2 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day, Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away,

Change and decay in all around I see,

O Thou who changest not, abide with me!

3 Come not in terrors as the King of kings, But kind and good with healing in Thy wings,

Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea; Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me!

4 I need Thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power?

Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with

me!

5 I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless, Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death's sting? where, grave! thy victory?

I triumph still if Thou abide with me!

6 Hold then Thy cross before my closing eyes, Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies!

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;

In life and death, O LORD, abide with me!

*Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847.

THE WORD OF GOD.

216.

L.M.

HE heavens declare Thy glory, LORD! In every star Thy wisdom shines, But when our eyes behold Thy word We read Thy Name in fairer lines.

2 The rolling sun, the changing light,

And nights and days Thy power confess; But the blessed volume Thou hast writ Reveals Thy justice and Thy grace.

3 Sun moon and stars convey Thy praise Round the whole earth, and never stand; So when Thy truth began its race

It touched and glanced on every land.

4 Nor shall Thy spreading gospel rest

Till through the world Thy truth has run, Till CHRIST hath all the nations blessed That see the light, or feel the sun.

3 Great Sun of righteousness, arise,

Bless the dark world with heavenly light!
Thy gospel makes the simple wise,
Thy laws are pure, Thy judgments right.

6 Thy noblest wonders here we view
In souls renewed and sins forgiven;
LORD, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
And make Thy word my guide to heaven!

*Isaac Watts, 1674-1748.

C.M.

217

I

L

AMP of our feet, whereby we trace
Our path when wont to stray;
Stream from the fount of heavenly grace;
Brook by the traveller's way;

2 Bread of our souls whereon we feed,
True manna from on high;
Our guide and chart wherein we read
Of realms beyond the sky;

3 Pillar of fire through watches dark,
And sheltering cloud by day;

When waves would whelm our tossing bark,
Our anchor and our stay;

4 Word of the everlasting GOD,
Will of His glorious SON,
Without thee how could earth be trod,
Or heaven itself be won?

5 LORD! grant us all aright to learn
The wisdom it imparts;

And to its heavenly teaching turn
With simple, childlike hearts.

6's.

'L

Bernard Barton, 1784-1849.

ORD! Thy word abideth,
And our footsteps guideth;

Who its truth believeth

Light and joy receiveth.

218

2 When our foes are near us
Then Thy word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,

Message of salvation.

3 When the storms are o'er us,
And dark clouds before us,
Then its light directeth,
And our way protecteth.

4 Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By Thy word imparted
To the simple-hearted?
5 Word of mercy, giving
Succour to the living;
Word of life, supplying
Comfort to the dying:

6 O that we discerning
Its most holy learning,

LORD, may love and fear Thee,
Evermore be near Thee!

*Sir Henry Williams Baker,
1821-

219

I

BE

EHOLD! the lofty sky
Declares its Maker, GOD;
And all His starry works on high
Proclaim His power abroad.

2 The darkness and the light

Still keep their course the same;
While night to day and day to night
Divinely teach His name.

S.M.

3

5

6

Untired, the morning sun

Renews his glorious way;

His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.

But where the gospel comes
It spreads diviner light;

It calls dead sinners from their tombs,.

And gives the blind their sight.

How perfect is Thy word!
And all Thy judgments just!
For ever sure Thy promise, LORD,
And men securely trust.

My gracious GOD, how plain
Are Thy directions given!

O may I never read in vain,
But find the path to heaven!

C.M.

Isaac Watts,

1674-1748.

220

I

ATHER of mercies! in Thy word

What endless glory shines!

For ever be Thy Name adored

For these celestial lines.

2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;

Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.