102

" After this I beheld, and lo, a great mul­titude, which no man could number, of all nations and kindred and people and tongues, stood before the throne and before the LAMB, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."

MARTYRS, ETC.

378

HARK! the sound of holy voices Chanting, at the crystal sea, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Alleluia, LORD, to Thee: Multitude, which none can number, Like the stars in glory stands, Clothed in white apparel, holding Palms of victory in their hands.

Patriarch, and holy Prophet,

Who prepared the way of CHRIST, King, Apostle, Saint, Confessor, Martyr, and Evangelist, Saintly Maiden, godly Matron, Widows who have watched to prayer, Joined in holy concert, singing To the LORD of all are there.

They have come from tribulation, And have washed their robes in blood, Washed them in the Blood of JESUS;

Tried they were and firm they stood; Mocked, imprisoned, stoned, tormented, Sawn asunder, slain with sword, They have conquered death and Satan By the might of CHRIST the LORD.

Marching with Thy Cross their banner, They have triumphed following Thee, the Captain of salvation,

Thee their SAVIOUR, and their King; Gladly, LORD, with Thee they suffered; Gladly, LORD, with Thee they died; And by death to life immortal They were born and glorified.

Now they reign in heavenly glory, Now they walk in golden light, Now they drink, as from a river, Holy bliss and infinite; Love and peace they taste for ever, And all truth and knowledge see In the Beatific Vision Of the Blessèd Trinity.

GOD of GOD, the One- Begotten, Light of Light, EMMANUEL, In Whose Body joined together All the saints for ever dwell, Pour upon us of Thy fulness, That we may for evermore GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON, and GOD the HOLY GHOST adore. Amen.

" They were stoned, they were sawn

asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; of whom the world was not worthy."

879

BLESSED feasts of blessèd martyrs, Holy days of holy men,

With affection's recollections

Greet we your return again.

Worthy deeds they wrought and wonders, Worthy of the Name they bore; We with meetest praise and sweetest Honour them for evermore.

Faith prevailing, hope unfailing,

JESUS loved with single heart­Thus they glorious and victorious Bravely bore the Martyr's part. Racked with torture, haled to slaughter, Fire, and axe, and murd'rous sword, Chains and prison, foes' derision

They endured for CHRIST the LORD So they passed through pain and sorrow Till they sank in death to rest; Earth's rejected, GOD'S elected, Gained a portion with the blest. By contempt of worldly pleasures, And by deeds of valour done, They have reached the land of Angels, And with them are knit in one.

Made co- heirs with CHRIST in glory, His celestial bliss they share; May they now before Him bending Help us onward by their prayer; That, this weary life completed, And its fleeting trials past, We may win eternal glory

In our FATHER'S home at last. Amen.

" Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 380

LET our Choir new anthems ralse; Wake the song of gladness; GOD Himself to joy and praise Turns the martyrs' sadness: Bright the day that won their crown, Opened heaven's bright portal, As they laid the mortal down To put on th' immortal.

Never flinched they from the flame, From the torture never; Vain the foeman's sharpest aim, Satan's best endeavour:

For by faith they saw the land Decked in all its glory, Where triumphant now they atand With the victor's story.