1 SWEET is the light of sabbath eve,
And soft the sunbeams lingering there:
For these blest hours the world I leave,
Wafted on wings of faith and prayer.
2 The time how lovely and how still!
Peace shines and smiles on all below;
The plain, the stream, the wood, the hill,—
All fair with evening's setting glow.
3 Season of rest! the tranquil soul
Feels the sweet calm, and melts to love; And, while these sacred moments roll, Faith sees a smiling heaven above.
Borne on the pinions of thy grace,
Up to angelic mysteries,
And find in thee his resting-place.
1 O BLEST Creator of the light,
Who dost the dawn from darkness bring,
And, framing nature's depth and height,
Didst with the new-born light begin ;
2 Who gently blending eve with morn,
And morn with eve, didst call them day,—
Thick flows the flood of darkness down:
Oh hear us as we weep and pray!
3 Keep thou our souls from schemes of crime,
Nor guilt remorseful let them know;
Nor, thinking but on things of time,
Into eternal darkness go.
4 Teach us to knock at heaven's high door;
Teach us the prize of life to win ;
Teach us all evil to abhor,
And purify ourselves within.
1 SLOWLY, by God's hand unfurled,
Down around the weary world,
Falls the darkness; oh how still
Is the working of his will!
2 Mighty Spirit, ever nigh,
Work in me as silently;
Veil the day's distracting sights,
Show me heaven's eternal lights.
3 Living stars to view be brought
In the boundless realms of thought;
High and infinite desires,
Flaming like those upper fires.
4 Holy Truth, Eternal Right,
Let them break upon my sight;
Let them shine serene and still,
And with light my being fill.
2 For the mercies of the day,
For this rest upon our way,
Thanks to thee alone be given,
Lord of earth, and King of Heaven.
1 Now may He who from the dead Brought the Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ, our King and Head, All our souls in safety keep!
2 May he teach us to fulfil
What is pleasing in his sight,
Perfect us in all his will,
And preserve us day and night!
Arranged from Beethoven by Dr. MASON.
Vesper Hymn. S. LONGFELLOW. | 2 For over us, and over all,
1 AGAIN, as evening's shadow falls,
We gather in these hallowed walls;
And vesper hymn and vesper prayer
Rise mingling on the holy air.
2 May struggling hearts that seek release,
Here find the rest of God's own peace;
And, strengthened here by hymn and
Lay down the burden and the care!
3 O God, our Light! to thee we bow;
Within all shadows standest thou;
Give deeper calm than night can bring;
Give sweeter songs than lips can sing.
4 Life's tumult we must meet again,
We cannot at the shrine remain;
But, in the spirit's secret cell,
May hymn and prayer for ever dwell!
102.
Evening Worship. W. H. BURLEIGH.
1 O HOLY Father! 'mid the calm
And stillness of this evening hour,
We lift to thee our solemn psalm,
To praise thy goodness, and thy power.
Thy tender mercies still extend,
Nor vainly shall thy children call
On thee, their Father and their Friend.
3 Kept by thy goodness through the day,
Thanksgiving to thy name we pour;
Night o'er us, with its stars,
Thy love to guard us evermore.
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