Thou the Truth art, thou the Guide,
Gone before, yet by our side;
Everlasting life below
It is truly thee to know;
Such to thy saints wast thou of yore, Unchangeable thou art, and shalt be evermore. 3 Would we follow, true and bold, Steps of holy men of old; Freely leave the world, to prove Our, like their, undying love; And as freely life lay down, To receive a martyr's crown? O Saviour of the saints of yore,
Be thou to us, what thou to them wast, evermore.
356 They sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy. [C.M.
1 SING We the song of those who stand
Around the eternal throne,
Of every kindred, clime, and land,
A multitude unknown.
2 Life's poor distinctions vanish here;
To-day the young, the old,
Our Saviour and his flock appear,
One Shepherd and one fold.
3 Toil, trial, suffering still await
On earth the pilgrim throng;
Yet learn we in our low estate
The church triumphant's song.
4 Worthy the Lamb for sinners slain,
Cry the redeem'd above,
Blessing and honour to obtain
And everlasting love.
5 Worthy the Lamb, on earth we sing,
Who died our souls to save;
Henceforth, O death, where is thy sting?
Thy victory, O grave?
6 Then Hallelujah! power and praise
To God in Christ be given;
May all, who now this anthem raise,
Renew the strain in heaven."
357 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with [C.M. me in my throne.-Rev. iii. 21.
1 GIVE me the wings of faith, to rise
Within the veil, and see
The saints above, how great their joys,
How bright their glories be.
2 Once they were mourning here below,
And wet their couch with tears:
They wrestled hard, as we do now,
With sins, and doubts, and fears.
3 I ask them whence their victory came;
They with united breath
Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb,
Their triumph to his death.
4 They mark'd the footsteps that he trod;
His zeal inspired their breast;
And, following their incarnate God,
Possess the promised rest.
5 Our glorious Leader claims our praise,
For his own pattern given;
While the long cloud of witnesses
Show the same path to heaven.
358 Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and [78 the glory, and the victory.-1 Chron. xxix. 11.
1 PALMS of glory, raiment bright, Crowns that never fade away, Gird and deck the saints in light,
Priests, and kings, and conquerors they.
2 Yet the conquerors bring their palms
To the Lamb amidst the throne,
And proclaim in joyful psalms
Victory through his cross alone.
3 Kings for harps their crowns resign, Crying, as they strike the chords, "Take the kingdom, it is thine,
King of kings, and Lord of lords." 4 Round the altar priests confess,
If their robes are white as snow,
'Twas the Saviour's righteousness,
And his blood, that made them so.
5 Who were these? on earth they dwelt,
Sinners once of Adam's race,
Guilt and fear and suffering felt;
But were saved by sovereign grace.
6 They were mortal too like us;
O, when we like them must die,
May our souls translated thus
Triumph, reign, and shine on high.'
I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, clothed
with white robes and palms in their
1 How bright these glorious spirits shine:
Whence all their white array?
How came they to the blissful seats
Of everlasting day?
Lo, these are they from sufferings great,
Who came to realms of light,
And in the blood of Christ have wash'd
Those robes which shine so bright.
2 Now with triumphal palms they stand
Before the throne on high,
And serve the God they love amidst
The glories of the sky.
His presence fills each heart with joy,
Tunes every mouth to sing;
By day, by night, the sacred courts
With glad Hosannas ring.
3 The Lamb which dwells amidst the throne
Shall o'er them still preside;
Feed them with nourishment divine,
And all their footsteps guide.
'Mong pastures green he'll lead his flock
Where living streams appear;
And God the Lord from every eye
Shall wipe off every tear.
360 They that be wise shall shine as the bright- [88. 78. 7s. ness of the firmament.-Dan. xii. 3.
1 WHO are these like stars appearing,
These, before God's throne who stand?
Each a golden crown is wearing,
Who are all this glorious band?
Hallelujah! hark, they sing,
Praising loud their heavenly King.
2 Who are these in dazzling brightness,
Clothed in God's own righteousness:
These, whose robes of purest whiteness
Shall their lustre still possess,
Still untouch'd by time's rude hand?
Whence come all this glorious band?
3 These are they who have contended.
For their Saviour's honour long,
Wrestling on till life was ended,
Following not the sinful throng;
These, who well the fight sustain'd,
Triumph by the Lamb have gain'd.
4 These are they whose hearts were riven,
Sore with woe and anguish tried,
Who in prayer full oft have striven
With the God they glorified;
Now, their painful conflict o'er,
God has bid them weep no more.
5 These are they who watch'd and waited,
Offering up to Christ their will,
Soul and body consecrated,
Day and night to serve him still;
Now in God's most holy place
Blest they stand before his face.°
What are these, which are arrayed in white
robes ?-Rev. vii. 13
1 WHAT are these in bright array,
This innumerable throng,
Round the altar night and day,
Hymning one triumphant song?
"Worthy is the Lamb once slain,
Blessing, honour, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches, to obtain,
New dominion every hour."
2 These through fiery trials trod;
These from great affliction came;
Now before the throne of God,
Seal'd with his almighty name;
Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor-palms in every hand,
Through their dear Redeemer's might,
More than conquerors they stand.
3 Hunger, thirst, disease unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed;
Them the Lamb amidst the throne
Shall to living fountains lead:
Joy and gladness banish sighs,
Perfect love dispels all,fears,
And for ever from their eyes
God shall wipe away the tears.1
These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their
robes.-Rev. vii. 14.
1 Lo! round the throne, at God's right hand,
The saints, in countless myriads stand:
Of every tongue redeem'd to God,
Array'd in garments wash'd in blood.
|