3 He spake to Abram and his seed"In thee shall all the earth be blest;" The memory of that ancient word Lay long in his eternal breast. 4 But now no more shall Israel wait, 1 NOW be the God of Israel blessed, WATTS. 2 Now he bedews old David's root 3"Be every vale exalted high, Sink every mountain low; The proud must stoop, and humble souls 4 "The heathen realms with Israel's land Shall join in sweet accord, And all that's born of man shall see 5" Behold the Morning Star arise, Ye that in darkness sit; He marks the path that leads to peace, 201 7s M. The Day-Spring from on high. BULFINCH. 1 TOILING through the livelong night, 2 Thus, when fraud and rapine threw 3 Tears of joy and gratitude Hailed the Baptist's natal morn, Of Judea's Savior-King; To the mourning land to bring. 202 C. M. WATTS. The Messiah's Coming and Kingdom. Ps. 98. 1 JOY to the world! the Lord is come; 2 Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ, While fields, and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, Repeat the sounding joy. 3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, He comes to make his blessings flow 4 He rules the world with truth and grace, The glories of his righteousness, 1 BEHOLD, the grace appears; Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears, 2 To bring the glorious news A heavenly form appears; WATTS. He tells the shepherds of their joys, 3 "Go, humble swains," said he, The promised Infant, born to-day, 4" With looks and heart serene, "Go visit Christ your King; And straight a flaming troop was seen; 5 "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth, 6 In worship so divine Let saints employ their tongues; 7 "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth, 204 L. M. Christmas Hymn. ANONYMOUS. 1 IT comes, the long-expected morn, The joyful day ordained by Heaven, When unto us a Child is born, And unto us a Son is given. 2 The Messenger of God's design, The conquering Hero, Prince of Peace, The Shiloh, sprung from Judah's line, Appears, and all our sorrows cease. 3 He comes the broken heart to bind, The mourning penitent to seek, From sin to free the captive mind, And preach good tidings to the meek. 4 The desert blooms, and from the ground Burst mantling pools and murmuring streams; The Sun of righteousness around Shines on the world with healing beams. 5 While angels, in harmonious choirs, 6 Like them with transport let us cry, "All hail the day of Jesus' birth ; Glory to God, who dwells on high, Good-will to men, and peace on earth." 205 P. M. { MILTON, Altered by Rev. Dr. Gardiner. Angels proclaiming the Birth of Christ. 1 NO war nor battle's sound Was heard the world around; No hostile chiefs to furious combat ran; In which the Prince of light 2 The shepherds on the lawn, In social circle sat; while all around, Or cropped the flowery food, Or slept or sported on the verdant ground, 3 When, lo! with ravished ears, Sweet music, offspring of no mortal hand; Answering the stringed noise, With blissful rapture charmed the listening band. |