4 Go then-and strive to do thy share;-
One talent-less than thine-
Improved with steady zeal and care,
Would gain rewards divine.

350 December 15. S. M.

A MORNING HYMN.

Silver Street.

"But unto you that fear my name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings."-Mal. iv. 2.

1

2

SEE

how the mounting sun

Pursues his shining way;

And wide proclaims his Maker's praise,
With every brightening ray.

Thus would my rising soul
Its heavenly Parent sing;
And to its great Original

The humble tribute bring.

3 Serene I laid me down

4

Beneath his guardian care;

I slept, and I awoke, and found
My kind Preserver near!

My life I would anew

Devote, O Lord, to thee;

And in thy service I would spend

A blest eternity.

351 December 16. C. M.

KINDNESS TO THE POOR.

Lanesborough.

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ?"-1 John iii. 17.

1

How

blest is he who fears the Lord,
And follows his commands,

Who lends the poor without reward,
Or gives with liberal hands.

2 As pity dwells within his breast
To all the sons of need,

So God shall answer his request
With blessings on his seed.

3 In times of danger and distress,
Some beams of light shall shine,
To show the world his righteousness,
And give him peace divine.

4 His works of piety and love
Remain before the Lord;

Sweet peace on earth, and joys above,
Shall be his sure reward.

352 December 17.

7s.

MORNING HYMN.

Benevento.

"For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”—Isa. lx. 2,3.

1

AT the golden rise of day,

Humbly, God, to thee we pray;

Uncreated Source of light,

Guide our thoughts and words aright.
Holy Father, at thy call

Light upon the earth did fall;

Speak the word again, and make
Morning o'er our hearts to break.

2 Humbly though our prayer arise,
Quickly let it reach the skies;
Show thy reconciling face,

Hear from heaven, thy dwelling-place
Holy Son, whose lowly birth
Re-illumined the dark earth,
Let the Gentiles see thy ray
Kings, the brightness of thy day.

3 From the Eternal Source in heaven
Light to us on earth be given;

Light of grace to guard from wrath,
Light of faith, to guide our path.

Holy Spirit, let thy ray

Guide our footsteps, day by day;

While through earth's dark path we move
To eternal day above.

353 December 18. L. M.

GOD OUR PROTECTOR AND TRUST.

Old Hundred.

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation."-Isa. xii. 2.

1

то

thee, my God, to thee belong

Incense of praise and hallowed song;

To thee be all the glory given

Of all my mercies under heaven.

2 From danger thou my frame hast kept,
While waking, and what time I slept;
Thou hast my every want supplied,
And to my footsteps proved a guide.

3 When my departing hour shall come,
And I must slumber in the tomb,

Oh, then, my God, this faint heart cheer,
And far dispel the shades of fear;

4 And teach me in thy strength to tread
The path which leads me to the dead,
Assured, when earthly cares are o'er,
To rest with thee for evermore.

354 December 19. L. M.

LIGHT IN DARKNESS.

Alfreton.

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.-Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."-1 Cor. xv. 54, 57.

1 F all our hopes and all our fears

Were prisoned in life's narrow bound; If, travellers through this vale of tears, We saw no better world beyond;

2 Oh, who could check the rising sigh?

What earthly thing could pleasure give?

Who then in peace could ever die?

Or who would breathe a wish to live?

3 Yet such were life, without the ray
From our divine religion given;

'Tis this that makes our darkness day;
'Tis this that makes our earth a heaven.

4 Bright is the golden sun above,
And beautiful the flowers that bloom;
And all is joy, and all is love,
Reflected from a world to come.

355 December 20. C. M.

YOUTHFUL PRAISE.

Coronation.

"Now, my son, the Lord be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the Lord thy God, as he hath said of thee. Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding."-1 Chron. xxii. 11, 12.

1

GR

REAT God, in whom we live and move,
Accept our feeble praise,

For all the mercy, grace, and love,
Which crown our youthful days.

2 For countless mercies, love unknown,
Lord, what can we impart?

Thou dost require one gift alone—
The offering of the heart.

3 Incline us, Lord, to give it thee;
Preserve us by thy grace,

Till death shall bring us all to see
Thy glory, face to face.

356 December 21. 8s & 7s.

CONTEND EARNEST LY FOR THE TRUTH.

Wilmot.

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."—Josh. i. 9.

1 CHRISTIAN soldier, heavenward pressing,

Onward, let thy watchword be;

God upon thee pours his blessing,
What though man derideth thee!

2 God, for all thy wants providing,
Armor trusty hath for thee;
Gird thyself, in him confiding,
With the goodly panoply.

3 Righteousness thy breast defending,
And thy feet with justice shod;
Onward, with the foe contending,
Wield thy sword, the word of God.

4 Still the standard o'er thee streaming
Be the banner pure of love,
Where in glorious blazon beaming
Floats thy pinions, Holy Dove.

5 Onward, then, with bold contending
In the path the martyrs trod:
God to thee his.strength is lending,
Onward, in the strength of God.

357 December 22. C. M.

PRAYER AND PRAISE.

Warwick.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."-1 John v. 14, 15.

1

LORD, when we bend before thy throne,

And our confessions pour,

Teach us to feel the sins we own,
And shun what we deplore.

2 Our contrite spirits pitying see,
And penitence impart;

And let a healing ray from thee
Beam hope upon the heart.

3 When our responsive tongues essay
Their grateful songs to raise,
Grant that our souls may join the lay,
And rise to thee in praise.

4 When we disclose our wants in prayer,
May we our wills resign,
And not a thought our bosom share,
Which is not wholly thine.

5 Let faith each meek petition fill,
And waft it to the skies,

And teach our hearts 'tis goodness still
That grants it or denies.