1 HAIL, love divine! joys ever new,
While thy kind dictates we pursue,
Our souls delighted share,
Too high for sordid minds to know,
Who on themselves alone bestow
Their wishes and their care.
2 By thee inspired, the generous breast,
In blessing others only blest,
With kindness large and free,
Delights the widow's tears to stay,
To teach the blind their smoothest way,
And aid the feeble knee.
3 O God, with sympathetic care,
In others' joys and griefs to share,
Do thou our hearts incline;
Each low, each selfish wish control,
Warm with benevolence the soul,
And make us wholly thine.
Imitation of Christ's Kindness.
1 LORD, lead the way the Saviour went,
By lane and cell obscure,
And let our treasures still be spent,
Like his, upon the poor.
2 Like him, through scenes of deep distress,
Who bore the world's sad weight,
We, in their gloomy loneliness,
Would seek the desolate.
3 For thou hast placed us side by side
In this wide world of ill;
And that thy followers may be tried,
The poor are with us still.
4 Small are the offerings we can make ;
Yet thou hast taught us, Lord,
If given for the Saviour's sake,
They lose not their reward.
For a Charitable Occasion.
1 WHO is thy neighbor?-he whom thou
Hast power to aid or bless;
Whose aching heart or burning brow
Thy soothing hand may press.
2 Thy neighbor?-'tis the fainting poor, Whose eye with want is dim;
O enter thou his humble door,
With aid and peace for him.
3 Thy neighbor? - he who drinks the cup When sorrow drowns the brim;
With words of high sustaining hope,
Go thou and comfort him.
4 Thy neighbor?'t is the weary slave, Fettered in mind and limb;
He hath no hope this side the grave;
Go thou, and ransom him.
5 Thy neighbor?- pass no mourner by; Perhaps thou canst redeem
A breaking heart from misery;
Go, share thy lot with him.
1 HELP us, O Lord! thy yoke to wear,
Delighting in thy perfect will;
Each other's burdens learn to bear,
And thus thy law of love fulfil.
2 Who sparingly his seed bestows,
He sparingly shall also reap;
But whoso plentifully sows,
The plenteous sheaves his hand shall heap.
3 Teach us, with glad and cheerful hearts,
As thou hast blessed our various store,
From our abundance to impart
A liberal portion to the poor.
4 To thee our all devoted be,
In whom we breathe, and move, and live :
Freely we have received from thee;
Freely may we rejoice to give.
1 How blest, amid all blessing
This changing world bestows,
That soul in truth possessing
Pity for others' woes;
Ready to move and lighten
The load affliction bears
Want's face with joy to brighten,
In deed, as with its prayers.
2 Thus Christ, the Friend and Servant
Of man, depressed and poor-
With ready soul and fervent
With patience to endure
Lived, labored without measure,
In mercy's holy name,
God's will his highest pleasure,
Our good his only fame.
3 And those who in his spirit
Would seek to live and move,
His virtue must inherit,
And labor in his love;
Labor where poor, forsaken,
And lowly sufferers lie;
In faith and hope unshaken;
Celestial ministry!
4 God of all times and stations!
Teach us this lesson true,
Proclaim it to all nations
In life and power anew,
That high above all praises
All prayers is that unfeigned,
Glad offering Mercy raises,
By living deeds sustained!
Invitation to the Table.
1 OUR heavenly Father calls,
And Christ invites us near;
With both our friendship shall be sweet,
And our communion dear.
2 God pities all our griefs;
He pardons every day;
Almighty to protect our souls,
And wise to guide our way.
3 Jesus, our living Head,
We bless thy faithful care;
Our Advocate before the throne,
And our Forerunner there!
4 Here fix my roving heart!
Here wait my warmest love!
Till the communion be complete
In nobler scenes above.
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