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Circumcision.

8. 6. 8. 8. 6.

61

1

EIGHT days amid

this world of woe

The holy Babe hath been;

Long named in heaven, He now must go
To take that name on Him below,
Jesus, who saves from sin.

2 His mother kept the angel's word
Deep in her bosom's store;
But others there, by love unstirred,
Unconscious of its meaning, heard
The name the Infant bore.

3 The traitor sought Him by that name,
When all the murderous crew

With swords and staves against Him came :
And on the cross, the tree of shame,
That name was fixed in view.

4 Yet in His hour of glory now
That precious name is given,
Abové all names, to deck His brow,
And in the name of Jesus bow

The powers and thrones of heaven.

5 Worthy art Thou o'er us to reign,
Jesus, for evermore;

Thou who for us didst not disdain
That sinners should the name profane
Which seraphim adore.

62

1

Epiphany.

7.7.7.7.7.7.

S with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

2 As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger-bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet

Ever seek the mercy-seat.

3 As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ! to Thee our heavenly King.
4 Holy Jesus, every day

Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
5 In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There for ever may we sing
Alleluias toour King.

63

1 BRI

C. M.

RIGHT was the guiding star that led,
With mild benignant ray,

The Gentiles to the lowly shed
Where the Redeemer lay.

2 But lo! a brighter, clearer light
Now points to His abode;

It shines through sin and sorrow's night,
To guide us to our God.

3 Oh, haste to follow where it leads;
The gracious call obey :

Be rugged wilds, or flowery meads,
To Him thy destined way.

4 Take thou that way as best for thee,
While grace on earth is given;
And thou shalt soon thy Saviour see,
Adore, and serve in heaven.

64

1

SON

7.7.7.7.

ONS of men, behold from far,
Hail the long-expected Star;
Jacob's Star, that gilds the night,
Guides bewildered nature right.
2 Mild it shines on all beneath,
Piercing through the shades of death;
Scattering error's wide-spread night,
Kindling darkness into light.

3 Nations all, remote and near,
Haste to see your God appear;
Haste, for Him your hearts prepare,
Meet Him manifested there.

4 There behold the Day-spring rise,
Pouring light upon your eyes;

65

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See it chase the shades away,
Shining to the perfect day.
5 Sing, ye morning stars, again ;
God descends on earth to reign,
Deigns for man His life to employ.
Shout, ye sons of God, for joy.
6 Glory to the heavenly King,
Glory all ye angels sing,
Glory to the Father, Son,
And blessed Spirit, Three in One.

WHAT

L. M.

star is this, with beams so bright, stranger midst the orbs of light? It shines to herald forth the King, Glad tidings of our God to bring. 2 See now fulfilled what God decreed, "From Jacob shall a Star proceed;" And lo! the Eastern sages stand, To read in heaven the Lord's command. 3 While outward signs the star displays, An inward light the Lord conveys, And urges them with force benign To seek the Giver of the sign.

4 True love can brook no dull delay,

Through toils and dangers lies their way; And yet their home, their friends, their all, They leave at once, at God's high call. 5 Oh, while the star of heavenly grace Invites us, Lord, to seek Thy face, May we no more that grace repel, Or quench that light which shines so well!

66

1

6 To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
May every tongue and nation raise
An endless song of thankful praise!

A

Before Lent.

8. 7. 8. 7. 8. 7.

LLELUIA! best and sweetest
Of the hymns of praise above!
Alleluia! Thou repeatest,

Angel-host, these notes of love.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

While your golden harps ye move.

2 Alleluia! Church victorious,
Join the angelic harmony.
Alleluia! Saints all-glorious
Lift this lofty strain on high.
We, poor exiles, cannot always
Join, as yet, your melody.
3 Alleluia! Songs of gladness

Suit not always souls forlorn.
Alleluia! Sounds of sadness

From our hearts must now be borne,
While our sins, with deepest sorrow
And with bitter tears, we mourn.

4 But our earnest supplication,
Holy God, we raise to Thee!
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Make us all Thy joys to see.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Ours, at length, this strain shall be.

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