Then to their flocks, still praising God, return,
And their glad hearts within their bosoms burn;
To all, their joyful tidings they proclaim,
The first Apostles of the Saviour's fame.

Oh! may we keep and ponder in our mind,
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
Trace we the Babe, who hath retriev'd our loss,
From the poor manger to the bitter cross:
Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,

Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.

Then may we hope, th' angelic hosts among,
To join, redeem'd, a glad triumphant throng;
He that was born upon this joyful day,
Around us all his glory shall display;
Saved by his love incessant we shall sing,
Eternal praise to heaven's Almighty King.

75

EPIPHANY.

"We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

ONS of men, behold from far!

SONS

Hail the long expected star! Jacob's star, that gilds the night, Guides bewilder'd nature right.

MATTHEW ii. 2.

76

Fear not hence that there should flow
Wars or pestilence below;

Wars it bids and tumults cease,

Ush'ring in the Prince of Peace.

Mild it shines on all beneath
Piercing through the shades of death,
Scatt'ring error's wide-spread night,
Kindling darkness into light.

Nations all, afar and near,

Haste to see your God appear;

Haste! for him your hearts prepare;
Meet him manifested there.

There behold the Day-spring rise,
Pouring eyesight on your eyes;
God in his own light survey,
Shining to the perfect day.

Sing, ye morning stars, again;
God descends on earth to reign,
Deigns for man his life t'employ;
Shout, ye sons of God, for joy!

THE PASCHAL LAMB.

"Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."-1 Cor. v. 7.

HAIL, thou once despised Jesus!

Hail, thou Galilean King,

H

Who didst suffer to release us,
Who didst free salvation bring!
Hail, thou precious, precious Saviour,
Who hast borne our sin and shame,
By whose merit we find favour;
Life is given through thy name!

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
All our sins were on Thee laid;
By Almighty love anointed,

Thou hast full atonement made.

Ev'ry sin may be forgiven,

Through the virtue of thy blood!

Open'd is the gate of heaven,

Peace is made 'twixt man and God.

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."-GALATIANS VI. 14.

HEN I survey the wondrous cross,

WH

On which the Prince of glory died;
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the cross of Christ my God;

All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See! from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small!
Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all!

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CHRIST OUR HIGH PRIEST.

"By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."-HEBREWS ix. 12.

HE atoning work is done,

THE

The victim's blood is shed;

And Jesus now is gone

His people's cause to plead :

He stands in heav'n their great High Priest,

And bears their names upon his breast,

He sprinkles with his blood

The mercy-seat above;

For Justice had withstood

The purposes of Love:

But Justice now objects no more,
And Mercy yields her boundless store.

79

No temple made with hands

His place of service is;
In heav'n itself he stands,

An heav'nly priesthood His :

In him the shadows of the law

Are all fulfill'd, and now withdraw.

And though awhile he be
Hid from the eyes of men,
His people look to see

Their great High Priest again :
In brightest glory He will come,
And take his waiting people home.

EASTER DAY.

"The Lord is risen indeed."-LUKE Xxiv. 34.

ESUS Christ is risen to-day,

JE

Sons of men and angels say; Raise your joys and triumphs high, Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply.

Love's redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won :
Lo! the sun's eclipse is o'er;
Lo! he sets in blood no more.