THE LORD’S DAY.

123

7s 6 l

Father, who the light this day
Out of darkness didst create,
Shine upon us now, we pray,
While within Thy courts we wait.
Wean us from the works of night,
Make us children of the light.
2. Savior, who this day didst break
From the bondage of the tomb,
Bid our slumbering souls awake
And dispel their doubt and gloom;
Let us, from our bonds set free,
Rise from sin and live to Thee.
3. Blessed Spirit, Comforter,
Sent this day from Christ on high,
Lord, on us Thy gifts confer,
Cleanse, illumine, sanctify;
All Thine influence shed abroad;
Lead us to the truth of God.

Julia A. Elliott, 1833, a.

124

6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8 (H. M.)

Welcome, delightful morn,
Thou day of sacred rest;
I hail thy kind return:
Lord, make these moments blest.
From the low train of mortal toys
I soar to reach immortal joys.
2. Now may the King descend
And fill His throne of grace;
Thy scepter, Lord, extend
While saints address Thy face;
Let sinners feel Thy quickening Word
And learn to know and fear the Lord.
3. Descend, O heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers,
Disclose a Savior’s love,
And bless these sacred hours.
Then shall my soul new life obtain,
Nor Lord’s Days e’er be spent in vain.

Hayward, in Dobell’s New Sel., 1806.

125

7s 6 l

Safely through another week
God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek,
Waiting in His courts to-day:
Day of all the week the best,
Emblem of eternal rest.
2. Mercies multiplied each hour
Through the week our praise demand;
Guarded by almighty power,
Fed and guided by His hand,
Though ungrateful we have been
And repaying love with sin.
3. While we pray for pardoning grace,
Through the dear Redeemer’s name,
Show Thy reconcilèd face,
Take away our sin and shame;
From our worldly cares set free,
May we rest this day in Thee.
4. As we come Thy name to praise,
May we feel Thy presence near;
May Thy glory meet our eyes
While we in Thy house appear.
Here afford us, Lord, a taste
Of our everlasting feast.
5. May Thy Gospel’s joyful sound
Conquer sinners, comfort saints;
Make the fruits of grace abound,
Bring relief for all complaints.
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove
Till we join the Church above.

John Newton, 1774.

126

7s

On this day, the first of days,
God the Father’s name we praise,
Who, creation’s Fount and Spring,
Did the world from darkness bring.
2. On this day th’ eternal Son,
Over death His triumph won;
On this day the Spirit came
With His gifts of living flame.
3. Oh, that fervent love to-day
May in every heart have sway,
Teaching us to praise aright
God, the Source of life and light!
4. Father, who didst fashion me
Image of Thyself to be,
Fill me with Thy love divine,
Let my every thought be Thine.
5. Holy Jesus, may I be
Dead and buried here with Thee,
And, by love inflamed, arise
Unto Thee a sacrifice.

Die Parente Temporum, 1748; H. W. Baker, tr., 1861.

127

L. M.

This day at Thy creating word
First o’er the earth the light was poured.
O Lord, this day upon us shine
And fill our souls with light divine.
2. This day the Lord for sinners slain
In might victorious rose again.
O Jesus, may we raised be
From death of sin to life in Thee.
3. This day the Holy Spirit came
With fiery tongues of cloven flame.—
O Spirit, fill our hearts this day
With grace to hear and grace to pray.
4. O day of light and life and grace,
From earthly toils sweet resting-place,
Thy hallowed hours, best gift of love,
Give we again to God above!

W. W. How, 1854.

128

C. M.

With joy we hail the sacred day
Which we have called God’s own;
With joy the summons we obey
To worship at His throne.
2. Thy chosen temple, Lord, how fair!
As here Thy servants throng
To breathe the humble, fervent prayer
And pour the choral song.
3. Spirit of Grace, O deign to dwell
Within Thy Church below;
Make her in holiness excel,
With pure devotion glow.
4. Let peace within her walls be found;
Let all her sons unite
To spread with holy zeal around
Her clear and shining light.
5. Great God, we hail the sacred day
Which we have called Thine own;
With joy the summons we obey
To worship at Thy throne.

H. Auber, 1833, a.

129

C. M.

This is the day the Lord hath made;
He calls the hours His own;
Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.
2. To-day He rose and left the dead,
And Satan’s empire fell;
To-day the saints His triumph spread
And all His wonders tell.
3. Hosanna to th’ anointed King,
To David’s holy Son!
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring
Salvation from Thy throne.
4. Blest be the Lord, who comes to men
With messages of grace;
Who comes in God His Father’s name
To save our sinful race.
5. Hosanna in the highest strains
The Church on earth can raise!
The highest heavens, in which He reigns,
Shall give Him nobler praise.

Isaac Watts, 1719.