Monday and Tuesday in Easter Week.
Either of the hymns for Mattins on Easter Day will serve for the first hymn at the Morning Services, and either of the hymns for Evensong for the first hymn at the Evening Services.
TRISTES ERANT APOSTOLI.
TH' Apostles wept with hearts forlorn
The Bridegroom to the burial borne,
Whom, with that death of blood and pain,
His servant's wicked hands had slain.
Yet had the weeping Maries heard
The Angel's sure and welcome word,
The Lord His own full speedily
Will visit with heart-gladdening eye.
E'en now as fast they bear along
The tidings to the downcast throng;
Lo! Jesus' glistening form they meet,
And run to clasp their Saviour's feet.
Swift to the Galilean height
The Apostles speed their eager flight,
Then of their hearts' desire possess'd,
With Jesus' kindly light are blest.
O Jesu Blest, to every breast
Unceasing paschal gladness be;
From blasting breath of sin and death
The new-born sons of life set free.
Father, to Thee all glory be,
And Son, Who from the dead art rais'd.
And Spirit Blest, with Both confess'd
One God through endless ages prais'd. [46]
The First Sunday after Easter.
WHO gives the needful power to man,
Abroad the means of grace to deal,
To free the sinner from his ban,
His guilt remit, his pardon seal?
He Who with consecrated pall
His chosen Aaron's limbs arrayed,
And on His Christ with outward call
The honour of the Priesthood laid.
O dare not then, with touch profane,
That honour on thyself to take;
Pretend not thou, with strivings vain,
A priest unduly called to make!
For self-empowered who may dare
To seize on God's prerogative,
His keys without His warrant bear?
Or what he has received not, give?
Lord, by Whose care Thy Church arose
A goodly frame, Thy Church defend;
And bless her pastors, sent by those
Whom Thou did'st give the power to send.
To Thee Whom all Thy Saints adore,
Thy Church on earth, Thy heavenly host,
Be blessing, honour, glory, power,
Thee, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The hymn, Now at the Lamb's imperial feast, will serve for the second hymn for Mattins and Evensong.
OUR God in glory sits on high:
Man may not see and live;
Yet witness of Himself on earth
For ever doth He give.
His Spirit dwells in all good hearts;
All precious fruits of love,
Thoughts, words and works made holy, bear
His witness from above.
Nor hath the tide baptismal ceased
To spread His Name, since first,
From the Redeemer's wounded side,
The holy fountain burst.
That other stream of endless life,
His all-atoning blood,
Is it not still our Cup of grace,
His flesh our spirit's food?
O never may our sinful hearts,
What Thou hast joined, divide !
Thy Spirit in Thy mysteries still
For life, not death, abide.
To Father, Word and Holy Ghost,
Who record bear in Heaven,
And witness threefold give to earth,
All praise by man be given.
The Second Sunday after Easter.
O SACERDOTUM VENERANDA JURA.
AWFUL is the priestly state
Which, by faith beheld aright,
Closes and unbars the gate,
Though unseen by mortal sight.
Christ, in this His earthly seat,
Holds in them the balance meet,
Binds and lets the sinners feet
In His own appointed rite.
When they ply their healing art,
"Tis His hand in them is found;
When they soothe the wounded heart,
His anointing heals the wound.
When they speak, the faithful sheep
Drink their words and hide them deep,
For the law of God they steep
First in their own hearts profound.
When the wrath is going forth,
And the vial in mid air,
They stand forth to stop the wrath
With deep importuning prayer.
May they, Lord, themselves be wise,
Who touch Thy dread mysteries,
Mirrors, in their people's eyes,
Worthy of the things they bear.
Father, Spirit, Son Divine,
Who dost rescue from the grave,
From Heaven's central echoing shrine
Let Thy glory, wave on wave,
Fill the all-surrounding sea
Of shoreless eternity,
Singing, Priest of priests, of Thee,
And Thy mighty power to save.
¶ The hymn, Now at the Lamb's imperial feast, will serve for the second hymn.
The Third Sunday after Easter.
The hymn, Now at the Lamb's imperial feast, will serce for the second hymn for Mattins and Evensong, and the hymn, Th' Apostles wept, for the first hymn at Mattins.
PASCHALE MUNDO GAUDIUM.
A FAIRER sun is risen on earth,
To kindle high her Paschal mirth,
Where now His more than earthly beam
Th' Apostles see from Jesus stream:
Yea on His flesh the wounds Divine
Like purest stars see softly shine,
And what their eyes have witness'd there,
To all the wondering world declare.
O Christ, our King, our hearts possess,
And with Thy fostering Presence bless;
So may our tongue in ceaseless praise
To Thy great Name meet anthems raise.
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