Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 85

2 Sweetly on our spirits move; Gently touch the trembling strings; Make the harmony of love, Music for the King of kings!

506. S. M. Anonymous.

The Hour of Prayer.

1 It is the hour of prayer: Draw near and bend the knee, And fill the calm and holy air With voice of melody!

O'erwearied with the heat And burden of the day, Now let us rest our wandering feet, And gather here to pray.

2 The dark and deadly blight That walks at noontide hour, The midnight arrow's secret flight, O'er us have had no power: But smiles from loving eyes Have been around our way, And lips on which a blessing lies Have bidden us to pray.

3 O, blessed is the hour That lifts our hearts on high!

Like sunlight when the tempests lower, Prayer to the soul is nigh; Though dark may be our lot, Our eyes be dim with care, These saddening thoughts shall trouble not This holy hour of prayer.

507. L. M. Anonymous.

Hymn of a Household.

1 For mercies past we praise Thee, Lord, The fruits of earth, the hopes of heaven, Thy helping arm, Thy guiding word, And answered prayers, and sins forgiven.

2 Whene'er we tread on danger's height, Or walk temptation's slippery way, Be still, to lead our steps aright, Thy word our guide, Thine arm our stay!

3 Be ours Thy blessed presence still; United hearts, unchanging love; No thought that contradicts Thy will, No wish that centres not above!

4 And since we must be parted here, Support us when the hour shall come; Dry gently Thou the mourner's tear, Rejoin us in our heavenly home.

508. C. M. Anonymous.

Family Evening Wors.h.i.+p.

1 Now from the altar of our hearts Let warmest thanks arise; a.s.sist us, Lord, to offer up Our evening sacrifice.

2 This day our G.o.d has been our sun, Our keeper and our guide, His arm around our weakness thrown, His angels at our side.

3 Moments and mercies multiplied Have made up all the day; Moments came fast, but mercies were More swift and free than they.

4 New hours, new blessings, and new joys, Do a new song require; Till we can praise Thee as we should, Accept our hearts' desire!

509. L. M. S. S. Cutting.

Family Hymn. Evening.

1 Father, we bless the gentle care That watches o'er us day by day, That guards us from the tempter's snare, And guides us in the heavenward way:-- We bless Thee for the tender love That mingles all our hearts in one,-- The music of the soul;--above 'Tis purer spirits' unison.

2 Father, 'tis evening's solemn hour, And cast we now our cares on Thee; Darkly the storm may round us lower, Peace is within,--Christ makes us free;-- And when life's toil and joy are o'er, And evening gathers on its sky, Our circle broke,--we sing no more,-- O, may we meet and sing on high.

510. L. M. Moore.

The Spirit of G.o.d Moved Upon the Waters.

1 Like morning, when her early breeze Breaks up the surface of the seas, That, in their furrows, dark with night, Her hand may sow the seeds of light;

2 Thy grace can send its breathings o'er The spirit, dark and lost before; And freshening all its depths, prepare For truth divine to enter there!

3 Till David touched his sacred lyre, In silence lay the unbreathing wire, But when he swept its chords along, E'en angels stooped to hear the song.

4 So sleeps the soul, till Thou, O Lord, Shall deign to touch its lifeless chord; Till, waked by Thee, its breath shall rise In music worthy of the skies.

511. 8, 7 & 4s. M. Anonymous.

Calls of the Spirit.

1 Brother, will you slight the message Sent in mercy from above?

Every sentence, O how tender, Every line how full of love!

Heavenly accents Full of strength and peace and love!

2 Tempted souls, they bring you succor; Fearful hearts, they quell your fears; And with deepest consolation Chase away the falling tears; Tender heralds, Blessed he their word who hears!

3 Holy angels, hovering round us!

Waiting spirits! speed your way, Hasten to the court of heaven, Tidings bear without delay, That our spirits Glad the message will obey.

512. L. M. Anonymous.