrateful we have been,
Only made returns of sin.

3 While we pray for pardoning grace,
Through the dear Redeemer's name,
Show Thy reconcilèd face,

Shine away our sin and shame;
From our worldly care set free,
May we rest this night with Thee!

4 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.

5 May the Gospel's joyful sound
Conquer sinners, comfort saints,
Make the fruits of grace abound,
Bring relief for all complaints:
Thus may all our sabbaths prove,
Till we join the church above.

John Newton, 1779.

906

Another Sabbath is begun.

1

L. M.

NOTHER six days' work is done,
Another Sabbath is begun;

Return, my soul, enjoy thy rest;
Improve the day thy God has blest.

2 Come, bless the Lord, whose love assigns So sweet a rest to wearied minds; Provides an antepast of heaven,

And gives this day the food of seven.

rise,

3 Oh that our thoughts and thanks may
As grateful incense to the skies;
And draw from heaven that sweet repose
Which none but he that feels it knows.
4 This heavenly calm within the breast,
Is the dear pledge of glorious rest,
Which for the church of God remains;
The end of cares, the end of pains.

5 In holy duties let the day,
In holy pleasures pass away;
How sweet a sabbath thus to spend,
In hope of one that ne'er shall end!

907

1

Joseph Stennett, 1732, a.

Welcome, sweet Day of Rest.

WE

S. M.

WELCOME, sweet day of rest,
That saw the Lord arise;
Welcome to this reviving breast,
And these rejoicing eyes!

2 The King Himself comes near,
And feasts His saints to day;
Here we may sit and see Him here,
And love, and praise, and pray.

3

4

One day amidst the place

Where my dear God hath been,
Is sweeter than ten thousand days
Of pleasurable sin.

My willing soul would stay
In such a frame as this,

And sit and sing herself away

To everlasting bliss.

908

1 THE

The Joyful Morn.

Isaac Watts, 1709.

8.8.6.

HE festal morn, my God, has come,

That calls me to Thy honour'd dome,

Thy presence to adore;

My feet the summons shall attend,

With willing steps Thy courts ascend,

And tread the hallow'd floor.

2 Hither from Judah's utmost end,
The heaven-protected tribes ascend,
Their offerings hither bring:
Here, eager to attest their joy,

In hymns of praise their tongues employ,
And hail th' immortal King.
3 Be peace by each implored on thee,
O Sion, while with bended knee,
To Jacob's God we pray;

How blest, who calls himself thy friend!
Success his labour shall attend,

And safety guard his way.

4 Seat of my friends and brethren, hail!
How can my tongue, O Sion, fail,
To bless thy loved abode?

How cease the zeal that in me glows,
Thy good to seek, whose walls enclose
The mansions of my God!

909

1

James Merrick, 1765, a.

THIS is the day the Lord hath made,

He calls the hours His own;

Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.
2 To-day He rose and left the dead;
And Satan's empire fell;

To-day the saints His triumphs spread,
And all His wonders tell.

3 Hosannah to th' anointed King,
To David's holy Son!

Help us, O Lord! descend and bring
Salvation from Thy throne.