So, in the secrecy of love,
Falls the sweet influence from above.
5 That heav'nly influence let us find,
In holy silence of the mind,
While ev'ry grace maintains its bloom,
Diffusing wide its rich perfume.
6 Nor let these blessings be confin'd
To us, but pour'd on all mankind,
Till all the wastes in verdure rise,
And a new Eden bless our eyes.
Immanuel is born. Luke. 1. 68,-70.
1 ARISE, and hail the happy day;
Cast all low cares of life away,
And thought of meaner things;
This day, to cure our deadly woes,
The Sun of Righteousness arose,
With healing in his wings.
If angels, on that happy morn
The Saviour of the world was born,
Pour'd forth their joyful songs;
Much more should we of human race,
Adore the wonders of his grace,
To whom that grace belongs.
3 O then, let heav'n and earth rejoice,
Let ev'ry creature join his voice,
To hymn the happy day,
When satan's empire vanquish'd fell
And all the pow'rs of death and hell
Confess'd his sov'reign sway.
Christ risen, and Death vanquished.
1 ANGELS, roll the rock away;
Death, yield up thy mighty prey;
See, he rises from the tomb,
Glowing in immortal bloom.
2 Shout ye saints, in rapt'rous song,
Let the notes be sweet and strong ;
Hail the Son of God, this morn,
From his sepulchre new-born.
3 Pow'rs of heav'n, celestial choirs,
Sing and sweep your sounding lyres ;
Sons of men, in joyful strain,
Hail your mighty Saviour's reign!
4 Ev'ry note with wonder swell,
And the Saviour's triumph tell;
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Where thy terror, vanquish'd king?
On Earth Peace, Good will to Men.
1 AWAKE the song that gave to earth
Salvation in Immanuel's birth!
Angelic tongues the strain began!
'Twas peace on earth, good will to man.
2 Celestial Peace! and is it ours
To strike the harp on Salem's tow'rs ?
To welcome back the Dove that brings
The balm of healing in her wings?
3 She comes! and lo, the orphan's wail
No longer loads the passing gale;
Contentment sheds her sacred calm,
And nature owns the sov'reign charm..
4 She comes and banner, spear and plume,
That led to conquest and the tomb;
Wreath'd with the olive, now adorn
The triumphs of the joyous morn.
5 She comes! and with attentive ear,
The gospel's sound the heathen hear;
Round blood-stain'd altars throng no more,
But suppliant bow, and God adore.
6 Father, if such the bliss that flows
Where peace delights to seek repose,
On earth may she for ever rest,
Each bosom with her presence blest.
God our Shepherd and Guardian.
1 As the good shepherd gently leads
His wand'ring flocks to verdant meads,
Where winding rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the flow'ry landscape flow.
2 So God, the guardian of each soul,
Does all our erring steps control :
When lost in sin's perplexing maze,
He brings us back to virtue's ways.
3 Though we should journey through the plains, Where death in all his horror reigns,
Our steadfast hearts no ill shall fear,
For thou, O God! art with us there.
4 Thine ever-watchful providence
Is our support and our defence:
With thee we are of all possess'd,
And in thy favour, fully blest.
5 0 bounteous God! our future days
Shall be devoted to thy praise;
And in thy house, thy sacred name
And wondrous
grace shall be our theme.
14. L. M.
Holy Resolution.
1 Aн, wretched souls, who strive in vain! Slaves to the world, and slaves to sin! A nobler toil may we sustain,
A nobler satisfaction win.
2 We would resolve with all our heart,
With all our pow'rs to serve the Lord;
Nor from his precepts e'er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.
3 O be his service all our joy!
Around let our example shine;
Till others love the blest employ,
And join in labours so divine.
4 Be this the purpose of our soul,
Our solemn, our determin'd choice,
To yield to his supreme control,
And in his kind commands rejoice.
50 may we never faint nor tire,
Nor wander from thy sacred ways!
Great God, accept our souls' desire,
And give us strength to live thy praise.
15. C. M.
The Law of Love.
1 ALL nature feels attractive pow'r,
A strong embracing force;
The drops that sparkle in the show'r
The planets in their course.
2 Thus in the universe of mind,
Is felt the law of Love;
The charity, both strong and kind,
For all that live and move.
3 More perfect bond, the christian plan
Attaches soul to soul;
Our neighbour is the suff'ring man,
Though at the distant pole.
4 To earth below, from heav'n above,
The faith in Christ profess'd,
More clear reveals that God is love,
And whom he loves is bless'd.
"Affliction cometh not forth of the Dust," Job. v. 6. 1 AFFLICTION's faded form draws nigh, With wrinkled brow and tearful eye; With sackcloth on her bosom spread; And ashes scatter'd o'er her head.
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