Religious Poems, Selected

by Various

THE SPIRIT ACCOMPANYING THE WORD OF GOD.

O spirit of the living God,

In all Thy plenitude of grace,

Where'er the foot of man hath trod,

Descend on our apostate race.

Give tongues of fire, and hearts of love,

To preach the reconciling word;

Give power and unction from above,

Where'er the joyful sound is heard.

Be darkness, at Thy coming, light;

Confusion—order, in Thy path;

Souls without strength inspire with might,

Bid mercy triumph over wrath.

O, Spirit of the Lord! prepare

All the round earth her God to meet;

Breathe Thou abroad like morning air,

Till hearts of stone begin to beat.

Baptize the nations; far and nigh,

The triumphs of the cross record;

The name of Jesus glorify,

Till every kindred call Him Lord.

God from eternity hath willed,

All flesh shall His salvation see;

So be the Father's love fulfilled,

The Saviour's sufferings crowned through Thee.

—James Montgomery.

Religious Poems

APPARITION TO THE SHEPHERDS.