Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 77

5 Strong in thy perfect weakness, Thy strength shall never fail; Mighty in holy meekness, Thine arm shall still prevail.

457. C. M. German.

The Heavenly Guide.

1 When thirst for power or for gold Hath led our souls astray; When, blind, by blinder guides we're told, "Lo, here thou'lt find the way;"

2 Look down, O Father, from above; Set us from error free; Teach us to serve Thee here in love, And find our home in Thee.

3 When faith Thy guidance humbly takes, And seeks Thy will to do, Clear light upon our pathway breaks, The world to guide us through.

4 Thy spirit send, our souls to keep; Thy wisdom make our own; And though our way leads through the deep, We wander not alone.

458. 7 & 6s. M. Anonymous.

Light For All.

1 The light pours down from heaven, And enters where it may; The eyes of all earth's children Are cheered with one bright day.

2 So let the mind's true suns.h.i.+ne Be spread o'er earth as free, And fill men's waiting spirits, As the waters fill the sea.

3 The soul can shed a glory On every work well done; As even things most lowly Are radiant in the sun.

4 Then let each human spirit Enjoy the vision bright; The truth which comes from heaven Shall spread like heaven's own light;

5 Till earth becomes G.o.d's temple; And every human heart Shall join in one great service, Each happy in his part.

459. C. M. J. Weiss.

For a Summer Festival.

1 Beneath Thy trees to-day we met, Amid Thy summer flowers; And every heart is blessing yet These happy, fleeting hours.

2 But creeping shades to vespers call, And timely lore impart, To make our latest shadows fall From suns.h.i.+ne in the heart.

3 Yes, even so; the summer leaf, The summer flowers, declare Their childlike, chastening belief, That Thou dost make them fair.

4 O, let us cherish nature's creed, And live and bloom to Thee; For only childlike hearts, we read, Can grace eternity.

460. P. M. Anonymous.

Morning Hymn.

1 Our Father! we thank Thee for sleep, For quiet and peaceable rest; We bless the kind care that doth keep Thy children from being distressed: O, how in their weakness shall children repay Thy fatherly kindness, by night and by day?

2 Our voices shall utter Thy praise, Our hearts shall o'erflow with Thy love; O, teach us to walk in Thy ways, And lift us earth's trials above!

The heart's true affection is all we can give; In love's pure devotion, O, help us to live!

3 So long as Thou seest it right That here upon earth we should stay, We pray Thee to guard us by night, And help us to serve Thee by day; And when all the days of this life shall be o'er, Receive us in heaven, to serve Thee the more.

461. L. M. Goethe.

Even-Tide.

1 O'er silent field and lonely lawn Her dusky mantle night hath drawn; At twilight's holy, heartfelt hour, In man his better soul hath power.

2 The pa.s.sions are at peace within, And stilled each stormy thought of sin; The yielding bosom, overawed, Breathes love to man, and love to G.o.d.

462. L. M. Edmeston.

Sabbath Evening.

1 Sweet is the light of Sabbath eve, And soft the sunbeam lingering there; Those sacred hours this low earth leave, Wafted on wings of praise and prayer.

2 The time, how lovely and how still!

Peace s.h.i.+nes and smiles on all below; The plain, the stream, the wood, the hill, All fair with evening's setting glow!

3 Season of rest! the tranquil soul Feels thy sweet calm, and melts in love; And while these sacred moments roll, Faith sees a smiling heaven above.

4 Thou G.o.d of mercy, swift to hear, More swift than man to tell his need; Be Thou to us, this evening, near, And to Thy fount our spirits lead!