[FOR SUNDAY, AND ESPECIALLY EASTER SUNDAY.]

[FOR EASTER SUNDAY.]

8. 7. Double. C. WORDSWORTH.

279 Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are

I

Christ's at His coming-1 Cor. xv. 23.

Hallelujah!

heaven and voices raise;

Hearts to

Sing to God a hymn of gladness, sing to God a

hymn of praise ;

He who on the cross a victim for the world's salvation bled;

Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, now is risen from the dead.

2 Now the iron bars are broken, Christ from death to life is born ;

Glorious life, and life immortal, on this holy Easter morn;

Christ has triumphed, and we conquer by His mighty enterprise ;

We with Him to life eternal by His resurrection rise.

3 Christ is risen, Christ the Firstfruits of the holy harvest field,

Which will all its full abundance at His second coming yield;

Then the golden ears of harvest will their heads before Him wave,

Ripened by His glorious sunshine, from the furrows of the grave,

4 Christ is risen; we are risen. Shed upon us heavenly grace,

Rain and dew and gleams of glory from the brightness of Thy face,

That we, with our hearts in heaven, here on earth may fruitful be,

And by angel-hands be gathered, and be ever, Lord, with Thee.

5 Hallelujah Hallelujah! Glory be to God on high !

Hallelujah! to the Saviour, who has gained the victory!

Hallelujah! to the Spirit, Fount of Love and

Sanctity;

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! to the Triune Majesty !

Amen.

HIS ASCENSION.

280

I

OUR

UR Lord is risen from the dead;
Our Jesus is gone up on high;
The powers of hell are captive led,
Dragged to the portals of the sky.
2 There His triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chant the solemn lay;
Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates;
Ye everlasting doors, give way.

3 Loose all your bars of massy light,
And wide unfold the ethereal scene;
He claims these mansions as His right;
Receive the King of Glory in.

4 Who is the King of Glory, who?

The Lord that all our foes o'ercame;
The world, sin, death, and hell o'erthrew ;
And Jesus is the Conqueror's name.

5 Lo! His triumphal chariot waits,

And angels chant the solemn lay;
Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates;
Ye everlasting doors, give way.

6 Who is the King of Glory, who?

The Lord, of boundless power possessed;
The King of saints and angels too;
God over all, for ever blest.

281

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L

C.M. Double.

Psalm xxiv.

TATE AND BRADY.*

IFT up your heads, eternal gates;
Unfold to entertain

The King of Glory; see! He comes
With His celestial train.

Who is the King of Glory, who?
The Lord for strength renowned;
In battle mighty, o'er His foes
Eternal victor crowned.

2 Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates,
In state to entertain

The King of Glory; see, He comes
With all his shining train.

Who is the King of Glory, who?
The Lord of Hosts renowned;
Triumphant over sin and death,
Eternal Victor crowned.

282

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C.M.
Psalm xlvii.

FOR a shout of sacred joy

To God, the Sovereign King;
Let every land their tongues employ,
And hymns of triumph sing.

2 Jesus, our God, ascends on high;
His heavenly guards around
Attend Him, rising through the sky,
With trumpets' joyful sound.

WATTS.

3 While angels shout and praise their King,
Let mortals learn their strains;

Let all the earth His honours sing;
O'er all the earth He reigns.

4 Rehearse His praise with awe profound,
Let knowledge lead the song,
Nor mock Him with a solemn sound
Upon a thoughtless tongue.

In Israel stood His ancient throne,
He loved that chosen race;

But now He calls the world His own,
And heathens taste His grace.

6 The British Islands are the Lord's;
There Abraham's God is known;

While powers and princes, shields and swords,
Submit before His throne.

CHARLES WESLEY.*

283 He was taken up, and a cloud received Him

I

Ha

out of their sight.—Acts i. 9.

AIL the day that sees Him rise,
Glorious, to His native skies;
Christ, awhile to mortals given,
Enters now the gates of heaven.

2 There the glorious triumph waits ;
Lift your heads, eternal gates;
Wide unfold the radiant scene;
Take the King of Glory in!

3 Circled round with angel powers,
Their triumphant Lord, and ours,
Conqueror over death and sin;
Take the King of Glory in!

4 Him though highest heaven receives,
Still He loves the earth He leaves;
Though returning to His throne,
Still He calls mankind His own.