21.

The silent hours.

As the storm retreating,

Leaves the vales in peace,

Let the world's vain noises,

O'er our spirits cease.

Sounds of wrath and striving,
Man with man at war,

Hearts with Heaven contending,—
Hear we now no more.

Now the hours of stillness,

Wondrous visions show;
Heaven unfolds before us,
Angels come and go.
Holy, human faces,

From earth's shadows free,
Look with love upon us,
Bid us patient be.
Almost we discern them,

Almost read their smile, Almost hear them saying "Wait a little while.'

Thus in hours of stillness,

Faith to Heaven shall rise,

Till death's last, deep silence Quite unseals our eyes. AMEN.

Rev. Theodore C, Williams. 1888.

Now the day is over,

Night is drawing nigh, Shadows of the evening Steal across the sky. Father, give the weary

Calm and sweet repose,
With Thy tend'rest blessing
May our eyelids close.
Grant to little children
Visions bright of Thee,
Guard the sailors, tossing
On the deep blue sea.
Comfort every sufferer
Watching late in pain;
Those who plan some evil
From their sin restrain.

Through the long night-watches,
May Thine Angels spread
Their white wings above me,
Watching round my bed.
When the morning wakens,
Then may I arise

Pure, and fresh, and sinless,
In Thy Holy Eyes. AMEN.
The Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould. 1865

Charles H. Hoyt.

ECCE CELUM. P. M.

all who fill

Old Welsh Hymnal.

mf

25. Prayer for God's presence.
O FATHER, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Father and Friend!
my.
I shall not fear the battle

If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.
Oh, let me feel Thee near me !
The world is ever near:

I see the sights misleading,

The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within;
But, Father, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self-will!

Oh, speak to re-assure me,
To hasten or control!
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul!
O Father, I have promised

To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Father and my Friend!
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me
Uphold me to the end!
At last in heaven receive me,
My Father and my Friend!
Rev. J. E. Bode, 1816-1874.
Dedication.

26.
SEE Israel's gentle Shepherd stand,
With all-engaging charms!
Hark how He calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in His arms!
Permit them to approach, He cries,
Nor scorn their humble name;
For 't was to bless such souls as these,
The Lord and Master came.

BRYN CALFARIA. 8. 7. 4.

Welsh.

We bring them, Lord, in thankful hands,
And yield them up to Thee:
Joyful that we ourselves are Thine,
Thine let our offspring be.
Ye little flock, with pleasure hear;
Ye children, seek His face:
And fly, with transport, to receive
The blessings of His grace.

Rev. Philip Doddridge, D. D. (1702-1751).

27. Forget not all His benefits. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,

To Him, all thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who, like me, His praise should sing,

Praise Him for His grace and favor,
To our fathers in distress:
Praise Him still the same forever,

Slow to chide, and swift to bless : : Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, :|| ||: Glorious in His faithfulness. :|| Father-like, He tends and spares us,

Well our feeble frame He knows: In His hands He gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes. |: Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, :|| : Praise the High, Eternal One. :|| Angels help us to adore Him!

Ye behold Him face to face ; [Him, Sun and moon, bow down before Dwellers all in time and space, Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him,: || |: Praise with us the God of Grace. : Rev. H. F. Lyte (1793-1847), 1843.