"IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST I GLORY"

In the Cross of Christ I glory,

Towering o'er the wrecks of time,
All the light of sacred story

Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o'ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the Cross forsake me-
Lo! it grows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the Cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the Cross are sanctified;

Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys, that through all time abide.

In the Cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o'er the wrecks of time,

All the light of sacred story

Gathers round its head sublime.

John Bowring [1792-1872]

"ABIDE WITH ME"

ABIDE with me! Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away:
Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!

The Hour of Peaceful Rest

Not a brief glance, I beg, a passing word,
But, as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free,-
Come, not to sojourn, but abide, with me!

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings;
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings:
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea;
Come, Friend of sinners, and abide with me!

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee:
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me!

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting, where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold then Thy cross before my closing eyes;

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Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies: Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee: In life and death, O Lord, abide with me!

Henry Francis Lyte [1793-1847]

THE HOUR OF PEACEFUL REST

THERE is an hour of peaceful rest
To mourning wanderers given;
There is a joy for souls distressed,
A balm for every wounded breast,
'Tis found alone in heaven.

There is a soft, a downy bed,

Far from these shades of even-
A couch for weary mortals spread,
Where they may rest the aching head,
And find repose, in heaven.

There is a home for weary souls

By sin and sorrow driven;

When tossed on life's tempestuous shoals,
Where storms arise, and ocean rolls,
And all is drear but heaven.

There faith lifts up her cheerful eye,
To brighter prospects given;
And views the tempest passing by,
The evening shadows quickly fly,
And all serene in heaven.

There fragrant flowers immortal bloom,
And joys supreme are given;
There rays divine disperse the gloom:

Beyond the confines of the tomb

Appears the dawn of heaven.

William Bingham Tappan [1794-1849]

THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD

LEAD, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home

Lead Thou me on!

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene, one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on.

I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

So long Thy power hath blessed me, sure it still

Will lead me on,

O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone;

And with the morn those angel faces smile

Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
John Henry Newman [1801-1890]

"NEARER TO THEE"

NEARER, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!
E'en though it be a cross

That raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,

My rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I'd be

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

There let the way appear
Steps unto heaven;

All that Thou send'st to me

In mercy given;

Angels to beckon me

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

Then, with my waking thoughts

Bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs

Bethel I'll raise;

So by my woes to be

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

Or if on joyful wing
Cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upward I fly,

Still all my song shall be,

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

Sarah Flower Adams [1805-1848]

"A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD"*

A MIGHTY fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,-
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He,

Lord Sabaoth His name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness grim,—

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! his doom is sure:

One little word shall fell him.

*For the original of this poem, see page 3581.