Great God! we move into the vast ; All questions vain-the shadows come! We hear no answer from the past; The years before us all are dumb. We trust Thy purpose and Thy will, Some human fear within our soul ! Forgive us, if when crumbling in The world that we have loved and known, With forms so fair to us, we sin By eyes averted from Thy throne ! Forgive us, if with thoughts too wild, We shudder like a frightened child That enters at a darkened room! Forgive us, if when dies away All human sound upon our ears, We hear not, in the swift decay, Thy loving voice to calm our fears! But lo! the dawn of fuller days; Horizon-glories fringe the sky! Our feet would climb the shining ways Come, then, all sorrow's recompense! 1887. HYMN. AFTER THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION. WE hail Thee now, O Jesu, Upon Thine Altar-throne, Though sight and touch have failed us, And faith perceives alone! Thy love has veiled Thy Godhead, And hid Thy power divine, We hail Thee now, O Jesu! For all the hosts of heaven With wonderment are dumb So great the condescension, So marvellous the love, Which for our sakes, O Saviour, Have drawn Thee from above. We hail Thee now, O Jesu ! For law and type have ceased, And Thou in each Communion Art Sacrifice and Priest; We offer to the Father, In union, Lord, with Thee, Thy precious Blood and Body To cleanse and set us free. We hail Thee now, O Jesu! For death is drawing near, And in Thy presence only Its terrors disappear. Dwell with us, sweetest Saviour, And guide us through the night, Till shadows end in glory, And faith be lost in sight. Amen. HYMN. AFTER RECEIVING THE HOLY COMMUNION. I HAVE Thee now, O Jesu, In all Thy love and fulness, With power to make me whole. Though cold and so unworthy, Though weak and stained with sin, I opened to Thee, Jesu, And Thou hast entered in. I have Thee now, O Jesu! And oh, the thrill divine To feel that Thou art in me, To know that Thou art mine! I have Thee, too, O Jesu, As pledge of future bliss; But faith is lost in wonder At rapture more than this. |