129. For the Ordination of a Minister. (L. M.)

1

GR

REAT Lord of angels, we adore
The grace that builds thy courts below;
And through ten thousand sons of light,
Stoops to regard what mortals do.

2 Amidst the wastes of time and death,
Successive pastors thou dost raise,
Thy charge to keep, thy house to guide,
And form a people for thy praise.

3 The heavenly natives with delight,
Hover around the sacred place;
Nor scorn to learn from mortal tongues,
The wonders of redeeming grace.

4 At length, dismiss'd from feeble clay,
Thy servants join the angelic band;
With them through distant worlds they fly,
With them before thy presence stand.

50 glorious hope! O blest employ !
Sweet soft'ner of our grief and care;
When shall we reach those radiant courts,
And all their joy and honour share?

6 Yet while these labours we pursue,' Thus distant from thy heavenly throne, Give us a zeal and love like theirs,

And half their heaven shall here be known.

130. At the Settlement of a Minister. (L. M.)

1

HEPHERD of Israel, thou dost keep With constant care thy humble sheep; By thee inferior pastors rise,

To feed our souls, and bless our eyes.

2 To all thy churches such impart,
Modell'd by thine own gracious heart;
Whose courage, watchfulness, and love,
Men may attest, and God approve.

3 Fed by their active tender care,
Healthful may all thy sheep appear,
And, by their fair example led,
The way to Zion's pastures tread.
4 Here hast thou listen'd to our vows,
And scatter'd blessings on thy house;
Thy saints are succour'd, and no more
As sheep without a guide deplore.
5 Completely heal each former stroke,
And bless the shepherd and the flock;
Confirm the hopes thy mercies raise,
And own this tribute of our praise.

131. Christ ever present with his Ministers. (P. M.)

1

VIDE o'er all worlds the Saviour reigns,

WIDE

Unmov'd his power and love remains;

And on his arm his church shall rest.

Fair Zion, joyful in her King,

Through every changing age shall sing,
With his perpetual presence blest.

2 Tyrannic death, in vain thy rage,
Thy triumphs new in every age,
O'er the first heroes of his host;
Conscious of more than mortal aid,
Our bleeding hearts are not dismay'd,
But an immortal leader boast.

3 Though buried deep in dust they lie,
Whose tuneful voices rais'd on high
Led the sweet anthems to his name;
The children learn the father's song,
And unform'd tongues shall still prolong
The ever-present Saviour's fame.

4 The present Saviour, he shall give
Millions of future saints to live,

And crowd the temples of his grace:
The present Saviour, lo, he comes,
To call whole legions from their tombs,
And teach their dust sublimer praise.

FAST DAY.

132. Prayer and Hope of Victory. (L. M.)

1

Now may

TOW may the God of pow'r and grace, Attend his people's humble cry! Jehovah hears when Isr'el prays,

And brings deliv'rance from on high.

2 The name of Jacob's God defends,
Better than shields or brazen walls;
He, from his sanctuary, sends,
Succour and strength when Zion calls.

3 Well he remembers all our sighs; His love exceeds our best deserts; His love accepts the sacrifice,

Of humble groans, and broken hearts. 4 In his salvation is our hope,

And in the name of Isr'el's God,
Our troops shall lift their banners up,-
Our navies spread their flags abroad.

5 Some trust in horses train'd for war,
And some of chariots make their boast;
Our surest expectations are,

From thee, the Lord, of heav'nly hosts.

60 may the mem'ry of thy name Inspire our armies for the fight!

Our foes shall fall, and die with shame, Or quit the field with shameful flight! 7 Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear; Now let our hopes be firm and strong, 'Till thy salvation shall appear, And joy and triumph raise the song.

133.

1

G

The Church's Safety. (L. M.)

Winstorff

OD is the refuge of his saints,

When storms of sharp distress invade;

Ere we can offer our complaints,

Behold him present with his aid.

2 Let mountains from their seats be hurl'd,
Down to the deep, and buried there;
Convulsions shake the solid world,
Our faith shall never yield to fear.

3 Loud may the troubled ocean roar,
In sacred peace our souls abide ;
While ev'ry nation, ev'ry shore,
Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide.

4 There is a stream, whose gentle flow
Supplies the city of our God:

Life, love, and joy, still gliding through,
And wat'ring our divine abode.

5 That sacred stream, thine holy word,
That all our raging fears controuls;
Sweet peace thy promises afford,
And give new strength to fainting souls.

6 Sion enjoys her Monarch's love,
Secure against a threat'ning hour;
Nor can her firm foundations move,
Built on his truth, and arm'd with pow'r.

134. On a Day of Humiliation for Disappointment in War.

1 LORD, hast thou cast the nation off?

Must we for ever mourn?
Wilt thou indulge immortal wrath?
Shall mercy ne'er return?

2 The terror of one frown of thine,
Melts all our strength away;

Like men that totter, drunk with wine,
We tremble in dismay.