3 I need thy presence every pa.s.sing hour; What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?

Thro' cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!

4 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pa.s.s away: Change and decay in all around I see; O thou, who changest not, abide with me!

Henry Francis Lyte, 1847.

57 Eventide. 10s.

_Closing Hymn._

Savior, again to thy dear name we raise With one accord our parting hymn of praise; We rise to bless thee ere our worship cease, And now, departing, wait thy word of peace.

2 Grant us thy peace upon our homeward way; With thee begun, with thee shall end the day; Guard thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame, That in this house have called upon thy name.

3 Grant us thy peace, Lord, through the coming night; Turn thou for us its darkness into light; From harm and danger keep thy children free, For dark and light are both alike to thee.

John Ellerton, 1868.

58 Seymour, 7s.

_Evening Devotion._

Softly now the light of day Fades upon my sight away; Free from care, from labor free, Lord, I would commune with thee.

2 Thou whose all pervading eye Naught escapes without, within, Pardon each infirmity, Open fault, and secret sin.

3 Soon, for me, the light of day Shall forever pa.s.s away; Then, from sin and sorrow free, Take me, Lord, to dwell with thee.

4 Thou who, sinless, yet hast known All of man's infirmity; Then from thine eternal throne, Jesus, look with pitying eye.

G.W. Doane, 1824.

59 Stockwell. 8s & 7s.

_Evening Meditations._

Silently the shades of evening Gather round my lowly door; Silently they bring before me Faces I shall see no more.

2 O the lost, the unforgotten, Tho' the world be oft forgot!

O the shrouded and the lonely!

In our hearts they perish not.

3 Living in the silent hours, Where our spirits only blend-- They, unlinked with earthly trouble; We, still hoping for its end.

4 How such holy memories cl.u.s.ter, Like the stars when storms are past; Pointing up to that far heaven We may hope to gain at last.

C.C. c.o.x

60 Fading, Still Fading P.M., with Refrain.

_Evening Prayer_.

Fading, still fading, the last beam is shining; Father in heaven, the day is declining; Safety and innocence flee with the light, Temptation and danger walk forth with the night.

From the fall of the shade till the morning bells chime, Shield us from danger, keep us from crime.

Ref.--Father, have mercy, Father, have mercy, Father, have mercy, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2 Father in heaven, O hear when we call; Hear, for Christ's sake, who is Savior of all.

Feeble and fainting, we trust in thy might; In doubting and darkness thy love be our light; Let us sleep on thy breast while the night taper burns, Wake in thine arms when morning returns.

Selina Huntingdon

61 G.o.d Be With You. P.M.

_Parting Blessing._

G.o.d be with you till we meet again, By his counsels guide, uphold you, With his sheep securely fold you, G.o.d be with you till we meet again

Cho.--Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus' feet; Till we meet, till we meet, G.o.d be with you till we meet again.

2 G.o.d be with you till we meet again, 'Neath his wings securely hide you, Daily manna still provide you, G.o.d be with you till we meet again.

3 G.o.d be with you till we meet again, When life's perils thick confound you, Put his arms unfailing round you, G.o.d be with you till we meet again.

4 G.o.d be with you till we meet again, Keep love's banner floating o'er you, Smite death's threat'ning wave before you, G.o.d be with you till we meet again.

J.E. Rankin D.D.

62 Wonderful Words. P.M.

_Words of Life._

Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life, Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life, Words of life and beauty, Teach me faith and duty.

Cho.--Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life, Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life.

2 Christ the blessed One gives to all Wonderful words of life; Sinner, list to the loving call, Wonderful words of life; All so freely given, Wooing us to heaven.

3 Sweetly echo the gospel call, Wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, Sanctify forever.

P.P. Bliss.