3 Oh! what joy that word affords,— "Thou shalt reign o'er all the earth King of kings, and Lord of lords! Send thy gospel-heralds forth: Now begin thy boundless sway, Usher in the glorious day.
Prayer for Spiritual Light.
1 WF lift our hearts to thee,
Thou Day-Star from on high!
The sun itself is but thy shade,
Yet, cheers both earth and sky.
2 Oh! let thy rising beams
Dispel the shades of night;
And let the glories of thy love
Come, like the morning-ligh,
3 How beauteous nature now!
How dark and sad before!-
With joy we view the pleasing change,
And nature's God adore.
4 May we this life improve
To mourn for errors past;
And live, this short revolving day,
As if it were our last.
1 THOU that dost my life prolong!
Kindly aid my morning-song;
Thankful, from my couch I rise,
To the God that rules the skies.
? Thou didst hear my evening-cry;
Thy preserving hand was nigh;
Peaceful slumbers thou hast shed,
Grateful to my weary head.
B Thou hast kept me through the night,
'T was thy hand restored the light;
Lord thy mercies still are new,
Plenteous, as the morning-dew.
4 Still my feet are prone to stray,-
Oh! preserve me through the day;
Dangers every where abound,
Sins and snares beset me round.
5 Gently, with the dawning ray,
On my soul, thy beams display;
Sweeter than the smiling morn,
Let thy cheering light return.
Morning-Prayer-Meeting.
1 HOW sweet the melting lay,
That breaks upon the ear,
When, at the hour of rising day,
Christians unite in prayer!
2 The breezes waft their cries,
Up to Jehovah's throne;
He listens to their bursting sighs,
And sends his blessings down.
3 So Jesus rose to pray,
Before the morning-light;
Once on the chilling mount did stay,
And wrestle all the night.
4 Glory to God on high,
Who sends his blessings down.
To rescue souls condemned to die,
And makes his people one.
S. M.
Morning-Meditations.
1 AWAKE, my drowsy soul!
These airy visions chase;
Awake, my active powers renewed.
To run the heavenly race.
2 See-how the rising sun
Pursues his shining way;
And wide proclaims his Maker's praise,
With every brightening ray!
3 Thus would my rising soul
Her heavenly parent sing;
And to her great original
Her humble tribute bring.
4 Serene, I laid me down
Beneath his guardian care,
I slept, and woke; and still I found
My kind preserver near.
5 Dear Saviour! to thy cross,
I bring my sacrifice;
Tinged with thy blood, it shall ascend,
With fragrance to the skies.
1 ONCE more, my soul! the rising day
Salutes thy waking eyes:
Once more, my voice! thy tribute pay
To him who rules the skies.
2 Night unto night his name repeats,
The day renews the sound;
Wide as the heaven, on which he sit
To turn the seasons round.
3 'T is he supports my mortal frame,-
My tongue shall speak his praise;
My sins would rouse his wrath to flame,
And yet his wrath delays.
A thousand wretched souls are fled,
Since the last setting sun;
And yet he lengthens out my thread,-
And yet my moments run.
5 Great God! let all my hours be thine,
Whilst I enjoy the light;
Then shall my sun in smiles decline,
And bring a peaceful night.
L. M.
Morning-Gratitude.
1 IN sleep's serene oblivion laid,
I safely passed the silent night;
Again I see the breaking shade,-
I drink again the morning-light.
2 New-born, I bless the waking hour,
Once more, with awe, rejoice to be;
My conscious soul resumes her power,
And springs, my guardian God! to thee,
3 Oh! guide me through the various maze,
My doubtful feet may this day tread;
And spread thy shield's protecting blaze,
Where dangers press around my head
4 A deeper shade will soon impend,-
A deeper sleep mine eyes oppress;
Yet, then thy strength shall still defend,-
Thy goodness still delight to bless.
5 That deeper shade shall break away,
That deeper sleep shall leave mine eyes, Thy light shall give eternal day;
Thy love-the rapture of the skies.
584. Praise to the God of the Morning.
1 GOD of the morning! at thy voice
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 Oh like the sun may I fulfill
Th' appointed duties of the day;
With ready mind, and active will,
March on, and keep my heavenly way.
4 Lord thy commands are clean and pure,
Enlightening our beclouded eyes;
Thy threatenings just, thy promise sure,
Thy gospel makes the simple wise.
5 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
An Evening-Sacrifice.
1 GREAT God! to thee my evening-song
With humble gratitude I raise;
Oh. let thy mercy tune my tongue,
And fill my heart with lively praise.
2 My days unclouded, as they pass,
And every gently rolling hour,
Are monuments of wondrous grace.
And witness to thy love and power
3 Seal my forgiveness in the blood
Of Jesus; his dear name alone
I plead for pardon, gracious God!
And kind acceptance, at thy throne
4 Let this blest hope mine eyelids close
With sleep refresh my feeble frame
Safe in thy care may I repose,
And wake with praises to thy name.
Evening Contemplation.
1 SOFTLY, now, the light of day
Fades upon my sight way;
Free from care, from labor free,
Lord! I would commune with thee.
2 Soon for me, the light of day
Shall for ever pass away;
Then, from sin and sorrow free,
Take me, Lord! to dwell with thee.
Evening-Prayer and Praise.
1 INDULGENT Father! by whose care, I've passed another day,
Let me, this night, thy mercy share;--
Oh! teach me how to pray.
2 Show me my sins, and how to mourn
My guilt before thy face;
Direct me, Lord! to Christ alone,
And save me by thy grace.
3 Let each returning night declare
The tokens of thy love;
And, every hour, thy grace prepare
My soul for joys above.
4 And when, on earth, I close mine eyes, To sleep in death's embrace,
Let me, to heaven and glory, rise,
To see thy smiling face.
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