Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 145

3 The spring's sweet influence, Lord, was thine The plants in beauty grew; Thou gav'st refulgent suns to s.h.i.+ne, And mild, refres.h.i.+ng dew.

4 These various mercies from above Matured the swelling grain; A kindly harvest crowns thy love, And plenty fills the plain.

5 We own and bless thy gracious sway; Thy hand all nature hails; Seed-time nor harvest, night nor day, Summer nor winter, fails.

878. L. M. Anonymous.

The Same.

1 Great G.o.d! as seasons disappear, And changes mark the rolling year, Thy favor still has crowned our days, And we would celebrate thy praise.

2 The harvest song we would repeat; "Thou givest us the finest wheat;"

"The joy of harvest" we have known; The praise, O Lord! is all thine own.

3 Our tables spread, our garners stored, O give us hearts to bless thee, Lord!

Forbid it, Source of light and love, That hearts and lives should barren prove.

4 Another harvest comes apace; Ripen our spirits by thy grace, That we may calmly meet the blow The sickle gives to lay us low.

5 That so, when angel reapers come To gather sheaves to thy blest home, Our spirits may be borne on high To thy safe garner in the sky.

879. L. M. Brettell.

Harvest Home.

1 The last full wain has come,--has come!

And brought the golden harvest home: The labors of the year are done: Accept our thanks, all-bounteous One!

2 For the green spring, her herbs and flowers, For the warm summer's blooming bowers, For all the fruits that flush the boughs, When russet autumn decks her brows;

3 For the bright sun, whose fervid ray Ripens the corn, and cheers the day; For the round moon, whose yellow light Gilds the long labors of the night;

4 For the rich sea of s.h.i.+ning grain, That spreads its waves o'er hill and plain, For the cool breeze, whose light wings fan The weary, sun-burnt husbandman;

5 For the soft herbage of the soil, For ruddy health, the child of toil; For all the good the year displays, Accept, O G.o.d, our grateful praise.

880. 8s. & 7s. M. Crosse.

The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving.

1 Lord of heaven, and earth, and ocean, Hear us from thy bright abode, While our hearts, with true devotion, Own their great and gracious G.o.d.

2 Health and every needful blessing Are thy bounteous gifts alone; Comforts undeserved possessing, Here we bend before thy throne.

3 Thee, with humble adoration, Lord, we praise for mercies past; Still to this most favored nation May those mercies ever last.

881. 7s. M. Sacred Lyrics.

Thanksgiving.

1 Swell the anthem, raise the song; Praises to our G.o.d belong; Saints and angels, join to sing Praises to the Heavenly King.

2 Blessings from his liberal hand Flow around this happy land: Kept by him, no foes annoy; Peace and freedom we enjoy.

3 Here, beneath a virtuous sway, May we cheerfully obey,-- Never feel oppression's rod,-- Ever own and wors.h.i.+p G.o.d.

4 Hark! the voice of nature sings Praises to the King of kings; Let us join the choral song, And the grateful notes prolong.

882. 7s. M. Ev. Magazine.

"Thou crownest the year with goodness."

1 Praise on thee, in Zion's gates, Daily, O Jehovah! waits; Unto thee, O G.o.d! belong Grateful words and holy song.

2 Thou the hope and refuge art Of remotest lands apart, Distant isles and tribes unknown, 'Mid the ocean-waste, and lone.

3 Thou dost visit earth, and rain Blessings on the thirsty plain, From the copious founts on high, From the rivers of the sky.

4 Thus the clouds thy power confess, And thy paths drop fruitfulness: And the voice of song and mirth Rises from the tribes of earth.

883. L. M. Presbyterian Coll.

Goodness of G.o.d Celebrated.