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Help that in earth's dominions,
Throughout from pole to pole,
Thy realm may spread salvation
To each benighted soul.

2 The eastern sages, bringing
Their tribute-gifts to Thee,
Bear witness to Thy kingdom,
And humbly bow the knee;
To Thee the star is pointing,
To Thee th' inspired Word;
Hence joyously we hail Thee:
Our Savior and our Lord!

3 Thou art a mighty Monarch,
As by the Word we're told,
Yet carest Thou but little

For earthly goods or gold;
On no proud steed Thou ridest,
Thou wear'st no jewelled crown,
Nor dwell'st in lordly castle,

But bearest scoff and frown.

4 Yet art Thou decked with beauty,
With rays of glorious light;
Thou ever teem'st with goodness,
And all Thy ways are right.
Vouchsafe to shield Thy people
With Thine almighty arm
That they may dwell in safety
From those who mean them harm.

5 Ah, look on me with pity,

Though I am weak and poor, Admit me to Thy kingdom,

To dwell there, blest and sure. I pray Thee, guide and keep me Safe from my bitter foes,

From sin, and death, and Satan;
Free me from all my woes.

6 And bid Thy Word within me
Shine as the fairest star;
Keep sin and all false doctrine
Forever from me far;
Help me confess Thee truly,

And with Thy Christendom
Here own Thee King and Savior
And in the world to come.

180

L. M.

THE Star proclaims the King is here;
But, Herod, why this senseless fear?
He takes no realms of earth away
Who gives the realms of heavenly day.

2 The wiser Magi see from far

And follow on His guiding star;
And led by light to light they press,
And by their gifts their God confess.

3 Within the Jordan's crystal flood

In meekness stands the Lamb of God, And sinless sanctifies the wave, Mankind from sin to cleanse and save.

4 At Cana first His power is shown; His might the blushing waters own, And changing, as He speaks the word, Flow wine, obedient to their Lord.

5 All glory, Jesus, be to Thee
For this Thy glad Epiphany:
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore.

181

11, 10, 11, 10

BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness, and lend us
Thine aid;

Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is

laid.

2 Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;

Low lies His head with the beasts of

the stall:

Angels adore Him in slumber reclining, Maker, and Monarch, and Savior of all!

3 Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,

Odors of Edom, and offerings divine? Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean.

Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gifts would His favor

secure:

Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

5 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness, and lend us

Thine aid;

Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is

laid.

182

8,7 81

HAIL, Thou Source of every blessing,
Sovereign Father of mankind!
Gentiles now, Thy grace possessing,
In Thy courts admission find.
Grateful now we fall before Thee,
In Thy Church obtain a place;
Now by faith behold Thy glory,
Praise Thy truth, adore Thy grace.

2 Once far off, but now invited,

We approach Thy sacred throne; In Thy covenant united,

Reconciled, redeemed, made one.
Now revealed to Eastern sages,
See the star of mercy shine;
Mystery hid in former ages,
Mystery great of love divine.

3 Hail, Thou all-inviting Savior!
Gentiles now their offerings bring;
In Thy temple seek Thy favor,
Jesus Christ, our Lord and King,
May we, body, soul, and spirit,
Live devoted to Thy praise,
Glorious realms of bliss inherit,
Grateful anthems ever raise.

183

AS with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hail'd its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led by Thee.

2 As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger-bed,

7s 61

There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore,
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy 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 to our King.

184

SONGS of thankfulness and praise
Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise,
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar,
Branch of royal David's stem,
In Thy birth at Bethlehem;
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

2 Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme,

7s 81

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