714. H. M. Mrs. Case.
The Same.
1Lord! on thy Zion's wall
A faithful watchman stands,
And hears the solemn call
Of anxious, waiting bands,
Who seek along the waning night
For heralds of thy coming light.
2Oh, may he never sleep
Upon his weary post,
Nor shrink, though round him sweep
The storm's embattled host;
But, whatsoe'er the night may be,
Stand firm in duty and in thee!
3And let his visioned eye
Rest on the truth sublime,
That sin and woe shall fly
Before advancing time,
Till in thine own eternal day
The latest tear hath passed away.
4And when his watch is done,
Oh, let unclouded light,
From heaven's all glorious sun
Gleam on his closing sight:--
That all who see his death, shall know
His spirit walked with thee below.
715. 6s. & 4s. M. J. G. Adams.
The Same.
1Sovereign of worlds above!
From thy blest throne of love,
To us appear;
Help, as we raise to thee,
Prayers of humility,
Praises of spirits free;
And wilt thou hear.
2Be thy rich blessing shed
On thy young servant's head,
In this bright hour,
Who at thine altar stands,
With trusting heart and hands,
Waiting thy true commands,--
Seeking thy power.
3Grant him thy wisdom, Lord,
And with thy mighty word
Armed may he be;
Faithful in teaching here,
Moved by thy holy fear,--
May his great charge be dear,
Father, to thee.
4And when, his toilings ceased,
To heaven, from earth released,
Thou bid him come;
Then, where no sin-cloud lowers,
Be his glad theme and ours,
Love's high redeeming powers,
Man's endless home!
716. 8s. 7s. & 4s. M. L. C. Browne.
The Same.
1As the evening shadows gather
O'er us, from thy holy hill
May thy blessing, righteous Father,
Like the evening dew distil;
And thy presence
Every heart with rapture fill!
2While in summer's warmth and beauty,
We our brother set apart
To the pastor's solemn duty,
May thy spirit warm his heart;
Without measure,
Wisdom, strength and love impart.
3To perform the sacred function
As thy servant we ordain,
Father, may the holy unction
Fall on him, like summer rain!
Make him fertile,
Bearing fruit like golden grain.
4In the path of duty guide him,
Firm in virtue may he stand;
And from storm and peril, hide him
In the hollow of thy hand;
Keep his footsteps
Till he tread the better land.
5When at last his toils are over,
Summer ended, autumn near,
May he and his flock, like clover
Ripened for the scythe, appear;
And when falling,
Guardian angels linger near.
717. 8s. 7s. & 4s. M. E. H. Chapin.
The Same.
1Father! at this altar bending,
Set our hearts from world-thoughts free;
Prayer and praise their incense blending,
May our rites accepted be:
Father, hear us,
Gently draw our souls to thee.
2Deign to smile upon this union
Of a pastor and a flock;
Sweet and blest be their communion:
May he sacred truths unlock--
And this people
Plant their feet on Christ the Rock.
3Be his life a living sermon,
Be his thoughts one ceaseless prayer:
Like the dews that fell on Hermon,
Making green the foliage there,
May his teachings
Drop on souls beneath his care.
4Here may Sin repent its straying,
Here may Grief forget to weep,
Here may Hope its light displaying,
And blest Faith, their vigils keep,
And the dying
Pass from hence in Christ to sleep.
5When his heart shall cease its motion,
All its toils and conflicts o'er;
When they for an unseen ocean,
One by one, shall leave the shore;
Pastor, people, there--in heaven,
May they meet to part no more.