90

GENERAL HYMNS.

Nesrer, ever nearer,

CHRIST, we draw to Thee, Deep in adoration

Bending low the knee: Thou for our redemption Cam'st on earth to die; Thou, that we might follow, Hast gone up on high. Great and èver greater Are Thy mercies here, True and everlasting

Are the glories there, Where no pain, or sorrow, Toil, or care is known, Where the angel- legions Circle round Thy throne. Dark and ever darker Was the wintry past, Now a ray of gladness

O'er our path is cast; Every day that passeth, Every hour that flies, Tells of love nnfeigned, Love that never dies.

Clearer still and clearer

Dawns the light from heaven, In our sadness bringing News of sin forgiven; Life has lost its shadows, Pure the light within; Thou hast shed Thy radiance On a world of sin.

Brighter still and brighter Glows the western sun, Shedding all its gladness O'er our work that's done; Time will soon be over, Toil and sorrow past, May we, Blessèd SAVIOUR, Find a rest at last. Onward, ever onward, Journeying o'er the road Worn by saints before us, Journeying on to GOD; Leaving all behind us, May we hasten on, Backward never looking Till the prize is won. Bliss, all bliss excelling, When the ransomed soul Earthly toils forgetting Finds its promised goal; Where in joys unheard of Saints with angels sing, Never weary raising

Praises to their KING. Amen.

" And all her streets shall say, ' Alleluia."'"

236

NG Alleluia forth in duteous praise, ) citizens of heaven; and sweetly raise An endless Alleluia.

Ye next, who stand before th' Eternal Light,

In hymning choirs re- echo to the height An endless Alleluia. The Holy City shall take up your strain, And with glad songs resounding wake

An endless Alleluia.

In blissful antiphons ye thus rejoice To render to the LORD with thankful voice An endless Alleluia.

Ye who have gained at length your palms in bliss,

Victorious ones, your chant shall still be this,

An endless Alleluia. There, in one grand acclaim, for ever ring The strains which tell the honour of your King,

An endless Alleluia This is the rest for weary ones brought back,

This is the food and drink which none shall lack,

An endless Alleluia:

While Thee, by Whom were all things made, we praise

For ever, and tell out in sweetest lays, An endless Alleluia. Almighty CHRIST, to Thee our voices

sing

Glory for evermore; to Thee we bring An endless Alleluia. Amen.

" Thou hast been my succour: leave me not, neither forsake me, O GOD of my salvation."

337

WE know Thee Who Thou art,

LORD JESUS, Mary's Son;

We know the yearnings of Thy Heart

To end Thy work begun.

That sacred Fount of grace,

' Mid all the bliss of heaven,

Has joy whene'er we seek Thy face, And kneel to be forgiven.

Brought home from ways perverse, At peace Thine arms within, We pray Thee shield us from the curse Of falling back to sin.

We dare not ask to live Henceforth from trials free;

But oh, when next they tempt us, give More strength to cling to Thee.

We know Thee Who Thou art, Our own redeeming LORD; Be Thou by will, and mind, and hears, Accepted, loved, adored. Amen.