386. L. M. *

Ordination.

1 Thy servant's sandals, Lord, are wet With Jordan's wave but lately met, And in that sacred river fall The olden thoughts, the spirit's pall.

2 He stands upon the holy land, And angels take his trustful hand; The Jordan sanctifies his breast, And Christ now leads him to his rest.

3 His rest? his battle! he must win Fair Zion's gate through ranks of sin; Why are these words, this solemn show, If sin be not his deadly foe?

4 There gathers here no heavenly host; No fiery tongues of Pentecost,-- No gentle dove with winnowing wings The spirit to thy servant brings.

5 The still, small voice hath called him here, And thus is G.o.d himself most near:-- My people, lift your hearts in prayer, And keep your G.o.d forever there.

387. S. M. Drummond.

A Public Fast.

1 "Is this a fast for me?"

Thus saith the Lord our G.o.d; "A day for man to vex his soul, And feel affliction's rod?

2 "No; is not this alone The sacred fast I choose: Oppression's yoke to burst in twain, The bands of guilt unloose?

3 "To nakedness and want Your food and raiment deal, To dwell your kindred race among, And all their sufferings heal?

4 "Then, like the morning ray, Shall spring your health and light; Before you, righteousness shall shine, Around, my glory bright!"

388. 7 & 6s. M. Italian.

Prayer of a Stricken People.

1 O Thou, whose power stupendous Upholds the earth and sky, Thy grace preserving send us,-- To Thee, O Lord! we cry.

2 From wilds of fearful error, Wherein we darkly stray, Oppressed with doubt and terror, For saving aid we pray.

3 O G.o.d of mercy, hear us!

Our pain, our sorrow, see; Thy healing pity spare us, And bring us home to Thee!

389. 6s. M. Anonymous.

The New Year.

1 Joy! joy! a year is born; A year to man is given, For hope, and peace, and love, For faith, and truth, and heaven.

Though earth be dark with care, With death and sorrow rife, Yet toil, and pain, and prayer, Lead to our higher life.

2 Behold, the fields are white!

No longer idly stand!

Go forth in love and might; Man needs thy helping hand.

Thus may each day and year To prayer and toil be given, Till man to G.o.d draw near, And earth become like heaven.

390. C. M. Gaskell.

A New Year.

1 Our Father! through the coming year We know not what shall be, But we would leave without a fear Its ordering all to Thee.

2 It may be we shall toil in vain For what the world holds fair, And all its good we thought to gain Deceive, and prove but care.

3 It may be it shall darkly blend Our love with anxious fears, And s.n.a.t.c.h away the valued friend, The tried of many years.

4 It may be it shall bring us days And nights of lingering pain, And bid us take our farewell gaze Of these loved haunts of men.

5 But calmly, Lord, on Thee we rest; No fears our trust shall move; Thou knowest what for each is best, And Thou art perfect love.

391. 7s. M. Anonymous.

The G.o.d of Spring.

1 Praise and thanks and cheerful love Rise from everything below, To the mighty One above, Who his wondrous love doth show: Praise him, each created thing!

G.o.d, your Father! G.o.d of spring!

2 Praise him, trees so lately bare; Praise him, fresh and new-born flowers; All ye creatures of the air; All ye soft-descending showers: Praise, with each awakening thing, Praise your Maker,--G.o.d of spring!

3 Praise him, man!--thy fitful heart Let this balmy season move To employ its n.o.blest part, Softest mercy, sweetest love,-- Blessing, with each living thing, G.o.d the bounteous,--G.o.d of spring!