Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 18

108. 11 & 10s. M. Heber.

Epiphany.

1 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid!

Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid!

2 Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odors of Edom, and offerings divine?

Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

3 Vainly we offer each costly oblation; Vainly with gifts would his favor secure: Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to G.o.d are the prayers of the poor.

4 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid!

Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

109. C. M. Doddridge.

Mission of Christ.

1 Hark! the glad sound! the Saviour comes, The Saviour promised long; Let every heart prepare a home, And every voice a song.

2 On him the Spirit, largely poured, Abides with holy fire; Wisdom and might, and zeal and love, His sacred breast inspire.

3 He comes the prisoners to release, In wretched bondage held; The gates of bra.s.s before him burst, The iron fetters yield.

4 He comes, the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure, And, with the treasures of his grace, Enrich the humble poor.

5 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace!

Thy welcome shall proclaim; And heaven's eternal arches ring With thy beloved name.

110. C. M. Watts.

Christ's Coming.

1 Joy to the world! the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns!

Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow As far as sin is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love.

111. 7s. M. C. Wesley.

The Star of Bethlehem.

1 Sons of men, behold from far, Hail the long-expected Star!

Star of truth, that, 'mid the night, Guides bewildered man aright.

2 Mild it s.h.i.+nes on all beneath, Piercing through the shades of death, Scattering error's wide-spread night, Kindling darkness into light.

3 Nations all, remote and near, Haste to see your Lord appear; Haste, for him your hearts prepare, Meet him manifested there!

4 There behold the dayspring rise, Pouring light on mortal eyes; See it chase the shades away, s.h.i.+ning to the perfect day.

112. S. M. Needham.

The Prince of Peace.

1 Behold, the Prince of Peace, The chosen of the Lord, G.o.d's well beloved Son, fulfils The sure prophetic word!

2 No royal pomp adorns This King of Righteousness; Meekness and patience, truth and love, Compose his princely dress.

3 The Spirit of the Lord, In rich abundance shed, On this great prophet gently lights, And rests upon his head.

4 Jesus, the light of men!

His doctrine life imparts; O, may we feel its quickening power To warm and glad our hearts!

5 Cheered by its beams, our souls Shall run the heavenly way; The path which Christ has marked and trod Will lead to endless day.

113. L. M. Anonymous.

Tempted As We Are.

1 As oft, with worn and weary feet, We tread earth's rugged pathway o'er, The thought how comforting and sweet,-- Christ trod this very path before; Our wants, our weaknesses, he knows, From life's first dawning to its close.