PART III.

HYMNS FOR NATURAL AND SACRED SEASONS.

1 A WAKE, my soul, and with the sun | 6 All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept, A Thy daily stage of duty run;

And hast refresh'd me whilst I slept! Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise

Grant, Lord, when I from death shall To pay thy morning sacrifice.

wake,

I may of endless life partake! 2 Thy precious time mis-spent redeem;

7 Heaven is, dear Lord, where'er Thou art: Each present day thy last esteem;

O never then from me depart! Improve thy talent with due care;

For, to my soul, 'tis hell to be For the great day thyself prepare.

But for one moment void of Thee. 3 In conversation be sincere :

8 Lord, I my vows to Thee renew; Keep conscience as the noontide clear; Disperse my sins as morning dew; Think how All-seeing God thy ways Guard my first springs of thought and And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

will,

And with Thyself my spirit fill. 4 By influence of the light Divine Let Thy own light to others shine ;

9 Direct, control, suggest, this day,

All I design, or do, or say; Reflect all Heaven's propitious rays,

That all my powers, with all their might, In ardent love and cheerful praise.

In Thy sole glory may unite. 5 Wake and lift up thyself, my heart, 10 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; And with the angels bear thy part,

Praise Him, all creatures here below! Who, all night long, unwearied sing

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; High praise to the Eternal King.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Bishop Thomas Ken, 1697-1709.

1 MOD of the morning, at whose voice

U The cheerful sun makes haste to rise,
And like a giant doth rejoice

To run his journey through the skies;
2 From the fair chambers of the east

The circuit of his race begins;
And, without weariness or rest,

Round the whole earth he flies and shines :
3 O, like the sun, may I fulfil

Th' appointed duties of the day,
With ready mind and active will

March on, and keep my heavenly way!
4 But I shall rove and lose the race,

If God, my Sun, should disappear,
And leave me in this world's wide maze

To follow every wandering star.
5 Lord! Thy commands are clean and pure,

Enlightening our beclouded eyes ;
Thy threatenings just, Thy promise sure;

Thy Gospel makes the simple wise.
6 Give me Thy counsel for my guide,

And then receive me to Thy bliss :
All my desires and hopes beside
Are faint and cold, compared with this!

Isaac Watts, 1709.