2

3

Where is the heavenly fire and cloud, Which showed Thy church their way? No symbol visible

We of Thy presence find;

Yet all who would obey Thy will,
Shall know their Father's mind.

Father, Thou still dost lead
The children of Thy grace,
The chosen and believing seed,
Throughout this wilderness:

4 Our chart Thy written word,
Thy Spirit is our guide,

And Christ, the glory of our Lord,
Doth in our hearts reside.

668

C.M.

The joy of the Lord is your strength.-Neh. 8. 10. LEST are the souls that hear and know

1 BLES!

The gospel's joyful sound;

Peace shall attend the path they go,

And light their steps surround.

2 Their joy shall bear their spirits up,
Through their Redeemer's name;
His righteousness exalts their hope;
Nor Satan dares condemn.

3 The Lord, our Glory and Defence,
Strength and salvation gives:
Israel, thy King for ever reigns,
Thy God for ever lives.

669

1

8.7.4.

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound.
-Ps. 89. 15.

0 HOW blest the congregation
Who the gospel know and prize;

Joyful tidings of salvation

Brought by Jesus from the skies!
He is near them,

Knows their wants, and hears their cries.

2 In His name rejoicing ever,

Walking in His light and love, And foretasting, in His favour, Something here of bliss above; Happy people!

Who shall harm them? what shall move? 3 In His righteousness exalted,

On from strength to strength they go;
By ten thousand ills assaulted,

Yet preserved from every foe!
On to glory,

Safe they speed through all below. 4 God will keep His own anointed,

Nought shall harm them, none condemn ; All their trials are appointed,

All must work for good to them;

All shall help them

To their heavenly diadem.

670

1

WE

C.M.

Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Rev. 2. 1.

E bless the eternal Source of light,
Who makes the stars to shine;
And through this dark, beclouded world,
Diffuseth rays divine.

2 We bless the Church's sovereign King,
Whose golden lamps we are;
Fixed in the temple of His love,
To shine with radiance fair.

3 Still be our purity preserved,
Still fed with oil the flame,
And in deep characters inscribed
Our heavenly Master's name.

4 Then, while between our ranks He walks, And all our state surveys,

His smiles shall with new lustre deck,
The people of His praise.

671

C.M.

Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion.
-Ps. 102. 13.

1 LET Zion, and her sons rejoice:
Behold the promised hour;

Her God hath heard her mourning voice,
And comes to exalt His power.

2 Her dust and ruins that remain
Are precious in our eyes;
Those ruins shall be built again,
And all that dust shall rise.
3 The Lord will raise Jerusalem,
And stand in glory there:
Nations shall bow before His name,
And kings attend with fear.

4 He sits a sovereign on His throne,
With pity in His eyes;

He hears the dying prisoners' groan,
And sees their sighs arise.

5 This shall be known when we are dead,
And left on long record,

That nations yet unborn may read,
And trust and praise the Lord.

672

1 HEA

8.7.

Thy God thy glory.-Isa. 60. 19.

EAR what God the Lord hath spoken!
O my people, faint and few,
Comfortless, afflicted, broken,

Fair abodes I build for you:
Thorns of heart-felt tribulation
Shall no more perplex your ways;
You shall name your walls Salvation,
And your gates shall all be Praisc

2 There, like streams that feed the garden,
Pleasures without end shall flow;
For the Lord, your faith rewarding,
All His bounty shall bestow:
Still in undisturbed possession

Peace and righteousness shall reign;
Never shall you feel oppression,
Hear the voice of war again.
3 Ye, no more your suns descending,
Waning moons no more shall see;
But, your griefs for ever ending,
Find eternal noon in Me:

God shall rise, and, shining o'er you,
Change to day the gloom of night;
He, the Lord, shall be your Glory,
God your everlasting Light.

673

1

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST:

WE

ITS OFFICERS.

L.M.

Receive him in the Lord with all gladness.-Phil

2. 29.

E bid thee welcome in the name
Of Jesus our exalted Head;
Come as a servant, so He came,
And we receive thee in His stead.
2 Come as a shepherd; guard and keep
This fold from hell, and earth, and sin;
Nourish the lambs, and feed the sheep,
The wounded heal, the lost bring in.
3 Come as a watchman; take thy stand
Upon thy tower amidst the sky;

And when the sword comes on the land,
Call us to fight, or warn to fly.

4 Come as an angel; hence to guide A band of pilgrims on their way, That safely walking at thy side,

We faint not, fail not, turn, nor stray. 5 Come as a teacher sent from God, Charged His whole counsel to declare; Lift o'er our ranks the prophet's rod, While we uphold thy hands with prayer. 6 Come as a messenger of peace, Filled with the Spirit, fired with love; Live to behold our large increase, And die to meet us all above.

674

1

L.M.

I will give you pastors according to Mine heart.
-Jer. 3. 15.

SHEPHERD of Israel, Thou dost keep With constant care Thy humble sheep; From Thee the under-shepherds come To feed our souls and guide us home. 2 To all Thy churches such impart, Pastors according to Thy 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 Thou hast listened to our vows, And scattered blessings on Thine house; Thy saints are succoured, 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.