Septuagesima Sunday.

70.

8, 7, (Eight).

PRAIS

RAISE the Lord! ye heav'ns adore Him,
Praise Him, angels, in the height,

Sun and moon, rejoice before Him,
Praise Him, all ye stars and light.
Praise the Lord! for He hath spoken,—
Worlds His mighty voice obey'd;
Laws that never shall be broken,

For their guidance He hath made.

Praise the Lord! for He is glorious,
Never shall His promise fail;

He shall make His saints victorious,-
Sin and death shall not prevail.
Praise the God of our salvation,
Hosts on high, His power proclaim;
Heav'n and earth, and all creation,
Laud and magnify His Name.

71.

B

LEST in Thyself, created thing

Could to Thy bliss no increase bring; Yet for the glory of Thy Name,

Thou, God, wert pleas'd the world to frame.

From nothing Thou dost all things call;
In order meet they range them all ;
And wondrous harmony they raise,
Declaring their Creator's praise.

But while from out Thy secret breast
One world comes forth in beauty drest,
Another world, of nobler mould,

Thou in Thy counsels dost unfold.

This shall the blest Redeemer build,
With His own graces richly pil'd,
And whatsoe'er, in all lands sown,
From seed of living word is grown.

In heav'n, at length, when time shall cease,
He'll fix its sure abiding-place;

And deck'd as Bride with ornament,

To God the Father shall present.

Thou who o'er both worlds dost preside,^
O Father, both preserve; both guide,
O Son; and Holy Spirit, Thou
With hallowing graces both endow.

L. M.

EVENING.

72.

GOD, our Help in ages past,

Our Hope in years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home !

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure ;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth receiv'd her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight

Are like an ev'ning gone,—

Short as the watch that ends the night,

Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

Bears all its sons away;

They fly, forgotten, as a dream

Dies at the opening day.

O God, our Help in ages past,

Our Hope for years to come,

Be Thou our Guard while life shall last,
And our eternal Home!

C. M.

73.

ALLELUIA! song of gladness,

Utt'rance of perennial joy!
Alleluia! sound the sweetest
Heard among the choirs on high,
Hymning in their blissful mansion,
Day and night incessantly.

Alleluia! new Jerusalem,

8, 7, (Six).

Thou may'st lift the joyful strain! Alleluia! songs of triumph

Well befit the ransom'd train! We by Babylon's sad rivers Weeping exiles yet remain.

Alleluia! we unworthy

May not now the note prolong! Alleluia! our transgressions

Force us to break off the song; We to pray'rs and supplication

Now must learn to tune our tongue.

Praises here and pray'rs commingling,
Holy God, we worship Thee:
To Thy blissful seats, O bring us,
There the heav'nly Lamb to see,
Joyful then shall we be singing
Alleluia! ceaselessly.

This Hymn may serve till Ash-Wednesday, morning or evening.

Sexagesima Sunday.

74.

PRAISE, O praise His majesty,

Who out of darkness call'd up light! Who said, Let air, earth, ocean be,

And air, earth, ocean, own'd His might.

O praise, O praise His holiness,
Who man in His own image made,
And crown'd with blessings numberless,
And yet by man was disobey'd.

praise, O praise His matchless love, Who peace for rebels to provide, Resign'd a throne all thrones above, And bore their sins, yet sinless died.

O praise, O praise His boundless grace,
Who aids our efforts, soothes distress,
And guards from all that might efface
Thoughts of love, power, and holiness.

His grace, love, holiness, and pow'r,

Of mercies are the ceaseless spring; Praise endless as the gifts they show'r,

To Father, Son, and Spirit sing.

L. M.