Our loins be girt, as in his sight,
Confiding in his name.
"Watch!" 'tis the Lord's command,
And while we speak he's near:
Mark the first signal of his hand,
And ready all appear.
O happy servant he
In such a posture found!
The faithful, changed, shall Jesus see,
And be with glory crowned.
347.
RISE, O my soul, pursue the path
By ancient heroes trod ;
Ambitious view those holy men,
Who lived and walked with God.
Though dead, they speak in reason's ear, And in example live;
Their faith, and hope, and mighty deeds, Still fresh instruction give.
'Twas through the Lamb's most precious They conquered every foe;
And to his power and matchless grace
Their crowns and honours owe. Lord, may we ever keep in view, The patterns thou hast given; And ne'er forsake the blessed road Which led them safe to heaven. 348.
HOW steep and short the path we tread, Down to the regions of the dead!
But, lo!-beyond that gloomy vale,—
The judgment just! the heaven! the hell!
Awake, my soul, thy way prepare,
And lose in this each earthly care:
With steady feet that path be trod,
Which through the grave conducts to God.
Jesus, to thee my all I trust,
And if thou call me down to dust,
I know thy love! I bless thy hand!
And die in peace at thy command.
AWAKE, my soul, exert thy powers,
And press with vigour on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
Numbers of witnesses around,
Hold thee in full survey;
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.
Bless'd Saviour, introduced by thee,
We towards thy prize-mark press;
Hoping the heavenly crown to gain,
And reign with thee in bliss.
S Christian troops with armour bright,
Let us give thanks and sing,
In union strong together fight:
"Hosanna to our King!"
We laud and magnify his name,
Nor let his praises cease:
His ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all his paths are peace.
Let us not act the coward's part,
But onward all proceed;
Our Captain shall his grace impart,
In every time of need.
Great peace have they who love his cause,
And on his word rely:
From such as keep his holy laws,
The enemy will fly.
The world and sin may grieve us sore,
And rouse our weaker fears;
Our march is but a few days more,
Through this dark vale of tears.
Death may assail, and Satan too,
With his opposing powers;
Let us but prove our fealty true,
The victory is ours.
We've no abiding city here,
But seek one in the skies;
A safe abode, eternal there,
That time and death defies.
We have our conflicts here, 'tis true;
But soon (our warfare o'er,)
Shall bid this temp'ral world adieu,
And to th' eternal soar.
CHRISTIAN LOVE AND UNION.
HOW sweet! how heavenly is the sight!
When those who love the Lord
In one another's peace delight,
And so fulfil his word.
May each thus feel a brother's sigh,
And with him bear a part;
Each sorrow flow from eye to eye,
Each joy from heart to heart.
May love in this delightful stream,
Through every bosom flow;
And union sweet, and dear esteem,
In words and actions glow.
LET party names no more
Among Christ's followers spread;
Gentile and Jew, and bond and free,
Are one in Christ the head.
Among his saints on earth,
Let mutual love abound:
Heirs of the same inheritance,
Should be in union found.
O may the church below
Resemble that above:
every tongue is filled with praise, And every heart is love.
FORGOTTEN be each worldly theme,
When brethren meet together thus,
To gratefully remember him,
Who lived, and died, and rose for us.
We dwell on all he did, and said:
Think of his sufferings while below;
Walk as he traced for us to tread;
Learn what our Priest does for us now.
May he, by whose kind care we meet,
Sending his Spirit from above,
Make our communications sweet,
Causing our hearts t' abound with love.
Thus as time's moments haste away,
Jesus who saves us we adore;
Looking for, hasting to the day,
To meet in heaven to part no more.
354.
SWEET union of the gospel call!
One God and Father over all;
One faith, one baptism, and one Lord,
One body, spirit, hope, reward.
Thy prayer be answered, Prince of Peace!
May strifes among thy people cease ;
And may we in communion be,
One with each other and with thee.
LORD, in thy presence, here we meet,
May we in thee be found:
O make the place divinely sweet;
O let thy grace abound.
To-day, the order of thy house
We would in peace maintain;
We would renew our solemn vows,
And heavenly strength regain.
Thy Spirit, gracious Lord, impart;
Our faith and hope increase;
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