1713

Alleluia ! The hallowed day hath shined upon us. Come, ye nations, adore the LORD, for to-day a great Light hath descended on the earth. Alleluia.

Hark! the hosts of heaven are singing,
Come, ye nations, and adore Him.
Hark! the hosts of heaven are singing
Praises to their new-born LORD,
Strains of sweetest music flinging,
Not a sound or word unheard:
This the day of days most holy,
Day in which new joys were given;
Not in part alone, but wholly

To the wide world under heaven.

1714

STAINER.

There was silence in Bethlehem's fields that night,
Where the shepherds their flocks were keeping ;
The stars calmly shone from their beautiful height,
The sheep on the hills lay a-sleeping.

And the quiet that fell on that wondrous hour,
From all others was strangely parted,

And Hope that for years had been robbed of her power
Was the Hope of the weary-hearted.

How dreary the ages of strife passed away,
Since the word of His coming was spoken!

Still, still the deep darkness that reigns ere the day
And quietness almost unbroken,

Through darkness and silence, Peace hasted to earth,
Where sheep on the hills lay a-sleeping,

And the angels declared the wonderful birth,
The end of her sorrow and weeping.

Then suddenly came to this angel most bright,
A host of the heavenly chorus,

And a glory broke forth more dazzling to sight
Than the sun which at noonday burns o'er us;
The silence was over, the hope long deferred,
The waiting for CHRIST and His glory,

When the angels sang out, and the listeners heard
The tidings they brought in their story.

STAINER.

1715

THE STORY OF THE CROSS.

I. THE QUESTION.

In His own raiment clad-
With His blood dyed;

Women walk sorrowing

By His side.

IV. THE APPEAL FROM THE CROSS.

Child of My grief and pain

Watched by My love

I come to call thee to

I saw thee wandering
Far off from Me:

Realms above.

STAINER, M. B. FOSTER, ROBERTS, Somervell.

1716

"Come unto Me, ye weary,
And I will give you rest.
O blessèd voice of JESUS,
Which comes to hearts opprest;
It tells of benediction,

Of pardon, grace, and peace,
Of joy that hath no ending,
Of love that cannot cease.

"Come unto Me, ye wanderers,
And I will give you light."
O loving voice of JESUS,

Which comes to cheer the night;
Our hearts were filled with sadness,
And we had lost our way;
But He has brought us gladness
And songs at break of day.

"Come unto Me, ye fainting,
And I will give you life."
O cheering voice of JESUS,

Which comes to aid our strife;

The foe is stern and eager,

The fight is fierce and long;
But He has made us mighty,
And stronger than the strong.
"And whosoever cometh,

I will not cast him out."
O welcome voice of JESUS,
Which drives away our doubt;
Which calls us very sinners,
Unworthy though we be,
Of love so free and boundless,

To come, dear LORD, to Thee.

1717

JORDAN.

PSALM XXXVII. 23. (Bible Version.) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in His way. 24. He shall not be cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.

CAMBRIDGE.