THE SERVICE OF GOD.

246

1

HE

11-10 M.

E whom the Master loved has truly spoken:
The holier worship, which God deigns to

bless,

Restores the lost, binds up the spirit-broken,
And feeds the widow and the fatherless.

2 O brother man! fold to thy heart thy brother; For where love dwells the peace of God is there;

To worship rightly is to love each other;

Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.

3 Follow with reverent steps the great example
Of him whose holy work was doing good:
So shall the wide earth seem our Father's temple,
Each loving life a psalm of gratitude.

4 Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy clangour
Of wild war-music o'er the earth shall cease;
Love shall tread out the baleful fire of anger,
And in its ashes plant the tree of peace.

J. G. Whittier.

C.M.

STILL, in accents sweet and strong,
Sounds forth the ancient word,-

More reapers for white harvest fields,
More labourers for the Lord!'

2 We hear the call; in dreams no more
In selfish ease we lie,

But, girded for our Father's work,
Go forth beneath his sky.

3 Where prophets' word, and martyrs' blood, And prayers of saints were sown;

We, to their labours entering in,

Would reap where they have strewn.

4 O thou, whose call our hearts have stirred To do thy will, we come;

248

Thrust in our sickles at thy word,

And bear our harvest home.

Samuel Longfellow.

4-10 M.

1 COME, labour on :

Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain, While all around him waves the golden grain,

And every servant hears the Master say,

Go work to-day'?

2

3

4

5

6

Come, labour on:

The labourers are few, the field is wide;

New stations must be filled, and blanks supplied : From voices distant far, or near at home,

The call is' Come.'

Come, labour on;

The enemy is watching, night and day,
To sow the tares, to snatch the seed away :
While we in sleep our duty have forgot,

He slumbers not.

Come, labour on :

Away with gloomy doubt and faithless fear,
No arm so weak, but may do service here;
By hands the feeblest can our God fulfil
His righteous Will.

Come, labour on :

No time for rest till glows the western sky, While the long shadows o'er our pathway lie, And a glad sound comes with the setting sun, Servants, well done!'

Come, labour on :

The toil is pleasant and the harvest sure;
Blessed are those who to the end endure;

How full their joy, how deep their rest shall be,
O Lord, with thee!

Jane Borthwick.

249

TEACH

10 M.

EACH me to live! 'Tis easier far to die-
Gently and silently to pass away—

On earth's long night to close the heavy eye,
And waken in the glorious realms of day.

2 Teach me that harder lesson--how to live,

To serve thee in the darkest paths of life;
Arm me for conflict now, fresh vigour give,
And make me more than conqueror in the
strife.

3 Teach me to live thy purpose to fulfil;

Bright for thy glory let my taper shine; Each day renew, remould the stubborn will; Closer round thee my heart's affections cling. 4 Teach me to live for self and sin no more; But use the time remaining to me yet; Not mine own pleasure seeking as before, Wasting no precious hours in vain regret.

5 Teach me to live! No idler let me be,

But in thy service hand and heart employ,
Prepared to do thy bidding cheerfully-

Be this my highest and my holiest joy.
6 Teach me to live-my daily cross to bear,
Nor murmur though I bend beneath its load;
Only be with me; let me feel thee near;

Thy smile sheds gladness on the darkened

road.

7 Teach me to live! with kindly words for all, Wearing no cold repulsive brow of gloom, Waiting with cheerful patience till thy call Summons my spirit to its heavenly home.

250

7, 7, 7, 3 M.

Ellen E. Burman.

1CHRISTIAN! seek not yet repose,'
Hear thy loving Master say;

Thou art in the midst of foes;
'Watch and pray.'

2 Gird thy heavenly armour on,
Wear it ever night and day;
Stand, till evil days be done;
Watch and pray.'

3 Hear the victors who o'ercame;
Still they mark each warrior's way;
All with one sweet voice exclaim,
Watch and pray.'

4 Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart his word,
'Watch and pray.'

5 Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray, till sin be overthrown;
Watch and pray.'

Charlotte Elliott.