1 John was the prophet of the Lord To go before his face; The herald which the Prince of Peace Sent to prepare his ways.

2 "Behold the Lamb of G.o.d," he cries, "That takes our guilt away; I saw the Spirit o'er his head, On his baptizing day.

3 "Be every vale exalted high, Sink every mountain low; The proud must stoop, and humble souls Shall his salvation know.

4 "Behold the Morning Star arise, Ye that in darkness sit; He marks the path that leads to peace, And guides our doubtful feet."

215. C. M. Exeter Coll.

The Baptism of Jesus.

1 See, from on high, a light divine On Jesus' head descend!

And hear the sacred voice from heaven That bids us all attend.

2 "This is my well-beloved Son,"

Proclaimed the voice divine; "Hear him," his heavenly Father said, "For all his words are mine."

3 His mission thus confirmed from heaven, The great Messiah came, And heavenly wisdom showed to man In G.o.d his Father's name.

4 The path of heavenly peace he showed That leads to bliss on high; Where all his faithful followers here Shall live, no more to die.

216. S. M. Needham.

Christ the Light of the World.

1 Behold! the Prince of Peace, The chosen of the Lord, G.o.d's well-beloved Son, fulfils The sure prophetic word.

2 No royal pomp adorns This King of righteousness: Meekness and patience, truth and love, Compose his princely dress.

3 The spirit of the Lord, In rich abundance shed, On this great Prophet gently lights, And rests upon his head.

4 Jesus, the light of men, His doctrine life imparts; O, may we feel its quickening power To warm and glad our hearts.

5 Cheered by its beams, our souls Shall run the heavenly way; The path which Christ has marked and trod, Will lead to endless day.

217. L. M. Bowring.

Jesus Preaching the Gospel.

1 How sweetly flowed the gospel's sound From lips of gentleness and grace, When listening thousands gathered round, And joy and reverence filled the place!

2 From heaven he came--of heaven he spoke To heaven he led his followers' way; Dark clouds of gloomy night he broke, Unveiling an immortal day.

3 "Come, wanderers, to my Father's home, Come, all ye weary ones, and rest!"

Yes! sacred teacher,--we will come-- Obey thee, love thee, and be blest!

4 Decay, then, tenements of dust!

Pillars of earthly pride, decay!

A n.o.bler mansion waits the just, And Jesus has prepared the way.

218. L. M. Butcher.

Miracles of Christ.

1 On eyes that never saw the day Christ pours the bright celestial ray; And deafened ears, by him unbound, Catch all the harmony of sound.

2 Lameness takes up its bed, and goes Rejoicing in the strength that flows Through every nerve; and, free from pain, Pours forth to G.o.d the grateful strain.

3 The shattered mind his word restores, And tunes afresh the mental powers; The dead revive, to life return, And bid affection cease to mourn.

4 Canst thou, my soul, these wonders trace, And not admire Jehovah's grace?

Canst thou behold thy Prophet's power, And not the G.o.d he served adore?

219. L. M. Russell.

"That ye through his poverty might be rich."

1 O'er the dark wave of Galilee The gloom of twilight gathers fast, And on the waters drearily Descends the fitful evening blast.

2 The weary bird hath left the air, And sunk into his sheltered nest; The wandering beast has sought his lair, And laid him down to welcome rest.

3 Still, near the lake, with weary tread, Lingers a form of human kind; And on his lone, unsheltered head, Flows the chill night-damp of the wind.

4 Why seeks he not a home of rest?

Why seeks he not a pillowed bed?

Beasts have their dens, the bird its nest; He hath not where to lay his head.

5 Such was the lot he freely chose, To bless, to save the human race; And through his poverty there flows A rich, full stream of heavenly grace.