2 Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining, Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore him, in slumber reclining,
Monarch, Redeemer, and Saviour of all. CHORUS.-Brightest and best of the suns, &c.
3 Say, shall we greet him with costly devotion, Odors of Edom, an offering divine,
Gems from the mountain or pearls from the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine.
CHORUS.-Brightest and best of the suns, &c.
4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gold would his favor secure ;
Richer by far is the heart's adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
CHORUS.-Brightest and best of the suns, &c.
5 He is our friend in the midst of temptation,
Faithful supporter, whose love cannot fail;
Rock of our refuge, and hope of salvation,
Light to direct us through death's gloomy vale.
CHORUS.-Brightest and best of the suns, &c.
Spiritual Consolation in the lonely Night.
1 Oft in the lonely night,
When slumber's chain hath bound me,
Remembrance brings the light
Of love divine around me.
The still small voice,
Bids me rejoice,
In words of comfort spoken;
And o'er life's track,
My mind looks back,
To promises ne'er broken.
Thus in the lonely night,
When slumber's chain hath bound me,
Remembrance brings the light,
Of love divine around me.
2 When humbly I recall,
The tokens of his favor;
I see in him of all,
The Father, friend and Saviour:
And feel that he,
Whose love to me,
Has never yet abated,
Will never let
His grace forget,
A soul in love created.
Thus in the lonely night,
When slumber's chain hath bound me,
Remembrance brings the light,
Of love divine around me.
Triumph of the Gospel in Heathen Lands.
1 From Greenland's icy mountains,
And India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand,
From many on ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain.
2 What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle,
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile;
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown; The heathen, in his blindness,
Bows down to wood and stone.
3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,
Shall we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! O Salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till earth's remotest nation
Has learned Messiah's name.
4 Waft, waft, ye winds, the story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o'er our ransom'd nature,
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, and Saviour,
In bliss returns to reign.
HYMN 29. P. M.
Shepherds in Jewry.
1 As Shepherds in Jewry were guarding their sheep,
Promiscuously seated, estranged from sleep,
An angel from heaven presented to view,
And thus he accosted the trembling few :
Dispel all your sorrows and banish your fears,
For Jesus, your Saviour, in Jewry appears.
2 Though Adam the first in rebellion was found,
Forbidden to tarry on hallowed ground,
Yet Adam the second appears to retrieve
The loss you sustain'd by the serpent and eve;
Then shepherds be joyful, this instant arise,
Go visit the Saviour and see where he lies.
3 This wonderful story no sooner was heard,
Than thousands of angels from glory appear'd;
They join'd in a concert, and this was their theme,
All glory to God and good will towards men;
Then shepherds strike in, join your voice to the choir,
And catch a few sparks of celestial fire.
4 Hosanna, the angels in ecstacy cry,
Hosanna, the wondering shepherds reply;
Salvation, redemption, all centre in one,
All glory to God for the birth of his Son;
Then make proclamation, declare it around,
Till both Jew and Gentile shall hear the glad sound.
HYMN 30. P. M.
God's Love unchangeable.
1 Come, thou fount of ev'ry blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy praise;
Streams of mercy never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above :
See the mount-I'm fix'd upon
it-
Mount of God's unchanging love.
2 Here I find my richest treasure,
Hither by thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand'ring from the fold of God;
He to save my soul from danger,
Interpos'd his precious blood.
3 O! to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I'm constrain❜d to be!
Let thy grace now, like a fetter,
Bind my wand'ring heart to thee:
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it-
Prone to leave the God I love-
Here's my heart-O take and seal it;
Seal it for thy courts above.
The Day Star, or spread of Light. 1 When through the cheerless long and gloomy night, The weary pilgrim plods his lonely way, Anxious he looks for some faint gleam of light, Some friendly token of approaching day.
2 Oft to the east he turns his searching gaze, Eying the orbs that slowly seem to rise;
At length he sees the long! long! wish'd for rays, Of the blest day-star from the orient skies.
3 Oh how the sight cheers the desponding soul, With resolution new he presses on;
Quickens his pace to reach the destin'd gaol, His fears, his horrors, and forebodings gone. 4 Thus on the night of superstition's gloom,
The gospel day-star shines with heavenly fire; Its light dispels the darkness of the tomb ; At its approach the shades of doubt retire. 5 Celestial star, dispense thy beams around,
Through the dark region of the human mind,
Till not a doubting soul on earth is found—
Till unbelief shall not one captive bind.
6 Oh heavenly star! thou art th' unerring sign
That day, with its broad splendors, is at hand,
When gospel truth o'er the whole earth shall shine,
And peace triumphant reign in every land.
Suitable for the Funeral of a Preacher.
1 Farewell dear friend, a long farewell,
For we shall meet no more,
Till we are raised with thee to dwell
On Zion's happier shore.
2 And is he dead? No, no, he lives,
His noble spirit flies,
To heaven above, and there receives
The long expected praise.
3 Farewell dear friend, again farewell,
Soon we shall rise to thee;
And when we meet no tongue can tell,
How great our joys shall be.
4 In robes of innocence and love,
His spotless soul is drest,
And all the angelic hosts above,
Rejoice to see him blest.
|